Bowers interrupts my less than peaceful alone time, after having my gaze stuck on the unimpressive ceiling for the past few hours I was startled at his knock on my door. He's grinning, I know this because he walks in without an invitation. I wait for the wolf to explain the interruption of my solitude, but that does not happen and instead, he just continues to unnerve me while standing only a few feet away.

"Spill it, Wolf." That expression widens which only infuriates me more. Could a woman not spend a few days drowning in her misery, usually all I had to do was tell Leslie to give me some time and I'd be left alone—this male just wasn't getting it.

For some reason, it made me dislike him less.

"Get dressed, my pack wants a first-row seat to a few combat lessons from one of the most renowned vampires from your time. You wouldn't pass up the invitation, would you?" I'm on my feet in a breath, grabbing for clothes and other necessities as his laugh fills the room.

"Just follow the sound of howling, you'll find us easily." With that Bowers is leaving my room and I'm once again left to my own devices.

I put on shorts and a loose-fitting shirt, deciding to go shoeless as it wouldn't do me any good against the wolves if they snatched a shoestring or something of the sort. My hair is easy, a braid that I roll into a bun and pin-up. It was a rare day I got to go hand to hand with others, the vampires in my coven knew better than to face me head-on.

Whether it be my age or my experience with almost every weapon known to man, the younger ones never seemed interested in having me kick their asses. The giddy feeling in my stomach was almost enough to make me forget the Lycan who'd surely be there. Distracting me with his endless scowling and ridiculous sexy exterior.

By the time I found the pack in a small clearing only a few miles from the packhouse, they'd gathered into a circle and spread clumped together in their cliques. Vampires and wolves stood before me, eyes watching my every move as they seemed to have been waiting for me.

The first person to catch my eye was the Beta who spoke a little too much. His grin did nothing to calm my nerves.

"Eira! There you are." Bowers beams at me and I begin to approach him, noting the Luna and my black-haired friend right beside him. I try not to make it obvious that I'm searching for a specific Lycan, telling myself I'm not disappointed for the lack of his presence.

"Are we fighting with weapons today?" I question, sweeping my hand towards the laid-out tarp that held many familiar items. Things I'd grown up using, the same pieces my father and brothers showed me how to hold and use properly.

The surprise is shocking, more for the fact that if my heart was still beating, I'm sure it would've jumped by now. I felt happy, for a moment, as I realize they've done this for me. I feel my smile growing. Leslie laughs at my show of appreciation, and the way my body gently makes its way over to the oh so familiar weapons.

"We feel there's a lot to learn from you, and never turn down a great show. Asger said he'd be willing to work in front of the pack with you—two people from your era fighting? We never get this kind of entertainment around here." The Alpha gives a smug smile, and although I'm not thrilled, I'll be fighting the big male I'm excited to get this opportunity.

After a few minutes of useless conversation, I finally head towards the weapons that have held my attention. My hands grip the two pieces of iron, pulling them upwards and enjoying the weight of them as I move them slowly. I probably resemble a child finding candy for the first time, but I don't mind.

This seemed so natural, a little different considering I hadn't held one of these since my turn and now the weight of them felt like nothing. One swing of them across my body did nothing to wear me down. I pick up the heavy footsteps of the male I'll be fighting against, a sense of overwhelming hunger filling me as I ache for the fight.

Asger thrusts his ax towards me, a handshake of sorts and with a laugh, I meet the weapon with mine. The playfulness held in his eyes shows he's just as ready as I am.

"How long has it been since you've held one of those, vampire?" There's no mocking in his tone, just genuine curiosity that I shrug too.

"Centuries, sadly. But these should give me enough fun for the next few don't you think?" The snow beneath my feet crunches, his booming laughter follows behind the sound easily.

Then he strikes.

He lunges forward, heavy in his attack and I move to the side just in time with the sweep of his weapon. I weigh the sword in my left hand, hovering the one in my right upward to protect against any more of his attacks. I don't think I've smiled like this in years.

For a few minutes, we take turns with our swings, jabs, and occasional curses.

For the first time in centuries, I feel alive again, adrenaline pumping through my body as I watch for any weak spots in his guard. I spot it, the dragging of one of his arms as he swings that mighty blade again and I bring one of my swords across his shoulder. The scent of his spilled blood and the sound of his roar make my smile widen.

It makes me push harder, the need to spill more blood and I bring that iron down once more. He blocks me and even gets a slice across my stomach before I can move away. Damned Lycan.

When he lunges for me I can see he's worn down, unlike him my stamina is only limited by the blood I've consumed. After last night I could fight for hours with little to no issues. I sidestep him, then kick his left knee to the side and hear his crack with a nasty break. My blade is at his throat before he has a chance to move, that heavy breathing labored with exhaustion and pain as I grin fiercely.

I loved winning a battle.

I enjoy the moment, waiting for the Lycan to move his leg back into place before helping him to his feet and look overly accomplished by my victory. For a moment Asger stares at me, a look I can't decipher, but it's gone in an instant and replaced by a hearty smile. That large hand hits my back, sending me forward before wrapping an arm around me and laughing.

"Little Viking! What a woman you are." The exchange reminds me so much of my past, the expected pain in my chest never comes and that surprises me. I'm able to enjoy this moment, amused by his reaction and ability to accept defeat so easily.

A gust of wind carries the scent that wipes makes me more than happy expression falter.

I turn, my eyes meeting Alarik's as he takes every inch of me in with those handsome eyes. My core burns when his tongue makes a quick swipe over his lips, I have the urge to tackle him down and cover them with my own. Until his smile drops.

"You're bleeding." He states with a glare, taking a few steps towards me with outreached hands. I hear Asger laugh once more.

"She's a tough one, Alpha. No need to baby a warrior like this one, what a Luna she will be." The word makes me flinch, which seems to anger the approaching male even further. Those eyes darken when they meet his second in commands, and I almost feel bad for the Lycan protecting me.

"You do not speak for my mate again, or you will find yourself without a tongue." I roll my eyes at his possessive nature and stomp past him. Knocking his shoulder with mine and noticing it doesn't affect him at all. I do my best to not be turned on by his raw strength but fail epically as the pleasure of his skin against mine speeds through me.

I begin speaking with Leslie and a few of the other vampires—thoroughly enjoying their praise for my performance as I allow the King of Lycans to stir in his self-made pot of anger. The dark chuckles of a familiar Beta can be heard, and only end with the following sound of a hard hit.

Stupid Lycan.

....................

One after another, wolves step up to have their ass beat by the female vampire who'd defeated a Lycan. Whether in skin or fur they always end up jumping around, happy to have been beaten by the little Viking vampire they'd all been cheering for. Perhaps I could get used to living with a pack if this is what is involved. I wasn't a fan of attention, but the endless praise didn't hurt my ego.

A weird bunch they were. Vampires and wolves alike.

Only one of the packs males had managed to get me down, my back hitting the Earth hard enough to shock me a bit—he probably would've bested me had the overly protective Lycan not roared ferociously, scaring the poor wolf and sending him scurrying away with his tail between his quivering legs.

I'd been sure to get even more up close and personal with each male after that, perhaps my approach was petty but I had a reason to be. Didn't I?

Infuriating furry male. With his perfect face. And a sensual voice.

After I've finally pinned the last of the wolves willing to fight me it was nearing lunch, and they all began sprinting towards the packhouse with excited howls. I couldn't help but laugh, having had such a great day it was almost unbelievable. I always had fun with Leslie, enjoyed the little things we did together but nothing was like this.

Fighting. Any type of combat brought the feeling of familiar happiness back it seemed.

"I may have let it slip to the Luna that you had a favorite dish..." Leslie raises a dark brow at me, shrugging her shoulders as if this wasn't some type of bribe to make me spend more time with a pack that I didn't belong to.

"Let me go for a run and then I'll come to grab a piece, sound good?" She gives me a quick salute before following the hungry beasts, the ones I didn't dislike nearly as much as I had before.

Once everyone had dispersed, for the most part, I fall to my butt and take notice of the calming scenery for a few minutes. They said in a month or so the snow would pick up, and the harshness of the cold affected them greatly. To me it was just another type of weather to endure, having no problem in hot or cold climates.

I go through the past day's events, realizing that no one from this pack had successfully found a mate at the ceremony and I release a humorous laugh at the only woman there who hadn't wanted a mate...finding hers.

The thought of my situation steals the peace I'd held onto for the past few moments, I try to keep my mind off of the male who'd not only pissed me off but also made me feel things I hadn't since I was human. Leslie had been correct in saying I smothered my emotions, but the state I'd been in before my turn had been horrific. No one in their right mind would want to deal with that, so could I be so wrong for staying far away from them?

Being numb was much better than the constant pain of loss. I close my eyes, imagining the family I'd once been so close to before they had been ripped away with the slashing of swords and brutality of those who'd put me through my kind of torture.

I try to imagine the better times in my life before my heart stopped beating and I had the ones I loved taken from me. The family and friends who'd taught me to hunt, fight, and those who comforted me in the worst of times. Well, what I thought were the worst. I'd conclude that no one could live up to those I'd lived within my human years, no love would be felt as strongly as theirs. Not even that of a mate.

I'd only been eighteen when everything had been taken from me. I can practically replay the scenes of death and destruction as I clench my fists, every window and wall had been ripped apart so that they could reach us.

So that he could reach me.

I'd watched them murder my brothers, my father, and then rape and eventually drain my mother. The strongest woman I'd ever met ended at the hands of selfish and disgusting creatures. I'm one of them, in species, yes but I'd never be as vile as them. My brain kept hovering over the time I'd lost everything, memories of-

"Eira, are you okay?" My eyes fly open and I move to get to my feet. I end up butting heads with the Lycan who's somehow made it to hovering over me without me even knowing. I hiss at the pain, and he groans.

I glare up at him menacingly, angry that he exists.

"Get away from me," I grumble, irritably. I suck in an unneeded breath as he moves impossibly closer, his hand grabbing my chin as he studies any marks that may have been made. Just like the cuts from earlier they'd heal quickly, perks of being a bloodsucker I suppose.

His fingers move higher on my face, eventually squeezing my cheeks and making me resemble a chipmunk, a very unimpressed and murderous chipmunk.

"Let me check your head, and then I'll be on my way." His breath fans over my face, sending a sense of calmness through me as I finally give in and stop any type of movement as he looks over me. I embarrassingly relax into his warmth.

I didn't want to be attracted to him, but at this point, it was obvious I had no choice. My body enjoyed him in every aspect. That upset me more than it should, having no control over whether I liked the Lycan felt like a cage I couldn't escape. One more thing I couldn't control in my insane life.

"You're the most breathtaking woman I've ever laid my eyes on." Alarik whispers, stealing away my anger with those words as I meet his eyes. If I could, I'd be blushing right now. My face tinged pink as the hottest man I've ever met hovered over me with his sexy eyes and mind-blowing frame.

It wasn't that I never received compliments, they just usually came from human males desperate for sex or some type of pleasure. His full lips are set in an unsure line, his fingers running over the length of my face as if trying to memorize the shape. Hunger is evident in his silver eyes when he runs those warm digits over my mouth, neither of us moves as we hold the position.

"I've been thinking over this delicate issue we have." I give him a questioning stare as his hand finally moves once more. This time when it's placed upon my neck, I flinch with the memories of the last time he'd had his hands on me. "I'm not over your past, and I know that means nothing to you—I probably mean nothing to you as well but I'm going to work hard to not only control my temper. I want to be a better mate. I've waited my entire life for this chance to be with the one made for me, and I don't believe my Moon makes mistakes."

There are a few moments of silence as I watch the emotions wash over him, and I allow his words to sink in. I'm unprepared when his lips descend on mine, soft and eager as he squeezes my throat slightly. I don't flinch this time. Instead, I let out a moan, my body on fire as I grip the male by his shoulders and pull him closer. We keep a slow and gentle rhythm, but then the warmth surrounding me turns to fire and I decide I want more.

I want so much more.

Alarik sucks in a deep breath when I pull him entirely on top of me, one of my hands finding his hair as holding it as I kiss him with every bit of passion I've ever held. I swipe my tongue across his lips and he hesitantly gives me access, without warning, I flip us over so I'm straddling him. I stare at the male below me with a wild, hungry gaze.

His large hands grip my waist, ragged breaths leaving him and making that broad chest move up and down quickly. My core was on fire, hell every inch of me was. The need was practically pouring from me as I let out a breathy sigh—I could feel his hardness against my thigh.

I move over slightly, allowing him to press against my covered sex and sending the hottest of sounds from his breathtaking mouth.

Everything about Alarik screamed male. It turned me on more than anything else.

Mine. I wanted to growl.

At the thought of the word, I'm forcing another kiss on him, my hands in a frenzy as they move over his body with naughty intentions. The sooner I got all our clothes off, the better. I'm grinding into him, his cock bringing me pleasure without even touching me. My teeth ached to penetrate his neck again, to feel that warm blood moving down my throat as I brought him to heights he wouldn't believe.

Suddenly I'm being pushed away, the once affection male doing everything, he can't get me off him. I feel a pain in my chest at the act, and I stare at him with confusion before getting to my feet.

I'm pissed, or embarrassed, whatever emotion is supposed to follow the rejection from a male who'd pursued me, to begin with. Understanding flashes through his eyes before he throws his hands up and begins his explanation.

"I'm just—not...I'm not good at that. I don't know what to do." Red tints his ears and crawls up his neck as he admits his issue, those eyes now refuse to meet mine. The erection I'd been grinding against is still very prominent, and I lick my lips at the sight. I shouldn't be mad, and I technically wasn't upset with his actions it's the teasing that frustrated me.

My body ached to be filled by him, to have him touch and kiss me in every direction. Now I was left feeling like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on my head. I'm unable to distinguish my sexual frustration from actual anger and decide the packhouse would be a better place to sort out my thoughts.

"I-I didn't mean to offend you," Alarik calls out, rising to his feet and trying to follow me. I face him once more, trying to get an accurate read on the male before me. His random stutter makes me want to crush my mouth against his even more.

Stupid, sexy Lycan.

Maybe if I stuck my hands into those tight-fitting pants, I'd receive a few more of those adorable stutters, it was a reasonable and worthy theory.

"I'm not as experienced, and I've never even been in that position—" He tries to defend himself but for some reason, it only makes me angrier.

"So, come to the whore of a mate to learn? Is that it? You're unbelievable, you are." I hiss, and I watch as he sorts through my words before letting out a shaky laugh. I struggle not to deck him in his handsome face. Alarik pinches the bridge of his nose and releases a shaky breath.

"For the love of the Moon, Eira. I was trying not to finish in my pants from the simple act of my mate dry humping me in a field."