Given to the Berserkers: A menage shifter romance (Berserker Saga Book 4) Page 9

  By morning, I decided.

  I would find and speak to the witch.

  *

  My chance came when Wulfgar went to meet with the Alphas and left Fergus watching over me.

  “Be good, little one.”

  “Always, sir,” I told him, and offered my lips for a kiss. I still hadn’t gotten over my shyness around the great warrior.

  Fergus was another matter. The red-haired warrior pounced on me as soon Wulfgar disappeared into the trees. “What shall we do today?”

  “I-I don’t know.” My mind raced as to how I could occupy my love while I did the ritual to summon the witch.

  “I can think of a few things,” Fergus had already tugged my gown off my shoulder, and was kissing my neck.

  “Perhaps we can go to the river. I need to wash our clothes.” Wulfgar had brought me two more gowns to replace my stained one, but one was already dirty and ripped from a time when Fergus had chased me through the forest and caught and used me for his pleasure.

  “My cock needs washing,” Fergus murmured. He took my earlobe between his teeth and nibbled. My body responded with a gush of liquid between my weakening legs.

  “Fergus,” I gave a nervous laugh. “Please.”

  “All right,” he set me away. “But I will have ye see to me when you’re done.”

  “Of course,” I nodded eagerly, and he chuckled.

  “Such a good girl.”

  “I try to be.”

  “Ye are. Ye please us so much.” He caught my chin, studying my face as he often did before pronouncing me beautiful. I bit my lip. I longed to be a good mate for them. I had to be. This had to work.

  To my relief, Fergus let me go to the river. He even carried the basket of dirty clothes, but once there, instructed me to stay on the bank, changed into his wolf, and started distracting himself by fishing, wolf-style.

  He waited over a deep pool, intent on the water until the right moment. With a leap, he’d rear up and, with legs stiff before him, snap his head down into the water. If he was lucky, he’d have a slim fish in his jaws. He came up empty more often than not, but the activity amused him. Quietly laying out the ingredients for the ritual, I was grateful that he was distracted.

  After awhile he grew bored and lay down to nap in the sun, and I crept away, around the riverbend, a little out of sight of the sleeping wolf. I hated sneaking around, but Sabine had told me that even though the Alphas consulted with her often, most Berserkers didn’t like the witch. I couldn’t risk telling Fergus and Wulfgar, and have them forbid me to summon her. Besides, I didn’t want them to know how worried I was about the mating bond.

  At the foot of a tree, I built a little fire and did the summoning spell Sabine had taught me.

  “Yseult,” I called the witch’s name, and waited.

  Minutes passed and I stayed still, resisting the urge to creep back to check on Fergus, or repeat the spell.

  At last, I gave up waiting and blew the fire out. The witch was not coming. I had failed. Perhaps I had no magical abilities, and this was why I could not form a mating bond with Wulfgar and Fergus. My sister’s powers made them perfect matches for the Berserkers, but I had none. Good, sweet Muriel who always did as she was told. I’d finally been given everything my heart desired, but I wasn’t good enough to keep it.

  The one decision that remained: did I tell Fergus and Wulfgar of my failing, or spend as long as I could living my dream, and let them find out for themselves, and cast me aside?

  Tears pricked my eyes as I packed up the remnants of the spell, and kicked the fire to death.

  I startled as a raven landed on a branch above my head and cawed. It flapped its wings and glided to my feet. I leapt back, and it landed, and cocked a beady eye at me.

  “Yseult?” I asked.

  The raven cawed again, and instead of feeling foolish, hope leaped up in me.

  Then the bird flew away.

  “No, wait,” I ran after it, crashing into the forest undergrowth, pushing aside branches to see where it might have gone. No sooner than I started after it, I lost it, and was left standing in the forest, wondering if I’d failed again.

  “Foolish girl,” I told myself, and started to go back, when a low growl caught my ear. Peering into the sun-dappled darkness, I saw the wolf.

  The animal was large, white with golden streaks. Feet rooted to the spot, I thought fast. Wulfgar’s wolf was grey, Fergus was red. This beast was a stranger to me. It tilted its head, and the light caught its golden eyes. A Berserker.

  When I backed away, the wolf paced forward, pushing through the thick brush with nary a sound. I turned and ran. Racing, weaving through trees, I dared not look back to see if the hunter was on my trail.

  “Fergus,” I screamed. “Fergus.” The stream bank came into sight, and he bounded forward, in man form.

  “Muriel…” he caught me.

  “Wolf. In the forest.”

  “I see,” he growled, placing himself between the forest and me. “If any creature attacks, ye run as fast a ye can, back to the hut.”

  My fingers dug into his sides. If something attacked, I could not be sure I could leave him.

  “What did I say to ye about leaving my sight?”

  “I’m s-sorry,” I stuttered.

  “Never mind,” he grabbed my hand and pulled me along. We left the laundry along the bank and raced back to the hut.

  “I’m sorry,” I said again, once I’d caught my breath. “I know I saw a wolf. It started to track me, so I ran.”

  “I have no doubt ye saw something. There are probably spies in this wood.”

  “Spies?”

  “Never mind.” Fergus turned to me from barring the door. “What were ye doing?”

  “I needed an herb and thought I might find it on the edge of the forest.” It wasn’t a lie, not quite. It wasn’t just the whole truth. Fergus’ head tilted as he regarded my words. I wondered if he knew I was hiding something.

  “When we lived in the village, I foraged unguarded,” I supplied. “I did not think there would be a danger.”

  “You’re an intelligent lass. Does it make sense that ye go off alone?”

  My gaze fell to my feet. “No.”

  “Muriel. Look at me.” There was no tender seduction in my young lover. “Ye live among the Berserkers now, and we expected ye to act seemly as our mate. I told ye to stay close. When Wulfgar returns, he will lecture ye on the same thing.”

  I needed no more cause to dread the intimidating warrior. “Do you have to tell him?”

  “I hide nothing from him. And neither should ye, as his mate.”

  My heart sank. I’d meant to bring the three of us closer together, and instead I’d made a mess of things. “I’m sorry.”

  With a sigh, Fergus opened his arms. “Come here.” When I was safe in his hold, he continued, “I forgive ye, but ye must make amends.” Gathering a fistful of hair, he gently drew my head back. “I’m going to punish ye now.”

  There was no joking in his manner. I swallowed hard. “A-all right.”

  My head was pounding as Fergus lead me to the bed. “Dress off.”

  I’d gotten used to hearing this order; Fergus preferred me naked whenever we were in the cabin. As I pulled the gown over my head, he sat and patted his knee.

  “Lie over my lap.”

  I hesitated.

  “‘Tis better to complete your punishment before Wulfgar returns. He might wish to strap ye.”

  That was enough to send me scuttling into place. Fergus helped me drape across his legs, steadying me as I settled into position.

  “Good lass,” he said quietly. “This spanking isnae for fun, but punishment.”

  I sniffed, my lower lip trembling as I squeezed the bedclothes and tried not to cry. I was upset, not because I was afraid of the spanking, but because I’d disappointed him.

  The first swat focused my thoughts. Fergus spanked me hard, nothing like the soft swats he’d used in my last, playful punishmen
t.

  “This punishment will remind ye to heed my words.” Fergus’ lecture accompanied his slaps. I winced and gritted my teeth against the sting. “Ye will not stray from our sight again. To do so is verrae, verrae dangerous. Wulfgar won the Games, but his claim to ye is still contested.”

  I raised my head at that, but he finished with a flurry of smacks that had me gasping and kicking my feet. “It’s very important that ye not sneak off. Promise me that ye willnae do so again.”

  “I promise.”

  “Ten more.” The final swats seemed harder than all the rest combined.The cabin resonated with the smacking sound. Gritting my teeth, I hung my head and let a tear or two fall. When it was over, I lay limp, waiting for him to help me up.

  “Such a good, good girl.” He kissed and cuddled me, angling me onto my side so my weight didn’t rest on my sore bottom. Even with my body singing with pain, I wanted to snuggle close to my young warrior. The tightness in my chest was gone.

  “Punishment’s over. Ye are forgiven.” Fergus wiped the last tear from my eye. His thumb dropped to my lips and stroked them until I opened my mouth and sucked it inside.

  “Good lass,” his voice turned gravelly, and I squirmed in his lap for a different reason. When I went to stand, he grunted and pulled me, winding his strong arms around me. I pushed at him to no avail. His eyes glowed with an unearthly light, and I knew his beast was enjoying my struggle.

  “You like punishing me.”

  “I do. But only because it pleases me to have ye submit to it so prettily.”

  “Does it please the wolf?”

  “Aye, the wolf enjoys dominating ye, but 'tis the beast that enjoys your pain." He pinched my sore bottom and I hissed. “And your pleasure. It wants ye to forget where one ends and one begins.” He tweaked my nether lips and a bolt of sensation shot through me. “We will give ye ecstasy beyond what ye have ever known, but ye will cry out and beg us to stop many, many times.”

  “And will you?” I held my breath as his fingers started to slide in and out of my slick opening, awakening every part of me to pleasure.

  “Never. We are your masters, and we know what ye need.”

  He finger fucked me until I was begging him, then stopped and had me lick his fingers clean.

  “I’ll stop and bid ye raise your skirts from time to time. Make sure you’re wet and ready for us. Keep ye on edge, begging.”

  He nodded to my hardened nipples.

  “Pinch them.”

  I did and more cream seeped out from me. Lightning bolts of sensation shot from my nipples to my cunny, and I found my hips rocking where I sat. “Please.”

  “No,” he laughed. “‘Tis better to keep ye on edge, and wanting. Feel how hard I am.”

  He laid my palm over his throbbing length. “I love tormenting ye, and knowing ye suffer by my hand.”

  “Take me, Fergus,” I begged. The fading sting in my bottom was nothing to the throbbing in my lady parts. “Make me feel that I am yours.”

  “Ye are mine. Ye belong to me forever.” Just when I thought he’d throw me to the bed and fuck me, he set me on my feet and stood. “Come. Your punishment is not over.”

  He had me stand in the corner of the room, “To think on how ye will obey next time.”

  I shifted from foot to foot, and listened to him work in the room.

  Minutes seemed like hours, but I did not turn around until he bade me.

  “Wulfgar is soon to return, my lovely. It’s time to begin your training.”

  “Training?” Still naked, I wrapped my arms loosely around my bare form. The look Fergus shot me was wicked.

  “Bend over the bed.”

  I hurried to obey.

  “Such a fine arse. Not too small, not to plump. And a lovely red color. Spread your legs, sweet one.” I rocked from one foot to the other, opening my stance. “Good lass. Now part your bottom cheeks for me.”

  “Fergus—”

  A smack on my behind had me hastening to comply. Flushing red as my punished backside, I spread my cheeks and showed him my bottom hole.

  “Now there’s a lovely sight,” Fergus said with satisfied awe.

  My face burned hot against the bed. Something hard and unyielding touched my back pucker, pushing in so it stretched the tight ring of muscle.

  “This is a plug. I carved it out of wood for naughty lassies to wear when they’ve disobeyed. You’ll keep it in, and it will stretch ye to take us.”

  My grip tightened on the pelts. “Fergus…please…:”

  “Relax. Take a deep breath in. Now blow out.” As air left my lungs, he pushed the bulb in all the way. After the widest part went through, it narrowed sharply, easing the strain.

  “There.”

  He worked it in and out while I stifled a whimper.

  “How do ye feel?”

  I grunted in response. The thing in my backside felt strange but not quite unpleasant. My nipples were as hard as pebbles against the bed.

  “Touch yourself.”

  “Please…do not make me.”

  “If ye cannot, then I will.” He checked me and laughed. “Soaked. Just as I thought.”

  “This is not right.”

  He dropped a kiss on my bottom cheek. “It is exactly right. Soon ye’ll be able to wear this in your bottom from morn to night.”

  “All day?”

  “Of course. So we can claim ye whenever we want.”

  He twisted the dreadful thing home. “Stand up now, Muriel. Ye can suck me off before ye continue with your chores.”

  I grimaced, knowing I would be denied pleasure until that night.

  “Keep it in as long as I say, and ye will be rewarded.”

  “Yes, Fergus.” I reached up and couldn’t quite hide my eagerness as I guided his cock into my mouth.

  *

  Plug firmly seated between my reddened cheeks under my best gown, I greeted Wulfgar at the door. The big warrior looked tired, lines of care falling away when he saw me approaching with a horn of mead. He took it silently and drank, his eyes never once leaving my form.

  “Thank you,” he said when the horn was empty. “How are you, Muriel?”

  “Well, my lord.” After my punishment, I felt it was best to stick to old formalities. I’d been on my best behavior with Fergus all afternoon. I made bread and meat stew, cleaned and swept the hearth, and shook out the pelts on the bed. The red-haired warrior had kissed me and left to take a patrol around the perimeter minutes before I heard Wulfgar’s footfalls on the stoop.

  “Something smells good.”

  “I made dinner.” I backed away, putting the table between me and the giant warrior. The cabin seemed so much smaller with him inside. “It’s simple fare. I can serve you, unless we should wait for Fergus.”

  “He is needed elsewhere.” After barring the door, Wulfgar removed his weapon belt and leaned his ax against the wall, though he lay his short sword at the ready on the table.

  “I heard about your little adventure today,” he said as he sat.

  “I’m sorry,” I winced, wondering if he would add to my punishment, but he waved my worry away.

  “I know you atoned for it. I hope your chastisement was enough to teach you to mind.”

  “It was, my lord.”

  “Good. It does not surprise me that there are wolves waiting in the forest for a glimpse of you. Probably one of Siebold’s cronies, spying on you for him.” He rubbed a hand over his face, the great slope of his shoulders sagging with weariness. “The pack is restless. That’s why I was gone today. The Alpha’s called me to discipline a few wayward wolves.”

  “Are you the only one who can bring order?” With nervous hands, I busied myself with the fire and soup pot. I’d grown used to having Fergus as a buffer between me and the powerful, scarred warrior. Wulfgar’s size and forbidding looks still overwhelmed me.

  “The Alphas have great power over the pack, but when that fails, it is good for them to have a third, strong fighter.”
<
br />   “The Alphas told me you were called ‘the Enforcer.’”

  “Aye, Muriel. That is what they call me.” At his sad tone, I glanced back in shock.

  “Did you…did you have to kill anyone today?” I couldn’t help my voice quivering, but I tried my best to keep the censure out of my question.

  “Not today. Not tomorrow, either, I hope. It all depends on how well the warriors keep their control.”

  “Are you ever in danger of losing control?”

  “It has been many years since I have allowed my beast to rule.” He added in a low murmur, almost too low for me to hear, “I fear the day when it will.”

  “I don’t.” I blurted before I could think. I bit my lip, but he was already waiting for me to explain.

  “I mean, I still fear the power of the warrior who nearly killed Siebold. I am still learning who you are;the different parts of you, man, beast and wolf. From what I know so far, you’d never allow your beast to hurt anyone you care about. You’d find a way to make your own end before you did that.”

  He stared at me, and his gaze hit me like a blow. Whatever power Wulfgar had went beyond his great muscles and warrior skill. The magic in him gave him the ability to rule men with a look, a thought. Caught like a fish in the net, my eyes watered but I couldn’t look away.

  Finally he broke the silence.“I wish that were true. In the past, it has not been true. I’ve made mistakes.” He seemed to want to continue, but bit off the rest of his comment with frustration. When he looked away, I hid my sigh of relief. “It will be good for the pack when your sister Fleur is mated off, but then we must find brides for the rest. To ask these warriors to go many more years unmated...it will be certain death. The beast will consume their minds. A shame to watch good men fall. Men who were once my friends.”

  As I served his plate, I took his hand in mine. Emboldened by our intimate conversation, I kissed the rough knuckles.

  “All will be well, sir.”

  I dropped his hand and moved away before he could say or do anything more. Scurrying out of reach at the opposite side of the table, I watched him through a curtain of my hair. My massive warrior was not handsome but there was a sturdiness to his features that pleased me. The way he stared at me, I knew my form pleased him too.