Blood Challenge Read Online Free Page A

think. I’ve only been to one meeting.”
    “What happened?”
    Davinia looked away from the meeting. “I was summoned to hear the decision of the Pack about whether I could join or not. They had already decided when they sent for me. I thought Viggo had convinced the Pack to allow me to marry him and live here, but now I suspect Rica was the one who made the final decision.” She blinked, but a tear still streamed down her cheek. “That would explain their attitudes toward me.”
    Ellie patted her shoulder, but her attention returned to the group when Rica began speaking again.
    “We don’t want her here. None will deny that, but we can’t force her into the mountains. We aren’t savages, despite what some think. She has my protection until the thaw. Do any challenge this decision?”
    Once again, silence greeted his statement, although there seemed to be a wave of anger flowing from the group. Ellie jumped when Davinia pulled on her sleeve. She turned her head. “Yeah?”
    “It’s time to leave. Your fate has been decided, and the rest of the meeting isn’t our business.”
    Ellie nodded and turned to follow Davinia. She looked back briefly, and her heart stuttered as her gaze locked with Rica’s. She tried to convince herself he couldn’t see her from so far away, and sheltered by the tree, but she wasn’t sure about that as she hurried after the other woman. She shivered, wondering what the penalty was for eavesdropping on one of their meetings. Would he change his mind about allowing her to stay?
     
    * * * * *
    That must have been the end of the meeting, because Davinia and Ellie had barely returned to the cabin and settled by the fire when Viggo entered. He had put on a shirt and coverings, and his expression didn’t betray anything.
    Davinia got to her feet, rushing to remove Viggo’s fur cloak. “Ellie, this is my husband, Viggo. Viggo, this is Ellie.”
    He nodded to Ellie. “She can stay.”
    Davinia nodded her head, but gasped when he lifted her hand and held it to his cheek.
    “Your hand is cold as ice. Have you been walking, Davinia?” The question was light, but his tone carried a hint of suspicion.
    She shrugged. “I showed Ellie a bit of the village. She’s feeling better today.”
    “Hmm.” He eyed them both, and his lips compressed. Finally, his gaze settled on Ellie. “He wants to see you.”
    She didn’t have to ask whom he meant. “When?”
    “Right now. Since Davinia gave you a tour, I’m sure you won’t have any trouble finding his home.”
    “Oh, we didn’t get that far, Viggo,” Davinia said in a rush. “I’ll show her.”
    “No. You’ve been out too much already. It’s not good for the baby.” He gestured to Ellie. “I’ll show you. Come along.”
    She got to her feet reluctantly, increasingly convinced Rica had seen her at the meeting. She suspected he had told Viggo, judging by the other man’s behavior. She didn’t argue with him as she slipped her feet into the damp boots and shrugged on the thick parka.
    She walked behind him silently. They turned the opposite direction from where Davinia had led her, and Ellie eyed everything. The village was roughly a square, with a clearing in the middle that held only a well and water pump. Small and medium-sized cabins took up three sides of the main square, but three buildings dominated the last side of the square. A church held center position, with a huge wooden cross affixed to its roof. The buildings on each side were smaller, but not as small as the other cabins.
    “What are those?” she asked.
    “The general store and post office, but there’s no mail this time of year.” He pointed to the building on the other side of the church. “That’s the school and library.”
    She didn’t ask any other questions as they walked to the end of the square. His succinct answers hadn’t invited more probing. They stopped in front of a medium-sized cabin. Viggo pointed to the gate. “He’s expecting