Page 63 of Wolf Alliance
“Etta had been hopeful. I knew her from before when she was human. Like Cook, she and the others on the original staff didna know that I was a wolf like you, so they were afraid you would turn me. But since they knew me, she wanted me to be your mate. She liked me. She wasna sure who else you might end up mating otherwise and they all knew it could affect how they did their jobs if they didn’t like the woman you ended up with.”
Erik smiled. “I wouldna have ever married anyone who wasna good with my staff and the boys this time. I learned my lesson the last time. That was one of the reasons I brought you to my keep. To see how you interacted with everyone.”
“That makes you a good pack leader. Someone else might no’ have cared.”
“No’ me.”
“I felt the same way about you.”
“Oh?”
“Aye. If you had treated your staff poorly, I wouldna have mated you.”
He laughed. “Then we both found the perfect mate.”
She kissed him. “We did. The boys seem happy.”
“They are. Ever since you’ve been here, they’ve been happy, barely quarrelsome, clean, and helpful. Everyone has said so and they know ‘tis all because of you. The boys are excited about the journey to your castle. They’ve never traveled that far on horseback.”
“I hope they can manage.”
“We might be taking it a little slower is all. We’ll have tents also to make the journey easier.”
“You didna have them when you ferreted me away from my castle.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I hadna decided to steal you away until the very last moment and then I made up my mind. The men and I hadna needed the tents. But I would have brought one for you if I had thought I would take you with me. On this journey, we will bring them.”
“You hadna thought to take me with you? I had believed you had intended to do it from the onset.”
“The closer I got to your home, the more I thought about it, and the more I realized I needed to have you meet my sons first.”
“Which I understood once I had met them. Their fondness for me helped me to decide to mate you even sooner. Though I wouldna have waited much longer.”
He smiled. “I’m glad for that. How will your da feel about us mating and marrying here?”
“He will have allied with you and be glad for it. My uncle was the only one who was the holdout. He didna want me to marry you.”
“Will he have changed his mind, do you think?”
“I hope so, as I’m fond of my uncle. But if he doesna still agree, mayhap he will change his feelings after some time. All that matters is Da approves and he will. When we return to my castle, I will pack my clothes and bring them to Whitehaven.” She couldn’t help but worry that her uncle might cause trouble for Erik though.
The tips of Erik’s ears reddened. “Uh, aye, that was another miscalculation on my part. We will bring your things with us.”
After everyone offered their congratulations and enjoyed the ale and food, several of the pack members from both packs went on a wolf run with the newly married couple. A few wolves were a little drunk, so more sober wolves were watching out for them.
Those on guard duty hadn’t had as much to drink to be sure they could serve and protect the families. The boys enjoyed playing as wolves like they had the night before, chasing each other, tackling one another, nipping tails and necks in a show of juvenile dominance.
Even Alasdair’s and Erik’s brothers spent time roughhousing with each other, something that Erik and Alasdair would have joined in on. But now that they had mates, they were playing with them and not with their brothers. Though not wanting to leave Bessetta out of all the fun, Accalia played with her too.
That was another reason Erik loved Accalia. She was fun to be with and loyal to her friends.
Once the boys had worn themselves out, everyone returned to the keep. It had been a nice night out, stars filling the dark void, a light breeze blowing, a grand way to celebrate their mating and marriage as a mated couple in their wolf coats.
But now it was time to settle in for the night and tomorrow they would prepare to leave after breaking their fast. After putting the boys to bed, Erik and Accalia returned to their bedchamber to make love, though Erik was concerned that Accalia’s uncle might cause trouble for him when they arrived at her home.
He hoped he could maintain his composure and not lash out at the man, should that occur. He wanted Accalia and his sons to see the good side of him, but if pushed into action, he wouldn’t hesitate to act.
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