At the Viking's Command (Warriors Unleashed Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

enslave her people. The wolves, however, were certain they’d get the job done and they’d seen signs of an impending (and successful) assassination. Not only had Leif bitten her and changed her into a werewolf, but he’d pitchforked her into the losing side in a cosmic game of office politics.
    Even looked unconcerned by what might or might not be coming down the political pipeline at the Pack. Of course, he had his own power play to effect, so he probably didn’t give piss-all about their gods. “Odin’s not dead yet, for all Leif’s scheming.”
    True enough. She was still appalled that their Alpha actually believed he could take on the god and win—let alone trigger the end of the world. She chewed on that while she zipped and buttoned. “Not yet doesn’t mean not ever . You and I both know it’s coming. It’s going to be us or them. All hel ’s going to break loose.”
    “Pretty much.” Even tugged the hood up over her head. “You know where you’re headed?”
    That was when she had her light bulb moment and realized she might actually have found herself an escape clause. “What if I brought back help?”
    Even shook his head. “I fight my own battles.”
    She wished Leif could witness the hard glint in Even’s eyes. There was definitely a challenge in their Alpha’s not-too-distant future.
    “A second lieutenant,” she suggested, scrambling for the sell. “Not to take down Leif, but some bad ass muscle to help us stand against the gods and anyone else who thinks it’s open season on the wolves because Ragnarök must be averted at all costs and yadda yadda?”
    “Who?” Even sounded downright unconvinced. He’d always preferred to work alone. “What fighters do you know in the other Packs, sweetling?”
    Of course, they also both knew that her mouth tended to get the best of her. She never knew when to shut up. But…this could work. She knew it.
    Think.
    “My mate,” she said, pulling the words out of thin air and desperation.
    “Uh-huh.” This time, Even didn’t bother to hide the skepticism in his voice. “And he would be?”
    “A Viking. A Berserker.” She didn’t know too much about the near-immortal berserkers, but the little she did know from her pit-fighting days said the males were the perfect warrior breed to stand by her side and help her kick some Alpha ass. After all, her Viking neighbor had won every single pit match during their Vegas days. She didn’t remember too much of her own fights, but she’d heard that he’d been paired against the most vicious and deadly fighters. Plus, everyone knew that Odin was downright scared of the crazy fighters Loki had created. He’d been testing them, or so the grapevine claimed. He wanted to know for certain whether or not they were hot-blooded, unstoppable killers without an iota of mercy in them. She was fairly certain she knew how those tests had turned out.
    The Vikings had a kill count that made the werewolves in her Pack look like lapdogs.
    Even smoothed her hair away from her face and pressed his mouth against the bruise on her cheekbone. Sweet warmth followed the dull ache of pain. That was life. Everything had a price—and a side of hurt.
    “The Vikings don’t work for free and I’ve never met one who’d do it for love. Who’s going to pay their price?”
    “I am.” Somehow. No idea, honestly, but something would come to her. The universe owed her that much. Her Viking’s face flashed through her thoughts. He’d been helpful, with a side of surly. Maybe she could convince him to do it again…
    Even stepped away from her, crunching over the snow toward the row of snowmobiles lined up on the outer edge of their camp. Keys flashed as he tossed her a set. Their Alpha would take that act of generosity out of his flesh later. She couldn’t afford to regret the ride, however, as it was her only hope of making it to the berserkers’ keep. Their particular corner of Greenland came with no roads and no public transit,