House of Wolf (A Wulvers Prequel)

Wolves piled back out the room in search of Lady Lyall and Owen. Aileen was still clinging to her father as he spoke quietly into her ear. She looked close to breaking down. In truth, so was I, but adrenaline forced me to go on. There were people in danger.

Wiping blood on my britches, I crouched to pick up my sword, feeling more comfortable with its weight in my hand. Torian picked his up too, pausing as I did to stare at Malcolm's body. Control on my emotions slipped as the truth of what I'd done sank in. I couldn't tear my eyes away from all the blood. So much red covered everything; the walls, the floor, my hands and face, even Aileen.

My stomach rolled.

"I will go and find your mother and cousin," Lord Lyall said to his son. "Perhaps you, Aileen and Màili should stay here. They both been through a lot, I'd rather they stayed out of the way."

I shook my head and turned to face him, a little insulted even though another part of me understood. "I want to help."

Lord Lyall nodded in understanding and I wondered why he didn't seem more worried. Wolves had attacked his home, his wife, his family, and yet there was no waver in his marks of calm.

"The warriors Malcolm sent have either been killed or captured. Malcolm himself is dead which leaves his pack with no leader. I can feel my mate through our bond, I know she's alive and unharmed. I believe whoever was holding her most likely fled when he heard us come in. There is nothing for us to worry about for now. Let your mate look after you, what you've experienced is traumatic, it's okay if you need to stop. It would also please me if you stayed to protect my daughter just in case so I can go without worry. She has a wound on her neck and you have knowledge of healing. Help her, that's my order for you. Once things have settled, I'm sure our healer would appreciate help with our wounded." There was no room for argument in Lord Lyall's words but I felt no need to. He'd given me a duty, something to do, and I would follow his commands.

I swallowed. I wanted to prove to them all I was strong and capable, not that I was a weak woman who would break down now. He was trusting me to take care of his daughter though and that meant so much to me. Torian took my sword from me and I didn't fight. My limbs began to tremble and I nodded jerkily. Aileen looked relieved we wouldn't be leaving her here alone.

In all honesty, I was relieved also. I didn't relish in the idea of more bloodshed, not really.

"You saved my daughter's life, Màili. I can never repay you for that," he finished. My Alpha came over to press his cheek to mine and I flourished under the pride I felt.

With that, he turned to find his mate. All energy drained away but I couldn't stand to be in this room any longer. The smell of blood was beginning to make me feel sick. I wanted the sticky red off my hands, I wanted to curl up and sleep, to forget this ever happened. How close had I come to dying? And I'd been oh so willing to do it all again before emotions had caught up with me.

Torian pulled me back against his chest, sighing his relief into my hair. I pressed impossibly closer, hands wandering over him to make sure he was okay. Like me, he was covered in blood but none of it seemed to be his.

"You're safe now, my mate," he murmured soothingly.

"Why don't we go to my rooms," Aileen suggested quietly. "Away from. . .this mess."

Torian nodded. "Let me get dressed."

"Can you get my chest of herbs too? I can take care of Aileen's wounds, and yours," I requested, keeping a tight grip of his hand because I wasn't ready to let go yet.

"Of course, my lady," he replied, slipping his hand from mine. 6

I almost panicked as his warmth left me and I turned towards the door just in case someone was to barge in. My husband got dressed quickly for our sakes and sheathed his sword at his hip. My worry and nerves were surely playing havoc on him. Returning with my chest in his arms, he left the room first, keeping his sister and me safely behind him. I could hear sounds drifting up from downstairs and was relieved to see familiar pack wolves stationed throughout the manor.

We really had won and I couldn't help but wonder what would happen now. Would I be expected to heal the ones we'd taken captive as well as our own pack?

Aileen's rooms were down the hall. Though I was sure no enemy had come down here, Torian still went in first. He left us at the door, checking every nook and crany before deeming it safe. Aileen rushed for a bowl of water and wash cloth that had been left by the window, quickly scrubbing what she could of blood from her skin. I couldn't begin to imagine how she must have felt. She'd been closer to death than I had. I could almost smell her nerves and uneasiness.

Her brother watched her sympathetically as he placed my chest on a table but he left her to it. She needed some peace for just a moment. I looked through the various herbs, taking a bottle out that would relieve any pain, and one to help her sleep tonight, just in case.

When she'd composed herself, and put on a clean shift, she sat on the comfy, padded chair and tipped her chin up. I could see the fear still in her eyes and Torian went to stand guard by the door, one hand on the hilt of his sword.

"How do you feel?" I murmured, carefully cleaning around the cut on her throat.

"The same way you feel I imagine," she replied shakily, clutching her hands tightly in front of her.

She was most likely right. While I'd felt strong and confident after defeating Malcolm, the second the warriors had left the room, the true realisation of what had happened hit me. I was glad neither my mate nor Alpha thought any less of us for it. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see flashes of Malcolm holding Aileen captive.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I focussed on cleaning my sister-in-law up. The wound on her neck wasn't deep and seemed to be scabbing over already. I dabbed a little of the leftover solution over it, and the few grazes she'd gained in the scuffle.

"You heal even faster than I do," I said, giving her what I hoped was a proper smile and not a grimace.

She laughed but it was half-hearted and hallow as her fingers brushed over her throat. "Lucky me.

Putting everything away again, I closed the chest carefully, ears straining to hear anything from the rest of the manor. Every so often I thought I heard a growl or clash of swords but it would disappear quickly.

"Are you done with me?" Aileen asked.

"Not quite." I picked up the small bottle of dark liquid and pressed it into her hand. "In case you need help sleeping, one drop in tea will help you. I wouldn't recommend putting it in water, the taste is. . .unpleasant."

She grabbed the bottle tighter and nodded, and I knew I'd done the right thing. The trauma she'd experienced today wouldn't be something she'd so easily forget. She murmured her thanks and slipped from the chair to hide the bottle under her pillow. I frowned, wondering why she felt the need to hide it from her brother. She'd proven she was a warrior, as capable as any male, there was no shame in needing help.

Whatever her reasoning, I kept my lips sealed.

There was nothing left to do now but wait. I trailed over to the window to peer outside but Aileen's bedroom faced the back and there was nothing but the neatly trimmed gardens to see. Everything looked so calm out there, no sign that we'd suffered an attack.

Would the human lords find out? What would they be told? Or was this a matter purely for Wulvers?

Rubbing my temples, I closed my eyes against the pounding in my head. This world seemed every bit as dangerous, if not more so, than life at court.

A howl from somewhere outside followed by one from downstairs had me spinning back around, heart hammering. I looked to Torian but he seemed relieved instead of tense.

"Is that good?" I inquired, waiting to see if I'd need to pick up my sword despite how much I wished for this to all be over.

Torian turned towards me and reached out for my hand but he never got the chance to say anything.

"The manor is safe, as is our Alpha Female."

I jumped at the voice and nearly cried out in relief. Owen was leaning against the door, a dark bruise beginning to swell over his left eye. He looked exhausted but he was in one piece and I could easily clean the wounds he had. I ran to him without thought and he oofed as I wrapped my arms tight around him.

"You're alive," I breathed out in relief, all energy draining away now that I knew he was safe.

He chuckled, awkwardly hugging me back despite the way my mate growled at my back. "It will take more than one mangy mutt to get the best of me, my lady."

Torian gently pulled me away from his cousin and into his side. He didn't look as pleased as Aileen and I to see his cousin safe and well. I pulled away from him and guided Owen to sit so I could do my job. He didn't complain, even though I knew the cleaning solution must have stung the bite marks and laceration over his chest and thighs. He'd fought hard.

Tension mounted in the room as I worked, smearing some salve over the deeper wounds to keep them sealed with no chance of dirt getting in. Few understood the dangers of dirt in wounds and the horrors it could cause but I'd been taught well.

"I'm sure your mother would like you to see you all," Owen said gruffly, eyes locked on his cousin who was pacing behind me.

"You left her alone," Torian accused, ignoring what he'd said. "I ordered you to look after her, and again you disobey!"

"With all due respect, cousin, your mate is quite capable of looking after herself," Owen seethed, standing up to Torian. I huffed as he moved away but I'd been mostly done tensing to him anyway. "You keep treating her like a human. Like something that needs coddled and kept close, but she's a Wulver. She'll learn to be as strong as your mother if you allow her. She defeated Malcolm did she not?"

I stared at him with no small measure of surprise. It was possibly the sweetest thing Owen had ever said about me and I stood tall at such praise. Torian bared his teeth, reminding his cousin who was the dominant male. Touching his arm, I rubbed in soothing circles in the hope of calming him down.

Owen continued to stare Torian down and I held my breath. Surely they wouldn't come to blows over this after all we'd been through today.

"Forgive me, cousin." Owen backed away, baring his neck. "I didn't mean to disobey your orders, but your sister was also under my care. I left to go find her, I warned Màili not to let anyone into your chambers unless she knew it was me. If she had obeyed, your sister might well be dead right now."

Aileen made a choking sound and Owen sent her an apologetic look. But none of us could deny his words were true. Torian seemed to come to the same understanding even if it didn't settle him any.

Torian nodded once and that seemed to be all the two males needed to do in order to forgive each other. Wulvers or not, men were all the same. Owen went to wash the blood from his skin, sending me a small smile of thanks. Sharing a look with Aileen, I knew she was thinking the same as I was. She chuckled, leaving me to deal with my husband alone as she grabbed a dress from her trunk and slipped into a small room to get changed.

"Are we wanted downstairs?" Torian asked Owen, even as his eyes remained on my face, studying my features as if seeing me in a new light.

"Yes. There's prisoners to deal with, riders have been sent to summon the council to decide what will be done with what remains of Malcolm's pack."

He nodded slowly then took my hand and tugged me close, his warm hand cupping my cheek. Tugging me to the far end of the room, his attempt at privacy was unwarranted when we all knew his cousin and sister would still be able to hear us.

"My cousin is right. I've been treating you as if you were a pup and you're no pup. You're a fully grown she-wolf, a future Alpha Female, I should treat you as such," he said, rubbing his thumb over my cheekbone. "Forgive me for once again underestimating you."

"Does that mean you will release Owen from the vow he made because I will not be passed around like some gift," I replied tightly, chin jutting out.

Owen stiffened by the basin of water and Torian narrowed his eyes at him before looking back at me. "If that is what you wish but I think your safety depends-"

"My safety will not be dictated by whether or not I have a man at my side, husband. If anything were to happen to you, I wouldn't take another," I cut off, my words firm and final. "I don't want any other and I never will. I shall resign myself to being a spinster and no amount of deals you make will force my hand otherwise."

Torian took a step forward so his chest brushed against my own. His lips curled up into a smirk and he leaned down, lips by my ear.

"Is that so?" he murmured. "Have I captured you with my charm so much?"

My eyes fluttered shut as he pressed a light kiss against my throat, inches from the mark on my neck. Suddenly fire was rushing through my veins and I couldn't help but reach up to place my hands on his chest.

In that moment, I knew I wanted him. Perhaps it was coming so close to death, or finally accepting the truth of what I was and how I felt about the man who'd stolen my word from me only to give me a home. I wanted my mark on his neck, I wanted to know what it felt like to be taken by him, and I wanted it all now.

"Take a breath, my wife. You're only reacting to the trauma of the day," he advised, moving away only for me to tug him back.

"It's not that. I've found my place, I've fought for it, now I want to fight for you." Heated words had my mate peering down at me with the glowing eyes of his wolf. His fingers slid under my tunic to touch bare skin.

"Everyone is safe?" He threw the question at his cousin who was smirking at the wall while Aileen looked mildly disapprovingly at her brother.

"It is," Owen replied cheekily. "Might I suggest reining in those mating instincts for a little while longer? We still have duties to attend to and your father wants you by his side so you can learn. Your mother would like to see you are all safe and well too. Especially as Artair was sent off with the riders."

My eyes went wide as I stared at my mate, only one part of Owen's words sticking. Mating instincts? Whatever did that mean?

With a frustrated sound, my husband forced space between us but his hand never left mine. "Come then. Let's do what we must so that I can fill our chambers with the sounds of your pleasure tonight."