Smoldering Ember

By Meraki P. Lyhne

The warrior Sköll has finally risen, and the power of the ember now drives Sköll as the four legendary wolves gear up to face their enemy. They won the first battle. That battle started a war.

It seems the lot in Matt’s life that every time he conquers a challenge, something new is thrust upon him. He finally stands the risen Vargr, Sköll. His fur shone beautifully white in the moonlight—a stark contrast to the blood looking black as it ran down his torso.

Hati is now driven by an individual ember, but its purpose has to save his mate from succumbing to bloodthirst. Hati needs to learn to channel their vision for the future as his mate rises with preparedness for war far exceeding what anyone had imagined.

Pack Alpha Steffen has his work cut out for him. Having the four legendary wolves on his territory isn’t easy. At least his Alpha mate, Regional Alpha Tristan, has contacts to aid the Alphas rising to take on the battle that no Pack Alpha could aid them in alone. But first...damage control.

Tristan isn’t the only one bringing in a powerful ally. Queue the epic soundtrack. The newly risen Cubi King of the West has an old school buddy who needs a hand in seeing a common vision through.

Ghosts from the past haunt them, along with Völsung whispers from the shadows. The most dangerous enemy, though, whispers from within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meraki P. Lyhne
• Release date: Sep 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9788793966406

Meraki P. Lyhne

Meraki P. Lyhne, real name Martin, is a Danish author spanning multiple genres and pseudonyms. Meraki P. Lyhne mainly writes contemporary paranormal LGBT fiction with various degrees of romantic heat, some with a HEA, some with a HFN, and some with white-knuckling cliffhangers. Mostly, he writes long series with focus on worldbuilding, action, and something epic.To make sure no one is ever confused about what kind of book they're about to pick up, the surname will guide you.Lyhne writes gay fiction (with various degrees of heat).If the surname is mirrored on the cover, it is het-fiction (with various degrees of heat).If both are on the cover (like the logo), it is bi-fiction (with various degrees of heat).Information is best found on his website.Other than that, he’s a single dad to a teenage boy, the happy companion to a Rottweiler, and he lives in a very small village next to nowhere.

Book preview

Smoldering Ember

Vargr #5

Meraki P. Lyhne

Smoldering Ember

1. edition

Copyright © 2022 MarLau Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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ISBN 13: 978-87-939664-0-6

Cover design by Mibl Art

www.miblart.com

Edited by Laura McNellis

www.alternativedits.com

Find more about the author

www.merakiplyhne.com

MarLau Publishing

Denmark

This book is a work of fiction.

That means I made shit up. All of it.

Foreword

In this book, I mention a famous Danish photographer, Jim Lyngvild.

I decided to ask if I could put him in this story because I’m overwhelmed by the many wonderful messages that I get from readers stating that their interest in Norse Mythology and Denmark has been piqued by reading this series.

I’m happy that even a story taking so many liberties to twist old stories to fit contemporary tropes has managed to raise interest, yet I also recognize that these fantastical stories don’t do our culture and history justice.

That’s where Jim Lyngvild comes in.

He’s an artist and author whose work captures Danish history in a very creative fashion.

His focus on his Viking heritage has resulted in beauties to behold in both museums and churches.

One of the pearls include his home, Ravnsborg, where he lives with his husband and big Great Danes. It’s the first temple to the old gods built on Danish soil in more than a thousand years. 

.

I find much of his work and life inspirational, which is why I asked his permission to put him in this story.

I hope you find value in checking out his work at: https://jimlyngvild.com

This series is set in the same universe as the Cubi, but it’s low-throttle in hotness in comparison.

It is not necessary to have read the Cubi before reading this series.

But it certainly helps.

Both series must be read in order.

Read more about the World of Vidundr and the books in it on my webpage

www.merakiplyhne.com

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The belief in the old gods of Norse Mythology may have been suppressed by Christianity, but that doesn’t mean the races of old didn’t survive. Like the Vargr wolves.

THE WARRIOR SKÖLL HAS finally risen, and the power of the ember now drives Sköll as the four legendary wolves gear up to face their enemy. They won the first battle. That battle started a war.

It seems the lot in Matt’s life that every time he conquers a challenge, something new is thrust upon him. He finally stands the risen Vargr, Sköll. His fur shone beautifully white in the moonlight—a stark contrast to the blood looking black as it ran down his torso.

Hati is now driven by an individual ember, but its purpose has to save his mate from succumbing to bloodthirst. Hati needs to learn to channel their vision for the future as his mate rises with preparedness for war far exceeding what anyone had imagined.

Pack Alpha Steffen has his work cut out for him. Having the four legendary wolves on his territory isn’t easy. At least his Alpha mate, Regional Alpha Tristan, has contacts to aid the Alphas rising to take on the battle that no Pack Alpha could aid them in alone. But first...damage control.

Tristan isn’t the only one bringing in a powerful ally. Queue the epic soundtrack. The newly risen Cubi King of the West has an old school buddy who needs a hand in seeing a common vision through.

Ghosts from the past haunt them, along with Völsung whispers from the shadows. The most dangerous enemy, though, whispers from within.

Chapter One

Steffen had never seen Tristan like that. He’d never felt the bond cry out from being that vulnerable. On the bus ride home, Tristan had sat closest to the bed with his sleeping nephew, Sköll, and clutched Steffen closely. If Steffen had to take care of practical stuff like the many injured after their fight against Völsung, Tristan had clutched at Rolf or the Cubi King and his husband, Nol-Elakdon and Randr, while the mate bond had cried out for Steffen to return and soothe his emotions. The first bond through Tristan left Steffen weighed down by all the tanks’ emotions.

Steffen’s need had dimmed after getting his pup back safe and sound, and his ember merely simmered after their success and the pack’s possible happiness, so he no longer needed Tristan’s attention.

Tristan was injured about as much as after the trial by combat against Regional Alpha Oscar, but it was his soul that felt the most pain this time. Knowing Tristan, it wasn’t merely because of Matt, his nephew, being abducted by Völsung. He felt betrayed by the Regionals who didn’t step up, and he was worried about his region and the Vargr in general after having taken out a Völsung pack.

Steffen didn’t envy his mate the power he had, seeing and especially feeling the worries his responsibilities brought him. All Steffen could do was be there and support him.

The tanks were the ones who’d gone the hardest, considering they were half Feral and the size of Völsung. Also, they’d gone the hardest because it was their first bond in trouble. No one messed with their pack or kin. The Bitches were fierce as hell when protecting first bond.

With Cubi and Feral Vargr partners, the tanks had laid waste to the Völsung, while the Vargr had cornered and split the Völsung pack up by sheer numbers as hunting parties. The old King had excellent war strategies.

It had been carnage, yet Steffen merely felt grateful that all the tank siblings had made it home alive. And all the Vargr and Cubi had, too. Bruised and scratched, sure, but alive.

Only one Feral from Sweden had lost his life, but all Völsung had been killed.

That was an insane victory.

BACK AT WOLF PARK, Steffen scooped Matt up into his arms and gently carried the sleeping pup from the bus to his parents’ home, while the pack lined up to watch, anxious yet relieved. He laid Matt, still naked and covered in blood, on the bed without ever stirring him.

Rolf, Rebecca, and Rasmus stayed with the filthy young Vargr, while Steffen silently nodded Hati to go with him, even though the mate clearly wanted to stay.

Your human mate needs you more than Matt does now, Steffen whispered.

Hati managed a smile and nodded. Then he sent his mate a last longing glance and followed to the communal building, while Rebecca cried next to her son’s bed.

It was apparently a party in the communal building, and someone had taken the initiative to break out the beer. Good initiative, even if it was early in the morning.

Mates arrived to hug their Vargr, and Hati sat on a sofa, clutching Cristel, before Steffen had gotten to the cold beers. Klaes took up an entire sofa, lying there with a beer, looking spaced out and in pain. Sanne sat with him, holding his hand, and his true Alpha mate, Silas, sat on the floor in front of Klaes, seeming troubled yet focusing on holding a cold beer against his bruised face.

Steffen shook his head at the turn of events. Klaes now had a true Alpha mate he’d met at bowling. Looking around, it seemed the newly mated Alphas were the ones who’d returned with them. Maybe to figure out why?

Steffen’s son, Alexander, sat chatting at a table with his mate. Steffen was so happy he’d arrived to help and that he was unharmed. Bruised, sure—most were. Steffen certainly was, considering he’d been on a hunting team with Lady Paridin, Torben, Mikkel, and their Feral pack member, Dane. Freja had backed them up, yet it was Lady Paridin and Dane who’d moved in for the kill, working in trained tandem. Dane had bit the Völsung from behind, and the fierce Guard Lady had shown off her impressive sword skills.

Some had scratches from Völsung claws that luckily hadn’t been dipped in poison, considering they’d been taken by surprise. Steffen had a new one across his left flank that had been disinfected on the way home on the bus. Police and EMT had delivered all the necessary bandages and disinfectants before the Vargr and Cubi had departed from Nebel, and they’d managed to get more buses—military personnel buses from a nearby army station.

Damn. The Regionals had rung the big bell this time. But five had refused to participate. Five had stood still while Hati collected the biggest running bond of Alphas since...had there been one this big during the Second World War? Probably, but it was impressive as hell.

The hum of the pack and many visiting Alphas around him made Steffen relax, and his ember settled fully for the first time in days. They were happy again. They felt hopeful and could prosper again. Watching them hug the Cubi, too, gave rise to hope regarding the City of Unity being built. They’d fought together. Sköll Hati, Geri Freki, and the Cubi had banded together in the hour of need. If unity wasn’t strengthened from that, nothing could.

But they’d certainly run out of beer and meat in no time, considering about half of the running Vargr had returned with them. Even the terrace and lawn outside were brimming with Vargr and Cubi. Listening for voices, Steffen figured this was the biggest gathering ever at his park. Feeling for the running bond that Hati had formed, more than a hundred Alphas were there.

Cubi were feeding, but they did it rather discreetly. Most left the communal building when hooking up with someone willing. Elakdon wasn’t around, yet Randr returned smelling like semen from three people. One was easily recognizable as coming from Vargr.

Steffen grabbed an extra beer and weaved through the brimming room. Randr!

The Cubus turned and smiled as Steffen held out a beer. Thank you, Pack Alpha.

We better get them while we can. With a hundred and fifty or so in need? Steffen looked around, shaking his head.

Tanja came over, holding a beer, too. I called around and finally got a hold of a manager of a nearby store, asking him if he could hook us up. He sent it with a truck driver who’ll arrive in about half an hour with his entire inventory of beer and soda. And mead because Nol-Elakdon asked for that.

Oh. Randr grinned.

Steffen pulled Tanja in and kissed her forehead. Let’s go sit with Tris.

I’m fetching more beer, then. Tanja walked off. Jan!

They found Tristan on one of the mattresses taking up a corner where a bunch of the tanks were lounging and healing. Tristan’s Alpha Bitch sat by him with his head in her lap. It stabbed Steffen that he wasn’t the one there for Tristan now, but he respected that even Agnes had been pulled during Hati’s insane Alpha run.

Following that ember had been...Steffen had never felt so alive. He’d followed Tanja’s Regional Alpha Dad into war during the Second World War, but that run hadn’t been as intense. They’d run for a common cause, but not...unity. Back then, he hadn’t heard ember whispers. This time, he had. He’d even heard her ember as she’d led the Alphas from Tristan’s pack to join Hati, and she’d run up on his side. Chaos rules where law is lacking. Justly, I will guide my pack to prosperity.

And the law said Steffen and Tristan couldn’t be together. Had it not been for Tristan’s legit reasons as Regional Alpha to be around the pack so much, she’d have done something about it.

The sofa that Klaes had commandeered was right next to the mattresses, putting all the injured tanks in the same corner, and Tristan was holding hands with Freja. The only sibling missing was Rolf, sitting with the son they’d all shown up to save.

Hi, Agnes, Steffen said. Welcome to Wolf Park.

Thank you, Steffen.

They’d always had a tense relationship, considering she and Tristan had been mated almost as long as he and Steffen had. Once, Tristan had thought it part of why she’d been appointed to him, but that had been before Steffen’s ember had burned him enough to challenge Ulrik and make him a Pack Alpha. It had been when Ulrik denied Steffen the move to Tristan. Agnes hadn’t minded their bond back when Steffen was a Beta, and she’d even accepted their needed time together. She’d encouraged it and secured it.

Until the conquer.

Torben, sporting a shiner and three superficial claw marks across his lower arm, sat with his aunts and uncles, brushing Freja’s hair, while Britt held his other arm, looking troubled. Her gaze kept darting to Randr. How’s Matt? Torben asked.

He’s sleeping like the dead. He didn’t even rouse when I put him on the bed.

Torben smiled, but he seemed too troubled. With a burning ember, Steffen understood.

Tanja returned with a carton of beer. Got it.

Steffen sat on the mat, and Randr and Tanja followed, distributing beer. Steffen reached out and squeezed Torben’s good arm. So...Alpha. You heard your ember?

Torben’s gaze grew hard as he nodded. He looked at Britt. Hardship lies ahead. But I fight for you, too.

She leaned into him. I promised. I keep it.

Torben looked like a load of bricks fell off his heart, and relief flooded his features as he leaned his head against hers. You get to tell them when you’re ready, he whispered.

Steffen remembered hearing rumors of change and a reveal of good news. And he needed some, soon.

Britt smiled against Torben’s shoulder. She looked at Steffen and Tanja, finally locking gazes with the Pack Alpha Bitch. Torben asked me to marry him, and I said yes.

Oh, wow! Tanja exclaimed. She hugged Steffen so hard and abruptly that he spilled some of his beer, but the news certainly lifted Steffen’s mood. Glancing at Klaes, he merely smiled knowingly, looking proud.

I really needed that news, Freja said, grinning.

Fuck yeah! Tristan growled. Come on over here, you two. I need to hug you.

Won’t it hurt? Britt asked.

Yes, but I’m far too excited to mind that.

Torben only had to lean over, but Britt had to stand, step over Freja, and sit again. Better get used to the blood, baby. I’ll be fighting more.

Damn, straight, Alpha. Jes grinned. I’ll train you before I go home. Once I’ve healed.

Don’t frighten her, Tanja scolded, helping Steffen mop up the spilled beer with a paper towel. We have to arrange an engagement party once everybody’s up for dancing.

Tell us what music to play, Finn said. Except my new mate plays no instruments, so he either has to learn one or to sing.

You should see me dance.

Steffen turned his head to see Finn sit close to another Alpha. Geri Freki, judging by the clothes. He got a stab of guilty conscience from having been that blind to the pack’s lack of essentials, and he appreciated Matt stirring the pot that hard.

Really? Finn smiled. What kind?

If there’s a tune, I can dance to it.

Yodling? Finn asked.

Steffen broke down laughing, while Tanja went into fits.

I’m missing something, aren’t I? the new Alpha mate asked.

Yeah, and I’ll show you because we got pictures of that. Finn stood. Excuse us.

A mate bond. Finn had gained a true Alpha mate during Hati’s run. Steffen looked around, trying to guess if Mikkel had gotten a true Alpha mate, too, but he couldn’t see him, and he wasn’t curious enough to pull him. Not tonight. Not while celebrating a victory.

What was it Rasmus tossed? Tristan asked.

A cannon ball, Randr said. Tristan nodded, looking informed. Steffen gaped, though, making Randr smile. Cubi Guards toss hollow cannon balls with metal balls inside them. Inertia and kinetic energy make them hit harder. That pup’s got an arm on him!

"My pup," Klaes said, proudly.

We weren’t allowing anyone but Alphas to participate actively, keeping Betas and a few Omegas back as perimeter watch, but he was so determined, Randr said. Freki mentioned his hand-eye coordination, and Lady Paridin intervened, handed him a ball, and told him to hit a specific tree. Rasmus tossed it, and a Guard Lord was told to carry his ammunition. He killed a Völsung as the Vargr had cornered him. He hit him square in the chest, stopping his heart.

Britt gaped, while Sanne covered her face. Britt looked at Torben. Did you? Kill anyone, I mean?

No, I was a hunter. We cornered them to let my aunts and uncles and the Feral take them down. And brother. Torben looked just as proud of Rasmus.

Only two Vargr killed up close and personal, Steffen said. Not counting the tanks in feral form, of course. Rasmus and Matt.

And I got Matt on film, Tanja said.

You made technology work?

That dark spot weakened the more Völsung we killed. I even had a signal when Tristan, Klaes, and Jes cornered the Warlord.

A fight broke out somewhere, and Steffen paid attention, considering it was a big mess of Sköll Hati, Geri Freki, and Cubi. It was Steen and another Beta from the pack. Cool.

Looking around, Steffen figured he and Tanja had to go mingle. He then heard a truck on the main road, reminding him of the order Tanja had placed. We might need to clear the main road into the park from Feral Vargr.

Oh, yeah! She shot to her feet. Jens? Do we have enough meat?

Yes, Mother. But we need to buy more cattle.

Tristan put out a feral call, and Steffen’s pups immediately came to him, stumbling over everybody like they weren’t hurt. Seriously, they had no sense of priority, yet it was difficult to get angry with them as their too-big paws and ears still looked too cute. The puppy, Matt, even climbed onto Freja and licked her face. She seemed happy about the loving attention, even if she was injured.

May I challenge your pup, Rasmus? Randr asked Klaes. He has great skills.

Challenge away, Grand Sire. He’ll love you for it.

Steffen stood and followed Tanja. After managing to weave through the dense group of pack, mates, and visiting Alphas, they jogged to the road in and called the truck to stop backing in further so that he wouldn’t see anything too out of the ordinary.

Good morning, the driver said as he got out. Wow, did you two draw the dud for designated drivers?

No, why? Tanja asked.

Who else would be sober and awake to unload at this hour?

Tanja laughed. No, no, it’s the other way around. We start early.

Damn. You guys know how to party then, huh?

When we find a reason.

That’s cool. The driver grinned, opening up the back. I’m off in three hours, and then I’ll be going home to my son’s three-year birthday. Hot chocolate. Now that’s my kind of party.

Congratulations, Tanja exclaimed enthusiastically.

Thanks! The driver wheeled a pallet from the rear of the truck, filled with cases of beer and soda. A box with lots of pork rinds stood at the very top. He keeps asking me for a kitten or a puppy. After almost running down a pack of wolves during the night, we’re not getting a puppy!

You what? Steffen asked.

Yeah. The driver looked troubled. I’m one of the hunters who respect that wolves have returned to Denmark, but these were... He shook his head. First of all, I know it sounds odd, but they were huge. I almost ended up in a ditch, braking that hard. Haven’t you heard?

No, tell us, Tanja said.

He squinted at her. At least you don’t look like you think I’m crazy.

Well, we heard it mentioned, but that’s it. You’re an eyewitness.

He nodded and handed over a piece of paper for her to sign. "I was returning from a pickup on the other side of Silkeborg around five. Small roads at that time are usually quiet, but suddenly a big black wolf ran across the road. I think there were a hundred behind him. He looked troubled. I sat there for five minutes, watching, and they just kept coming. Packs aren’t that big. There’s said to be too few in Denmark to even form a pack."

Hunters. They’d have to figure out human hunters now, yet it was for the Regional Alphas to do. This was every Vargr’s fear. And every Pack Alpha’s fear. Thralldom to the pack was still the punishment for shooting a Vargr from mistaking it for a wolf. It was why wolves were, by government law, protected, yet poachers still shot them once in a while and merely buried them out in the woods and never told anyone.

You said you respect wolves in Denmark? Steffen asked.

Yeah. But I’m quite shaken up. I mean, I have kids. We live in the countryside. Three kilometers that way. He pointed east of them.

Steffen glanced at Tanja, and her fierce motherly instinct to protect her pack burned in her eyes.

Don’t shoot them, Steffen said, and it sounded like a plea.

I won’t, but a few of the hunters I go with have already called me.

Steffen focused on the feral Vargr in his pack and sent out a call. It left his body as a double pulse. Did you read the sign when entering?

Wolf Park, yeah.

Oddrun, Osso, Pry, Dane, Mica, Matt, Frede, and Astera came to them, and the driver backed up onto the ramp, nervousness rising.

Please don’t shoot them. Steffen picked up Matt and got a tongue bath. And discourage your friends. The feral sat behind Steffen and Tanja, watching.

You have a hundred wolves here?

No. But I know all of them. They’re no threat to humans or livestock.

The driver stared at the wolves, then smiled at the puppy in Steffen’s arms. He stepped forward and fumbled an ear, making Matt shake his head and yawn from excitement. She’s kinda cute.

Steffen turned the puppy onto his back, and Matt appreciated the belly rub he got. He fit his name regarding cuddling. He.

Ah.

Oddrun came up to sit right next to Steffen, who scratched her neck.

This is the mother.

The driver was more hesitant to pet her, but her calmness was apparently what gave him the courage to stick his hand forth to let her sniff him. He knew dogs. He knew big dogs. Are they...like real wolves? I didn’t think it was allowed to breed them.

We’re allowed. And they protect. I’m showing them to you because if one of your friends shoots one...

I might be able to tell them why they shouldn’t. We’ve had a string of burglaries close to where I live, and some have gotten big dogs. Like Rottweilers.

Yeah, don’t introduce those to these wolves. That’ll go all kinds of bad. Wolves and domesticated dogs don’t mix.

But these are domesticated.

No, they’re not. They’re pack. And they walk these grounds freely and know where dinner is served. Steffen thought for a moment. Is there a pattern to the burglaries?

The driver looked surprised by the question. They put stuff in doorways to see if it gets moved. We try to keep an eye out and watch each other’s places, but...it’s probably one of those Eastern European gangs.

An even bigger wolf joined them—one of the tank brothers in feral form.

Oh, shit, the driver whispered. That’s the size that crossed the road.

Make sure your friends don’t shoot my wolves, and we’ll catch the burglars, Steffen said. Deal?

The driver laughed. Absolutely! He held out his hand. I’m Anders.

Steffen shook his hand and introduced himself. There are more wolf breeders around, and they hunt in packs. But not humans and not livestock. They hunt dangers.

How do you keep them from chasing livestock?

Keep them fed, Tanja said. Predators are only dangerous when hungry. Or threatened. It’s for your friends’ sake, too, because they will turn on a human who poses a threat.

If you want, you can bring your kids tomorrow to the big field down the road. Steffen pointed toward the Alpha house. A birthday picnic? They can play with these little guys. There are seven puppies.

We’ll bring our daughter and ice cream, Tanja said. She’s five. Maybe some of her friends, too.

Wolves? If I can persuade the missus at home, then I’d love to. Kids would love to. Man, that would be quite the birthday present.

Tanja fished out her phone and produced a business card from the cover. Call us and let us know. She handed it to Anders. Also, to see when we can drop by with the wolves to catch burglars.

A cop will be accompanying them, Steffen said.

He has shifts the next three days, Tanja said

Then he’ll be on duty doing his job, Steffen said, thinking it important to get an in with hunters in the area. Osso and Pry jumped around excitedly. I think we have volunteers.

Matt squirmed in Steffen’s arms, so he put the puppy down to play with his kin.

Wow. That’s quite the offer. Cops haven’t been able to do shit so far.

Come by tomorrow with your family, and we’ll talk more. The neighbors need to know, so you have time to talk to them about huge wolves in the area. Steffen scratched Helge’s head. As a Beta litter sibling to Klaes, he stood almost as big as his Alpha brother.

I will, thank you. This is why I love being a truck driver. So many interesting people to network with. Anders grinned. You know anyone up for buying ten cows? A hunter friend of mine just split up with his wife, so they’re selling the farm.

Tanja grinned. What breed?

Galloway.

Tanja lit up. With a white band around their stomach. So fluffy. Any pregnant?

I don’t know.

Ask. For a price, too. We have the farm down the road where we’re inviting you to visit tomorrow, and we need more cattle.

Anders laughed. Can you hook me up for chickens and turkeys?

Sure, Steffen said. We got three breeds of chickens. Even the ones laying green eggs. And I know where to get turkeys.

Anders looked like this was the favorite stop on his route. Oh, I’ll definitely see you tomorrow. When?

Two o’clock? We’ve got some partying and sleeping to do before then.

Ah! Yes. I’ll see you then. That big fellow, too? Anders looked at Helge, who came over to get a scratch, and the driver wasn’t shy to do so even though he smelled nervous as hell. Considering Helge stood big enough for Steffen to be able to lean his elbow on Helge’s back, Steffen thought it went well.

That looks like a yes, Steffen said.

Anders did a giddy dance, grinning. I’ll see you tomorrow. Enjoy your party! He climbed back into his truck and drove off, leaving Steffen and Tanja with thirty cases of beer and six cases of soda.

Did he forget the mead? Steffen asked.

Tanja dug into the box with pork rinds. No, no, six bottles are under the snacks.

Helge shifted to Vargr form as the truck left Wolf Park. Not to question you, Pack Alpha, but why bring in humans?

He’s a hunter and probably a member of a guild around here. With that many gathered in a running bond and Völsung stirring, we need to make sure the hunters don’t go for us.

Helge nodded. I’ll suggest that to my Pack Alpha. He then grabbed a tower of beer and returned to the communal building. Steffen and Tanja grabbed a tower each and told the Omegas where the rest were located.

Elakdon had returned, smelling of soap. He and Randr sat next to Tristan along with Hati and Cristel when Steffen and Tanja arrived with more beer, a bottle of mead, and shot glasses. Not that mead was to be drank as a shot.

Steffen put it all down and was about to sit when Elakdon pointed at him.

Speech!