The Gift of My Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Book 9) Read Online Free Page A

body to warm her. She laid on his lap, unable to respond. He lifted her head and brushed the frozen tears from her face. “Open your eyes, Margot! Look at me, dammit!” He shook her slightly.
    The tone of his voice grabbed her. Her wolf spirit whined and forced her to comply with the Alpha’s wishes. She blinked her eyes open. Mathis captured her gaze. Warmth suddenly flowed into her body, into her heart. “You will shift. Right now!” he commanded.
    In moments, Margot sat on Mathis’s lap in her human form. She shivered from the cold, her skin prickling from the frigid air. He leaned down and took her lips, his kiss hot and demanding. His thoughts flooded into her mind, his desire for her, his need to keep her safe. Arms tightened and crushed her to his chest. “Shift back to your wolf. I won’t let you freeze. NOW!”
    Margot obediently called the change, unable to deny the Alpha voice Mathis used on her. She blinked her eyes, and once more she was a wolf. She looked up and noticed he too had shifted. He towered over her, his front paws, one on each side of her. She whined. He leaned down and sniffed at her, burying his nose into her fur. Then he licked her muzzle.
    “Sleep if you like. We will stay here until sunrise. Then we will make our way back to the cabin.”
    Too tired, and too confused to do otherwise, Margot closed her eyes and rested her head on her paws. Mathis laid down next to her, pressing his body against hers. Margot leaned into him, needing the warmth he provided, if only for now.
     
    §
     
    Mathis slept lightly. Margot crossed into nanuk territory. He must be on guard. Not all the nanuk tribes welcomed lycans. Mathis might be able to talk his way out of a confrontation, since he was amarok and could claim kinship, but Margot would be fair game. Until he could take her to bed and cement the heartmate bond into place, the nanuk could be a problem.
    Nanuk tribes were low in numbers and like their animal brothers were polyamorous. Mates were shared. In early times, depending on the population, a male might have several wives, or a woman would be required to take several men to her bed. Because their numbers were low, every woman was expected to give the tribe a child each year if the hunt was successful. Only because of health reasons could the woman refuse.
    The system sounded barbaric, but these relationships weren’t forced. The woman was cherished by her men and kept safe from other unwanted suitors. Other times a triad would consist of two women and one male, the women sharing the household duties and rearing of the children. A female polar bear could be fierce when fighting for her home and children.
    Mathis’s grandparents were a triad. He loved both of his grandfathers and grandmother. He saw the love in their eyes and how his grandmother was treasured.
    Though Mathis understood the premise of the triad, as an amarok, he took after his mother’s lycan ancestors. He wanted one woman, forever. Margot was that woman.
    The sound of sniffing, and a low growl, made Mathis jump up and go to the entrance. Margot sat up, her ears easily picking up the sound. Light filled the cave proclaiming a new day had arrived. The smell of polar bear filled the air. Mathis didn’t know if it was friend or foe, animal or shifter. A hunting polar bear was one of the most dangerous predators on Earth.
    Mathis growled low as first arms and then a head appeared in the doorway. A naked Ujarak crawled into the small cave. Mathis looked over at Margot, glad to see she averted her eyes, even though nakedness and shifting went together.
    “Hey, big brother. You’re a lot farther north than I expected.” Ujarak looked at Margot and winked. “Malina was so worried you might find trouble that she sent me after you. Guess Margot gave you a run for your money.” He winked again. “Good girl, keep him on his toes.”
    Margot turned her back on them and laid back down. Ujarak looked from Margot to Mathis, the smile