My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 70

Sera

"Everyone is talking about you," Mina said, shifting the topic. She moved to the side of the tub to wash my arms. "The entire pack. The yard has been buzzing since yesterday morning."

"Are they angry?" I asked. I watched the water turn a hazy, pale pink as she washed the dried blood off my forearms.

"Angry?" Mina snorted loudly. "They are terrified of you. Taya is Kael’s pride and joy. She has beaten full-grown male warriors in that ring. And you completely dismantled her."

"How is she?"

"Her arm is a ruined mess," Mina said, her voice dropping into a tone of raw gossip. "You broke it entirely out of alignment. Because her healing factor kicked in immediately, the bone started fusing crooked while she was still lying in the dirt. The healers had to break it two more times in the infirmary just to set it straight. She was screaming so loud the cooks could hear it in the kitchens."

I didn't feel a single ounce of pity. Taya wanted to execute me for a crowd. I just made sure she couldn't throw a punch for a few weeks.

"This is exactly what you needed, Sera," Mina said. She squeezed the soapy cloth over my shoulders, rinsing the suds away. "You earned their respect. You spoke their language. When you officially become Luna, they will not question you. They will follow you."

When I become Luna.

The words echoed in the small stone room. I closed my eyes, letting the hot water soak into my skin.

Kane had made me that exact promise. He sat in his heavy leather chair in Blackwater, stroked my hair, and told me to just wait. He told me I would be his Luna. He lied. He used the title as a leash to keep me compliant and quiet while he paraded another woman in front of his council. Blackwater was a mid-sized pack. It was comfortable, but it was nothing compared to this.

Ironmaw was ancient. But It was massive. It controlled the entire northern border. It was vastly richer in resources and raw military power than Kane’s territory could ever hope to be.

Kane wanted a secret to hide in a guest room. Fenris wanted a warlord to stand beside him in the blood and the dirt.

I wasn't waiting for a title anymore. I just carved it out of a council chief's daughter with my bare hands.

"Where is he?" I asked, opening my eyes.

Mina moved to wash my hair. She scooped hot water over my scalp, massaging the dried blood and sweat out of the strands. "The Alpha?"

"Yes," I said. "He told me he would stay here."

"I saw him outside the secondary sparring ring," Mina answered, her fingers working the soap into my hair. "He was out there right after sunrise."

I frowned. "Was there a challenge? Was he fighting?"

Mina laughed. "No. Just the usual morning drills with some of the young cubs. He wasn't doing much. He just seemed to be talking to Yvara."

I walked out of the washroom, dropping the damp towel onto the chair.

Mina handed me a pair of thick, dark leather pants. They laced tightly up the sides. I pulled them on, securing the leather cords. They fit perfectly, molding to the shape of my legs. She handed me a long-sleeved tunic made of heavy, dark grey wool. It was simple, completely unadorned, and incredibly warm.

I pulled the tunic over my head. I sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled on the clean leather boots.

I stood up and rolled my shoulders. My body was still sore, a deep, lingering ache in my joints, but I felt solid. I felt grounded.

"You look like one of us," Mina said. She looked me up and down, a proud smile on her face.

"I am one of you," I replied.

I looked toward the heavy oak door. The sun was setting outside. The pack would be gathering in the main hall. Kael would be there. Torin would be there. My mother would be there.

"Are you ready?" Mina asked, walking to the door and putting her hand on the iron latch.

"I'm starving," I said. "Let's go have dinner."

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