Ulf The sobs of the woman filled the clearing. I frowned. I took care not to hurt her. I barely spanked her. It wasn’t you. She suffers because of her fears. Remembering myself, I turned from the touching scene. Haakon could soothe our mate. I only frightened her. I should’ve kept to my vow, and never agreed to take a mate. Laurel deserved another, even if the thought made me sick. Uncurling my hand from a fist, I caught a whiff of sweet musk. “Well, that’s interesting,” I murmured. “What?” I lifted my hand coated with Laurel’s juices. Even across the clearing, the scent was clear. Haakon’s eyes glittered. “Very interesting.”