A Berserker Birth

By Lee Savino

*

Brenna

I woke with a rumbling laugh in my ear. “Brenna,” Daegan’s burr was thick and sweet enough to eat, “I’m happy to cuddle ye each

night, but could ye please keep your cold toes away from my stones?” “Freeze them off, Brenna,” came a muffled comment to my left. “If he can’t endure a little

cold from his mate, he doesn’t deserve them. Besides,” Samuel rolled to face me, long blond hair

falling over his face, “he had his chance to make a child. We both did.” Two large hands, one from

each of my men, covered my swollen belly. “Aye, and when the babe has dark hair and broad shoulders, and comes out wailing for

mutton along with his milk, we shall know the sire.” “We will. And it won’t be you, you rabbit-faced son of Alba.” Daegan took a fur robe, reached carefully over me, and pretended to try to smother Samuel,

who retaliated with a swift punch to his warrior brother’s head. Pelts flew and I cowered between

them until a knee came close to hitting my side and I let out a rush of breath in panic. Samuel stopped immediately, “Forgive us, my sweet. Daegan--” A pillow hit him in the face. Daegan crowed until I gripped his thigh, hard enough for my

nails to break skin. “Idiot,” Samuel raged as he helped me sit up. “She could’ve been hurt.” I waved my hands. Shut up, both of you. I mimed. My back hurts, my feet are freezing and I need the

chamber pot. Fight around me again and I’ll leave and move in with my sisters until my child is old enough to

challenge you for Alpha. See if I don’t! My hand motions grew wild as I expressed my annoyance. “Someone’s grouchy,” Daegan guffawed, but he scissored up out of bed and returned with

the chamberpot. Samuel helped me stand while Daegan puffed around the room, adding wood to

the braziers and returning with warm bricks for the bed. My men rubbed my back and aching calves

until I grew drowsy again.

Truth was, I was not angry with them. My men were on edge, and why shouldn’t they be?

Werewolf births were hard. Samuel had sent emissaries to a local pack who’d inhabited Alba long

before the Berserkers were made, but the natural born wolves had rebuffed any attempt to question

their women. From what we could tell, fewer females than males were born into a pack, and of the

women, many didn’t survive childbirth. The strain wore on my men, etched into their skin and revealing itself through short

tempers, and shorter, if playful skirmishes. I was not worried. I was happy. “I’m off for the night watch. I’ll be back at dawn, with the winter berries she likes so much,”

Daegan whispered to Samuel, and brushed a bristled kiss on my cheek before he left. I drifted in and out of sleep until lying on one side grew too uncomfortable. Samuel woke to

help me roll over, and gathered me in his arms. My hands skimmed down his muscled arms, wishing

I could relive the tension in his powerful frame, while he stroked my hair. As his touch stirred at my temples, I realized the mating bond linking our minds lay wide

open. Before I knew it I’d stepped through the door between us, and his thoughts lay unbarred

before me. I’d caught him unawares, in a moment of introspection, but before I could retreat and

preserve his privacy, an image flooded mine. A blonde woman, her hair piled on her head, and two

young boys, toddlers, really, just older than babes, sat at a hearth. Samuel ate with them before

someone called--”Sigurd!” and he rose and left the lodge and the memory swirled to grey. I raised my head and studied Samuel’s pensive face. He hadn’t noticed me in his mind. I

flushed. Our mating bond was still new and untried in many ways. It linked our minds during times

of great emotion. My men hoped it would grow stronger so we could speak as often as we liked, but

perhaps they did not know that I could venture into their mind unseen.

Embarrassed as I was for trespassing on his most private thoughts, I wondered what I had

seen--picture of his mother and brothers? Or...a wife, and his children? The thought struck me just as Daegan stomped in, the tips of his ears and nose tinged red

from cold. “Did she rest?” he asked Samuel. I’m right here. I motioned, scrabbling up on the bed. Both men had to help me move my great

girth. You can ask me.

“You have not been sleeping well.” “Stay in bed, lass, you need rest. Besides it’s too cold to go out.” It’s cold in here, I fussed. “Then we will warm you.” Samuel leaned into kiss me, and an image flashed through my

mind of him kissing the blonde woman in the lodge. No. I pushed at him. The cave is not right for our child. It is too damp. It is too dark, too cold. The two men exchanged pointed looks and I could almost hear them saying, “Don’t argue,

she’s in a mood.” They left to get more firewood while I huddled on the bed. What if Samuel had a family back in his native country? His sons would be long dead, but

Samuel would still have descendents. Perhaps he left so he would not watch his loved ones age and

die, but wouldn’t he want to return to see them? The men brought stacks of wood inside to be burned, and left again. I waddled around the

room, feeding the fires in the braziers, and gritted my teeth at tracks of mud and splinters.

Daegan caught me down on the ground, trying to scrub the stone floor, and picked me up. He

clucked like an old woman at my raw knees. “Brenna, please rest. You must rest.” I can’t. Look at the dirt. My hands fluttered in frustration. He set me on our bed, and finished cleaning the floors himself while I sifted through the fur

pelts and selected the softest for our babe’s bed. “There now. All clean,” Daegan swiped away the last of the mud and looked up to see me

crying. I can’t find the one I want. I signed and sobbed on his shoulder. “I’ll bring ye all the furs ye wish, if you’ll not be so sad.” “What happened?” Samuel walked in carrying an entire hank of roast deer. “Get out of here,” Daegan hissed. “Or at least take off your boots. They’re filthy.”

Samuel gave him an odd look, but kicked them off before bringing me the platter. Still

sniffling, I waved it away. “Brenna,” Daegan crooned. “ye must eat.” “Are you feeling ill again?” Samuel asked, sitting on the other side of me. “Daegan, stop

fussing like an old hen. It’s worse than when Brenna couldn’t keep anything down and you went

about clutching your stomach like the pains were in your belly, not hers.” “They were,” Daegan started, and I waved my hands at them both. Stop, both of you. “What’s wrong, my sweet?” Everything. All of it. It’s all wrong. And I need to fix it, but I can’t even see my feet. Samuel’s hand closed over my foot, stroking the arch. “It’s almost over, little love.” Daegan positioned himself behind me, rubbing my shoulders and neck. After a few minutes,

despite myself, I relaxed. Reaching into my sleeping robe, Daegan palmed my breasts. His thumb brushed over the

nipple My eyes fluttered open. “I think,” Samuel’s hand started a slow ascent from my knee up my thigh. “our beloved

needs some distraction.” No, no. Daegan caught my protesting hands. He moved so I lay on my back between his legs.

Samuel drew my legs apart as I fought. “Be still.” Daegan pinned my hands. “We will not hurt ye.” “Calm yourself, Brenna.” Samuel kissed the inside of my thigh, his tongue swirling over the

sensitive skin. “We only want to make you feel good.” I struggled, but their hands, though gentle, could have been steel bands imprisoning me.

Samuels’s tongue reached my folds and I forgot everything. Once I grew limp and pliant, Daegan left my hands at my side. He touched my breasts,

hefting their glorious weight, plucking at their nipples. “These have grown even larger. Perhaps we

will keep you pregnant always. so we may enjoy your lush body as it deserves.”

In response, I kicked and caught Samuel in the ribs. The blond Alpha reared up over me,

eyes glowing hot with his beast. I scowled at him. Daegan laughed. “She doesn’t like the sound of that.” “No, she doesn’t,“ Samuel rubbed his side where I’d kicked him. “Careful, Brenna. We’re

tallying up all the ways you defy us. Once you wean our child, there will be a reckoning.” I gave him a rude gesture that I’d learned from one of the Berserker pack, one that suggested

his father was a rabbit. Daegan laughed harder. Samuel moved with eye-watering speed. In a second I had my legs trussed apart, not

straining but still tied so I could not close them to protect my vulnerable flesh. Then men both

placed pelts under me, elevating my center a touch higher than the rest of me. From my vantage, my belly floated in the air. Once Samuel and Daegan finished tying my

wrists and secured them above my head, their attention was on the smooth petals below. “There now. Comfortable, but unable to stop us.” “No more kicking.” Daegan still grinned as if he’d heard a joke. “It wasn’t funny,” Samuel growled. “Pregnant, on her back, and she still fights ye.” He gestured to my form, tied and prone. “Is

it safe enough for you to approach her now?” “Shut up.” Samuel prowled back down between my legs where I couldn’t see him. His

tongue returned to its work. A few minutes later I was thrashing against my bonds, desperate to

retreat from the shockwaves his long, lazy laps sent through me. Samuel kept stroking me, dragging

me close to the edge and pulling back at the last second. My whole body quivered. Samuel sat up and wiped his wet beard. “Do you want to cum?” I nodded frantically. “Too bad. Perhaps we will wait until you’ve weaned the child to bed you again,” he said, but

his hands massaged my calves and the sensitive spot behind my knee as he made his threat. “See to this first,” Daegan straddled me, careful not to crush my breasts. His cock bobbed in

my face. I sucked on the tip, licking it until he gave me more. He fed it to me slowly, and I gobbled

it up.

The second Samuel’s mouth returned to my cunt, I jerked. “Keep sucking,” Daegan warned. “Or you’ll get nothing, and we’ll leave you tied like this,

and torment you until it’s night.” “That’d be one way to get her to sleep.” I tossed my head back and forth. “Nay, ye will not deny us. We own ye, body and soul.” I beat my fists against the bed above my head. Craning my head, I took as much of Daegan

down as I could and sucked so hard my cheeks hollowed. The dark-haired warrior cursed above me.

Between my legs, Samuel’s tongue flicked at my pleasure nub. Two fingers slid into my cunt, but I

needed more. Fuck me, I begged through the bond. Daegan sped his thrusts, fucking my face. Like this, wee one? I gurgled happily, and tensed as Samuel added a third finger. Fill me...please. “One day I will try to get my whole fist in there…” Samuel said thoughtfully, and shoved

four meaty fingers into me as far as they would go. My orgasm broke and washed through me,

making my hips jerk. Daegan pulled out for me to gasp through the aftershocks of pleasure. Samuel came to his knees to look down at me. “You like the thought of that, little love?” “She’ll take it anyway we give it to her,” Daegan said, and slapped my cheek with his cock.

“Wee slut.” If I had been any less aroused I would’ve snapped my teeth at him, but my tissues were

still throbbing. Please, I need your cock. Samuel’s eyes were hooded as he stroked himself between my legs. I almost cried, wanting

him to push inside. I was hot and ready, but my belly was too large for him to penetrate me that

way. Unless...

I sent them both a wicked picture of my hands and knees, swaying between them. They

didn’t bother with a knife to cut my bonds. Their beast came forth and cut the ropes with the claw. I trembled as they lifted and steadied me between them. No longer men, these were golden

eyed monsters, eager and ready to fuck their mate. Desire flooded the bond between us, washing my

hesitation away. On all fours, I stretched like a cat between them. My heavy breasts swayed as I arched my

back and offered my large, round bottom up to them. A growl sounded from behind, so low and

deep it vibrated through me like a purr. This time Samuel knelt in front of me, while Daegan teased

my folds with his cock from behind. A clawed hand caressed my chin, another my bottom before

they moved on some unspoken signal, and impaled me at once. I moaned into the bond, pleasure sending me out of my body, straight to the plane of pure

feeling. From heaven, I watched my body rock between my men. I lived in the bond, I swam in an

ocean of buoyant joy. On earth, I was the bond, the woman stretched between them, taking in

everything they gave me and only wanting more.

* Afterwards, Daegan took me to the bathing chamber, where I floated in bliss. The water

buoyed my giant form, easing the pressure on my legs. My belly was like a boulder, threatening to

crush my aching calves-- “Aww, you’re not so big as that,” Samuel sloshed to my side. Easy for you to say. Your muscles are made of granite, but your legs are thick as tree trunks. I am all belly!

I groused. He laughed and gathered me in his great arms, swirling me through the water. “Her toes are wrinkled,” Daegan observed. Samuel carried me out and set me on a great flat rock where they often shaved me. He took

the oil and poured it over my skin, rubbing my sore legs while I laid with my head in Daegan’s lap,

luxuriating in the massage. Usually Daegan bathed with me. Samuel was more careful with his touch.

I wondered if he’d been the same before the curse, if he’d been simpler, less guarded when he was

Sigurd. Maybe he’d been more open with his first family-- I shut down my thought almost as soon as I had it. I did not want to be bitter, or pry into his

secrets. “So tense,” Samuel kneaded my thighs.

I touched his forearm. So are you. He gave a tight lipped smile. “There is something I must tell you. It weighs on my mind.” I waited, expecting him to explain the vision I saw. “Brenna, I fear for you during the birth.” I will be fine. I will have my sisters around me. “We could always call Yseult,” Daegan said. “I do not trust the witch around the child. Particularly a wolf child.” He paused as if

weighing what he would say next. “But if things grow too hard, we will call Yseult. There is magic

she can use to save you, Brenna.” I searched his face until his meaning dawned on me. You mean kill my child. “If necessary.” He took my hand and I wrenched it away, struggling to sit up. “I have sent

emissaries to the packs we know, and asked them all if they know of a human woman bearing a

werewolf child. None of them have heard of such a thing. I fear the birth will be dangerous for you,

Brenna. If it meant your life--” That is my choice. Not yours. “In the heat of birth, you may not be able to make a decision. I will not hesitate to save you.

I will not risk your life, even for a child.” Leaning forward, I pressed my hands over his mouth to silence him. My eyes ached with

tears. “Brenna…” Daegan stroked my back. “What Samuel speaks might be wise. You are more

precious to us than any babe.” Stop, I motioned savagely to both of them. Or I will leave and live with Sabine. My sister Sabine

settled in with the two Alpha’s of the Lowland Pack, and threatened to throw them out of her house

at least once a day. She’d do it, too, if I needed a place to get away. Leave these overbearing men

who might hurt my child. “Birth is hard.”

“Please,” came a dry voice from the entrance. “Tell a pregnant woman how hard birth is.

Explain to us, oh all knowing male, what us silly women experience but do not understand.” Sabine sashayed into the bathing chamber, followed by her two Alphas. My younger sister

was almost a head shorter than me, and much more petite than the massive warriors who took her

to mate, but she acted as if she was strong enough to leash her men and lead them around by their

cocks. Which, perhaps, she did. The three of us rose from the rock. Samuel covered me with a robe, while Daegan stepped

between me and the newcomers, more out of habit than threat. Berserkers do not like other males

around their mates. Ragnvald, the taller of Sabine’s two mates, did the same, while Maddox, her second mate,

wrapped his tattooed arms around her to keep her from rushing forward to greet me. Sabine

scowled up at him, and he murmured, “Little one, do you remember what we told you about

speaking to an Alpha with respect?” Sabine tossed her blonde hair. “They are afraid, and won’t admit it.” “All men fear women’s ways.” “As well they should,” Sabine said tartly, but when she turned in his arms to face her

tattooed Alpha, her gaze softened with love. “We must plan for the worst,” Samuel said. I pushed away from him, and nearly slipped on

the slick stone.

With a growl, he hoisted me up in his arms. “Curse me, hate me, send me away,” he spoke as he carried me to our bedchamber. “But do

not leave me. I cannot bear it.” I knew he didn’t mean leave the mountain. Lost, gone forever, my fault. I tried but could not catch more than a rush of feelings and

thoughts. His pain pulsed in the bond, larger and more terrifying than I had imagined. I laid my

hand on his cheek, but he set me down and left me to Sabine’s ministrations. She bustled about the

cavern, setting her things in a corner.

“Muriel and Fleur are on their way. And I brought the herbs we will need.”

Sabine, I spoke with my hands. What if he’s right? “Of course he isn’t, the great stupid man,” Sabine cooed. Kneeling behind me, she gathered

my wet hair and braided it. “He thinks a werewolf birth is hard. All births are hard. Some more than

most, but why would the goddess give you the power to bear these men a child, only to die with it?

Perhaps you should have faith in yourself.” Sabine always had all the answers. I was grateful when my twin sisters arrived, even though they rushed to hug me as if I might

protect them. They’d come to the mountain to visit before, but were not so easy around so many

Berserkers. Especially because the next Gathering would decide their fate, which of the cursed

warriors they would marry. “Samuel is still pacing the halls, growling,” Muriel reported. She looked a little more healthy,

cheeks flushed, while Fleur, the youngest, still bore signs of frailty from her last illness. “It would be wise to make peace with him soon,” Sabine mused. “Emotions can make birth

more difficult. Fear, anger--they can delay labor for days, even weeks.” That’s it. I hoisted myself to my feet. Everybody out. I sent a message to my men, and a second

later Samuel strode in. and pointed to the door, echoing my order. “Out.” As soon as my sisters fled, he lost his certain look. “You are angry. Talk to me, so there is

nothing between us.” I am not the one hiding things. I flooded his mind with the memory I’d stolen. He looked shocked. “You saw that?” I flushed. You left the bond open between our minds. “I only hide things that you may not be distressed. I will tell you of them if you desire.” I took his hand, wondering how I could ask him why he left his first family and whether he

would leave our child one day. Daegan blew into our chamber. “Sigurd?” He spat. “Is this true?” I realized then Daegan saw the memory when I’d revealed it to Samuel, and that he hadn’t

known, either.

“Daegan--” “Answer me. You had sons?” “Aye. Two.”

With a curse, Daegan kicked a pile of firewood, sending the pieces flying. Samuel’s arms went around me and I pressed against him. My men wouldn’t hurt me but

their beast was a volatile thing. Sometimes it was best to let a display of temper ride its course.

Lifting a stone we used for seating, Daegan flung that into the wall, and grunted with satisfaction at

the shower of dust. He marched to the dais. “Is that why you didn’t want to make another child with us?” “Aye. But not for the reason you think.” Daegan gestured for Samuel to continue. “Her name was Torvi. My sons were Sigmund and Sigurd. When I was cursed, I sent word

to them that it wasn’t safe for me to come home. In the first few years the beast was more

unpredictable than it is now. One warrior lay with his bride, and when he woke the next day she was

dead. He’d torn her apart.” My hand flew to my throat. Daegan grunted and sat down. I shifted out of Samuel’s arms,

but remained between my men, holding both their hands as Samuel continued. “I stayed away from my family--to keep them safe, I told myself. I fought in many battles,

and brought great honor to myself and my king. For the first few years I sent Torvi most of my war

spoils. At last she remarried with my blessing. A jarl of the small province, he took in my sons as his

own, until word of my prowess in battle reached him. Afraid I would return to defeat him and set

my sons up in his stead, he had both boys killed, and banned me from setting foot on his land. I

returned, of course, and slaughtered the jarl, and his every living male relative. Killed them with my

bare hands and left their bodies for carrion, on top of the hill of gold I laid over my son’s grave.

I lived as a madman for a winter until Ragnvald found me, and convinced me to sail with him and

his father to this land.” He passed a weary hand over his face. “A lifetime ago. Before I even met

Daegan.” “You should’ve told us.”

“I knew you wanted a family, Daegan. Why would I torment you with images of what I had,

and lost forever?” “Not forever,” Daegan said. His tone told me he hadn’t forgiven Samuel yet, but he would

soon. “You should’ve told us. You should not have tried to bear the burden alone.” “Brenna,” Samuel said to me. “I did not protect them as I should have, but this time, I swear

on my life I will never again choose a path that takes me from my family.” I reached out to Samuel then, and wrapped my arms around his great shoulders, and kissed

the golden crown of his head. The bond still lay open and raw between us, and I opened myself to

soak up all the pain that lay there. Once he realized what I was doing, Samuel stirred. “Beloved, you should not--” Hush. I motioned to him. Daegan is right. You are not alone anymore. “Forgive me brother. I did not think you were strong enough,” Samuel said to Daegan. One day you will learn there are many different types of strength. Gathering my men’s hands, I placed them on the taut bowl of my belly. One heartbeat

passed, then two, and my skin bubbled with the movement of the child inside me, the promise of

our future.

* Most nights during my pregnancy I’d slept cradled between my two men, Daegan slept with

his head at my belly while Samuel curled into my back, but now, with my sisters here, I slept with

them piled on the dais, asleep in one bed as we used to do before my stepfather sold me to my

warriors. My body had been pulsing, lightly, since our conversation that afternoon. The contractions

came once every hour, and weren’t strong enough to hurt. I woke when my body clenched lightly for a few seconds. I took deep breaths until it passed.

Rising to my feet, I started walking. Around and around the dais I went, my hands on my belly.

Every few minutes I’d stop and breathe through a contraction. A few times I tried to lay down and

sleep, but the sharp cramp in my body drove me back to my feet. Tiptoeing around my sleeping

sisters, I settled into pacing through what might be a long night.

After one contraction left me breathless and shaky, I reached out to my men. There’s a beautiful moon, Daegan’s thoughts touched my own. He shared the picture of the

pale, glowing orb hung high in the sky. Cold though. You should be sleeping, he added. So should you. Nay, I took the final watch until dawn. Another wave of tension hit me, I breathed through it. It didn’t hurt, not yet. Speak to me,

Daegan. If I were before you now, naked, what would you do to me? He spoke at length, while I paced and breathed through the growing pains, suffering as

silently as I could. How long are your sisters here? I miss you. Daegan said. Until the baby comes. And that could be a day or a week, right? What time is it? I asked, and he shared with me his sight. Dawn glimmered at the edge of the

world. Where is Samuel?

Samuel is with Sabine’s mates. When you go into labor, they will distract him with a strategy and mead until

the baby comes. I gritted my teeth as the next contraction passed through me, a giant squeezing me in its

grip. Brenna? You best tell them to pour a horn for him now, my love, for I have been in labor now since the rise of the

moon.

***

Daegan

I ran down the mountain path so quickly, the beast left claw marks on the stone. Rushing to

the chamber, I barely stopped in time to keep from bowling Brenna’s blonde sister over.

“Where is she? Is she all right?”

The little blonde crossed her arms over her chest, blocking my path as if she didn’t weigh

half as much as me. “She’s inside, where you left her last night. And she’s fine. The contractions

have started. If it is true labor they will grow in intensity and speed until the baby comes. I need--” I didn’t hear so much as feel a grunt in the bond, pain washed through my beloved’s body.

In another second the bond was empty as if the pain had never been. “She’s in pain--” I gasped. “I must help her.” “No, you must leave here and get me the things I need. Set some water to boil, send the

pack on patrol. I’ve already told my mates to keep Samuel occupied. But Brenna has a special task

for you. She needs a pelt to swaddle the child in. White, with brown spots. Can you find one?” “Aye,” I growled. “I’ll go on the hunt now.” I left and did as she bid. After four hours of searching high and low through the woods for

such a spotted rabbit, it occurred to me that perhaps Sabine and Brenna didn’t need a new fur as

much as they needed me to leave. Yseult was waiting for me at the foot of the mountain, sitting on a stone and kicking her feet

like a little girl. “Hello,” she said. “What are you doing here? Did they call for you?” The witch shrugged. “Not directly. But they needed help, and I knew.” Dread gnawed at me as I led her up the mountain path. As soon as we stepped into the

clearing, Samuel rose from where he’d been drinking with Sabine’s mates. “No,” he roared, his cheeks ruddy with drink. “There is nothing to fear.” Yseult spread her hands calmly. I leapt between her and my

charging warrior brother before he could drive her off the mountain. With Maddox and Ragnvald’s

help, we forced Samuel back. “You will not go to her. She will not die.” “She will not die,” Yseult said sharply, and looked to me for an explanation.

“The werewolf packs we sought advice from had only dire things to say,” I admitted. “Few

women and fewer babies live.” “Is that what you’ve been telling Brenna? Take me to see her.” “Of course,” I answered even as Samuel shouted, “No,” again, and tried to bite my arm. “Come on, Alpha,” Maddox grunted. “She is only trying to help.” “Let me go, or I will kill you!” “Later,” Ragnvald said, hauling Samuel back away from me. “After we toast the birth of your

child.” “My child…” Samuel went limp in their arms and Sabine’s two mates staggered under his

weight. “Wait here,” I told Yseult. “We will go and explain things to Brenna.” I dipped a peat-tipped

stick into the fire and led the way into the mountain to our chambers. Ragnvald and Maddox

supported Samuel between them. “Perhaps we shouldn’t have given him so much mead, so quickly,” Ragnvald said. I hurried forward until I reached our bedroom. “What are you doing? Get that torch out of here,” Sabine snapped. Brenna had her arm

around her waist and the two were walking around the dais, while the twins worked on quiet tasks in

the corner. They’d lit beeswax candles around the dais, so the only light came from them and the

braziers. The chamber was dark and warm. “Why are you here? Weren’t you going to make yourselves useful, and drink him into a

stupor?” Sabine eyed her two men. “We did, finally, though we had to pour out half our mead when he wasn’t looking,”

Ragnvald said. “Ha,” Samuel guffawed, and then belched. Maddox winced. “My head is pounding. Sabine, do you have herbs that will help?”

“Of course. I’ll come nurse your headache, and leave the woman in labor. Your pain is so

much greater than hers,” Sabine scoffed, but Brenna released her sister’s arm and waved her away. I rushed forward to support my beloved but she was surprisingly sturdy on her feet. “Is it happening? Is this labor?” I looked her up and down, but she seemed the same Brenna. Sabine thinks so. The pains come often and they are getting stronger. Walking helps bring them on faster. “Brenna, I’m sorry,” Samuel said. “The witch is here. I did not tell her to come.” “It’s true,” Yseult echoed, stepping into the chamber. How she had gotten past her guard, I

didn’t know. “I heard the news and came myself. And I am a woman, not just a witch.” “Women are welcome,” Sabine said. In my arms, Brenna tensed. Her face contorted and she breathed deeply, gripping my

shoulders. Head bowed, she sighed and swayed, rocking from one foot to another. “What are you--what is she doing?” I asked the women when it seemed my love could not

answer. “Her body cramps to move the baby out,” Sabine said, and Yseult nodded. “As the

contractions grow more intense, we will go to the bathing chamber. The water will soothe some of

the pain.” “Is this always the way of it?” Fear made Samuel’s voice sharp. “You have lived too long surrounded only by men. All of this is normal, and good, wolf,”

Yseult said. “Her body is doing as it should.” With a heavy sigh, Brenna relaxed and released her death grip on me. Her face was serene

again. “Was that cramp bigger?” her sister asked, and Brenna nodded. One of the twins came

forward with a horn full of steaming drink, and Brenna cradled it in her hands. “Tea?” Yseult asked Sabine. “Yes. Tea and rich meat broth,” Sabine answered.

“I picked more winterberries for her,” I said, raising my pouch. “She likes them.” I did not

mention the white rabbit with brown spots. “Thank you. You may leave them.” Sabine motioned to one of the twins to accept my

offering. “We’re not leaving,” Samuel rumbled. “There are too many people in this chamber,” Sabine said, and her mates made for the hall. “Go, wolf. She is in good hands. The activity and your thoughts will only distract her. She

needs quiet and peace,” Yseult voice was liquid silk, pouring over us, and I recognized the push of

compulsion just as Samuel did. I opened my mouth to protest, hoping Samuel would not call his

beast to defend us against the witch’s magic. The beast would see her as a threat, and that would not

end well. Our beloved beat me to it. Go. Brenna told us. “Yseult is right,” Sabine shot the witch a grateful look. “I am grateful my sister has such

attentive mates, but now we must focus on women’s work.” Before either of us could protest, Yseult led Brenna from our arms, where she was

immediately surrounded by her sisters. A harsh sigh alerted them to another contraction, and Brenna

leaned into Sabine, holding her around the neck and rocking through the pain. Samuel turned away, hating to watch when he felt so helpless. Yseult took the opportunity to

push us out into the hall, a strange feat since she should not be stronger than us. At that moment, it

seemed she was. “The pain,” Samuel said. “I could not feel it.” “She is shielding you from it.” “That’s not right,” I frowned. “She can share it with us through our bond. We can help her.” “You must tell her,” Samuel insisted. “No. Brenna must feel the pain so her body will work to birth the baby.” “It’s not right,” I said.

“You heard Sabine. This is woman’s work. Now go.”

*

Brenna Once I was in the water, the pains grew rapidly, but I felt them less. My sisters stayed with

me, I was naked they wore their shifts. The contractions hit my body weaving through the air and

water, swaying naturally in a dance only it knew.

When at last the pain took my mind, and I cried out for relief, Sabine and Yseult took one arm each

and walked me to dry ground, where I lay down on a rock my twin sisters had prepared by covering

it with pelts and blankets. I squatted there and something spurted out of me--a clear, jellyish fluid mixed with a little

blood. What is that? I gestured, even though I knew. “Your water broke,” Yseult said. “It will be soon.” “All right now, on all fours. Do you have the cloths? Here they are.” My sister’s voices

blended together, a comforting murmur. Another contraction hit me and I grunted. “How does it go?” A voice in the shadows. I did not know if they were speaking in my head

or by my side. “Will she die?” “This is not death,” Yseult snapped. “This is birth.” “It looks like death.” That was Daegan, worried. I tried to push reassurance to them, but

another cramp took my body and I grunted instead. “I heard her,” Samuel said, sounding shocked. “Not in my mind. She made a sound--a

groan. I did not know she could make a sound.” “She used to,” one of my sisters told him. Muriel, perhaps. “When her throat first healed,

she could still make sounds, just not words. Fleur and I remember. The villagers mocked her sounds

and called her an animal. So she stopped.” “I knew she was mute but I thought it was because of the scars.”

“The worst scars are more than skin deep,” Yseult said. “Now go. Your woman is strong.

The pain she feels will take her to the crossroads of life and death, where she will pull life through.” “If she dies, witch, there is nothing on heaven and earth that will stop me from killing you,”

Samuel said. “I know,” Yseult replied. “Now go.” My men shuffled out before I could apologize, explain

why I did not let them hear my voice. “More cooling cloths,” someone murmured at my ear, and draped something cold and

delicious on my forehead. I was so warm. A cramp seized my body, pain beyond pain, and my cry sounded through the room, a

horrible, guttural sound more animal than human. It filled me with shame. “That’s it, let go,” Sabine murmured. “The baby is coming. Soon you will be able to feel the

head. May I touch you now? I want to massage you with oil so your tissues will stretch and not

tear.” She waited until I gave permission to rub the oil between my legs. Minutes passed and I though I felt cramps, none were as great as the one that made me cry

out for the first time since a rabid wolf ripped out my throat. “Let go, Brenna.” Sabine urged. “The baby will come, as soon as you allow it.” “Let’s move you into a new position. On your back now, with your knees tucked up as high

as they can go.” Somehow I ended up on my back, with Fleur laying fresh cooling cloths on my head, while

Sabine and Muriel helped me hold up my legs. The giant cramp came again, squeezing out my very

soul. I grunted and growled like a raging Berserker. When the pain left, I curled into a ball. “Come on,” the women coaxed me to my back, knees in the air again. I started sobbing. Brenna, A voice in my head, but not my beloveds’. Sharp and cold. The witch. Can you hear

me? Yes.

You heard what I told your mates? Every woman in labor goes to the crossroads of life or death, where they

must choose. You are strong enough to turn your back on death. You will pull life through. Her voice bit into me

like long nails. I can’t do it. You are doing it. The pain came again, and broke the bond between us. I floated for a moment, dipping into

my men’s heads. Daegan kept watch while the rest of the pack helped Sabine’s Alphas ply Samuel

with more drink. My blond had a horn in two hands and his arm around Ragnvald’s neck. They were

bellowing a song about rowing dragon headed boats to the ends of the earth. They’re fine. A woman’s voice, strong and yet gentle, came to me. I had a vision of a lady

walking towards me, long, dark hair fluttering on the breeze. Her face held a gentle smile, and her

arms wrapped around a bundle. Your mates will be good fathers. They are protective. As they should be. The lady laughed softly. She was beautiful, regal, and I ached to stare at her,

but my eyes went to the cloth swathed burden in her arms. What is that? A gift for you. But you must return and get it. I could hear myself grunting and crying in the chamber, shameful sounds. I do not want to go. I know. And yet, you must. Or I will keep this one for myself. She turned with a toss of her hair. No, wait. Rushing forward, I gripped her cloak and forced her to face me. Her brown eyes

met mine, and it struck me, then, how much the goddess looked like me. This one is mine. I told her. She nodded and I knew she would send the babe to earth. I dove

back into the chamber filled with watching women and my moans. Into my body, wracked with

bone-jarring pain. “That’s it, Brenna, push,” Sabine ordered, and, I bore down as hard as I could. “The head,” Yseult said. The witch now sat watching from across the room.

There’s a lot of power in birth, she whispered to me. But I will keep myself from tasting it, out of respect

for you and your mates. Noting how her eyes glittered, I was grateful that only my sisters touched me. “Feel it, Brenna,” Sabine guided my hand between my legs and I touched my child’s hairy

head. “A few more good pushes and you will hold your babe in your arms.” I nodded, and sipped at the horn Muriel held for me. Fleur dabbed my forehead and I

motioned for her to press it to my fevered skin. My sisters buzzed around me in their white shifts,

like priestesses around an altar. “Birth is the most sacred ritual of them all,” Yseult said and practically licked her lips. Except

for sacrifice. Birth is sacrifice, I said, and from the glimmer of surprise on her face, I knew she hadn’t mean

me to hear the last part. Taking a deep breath, I gripped Sabine’s hands. A contraction was coming. I nodded at her,

she nodded back. This time, I growled and grunted all I wanted, and felt no shame. Cramps warred

with my body, threatening to tear it apart. You will not break. The pain is right, it moves the baby along. The voice came from Yseult, or the

goddess, or perhaps from me. Come, my child, I urged. I want to see you. “I can help you,” Sabine said. I bobbed my head as hard as I could. Muriel and Fleur stood on either side as she knelt between my legs. “I’m going to touch you now, and ease the babe’s passage.” A twinge of pain. “My fingers

are holding you open. The next contraction and your child will be born.” Another cramp started. I felt it grow like a giant ocean wave, ready to toss me like jetsam to

the shore. I screamed then, for it would suck me under and I would drown. A flurry of motion happened around me. Sabine shouted, and Muriel hurried down to kneel

beside her. Fleur hovered. “You’re all right, Brenna,” Sabine almost shouted over my cries. “Just one more push.”

It couldn’t happen again. It would break me. Cold hands cradled my skull, and Yseult bent over me. “Your son is born,” she said. “Hear

him wailing? He lives..but there is another.” Another? “Twins,” Sabine said. “Brenna, the next contraction, I need you to push with all your might.

This one must come out soon.” The cramp hit me almost as soon as she stopped speaking. My screech rang in my ears long

after the cries of my babies filled the rooms. “Cut the cord--it’s tangled--there--hold him face down, let the fluids drain--he is alive, but

barely--bring me more cloths--” What is happening? I motioned. Sabine and the others stood in the corner, fussing over my

babies. They couldn’t see my fluttering hands. I had a short, terrifying vision of the lady walking away with the bundle in her arms. No. I

screamed in my mind, and rushed after the goddess even as she disappeared into shadow. Reaching

out, I pushed my long arms into a tear in the darkness, and pulled out my sons. “Brenna,” Fleur stood at my side. The smallest twin, she looked frail and was often sickly,

but tonight her hands were strong as they steadied my body. My sons, where are they? My body kept jerking, moving. “Sabine and Muriel are swaddling them while your body expels the afterbirth. There.” Fleur

set aside a bowl and lifted clean cloths to wrap me in. I want my babies. I grunted and growled to get all my sister’s attention, not ashamed of any of

my noises now. Bring me my babies. I shivered, suddenly freezing. “Here,” Muriel laid a baby on my breast, and tucked a robe around us both. I relaxed,

staring at the little red thing. Dark hair matted its head and its plaintive cry sounded so beautiful to

my ears. “A son. A dark-haired child of Alba, by the looks,” Yseult said. “Daegan’s.” “And the other,” Sabine approached with a small, silent bundle. “A son as well.”

I motioned for her to give him to me. “Brenna, he is much smaller, perhaps we should send for a wet nurse…” her voice died

away. Some women nursed only one babe, saving all their milk for the strongest one and leaving the

younger, sickly twin out to die. I motioned again, more savagely. Fleur took the bundle from Sabine. “Of course she will

nurse him herself,” my youngest sister said. “There is enough milk for him. Your mates will slay

everything in the forest to feed you enough meat, if they have to.” She placed my small son so his mouth brushed my breast. His brother had found my other

one and was suckling with greedy, contented sounds. “He came out gripping his brother’s heel,” Fleur told me. “He’s small, but a fighter.” “Samuel will want to name him Jacob,” Yseult said. “He will be pleased. I will go and tell

them.” I had eyes only for my babies. With a little coaxing, the littlest one took my nipple and

sucked hard. He fed long after his dark-haired brother fell asleep, and I knew he would be fine. My sisters gave me tea and honey cakes, and moved about the chamber cleaning away all

signs of suffering. At last they came and kissed me. “We will stay close, if you need us,” Muriel said. Sabine looked tired. “Thank you,” I signed. They left me in the warm darkness, drowsy with my children in my

arms. I knew the moment my men entered the chamber. Samuel and Daegan didn’t speak, but

stood in awe at the foot of the bed until I bid them move forward. They lay on either side side of

me. Here. Hold them. I handed each their son, and almost laughed at their shoulders tensed. For all

their brute strength, they were frightened of holding a baby. “They’re so fragile,” Samuel defended himself. They’re stronger than they look. Although, if I catch you making games of testing their strength, I will kill

you.” “This one,” Daegan touched his son’s dark hair. “He looks like me.”

“I think his face looks mushed. Must be from when I broke your nose.” “Yours looks so small, his father could be a rabbit.” Hush. You’ll wake the babies. I lay back with a smile on my face. Two sons to keep your men busy. You did well, Berserker wife. Yseult’s sharp voice probed my mind. Thank you. I am grateful to you and the goddess. I told her of my vision. Yseult was silent a long time. I've heard of such a thing. It is a great honor to see the lady of the crossroads. Perhaps your magic runs deeper

than you think. I caught an impression of where Yseult was--cold air rushing around her body, moonlight on

snowy white wings as she wheeled around the mountain. Death is coming, but not tonight. Rest now, you’ve earned it. I will protect this mountain until dawn. She

pushed me out of her mind, and I went gratefully, leaving her to her lonely flight under the icy stares

of the stars, and returned to my warm chamber filled with the sounds of a mother humming a

lullaby.

*

The End

*

The Berserker Saga

Sold to the Berserkers - nominated “Best Fantasy Romance” by

Gravetell Reader’s Choice Awards

Mated to the Berserkers

Bred by the Berserkers (FREE novella)

Taken by the Berserkers

Given to the Berserkers - coming early 2017

Claimed by the Berserkers - coming 2017

*

Acknowledgements:

Though much of my writing is done alone, in secret, it takes a village to birth a book.

Special thanks to Renee Rose, primary beta and amazing author friend. To The Brit, for his

editing skills and whole-hearted (if whiskey soaked) approval of public punishment scenes. To The

Sprinter’s Anonymous for endless support and fun. To Tanya, for her tantalizing teasers and last

minute book covers. To Nanette and all the glorious fans in the Goddess Group. To my first great

writing teacher, RHW “Wolf” Dillard, who gave me the freedom to write about Viking werewolves

for my college senior thesis.. To the ancient poet, Þorbjörn Hornklofi, who wrote the “Raven’s

Song” that immortalized King Harald Fairhair and his ‘berserker’ warriors who united Norway.

Most of all, thanks all the readers and fans who wrote me and told me to continue this series.

Because of your encouragement, 2017 will be The Year of the Berserker. :D

<3

-Lee