The Viking's Mate Hunt

By Maria Elise

"Little bunny, little bunny. Wolf is HUNGRY!" The voice taunted me, followed by an evil cackle.

"Run, rabbit. RUN!" A monstrous bellow boomed through the night sky and crashed into my soul like a sledgehammer. I could feel a chill sweeping across my body and my heart pounding in my chest. The echoes of howls and laughter followed me from behind as I ran for my life.

***

Elisabeth's life had been harder than most since she was a child - a distant and often cruel mother and her never-ending cycle of addiction that had taken over her life. But on this fateful night, something far more sinister was lurking in the darkness, ready to take her away from it all.

Massive figures appeared out of nowhere, growling and taunting her. She tried to scream, but nothing would come out; before she knew it, she was waking up in a world where Viking werewolves ruled with mysterious faeries at their side.

Every five years, they traveled to the human realm, collecting ten girls for their mate run - and tonight, Elisabeth was one of them. With only a white dress and her bare feet, Elisabeth stood beside the other nine girls as the beasts prowled around them menacingly. A silver dagger pierced each of their wrists, signaling the start of the hunt!

"We honor the moon goddess; let your blood lead your mate to you!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: supernovel
• Release date: Nov 24, 2023

Book preview

CHAPTER 86

Maya's POV

We had docked between two piers, one along a steep mountain side the other a little further out. They looked old, but they were built of massive logs and didn't budge once even when the ships anchored between them. The bridges themselves were built on top of logs or pillars sticking at least two, three meters above sea level. After walking down, the wooden construction, that seemed to go on forever we finally reached a sand covered beach.

Confused I had searched for this village Arcane and Tew had told me about, but I saw nothing. No buildings, nothing, but I heard voices. Apparently, they had decided that creating a village right by the water was a bad idea, and while we walked over the beach and to the forest edge I understood why. The water looked peaceful now, the beach covered several meters up from the water covered with fine sand, small rocks and colorful seashells. But when I passed the tree lines, the discoloration on the tree trunks were clear evidence on just how wild and high the water could rise. A couple of places the darker color stretched up at least a meter up the tree trunks, and most of them didn't have any branches at all before reaching a high above my head.

This island fronts the open sea, and when seasons change we get the wild winds, undercurrents and storms crashing on this end like a scorn mermaids revenge on her cheating lover. Deadly and impossible to control, so instead we chose to create some distance.

Arcane's voice snapped me out of my own head. We had been walking down this little path, surrounded by dense forest for several minutes, but still I've seen seashells and dried up seaweed on the ground. A shill run down my spine thinking of what this meant and exactly how much water and power we were talking about here and I've never even been a good swimmer!

Good choice!

I answered while shaking of the shiver only for him to laugh at me.

How much longer until we get there?

I had mixed feeling about this, parts of me jumped in excitement to see this place, stepping on one place like a toddler having to use the restroom. But a part of me also felt nervous, I didn't know much about this place, about the people here. I knew I felt with some of them from what I've been told, scorn, rejected and alone, people that had no others created this pack. I wanted to trust Arcane and believe Tew, but really, I didn't even know them. A lone I willingly followed a group of unknown men into the deep forest, for all I know I'm the scarifies they brough home from their raid.

No, I don't really think so, it is just my insecurity. But to sum it all up, I don't know anything about this place, or this people.

Nah, it is just up to that mountain, little up, around and in between.

Between?

Yeah, that is only one of five peaks on this island. We found the perfect place, and they create protection all around our village.

I had trouble picturing this as anything else than an imaginary fantasy village with dancing light in the air, small leprechaun dancing in the long grass and a massive rainbow over the massive mountain fence going all around it. Then the rest of the conversation registered, and I groaned picturing a sweaty climb up the steep mountain.

Sulking a little, I followed the rest of the crowd passing lush bushes, overgrown trees and round and red berries scattered all over the ground. Suddenly the mood changed, and I was caught off guard. The bulky, somehow scare men started cheering, laughing and I swear a couple of them even started skipping down the path to the edge of the mountain. Curious, I started looking around everyone in front of me.

Down the path further ahead, children of all sizes and ages poured out of the mountain. Well, not really, but the little passage came out between two small peeks. The Viking pack also had several kids, all boys of course, but now when I see these kids, I understand how much they were holding back. They never ran towards the men, not even their fathers. Usually, they stuck together with the other kids while mothers stood nearby. These kinds reminded me more of the happy, playing children I used to walk pass on the daycare scenter in my old neighborhood.

I watched in awe as the men catches one or two of them, jumping up on them. Some walked up the steep road with a little human on their shoulders, Tew had two on his back making horse noises accompanied with exited screaming and laughter. It wasn't that steep, and not that long, but when we rounded a little corner and the ground leveled out, I stopped and stared. Arcane made strange growling sounds and ran out on the open field, with one child under each arm.

My image of a fairytale village was not that far-fetched! No leprechauns and massive rainbow, but still! Long green grass on the open field, mountains all around and in the middle a little group of houses in different sizes. Long hollow wooden logs went from some of the houses and to the little water right outside the center area. Others had logs and other hollowed wooden pipes placed on the ground to various streams falling down the mountain walls. Kinds jumped over them, splashed water on each other. Small stripes of smoke rose from most houses and a couple of firepits were scattered around nearby the pound and in the middle of the little town. Dogs barked, running after the kids and jumping and birds chirp and song cut through the sound a thriving people.

This was nothing like I've pictured! I felt happy and lighter just by standing here and watching. I realized how judgmental I've been without even realizing. I expected a dark little area, some shabby wooden building crowded together, a massive fireplace with scraps and mess around it. Bulky and grumpy men, cleaning and sharpening their weapons while drinking bear, or mead or whatever they call it. I never envisioned kids, families and all this carefree and positive energy.

An hour later, I felt like home. Smiling and sweat, I haven't felt this great in a very long time. I had just stared at the little village for a couple of minutes, before a group of kids spotted me and after a giggling and halfway through shy introduction they warmed up. With begging and laugher, they started to edge me into playing with them. Holding my hands and pulling me with, and I followed. Dumped my bag by the fireplace and ran after the group of screaming boys.

After a couple of hours a metallic bell sound echoed through the mountains, and one of the boys shouted with excitement LUNCH!

And now here we are, around one of the firepits, breaking pieces of wholemeal bread and dipping it, softening it in a warm soup.

Everyone eta in silence only some slurping sounds broke the comfortable peace in between the sizzling sound from the fire. It lasted a whole five minutes, I swear these mini humans eats like piranhas! I giggled a little watching them jump right back in the chasing game while finishing my meal.

They like you.

Arcane slumped down next to me, but I didn't pay him any attention just smiled with the compliment. I've never wanted kids, but it didn't mean I didn't like them and being accepted felt way better than I expected.

They are nice kids!

No... No they are not! They are savage creatures with big and round puppy eyes and the laughter of an angel! But don't be fooled, beneath it all hides a creature with wicked mind and sharp teeth!

He laughed, and I'm not sure if om supposed to be offended on their behalf or laugh with him.

Anyway, Tew will hold a meeting around sundown. We need to plan our steps forward, get Toke to speak and figure out where Eir is.

This threw me back to reality, and I ended up staring at my soup bowl with an empty stare,

Do you think she's okay?

No matter Toke's intensions, she's still a female. Most creatures here would protect her like their most precious treasure.

Yeah, most...

I muttered, my good mood and light energy rushed out of me like air from a balloon.

Don't worry, Toke will talk. I have my methods, if not, Hade's have a couple of tricks up his sleeve.

He winked at me, and a shiver ran down my spine.

Anyway, grab your bag and all show you where you're staying.

He finished the last of his bow and stood up, I followed close behind and grabbed my bag. It wasn't much there, I'm not even sure why I carry it around. I'm used to having little, but here? I have nothing, that man that claimed me took away my shoes, pocked knife and even my hair pins claiming I didn't need that trash here.

My darkening mood spread like a poisonous shadow in my body while I dragged my feet after Arcane through the village. I didn't find any of my things while I threw whatever I could find to pack in a rush. I stole a little fur tossed on his floor, and some charcoal pieces I found with Eir and some of my drawings.

The bag weighed more itself that what it contains, and to be honest none of the items could help me here.

Here! It's not much but is better than nothing!

He beamed towards a little wooden house, with a little dusty window and moss covered roof.

Opening the door, it was a cozy little cabin with a fireplace, and a lot of dust and a bed at the end of the room.

You can sleep here. Why don't you pack out and I'll come back and show you where to wash up and swim?

I placed my bag on the floor In front of the bed,

There, I'm done. Who used to live here?

His eyes darted from my bag and back up to me a couple of times, and I avoided his stare. He didn't ask, and for that I'm grateful.

Nothing is unused here, buildings or materials. Whenever a new family or member joins us, we build them a new house together as a community. If one for a reasoned ends up empty, the oldest teenagers still living at home are offered to move in. But this piece of heaven, however, is my home.

He beamed, and my eyes darted to him.

Don't worry, it's a big bed! It will fit us both!

CHAPTER 87

I looked over to the bed, sure, it is not a narrow simple bed, but its not a king size bed either. I didn't think it through, but after scanning the bed, I did the same to him. Stared him from top to toe, and he is not a little man! He must be at least two meters tall, if not even more and I think his muscled thigh alone is the size of my waist.

Confused I looked up when he laughed, and suddenly threw his arm around my shoulders and led me out of the cabin.

Don't worry little human, I'll make sure you won't fall off the bed during the night!

Squeezing me and only chuckling when I slapped his chest.

I forgot all about this shortly after because we didn't go right to swim. Instead, we walked around in the village, he introduced me to the families and specially women. I don't know when, but I'm sure he said something to them before we showed up. However, I didn't even know how he knew, he never came close to my bag.

Every time we appeared, we were greeted with excitement and open arms, and I didn't think about it the two first times, but when the third and fourth family also gave me something I began to feel like awkward.

Can we stop this now?

I had my arms filled with fur, a wooden bowl, a knife big enough to shop wood and something that looked like boots. First, I felt so happy meeting these kind people, but now I feel like a pity case Arcane sprawls around begging for supplies. He stopped between two houses,

Why? Don't you like them?

No, it is not that. They are all so kind, but this...

I lifted everything, gesturing with my head.

it is too much... I don't want them to feel pressured to give me things out of pity.

I swallowed hard. I knew very well that in this world I'm now poor, that I will rely on help from others until I figure out how to make all this on my own. But I didn't want to seem ungrateful, not at all, it is just that I feel terrible and even if it sounds a bit vain, I also fear how they now see me. The helpless little human not able to take care of herself.

It is not pity; They are trying to be kind. Relax, and breath out. You were seen as a positive addition to the pack from the moment you decided to play monster shark with the kids.

I blushed and he chuckled,

I appreciated it, but we should give it all back. I am happy to be welcomed, and I really like them all, but I do not believe you. I don't want to be a charity case!

In one rushed move, I pushed everything into his chest, forcing him to take it all. Mumbled thank you and that they needed this themselves, and some other things and I stomped away before he could utter a word. I didn't want to hear it, I knew he meant all well, and I didn't want to be mean. But this didn't feel right, embarrassed, and full of shame I quickly created space between us. Increased my speed and rounded the corner of the cabin at the end of the village area.

Here I remembered, the entire place was surrendered by mountains. Steep massive mountains, a vast green field all around the little town in the middle. Scared he would follow me I jogged towards one of the waterfalls at the very end of the field, the only place that looked like it could provide a little hideout. Here the mountains looked like they had crashed together, forcing one in front of the other and this left a narrow, but deep cave like opening.

Somehow, I managed to keep my eyes on the possible cave by the falling water while looking over my shoulder. He didn't follow me, didn't hunt me down and stop me. A part of me is relieved when I finally reach it but another part of me is a bit disappointed, he come after me. But then again, this is what I needed and wanted. Some space and alone time. Everyone was so kind and welcoming; however, it often felt a bit crowded. I was never alone, and I am used to being alone and now I'm never just that.

Right by the water, there was an opening between the two mountains. Not a massive cave, but a narrow passage that went deeper than I expected it to be and at the highest could easily fit 4 of me on top of each other. I sat down almost two meters in, slide down the cold rock wall and all air left me with a huff. My throat tightened, my stomach flipped around, and my eyes started to burn.

How is it possible to feel so alone in a place where I missed being on my own, but the strangest thing, despite the need to be on my own, for just a second, I was alone. I was an outsider, the one that didn't belong, didn't fit in, and would never fit in. I had seen this as the end of my life, the end of all my possibilities, happiness and a future at all. I don't know if I ever even told Eir this, but she is the one that forced me out of the glooming and never-ending darkness.

Eir had brought me hope and light. She gave me reason to wake up, a reason to fight, not to sound to dramatic, she gave me life again when I was sure it had ended. I didn't even notice that the tears already streaked down my chins, that my knees had curled up and I rocked back and forth lost in my own thoughts. I felt miserable, alone, helpless, a burden and a foreigner. She helped me so much, simply by being herself, I couldn't even help her when I tried. I was helpless utterly useless. A bad friend.

My chest tightened and I swallowed again and again, desperate trying to suffocate the need to scream and cry. The pressure inside me stretched me to a point where it felt like nothing else would help but to scream. Empty every single bad memory, painful feeling, and aching energy threating to devour me from the inside. Erasing everything I used to be, want and dream about.

I didn't notice how much my muscles had tensioned up, or how much my body had begun trembling before strong arm lifted me off the cold ground. The hard and merciless surface switched with a warm and soft lap and a steady heartbeat against my cheek. I didn't care that I found myself cradled on Arcane's lap, not even that he had seen my cry. The only thing that worried me was the thought that I had offended him and his friends. That I ran away like a spoiled young child to cry, but if that's how he felt, he hid it well. I felt small and safe in his embrace, like he could wrap himself all around me and protect me from everything. My cheek and head pressed against his firm chest, and the steady beat of his heart and pulse affected my erratic heart.

Just when it felt like I could breathe again, like the thud of my heart stopped forcing themselves out between my lips, his hand slid over my knees, up my arm and across my shoulders. With a finger he lifted my chin up to meet his gaze.

I don't know how your world works, or how people treat each other but here we take care of one another and help each other. You know,

He started, his eyes searching mine,

Everyone here came empty handed, remember that I told you how we built a new home to every newcomer or new family? It is not because nobody wants newcomers in their house, it is because we all know how important your own home having, your own place can be to find peace and quiet again. You remember that female that gave you the boots? She came here bare feet, with broken ribs, a split lip, her mate had been killed and she was still carrying her dead baby in her stomach. Her family did not approve, and they ruined everything she loved and cared for, including her relationship to them. Her swollen belly was covered in footprints, bruises and wounds. We built her a home, so she could have a place on her own to heal her wound and grieve her losses, but that doesn't mean she was alone. Not before she asked to be alone, did we leave her. She needed company more that she knew herself, she needed someone to be there even the times she wanted nothing more than craw beneath her fur covers, fall asleep and never wake up. We heal each other here, help, support and guide one another. All new members have their story, and we all remember how that felt. She pulled through, she stood up straight, found new life and a new family. Those boots? She started making them as part of her therapy, and after a while they began to have a social meaning for her. She dedicates time and effort, she plans them, picks out the pest fur, the best animal fat to make them waterproof. There is so much love, care and thoughts put into those boots, only because she wants people that arrives here to feel a fraction of it when they wear them

I had been so lost in his eyes, I didn't even notice that he had moved his finger, that we had left the cave. With a smile, he gently put me down on my feet, but I still held his gaze. This side of him, felt so raw and new to me. So bare and open, like he invited me into a place nobody else had seen. His lips pressed against my forehead, warm and soft, but the sensation stopped to fast and before I blinked two times, he opened the door behind me and shushed me inside,

We have a meeting to attend, go get dressed. They will help you with everything

In a haze I let my feet go inside, only to meet three women with beaming smiled holding up different pieces of clothing and furs.

CHAPTER 88

Eir's POV

I heard him, I heard him clear as day. But still my head refused to decipher it,

What?

He leaned down, the tip of his nose so near mine the heat from him felt like a light touch.

Can I kiss you?

I knew what I should have said, but I surprised even myself when I hear my own voice breath out,

Yes

I panicked for exactly a quarter of a second where he paused, and the thought flashed through my mind he was only kidding with me. Oh my god, I sounded so desperate! All air was sucked out of me, but it wasn't panic, he draws a sharp breath and warm lips pressed against mine. First, I froze, and his lips were hard, unmoving just firmly pressed against mine and my heart started a frantic race against my burning embarrassment.

A switch flipped and a devouring hunger exploded inside his chest, spreading like wildfire through his body. The only thing separating us was the cloths we wore, and I could feel his heart hammering against his rib cage against mine. I became an unmoving doll, not sure if it all was a dream or not. But when a rumbling groan sounded thick from his throat I woke up, and the heat flushed through my body.

His lips hovered over my open mouth, sharing a breath while the thud of my heart was beating between my lips. Our lips brushed against one another only by accident every now and then. The weight of his body shifted, pressed against mine when his arm snaked around me, then the other while the first pressed against my back, up between my shoulder blades and to my neck. A delightful shiver of anticipation danced up my spine and I closed my eyes leaning against his touch when I felt his fingers gliding deep into my hair.

The sensation was incredible, so