Wolf’s Redemption (The Wolves of Langeais #3)

Chapter Thirty

Ulrik stared out into the gloom of the forest, unseeing.

‘Never again will I put myself in the hands of a man who would allow someone else to suffer for something he had done.’

Lying there with her in his arms, the cool water of the pond lapping at their bodies, her words had sliced through him with more steel than the blade of a battle-ax. One bad decision. Was he forever to pay for it? Had he not suffered enough? Lost enough?

The door of the cottage opened, and his alpha’s familiar scent surrounded him.

Gaharet stopped beside him, matching his stance. “Your mate is upset.”

Ulrik ground his teeth. “She is not my—”

Gaharet snorted. “Is she not? Rebekah is perfect for you.”

He opened his mouth to refute it, but no words came out. Smart, stubborn and not afraid to speak her mind, she challenged him in every way. Merde, his cock was already thickening at the mere mention of her name. He tossed his head back and stared at the sky, picking out stars and tracing patterns between them. Anything to shift his focus from his need for the woman he had not so long ago been inside of.

“Your wolf knows.”

As if to confirm Gaharet’s words, his wolf prowled to the forefront of his mind.

A numbness seeped into his chest. “It does not matter, for she will not have a man like me.”

Gaharet scoffed. “What do you mean, a man like you? A man who would sacrifice himself to save the life of his friend and his friend’s mate? A man who would rescue a woman from a danger she had no understanding of, though the lesser risk would have been to leave her behind? Any woman should feel honored to have a man like you.”

Warmth swelled in his chest at Gaharet’s words, but it could not overwhelm the certainty, the fatalistic acceptance, settling in his gut. “That may be, but it does not erase my past.”

“No,” Gaharet agreed, “but it need not define your future. Have you told her what happened? That your intentions were good?”

Ulrik barked out a laugh. As if that would make things better. No. Not after the betrayal of her previous lover, Spider. That he had had a reason for doing what he had done, that he had not known of Lothair’s reaction in his absence until it was too late, would not matter.

“My family died because of me. My sisters’ lives cut short, never to know the joy of being mated. It is only right that pleasure be denied me as well.”

“Ulrik…”

Ulrik turned away from Gaharet and stripped off his tunic and breeches. “Go back to your mate, Gaharet.”

He shifted before Gaharet could argue. Though Gaharet’s current circumstances could not have been worse, his alpha had found his mate. Erin now carried his unborn child. With Aimon mated, too, it was natural for Gaharet to wish that for all his pack. Fate, it seemed, had other plans for him. Right now, staying in that cottage, watching what could not be, was beyond his forbearance. With one last glance at the door, he loped off into the forest.

* * * *

Bek stood expectantly as the cottage door opened, but only Gaharet entered. “Where’s Ulrik?”

Gaharet shook his head. She headed for the door, but Gaharet blocked her way.

“Stay here, Rebekah. Ulrik has gone for a run, and it is not safe for you out there alone.”

She stared up at him, jutting out her chin. “I need to talk to him. Explain…”

She rubbed her hand against her chest. It hurt that she’d hurt him.

“Sit.”

The command in his voice rolled over her, a wave of physical force threatening to knock her down. Her knees shaking, she held her ground. “But…”

“He will return soon.”

From the set of his jaw, she figured he’d stand there, guarding the door all damn night if he had to. She thrust her shoulders back and locked her knees. He wasn’t her alpha. If he thought—

“Oh dear,” Erin moaned. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

She jumped up from her seat, grabbed a bucket from beside the fire and clutched it to her chest. With her hair shrouding her face, she leaned over it and retched violently. Gaharet was by her side in an instant.

Bek glanced at the door. Could she leave them when Erin was clearly unwell?

Erin groaned and leaned over the bucket again. “Someone should have warned me morning sickness doesn’t just happen in the morning.”

Gaharet hovered over Erin. “Can I get you anything?” His hands flexed at his side, as if he held himself back from trying to grasp hold of Erin’s illness and rip it from her. “Tell me what will help you? ”

The commanding, in control alpha of moments ago was gone, reduced to an anxious mate.

“A cool, damp cloth would be good,” came the mumbled reply, muffled by the bucket and Erin’s hair.

Gaharet rushed to grab a cloth, soaking it in a bowl of cool water. As he turned his back to them, Erin lifted her head and winked.

“ Go,” she mouthed and made a shooing motion with her hand.

She dropped her head and gave another pitiful moan as Gaharet brought her the cloth.

Erin pressed the damp cloth to her forehead. “Thanks, honey. You’re so sweet.”

Bek covered her mouth with her hand, hiding her smile. Yeah, he was sweet. And gullible. Especially when it came to his mate. It worked for her, though. With Gaharet’s back turned, his attention on Erin, Bek scooped up her jeans and quietly slipped out of the cottage and into the night. She had to find Ulrik. She had to make this right.

A few steps into the forest, Bek paused. No movement from the cottage. No Gaharet barreling out the door to drag her back. Good. She hurriedly threw on her jeans. How the women of this century gallivanted around the forests all day in dresses and no knickers was beyond her. Not Bek. She’d take all the protection she could get.

Now, where would Ulrik have gone? He’d said he’d take the first watch. A patrol? He’d do a sweep around the cottage first, wouldn’t he? She had to hurry. Despite Erin’s theatrics, Gaharet would soon notice her gone and come after her. Bek wasn’t going back to the cottage to wait like a good little female. No way, no how. She’d go back once she’d found Ulrik. Once she’d got it into his thick head that she hadn’t meant him.

She did a loop around the cottage, keeping within the cover of the forest. Not that it’d hide her from Gaharet for long, but it’d buy her time. No Ulrik. She glanced about the clearing. Would he scope out the pond? A reasonable presumption. The path to the pond beckoned, disappearing beneath the darkened canopy of leaves and limbs.

Seriously, Bek. You’re scared of the dark and a few trees?

She’d dealt with some of the worst people in London. Served them beer. She’d lived the life of a biker’s girlfriend. The only wolf out here was Ulrik. Bek plunged into the forest. Filtered moonlight shining the way, she strode down the path with purpose. She wasn’t going to let a forest at night deter her.

She emerged from the trees to stand on the edge of the pond, the water a silvery sheen broken only by the gentle splash of the waterfall. A rush of images—her on her knees before Ulrik, Ulrik behind her pounding into her, Ulrik devouring her breasts,—brought a flush of heat to her body. But no Ulrik.

With her hands on her hips, she surveyed her surroundings. If he’d gone for a random run in the forest, she’d have no hope of finding him. She had to believe he’d stay close. Bek eyed the opposite bank. A faint path disappeared away from the pond. Only this afternoon, she and Ulrik had emerged from there to be confronted by a red and a white wolf—Kathryn and Aimon—standing on the spot she stood now. On patrol, Ulrik would likely traverse the pond and follow that path for a way, ensuring no one else was finding their way toward them. Wouldn’t he?

She glanced back over her shoulder, down the path she’d come. What if I get lost?

She snorted. The pond wasn’t that big. She could keep it in her sight and follow it around, no problem. And if she still didn’t find him? She huffed out a breath, the air condensing into a smoky vapor. Then she’d admit defeat and head back to the cottage. She’d sit by the damn door and wait for him if she had to. Gaharet would be pissed at her for leaving. He could just deal. Her lips set in a stubborn line, Bek set off around the pond.

* * * *

Ulrik paused, the cool earth damp beneath his paws and the breeze ruffling his fur. He had meant only to circle the hut and clear his thoughts, but his roiling emotions were too much, and too big to contain. With a glare at the flickering light and muted voices streaming out from beneath the door, he stretched himself out into a run. His normal pursuits when such emotions bested him—indulging in his two favorite pastimes—were not an option. A run through the forest, scouting out the area as he went, was his only choice to ease his mind.

He avoided the pond. Memories of Rebekah’s sassy mouth wrapped around his cock taunted him as he ran. L’enfer , he had never had a woman leave him as satiated and yet have him in such turmoil as Rebekah. Never had he wanted to lie basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking and hold a woman close and talk, discovering every little detail about her. Never before had he thought of any intimate relations he had had with a woman as lovemaking . It had always been sex—healthy, simple, lustful fucking.

Bold and demanding in ways he had never seen in a woman, Rebekah had matched him passion for passion, as he had known she would, and he wanted more. Merde , he wanted everything she could give. Listening to her talk—hearing her tell of this man, this lover who had betrayed her, allowed her to suffer the punishment for his crime—Ulrik had wanted to wrap her in his arms and vow to her she would never face such a thing again. Make promises to her that he would protect her from the pain and anguish that had shimmered in her eyes.

He shook his big, furry head. She would never accept such things from a man like him. She had made that clearer than the stars on a moonless night. Ulrik huffed, his warm breath fogging in the cool night air. He may not have paid for his actions as his family had, but they were not without consequences. They were his penance, no less than he deserved, and he would bear them as stoically as he could. Already he had been blessed with forgiveness from Gaharet, something only days ago he had believed nigh on impossible. He should content himself with that.

His ears pricked at a sound in the distance. Voices . He halted, raised his nose to the air and sniffed. Men. And horses, too. He sniffed again and caught the unmistakable scent of steel, the stench of unwashed bodies and the lingering foul miasma of Langeais Keep. He bared his teeth. Keep guards. On the d’Louncrais estate. Their presence would be no accident.

Ulrik spun on his heel and raced back to the cottage. He charged into the clearing, shifted and burst into the cottage with naught a care for his nakedness.

“We need to move. Now. The keep guards are here.”

Gaharet exploded to his feet and Erin sprung up from her prone position on the cot, the cloth on her forehead dropping into her lap.

Ulrik took in the room. “Where is Rebekah?”

Gaharet’s eyes widened. “ Merde.”

Ulrik snarled, his wolf pushing forth and his hackles rising. “How long has she been gone?”

Erin clasped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, shit. This is my fault. I thought she’d be fine. Ulrik was out there, and I didn’t expect the keep guards to turn up. She hasn’t been gone long, I swear.”

Gaharet turned to his mate, his expression stormy. “Erin?”

Erin tucked her hands beneath her arms, her expression contrite in the face of her mate’s thunderous expression. “I’m not really sick, okay? I distracted you so she could leave.” She turned to Ulrik, her eyes full of concern. “She just wanted to find you and talk to you.” Her gaze flicked between them. “I’m sorry. I really am. I didn’t think there’d be any harm. I was just trying to help her patch things up with Ulrik. She can’t have gone far.”

Gaharet’s nostrils flared, and his lips thinned. “We will talk about this later, Erin. Ulrik, go find her. We will wait for you.”

Ulrik gritted his teeth and held his temper. His alpha’s mate was pregnant. They should not linger here. Not with the keep guard close by. It was too great a risk. Rebekah was wily and stubborn. She may have gotten further than any of them would expect.

“No. I will find her. Gaharet, take your mate and find somewhere safe.”

Gaharet hesitated, then nodded. “We will go to my keep. With Aimon and Kathryn there, we will have the benefit of greater numbers.”

Ulrik frowned. Aimon and Kathryn? At the d’Louncrais keep? When, how had that happened?

“Yes. Aimon and Kathryn now reside at the d’Louncrais keep. Much has changed, my friend, since Renaud entrapped you.” Gaharet slid his hauberk over his head. “I will explain it all once we are all safe. Go. Find Rebekah. Bring her to my keep.” He buckled his sword to his side, and Erin helped him lace his leather vambraces to his arms. “We will await you there and make plans for our next move. If Lothair has sent the guard here, anywhere on my estate will not be safe for long.”

Gaharet wrapped Erin in a cloak, securing it at her throat. “Stay safe, Ulrik.”

Ulrik swept out of the door and shifted. Nose to the ground, he picked up Rebekah’s scent. It called him in two directions. One skirting the clearing inside the tree line. The other heading for the pond. The path to the pond beckoned him. He did a quick loop around the hut, just to be certain, then set off at a run. The guards were coming from the opposite direction. If luck was with him, he would find her quickly and they would be long gone before the keep guard discovered the cottage or Rebekah.

As he reached the pond, it took him only a moment to realize luck was not with him, and neither was Rebekah. With ever-increasing frustration and dread, he followed her scent to where she had paced on the bank. He tracked where she had rounded the pond and taken the path deeper into the forest, before backtracking and climbing the rocky ledge to stand above the waterfall. She had changed direction again, crossing the creek and attempting to skirt the pond. He paused where a fallen tree had diverted her from her path. There she had taken a wrong turn. Ulrik’s blood froze. Toward the keep guard.

Merde.

He raced along the game trail, his claws digging into the soft earth and his heart thudding in his chest. Please God, let him find her first.

A woman’s scream split the night. Ulrik put on a burst of speed. Rebekah’s curses, loud violent words, spewed into the still air. A soft thud and a man’s muffled groan had Ulrik grinning. She was fighting them.

That is my girl. Hold on, Rebekah. I am coming.

A loud slap, a hand meeting flesh, and a cry from Rebekah had a snarl ripping from his lips. They had his Rebekah. They were hurting her. He gnashed his teeth. They would pay for laying a hand on her. He would rend them, limb from limb. Tear out their throats.

He made no effort to conceal his approach now, crashing through the forest. A horse whinnied.

“Give her to me.” A guttural voice, a scuffle, and Rebekah’s denials guided him toward them. “Keep still, woman.”

“Ulrik!”

The fear in that one word screeched into the night, squeezed his heart and nearly took his legs out from under him. Hold on, baby. He glimpsed a horse’s rump through the trees. I am here. I am coming.

The terrified whinnies of the horses echoed through the forest. They sensed his presence, a predator closing in on them. A guard yelled, and hoof beats pounded away from him.

No!

He had lost his family to Lothair. He could not lose Rebekah, too. Ulrik dug deep, calling on every bit of speed his wolf could give him, but with the terror of the horses giving the keep guards speed in their escape and his body tiring, he fell behind. Ulrik gritted his teeth and plowed on, pushing his body to its limits, but the gap between him and the horses widened until all he had were the sounds of their retreat.

Ulrik slowed to a stop and howled his anguish to the moon. He shifted, slumping to his knees, his lungs heaving and his head in his hands as his wolf continued to howl in his head. His chest burned as though he had ripped out his own heart. He could not lose his petite cracheuse de feu. He did not think he could survive it. Not Rebekah. Not his… He stared at the forest floor.

Mon Dieu. Gaharet is right. She is my mate.

He staggered to his feet, staring after them as the thudding of hooves and the jingle of the horses’ bridles faded. They would take her to Langeais Keep. He could follow them, slip in through the postern gate and into the storeroom through the secret tunnel. And then what? Face Lothair’s army by himself? He had lived a decade regretting the impetuousness of his youth. He was no longer a pup. Racing off after them alone would not serve Rebekah.

He straightened, his jaw set. Though it pained him to do so, he turned his back on the distant sounds of the keep guard’s retreat, shifted once more and headed back toward the d’Louncrais estate. He would seek the aid of Gaharet and Aimon. They would come up with a plan that would have a better chance of success. Ulrik would not allow another person to suffer because of him. Lothair had targeted Rebekah, like he had targeted his family. She might not want to be his mate, but his wolf did not care. She was his to protect, and he would save her from Lothair’s clutches. No matter what it cost him.