House of Wolf (A Wulvers Prequel)

(Unedited)

So sorry it's taken this long but here you go!

Artair sat on the crumbling stone wall that I knelt on, being useful as a block for the bright sun that glared down. I patted down the soil, hoping it would rain soon to help the seeds I'd planted grow. I'd planted a variety of vegetables in this half of the garden and herbs in the other. Lady Lyall had promised she'd get more seeds and had even offered to let me expand the garden a little more.

It was a lot of work for one person.

As Torian had said, I couldn't convince his sister to help me in the gardens but Artair was more than happy to accompany me. I had the feeling Torian had asked him to keep an eye on me and that was just fine, as Artair loved to talk. And I was more than happy to listen.

I'd attempted to guide the conversation towards the dreaded wolves but he'd so far managed to evade my questions. He was a clever conversationalist but I fancied myself clever as well. One way or another, I'd eventually get more information out of someone.

Sitting back, I wiped sweat from my forehead, smearing dirt over my skin. While other ladies may be embarrassed to be caught covered in dirt, I didn't mind. I was more often than not rather unkempt.

"Are you finally finished?" Artair asked, looking eager to leave.

I laughed and shook my head, wiping my hands on the apron that my mother-in-law insisted I wear over my dress.

"No, not nearly," I replied, chuckling as his expression fell. "For today, however, I'm done. The rain will do the rest for now."

"Excellent! Shall we go for a walk and enjoy the weather? There's a river nearby, perhaps we can go for a swim?" he suggested, dragging me to my feet.

I looked down at my dress then back at the grinning man with a raised eyebrow. "I do not have anything suitable to swim in and might that be a little inappropriate?"

"Trust me, my sister, I'd never ask anything inappropriate of you and why would you need something to swim in?" he asked with a frown. "You're skin is waterproof I assure you."

I gaped at him. Was he really suggesting we swam in the nude like that wasn't a completely outrageous thing to do. Or did people here often jump into rivers naked? He laughed suddenly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Forgive me, it was a joke that wasn't funny," he quickly excused. "We can just sit with our feet in the river, the walk is nice and close to the manor."

I nodded, taking his arm and allowing him to lead the way. He lead me out of the garden and I caught sight of Owen glaring at us both from one of the windows.

"I get the impression that your cousin dislikes me," I mumbled quietly as if worried Owen would be able to hear me from inside.

Artair looked towards the manor then back to me, patting his hand. "He's wary of strangers. He'll warm up to you, I promise."

I wasn't so sure but I smiled anyway and put such troubles to the back of my mind. The walk truly was beautiful with miles of rolling green interspersed with bright wildflowers, sprawling forests of tall oak trees and slim silver birch. Something about it was more wild than my father's land and I looked forward to taking Breò-chlach out to explore every inch.

"Do you like it here, lady Máili?" Artair suddenly inquired and the way he looked at me with such intensity made me think over my answer.

I knew he meant more than did I simply like the land but the home, his family. He wanted me to say yes. He wanted me to feel at home and to feel like my place was here. But I didn't. And I couldn't exactly lie. "It's very beautiful and your family has been very welcoming."

"My father had been in talks with yours for a whole year, we wanted you here and we want you to be happy here," Artair informed me then stiffened as if realising what he'd said.

There was no hiding my shock but I didn't bother asking anything about it. I knew quite well that I would get no answers from him. From the way Artair relaxed, I could tell he was glad I didn't try to pry further.

"I like your sister, she's spirited and strong. Your mother treats me as I imagine she treats all her children, with love and care. Your father makes me smile and I understand he has defended me more times than I imagine I know about. And you, you make me laugh, even if you suggest such outrageous activities," I teased, making him grin. "In time, I think I will come to love it here as all of you do."

"And what of my brother?"

I sniffed, tilting my chin up to look at the sky. My thoughts on him were far too scattered and many to try and answer. "I have no opinion of your brother."

Artair scanned my face, noted I was serious then laughed so hard he had to stop walking. He nudged into me and laughed all the more when I simply glared. I watched him with growing indignation until he managed to calm down and straighten up again.

My hands fisted by my side and I looked away in a huff. Artair sighed and did an overdramatic bow that had a smile pulling at my lips.

"Forgive me, lady Máili, I didn't mean to laugh at you," he apologised, even as amusement still shimmered brightly in his hazel eyes.

"I didn't realise I was so funny," I muttered, feeling my cheeks heat from embarrassment. Nor did I realise my lie was so blatantly obvious.

It wasn't a complete lie. . .I wasn't sure what I felt for him. Part of me hated him for taking me away from my home and treating me like an annoying child he was stuck with. Part of me loved that I had the chance to start over somewhere new. But things here were so terrifying for numerous reasons.

He laughed as he watched me seemingly glare at the ground then immediately stopped at the look I gave him. He could see my thoughts in my features, I realised. When he offered his arm again, I took it while trying to hide my own laughter as I said, "I suppose you believe that your brother too will eventually come to like me."

"Torian likes you well enough," he replied simply, carefully, before leading me off the path and and towards the river.

He motioned for me to sit on the banking while he quickly stripped of his boots and stockings. I laughed as he planted himself beside me and stick his feet in the slow flowing river. I grinned, feeling quite at ease and decided it would do no harm to join him too. The day was hot and it would be a relief to cool down my aching feet.

Artair made sure to avert his gaze as I tugged up my heavy skirts, unlaced the ribbons that held my shoes in place and shifted a little closer to the edge. I gasped as I dunked my feet in, the icy river sensing a shock of cold up my legs. Artair didn't seem to mind the cold but it took me a while before I got used to it.

We sat in silence for a while, both of us admiring our surroundings. Leaning back, my fingers sunk into the soft grass, my head falling back so the sun shone down on me. I closed my eyes and smiled, letting out a soft breath of enjoyment. Once sure my skin would be burnt, I turned to look at Artair again. He was already looking at me as if he sensed I had a question for him.

"Might I ask a favour of you?"

He smiled and nodded, blond hair falling over his eyes. I chewed my lip a moment before asking, "I have a letter for a friend back at court, would you send it for me?" I asked

He studied me for a moment, hazel eyes boring into mine. "Why would you not ask my brother?"

"I. . .well I'm here with you and he is not," I replied carefully, looking down into the water. A strand of slimy green algae had wrapped itself around my ankle, tickling my skin as it moved in the river's flow.

"You don't want him to know," Artair guessed

I blushed, looking up to meet his curious gaze. He'd caught me there. Frowning, he tipped his head. "Why do you not want him to know?"

I thought that question over but couldn't seem to come up with a real answer. Picking at a blade if grass, I shrugged and tugged my dress a little higher up so I could sink more of my legs into the cool water.

"In all honesty, I'm not entirely sure. But would you?" It was a lame reply but Artair smiled anyway and patted my hand in that comforting way he'd done before.

"Of course I will and if you wish, I will not mention it to him. Though he wouldn't dare read it and he wouldn't dare keep you from sending letters to your friends. I know he seems rough and stern but it's the way he must be as our next leader. You'll get to know him. You'll realise he, like the rest of us, has a heart," he teased gently, giving me a cheeky look.

I laughed, shaking my head. "I do not doubt he has a heart but I get the impression he is wary of me. He treats me so coldly. Like I bring some danger or am a nuisance being here and I don't understand-" I stopped when Artair's gaze flicked behind me and he straightened up.

My head whipped around and a lump formed in my throat when I caught sight of the very man I'd been speaking about. He looked angry as he made his way towards us, his movements quick and purposeful. Had he heard me? I dearly hoped not.

Hazel eyes regarded my bare legs and I was quick to tug them out if the water and drop my skirts to cover them.

"Brother," Artair greeted him warily, moving so there was more space between us.

I felt like we'd been caught doing something bad as guilt filled my stomach with butterflies. I stood, hating the way he looked down at me. He had nothing to be angry about, or perhaps it was my presence in general that brought out such a mood in him.

"I told you to keep an eye on her, Artair," he growled, casting a glare towards me.

I stiffened, my jaw clenching in irritation.

Artair merely smiled brightly up at his brother, still completely carefree. "I do believe that's exactly what I've been doing."

"Indeed," Torian grit out, turning to me. "Come, wife."

Before I could refuse or even grab the shoes I'd left on the banking, he grabbed my hand and began tugging me back to the manor. His grip wasn't painful but it was firm enough that I couldn't slip my hand from his and the pace he made us walk at was hard to keep up with. I wasn't sure what had caused such a reaction in him and I knew well enough that my husband was tight lipped about his true feelings. But I knew what would make him let go.

"You're hurting me, Torian," I snapped, yanking my hand and he let go instantly.

He turned when I stopped walking, fixing me with that cold stare but I refused to cower under it. "You're acting like an animal. Instead of dragging me around like a doll why don't you talk to me. I didn't realise I wasn't allowed to explore further than the gardens."

The smile that appeared on his face disappeared just as quickly as I'd thought I'd seen it. He grumbled to himself, looking towards the path home and then back at me.

"I came to find you in the gardens and when I couldn't find you. . ."

It was my time to hide a smile now. "You were worried about me."

His mouth opened then closed and I found such delight in that, I was no longer mad at him. He'd been angry because he'd been scared. While I wouldn't excuse his treatment of me, at least now I understood it.

"The next time I plan to leave the garden, I will let you know," I said, walking back to his side. "And the next to you see fit to drag me away, you will let me don my shoes first."

He still had that slightly confused look on his face and I waited patiently for him to lead the way again. But he didn't. Instead he took my hand in his and placed a gentle kiss to the back of it. Hazel eyes held mine captive, my body thrumming from such a simple touch.

"Wait here. I will fetch your shoes, my wife," he said.

I watched in amazement as he jogged back towards where we'd left his brother, unable to help but grin. My heart skipped a beat, my chest warming. He was sweet really. Turning around, still grinning like a child, I let out a soft sigh. Artair was right, his brother may come off as rough around the edges but it was clear he had a heart.

A soft breeze blew, rustling the leaves above me and carrying with it another sound. I froze, my ears straining to make it out. It was a panting noise, like a dog but it sounded far bigger. Something tugged at my insides and things seems to go in slow motion as I turned to my left.

Golden eyes looked shocked as they met mine. My chest constricted, the scream getting stuck in my throat as I came face to face with the massive, russet wolf. It didn't move and neither did I. Both of us stared at eachother.

Slowly, I widened my stance a little and it's lips peeled back to bare sharp white fangs. I knew not to run or show it any sort of submission, I couldn't allow it to see me as prey. Lifting my chin, trying to make myself taller, bigger, it just kept watching me with those unnerving golden eyes.

It's ears twitched and I could hear the thud of steps but any hopes of it being Torian were dashed when another, smaller grey wolf skidded to a stop by its side. This wolf looked less wary and more aggressive as it let out a ferocious growl and stepped towards me. Any thoughts of remaining calm flew away and I finally screamed.

My fear seemed to snap the first wolf to attention and it snapped massive jaws its comapnion, silencing it's growls. I stumbled back, frantically searching for any sign of Torian. Static in the air drew my gaze back to the two deadly creatures but my mind couldn't compute what I was seeing as the russet wolf shuddered and blurred before me.

I froze. All thoughts seemed to just stop in my head. Jasper was standing in the wolf's place, naked and panicked looking as he reached out towards me. The grey wolf was still watching me but stayed back as Jasper stepped slowly closer.

"You've nothing to fear from us, my lady. Forgive me for frightening you," he said slowly, keeping his hands out as if trying to calm me.

My boot caught on a log and I fumbled back, the wind knocked from my lungs as I hit the ground.

Where had the other wolf gone? Where had Jasper come from?

Spinning thoughts kept circling wildly even though the answer was as clear as day in front of me. Jasper had been the wolf. An impossibility that had the world fading in and out of focus. I knew now it hadn't been dogs I'd seen out the window that night in Edinburgh. They'd been wolves.

They were all wolves.

It made so much sense and so little all at the same time. I could feel all the little pieces of the puzzle falling into place and scattering my every belief about our world.

I should have run when I'd had the chance.