Page 2 of Wulver's Flame

Her hot, slick core—full of sweetness and soon to trigger our rut.

Ours. Mate. Take. Now. BREED PUP. PUP. BREED MATE.

He was losing his mind, and I began to talk to him.

You will injure or kill her if you take her like this. Even with rapid healing, she will not be receptive if you attack.

I urged him.

No. My mate. Sköll snarled, raising his head. His teeth snapped in the air.

MINE.

He didn’t care whose land we raced through. People screamed and fled. To them, we must have looked like a charging bear, our bulk and glowing eyes terrifying enough to freeze blood. We crossed the fields faster than anyone could follow.

Then Sköll stopped.

So abruptly, our paws clung to the woodland floor, and our body slid sideways.

Again and again, he sniffed—frozen. Inhaling our mate’s scent. Locked in place, battling restraint. Now that she was close, he didn’t want to harm her.

Creep forward. I hear voices.She is with mortal females, I said, remaining calm, for both our sakes.

It was slow to happen, but the truth struck like an icicle shard to my chest.

There was no other wolf.

The four maidens were mortals.

This was my eternal punishment for failing to control my beast.

Sköll paused at my pain.

I focused through his eyes.

Flames danced around her. Vibrant red curls, calling to me. She tossed a clump of dirt at another maiden, ducking and running as she was chased. Her cloak slipped, and our mouth dropped open.

Soft. Curved. White flesh.

As pure as first snowfall.

Her bosom shook.

A scream of laughter echoed in my ears. Sköll raised his head above the branch that blocked our view. He poked his muzzle through the leaves.

Freckles. Too many to count.

Where else would they be?

Scilla verna blue eyes. Brighter than the flower. Brighter than the moon.

And her spirit?

She stopped running, bared her teeth, and growled at her opponent until the maiden yelped and ran. She returned to the clearing, victorious.

“Am Liùsaidh FlamehairNic Dhomhnaill, and the chieftain’s daughter never retreats!” She shouted, lifting her skirts to hunt her prey.

Daughter of Donald.