My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 526

Fenris

I reached Sera and took her face in my hand. "Sera."

"Welcome home, Alpha," she said, loud enough for the yard to hear. Then quieter, under the noise, "You look like you've been dragged behind your horse for three weeks."

"Rode hard."

"I can smell that. And I can smell the horse too."

I grunted.

"You're early," she said, her thumb stroking my wrist.

"Missed you."

"I missed you too." Her fingers curled around mine. "I was on the wall watching for you."

I turned us to face the chiefs, still hand in hand. My wolf was still pushing up, wanting out. I clamped down on him and held Sera's hand tight.

I looked along the line of chiefs drawn up to greet me home, my fingers laced tight with Sera's. Chief Vane stood at the end. The place between Thorne and Vane was empty. I kept my face still.

Vane came forward first. "Welcome home, Alpha," he said, his eyes as grave as ever. "We've missed you." He gripped my forearm and I returned it, saying nothing. The other chiefs came next, a swift passage of clasped arms and murmured welcomes. Thorne said nothing at all. His sour eyes flicked over me as he clapped my arm and turned away.

I caught a face in the crowd that didn't fit. Rurik standing apart, not cheering, his face hard. I couldn't read it, so I moved on.

Sera turned me to the big stranger. "Alpha Vidar Sarn of Ashfell," she said, her voice formal as ever, "Kael's brother."

Vidar Sarn. The name stopped me for a heartbeat. Old Halvard at Stonewake, naming this man as the one who had moved against my father. I held myself still and met his eyes.

They were warm and careful.

He was Kael's brother?

"Who would have thought the great Vidar Sarn was Chief Kael's brother," I said dryly.

Vidar gave a short laugh. "In my experience, people usually say it the other way round. That Kael is Vidar Sarn's brother."

"It's good to have you back," I said, my voice dry and level.

Vidar tilted his head at that. "I wouldn't have expected the Alpha to know me," he said. "You'd have been just a boy, back then."

"I've heard stories," I said. "Welcome to Ironmaw."

A small smile, a careful shrug. "My thanks."

Vidar looked over the yard, his smile widening. "What I have to tell you can wait, I think, until you've eaten and seen to your mate."

Vidar stepped back, a man who could only be his beta falling in beside him. "I'll see you at the hall," he said.

I turned to the yard. "I'm going to wash off the road before I head to the hall," I said, loud enough for the nearest men to hear. "My Luna is coming with me."

Yvara stepped up beside me. "I'll see to your horses," she said. "And your men."

I nodded and let Sera lead me through the crowd, the girl following behind.

* * *

I shut the door behind us and the rogue girl moved to the hearth, settling on the furs. I stayed where I was, staring at her for a moment, then looked at Sera.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

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