Since he could never plan how long he would stay in each village, his arrivals often came as a surprise. Regn did his best to be stealthy, but there was no way to trick her sharp instincts. However, she was not as sneaky as he. As soon as she discovered him, Regn heard the rapid footsteps running in his direction.
He tried to hide his smile and act oblivious, but when the girl jumped to ambush him, he turned to catch her in his arms. “Oh, no! I’ve fallen prey to the mighty hunter once more!” He announced, twirling with the child before settling her on the ground. He dramatically stumbled, while the golden-haired girl giggled in delight, clinging to his side. Regn picked her up with one arm, settling her safely on his hip.
“Uncle Regn!” Her amber eyes beamed at him, making him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Laoise had recently turned three years old, and she was the spitting image of her mother. Except for her eyes. She had Hakken’s amber eyes. The little girl was as fast as any half-breed 3-year-old and just as dauntless. A little smaller than the other children, but what she lacked in strength, she made up on recklessness.
Which was probably why Hakken was on the verge of a nervous breakdown most of the time. He was, as usual, extremely overprotective of his women.
“Hello, little light! I missed you. Did you miss me?”
Laoise laid her head on his shoulder. “Yes! Papa said you would visit soon. I’m hunting!”
“Are you? What are you hunting?”
The sweet child threw her arms around his neck. “Skinny nomads!”
Regn burst out laughing. She was as kind and unexpected as her mother, but she had shown an unfortunate tendency to inherit her father’s sense of humor. “Where are your mom and dad?”
Laoise raised her head, looking ahead toward a flower patch. She lifted her arm and pointed without a trace of doubt. “There! Near the pretty flowers.”
Regn let her down on the ground, taking her hand and walking the last stretch before they could see the cabin in all its glory. Hakken had gone mad with it. He added so many rooms, anyone would think he expected a large family.
But as soon as Laoise was born, she filled their lives with so much joy, Hakken forgot entirely about other children, other people, and anything not related to his golden child. Except for Maeve. With each passing day, there was no doubt he was falling deeper in love with his mate. It was clear for anyone to see, looking at them now. Sitting on a thick blanket on the ground, Maeve stroked Hakken’s hair. He lay on his back, his head resting on her thighs, hands clasped over his chest and a look of utter bliss on his face.
They heard him, but they remained so mesmerized with each other, they didn’t bother to raise their eyes. Regn, instead, rolled his. “You two are so annoying,” he mocked.
Maeve’s cheerful laughter broke the couple’s haze. “We were expecting to be hunted, but you two decided to gossip instead.” Maeve stood and walked to welcome him. It had become some sort of tradition. Like he was not quite home unless she hugged him. Regn squeezed her back, relishing in the gratifying feeling of coming back to them.
Hakken—true to his nature—didn’t even move, choosing to give him a lazy grin from his comfy place on the blanket. Laoise jumped to her father’s chest, feigning an attack, only to be caught midair and lifted in his arms. “The mighty hunter returns! What did you bring for dinner?”
The girl burst into a fit of laughter when her father laid her next to him, tickling her sides. “Papa, stop! Uncle Regn is here!”
“Is he? But we can’t eat that!” Hakken turned to pout at the little girl, not paying attention to the newly arrived.
Maeve stood by Reng’s side, linking an arm around his, watching her mate braiding Laoise’s hair. The sight of Hakken, the tall, burly, less than gentle hunter playing with his daughter, was endearing.
Regn smiled at them before Maeve nudged his side. “How are you?”
“As well as you can expect. Tired, but happy to be home.” He let down the bag he carried. “I bring gifts for you. Finn sent you some spices and a couple of books. Dröm gave me a stone-carved figurine for Laoise, and I have absolutely no idea what Flyg sent for you, but it smells sweet.”
Before he took anything from the bag, Maeve stopped him. “Rest for a while. Are you hungry?”
“Not yet, but I’m so tired, I’m sure if I sit down I’ll stay here forever.”
“Sit then! Lay down if you want. We’ll have dinner soon, and I want you to tell us everything.” Hakken might not be actively taking part in the tribe’s dealings, but he was not disregardful of them.
Regn lay down on the blanket, as far as possible from Hakken. “Nothing troubling. The mountain tribe is in good shape, but...”
Maeve and Hakken were very interested in what he had to say. Before Laoise’s arrival, they often traveled to visit Dröm and his people, helping those who still struggled with the awful memories. Maeve’s visits always caused great expectation, but Dröm appeared to enjoy Hakken’s company best. Both men had become close friends.
With a pleading look, Regn asked. “Do you think you two can visit this summer? They could use some guidance.”
Hakken leaned to gently kiss Laoise’s head, who had dropped asleep on the blanket when the sun set. “I believe this one is old enough to make her first trip.” He looked up at Maeve, who had slipped by their side on the blanket. “What do you think?”
“I like this idea. I miss Flyg and the children, and I’d love for them to meet our little sunbeam.” She stared lovingly at her daughter, fixing a few lost strands of her soft hair. A cool breeze made him shiver. Regn snuggled closer to Maeve, and they all turned their eyes
