Embers In The North

Roth had seen many things in his life. He had conquered territories, acquired vast wealth, and revelled in the pleasures of countless solstices. Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the captivating enigma that was Reyna Moltenroar.

A low growl escaped his lips as he locked eyes with her. The tantalizing scent of her arousal hung in the air, teasing his senses, yet she remained firm in her denial.

As they stood in the dimly lit corridor, an unbridled fervour surged through his veins seething with a madness he knew would only intensify as the solstice neared. She tempted him with her audacity, her unwavering rebellion igniting a fire deep within him. The intensity of her emotions seemed to rise in tandem with the heat of the solstice, and he felt his own passions mounting as he stared into her smouldering eyes.

“We should rejoin the others,” she said. “Arrangements need to be made.”

Roth closed the gap between them with a step. Their eyes locked with an intensity that threatened to consume them.

In a seductive whisper, Reyna challenged Roth, “What’s the matter, Roth? Can you not resist your desires on the solstice?”

With one swift motion, he pinned her against the frigid stone wall, their bodies pressed together. He could feel her racing heartbeat, a rhythm that mirrored his own.

“Do not tempt me,” he warned, his lips dangerously close to hers.

Reyna’s breath hitched, her body arching against his. “You really should learn to keep your hands to yourself or you’ll lose them.”

His hands continued their slow exploration of her body as he whispered, “I’m willing to risk it.” Leaning in, he planted a soft kiss on her neck.

But as his lips brushed her collarbone, Reyna’s body stiffened. Her heart still thumped loudly, but the warmth that had coursed through her moments ago vanished. He looked up at her, his eyes searching for a response, but instead of fiery desire, he found only a cold, unwavering gaze.

Like before in the tearoom, her body became incredible cold. Could she possess the abilities of both a Highthaw and an Icehelm Luna? The idea was unsettling, as it would make her a rare hybrid among their kind. But what about the elusive Redfall ability? It was almost unheard of for a Luna to wield all three abilities.

For answers on this enigma, the Carpre Librum Halls would be his best bet. However, he also contemplated visiting No Man’s Land, the very point where all three territories converged. It was a zone of neutrality, where none of the three ruling powers could exert control. It was also the sacred home of the Elders of Aupheadia, ancient wolves whose lives and knowledge predated the Kingdom.

A maelstrom of questions consumed Roth’s thoughts. As Reyna’s chill intensified, he reluctantly pulled away, his body still throbbing with unfulfilled desire. He watched as she walked down the corridor, the suit she wore emphasizing her enticing figure, and it only intensified his yearning for her.

From the moment he encountered Reyna in the valley, he was captivated. Her strength, stealth, tenacity when she nearly set him ablaze - everything fascinated him. Discovering she was the Prime hadn’t come as a shock, and her spar with Morris thrilled him like nothing before. A female who could challenge one of his Omegas was a rare find, and Reyna embodied that rarity.

But one question nagged him: was her indomitable will because she was a Luna? Roth now believed that Reyna was unaware of a secret known to Alphas of genuine Alpha bloodlines – the innate ability to recognize a Luna on sight. Every time she unleashed her power, a radiant golden halo enveloped her, though in his eyes, it couldn’t rival her beauty.

His feelings for her were intense. It was difficult to decipher if it was because they were Luna and Alpha, the solstice playing tricks, or simply her incredible beauty. Whatever it was, he knew they were meant to be together. She felt it too, he could sense it, yet Reyna was fiercely fighting her attraction, and it worried him that she’d reject him.

He almost laughed. How often does a female reject an Alpha? But Reyna wasn’t just anyone, and she knew that too.

“Roth?”

Her voice broke through his thoughts. As her hands rested on her hips, desire coursed through him and his eyes traced the contours of her body, lingering a heartbeat too long on her waist.

“We should return,” she reminded him.

His gaze reluctantly lifted to her face. “Yes.”

Just up ahead, he detected Bandos approaching, accompanied by two other Warmasters and that peculiar Redfall. What madness drove him to align with an Icehelm Fleet?

As Bandos and his companions drew near, Reyna turned from Roth to face them. In response, Roth inched closer to her, his fingers subtly brushing against hers, prompting a brief, questioning look from her. He took satisfaction in unsettling her like this. With a small, contented smile, he turned away.

Bandos and his entourage approached with a show of respect, bowing as they drew near.

“Alpha, the solstice is fast approaching,” Bandos stated before shifting his focus to his daughter. “Reyna, it’s time to retire. We’ll reconvene after the solstice festivities. The parade through Egranox is waiting, Alpha.”

“My Fleet will depart with the Alpha the day after the solstice, Bandos. I need to make arrangements. Besides, I have no interest in participating in the solstice parade.” Reyna’s silvery voice held a sharp edge as she walked away, with the Redfall quickly following her.

Roth understood Bandos’s concern for Reyna’s safety during the mating frenzy, but he knew she could handle herself.

“Leave us,” Roth commanded the other Warmasters, a dismissive wave accompanying his words.

The two complied, bowing hastily and retreating, leaving Roth and Bandos alone.

“I must say, Alpha, I find your interest in Reyna quite concerning,” Bandos remarked. “I mean no disrespect, but she’s not one for fleeting pleasures, as your harem might suggest you are.”

Roth frowned, a deep crease forming between his brows. “I assure you, I have no intention of treating Reyna as a mere conquest.”

He found Bandos’s assumption irksome, but he chose not to dwell on such superficial matters. The territories often misunderstood his intent, assuming that he was solely driven by the pursuit of building a harem and indulging in conquests. While he cared for his lovers, Bandos used the right term – they were indeed disposable pleasures, and the women he was involved with were well aware of that fact.

He intentionally avoided emotional attachments and complications. His goal was to live a life of pleasure, unburdened by commitments and responsibilities. He had been content with this lifestyle until Reyna entered his world, and for the first time in a long while, he yearned for a mate.

“I mean no disrespect, Alpha. Reyna is all I have left of her mother, and I’ll go to any lengths to keep her safe. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if she doesn’t grasp it now.”

“Is that the reason you thwarted her ambition to become a Warmaster? From what little I’ve gathered, it has been her lifelong dream. Yet, you declined my entreaty twice to include her in my Fleet of Omegas.”

Bandos’ rugged jaw clenched. “As resilient as she is, I couldn’t bear the thought of your Omegas subjecting her to the maltreatment they impose on females. I couldn’t condemn her to such a life.”

“Nevertheless, it was her decision to make, and you took that choice away from her.”

Bandos’ expression was unreadable. “I acted in what I believed to be her best interests,” he grumbled. “She is safe here. That is all that matters.”

With that, Bandos turned away, signalling his unwillingness to discuss the matter further.

“Why do you care about this Alpha?” Bandos asked.

“I intend to take her as my mate. We have already discussed this, and I await her response. I thought you should be aware.”

Bandos remained silent, his gaze fixed on Roth, a myriad of unspoken thoughts behind his eyes. After a prolonged silence, Bandos finally said, “I see.”

Roth felt Bandos’ emotions, but chose not to probe further. Bandos raised Reyna alone, and their bond ran deep, even if it came with its own complications

“Rest assured, Bandos, I won’t hurt her, and as long as she is with me, she will be safe.”

Bandos nodded, still without uttering a word. With a final, mutual acknowledgment, Roth pivoted and walked away, leaving the lingering echoes of their conversation behind.

“We have pressing matters to conclude,” Roth reminded Bandos as he proceeded down the corridor.

He was determined to unravel the Moltenroar family’s reservations about his own lineage. Above all, he needed Reyna to accept his proposal before news of a Luna’s existence spread throughout the kingdom. The idea of reaching Reslax without officially claiming her, thus exposing her to Decker, was simply too risky.

Roth returned to the War Room, where Reyna’s Fleet and his Omegas were still gathered, engrossed in discussions about the upcoming solstice parade.

As he entered, the room collectively rose to its feet, paying him homage. Reyna, however, stood near the expansive map of the Wild Lands that adorned one of the walls, her attention seemingly absorbed by something. Her gaze briefly met his, and in that fleeting moment, he detected a certain vulnerability in her eyes.

Roth gestured for everyone to take their seats and inquired, “What’s the plan?”

Reyna walked to his side, wasting no time in outlining their exit strategy from Frostcall. Given that he and his Omegas were Redfalls, embarking on a journey by foot was out of the question. They needed to arrange for a runner, secure the Snow Beatles, and gather supplies for the arduous journey ahead. A stealthy departure was their top priority, to avoid any premature leakages of information to Decker before they got to Suncrest.

“Ulan shire is the safest route from Frostcall to Suncrest. We should be able to get to Reslax in a week after breaking through the snow glaze,” Morris chimed in.

Bandos entered the room, taking his place among the assembled. Bandos’ eyes darted between Reyna and him, narrowing with an undercurrent of resentment. Roth had crossed paths with the Moltenroar Warmaster on several occasions prior, and even without witnessing the Icehelm wolf in the throes of battle, he believed facing him in combat was something he’d rather avoid. Bandos was an imposing giant, known far and wide for his exceptional combat prowess. He held the esteemed title of “Raging Beast of the North” for a very reason.

“We’re not going through the Ulan pack,” Reyna said.

Taken aback by this unexpected statement, Roth turned to face her. It was the only route he knew; a sizzling jolt coursed through him as he locked eyes with her.

Icehelm females were revered for their snow-white fur and piercing blue eyes when they shifted. That alone was enough to intrigue any wolf, but with Reyna, there was so much more. Anticipation gnawed at him, a relentless hunger to see her true form.

Her human form never ceased to leave him breathless. Her long, dark hair cascaded like a silken waterfall, contrasting elegantly with her soft, honey-hued skin. And then there were her eyes, those potent, dark orbs that could both threaten and entice with a single glance.

But it was her wolf form that taunted his imagination. He ached to know the colour of her fur, what shape her wolf would assume. Would her snowy pelt rival the purity of untouched snow?

Roth found himself obsessed with the idea, his thoughts wandering into dangerous territory. He couldn’t shake the yearning to witness Reyna in her full glory, to run alongside her under the silver moonlight. But for now, he would savour the beauty of her human form, her captivating dark eyes, and the allure of the unknown.

“What do you have in mind?” Roth asked her.

Reyna didn’t hesitate to outline her plan right away. Her fingers gracefully traced the path on the map as she spoke. “We will take the western route out of Egranox, leading us to the Caderia pack. From there, we will cross the fall into Reslax, on the other side. It will save us three days of travel and no one will expect us through this route.”

Roth studied the map as Reyna explained. The path she proposed was undoubtedly a shortcut, but it required crossing the perilous Eternal Drop waterfall. He was skeptical - no one had ever safely navigated the treacherous fall and lived to tell the tale. But Reyna’s plan was the only chance they had of getting to Suncrest’s capital before Decker found out.

Marcel laughed as he asked, “Are you leading us to our death? We can’t cross Mountain of Ice and a glacier! This is madness. There’s a single safe route, and that’s the one we should take.”

Reyna’s response was a low, growling rebuke aimed squarely at Marcel. “We will follow the path through Caderia as I’ve said. This is my mission, my Fleet, and I am in command.”

Weiss, the calmest of his Omegas, couldn’t contain his disbelief. “Are you talking about the Eternal Drop waterfall?”

“Yes,” Reyna answered.

“Have you gone mad?” Weiss asked.

Weiss had been unusually quiet since their arrival in Egranox, but his renown as a formidable warrior gave Roth confidence in his loyalty.

Bandos also voiced his concern. “It’s only natural to be hesitant, don’t you think, Prime? Very few Fangs have ever braved the Eternal Drop. Choosing that route will kill you before you even reach the midpoint.”

Roth shared their reservations, yet, when Reyna turned to him, her unspoken question was clear. He couldn’t bring himself to refuse her, not when she looked at him like that.

“We will follow the Prime’s lead,” Roth said. A faint, satisfied smile graced Reyna’s lips at his response. He then turned his attention to practical matters. “But how long will it take for us to cross?”

“That is, if we don’t fall to our deaths,” Morris groaned.

In casual confidence, one of Reyna’s Fangs replied, “Five minutes. Lance, our slowest, can cross in about that time now. So, I estimate it will take you and the Omegas a similar duration, Alpha.”

Roth shook his head in disbelief. “You’ve been through the fall?” he asked, still trying to grasp the audacity of it.

The Icehelm nodded, his blue eyes focused on the ground. “Yes, Alpha. It’s one of the three challenges to join Prime Reyna’s Fleet.”

Roth exchanged a brief, puzzled glance with Reyna then turned back to the Icehelm. “What’s the challenge?”

The Fang obliged, providing details of the extraordinary test. “You carry water from the top of the fall in the palm of your hand all the way down to the mouth of the Eternal Drop without spilling it, and before it freezes.”

Weiss snorted in disbelief. “That’s impossible.”

Roth couldn’t help but agree; it was an undeniably dangerous endeavour. While the rules permitted Fleet Commanders to assess potential Fangs through specific trials as a passage into their Fleets, these challenges had to be formally sanctioned by the Warmaster. Clearly, Bandos was unaware of the unconventional nature of Reyna’s test. But then again, he had come to expect the unexpected when it came to Reyna.

Roth observed the tense stare between Weiss and Reyna, taking note of the mischievous smile that curved her lips as she folded her arms confidently over her chest.

“All thirteen Fangs in my Fleet passed easily, and I assure you it was the easiest of the three trials,” Reyna said.

Bandos erupted in anger. “You sent your Fangs into the Eternal Drop! They could have died!” His voice boomed through the room. “That is not how we test Fangs in Frostcall, Prime!”

“They knew the risks, Warmaster. I taught them how to do it before sending them on the trial.” Reyna hissed. “I will ensure the runners and Snow Beetles are ready. We depart at dawn the day after the solstice.”

As Reyna rose to her feet, her refusal to bow to him was a familiar sight. But, in her eyes, he noticed something different this time – not the desire to leave to avoid confrontation, but a silent demand. It was a wordless request to leave, and he appreciated it, responding with a slight, acknowledging nod. Reyna swiftly left the room, her Fleet following her, each curtsying to their Alpha.

“She’s going to get us all killed!” Morris shouted, gathering Weiss and Marcel to his side.

But Bandos had a different perspective. “I believe only the Prime knows the safest way to get you to Reslax alive. If Reyna says the fall is our preferred route, then it is.” He turned to Roth and added, “I shall take my leave now, Alpha.”

Following Roth’s curt nod, Bandos departed, leaving Roth to ponder the matter. Though her methods were unconventional, Reyna had an impressive track record. After all, what was the worst that could happen?

“If Reyna’s Fleet has successfully traversed the Eternal Drop more than once, I’m inclined to follow her lead,” Weiss said, shrugging. “Her tactics may be unconventional, but they might be exactly what we need to rid ourselves of Decker once and for all.”

Roth nodded in agreement. “Prepare to leave the day after the solstice. I’ll be in my quarters if you need me. Weiss, a moment?”

Roth strode out of the room, and his trusted adviser, Weiss, followed closely behind.