Page 20 of Berserker Devotion
Now, they actively avoided her inside and outside the gym. Apparently, she had too short of a fuse to be around these days.
That’s what Bolt had told her after she’d broken a plate at dinner because somebody had eaten all the mac and cheese.
Seriously, was it too much to ask that people didn’t finish her favorite food before she’d came to the table? They all knew it was her preferred side dish. It made her mad just thinking about how she’d missed out on all that gooey goodness. She increased her stride, pushing her body harder.
A man walked toward her on the deserted beach, his gait familiar.
Her breath hitched, and she slowed down to an easier jog, and then a walk, before stopping altogether.
Ulf.
He looked like he’d lost weight. When he got closer, she noticed that an impressive shade of purple skin surrounded one of his eyes.
“Bolt?” she asked, nodding toward the shiner as he stopped right in front of her.
Ulf shook his head. “Your uncle. He came by to drop off an amazing carving for the king, and to give me a message.”
Nora smiled. Uncle Karl may not be a wolf of many words, but he knew how to get his point across. “He passed on a message to me too?”
Ulf bristled. “He hit you?”
“Goddess, no. He used pen and paper. He sent me a note.”
“What did it say?”
“Idiot.”
Ulf reached out as if to touch her but then dropped his hand. “I know, I’m sorry.”
She smiled. “You should be, but that’s not what I meant. That’s what my uncle’s note said. Just that one word.”
Ulf chuckled but then turned serious again as he studied her. “I am an idiot for letting you go. I knew almost from the first moment I saw you that you were the one for me.” The words spilled quickly from his mouth and he stopped to take a breath. “I mean maybe not while you had me tied to the bed, although at first I thought we’d—”
She placed her index fingers against his lips to shut him up. “We were both stupid.”
He grinned down at her. “Give me a second chance?”
She nodded. “If you give me one.”
Ulf kneeled down and pulled a small box square box out of his pocket. “It’s a Viking tradition to become handfasted, engaged, when you meet your själsfrände.” He opened the box to reveal an exquisite platinum ring shaped like the Midgard Serpent, holding a large red ruby between its tail and mouth.
She plucked it from the box. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she’d ever seen. “Even if I hadn’t missed you like crazy, this ring probably would have made me forgive you and take you back.” She slipped it on and it fit perfectly.
“Good to know.” He grinned.
“Don’t press your luck. We’re going to have enough obstacles carrying on a relationship long distance.”
Ulf shook his head. “Forget that. Before your uncle slugged me, he explained how important you are to your pack, and them to you. I’m moving here. I hope you put on good Julbord for Christmas.”
Nora stared at him, shocked, but also delighted. “You won’t go hungry if you spend the holidays here. But moving here permanently, could be a problem. I live in the pack house.” She shook her head. “I mean, we can get our own place, but I still need to spend a lot of time there. It’s where I work.”
He stood and pulled her in for a long kiss. “Don’t you think the wolves will get used to me eventually?” he asked when he released her lips.
She shook her head. “Not in a million years. You’re an alpha and that will not sit well with the other dominant wolves in the pack. They’re going to challenge you.”
Ulf grinned again. “As long as you have a good sparing gym, I’m ready for a few fights with your wolves.
It was her turn to smile big. She grabbed his hand and started walking up toward the house. “We have a great gym. I can’t wait to show it to you. Several of the packmates have been lax in their training. We should do some two-on-two sparing with them.” She turned and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “You and me against a couple of the others.”