Mature Content Warning - brief scene mid-chapter M/F/M

Marc's POV

It's been almost a week since North and Jace took off. Luke and Silas had buried themselves in work. I think they were upset with themselves for not being here when he woke up. Eveleen was spiraling as well. She'd been fine for the first couple of days, but the longer he was gone, the more worried and withdrawn she'd become. Hoping to cheer her up, I was plating some scones and tea when Kota came into the room. "How is she today, man?" rubbing his eyes he asked.

"No change really. I was just headed up with some breakfast for her. You just gettin in?"

"Yeah, Cade needed some time. We ran almost to the edge of the state and still couldn't pick up anything on North or Jace. Wherever they went, it isn't anywhere near us." He mused, grabbing a cup of coffee and a few scones. "Damn, Marc, these are really good," he mumbled with a full mouth.

"Thanks!" I grinned. "If you're up to it, Luke and I are going to see if Eveleen wants to visit the diner. I think getting her out of the house would do her some good and Uncle's been pushing to meet the new bird that, and I quote, 'has us grinning like damn fools all day'." Kota laughed when I made the little air quote motions.

"Sounds good, just let me know when," then he headed off to the office in pursuit of Owen I'm sure.

When I reached her door I noticed it was slightly ajar. When I pushed it open, she was sitting near the window, holding Gabe's stuffie and staring out across the woods. "Hey minx, I brought breakfast." She turned and gave me a full smile when she saw the tea and scones. Score one for me.

She hummed softly as she sipped her tea, letting the steam wash over her face. "I don't care if it's a thousand degrees outside, a hot cuppa is the only way to start a day."

"I'll stick to my coffee and sweet tea like a good Southern gentleman, if you don't mind, love," I teased. She stuck out her tongue and giggled.

"Cold tea is just wrong, and don't get me started on all the sugar you people add. I swear my teeth rot just thinking about it," she groaned, then picked up a scone, "These, these are all the sugar I need." She took a bite and moaned. "Oh my goddess, these are amazing, Marc. I may have to start seriously considering that marriage proposal."

I choked on my coffee making her giggle, "You little minx, you can't just say things like that. I'm likely to either pass out or kidnap you and hightail it to the nearest justice of the peace!" She let out a round of laughter that ended up having us both in tears. It was so good to see her happy.

"Are you two having a party in here or what?" Luke asked, poking his head in the door.

"Considering running off and finding a justice of the peace actually. Minx things I'm marriage material because my scones are near orgasmic," I teased, flashing her a wicked grin. "I could use a best man."

Luke grabbed his chest, "What? Tell me it isn't true, Pixie. You're running away with this idiot and leaving the rest of us - no, my heart can't take it," and he dramatically threw himself on the bed next to her, making her fall over into him, giggling wildly. He wrapped his body around her like a koala, "I'll never let you have her, Marc, never!" I swear this man should have been an actor.

"Can't breath....stop, oh goddess, you two are too much," she gasped in between fits of laughter. Tears were rolling down her cheeks making her look even more beautiful - if such a thing were possible.

I climbed on the bed next to her as she pried Luke's arms loose playfully. "Hmm, I don't know Luke, maybe we could reach a compromise," I gave him a sly grin. "Perhaps the beautiful lady would benefit from both of our many and impressive talents." I placed a kiss behind her ear. "Maybe we should convince her that we are both husband material." I ran my tongue along her neck, placing several kisses along the way. I heard her suck in her breath, then let out a low whine.

Luke began to lift her shirt as he placed kisses along her skin. She reached out for both of us as we continued covering her in kisses. He tugged her shirt over her head and cupped her breast, flicking his tongue across her nipple. She moaned and wrapped her fingers in his hair, pulling it loose from the ponytail he'd had it in. I wrapped my arm around her stomach and slid my fingers inside her panties. She was already so wet for us. She jolted and gasped as my fingers pinched her clit and tugged gently.

I felt her hips begin to move instinctually as I slid a finger between her folds, pressing deeper. Luke groaned as her hand traveled down and she stroked his growing erection through his jeans. Her other hand moved from his hair to the back of my head as she angled to press my mouth to hers. Fuck, was this really happening right now? I've spent hours fantasizing about her, and now it is happening. I started to unbutton her shorts when a loud crash sounded, followed by Nate and Gabriel yelling. She quickly grabbed her shirt and ran towards the yard as we followed her.

The yard was a war zone. Nate and Gabe looked like fucking Vikings slashing at a large creature with their swords, while Kota was in full wolf form in front of what looked like a hairless dog with two heads. Sean was trying to use his light to shield Owen who looked like he had a nasty cut across his leg and was on the ground. That was the direction I headed, yelling, "Brann!" as flames shot from my hands towards the thing advancing on them.

"Aim for the head," Eveleen shouted at me as she rushed towards Owen and Sean. I let loose another series of bursts and the creature burst into flame, then disappeared. When I looked back, Sean had already healed Owen's leg.

Luke had joined Nate and Gabe, successfully driving the thing off as it vanished. However, the dog thing Kota was facing did not appear to be backing down or even tired. Kota's fur was matted with blood, but he still fought. His teeth and claws hardly made any marks on the creature's flesh. It lunged and grabbed Kota's neck, flinging him across the yard as we could hear bones crunching. Eveleen screamed as Sean began to run to Kota's mangled form.

Luke and I both started throwing fire at the thing, but it just looked unfazed and settled its gaze on her. She stood unmoving, watching the creature. There was a sudden popping noise and everything froze. I mean literally froze - the fire was stopped mid-stream, none of us could move, nothing, except the creature. We watched helplessly as it stalked closer towards her, its head lowering as if it was ready to attack. Deep growls rumbled up from its chest and it bared its fangs at her. Her eyes were wide, as she began to pant. She swayed and landed on her knees as the creature was now less than a foot from her.

"My Master calls to you, Ylfa," one of the creature's heads spoke in a deep vibration. Her eyes fluttered, but she did not move. I wanted to scream at her, to go to her, but just like my brothers I was still trapped. It continued to look at her, then turned and stalked towards Luke. "You will return to him soon, and this will help ensure it." The creature's jaws opened to bite Luke's leg when a familiar voice sounded.

"I wouldn't do that if you want to live."

The creature turned towards the voice and growled, "Who dares to threaten me?"

Loki stepped forward, looking completely unimpressed, "That is my chosen and I am his bond. If you touch him or those he claims as his chosen, then your battle, as well as your Master's, is with me."

The creature roared, "The law forbids you from interfering in this matter! Erebus has been denied his claim - you have no say here, Trickster."

"When have I ever cared about laws or rules?" Loki scoffed. He now stood in between Luke and the creature, daring him to try it. "Just like Erebus, I am an agent of Chaos. What he seeks will throw off the balance, so it is my responsibility to see that he does not succeed. Run home little puppy, you have no more power here," he said as he snapped his fingers, unfreezing all of us.

It lunged and intended to strike Luke, but before it could, Loki had transformed into a gigantic serpent, striking and pinning the dog creature to the ground. "Mercy is not in my vocabulary, hell-hound. You were given a chance to leave in peace, but now you will be returned to your Master in pieces." With that, he tore the dog's body in half, casting it into the air as it vanished in a wisp of blue smoke, then Loki straightened as he regained his human form. He made a motion as if wiping dust off his clothes and hands, "Stupid creatures, really." Then he walked towards Sean who was still trying to heal Kota.

"I'm not sure if I can do much more," Sean anguished. Kota's injuries weren't really magical, but more battle. Kota whimpered and tried to raise his head. Eveleen had laid next to him trying to comfort him when Loki had broken the spell. Tears streamed down her face as she stroked his fur and whispered softly to him.

"May I try?" Loki offered, kneeling next to Kota's wolf form. Sean nodded, but he still waited. "I need her consent, she is his mate."

Eveleen met his gaze as if weighing her options before answering. "Yes, please help if you can."

Loki simply bowed his head to her then lifted his hands over Kota's form, he spoke so softly that none of us could hear the words clearly. A blue haze of magic surrounded his body as we could hear the sickening sounds of bones knitting together. Kota whined and whimpered as Loki worked his spell. After several minutes, he dropped his hands, panting with a sheen of sweat across his brow. "He needs to stay in wolf form for at least twenty-four hours. It heals faster than his human form. I've repaired the major damage, but he needs rest." He turned to Gabe and Nate, "Sons of Odin, can you transport the wolf and his mate to his room? The less physical movement the better."

"We can manage that," Gabe said. "Sean, why don't you and Owen go on to the house so you can make sure everything is ready. Just let me know when to send them." Sean and Owen agreed, heading to the house, hand in hand.

"Cute couple," Loki smirked.

"Thank you," Minx's voice was soft. She was still stroking Kota's fur, but she held Loki's gaze, tears rimming her eyes.

His gaze softened, "It is my pleasure, ástvinur." Gabe and Nate both bristled at his term of affection for her. He gave her a low bow, then vanished. Did he really just call her beloved?

Author's Notes:  Comment and vote, please, my lovelies!