Laurel crashed through the bush, her white calves flashing under her shift. Even frightened, she gave off a rich perfume that called to the beast. It would gladly chase her for miles, but I grabbed her before she did herself harm.

“Naughty one. What did I tell you about roaming through the forest?”

She stilled as she recognized my voice. I turned her so she could see the contempt on my face. Too late I realized she would have a clear view of my scars, but she didn’t wince at their ugliness in the harsh light of day.

“What did I tell you?” I shook her, fear making me angry. Another hour, she might have strayed out of our protection. I knew she would run. I was waiting for it. I just hoped she would’ve waited until she was stronger, and the threat of our enemies no more.

Without waiting for an answer, I tossed her over my shoulder and strode back to camp.

Haakon was waiting for me, awake, his hands crossed behind his head as if he’d simply laid down for a moment. The tenseness in his jaw told me the magic was doing its healing work, and he was suffering.

“Look what I found in the woods,” I let Laurel down and she backed away.

I’d left my clothes and weapons in the woods and gone hunting as a wolf. The Change left me naked but for a pelt over my shoulders. She seemed more afraid of my nakedness than anything else. Silly girl.

“What a lovely catch,” Haakon said out loud. Using our bond, he added, I’d hoped for fresh meat, but once I am well fed, I wouldn’t mind eating her. No doubt she has the most delicate flavor.

I barked a laugh, and Laurel jumped. Taking a rope, I bound her wrists and looped a section around her neck, then led her like a pet to Haakon.

“Keep her close,” I ordered, handing him the leash.

“It’s all right, little love,” I heard Haakon soothing her as I walked away. “He will not remain angry for long.”

I went back to the stream and gathered up the waterskin and rabbits. Back at camp I built up the fire, skinned and spitted the game, letting the tension build.

I didn’t think you were cruel, Ulf.

I am not being cruel by making her wait. I merely wish to be calm when I punish our mate.

I wasn’t speaking of making her wait. No doubt she’s happy to delay her discipline. I meant me. Haakon mock pouted. I want to see you punish her. I am an invalid, I have so few pleasures left to me.

I had to bite my cheek to hide a smile.

Truly, Ulf, she is contrite enough.

Laurel sat with her head bowed. Even when I took the pelt from my shoulders and draped it over her knees, she barely raised her head.

“For you,” I said. “To keep you warm. I’ll get you new garments when I next leave. This time I thought it best not to be long gone on the hunt. It is good I was not, because by the time I would’ve returned, you might’ve been lost. Or fallen into a ravine. Or captured by the Corpse King’s servants—and who knows what evil would befall you then?” I tore a hand through my hair, heart constricted with fear—the likes of which I hadn’t felt for a century. “Do you know that we rescued Hazel from a cave filled with bones? Whatever the Corpse King’s purpose with the spaewives, none of them survive. You are alive because of us.” My voice rang over the rocks. Laurel sat hunched with the pelt gripped in her hands, crying.

“Oh, lass,” Haakon soothed. Enough, Ulf.

“I am sorry,” Laurel sobbed. “I didn’t want to leave. But I must. I cannot remain here.”

Crouching, I gripped her knee through the pelt. Her pale skin flushed with the first signs of the feverish heat that marked her as a spaewife and made her a perfect Berserker mate. I wanted to comfort her with sweet words like my warrior brother, but my voice came out harsh as ever.

“You can run, but we will never let you go. You belong to us, now.”