Bonded to the Berserkers: A menage shifter romance (Berserker Brides Book 4) Read online

  My fingers faltered as Haakon’s voice did.

  “I don’t remember much beyond that,” he rasped.

  “It’s all right.” I took up his other foot and continued massaging him, even working up his legs, soothing his taut calves.

  “The magic makes us strong. It does all but keep us sane. Over the years, it eats at our mind, until we go mad.”

  “Mad?”

  “Aye, lass. There is but one cure. We must find a mate.”

  I pursed my lips. They’d made it clear they thought I was their mate.

  “Laurel.”

  I raised my head. Haakon stared at me with shining eyes. Magic-born and fey. And yet still a man. I couldn’t ignore the stiff pole tenting his loincloth now. The size of it made my throat dry.

  “I know we stole you, and you were afraid. I wish it could’ve been different. You must believe me.”

  I nodded.

  “You don’t know how much you mean to us.”

  Suddenly, I couldn’t bear to look at him. Bowing my head so my hair curtained my face, I squeezed his leg, and dropped a kiss on his knee.

  “So sweet. Our little flower.”

  “I, um, have finished washing you.” I sat back on my haunches. My shift was wet and see through, but I didn’t try to cover myself. It was part of my punishment, and Haakon’s look of awed pleasure made my insides tighten in delicious anticipation. Not that I enjoyed his attention, I scolded myself. I simply preferred happy Haakon to the haunted warrior who told me how he came to be cursed.

  “There is one more part yet to wash,” he said, and moved his loincloth aside.

  Heat suffused my neck and face. His manhood jutted out from his body.

  “I-I don’t think—”

  “You are a lovely lass. Look what you do to me.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  His laugh rippled the muscles in his chest. “It aches. It needs your healing touch.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I’d heard of how men were shaped, and seen stud bulls at the market. One of the village men my age had bared himself to me, and laughed with his friends at my blushes. I’d scurried off, and found reasons to stay away from the village after that. Even though the lad hadn’t touched me, I felt ashamed.

  I did not feel ashamed now. I should, but I did not.

  “Hand me the cloth, Laurel,” Haakon said, and when I did, he wrapped it around himself, squeezing and tugging a little before flinging the rag away. His large hand slide up and down the now slick length, working it in a way that brought a grin to his face. He never took his eyes off me.

  I realized I shouldn’t be watching. “Um—” My hand fluttered over my face.

  “Look if you like,” Haakon spoke through gritted teeth. “Soon you will learn to do this.”

  “I will not,” I gasped.

  “No? Even now you look like you wish to touch me.”

  “I… simply wish to make you feel good… No,” I said hurriedly. “Not like that. I just want you to be well.”

  “This will make me feel very, very good,” he said. I watched mesmerized as he worked himself. I knew how it could be between a man and woman, but how could such a large thing fit inside me?

  “One day, you will wake me with your sweet mouth on my cock. I’ll tell you to lick every inch, and you’ll obey like the good girl you are. And when I am done,” his words tumbled out faster. “You’ll swallow all my cream.”

  Something was happening. Haakon’s hips jerked, he grunted, and whitish fluid poured from the tip of his cock, over his hand. He cursed over and over.

  I leaned forward. “Haakon, are you hurt?”

  “No, sweetness. Get the cloth.” When I did, he nodded to his still hard member. “Clean it.” My hands trembled as I leaned over him.

  “One day, you will lick it all up,” Haakon whispered. “Ulf and I will fill you and leave you painted with our seed, so that any man can smell it and know you belong to us.”

  My cheeks were so hot they must have caught fire, but I wet the cloth again, and wiped away all the thick cum. He beckoned me close and swirled a wet finger over my chest, then let me clean his hands.

  When Ulf returned, his eyes flared like torches. Tipping his head back, he sniffed the air.

  “I see you’ve been busy.”

  “I have,” Haakon said, satisfied. “And our mate has earned her reward.”

  “Oh?” Ulf looked from Haakon to where I sat, face flushed and arms wrapped around my legs to keep from trembling, though I could not keep my cunny from throbbing.

  “Oh yes.”

  “I did nothing,” I spoke up. “I only washed him.”

  “And watched as I pleasured myself. Should I ask you next time what you learned?”

  “No. I… no.”

  Haakon laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t force you to do it. One day, you’ll beg me.”

  Shaking my head, I glared at him.

  “Enough teasing,” Ulf said. “Laurel, come here.”

  “What now?” I muttered, though I scrambled to my feet. Haakon liked to joke, but Ulf was so stern and serious, I dare not disobey.

  “It’s time for your first punishment.”

  “But, I already did my punishment.”

  “You think washing me was punishment? You are cruel,” Haakon pretended to pout.

  I rolled my eyes. Ulf drew me to him until I stood between his legs.

  “I told you we would make you mind.”

  “I’m being good,” I protested.

  He raised a brow.

  “I am trying,” I amended.

  “You are doing well. But we are in danger, and expect perfect obedience. Our lives are at stake.”

  I nodded.

  “You were punished in the abbey?”

  “Yes.” I gnawed my lip. “How will you punish me?”

  “However we see fit. This time I will take you across my lap, raise your skirts, and spank you until your skin is red.”

  I gulped. “Must you?”

  “Yes. We are your masters now and you will do as we say. Running away deserves a swift, severe punishment.”

  “You are everything to us. We will keep you safe,” Haakon added in a gentler tone, but Ulf looked at me sternly. “Tell me you understand.”

  “I understand.”

  “Shift off,” he tugged at the garment. There was no room for argument in his tone. My mind on my punishment, I drew the shift over my head. He tossed it away and I crossed my arms over my chest, hunching a little.

  “Are you going to make me remain naked?”

  “No. But you must undress to bathe,” he murmured.

  I sucked in a breath. The chance to wash sounded lovely. The water in the pot would be nice and warm now.

  “Would that I could bathe you, as you did me,” Haakon called.

  “First your spanking,” Ulf drew me over his knees. I clutched at his legs as he tipped me further, until my bare bottom waved in the air. “Put your hands on the ground.” Quivering, I did as he asked.

  To my surprise, the pain didn’t start right away. His large hand cupped my bottom, rough fingers tracing my curves.

  I shifted. “Please.”

  “Hush,” he ordered. “I am preparing you for your discipline. It would not do to bruise this lovely skin.” His hand swept up my leg and I almost cried out. Slick juices gathered at my apex, threatening to run down my legs.

  “Do you wish me to punish you?”

  I wanted to get it over with before he could see what was happening to me. “Yes.”

  “Ask me.”

  My stomach flipped with humiliation. “Please, Sir, punish me.”

  A rare chuckle from Ulf warmed me through. “As you wish.”

  His hand spanked me, small, sharp swats at first that built in intensity until the cracks rang out across the clearing. I clung to his leg, hair over my face. Warm pressure built at my core, threatening to spill out of me.

  “No.” I wrenched up. “Stop. You must
stop.”

  “Laurel?” Haakon struggled to sit up. “What’s wrong?”

  My backside was red and throbbing, but that wasn’t the cause of my distress. I backed away from Ulf, my hands over my bottom. “You can’t punish me anymore.”

  “Laurel, stop.” Fury flashed in Ulf’s face, and I dared not take another step. “Lie back down over my knee, or I’ll pick a switch next.”

  “Please,” I sobbed, but did as he commanded.

  “Good girl,” he said, and something in me melted further. I cried harder.

  He rubbed my bottom, even dipping his hand between my thighs. I didn’t fight. They were too big and strong, and I was too wanton.

  A few more smacks and he had me back on my feet, staring at me with an almost worried expression.

  “Well, Laurel, did you learn your lesson?”

  “Yes,” I cried. He caught my wrist.

  “Do not rub. I’ll tie your hands,” he warned.

  I nodded frantically, and he let me go.

  “Come here, lass.” Haakon opened his arms. Forgetting that he was hurt, I flung myself down next to him, sobbing into his chest.

  “Ulf only punished you because he was afraid you would run again. ‘Tis not safe. You must know that.”

  “I know,” I wailed. But it was not safe for me to stay, either. The men had awoken another beast—one inside me. If I didn’t get away soon, I’d never be free.

  17

  Ulf

  The sobs of the woman filled the clearing. I frowned.

  I took care not hurt her. I barely spanked her.

  It wasn’t you. She suffers because of her fears.

  Remembering myself, I turned from the touching scene. Haakon could soothe our mate. I only frightened her. I should’ve kept to my vow, and never agreed to take a mate. Laurel deserved another, even if the thought made me sick.

  Uncurling my hand from a fist, I caught a whiff of sweet musk.

  “Well, that’s interesting,” I murmured.

  “What?”

  I lifted my hand coated with Laurel’s juices. Even across the clearing, the scent was clear.

  Haakon’s eyes glittered. “Very interesting.”

  I busied myself with chores until the woman calmed down. Once she no longer sniffled, Haakon sent her to bathe her face and hair. It killed me, but I pretended to ignore the splashing and soft sighs of our mate as she enjoyed the water I’d warmed for her.

  You can watch, you know. She’s your mate as much as she is mine. The heat in Haakon’s voice told me he’d enjoyed the whole show.

  Next time.

  Once we have her in our lodge, we should keep her naked.

  I couldn’t think ahead to a home with a mate. There was still so much danger. The Corpse King hadn’t found us yet, but if Haakon didn’t heal quickly, it was only a matter of time.

  When Laurel stepped out of the bath, I was waiting for her. Steeling myself, I raised a new shift, woven from the softest linen and hemmed with beautiful needlework. Laurel’s wide eyes told me she’d never seen such a fine garment.

  I motioned her close but turned her. “Bend down,” I murmured, and added when she sucked in a breath. “I only wish to check your bottom.” Her pale curves bore a lingering redness. I cupped a generous handful and massaged it, soothing her when she rocked from side to side nervously. There were a few raw lines from where my fingers had caught her sit spots. I grew hard as iron knowing my hand had made the marks.

  At last I drew her upright. Her face was as red as her bottom.

  “The beast within us longs for a mate to cherish, but also to discipline.”

  “Please,” she whispered. “I’ll be good.”

  “You are a good girl,” I praised her. “But we also will not hesitate to take you in hand, to teach you our ways. But after punishment, comes reward.”

  I helped her dress into the shift, and then the red gown. The fabric flowed like wine around her legs. She looked like a queen with her long, dark hair braided into a crown.

  “It’s so beautiful,” she breathed.

  “Our mate will always be clothed in finery.”

  “Unless she is at home alone with us,” Haakon corrected. “Then she must always be naked.”

  Laurel rolled her eyes. A soft smile suffused her features. She looked at the ground before me, almost… shy.

  “Will you thank Ulf for fetching you such a fine gown?” Haakon prodded. I glared at him.

  Before I knew it, Laurel had curtseyed. “Thank you, Sir.” She came close and took my hand and kissed it. I stilled as her lips touched my rough knuckles, the beast inside me roaring to life.

  She must have known the danger, for she trembled a little when she raised her eyes to mine. “I don’t deserve it.”

  I just stared at her. She gazed unflinchingly on my ruined face.

  “Of course you do, lass,” Haakon called. “Our mate deserves the best.”

  A stubborn look came over her face, one that told me she did not accept that she was our mate.

  “You’re welcome for the dress,” I told her. “Suits you better than a dirty shift.”

  She bobbed her head again, and I cursed myself for insulting her old clothes. I almost drew away, but she kept hold of my hand.

  “Wait,” she examined my grimy palm. “Do you want me to wash you?” Her cheeks were bright as robin’s breast, but her scent told me she didn’t loathe the idea.

  As much as I wanted to say yes, I couldn’t bear to see her face when she touched my scars.

  “No need, lass. I don’t need a nursemaid. I’m whole.” Cursing myself again for insulting my warrior brother, I snarled and strode away.

  Night had fallen before I returned, a giant stag draped over my shoulders. The beast raved inside me, even after a long hunt and a few lonely sessions with my cock in hand. A fire now burned inside me. Only Laurel could put it out. So, after running the perimeter to check for signs of the enemy, I carried my game to camp.

  The light flickering through the trees gave me pause, but I schooled my steps and ignored my old fear.

  Haakon dozed, his arm propped under his head, as if he’d laid down for only a moment. It did me good to see him sleeping peacefully. A brush with his mind told me his pain was fading.

  The woman sat near the blaze, poking it with a stick. She’d cut her old shift into an apron to protect her fine dress. A few dark hairs had fallen out of her braid, but other than that she looked as regal as ever. Her beauty almost made my heart stop.

  “Ulf?” she looked worried. I must look a monster with the massive prey over my shoulders. More monster than usual.

  “For you,” I told her and shrugged the buck down. The ground shook where it fell.

  “What am I to do with that?” She gawked at the giant body. Tip to tip, the antlers stood as tall as her.

  “Cook it.” I knelt and split the chest cavity with my claws. Too late I remembered I should hide the beast from our woman. She averted her eyes as I carried the buck’s heart to Haakon.

  “Here, brother.”

  Thank you. Haakon said, not wasting breath to speak before he tore into the raw meat. If you didn’t return soon enough, she threatened to feed me onions.

  I chuckled and strode back to the fire, licking blood from my fingers. Laurel sat with her hands folded in her lap. Sure enough, there were a few wild onions cooking in the embers. At least it wasn’t cabbage.

  Once Haakon finished the heart, I gave him a few more organs and ate my own share of the offal. Blood smeared the prone warrior’s body. As he ripped into the liver, Laurel made a distressed sound.

  “Don’t worry, lass,” Haakon said between chews. “You can always wash me again.”

  Scoffing, she turned away, crossing her arms over her chest. Gone was the meek thing I’d left with a reddened bum. In her place was the fighter with the queenly mien I remembered from the kitchens. I raised a brow at Haakon, who shrugged.

  Using saplings that I’d cut earlier with my
axe, I built a giant structure to spit the meat. Before I went on the hunt, I’d stripped off my clothes so I could Change at will. The magic left me a loincloth about my hips, but otherwise my body was bare. The fire that ruined my face left a few scars on my arm and side, but nothing too ugly. Unlike my face.

  Once the buck was cooking, I washed in the stream, returning with my clothes in hand. Several times I glanced at the woman, daring her to look at me. She kept her eyes on the ground, but I knew she noticed. The color in her cheeks matched her dress.

  Seating myself close with the good side of my face turned to her, I took up the stick Laurel had and poked her onions.

  “Did you venture far into the forest to find these?” I asked.

  “Not far. Haakon could see me the whole time.”

  I rolled an onion out and regarded its steaming form. “You were worried Haakon would need food before I returned.”

  “Yes.”

  Using a few wet leaves, I picked up the steaming onion and peeled it gingerly. “I suppose I will not leash you, then.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I will not have to leave again to hunt. You may have lost your last chance to escape.”

  She didn’t reply. I studied her stiff form. Her punishment hadn’t softened her. Instead, our mate had put up walls.

  “There’s plenty of meat, if you’ll accept it from my hand.”

  “Thank you,” she said again, as her stomach growled.

  She is determined to be polite, I noted to Haakon.

  Mmm. She thinks she can control her desires by pretending to be civilized. But they claim her all the same. Haakon grinned. Can you smell it?

  Raising my head, I sniffed the air. There it was—under the thick scent of roast meat, and onions—a woman in heat.

  She is ripe for the plucking, Haakon smacked his lips. Laurel seemed to know we communicated silently, for she glared at him. I noted how she kept her legs pressed together.

  I’m surprised she is so calm.

  She is not. She is frustrated. The slim fingers gripped her new gown as if her world were tilting, and she tried to hang on. Feed her, Ulf. Fill her belly. Then perhaps we can convince her to sate her second hunger.

  I tossed the onion on the fire and saw to the buck, slicing into the browning meat. The woman’s squeamish look told me she required more cooking time.