My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 513

Sera

Vidar turned on the elders with a quiet frown, his gaze lingering longest on Thorne. "Is this how you show respect to your Luna? In her own hall, under her own roof? Speak with gratitude for her care, rather than casting slurs." He shook his head in dismay.

"The search stays with the Luna," Vidar continued, his easy voice unwavering. "She holds this seat while the Alpha is away, and that is how it ought to be. My own men will ride in it, and answer to her."

Thorne stared at him, stung. Kael's own brother siding with the Southern girl. But Vidar only smiled at him, a smile that made no promises. Thorne sat back, beaten. I gave Vidar a small nod of thanks.

But inside, I felt unsettled. I now owed him, the same as Vane did. First Vane, now me. He forgave, he backed, and every man at this table walked out in his debt. That unsettled me more than Thorne ever had.

Chief Vane looked around the table, his gaze resting on each of us once, then twice, before coming to rest on Vidar. The old man smoothed his beard, his voice as low and plain as his eyes.

"Why call us so early, Vidar Sarn?" he asked.

The smile faded from Vidar's face as he set his cup aside. He still met Vane's eyes, but now there was no levity left in his own.

"Two packs have fallen in the east," he said simply.

A heavy silence fell over the table. The words struck me like a hammer blow. I kept my face immobile, unwilling to reveal my shock.

"Which two?" I heard myself ask. My voice sounded thin.

"Thornwood and Redhand."

Vane closed his eyes a moment, his weathered hand flat on the table. "The last word I had was that they were bleeding, losing their best," he said in his plain voice. "I had not heard they had fallen."

"How many came out?" Vane asked.

Vidar's eyes went to the table. "Three hundred and forty. They're in my east hall now, eating through my winter stores."

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