The Gift of My Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Book 9) by Caryn Moya Block Page A

his middle. He panted, trying to regain his breath.
    Mathis could take the shot to his uncle’s head, a blow that would be fatal. Instead, he stepped back. His foot slipped on the ice. He went down hard on one knee. His uncle, using a two handed strike, once more aimed for his skull.
    Mathis rolled. The blow glanced off his shoulder. He pushed the pain aside. He needed to move quickly. A sudden influx of strength filled him, coming through the mating bond from Margot.
    He jumped up and struck his uncle’s wrist. Bones cracked, blood dripped from mangled flesh. The club fell from Itigaituk’s useless hand. His uncle roared, grabbing his arm.
    White lights began to circle Itigaituk. His form changed, grew bigger, his clothes shredded, and lay on the snow. In moments an enraged polar bear took his place. The crowd gasped. Growling, the bear rose on hind legs.
    Mathis stepped back out of reach. One swipe of those claws could end him.
    “Stop!” the shaman shouted.
    Everyone froze. Itigaituk lowered until he was on four legs again. Still growling, he glared at Mathis.
    “The challenge was met and answered. Mathis is welcome in the village as the son of Taliriktug. Go now, back to your homes. It is done,” the angakkuq commanded.
    Mathis waited, the hair on the back of his neck rising. He held his uncle’s gaze, refusing to back down. Itigaituk turned and lumbered away, the crowd parting. Mathis sighed in relief.
    Margot cried out and ran to him. He dropped the club and caught her.
    “You’re hurt, you need to shift!” Margot placed her hand on the cut trying to staunch the bleeding.
    “I’ll shift once we get back to the house.” Mathis pushed the pain to the back of his mind. The only thing that mattered was the woman in his arms.
    Margot finally pulled back. Tears trailed down her cheeks. “You won.”
    Mathis brushed the tears away. “Were you worried, nutara ?”
    “Of course not.”
    Mathis touched his forehead to hers. “Little liar, I might have to spank you if you keep lying to me.”
    “Hmm, sounds interesting,” she teased.
    Ujarak and Kumaglak laughed. Ujarak reached down and picked up the club. His father walked up and patted Mathis on the back. His mother murmured her relief and handed him a cloth to wipe his face. It felt so good to win.
    “Be careful,” Ujarak warned. “You shouldn’t taunt an amarok. He might eat you.”
    “That’s enough, Ujarak,” Nicole barked at him.
    “Yes, Mom. Jeez, everyone is so serious.”
    Malina walked up with Cybille, wrapped in furs, in her arms. Nicole ran over, taking the child, kissing and murmuring to her.
    “We’ve enjoyed your visit, son, but there are people waiting for you. The car is packed. Ujarak will drive you home,” his father said.
    Mathis sighed, his feelings of triumph, turning to regret. It was time to leave his family, again.
     
    §
     
    Margot gazed at the small child asleep in her car seat. The poor little girl was inconsolable when she had been taken from her mother. Who could blame her? Margot glanced at Mathis in the front seat with his brother. He too, was grieving, she could feel it through the mating bond. Why the nanuk wouldn’t accept their amarok children, she’d never understand.
    “Where are we going?” she asked quietly.
    “To the Alpha’s lodge. We will discuss our options once we get there. How many children are we taking charge of?” Mathis asked Ujarak.
    “Six, when you add Cybille to the group. There is one family, Tikaani, a boy of ten and his two twin sisters, Ukiuk and Ila, who are five. Then there is another boy, Nuvuk, who is eight, and another little girl, Elisapie, who is four, no relation. Are you going to keep them all? I thought you would find homes for them.”
    Mathis glanced back at Margot and his little sister. “It might be easier for the children if we kept them together. They may have some of their polar bear family traits that regular lycans would not. They will also be larger and stockier