“That was incredible,” She said, “I feel lighter, somehow.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“What do you mean?” She shifted, stretching her legs.

“I’ve never seen something like that. People don’t usually glow or- or-,” I ran my hands through my hair, seeking the words to describe it, “any of the rest. It’s usually more of an internal thing. I- I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve read of similar things, and lycans who were able to expand their hugr beyond typical lycan abilities. They had abilities of telekinesis, projection, telepathy... Those documents were so old, though, there is no one living who has seen it.”

“You should talk to Frode about this.” She said, reaching for me, “He is nearing the end of his ninth century. He has seen much and heard of even more.”

I pulled her close, and she leaned against my chest. I buried my face in the crook of her neck and inhaled. She steadied me. “What are you thinking?” I asked.

“What does this mean?”

“It means you’re special, though I already knew that.”

“Really, though.”

“I don’t know, love. I will talk to Frode, and possibly Dagr. This may fall into her realm as well. I will need to tell them, you know, about us.”

“Dagr already knows. Nothing gets past her.” I laughed because she was right, “You should come in the evening, tomorrow. My mother and father will be home then.”

“What will they say?”

“I think they already suspect. My father likes you well enough. He wouldn’t be silenced about you over dinner, I think he was trying to drag it out of me. That’s his way, though. My mother places the Skollfolk first in all things, choosing her clan over even us. It is her burden, and mine as well,” She paused, brow furrowed, “You have devoted your life thus far to caring for our people. I never know what she will do, but that will be important to her.”

I let that settle for a moment. I would always share her, and to fight it would be to put her at odds with herself. Our people were her burden, but hadn’t I asked Fenrir to make me a strength of our people? To allow me to serve our clan? This was my plea come to pass. I sat with her head on my chest, running my fingers through her hair.

“What are you thinking?” She looked up at me.

“Would you like to visit Sollys with me?” I asked.

“Sollys?”

“That’s where I was born. My family is still there, I- I had been planning to visit whenever Frode allowed for it.”

“I would love to.” She said, smiling, “Tell me about your family.”

“They’re farmers. Dagr is my father’s sister, he tends the land their father did. His name is Dag. My mother is called Eydis, and they are true mates. They met very young, my brother Leif was born before their first century was complete. He works alongside my father, he is yet unmated. My sister, Inge, was born after I had left. She only shifted a few years ago, and she is a gifted weaver. She is apprenticing with the weaver in Sollys. I’m sure she could do better, but I’m glad she is staying close. I left home young, so I don’t feel as though I know them well. We care for each other of course, and we are always glad for a visit. Dagr was often in Thiviti when I was there, and we would meet and she would bring me word of them. She says they are proud of how well I have done. I hope with being closer we have more opportunity to see one another.”

“I can’t imagine having to leave my family. That must have been difficult.”

“It was, but I was honored to be chosen. I want to serve our people, and healing is a very practical way of doing it. Everyone serves in their own way, of course, but I just wasn’t meant to be a farmer. Not that there's anything wrong with being one, I just…” I trailed off, unsure how to continue.

“You wanted more,” she said, sitting up and turning to look at me. “There’s nothing wrong with that, either. My mother tells me it is the responsibility of a leader to envision more. To do anything less would be settling for what you have in the moment, when you could choose to better your people. The choice is clear, why would we simply survive when we could thrive?”

“I love the way you talk about our people, Sage,” a blush crept up her cheeks and she ducked her head. I put a hand on her cheek and pulled her to me, bringing her to face me. “I mean it. Your devotion to the task set before you is inspiring, and not just to me. Everyone I’ve met speaks highly of you. I only hope that I can do right by you, as your mate.”

She leaned into my shoulder and I pulled her on to my lap, kissing her temple. Her forehead sat in the crook of my neck and I could feel her breath against my chest. I wanted to stay like this forever, the woods were dark and deep, and I could hear frogs and small animals. Sage was warm against me, and I felt at peace with her. I was nervous about tomorrow and I had questions about what had just happened, certainly. At this moment, though, none of that was a concern.

“We have to go back eventually.” She said.

“I disagree.”

“Hati will adopt us himself, staying out all hours like this.”

“Let him try,” I held her tighter and she pushed me over, laughing. I landed on my back with her next to me and turned on my side, pulling her close and nipping her neck. “He can’t have what’s mine,” I growled.

“I bear no one’s mark, sir.” she said, still laughing.

“I’d be happy to change that,” I whispered into her ear, grazing my teeth over the bare spot on her neck. She rolled to face me, I thought to kiss her but before I had the chance she had straddled me. My breath hitched and my hands slid to her hips. She leaned forward, her breath hot on my ear.

“And who is to say I won’t do it first?” She whispered.

“I await your order, Alpha,” I smirked. She nipped my neck, eliciting a groan from me as she trailed kisses down my jaw until she met my mouth. I weaved my fingers through her hair, holding her closer. I wanted her, and I knew she could feel my need growing as her hips ground against me. She pulled me up so I was sitting, never breaking our kiss. She had a hand in my hair, and pulled my head back to expose my neck to her. She growled, having put me in a position of submission, and nibbled her way down my neck. I held her hips, rubbing small circles with my thumbs, moving up her torso slowly. She was all muscle, melting under my hands. She wrapped an arm around my neck, burying her face in the crook.

“Oh gods, Eir. We have to go.” She breathed.

“But I’m only getting started, love,” I joked, moving my hands back to her hips and pulling away.

“And I’m the tease?” She sat up, lips swollen and a flush on her cheeks.

“No, you’re just beautiful. You can’t help being so damn enticing.” She laughed, standing. I stood, gathering the blanket and shaking it out. I took her hand and kissed her on the temple. “Come, I’ll walk you home.”

The moon lit our path as we walked back to the village. I still craved every inch of her, I wanted to bury my teeth in her neck and hear her cry out in pleasure. I tried to clear my mind, though. A red and healing mark was not the way to tell our clan that their future Alpha had found her mate, we weren’t ready to bring that down on ourselves.

“Was Alys ok?” She asked.

“Alys?”

“The pup?”

“Oh, yes. She healed right up, as expected. Her mother was having trouble keeping her still, truth be told.”

“Good. I hate to see them get hurt. It’s my job to protect them, though sometimes it is themselves I am protecting them from.”

“That sometimes can’t be helped, it’s good for them to learn their limits. Better in a safe environment than any other time.” We had reached the end of the woods. She stopped and turned to me.

“Are you anxious?”

“Some, I will try not to be.”

“It will be fine.” She put her hand on my cheek.

“It will be, you’ll be there,” I kissed her, “I will get some answers for you tomorrow. From Frode, and I will try to make time to visit Dagr.”

“Thank you,” she kissed me, “dream of me, handsome.”

I blushed as she turned away. I prided myself on being steadfast and unflappable, but with her that was all blown away. Her hand slipped out of mine and I missed her warmth immediately. I waited until she had shut the door behind her before making my way home. Dream of her indeed, how could I dream of anything else?