The Sarazin stiffened. A flash of anger crossed his face. But he schooled his expression a moment later as Kaizan watched him with caution, his hand on the hilt of his sword. 

"It's a pleasure to have amongst us," the Sarazin said and dismounted his horse. The rest of the men did the same following their leader.

Kaizan too dismounted his horse and helped her down. When Sarazin came to him, the two clasped each other's upper arms and then embraced. Olivia watched the two men with wonder in her eyes, not sure as to why Sarazin became angry when he saw her. But then the reputation of her pack wasn't that good, so maybe that could be a reason. 

The Mords were dark and tanned with dark eyes and black hair. Their noses were prominent and the eyes were almond shaped under straight eyebrows. With prominent cheekbones, they were not very tall and Kaizan and his soldiers were taller than anyone in the village. 

The women wore colorful skirts in hues of vermillion, sienna and azure, and full-sleeved tunics. They had multiple braids that were set with colorful beads. 

Olivia found that all eyes were focused on her. It made her uneasy but she bowed to them and in an accented Mordian language, greeted, "I am honored to be amongst you. May the sun always bless you." She dared not look at the men. 

And as soon as she said that, she heard a few men behind Sarazin, grunting. The women and young girls started giggling. There was an excited chatter amongst the men and women about the celebration in the night. It was not long before Olivia found it extremely odd as to how a man trailed her. He would get close to her the moment she would fall behind Kaizan. The herd of villagers escorted them to the center of the village where Sarazin resided. As they stopped, some men took the horses away. 

"I hope things are fine at your end," said Sarazin, as he walked with Kaizan. 

Kaizan knew that Sarazin was wondering about his sudden visit. So, he explained it to him in full detail. 

"In that case, you will stay here till the threat is over," said the Sarazin with a warm smile. He pointed at his eldest son, a man with broad shoulders and long hair. "Aban will keep you company." Aban shot a glance at Kaizan and then his gaze traveled to Olivia. The woman was simply too beautiful. The way her golden hair fluttered in the cold breeze on her cheeks and her deep-set light blue eyes were beckoning… 

Kaizan nodded at his gratefulness. Then he glanced over his shoulder to look at Olivia and said, "Go with the women. They will show you to the place where we will be residing. I will join you in a few hours." 

As Olivia watched him leave with the Sarazin, an elderly woman came to her. With a smile, she held her hand and said, "Come, you must be tired." Olivia followed her, but not before her gaze shot to Aban who was standing on the side and watching her… intently. She lowered her gaze quickly remembering what Kaizan had told her. The hair on her neck stood in alarm. The woman took her to a large tent and Olivia immediately felt warm. Lit by a brazier in the center, the place was covered with soft rugs. There was a small pallet in the corner and several furs folded neatly. Strings of garlic and dried thyme and rosemary hung from the wooden beams where sunlight filtered through a hole. 

The woman introduced herself. "I am Portia, the third wife of the Sarazin." 

Olivia's eyes flew wide open. 

"Don't look so alarmed Olivia. Mord men can marry any number of women they want. That's why young men have a very tough time finding a wife." Then she tilted her head and glanced at Olivia as if measuring her. "But we never expected Kaizan to marry a girl from the Whiteclaw pack. He should have done better." 

Olivia pursed her lips. She rubbed the back of her neck, unease settling in her chest. "I do surprise people." 

"Have you eaten?" Portia asked a moment later. 

She shook her head. 

"Then I will send some food and a hot tub of water." 

--- 

With the way Aban had looked at Olivia, Kaizan's heart wrung with jealousy. Sarazin's son was giving her appreciative glances. He wanted to gouge his eyes out for looking at his wife. 

Ever since Kaizan had met her for the first time, there hadn't been a day when his wolf had not thought of marking her. He was fighting with his wolf at all times to calm down because the girl was terrified. She was pushed in this marriage and he didn't want to force her. So, Kaizan burned in his heart. Her sweet citrusy scent intoxicated him, generating a slow heat that pooled in his groin. It had been ages since he had brought a woman beneath him for pleasure. None that he had ever been with were as seductive as her. He hated staying apart from her. 

And now with Aban's furtive looks at her, he thought he might end up murdering someone very soon. Aban was Sarazin's eldest and unmarried. He was looking for a wife to claim his worthiness. What better than a beautiful woman like Olivia from the Whiteclaw pack?

Throughout the journey, from the Whiteclaw pack, Kaizan had been sniffing her only to ease his tension. More often than not, he could scent her faint smell of arousal. At the hot spring on their way, he was trying to read her reaction to his nakedness and he thought that this worked. 

"Your wife is beautiful, even though she is from the Whiteclaw pack," Aban's voice pulled him out of his reverie. "Does she keep you warm?" 

Kaizan knew that it wasn't an insult, but it was the way of asking whether the two of them were close to each other or not despite enmities that wouldn't bury so fast. 

"She does," Kaizan growled menacingly.

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