“You don’t have to do that!” The prince snickers, trying to pull a foot away from Gunnar, but the Northman grabs his ankle and insists. Cinaed lets out a little loving sigh, thinking of all this amazing time they’ve had together, and wanting so much more. So much more of him. He could live inside his leathers— stay stuck to his warm skin all day and night. Cinaed is in love, greater than any other emotion he’s ever felt, and it only gets stronger. The scent of lavender overcomes him more now that he’s noticed it, a reminder that him and Gunnar are more connected now than they’ve ever been.

As they quietly leave the chamber and close the door, the prince takes Gunnar’s hand and tries not to giggle. He’s not at all big on gatherings — not in the slightest, but this one is in their honor. As they enter the Hall already crowded with loved ones and acquaintances, Gunnar squeezes his hand as if he knows what Cinaed is feeling. And of course, the first to approach is not at all a good start.

“Your Grace,” Rypere beams as he nears them. “Let me be the first to offer you congratulations. It’s a happy day and yet sad to some.” He hints with a smile, taking Cinaed’s free hand before the prince can even prevent it.

Shit.

“Thank you!” Cinaed beams back with a charming smile, to distract from the way he suddenly and startingly pulled his hand away. If Rypere would have bowed to kiss it he might already be dead, so perhaps the prince saved him by ending the very brief contact. He can tell Gunnar is trying to be cordial as he nods at the man, but with absolute murder in his icy blue eyes.

“Enjoy the feast.” Cinaed smiles once more at Rypere before sturdily pulling Gunnar away. He can hear that low growl rumbling in his throat already.

“Hey… calm,” Cinaed turns to face his lover, looking as radiant and bright as he feels, and gives the Northman a big kiss despite the audience. He knows he can calm him instantly with a little show of love, and he would do it regardless. He pulls Gunnar close and wraps his arms around his neck, standing on his toes to whisper in his ear.

“Ég er þér bundinn, á allan mögulegan hátt. Manstu?” The prince purrs. The stubborn look Gunnar gives him makes Cinaed grin, so he kisses Gunnar’s nose and then nuzzles his cheek with his own to scent him.

@cinaedofulaid

“I want to do it…” Gunnar smiles at Cinaed as he grabs his ankle, insisting on helping him with his boots. It’s the least he can do for his mate who is carrying his pup. Pamper him and show him how much he is loved and how thankful the Northman is for what he is giving them.

“You better get used to it.” Gunnar gives his mate a playful serious look. Cinaed will want for nothing as long as he is close by. The Northman will shower him with love and affection and devotion. After he finishes with Cinaed’s boots his hand drifts up to his mate’s belly, lightly resting over their little bean. The scent of lavender envelopes them as a loving smile comes to Gunnar’s face. “You are precious to me. You and our pups, and I will endeavor to make sure you feel happy, loved and cared for.”

Gunnar reaches up and cups Cinaed’s cheek bringing him forward for a gentle kiss, that tests the warrior’s very willpower. Gods, he just wants to pick Cinaed up and carry him off to their special place, where he can worship him, love him and mate with him. Feel connected to him in every way possible. But alas, he promised Finan they would attend the feast, and he is nothing if not a man of his word. Besides, his mate needs nourishment, especially since they can’t keep their hands off one another, Gunnar smiles wryly.

Walking towards the dining hall, Gunnar can already hear the voices of people already gathered. Cinaed’s hand in his offers comfort, but he can already feel his alpha scratching at the surface. He knows his mate isn’t fond of crowds so he squeezes his hand, trying to calm him and much as he is calming himself. They are family and friends. No one will harm my mate. Gunnar tries to remind his wolf even though his protective instincts are tell him to take his mate and leave.

And of course, the last person he wants to see is the first to approach. Gunnar’s icy blue eyes are instantly shooting daggers at the young man that dares to approach his beloved and take his hand. It takes all of his willpower to keep his hand from grabbing Rypere’s wrist and crushing the bones beneath. His wolf balks at the idea of another man’s scent on his mate, gnashing at his chest to be released. A low growl rumbles from Gunnar’s chest that he doesn’t bother to hide.

It takes Cinaed pulling him away to break Gunnar from his murderous thoughts. Feeling his mate’s lips against his calms the beast inside, allowing his heart rate to slow and his body to relax. His arms wrap around his beloved’s waist, pulling him closer as he lets himself get swept up in the kiss and the scent that surrounds him.

“Sorry, baby…” Gunnar softly whispers against Cinaed’s lips. “…my wolf is very protective of you. Þið bæði.”

Cinaed’s words in Norse calm the warrior further. “Ég veit, elskan... við erum bundin saman og ekkert mun koma á milli okkar. Aldrei.”

“...en hann er heppinn að eiga höndina ennþá.” Gunnar glares in Rypere’s direction. When Cinaed kisses his nose, his lips curl in a soft smile. His hand trailing through his love's curls as his mate nuzzles into his cheek. Cinaed is the only one who can pull him back from the edge, can calm him like no other.

“Hi… husband.” The prince says softly as the Northman opens his eyes.

@cinaedofulaid

After several rounds throughout the night, along with bathing and eating, Gunnar and Cinaed drift off in a well needed rest. Both of their bodies sated and exhausted. He wrapped his arm around his beloved’s waist as Cinaed laid with his back against Gunnar’s chest, the warrior’s knot holding them together for the last time before the moon descended beyond the horizon. He’s not sure when it released them since sleep carried them off quickly afterwards. Gunnar’s hand instinctively stayed on his mate’s belly in a loving and protective hold.

A smile curls the Northman’s lips when Cinaed kisses his beard, his eyes barely peeking open. “Morning…husband.” He says, his voice sleep rough. 

A low growl rumbles from his chest when he pulls his mate closer, their chests brushing each other, while the warrior nuzzles his nose against Cinaed’s neck. His lips tease his husband’s skin with soft kisses. The scent rolling off his husband is addicting, and he can’t get enough.

“We’re going to stay here, just like this, all day…right?” Gunnar growls even though his lips are twitching into a smirk. He’s only teasing his mate. If Cinaed would prefer to return to their cottage and continue their honeymoon in the comfort of their home he would be happy to do so.

Whatever his husband feels most comfortable with, Gunnar will provide.

His fingers softly trail down Cinaed’s side as he looks lovingly into his mate’s glowing amber eyes. “How are you feeling this morning?” Gunnar asks with concern in his voice. He can imagine his mate is quite sore after all the times they made love during the night, but he’s also curious if anything feels different. Besides the new scent mingling with his.

“Agh,” the prince groans. He never has any trouble with invoking other feelings in his body, ironically. Why can’t he reach this feeling?

Brushing his hair back from his face with his fingertips, Cinaed takes a slow deep breath and crosses his legs beneath him, running his hands up his thighs. He’s interrupted when Gunnar’s scent hits him quickly and strongly.

The prince jumps to his feet, striding to the door and unbarring it just as Gunnar gets to it. Gods, that excited him. To feel his lover before he even sees him.

“Hi!” Cinaed beams. “Oops, sorry…” he says, chuckling at his naked appearance when Gunnar’s eyes drift down his body.

“I’ve been trying to shift. It’s so hard!”

@cinaedofulaid

After his talk with Finan, Gunnar gathers Luca with explicit thanks to his daughter for watching over him, then he heads home. Luca won’t stop licking his face as they ride back their cottage. To say their little wolf pup missed them would be an understatement. His little tail has been wagging furiously ever since Revna handed him to his Alpha.

“Just wait until your faðir see you…” Gunnar chuckles. “…he has a surprise for you.”

Once they arrive at their cottage, Gunnar puts Hrímfaxi away in the stable with some fresh hay. Holding Luca in his arms, they walk towards the door. The Northman chuckles when Cinaed opens the door before they even get to the front steps. No doubt his sense of smell getting stronger with his recent change.

Gunnar’s eyes trail down his lover’s body as an eyebrow quirks at his nakedness. Gunnar bites back a smirk as a sudden flush colors his cheeks and heat settles low in his belly. Gods, his mate will never not have this kind of effect on him, especially when he’s nude.

“That’s alright, baby…I’ll help you. I mean, we’ll help you.” Gunnar grins as he looks down into Luca’s happy face. His tail wagging furiously again.

“Here.” Gunnar places Luca in his mate’s arms. “He has cleaned my face ten times over. Now it’s your turn.” Gunnar chuckles as he steps inside their home. His heart fit to melt in his chest as Cinaed gushes over their son.

While Luca licks Cinaed’s face, Gunnar leans in for a kiss. The gentleness of the kiss interrupted when Luca tries to lick both of them and they can no longer hold back their laughter.

“Alright, alright…let me strip, then we can practice.” Gunnar chuckles as he starts tearing off his tunic. 

Forest Kiss….🥰

With excruciating effort, Cinaed convinced Gunnar to stay behind, for their baby’s sake. Luca was much too young to travel, still new within their household, and he needed Gunnar. The prince had grown so protective over their pup that he trusted no one but his own father to watch over him at such a young age. To them, he was the ultimate symbol of their love for one another.

Cinaed tries to be strong. He was commander of his realm, fought in the last war without a second thought, and yet he was so close to bursting into tears at the thought of being separated from his lover. It would only be days apart, thankfully. He’d take utmost care.

As Gunnar walks with him towards the stables at the fortress, Cinaed gives him a beaming smile, his amber eyes glowing up at him.

“Ætlarðu að haga þér vel?” The prince purrs.

@cinaedofulaid

Gunnar’s lips twitch at the corners when Cinaed asks if he’ll behave. “Líklega ekki…

...en ég geri það fyrir þig.”

“I don’t like this…” Gunnar softly says. “…being parted from you.”

It feels like a piece of me is being ripped out…

He knows why he’s staying behind, but it doesn’t make it any less painful. Cinaed wants to ensure his mother’s safety, and Gunnar has to watch over Luca. Keep their son protected and provided for. It’s too risky to bring the pup on a journey like this, with how young he is. What if he shifts to his human form, and Gunnar can’t get him to shift back. Even though he has been responding well to Gunnar’s shifts. Mimicking when Gunnar shifts into the black wolf. It’s just too much of a risk.

Wrapping and arm around Cinaed’s waist as they stand in front of the stables, Gunnar pulls him close to his chest. Gods, they have only been parted for hours at a time, not days. He’s going to go mad not having his mate by his side, but he tries to put on a brave face. He knows this isn’t easy for Cinaed either. Especially now that they have a family. Tilting his lover’s lips to his, Gunnar gives him a kiss filled with longing and devotion.

“You’re taking Maelock and Lorcan with you, right?” Gunnar asks. They are the only two men he trusts watching over his beloved while they are parted.

@cinaedofulaid

After cuddling in the furs at the fireside, the prince eventually gets himself up and stokes the fire a bit while Gunnar closes up the house and readies it for bedtime. The time he shares with the Northman… it’s amazing. Cinaed feels so elated, so comfortable and so protected. The lovers take a little sponge bath with warm water and Cinaed dresses just in some linen trousers, leaving his chest bare as he goes to check on their new baby. Perhaps they’ll all have a little midnight snack before bedtime. Luca could definitely wake up hungry any minute. The poor thing was probably exhausted, and had been sleeping comfortably in their furs for a while now.

Cinaed gasps loudly and covers his mouth as he gazes at the furs. Their pup is no longer. Instead, an actual human babe sits in Luca’s place, sleeping comfortably. Still so small, and adorable.

He’s a werewolf…

“Gunnar!” Cinaed shouts for him. “Holy shit.”

Unfortunately, the Prince’s shout startles Luca, and he gives Cinaed wide eyes before erupting into a quiet cry. He still looks exhausted.

“Hey, hey… it’s okay,” the prince coos. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you…”

Cinaed takes a fur and wraps Luca in it, swaddling him a bit and soothing him by bouncing him in his arms.

@cinaedofulaid

Giving Cinaed a tender kiss before they move from the furs in front of the hearth, Gunnar barely stops the groan from the loss of his lover pressed against him. Feeling the steady rise and falls of Cinaed’s breaths as he rested upon his chest.

“I’ll lock up…” Gunnar offers as Cinaed gets up to stoke the fire. He places the bar across the door to prevent unwanted visitors. Going around to the windows he closes the curtains to give them privacy. Privacy he should have thought of before they made love, the warrior shakes his head ruefully, a little smirk at the corner of his lips.

For a moment, he watches as Cinaed takes a soap and rag, his eyes following the movement of the soapy cloth over his beautiful skin. Gods, it’s so erotic that Gunnar has to look away before other parts of his body gets any ideas. When Cinaed finishes with the water and rag, Gunnar does the same. He doesn’t miss the look in Cinaed’s eyes and his heart flutters in response.

While Cinaed heads into their chambers to check on the pup, Gunnar pulls out some food for a late night snack. He was just about to grab the small basket of berries when Cinaed shouts for him. The tone of his voice and his words leaving the warrior unsettled as he rushes into their chambers.

He hears the cries of a baby, and his head tilts to the side in confusion. Pups don’t cry like that. When Cinaed turns around with a baby in his arms swaddled in a fur Gunnar’s eyes widen in surprise.

“What the…”

Gunnar cautiously approaches as Cinaed bounces the little one in his arms. His thoughts going the same place his lover’s did.

“He’s a werewolf?” Gunnar asks in awe as he holds out his finger for little Luca to take as Cinaed tries to soothe his cries.

“What? How?” Gunnar utters his questions as his mind tries to process that there are others like him out there. The biggest question playing in his mind is if this is why his mother placed him in their care. Because she knew what he is.

The way Luca looks up at him, his eyes staring intently at his, makes all the questions seem insignificant. All Gunnar feels is his heart melting with how adorable he is, and how adorable his mate looks holding him.

“He’s not just our pup, he’s our baby…”

“Gunnar, you could have told me!” Ronan jests as he reaches them, grabbing his brother’s left hand. His eyes go wide as he admires the golden ring in great detail.

“Oh my god…” Ronan whispers, before his eyes come up to Cinaed’s in an adoring, sentimental gaze. The two lovers are the talk of Bebbanburg, and for good reason.

“Stop it…” Cinaed grins.

“It’s real? The two of you want to be married? Gunnar you asked him to marry you?! This is madness!” Ronan beams.

@cinaedofulaid

It’s been days since Gunnar and Cinaed have left the comfort of their cottage. Now that the full moon has passed, and his wolf has been sated, for the time being, the couple decided it was time to check in with the family and share the good news. A big grin lights up the warrior’s face as he and his betrothed walk hand in hand. It’s honestly a feat in itself that they have the strength to walk, Gunnar thinks wryly, a mischievous look in his eyes. Their time together was absolutely magical.

“I thought you already knew!” Gunnar chuckles as he teases Ronan. “…with your sight and all.” He winks at his future brother-in-law. Pride fills the Northman’s chest as Ronan admires the ring he had made for Cinaed. He still can’t get over how beautiful it turned out.

A giddy feeling flares out in his chest when Cinaed tells his brother to stop it. Gods, he’s so excited to be handfasted to his mate. The love for him pounds in his chest.

“It’s very real.” Gunnar confirms, giving his love a little smirk. He knows in both of their hearts they are already bound, this will just make it official. “Yes, I asked him to marry me…and he said, yes. We want this more than anything, we belong together.” Gunnar looks lovingly into Cinaed’s eye as he brings his hand up for a kiss.

“He makes my heart soar…and he spoils my wolf.”

As the full moon draws near, Gunnar can already feel the buzz of energy just under his skin. Instead of being fearful of the changes that will come over him, he welcomes it. Especially with such a supportive and loving mate. A wry grin comes to his face as he thinks of all the time they will be spending in their cottage and in the forest satiating his needs, both as a wolf and as a man. He is curious what his wolf will reveal to him during this moon.

Gunnar spent the afternoon in his wolf form, hunting for a deer to sustain him and his mate during the rut that is sure to come over him from the rising full moon. He has to admit, he is very impressed with his wolf’s abilities hunting down a deer. It almost seemed too easy. The stealth in which he was able to sneak up on the unsuspecting animal, the speed in which he was able to chase it down. The way his jaws clamped down on the deer’s jugular ending its life quickly. Once he caught the deer, he shifted back into his human form quickly field dressing the animal and prepared it to carry home. With all of his time as of late being spent in the forest, Gunnar has learned to stash clothes in various locations incase he needs to shift away from the cottage.

After hanging the deer in the small shed behind their cottage, Gunnar washes up in the river. He promised Cinaed they would go to the fortress after his hunt, to check in on how Finan has been holding up since the big reveal. Gunnar is also hoping Torleif has completed the special gift for his love, so that he can give it to him tonight before they get lost in the passion of the full moon.

Drying off his hands and torso from washing up in the river, Gunnar heads inside the cottage. A smile instantly coming to his face seeing Cinaed straightening up their home. Shaking out furs and wiping dust from the surfaces.

“Such a good housewife…” the warrior purrs as a playful smile comes to his face. Gods, he couldn’t ask for a better mate. Grabbing his prince by the waist, Gunnar pulls him in for a loving kiss. A soft hum of contentment vibrating his lips.

“I snagged a deer, it’s hanging in the shed…” He tells his lover, feeling a little pride at his accomplishment. “We should have plenty of meat to satisfy my wolf for the full moon.”

“Although, I would much rather devour you…” Gunnar purrs in a husky tone, his lips trailing to Cinaed’s neck, playfully nipping as his skin.

“Are you ready to go to the fortress and check in on your father? Let him know, we are going to be occupied for the next few days?” Gunnar raises an eyebrow as he looks into his prince’s glowing eyes. He is sure that he is the last person the Irishman wants to see after everything that happened the other day with revealing his nature, and Revna stunning them with hers. He is just hopeful after his firm talk with his daughter that everything has since settled down.

“I need to stop in at Torleif’s and pick up my axe.” He tries to say nonchalantly even though he can feel the buzz of excitement inside him to see what the Dane created for him. He has the rest of the blacksmith’s payment in his coin pouch.