Chapter Six
Rather than returning to his duties, Leif spent every day working at Aspen’s side.
They integrated themselves into the community, helping and simply enjoying the company.
They went to bonfires and joined the full moon run.
Leif adored watching Aspen’s happiness grow by the day.
He fit here, and Leif loved that for him.
Still, Leif was grateful as hell for a day at home with no plans.
Sprawled out on the couch with his feet on Aspen’s lap, Leif stared at Aspen.
Aspen rubbed Leif’s feet. Leif realized he had intentionally forgotten these moments.
Aspen had always quietly spoiled the fuck out of him, treating him like a king.
The most addicting part was Aspen didn’t even recognize his actions as spoiling him.
Aspen loved taking care of Leif in every way.
He took pride in it. That was why losing him had literally killed him.
There was no life after this one. Everything without Aspen was too hard.
When Celeste had sent him back, Leif had been forced to convince himself he hated Aspen.
Without that shield of anger and loathing, life was too crippling.
Now here he was, staring into the face of ultimate happiness.
He wished he knew how to make Aspen feel just as cherished.
“If you could have anything, no matter how outlandish it is, what would you want?”
Aspen looked his way. His expression screamed that he took the inquiry seriously. “Hmm.” He laughed and shook his head, as if his first thought was absurd.
“What?” Leif couldn’t stop smiling. He knew he could read Aspen’s mind. But he had realized a lifetime ago how much he loved the anticipation of what Aspen might say next. It was rare for him to dive into Aspen’s thoughts. This was a hell of a lot more fun.
A slight blush tinted Aspen’s cheeks.
Leif had never been so excited to hear an answer.
Aspen chuckled. “My first thought was how cute it would be if we had an actual bear cave. A love nest.” Aspen made a dismissive gesture. “Not like a gross hole in a hill, but a little getaway—like a hobbit house, but big enough for a bear.” He shook his head again. “I’m not making sense.”
“That’s not true. I can practically see the place in my head.”
Leif felt Aspen brush his thoughts, as if he didn’t want to be rude, and only wanted a peek.
Aspen’s smile grew. “Yeah. Just like that. A little cozy yet hidden spot where no one can bother us. We can take little breaks from society.” His gaze turned heated. “A place where I can do whatever I want to you, and no one can hear you scream.”
Leif’s breath caught at the heat in Aspen’s eyes.
He felt his expression shift to seductive.
Aspen was the perfect mixture of achingly sweet and naughty as hell.
In all their years together, Leif hadn’t once tired of him.
If anything, the cravings got worse year by…
Damn. The lust had only grown. How had he been so blind?
Leif had lived in agony all because he couldn’t have Aspen’s mark.
He had been so focused on that, Leif hadn’t stopped to think.
There was only one reason they would spend decades together and never get bored.
He had been distraught to the point of stepping into the fire.
How had he not recognized his soul ripping into two pieces?
Leif was floored. Somehow, without the mark or any of the normal pathways, they had always been soulmates.
“I regret nothing, you know?”
Leif startled at Celeste’s sudden appearance. Aspen didn’t react. In fact, he sat frozen, as if a movie on pause.
Leif’s gaze swung back Celeste’s way. “Have you taken up voyeurism?”
A beautiful laugh filled the air. Celeste’s eyes twinkled. “It’s my job to watch. Obviously, I have my own life and whatnot, but I’m always around somewhere.”
He wanted to be comfortable with Celeste. Leif wanted to forgive her. “What is that life? What do you do in the heavens all day?”
“Odin.”
Celeste answered without missing a beat, causing an unexpected laugh to burst from Leif. “Really?”
Celeste shrugged. “He’s my other half, so yeah. Warriors come with warrior stamina.” Her bright smile never dimmed throughout the confession. “By the way, it’s okay if you’re still angry. You can’t see everything the way I can.”
A hint of guilt wormed its way into his soul. While he would never betray Frost, he still recognized Celeste should know. He tried like hell to keep his thoughts locked behind a wall.
Celeste made a dismissive gesture. “The day you came back to town and disappeared, you solidified a theory I had. Frost’s patients were still well cared for, so I had a feeling he was still around. If he’s safe, then that’s all I can ask for right now.”
Damn. He didn’t stand a chance against her. Leif focused on Aspen to stop any other thoughts that might get him in trouble. His heart melted. “He really is perfect, isn’t he?”
“Agreed. My sweet Odin did a great job when he created Aspen. His heart is solid gold. That’s why you have to protect it.”
There was something in her tone that had Leif’s gaze swinging back her way.
Celeste held his stare. “His family is almost here. Aspen needs his warrior now.”
Before he could say another word, Celeste vanished.
The world restarted. Aspen shifted positions, as if he meant to climb on top of Leif.
A loud knock took the front door off its hinges.
Leif sprang into action. In a heartbeat, he was on his feet, in full Viking dress and mode.
With a battle ax in each hand, Leif blocked their path.
Fury bled from him. “How dare you beat down Aspen’s door?”
“Our door,” Aspen said quietly at Leif’s back. He curled his fingers around the waistband of Leif’s pants. Leif swept an internal gaze across Aspen’s mind. Aspen held on for protection. Not to keep Leif from fighting.
Bernard’s light brown eyes matched Aspen’s, except there was no kindness in them. His eyes were flat and dead. There was nothing inside but greed and evil. “I suggest you step aside, tiny Viking. You may be strong, but you’re not pack-of-grizzlies strong. You’re in the way.”
Aspen’s grip tightened.
Leif braced his feet and readied his axes. “Make me move, bitch.”
Bernard’s features shifted just enough to warn Leif he was about to strike.
“I clearly remember directing you out of town.”
Bernard swung around at the shout behind him. Waylon and fifteen other members of the Wulfe pack stood in the yard. He was in his sheriff’s gear with his hands on his hips, as if ready to pull his gun.
Aspen moved to Leif’s side and clung to his arm.
Bernard swapped targets. “You’re not the alpha of this group. I am.” Malice dripped from Bernard’s lips.
Waylon wore a friendly smile even as he radiated power and danger. “Now, you know damn well that’s not true.”
Leif exchanged a glance with Aspen. This was new information.
“I’m alpha of the entire northwest. You’re just some bear playacting.”
Grumbles rumbled among the bear pack.
Bernard’s rage practically crackled from him. “Don’t toy with me, wolf. I’m here for one of mine. If I have to tread through you to get to him, I will.”
Leif pushed Aspen back to stand behind him. “You won’t live long enough to reach him.”
Bernard never acknowledged Leif. His focus was officially stolen by the wolf claiming to be his alpha.
Leif could see his every thought. He fully intended to leave here with a tattered Aspen and all of Aspen’s money.
But he would be damned if he left here with anyone thinking they were above him.
If he didn’t have a full chokehold on his bears, he knew the hardened grizzlies would never bow to him.
“No bear will ever bow to a wolf.” He took a step in Waylon’s direction.
Frost and Gemini literally appeared out of nowhere at Waylon’s side. “What’s going on here? Is everything okay?” Frost held his doctor’s bag. His entire demeanor screamed concern.
Every head turned Frost’s way.
Bernard obviously saw his chance. He ran and leapt, seemingly intent on catching Waylon off guard.
Frost’s eyes widened. His arm shot out. It was like everything happened in the blink of an eye yet still in slow motion.
Like he was nothing but a tiny bird, Frost snatched Bernard from the air and tossed him to the ground.
He easily held him down while Bernard swiped at Frost’s legs.
Frost’s power was on full display. It was beyond obvious Frost’s hold kept Bernard from shifting and his blows were like butterflies landing on Frost’s legs.
“For Goddess’ sake. What in the—”
A loud roar rent the air, making the ground shake, and cutting off Frost. Lucifer appeared like a wraith of fury.
His eyes were solid black, and his fangs were on full display.
Bernard was ripped from Frost’s hold. Lucifer held Bernard in the air with one arm—like a rag doll.
“You attacked my son.” It wasn’t a scream.
Lucifer’s words were growled in a chilling tone that made the hair stand up on the back of Leif’s neck.
As someone who witnessed Lucifer pluck Audor’s leg from his body, this was still the most terrifying thing Leif ever witnessed.
Everyone was frozen. Fear clogged the air.
No one wanted to move and catch Lucifer’s attention.
But Leif could practically feel the way everyone wanted to look at Frost at Lucifer’s words.
Lucifer’s voice turned even scarier. “No one touches my son.” With the smallest of shakes, Bernard vanished. He simply wasn’t there any longer. Lucifer turned his ire Frost’s way. He pointed at Frost. “You.” He pointed at Gemini. “And you. Let’s go.”
While Gemini and Frost exchanged glances, they didn’t argue. They followed Lucifer’s lead, and the three disappeared together.
“Where did he go?” The bears shifted uneasily and looked at each other like they had no idea what to do now. “Do we go look for him or what?”