My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 437

Fenris

I went to find Halvard. The night was cold, the wind sharp off the channel. I walked through Stonewake's narrow ways, the damp stone under my boots. Light spilled from the open doors of the longhouses. I heard the murmur of voices, the low laughter. But I kept moving until I found Halvard.

He was alone, in the Alpha keep. The fire crackled in the hearth. He sat in a chair, his boots on the table, drinking ale from a jug. The chair creaked as he leaned back, watching me come in. I shut the door behind me.

Halvard looked up at me with a broad smile. "Fenris! There you are. I've been looking all over for you." He gestured expansively with one meaty arm. "Had my eyes on you one moment, across the yard. The next you vanished." He shook his head, chuckling. "I asked after you, and your Southern friend said you'd gone off for a walk. Didn't want to disturb you."

He reached for his jug and took a long pull. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he went on. "I was beginning to worry you'd slipped off in the night. You know how cold it can get here, this time of year." His tone was warm, concerned. "You ought to have stayed by the fire."

I let him talk. I did not care for his easy words.

"I'm mated," I said.

Halvard's weathered face showed no surprise as he set his jug down. "I know," he said plainly.

I met his gaze. "I want your daughter to stay away from me."

Halvard nodded once. "Understood."

A father should want to know what his daughter did, why this came up now, if I had hurt her. At least he should say something to defend her.

But Halvard said nothing. I waited for it to end, to hear what a real father would say. The only sound was the logs settling in the grate.

He leaned back again and reached for a cup, filling it from the jug. "Here," he said, holding it out to me. "You look like you need a drink."

I took it. The ale was cold and bitter on my tongue. I felt it in my gut. Halvard was a hard man to figure. He gave you pieces, but only when it suited him. And he always asked for a piece in return.

I drank again. He took a long swig from the jug, then set it on the table.

"Alright," he said again. "Are we done here?"

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