I held little Euan in my lap and cooed to him. Beside me, a red wolf sat patiently as a baby grasped his fur with chubby fists. With a chorus of babbling, the baby pulled himself up and started to walk, holding tightly to the red pelt.

I laughed softly at Fergus’ long-suffering expression. Do you want me to distract him?

Nay. This is how the bairn’s learn. When he’s older, I’ll teach him to mind his uncle Fergus. The wolf stuck his wet nose on the back of the baby’s knee, and Jacob lost his footing.

“Yoohoo,” someone called. I tensed, peering through the bushes. We’d carried the babies through a secret hall to a hidden cave lower down the mountain. The day was fine, and though there was a chill in the summer air, the wind wasn’t as bad as it was further up the mountain. We were safe. Still, we stayed in the patch of sun at the cave mouth.

“Who’s there?” I asked with a glance at the wolf, who hadn’t risen.

Tis your sister, Fergus told me just as Fleur poked her head around the bushes.

“Hello. I brought some honey cakes.”

Fergus barked.

“Not for you. For my sister and the guards.”

“Fergus is our guard,” I told her.

“Not the only one.” Fleur smiled as two giant black wolves rose from the brush behind her and stalked forward. One had a white splash on his face.

Gunnr and Erik, Fergus greeted two of my sister’s mates.

“The Alphas asked us to help.” Fleur came to sit on my blanket. I scooted to make room for her, and handed her Euan in exchange for a honey cake. “They’re almost done with consulting with the witch, but we’re to watch the babes until evening.”

I linked to Fergus so he could explain.

The Alphas have decided on a course of action. But first, they wish to enjoy their mates.

What about Wulfgar? I asked, and startled when my name was called.

“Muriel.” Wulfgar stood in the shadow of the cave, beckoning to me.

Go on, lass. Fergus stayed where he was. Jacob had a handful of his fur and Gunnr’s, and was hanging on as he took toddling steps between them.

When I approached my giant husband, he drew me further back into the cave. “I must leave for patrol.”

I nodded, searching his face.

“Maddox is leading a band of warriors to search for the missing. So I will not be going far. I will return soon.”

“Be safe.”

He hesitated, as if he would say more, but then kissed my brow, as if I was a child. Not a wife. My face flushed, I could no longer hold my tongue.

“My lord,” I called before he disappeared around the bend in the hall.

He turned.

“I wish to ask you something.” I kept my chin up but knotted my hands in my skirts. My head tilted up as Wulfgar came back to stand before me. He was so large, so powerful. My heart beat faster facing him, as it did from the moment we met.

“So formal, little one?” His voice held a touch of warmth. “After all these moons?”

“I-” my voice stuttered as he laid a hand on my belly, just under my breast. My blush flared again. Under my modest gown I wore three piercings, each nipple and one at my most secret place. Sometimes my mates connected each with a chain, and the merest brush of their hand leaves me wanting. My breasts and lower lips were always sensitive. Lately, too sensitive. A sennight ago Fergus removed the chain but not the piercings.

Wulfgar’s touch reminded me of all the good between us. But when I laid my hand over his, his face grew shadowed. Cold swept over me again as I felt him withdraw.

“Please,” I blurted before I lost my nerve. “You have been so distant these past few days. I have wondered…” I swallowed. “Do I no longer please you?”

His head jerked back, his eyes widening in almost alarm.

My heart sank. How did I become repulsive to him?

“I know I have been ill.” A few moons ago, I had a lingering stomach sickness. I was weak and barely able to move or eat without vomiting.

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it? I am the same. Fergus is the same. I thought we all had grown closer, but you—”

“You are not the same,” Wulfgar said roughly.

“I have tried to be a good wife to you.”

“You are. But things will change between us.”

“Why?”

“Because you are with child.”

For a moment, I didn’t think I heard him correctly. “What?”

“You did not know?”

Turning away, I put my hand to my belly. I had been sick, and when I could eat again, my appetite returned in force. I’d grown rounder, but I’d not thought it was because of a babe. “I had no reason to think…” With the pack growing larger, the attacks of the Corpse King and Brenna’s boys, I’d been distracted.

“I thought you knew and weren’t telling us,” he muttered

“Of course I didn’t know. If you’d remain in my mind you would understand that I did not realize.”

“I thought perhaps your sisters would’ve told you.”

“They are busy.” Sabine studying her magic. Brenna with the twins. Fleur with her three mates.

I whirled to face him. “And what about you? You are supposed to be my mate. You have not even come to me in these past few months. Are you—” I put my hand over my mouth. Wulfgar moved, a shadow in my mind, an authoritative presence. I didn’t dare accuse him of what I thought. Not out loud. Do you not want the child?

He caught the echo of my thought before I banished it.

Large hands, battle rough, closed on my arms. “Of course I want the babe. Of course.”

“Then what is wrong?”

His hands fall away. He shook his head, and stepped back.

Wulfgar?

Be well, Muriel. Just like that, he is gone.

Babies’ laughter wafted from the outside, a reminder of the sunshine and happiness only a few feet away. But I was grateful for the darkness inside the cave as I wrapped my arms around my shaking body.

Fergus caught me as I doubled over. “Easy, lass, shhh.” He pulled me into his rough embrace. His bristly beard scratched my cheek, and I realized I was crying.

“He said—”

“I heard.” Fergus cradled my head against him as I wept.

“What’s wrong? What did I do?”

“Hush, Muriel, ye did nothing wrong. It’s all right.”

“He was so sad. He didn’t want to touch me.”

“He wants ye all right. He burns for ye. It kills him to stay away.”

“It hurts me too.” I wiped my cheeks, angry with myself for crying. I should be happy. I’ve always wanted a child.

“He’s afraid.”

I stare at Fergus. Wulfgar is the most powerful warrior in the pack. He could be an Alpha. “Of me?”

“Of happiness. Since I’ve known him, he’s wanted this. A lovely wife. A family. He’s wished so long for one. And now that it’s here, he’s facing the greatest enemy he’s ever known. Wulfgar is a warrior. And one misstep, one second of faltering in this fight, and he could lose it all. Wouldn’t you be afraid, too?”