tw: smut, implied/referenced nonconsensual acts (end of chapter), implied/referenced rape (end of chapter)

( 10th century — kingdom of norway )

Esther had returned home from her trip to Dahlia's around high noon the next day. She began collecting things of utmost importance, things she couldn't live without. Everything else could stay. It reminded her too much of Mikael.

Tomorrow, Esther would be leaving this life behind. She and Alix would destroy the totem (with the help of the pack) and then they'd be free to be in love. Esther would tell Dahlia she was sorry once everything was done, that the fertility question had not been a deceit or anything of the sort. It had been true.

She was sure Dahlia would forgive her as long as nothing, but the totem was destroyed. She had managed to get a short glimpse of what it looked like—it wasn't the prettiest thing, but it was something. About four inches long and had carvings of a crow carved into it. It shimmered sometimes in time with her cuff so she had known it was the right thing.

"Knock, knock," Alix's voice sounded from behind her. Esther turned, beaming upon seeing the woman. Alix smiled brightly back at her, scooping her into a hug. "Hello, gorgeous."

"Hi," Esther giggled, hugging the woman back, "I had a feeling you were going to come over."

"I just can't stay away from you," Alix murmured, brushing hair out of Esther's face, "especially since we're about to start our lives together."

Esther brushed her fingers over Alix's cheek. "The way it should've been since the beginning," she said. Alix nodded, pressing a kiss to Esther's forehead. "Now, let's finish our planning. We can not leave any stone unturned."

"Yes," Alix nodded in agreement. They had made that mistake years ago. They would not this time. They'd make it this time. "I have a couple of ideas."

Esther hummed, "tell me."

Alix grinned.

( 𝖈𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖔 )

Alix sat beside her, holding her hand and tracing over her palm. They had finished their planning. Now they wished to relax before their showdown. Alix knew that Dahlia was powerful and that they might get hurt, as did the other pack members.

Yet, they were still willing to do it.

It warmed Esther's heart.

Alix glanced up when she felt Esther's intense gaze boring into the side of her head. A small smile worked it's way onto Alix's mouth. "What?" She asked curiously, her voice soft.

Esther played with the ends of Alix's hair, smiling softly. "You are beautiful."

Red covered Alix's cheeks, and the woman ducked her head a bit shyly. "I could say the same about you. You have always been the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever laid upon."

Esther scoffed a bit, her own cheeks turning red. "Must you always one-up me, my darling?" She asked jokingly.

Alix chuckled and leaned toward her, pressing their foreheads together. "Always. You will never have a break."

Esther laughed, threading her arms around Alix's neck. "I would not wish it any other way." Their lips met and Alix tugged her closer.

The blonde tapped the side of Alix's jaw, like she used to do when they were younger, and the redhead instantly opened her mouth, letting their tongues brush each other. Esther moaned softly, moving her hands to tangle her fingers into Alix's tunic.

Alix pulled away from her mouth, dragging her lips along Esther's jaw. She kissed and bit the skin, making her way down her neck and to her collarbone. The witch tilted her head back, eyes fluttering as a breathy whine fell from her lips.

"You have always made the prettiest of sounds," Alix murmured against her skin. Esther shivered at the feeling.

"I beg to differ," Esther muttered, tugging Alix back to her mouth and forcing her down onto her back. Alix made a noise between a growl and a whine at the display. Esther knew Alix was stronger than her as did the redhead, yet Alix had always gone with Esther's pushes and pulls. Surrendered full control. "You make quite the pretty noises," Esther smirked hovering over the wolf.

Alix grunted, rolling her eyes. "Who is trying to one-up now, hmm?"

Esther only laughed and brought their lips back together. Alix did nothing that would make Esther uncomfortable, always asking before she did something. It was so starkly different to what Mikael does to her, that it left Esther flustered and even more full of desire.

"May I?" Esther murmured, tugging on the bottom of Alix's tunic.

Alix, her pupils blown and dark with lust, nodded quickly. Esther pulled it over Alix's head, settling on Alix's hips as she took in the sight before her. Nothing had ever been so beautiful.

"You are... the most gorgeous creature this planet could ever create," Esther murmured. The sky rumbled a little as Esther winced. "Beside Lady Aphrodite, of course. Apologies." The sky settled as Alix laughed.

"Don't go pissing off the gods, my love," Alix grinned, her cheeks red from the admiration of her lover.

Esther huffed a little and leaned down, knocking their noses together gently. "Hush you. Let me worship you." Alix's grin faltered as it seemed her entire body flushed.

"As you wish," she squeaked. Esther giggled a bit, nipping at Alix's chin before making her way down. Alix gasped at the hot breath hovering over her nipple. Esther placed gentle kisses around it, her fingers ghosting over the muscles of Alix's stomach. She felt the muscle quiver beneath her ministrations and smiled a little. "Esther."

The witch wrapped her lips around the redhead's nipple, her tongue sliding over it. Alix shuddered, moaning at the unfamiliar feeling. Esther used her other hand to caress Alix's other breast, gently kneading it and pulling at the nipple with her fingers. The wolf whimpered, her fingers digging into Esther's arms.

The blonde knew they'd bruise, and for the first time, she'd wear them with pride instead of disgust.

Esther ran her teeth gently over the nipple, careful not to hurt the wolf.

Once she believed this one had gotten enough, she switched to the other and did the same there. Her other hand kneaded and pulled at the free breast like she did before.

Alix tangled her fingers into Esther's hair, tugging her back up to her mouth. "Take off your clothes," Alix whispered as their mouths slotted back together. Esther groaned a little and made quick work of her clothes and what was left of Alix's.

Their naked bodies brushed together, both of them relishing in the contact. Alix always ran hot, different from Esther who usually ran cold. "I love you," Esther murmured, gently dragging her fingers along Alix's face.

"I love you," Alix murmured back, pressing their foreheads together, "I am... not exactly sure what I am doing. Bear with me?"

Esther smiled, kissing the redhead's lips. "As long as you bear with me, I will bear with you." Alix chuckled, shaking her head a bit at the woman's silliness.

"Always."

( 𝖈𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖔 )

Esther hummed a rhyme to herself, flitting around the room. It was almost time to leave. Alix had left earlier in the day, going to collect her own things and go over the plan with the rest of the pack.

They had to be quick in case Mikael decided to come home early and they had to catch Dahlia off guard.

Esther swayed a bit, dancing to her humming. She was excited and ecstatic. She was going to be free. She was going to live her life with Alix, she'd be a mother...

"What are you doing?" Esther tensed immediately, her heart dropping to her feet at the voice. A voice she did not want to hear ever again. A voice she wasn't supposed to hear ever again.

Esther plastered on a smile even though her heart was beating out of her chest. She turned around. Mikael stood in the doorway, a smile on his face as he watched her with curiosity. It must've been a good hunt then. "Cleaning, dear. What are you doing home?" Esther asked, tilting her head and going to him. She had to play this right.

Their plans had to change. Mikael could no longer believe she was dead as she was standing in front of him. She'd have to come up with another solution.

Esther kissed his cheek and took his weapon. She set it in its place. "The hunt was a success. We finished a day early so here I am," he replied, coming up behind her. He slid his arms around her waist, kissing her neck. She forced herself not to tense as she usually did. That only made him angrier. "I was hoping for a celebration... hopefully, we will be lucky."

Esther swallowed with difficulty. There was no doubt that they probably would be. Especially with the potion her sister had given her. That made fear claw up her throat. She didn't want to bear his child. She didn't want to be tied to him.

Not when she was going to be starting a new life with Alix.

"I... I am not feeling well," Esther murmured, holding her breath. His temper was easily flared. One wrong word and she could end up black and blue everywhere. "Perhaps tomorrow?" She asked hesitantly, turning her head a bit.

Mikael frowned a little. "You seemed quite fine a minute ago. Dancing and humming," he said, his grip tightening around her waist. She winced. "I think you'll be fine."

"Mikael, I do not wish to—"

"It is not about you," Mikael interrupted, smirking that cruel smirk that always made her shudder. "It will never be about you. You will give me what I want, wife."

Esther swallowed roughly, her eyes wide with fear. Uh, oh...

AN: not a full thing of smut. there may be one in the future, maybe not. I'm still deciding. i hope you guys enjoyed :)) y'all I'm back school ☹️ last year tho :)

wc: 1659