Free Viking Claimed (Triad Series Book 4) by Kate Pearce Page B

my friend, or we will never reach the Temple.”
    “How are you, my brother?” Ungar crouched down beside Morek at the fireside and warmed his hands in the flames. They’d stopped for the night and made camp. Tomorrow they would reach the Temple.
    “I am well enough,” Morek said, continuing to stare into the fire.
    “You are enjoying fucking the Viking?”
    “Aye, who would not? He is a fine male.”
    Ungar sat down on Morek’s log, shoving him further down. “Then why are you sitting out here by yourself in the middle of the night?”
    “I’m on guard.”
    “It’s my turn.” Ungar poked his twin in the ribs. “I would much rather be with Einarr right now.”
    “Then go to him. I will take your watch as well as mine.”
    There was silence as they both studied the fire.
    “ What troubles you, my twin ?” Ungar asked again gently.
    Morek sighed. “Aki has a female in his sights.”
    “So? You would prefer an all-male Triad?”
    “I’ve never had a female. Not because I haven’t wanted one, but because the occasion has never arisen. What if Aki’s female doesn’t wish to be mated to a Hakron male like me with no experience?”
    Ungar wrapped his arm around Morek’s shoulders. “Fucking a female is easy. Fucking is easy.” He tapped Morek’s forehead. “If the connection between your thoughts is right, everything else will fall into place.”
    “And you know this, how?”
    “From asking Ulluiao about his mating with Ian Mac and Neeve. Talk to him yourself when you reach the Temple. I’m sure he will set your mind at rest.”
    “Aki hasn’t told her about me,” Morek confessed.
    Ungar frowned. “Why not? Einarr has spoken to his mate, Frey. She is agreeable to our meeting and that we might also be fated mates.”
    “It is more complicated for Aki and his female. I understand his reasoning. I have agreed to wait until I can meet her before any decisions are made.”
    “You are a good man.”
    “I feel like a fool.” Morek glanced behind at the open door of the tent where Aki lay sleeping. “If I go back in there I’ll want to fuck.”
    “And Aki doesn’t want you to do that either?”
    “Nay, he would be more than happy to accommodate me, but I’m not sure if I could take it.” He glanced at his brother. “What if things go wrong? The more I share with him, the harder it will be to let him go.”
    “The Oracle promised us the Vikings would come.”
    “Aye, she did.”
    “Then her prophecy that they would be our mates must also stand. We cannot doubt her or ourselves at this point. Where is your faith, brother?”
    “Shaken.” Morek sighed. “After what just happened to our village can it be right that my First Male turns up amidst such sorrow? Why should I be happy when so many of my family are dead?”
    “Because they would want you to be happy. They would want to hear that the Oracle’s prophecy came true and that you and I were fully mated,” Ungar said fiercely. “Do not give up hope, Morek. I am convinced that everything will work out as the Oracle wished.”
    “I hope so.” Morek managed a smile.
    “Now go back to bed,” Ungar commanded him. “If you truly fear your Viking will be torn away from you then enjoy him while you can.”
    Morek rose to his feet and contemplated his brother’s words. “Thank you, my twin.” He bent to kiss the top of his brother’s head. “You were always the practical one.”
    “And you are the best fighter and the thinker.” Ungar winked at him. “Just don’t think too much, will you, and spoil what you have?”

Chapter Five
    Aki wasn’t talking to her… To be fair, she’d told him to back off so she’d only gotten what she’d asked for. And at least it proved that he’d been working on his shields and hadn’t been broadcasting his thoughts to everyone… Or maybe he still was and he had just managed to learn to block her out.
    That would be just her luck.
    “Elli, are you even listening to me?”
    She turned to see