The North

We all know a ring on your left ring finger often means someone's in a relationship, engaged, or married. Does your culture have a different way of signifying these things?

Chapter 19

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“Braid it again.”

Eyeing the reflection of the male standing behind me, freshly dressed and hair neatly pulled back, I narrowed my eyes.

“Why? What does it mean?”

Hati smirked and moved to lean against the wall beside the small mirror I was using to make sure I didn’t look how I felt; as if I’d run the length of Alba and Nirribhidh all over again. My muscles ached deliciously, the place between my thighs still throbbed, and my neck and shoulders were littered with small red marks from Hati’s teeth that hadn’t healed yet. Not that Hati’s skin didn’t also boast similar marks more easily hidden by the thick woollen tunic he wore.

“It doesn’t mean something to everyone,” he said, a flicker of heat reaching his eyes as he took reached out to brush his knuckles over my throat. “To some, it shows a female is unmated and. . .looking.”

I spun around to face him properly with my mouth hanging open. “Looking? For a mate you mean. You had me broadcast I’m ready for a mate to the whole pack, to your council?”

“Not the whole pack. Like I said, to most here, it simply means you decided to braid your hair that day. Don’t give me that look; even if you didn’t know it’s true meaning yesterday, you understood the intention. You knew it meant something. And you did it.” He grinned and puffed up, all smug male pride. “For me.”

That was true enough. Even while irritated with his being presumptive, I found myself plaiting a braid without thought, drawing a smirk from my Alpha. Clasping the end between my fingers, I looked around for something to tie it with. Hati gripped my wrist to stop me and reached behind his head, freeing his hair to offer me the ancient looking strip of rough leather he often used. I frowned at it, and felt the weight of the world come back down on my shoulders.

I couldn’t take it.

“Hati. . .I don’t regret what we did but. . .”

The rest of the words wouldn’t come; but he had a duty to his pack, had promised to pick a mate from the females born to those who sat on council. I would never be accepted. I brought nothing to the table.

He grunted and shoved away from the to stand behind me, taking the end of the braid from between my fingers to tie it himself. A sour tang tainted his scent but it didn’t stop me from being tempted to breathe it in anyway, remembering how it felt to be completely enraptured by him, how warm he’d been at my back as we’d slept, how satisfying it had to wake up and see him as no other did; asleep, vulnerable, and he trusted me with him in that state.

A purr nearly slipped past my lips, and Hati growled.

“You are one of the most stubborn wolves I’ve ever met,” he muttered, tugging on the braid so my neck bowed back, harder again until I fell against his chest. “I’m going to come to your room tonight; if you still feel as you do now, if you don’t want this to go any further, don’t open the door when I knock. If you don’t answer, I will leave you alone from then on. You need not fear repercussions, your place here and on the council is secure no matter what happens between us. This decision depends solely on your feelings, and what you want.”

When I didn’t give him any reply, he released me and turned to pick up the sword still leaning against the large table by the far window.

“What do you want, Hati?”

“Do you really not know?” he asked, looking almost pained.

I could have screamed at his non-answer, glaring at him in silent demand he give me more than tnat. A battle of wills broke out between us, as it always did, both of us silent and unwilling to break first and. . .and what? Admit this could go nowhere? That maybe it could?

Furious he’d made his intentions towards me no clearer had still not said a word about his plans for Ingrid, and too afraid to ask, I broke eye contact first. From the corner of my eye, I saw Hati stumble forward as if he’d physically felt the broken connection. I wrenched open his bedroom door ready to leave and announce he should stay away from my den, but I froze with the words on the tip of my tongue. Glancing back at where he remained standing stiff and straight with his back to me, I watched his rough movements as he strapped his sword to his hip.

“It’s still early, but if you want to flee without being seen, you should go now.”

I flinched, the metal handle creaking in my fisted hand as I spat back, “Amadan!”

He twisted with a roar that abruptly cut off when I made sure to slam the door after me. Calling my Alpha an idiot was, perhaps, a mistake. And the thud of approaching, angry footsteps confirmed he hadn’t taken it well.

If anything, this proved we couldn’t remain civil enough to think of persuing each other. We’d managed a night and a waking hour after before falling into a spat. The male I’d wanted to run after last night was now the very male I was bolting down hallway after hallway with my dress hiked up so I wouldn’t trip. Thankfully, there wasn’t a soul to be seen, as if Hati owned this part of the castle and everyone knew well to keep away.

His steps grew closer, the hair on the back of my neck prickling as an Alpha’s fury crackled in the air. I ignored him calling my name, a smile tugging at my lips as I caught the hint of amusement in his voice. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure whether he managed to see the funny side of this, or whether he was merely enjoying the hunt. . .in turn, I wasn’t entirely convinced I wasn’t enjoying being his prey. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t still frustrated with him too.

In my haste, I didn’t spot the shimmer of water on the stone floor, my foot slipping from under me. I nearly fell right onto my ass as I threw myself around the corner, gripping the wall to hoist me upright again, only to see Oighrig at the other end of the ball. I tried to backtrack, but her eyes lit up with recognition, and Hati had caught up to block my retreat.

“Eabha!”

He froze at the sound of my Aunt’s voice and stopped so he was hidden from her view by the wall, narrowed eyes warning me not to run further.

But I knew who I’d rather face.

“Good morning, Aunt.”

“You’re up and about, oh that is good. You can help me bring the food out for breakfast. Our usual helpers have disappeared to watch the warriors train by the river.” She strode over and placed a huge platter of what smelt like roasted boar in my hands, steam wafting up to tickle my nose. The Vargr ate a hearty breakfast. “Come back to the kitchens to help with the rest, yes? Good.”

She was about to turn away when her nostrils flared. Light blue eyes narrowed and she studied me as if there was something she might have missed. I straightened up and hoped my innocent look was far more believable than Niamh’s. There was no way she could tell what I’d done last night, was there? I’d made sure to wash until I smelt only myself on my skin.

My eyes flicked to the watching male only an arm’s length away from me. He smirked and began to walk back to his room, but bright eyes promised he would find me later.

I swallowed.

Oighrig hummed and my head swivelled back to her.

“Is something the matter, Aunt?” I asked, looking down at the platter and back up. “It looks different than how we cooked it back home but I’m sure it’s alright.”

For a second, I thought she’d see through my ploy by then she blinked and smiled. “There is something different about your eyes today, that’s all.”

Confounded by that, I tipped my head with a quirk of lips. “My eyes?”

“Yes. . .the strangest thing.” She shook her head and nudged my back. “Now hurry up, we won’t have long before the wolves will descend to hassle your mother for their food. Sit with me today, I feel as if we haven’t talked in an age and I would like to know what is making your eyes shine like that.” She crowded me like a mother-wolf, petting and ushering me along the hallway. “I told Laoghaire all that fuss about you being ill was for nought. She got herself into such a state, and look at you, as healthy as ever.”

My smile fell. Father hadn’t told them.

I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or filled with dread. On the one hand, if they’d been told already, it would be over, and all I would have to deal with would be their reactions after a day of thought. Now I had to worry about telling them and their immediate reaction. Unless we could get away with keeping it from them all, an idea I found much more palatable.

We parted ways at the door to the main hall, Oighrig going to get more food and drink while I was left to find a place to set down the platter. Most of the tables were already full of food but there were only a few wolves up so early and eating. My steps froze in the middle of the room as I realised Hati had somehow gotten here before me. His eyes flashed with triumph, and he sat back on the bench behind the slightly raised table where the highranked had a view of every corner of the room.

Beta Caldar sat at his side, Magne on his other, and Farrin next to him. His friends all watched as I approached warily.

“Good morning,” Farrin greeted, reaching over for a piece of boar before I could even set it on the table for him. “I heard your first meeting with the council was eventful.”

Caldar smirked. “Yes, you left quite the impression according to talk circling. A talent if yours, that, being spoken about.”

“I’ve never seen Gerlac change his tune so quickly when he realised you’d impressed everyone,” Magne added.

“Impressed everyone?” I spluttered.

Magne nodded as he poured water into the goblet before him. “You showed spirit, and a willingness to defend the pack. I do concede to Gerlac’s argument that you could have handled it much better however, but you are young.”

And Magne was even older than Hati. . . The male lifted a brow and I realised I was staring, trying to find some sign of his age, but he looked younger than both my parents with only faint lines creasing around sapphire eyes. At least I knew I could trust him. As one of the wolves who had left Asgard with Eirny, it was clear where he stood.

“One of you could teach me to fight like you do,” I said, ignoring the glare burning into my face. “Then I could be of more help defending the pack. I can help find the Blood Drinkers, I know I can, and I deserve the chance to prove that.”

Beta Caldar looked down at the table as his Alpha grumbled in disapproval. Farrin too was suddenly more concerned with his food than me, but Magne tipped his head as if truly considering it. Lifting my chin and trying to stand strong and confident, I nearly smiled as Magne truly took note of me. Really looked and saw me and not the ghost of my brother’s bolstering words or the dominant actions I made for others. This was my choice. My decision.

“I will think about it,” he said finally.

Hati’s head whipped towards him but the older male simply took a sip of water and went about finishing his meal. When orange eyes met mine, I smirked, which only infuriated him further. Before he could think to rise from the table and scold me, or whatever else he might throw my way, I turned to finish helping bring in food.

Something had happened there, when Magne had agreed even though he knew his Alpha hadn’t given permission, was in fact adamantly against it. While I wasn’t sure what, it left me grinning all the way back to the kitchen, a sense of power and pride straightening my spine. I could train as they did, hone my senses for the Blood Drinkers, and no other pup would ever go through what I went through. Hati’s judgement about my place be damned.

After a lot of back and forth carrying food and drink through, I finally got my chance to sit and eat. The familiar jostling for food and loud conversation was less nettling and more homely now, even if I still growled when wolves bumped into me. However, I noticed today they were more careful not to, and not in any way that made me feel like a pariah. I stared in confusion with a piece of bread halfway to my mouth as yet another member of the pack made sure to bow their head and pass by with care.

Everything was strange today. Maybe the world had flipped while I’d spent the night with Hati.

Fionnlagh was sitting with his friends on the other side of the hall, Mother and Father were somewhere watching the pups who were not in the mood for the crowded hall today, and Oighrig hadn’t stopped staring at me since we sat down. Her friends too were awfully quiet and thoughtful when their eyes strayed to me. Perhaps Magne had been right, my argument with Hati in front of the council, my insistence on helping, had bolstered my position rather than lowered it.

“What have you been up to,” Oighrig mused, a sly smile playing about her lips as she watched the interaction of another highranked wolf lowering their eyes as they passed me.

“Nothing to warrant whatever’s going on,” I mumbled, shifting uncomfortably even while the shows of submission made me want to preen.

She hummed, peering at me over the brim of her cup. I was reminded she was a seer, as I might well be, and could probably tell more about the situation than any other might. Maybe she would be able to tell what I was, maybe she would see something that would confirm what Eirny thought, or deny it.

Playing nonchalant, I picked at the crust of my bread and threw out, “I hear you’ve been reading palms again, would you read mine?”

“You’ve never asked for me to look into your future. In fact, I distinctly remember you turning your nose up at it.”

“I always thought it was more a game than truth,” I admitted sheepishly.

“Mànas believed.”

I tried not to flinch, offering her a small smile instead. “I’m not sure I believe, but I’m willing to hear what you have to say.”

“Hmmf.” She turned her face away and sniffed. “Then I am not sure I want to be the one to shatter your beliefs.”

“Auntie. . .”

She grinned and turned back, reaching open hands across the table. “I jest, give me your hands then, a ghraidh.”

Just as I was about to, my back tingled with the awareness of someone hovering behind me. A curious Linnea peered over my shoulder, her mouse brown hair tickling my cheek, but more surprising was a neutral faced Ingrid standing by her side.

“Can we watch?” Linnea asked, her voice soft with hushed excitement. “You never showed up for lunch yesterday so I thought I’d find you now.”

My immediate reaction was to say no, not if her presence relied on the scowling female being with her. Yet I could see as much curiosity shining in Ingrid's seaglass gaze, though she did her best to hide it, watching only out of the corner of her eye.

“You’re most welcome to.” Oighrig beamed up at them, and others at our table drew closer too. Even members of the Vargr turned towards us, though they had to have witnessed far more magic than a simple fortune telling.

Suddenly I grew unsure I wanted an audience but Linnea had already planted herself on the bench beside me, and Ingrid swept around the table to sit by my Aunt. Quite why she’d agreed, I wasn’t sure, for as soon as our eyes met, her lip curled in a snarl that told me she’d rather be anywhere else. I didn’t react, dropping my gaze to my hands as I placed them palm up on the table.

My thumbs rubbed over callouses and old scars, and for a moment, I couldn’t help but compare fingers rough from living in the wild to the smooth pale ones of Ingrid.

“Now then.” Oighrig pulled a palm-sized grey stone from the pocket of her apron, and the audience mumbled with intrigue.

A Hag Stone. They came in various shapes and sizes, and various types of rock and colours, but they all had one thing in common; the perfect circle cut out, normally somewhere near the middle. A natural phenomenon. Oighrig said the best were always found in rivers, and I’d spent many a day looking for that very one for her so many years ago now.

She held it up and grinned, explaining for the benefit of those unfamiliar, “In my homeland of Alba, seers use these to pierce the veil hidden from mortal eyes. We call them Gloine nan Druidh, Druid’s Glass in your tongue. To look through the hole is to chance catching sight of gods, or demons, but much more likely The Wee Folk; spirits of earth and water. Mischievous little buggers.”

I snorted as others laughed. Many a tale was told around fires about the tricks fairies played on unsuspecting humans and wolves alike. They would lead you to their fairy hills where you would drink and dance for a night, only to leave and realise one hundred years had passed. They would steal away pups and replace them with one of their own. Or more playful tricks; like tying knots in horses’ manes, stealing a precious item that would be returned once forgotten about. These were tales for pups, I thought, but everyone else was entranced as she spoke. They huddled even closer, Linnea practically stuck to my side as she tried to get a closer look.

The lines on my palm meant little to me but Oighrig studied them through the stone as if they were written runes with a story to tell. Her fingers traced a line cutting across the length of my right palm, and my fingers twitched at the tickle.

“A long life,” she murmured to herself, but she frowned as if that weren’t a good thing.

Had she said the same thing to Mànas, I wondered. Did he believe he was going to have a long life, had she lied to him if she’d seen it was cut short? Was she lying now? There was no other reason for the sudden stillness that came over her, the stone trembling between her fingers. It clattered to the table, the sound loud enough that it caught the attention of most the wolves around us who hadn’t already been watching.

Part of me wondered if she was teasing me, trying to scare me for not believing in the so-called talents that came with being a seer.

I yelped when she yanked my right hand closer, clamping my other on the table to stop me being dragged right over. A milky glaze muddled the blue of her lowered eyes and finally I recognised the signs she was having a vision. I let my hand relax in hers, my heart beating like a hummingbird in my chest.

A murmur went around the room.

She blinked back to awareness and slowly furled my fingers over my palm, clamping her own right around it.

“You saw something.”

Even Ingrid seemed completely invested, and shocked me yet again when she offered Oighrig water. My aunt sipped slowly, and when she lowered the jug, a tight smile replaced her drawn expression.

“A confusing mirage,” she whispered. “A hand touching a newborn pup. . . It will take me time to work out what it means.”

“Is it about me?” I asked, searching her expression.

Though she held my gaze, she did so unblinking. “I don’t know. My visions are often random and have little to do with anything going on around me at the time. I can tell you that your palm shows your life will be without illness, that you will have pups one day, and you will find peace.”

“How wonderful.” Linnea sighed wistfully. “You will find a mate then, did her palm tell you who?”

Ingrid froze before me, a new scowl pinching otherwise pretty feature again.

“I don’t wish to know who my mate will be,” I said quickly. “I want to know if you see anything about wha- who I am.”

Oighrig frowned playfully and tutted. “Who you are? Have you forgotten?”

Linnea giggled and Ingrid allowed herself to crack a smile, though it appeared more a smirk at my expense. Tugging my hands back to my lap, I thought over the vision she said she’d had. A newborn pup, maybe it was mine, and my hand touching them? It was an odd thought. I’d never paid much mind to whether I even wanted pups in the future.

Drawing a veil of hair over my shoulder, I peered over at the raised table where Hati and his closest wolves were finishing up their breakfast. Did Hati want pups? Did Ingrid? They would make beautiful wolves, that was certain.

“I should take Seumas off your mother’s hands. He’ll need fed.” Oighrig rose from the table but waved a hand when I made to help her. “No, you stay. You can help clear away the table once you’re done for I think I might go lie down for a while.”

I knew better than to argue, but grew concerned when I heard her murmur my uncle’s name. She’d been doing better, but perhaps she would always feel that missing half, a pit that gaped and swallowed her mind. She muttered to herself all the way to the door, probably continued long after she disappeared out the door.

Sitting reluctantly, I ignored everything around me to finally finish what was on my plate. I was ravenous today, taking any leftovers that I could, and my cheeks flushed as I thought about exactly why, but I couldn’t risk another peek at the male when Ingrid had decided the end of the fortune telling wasn’t her cue to leave.

“My father told me you collapsed a couple nights ago,” she said, bravery returning now Oighrig was gone. “At the sight of a little blood too.”

“Ingrid,” Linnea hissed, her gaze pleading.

Wiping my mouth, I took delight as she grimaced. “I did collapse. I fear the trials of the last few months finally caught up with me.”

A flash of guilt in seaglass eyes was gone as quick as I spotted it. She knew my story, knew what my family had lost, at least it was nice, if strange, to know she had some measure of empathy; the fact she hadn’t used my outburst at the council against me too even odder. Had Gerlac not told her? I thought he would have delighted in spreading how I inadequate I was on the council. . .unless he thought it would reflect badly on him.

“Well.” Primping her hair, she cut me a glance. “You certainly seem to have managed to climb your way up the hierarchy here pretty quickly.”

Linnea cringed and ducked her head when a growl ripped past my lips.

“If you have a problem with me, Ingrid, why don’t just say so. Better yet, act like a wolf and deal with it. Spreading rumours and talking behind my back is better suited to a mortals, don’t you think? At least I climbed my way up myself and am not relying on my father to protect me.”

Even as the words spewed forth, a small voice in my head warned me to sit back and shut up. Whatever insecurities Ingrid had, they weren’t for me to bear the brunt of so she could feel better about herself. But perhaps I’d hit too low. Dull green eyes glowed a bright emerald as her wolf pushed forth, but the power I felt from her was a drop in the ocean compared to other wolves. Linnea’s own mother was more dominant than this female who would be the mate of our Alpha.

“You think you’re the only one who needs to prove themselves? The pack already say I am not wolf enough. Not wolf enough to hunt, or scout, or to be Hati’s mate, but I bring the most money. The most influence. I have a duty to my family too, and by mating with our Alpha, it will show my family belong here as much as yours,” she sneered, hands braced on the table as she slowly rose to her feet, her gaze flicking to the braid hung over my shoulder. “So hear this, Eabha, if you try to take him, I will fight back. I will challenge you. You have your place here already without taking mine too.”

I scoffed and shoved myself up too, happy that we weren’t separated much by height. “I am not here to take your place, I pity you too much because they’re right, you should not stand at Hati’ side. You would not make a good Alpha Female and it has nothing to do with how wolf you are. Instead of rising above the words of others, you lowered yourself to the same tactics to put the pack off me. As for Hati, he is free to choose whichever female takes his fancy. I will not fight for a male, Ingrid. Not only am I better than that, I don’t need to. Any male worthy of me would not be stringing along another.”

The female bristled, and I was impressed as she snarled and bared sharp fangs at me. More impressed still when she threw herself across the table. I managed to skip back over the bench and out of her reach, Linnea flinging herself out of the way too, but her arm caught a cup and it clattered loudly to the floor. Not that I had time to check if anyone had taken note, because the moment my eyes flicked away, a firm hand grabbed my braid and yanked. My scalp stung, and I spun back to face Ingrid with my mouth hanging open.

“Did you really just pull my hair?” I snapped, fingers curling into claws at my side as genuine shock wound through me. “Maybe I was wrong. No wolf would stoop to use dirty tactics better suited to humans.”

Instead of answering, she launched herself at me again with a sharp scream. I hadn’t expected her to have it in her to attack me, especially not in front of most of the pack. Nor had I expected her to be quite so fierce. . .in a human way. She was easy to outmanoeuver, painfully so, to the point I only felt more pity as she grappled to tear at my dress or get a handful of hair again. This was no fight, and I grew tired of fending off sharp nails, especially as she managed to rake across my shoulder to leave stinging red scratches beading with blood.

Her eyes widened as I hissed, and she paused as if second guessing herself when the glow of shimmering golden brown was reflected in her gaze. She was issuing a challenge by drawing blood, and I’d be damned if I’d back down now.

Someone bellowed for us to stop, or take it outside, but I’d already tackled Ingrid to the ground. The length of my dress near drove me to frustration as I struggled to pin her beneath me. Her legs flailed to unseat me, jerking my body so my head jerked awfully close to the corner of the bench. She used my moment of distraction to slide a hand free and er fist hit my face with a sickening crunch. We fell to the cold stone floor, but I blinked, confused by the lack of pain and the fact it was Ingrid crying out. The crunching sound hadn’t been my cheekbone, but Ingrid’s thumb breaking.

Gods. She really knew nothing of defending herself. I didn’t even need to hurt her myself, though she groaned as I gripped her hair in the same way she had mine, making sure she was definitely pinned this time while she cradled her thumb against her chest.

“Submit, Ingrid, and I’ll let you go.”

“I can’t,” she hissed, her eyes squeezed shut, back bowing as she tried to ease the sting without baring her throat to me. “They’re all watching. If I submit, it’ll haunt me.”

I growled by her ear, pretending I wasn’t suddenly overtly aware of the crowd pressing in around us. Younger wolves hollered for our fight to continue and were swiftly pushed out of the way by older wolves just as eager but better at hiding it.

“If you don’t, I’ll take it anyway,” I promised, terrified by my own certainty of that fact. I would. In front of everyone, I’d clamp my teeth around her neck, because I hadn’t started this, but I’d finish it.

“Release her,” a gruff voice demanded behind me.

Even Ingrid glared at her father over my shoulder as I shook my head. “No. She attacked me. She put forth the challenge. She deals with the consequences.”

A rumble of disagreement was abruptly cut off, the scuffle of shoes and clothes telling me someone was pulling Gerlac away. He protested loudly, but nobody else interfered. Keeping my gaze locked on Ingrid’s, I gave her hair a warning tug. Her last chance to submit freely. For all there might be animosity between us, I didn’t want to hurt her, nor did I relish in the pink flush of humiliation spreading across her face. She squeezed her eyes shut again and a few glistening tears escaped as she slowly lifted her chin and pressed her palms flat against the stone floor beside her in supplication.

That should have been enough for me, but instincts took over and I leaned in to capture her neck between my teeth, biting hard enough she understood I wasn’t playing, but not enough to leave anymore than a red mark that would soon fade. She whimpered and the sound settled my hackles enough to release her.

I trembled as I got to my feet and brushed off my dress, finally taking note of the watching pack. Most were unconcerned now the fight was over, leaving to get on with their chores or turning back to their food. Ingrid staggering to her feet drew my attention again, and I stepped in to do as custom normally dictated; to press my cheek to hers and prove there was no ill feelings now new order was obtained, but she spun on her heel and fled without lifting her head.

The pack already say I am not wolf enough.

Those had been her words.

I’d done nothing but stand my ground, but was she entirely wrong in her need to prove herself? I had stepped on her toes with Hati, far more than she even knew. . .

“Must you always have an audience when you wish to cause upheaval in my pack?”

Hati’s voice washed over me, softening the last of bristling fur, and putting me further on edge at the same time.

“What happened there was your fault,” I muttered, looking over at him. “You need to talk to her. You need to tell her what happened between us last night.”

“What happened between you last night?” Beta Caldar asked sharply, stepping around our Alpha to narrow dark eyes at us.

Hati shifted on his feet, his gaze darting to the wolves still side eyeing us. Then he straightened and stalked towards the door, leaving Caldar and I staring after him.

“He wants us to follow him.”

I grunted, brushing over the still bleeding scratch on my shoulder. “You follow him. I’m going to clean up.”

“I warned you about getting in between them. . .” He gave me a brief look of disapproval then sighed and lowered his voice. “Go clean up then meet us in his chambers, I imagine that’s where he’s stormed off to. From the looks you were giving each other earlier, and what I just heard, I imagine you know where his rooms are.”

He only smirked when I glared, and went after his leader, leaving me alone in the hall. Linnea had disappeared, probably after Ingrid, and across the room Fionnlagh caught my gaze. My cousin too only found amusement in what he’d witnessed, grinning at me like I’d won some competition. Most of the pack had left to get on with the day while the plates and leftovers were cleared away, and the rest of those who lingered kept their gazes respectfully lowered. I wondered just how far I'd climbed in their eyes by gaining Ingrid’s submission, and just how many enemies I’d made.

Heading for my rooms to clean up and change into one of my simpler, lighter dresses, I couldn’t figure out just why she’d challenged me. She must have known she stood no chance. She must have known I’d take her neck the moment she made it clear she wouldn’t back down. And in front of all the pack too? It didn’t make sense for a female whom I knew lived for being seen as above others. Her sparkling jewels and perfumed skin certainly weren’t so she could avoid attention.

I cleaned the blood from my shoulder in a foul mood, watching numbly as the scratches scabbed over and stitched together as if it had been many hours ago the wound had been inflicted. My own amazed yet wary expression reflected back at me in the small square of faded glass before me. Would I ever get used to my new powers? To the way I could no longer keep my head down when another wolf dared challenge?

I sighed, staring at wisps of hair stood in every direction, then grabbed the leather at the end of the braid to redo it. Ingrid had nearly torn it right of. My fingers paused in their weaving. Did she recognise what the meaning my new hairstyle was? Did she know that the leather keeping it together was Hati’s? Even I had taken note of it in his hair many times.

“Cac,” I swore, leaning against the fireplace.

Had that been the damn Alpha’s plan when he’d given it to me? He’d certainly proven himself sly enough. My growl echoed around the room and I nearly tripped over my bed of furs on the floor in my haste to hunt the male down. I prowled towards Hati’s rooms with renewed irritation.

If I was in trouble for what happened with Ingrid, there was going to be another fight, and with adrenaline still pumping through my veins, Hati would be sorry for it. If he had known how she’d react seeing his leather in my hair, I wouldn’t let him live long enough to be sorry. I was ready to bring claws out again as I made my way down the single candle lit hallway that housed the Alpha’s quarters. Hati and Caldar's voices echoed out the door before the one that led to Hati’s bedchambers, and I paused outside at the sound of a loud guffaw from the normally grumbling Beta.

“My friend, it is clear there is an attraction between you both. Everyone under this roof knows it, Ingrid only saw its potential before the rest of us did. I also know that if you ever had any intention of taking Ingrid as your mate, you would have done so as soon as the deal was struck. Why do you think the poor female has grown evermore eager for your attention over the last few months? She felt you slipping from her grasp. Her desperate actions in the hall were her last effort.”

A loud bang, and Hati’s voice boomed out. “That doesn’t matter. As you say, a deal has been struck, my word given, and Gerlac still has a chance to see-“

“Even Gerlac knows his female is not suited to being Alpha Female,” Caldar cut in. “If he thought otherwise, he would have besmirched Eabha’s name the moment you had Farrin drag him out for interfering. He’d have told everyone about how you both left the council meeting together because Eabha could not hold her tongue. He’d have been calling for her to be removed. He hasn’t. He sees something in her. Loa said as much too.”

A low growl filled the room, the walls vibrating with the power it exuded, a gnawing hunger filling Hati’s voice as he hissed, “And what if I take her? What if forsake Ingrid, have Eabha, and make her my mate? The gods might have blessed her with something but they have cursed her too. The pack’s Alpha Female would have that draws the creatures we’re hiding from for miles around, and her power over the dead, however limited, will draw Skoll’s attention if it hasn’t already. He will want her.”

“Skoll can’t reach us here, we are well protected-“

“It’s not just that!” Hati snapped, his steps coming to a stop so I could see his shadow waver beneath the door. “I. . .how can I. . .”

His voice cracked and my heart skipped a beat. The raw emotion in his tone, the growing sense of panic, it set off instincts that warned me something was wrong.

“Hati?”

“My powers do not work on her, Caldar. I can not heal her. I couldn’t protect Skoll and I from our fate, what if I can’t save her from whatever hers might be either.”

Silence followed his softspoken words. All my anger drained away at his admission, an admission I had no idea what to do with.

Caldar grunted, wooden floorboards creaking as he shifted his weight. “I think fear is what keeps you both dancing around each other like timid pups.”

I nearly huffed at his comparison, grinned when Hati did one dramatic enough for both of us.

“However,” the Beta continued with a measure of amusement. “If something happens to either of you, you will feel the loss whether you keep your distance or not, a charaid. Perhaps more so if you both keep treading this path, it will unsettle the pack when they all catch on too. You have decided to keep her here, to protect her, which I fully support, and I know you have done more than share chaste kisses in the shadows, so why hesitate now?”

Hati chuckled, his shadow moving again, and I froze as I heard him speak directly on the other side of the door. “If she wanted me, I think she would have walked through that door instead of lingering behind it.”

My teeth ground together, the tops of my ears burning at being caught, and stomach flipping at what Hati’s confession to his friend might mean. I pushed the door open sheepishly, head lowered as two pairs of accusing eyes bored into me.

“You should know better than to eavesdrop after last time,” Hati grumbled, though there was no real sense of anger, slight disapproval perhaps.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping last time, you spoke openly while I was having a bath in the next room. It is not my fault you did not notice.”

“I noticed this time,” he replied. “I have grown accustomed to what it feels like when you’re near now.”

Beta Caldar cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly on his feet, reaching behind me to shut the door.

My arms came up around my middle as I studied the new room. It was small, cramped even. Unlike his bedchamber, this place wasn’t filled with weapons, but maps, thick piles of parchment bound in leather, and implements I could only guess were for writing and measuring.

“What did your aunt see when she was reading your palm?” Hati demanded, ripping me from my curiosity. “Something that set Ingrid off?”

“Are you sure you don’t know exactly what upset her?” I folded my arms, but his expression remained impassive, and I snorted at his silent denial, as if my accusation wasn’t even worthy of answering. “As for Ingrid, she set herself off. On purpose, I’m beginning to think, unless she’s really just that full of herself. Either way, ask her why, not me. I had nothing to do with it.”

“That doesn’t answer my question about your Aunt.”

Amusement glittered in his eyes as I bristled.

I knew it; he acted this way just to watch my hackles rise.

“She said she saw someone placing their hand on a newborn’s head, that’s all. Her visions are often hard to interpret; riddles and images that don’t always seem to mean what one first thinks. I’m sure in a few days or weeks, she’ll have figured it out.”

He stared at me for a moment before grunting and turning towards the small window, bright light hitting the angles of his face. Three times before noon we had been at odds with one another, and still all I could think was how ethereal he looked, how much I wanted to reach out and touch him; even if he was scowling like it had been himself who’d been challenged in the hall.

Exactly what about Ingrid’s actions could be bothering him so much?

My gaze clashed with Caldar’s, and the male shrugged wearily. He didn’t know what had upset his Alpha either.

“I’m sorry we fought in the hall if that’s why you’re mad, but I didn’t have much of a choice. She came at me and I defended myself,” I offered uncertainly.

“It’s not the first time there’s been a brawl at breakfast.” Beta Caldar chuckled. “Normally it’s over food. . .”

I cringed, and Hati began to laHat, but the sound was cut off by a knock on the door. He swore under his breath before calling for whoever was on the otherside to enter. I stiffened when Gerlac walked in, his face red with rage, but hands fretting with worry.

“Eabha did nothing wrong if you’re here to ask she be punished,” Hati warned, pushing his way in front of me and folding his arms.

Caldar rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead while I tried not to smile at the male willing to use his body to defend me. I could tell myself it was only done from his position as Alpha, but that wouldn’t explain why the male didn’t seem to happy at how close I had to get to his Beta now there were four of us stuffed into the small room.

Lifting his hands and keeping his grey eyes low, Gerlac took a slow step back towards the door. Hati settled a little, shaking himself out to loosen his stance into something less defensive.

“That’s not why I’m here. I saw what happened, I saw how it started, Eabha was within her rights. I’m sorry for my outburst,” Gerlac conceded, though he did cast a small glare my way. “It’s Ingrid. She ran off.”

Of course she did.

“Good, a run will perhaps cool her down-“

“If she was any other wolf, I would agree, but we both know Ingrid doesn’t have the instincts other wolves have. She. . .she headed South.”

“South?” Caldar balked. “Has she not heard about keeping North out running?”

Guilt hit fast and hard. She could be traipsing right into danger, and from the sounds of it, wouldn’t even notice if she was. She had no way of defending herself. Our fight in the hall had shown me even Fionnlagh would be capable of bringing her down.

“Linnea went after her, but that small female won’t be of any help.”

“I’ll help look,” I offered, my nose scrunching slightly. He made it seem as if Linnea had caused further hindrance rather respecting her act of friendship. I would find them both in no time. The pair of them were bound to leave an easy trail to follow, but that meant an easy trail for other things to follow too.

Gerlac nodded at my offer, and the fact he didn’t argue made me wonder just how helpless his female was.

“I’ll go with you.” Caldar stepped to my side, and I brushed my arm against his in appreciation.

I could feel the burn of Hati’ gaze eyeing where we touched, but he didn’t argue. “Stick to the roads, I imagine Ingrid will have. Gerlac and I will take to the woods if you don’t signal that you’ve found a scent.” Bright eyes moved to Gerlac again. “Once she’s found, the three of us need to have a discussion on our previous arrangement of Ingrid and I mating and marrying.”

Gerlac’s head bowed down, head tilting to bare his neck. The defeat in his movements told me he knew exactly what the discussion would be about. However, I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant as I peered questioningly up at Hati. His hand brushed against my back as he walked past, leaving nothing any the clearer. I certainly hadn’t thought about what it would mean for us if he cast Ingrid aside. I knew I wanted him. But did I want a mate? Did I want what all that would entail?

Growing panic left me breathless and I practically chased Caldar out of the room. I swore I heard a familiar deep chuckle at my hasty retreat but didn’t linger to find out. The Beta and I walked side by side as we made our way to the courtyard to begin our search, and the silent male asked all his questions with a single look.

“I know you warned me.”

“I did,” he said. “But perhaps I was too hasty. Hati has never been as open about his feelings as he was with me today. You have shaken him up. . .and I can’t lie and say I haven’t been enjoying watching that.”

He grinned and I shook my head, resisting the urge to smile. “He would have both our throats if he heard this.”

“I don’t doubt it. Although, you need to think about what exactly the two of your are doing. The pack needs a steady leader, a strong Alpha pair-“

“I can’t think about any of that right now. I heard what he said but I can’t. . .we can’t . . .how can we?

Phasing at the doors leading outside, he glanced behind him before placing a hand on my shoulder. “This is why I warned you. Hati isn’t a wolf from the wilds, a leader of your usual pack of immediate family; being involved with him comes with unimaginable responsibility, and effects everyone here, even if what you’re doing doesn’t last.”

He was worried his friend was going to get hurt. I was worried I was going to get hurt. He squeezed my shoulder, and nothing more needed to be said. Heaving a breath, I looked out at the frozen courtyard.

“I never thought I’d be chasing after Ingrid.”

Caldar chuckled, tossing his tunic on a nearby pile of wood by the door as I did the same with my dress. “I’m sure Ingrid never thought you’d be chasing after her either.”

“Is she really so helpless out there. Surely she can handle one run.”

“I’ll put it this way, I have never seen Ingrid in fur. She’s never joined a pack hunt, never seemed to feel the urge to find freedom in the forest on a full moon, has never so much as growled until she challenged you.”

I frowned. How could any wolf live like suppressing what they were? How had she not snapped years ago forcing her instincts away like that?

There was more to Ingrid than met the eye. She might have been stronger than I gave her credit for.

“If I say to turn back, Eabha, you do so straight away.” Caldar measured a stern look my way and relaxed when I dropped my gaze.

“Yes, Beta.”

He snorted at my show of submission but didn’t push further, waving his arm towards the door for me to step out first.

So began our hunt.