The North

I snuggled closer to the softness that tickled my cheek and wrapped all around me. Fur, I realised, as I sunk my fingers deep into the soft bristles of a reindeer pelt, its heady musk filling every inhale. Groggily, I forced myself to push away the urge to sink back into sleep and peeled my eyes open.

Had I hunted, or found somewhere warm to sleep in the blizzard?

I sat up in a panic and the world swayed and tipped dangerously, blurring in and out of focus too much to make out more of my surroundings. My hand flew to mouth as my stomach heaved. This felt as bad as being back in the ship with swelling waves knocking me to and froe. But it wasn’t the timber walls of a ship that stood out once I’d settled, but of cold stone.

The room which I found myself in bore no resemblance to the tavern where I’d left my family. The bed was far larger and sturdier than those there too, piled high with lush pillows and grey furs. A crackling fire burned steadily in a hearth set deep into the far wall, and the only other things if note were a pale of water and a cup sat on top of a wooden stool.

Where was I?

I rubbed my pounding head, raking at my memories for some clue. However, after thinking I’d seen a female in the snow, I couldn’t remember a thing. Only the Gods knew if I was now amongst the wolves I was searching for, or whether it had been unsuspecting humans whom had stumbled across my freezing body. There was nothing to tell me any clue. Yet, it didn’t matter who awaited me outside this room; for if they’d been willing to help me, perhaps they would be willing to help my pack too.

The weight of my task, the reason I’d stumbled so deep into the snow, settled heavily on my shoulders.

I shoved the furs away, pausing at the sight of an unfamiliar dress hanging off my skeletal frame. Earthy green and thin, it smelt fresh and unmasked by the scent of another. Someone taken great care of me. Brushing my fingers over pale skin, I took time to notice it had been scrubbed clean, and that my hair hung loose and brushed around my shoulders.

Remembering the horrid sound of snapping bone, I yanked up the dress with baited breath. It wasn’t bone peeking through skin I found, though it should have been. An ugly black bruise encircled a pink wound in the middle of my shin, two inches long and around an inch wide. I hummed, prodding the wound experimentally, and was rewarded with a dull ache. Another mystery to add to my growing list. I’d never met a healer so proficient as to mend bone broken through skin so quickly.

Shuffling my legs off the bed, cold stone chilled my bare feet. I clung onto the edge of the bed while I tested weight on both legs. I winced at the sharp pain that shot up and even somehow tingled in my fingers. I could bare it though; I had to.

Strength of will, or maybe stubbornness, carried me over to the sturdy door. A small part of my worried about what I would do if I found it locked, but all thoughts of perhaps being a prisoner faded when a click resounded, and it swung open. It screeched and scraped loudly on its hinges, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end.

If nobody had heard me moving about before, they would surely be alerted to my being awake now.

A long hall spread out either side of me. The same gloomy grey stone was darkened by flickering shadows from the few lit scones lining the walls. I’d never known wolves to call such a place home but the lone wolf I’d met had said they’d taken over an old human king's residence. It certainly belonged to someone of note at some point if the size was anything to go by. Every sound seemed to bounce and echo ever on and disorientated me.

I closed my eyes to focus in on the flurry of sounds until I could hear the distinct rumble of voices and even occasional laughter from deep within. Sucking in a deep breath through my nose, I was relieved beyond words when I picked up the earthy tones of my own kind. Surely that meant I was in the right place? And they’d saved my life, so they couldn’t have been as bad as the lone wolf had made out.

Heading towards the voices, determination set in. I grit my teeth every time pain threatened to make me crumble and only paused when I reached the top of curling stone steps. The creek of the door behind me and I spun around to see a figure in the hall.

“Wait!” a female shouted, using the old tongue. “You can’t leave your room. Come back!”

Maybe I was a prisoner, and that thought had me running. My bare feet slapped against the steps with my dress whipping out behind me. I wound my way down at a dizzying pace and all the while I could hear the female’s pursuing steps.

I flew off the last one and immediately had to avoid walking right into a striding older male carrying a basket of bread, the sweet smell making my mouth water.

“Watch yourself!” he snapped, shaking his head in disapproval and peering down at me from under a set of bushy white eyebrows.

Disorientated, I mumbled an apology and kept moving, sliding past him without another glance. Thankfully, he didn’t question who I was or where I’d come from. Still, I didn’t want to draw too much attention to myself. . .at least, I hadn’t left the room with that intention. As I made turn after turn, the halls were empty and gave no sign of what I should even be looking for.

My stamina began to dwindle.

Round the next corner, I heard the same female who’d been chasing after me. With little choice, left to me, I decided it was time to face whatever awaited me.

“Broken leg or not, she darted down those stairs like a young deer! We have to find her before-“ The tall female stopped short when I barged into the small room. Her blonde hair whipped round and crystal blue eyes widened. It wasn’t anger my presence caused, but relief. “Thank The Great Wolf, you’re alright!”

Ignoring her statement and the behemoth male stood next to her, I said breathlessly, “I need to speak to your Alpha.

She blinked and shared a look with the male who folded his broad arms. His lips peeled back to show teeth but I kept myself standing tall. They couldn’t intimidate me.

“You cannot simply stumble half dead onto our territory and start making demands,” he growled, a flash of gold fracturing his green eyes. “The Alpha will see you when he is ready to see you. Go with my mate back to your room and stay there until you are summoned."

Frustrated beyond belief, I dared growl back at a male who was easily three times my size. If not more.

“You will heed what I say.” Jutting out my chin, I was close to stamping my foot to be heard. “I have travelled the length of my homeland, lost packmates, and blood kin who sacrificed themselves so the rest of my pack could live. I have sailed across the sea, went out on my own to run for miles across frozen forests, broken bones, and bled to get here. Your Alpha will hear me now.”

Silence followed. The female quirked her head and studied me with renewed interest while her mate just laughed in disbelief.

“You would have died if we hadn’t found you. Your leg would have been lost should any other healers but our own have tended to it. We saved your life-“

“And other lives need saved. I won’t go anywhere until I’ve pleaded for them. Either let my case be heard now, or let me leave so I can return to my pack. They are waiting on me. Please."

I hated begging. Hated that I’d lowered myself to clasping my hands against my chest and looking up in desperation to two strangers. Two strangers who were obviously dominant wolves, I was acted like a meek omega.

The male sighed, and I could see him truly considering my words, the glow dimming from him his eyes before hardening with resolve.

I was good at reading others, so I was ready when he lunged forward with an arm outstretched to grab me. Skipping out of his way, I slid back out the door and huffed at the bellowed curses that followed me.

Two sets of pounding feet gave chase this time as I careened my way down more stone halls and through a random door only to immediately freeze. . .

There must have been at least a hundred wolves sitting at rows upon rows of wooden tables, and they all stared right at me. Some appeared curious, sitting up or standing to get a better view, while others bared their teeth and those in fur rose with their hackles bristling. Fear crept in when a few began to slink closer, but when I turned to flee the way I’d come, I found my escape blocked by the green eyed male and his out of breath mate.

“Please come with me,” she pleaded, blue eyes kind as she her hand. “We don’t mean you any harm, you have my word. You will get your chance to plead your case tomorrow after a good night’s rest.”

I shook my head and backed away, looking over my shoulder at the wolves now circling around. Huge warriors who towered above the heads of others, both male and female, and with an eerie grace to their movements and a glow about their skin that made them stand out from the others. Their dominance was as oppressive as the deep timbre of their growls, and it took every ounce of will not to fall to my back in submission with my neck bared.

I didn’t stand a chance, and yet I couldn’t back down either. Tomorrow could be too late.

From the depths of my soul, the sound expanding my chest, my own growl thundered out. The exhilaration flooded me with energy and I stood taller, daring one of the warriors to step forth. Shocked faces, and even a few bowed heads, any whispers that had begun were silenced. Mànas, my brother, who had always urged me to be more, would have been proud of me in that moment.

Once I was sure I wasn’t about to be attacked, I held up my hands. All power faded and left me nearly trembling. Suddenly all my aches and pains returned and I was overly aware of the pressure my broken leg was under.

“I did not come here for trouble.” Dropping my hands, I directed my words to the green eyed male who appeared to be most dominant here if the way the warriors kept looking at him for direction was anything to go by. “Please. Your Alpha, I need only a word with him. If he won’t hear me, then this is not the place I thought it was and I will take my pack elsewhere.”

The blonde female bit her lip but it didn’t quite hide her smirk. She touched her mate’s arm, drawing his gaze to her. “I believe her when she says she won’t back down, Farrin. Rather than cause a scene, why don’t we just take her to him. The pups don’t need to see a fight.”

Pups?

Looking around the room again, I only now noticed the younger wolves dotted around the hall. They watched with wary eyes, sticking close to the adults that sat beside them. I hadn’t meant to frighten pups.

The male I now knew as Farrin grunted, waving a hand that had the warriors return to their seats, if a little reluctantly. A few gave me dirty looks but for all I knew it could simply be because I interrupted their meal. Hungry wolves were grumpy.

I couldn’t believe that so many belonged to one pack. My own pack had been considered rather large, but this. . .dozens of families, how could one think to keep them all in line? The thought didn’t ease my nerves about meeting the male capable of such a thing.

“Very well then,” Farrin’s voice pulled me back, and he stepped back to allow me to pass through the door before narrowing his gaze at his mate. “You will deal with the consequences of disobeying his orders to keep her in her room, Astrid.” He glared down at me next and jerked his head for me to follow him. “Come.”

He strode away quickly and I stumbled after him, leaving a smiling Astrid behind me. I should have thanked her for speaking out on my behalf, but whatever words tried to came out of my mouth were tongue-tied and unintelligible.

Farrin glanced briefly over his shoulder to make sure I kept up, limping after him with heaving breaths. A small crease furrowed his brow. “You’re brave, pup. If what you say is true, you’ve come a very long way, but my Alpha is not a male that takes kindly to having demands made of him. You will treat him with more respect than you have my mate and I.”

I nodded numbly despite believing I’d given as much respect as had been returned. Now was the time to keep the peace or risk him changing his mind.

The more I thought about how precarious my position was, the more I began to worry about what the rogue wolf had said; that this Alpha of the North was dangerous. And I’d made such a bad first impression to his pack. Hopefully he could admire my determination if nothing else.

Opening another door, this one heavier and much larger than the others, Farrin motioned for me to go first. I hesitated. It led outside to a large open courtyard with a massive gate the only way out of the walls surrounding the castlelike building. Wind moaned through the trees and scattered snow across the uneven stones.

My feet froze instantly at the sight.

Farrin took pity and ushered me quickly towards a lone standing timber building that looked similar to the gathering halls found in the Northern Islands of my homeland.

Despite the freezing cold, wolves lingered by fire pits, laughing and joking as if it was the warmest of weather. My eyes widened. There were more? Just how large a number did this pack boast? Was there even more still? I would have asked if it weren’t for the way my teeth clicked together, and stopped me from so much as being able to make a noise.

Rubbing my arms, I hurried after Farrin until he held up a hand for me to stop outside the huge double doors of the hall. “Wait here.”

I huffed but nodded, stomping my feet to try and keep my blood flowing. He opened the door only wide enough for him to slip inside, allowing me to see nothing of the interior. A warm waft of air as the door shut was all I got and my body shuddered at the temporary relief. It faded quickly however. So I stared longingly at the burning fires, and orange embers fluttering into the sky overhead before blinking out amongst the stars. I ignored the members of the pack who watched me with a mix of curiosity and distrust, an occasional rumble of disapproval aimed my way.

It amazed me that some stood without a stitch of clothing on, completely unbothered by the weather and biting winds while I shook and shivered under my dress. But they were all healthy wolves, with warm meals to fill their bellies and shelter should they need it. I hoped my pack had shelter tonight.

I jumped as the door swung open again, and Farrin eyed my shivering form before opening the door wider.

“You can enter. Remember who you are speaking to in there, female. He is more than just another Alpha,” he warned, then much to my surprise he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Don’t look so afraid either, or he’ll eat you alive.”

It was only when he winked that I realised he was joking. I forced an uneasy smile and slipped past him, trying to ignore the way my stomach knotted together.

This was the moment it all came down to.

Warmth wafted around my lowers legs as I stared in amazement at the huge interior of the hall that was even larger than the one in the main building where everyone had been eating. I'd never been in such a place before, not even the gathering places packs used during mating season had been as grand as this. Beams of dark wood crossed the span of the high roof, and while there were many sconces and torches lining the wall, the room was lit by only a single fire burning at the far end. Moonlight streamed through the one window not covered by rags or firs to keep out the cold wind too, but they both did little to light the dark

It was gloomy, oppressive, with smoke lingering thick in the air.

Walking deeper inside, I glanced quicky the two males at the lone table placed close by the fire. Even from the other end, I could feel their dominance like electricity in the air, crackling and powerful. One sat languidly on what appeared to be wooden throne, it’s high back casting a long shadow across the stone floor. The other stood at his side, dark eyes boring into me.

It was at the edge of the chair's shadow that I chose to stop, leaving what I believed to be a safe enough distance between us without it seeming as though they terrified me; which they did.

The sitting male who remained focus on his meal unnerved me more than the other wolf. I couldn't make out his features with the way shadows flickered over what I could see of his face, as he didn’t bother to lift it to so much as give me a glance. But I didn't need to see him clearly to know he was who I'd come to seek help from. The so-called Alpha of Alpha's. Only one with such a title would think himself too above another to acknowledge their presence.

Irritated, I opened my mouth to loudly announce I was there, but the other male beat me to it. His sudden movement startled me back a step as he rounded the table and cleared his throat.

"You stand before Hati Hróðvitnisson, Alpha of the North," he spoke, stepping into the light to reveal himself. Dark hair was cut short and he watched me with what I could only describe as amusement. The wolf faded from his eyes to reveal their dark brown colour, a shade similar to my own. "My name is Caldar, I am Beta here. . .and you, well, you caused quite a fuss amongst the pack demanding an audience, pup."

I lifted my chin, hoping my voice would come out confident so they could see I was no pup. "I am Eabha, daughter of Tabhin and Laoghaire from across the sea in Alba. I am here to claim sanctuary on behalf of my pack."

The Alpha shifted where he sat, leaning towards me as if he only just noticed I was even there. Golden eyes with flecks of orange, as if reflected sunlight had been captured in his gaze, glowed in the dark when he finally lifted his head. I forced myself to keep standing tall, to meet his gaze as my father would have.

"You speak our tongue, female from across the sea." His voice was deep, husky, and my hair stood on end. I could taste in the air that he was dangerous, it clung to him in a sharp burning scent, and it took every ounce of will to remain calm.

"I do. It was taught to me by my father; his ancestors came from these lands and he wished to keep our heritage alive.”

He hummed, inspecting a piece of steaming venison. “You have learned the language well, and yet the accent leaves something to be desired, does it not Caldar?"

The Beta grunted but a small smile curled at the edge of his lips as he considered me. "It is no worse an accent than mine, Alpha."

"Yes. . .you have kin here, female."

The Beta was from back home? My gaze flicked over him again, and now that I wasn’t too terrified to be curious, I noticed the tattoos and blue stains on his skin. A winding black triquerta took pride of place over his heart, a swirling triskele on a bulging bicep, and old woad stained tattoos in the patterns I could read as well as any human could read their letters.

The kinship put me further at ease, with the Beta at least. Until the Alpha spoke again and all ease diminished.

"I find it odd that you, a lone female so obviously weak, came on behalf of your pack. Who is your Alpha? Where is your family?"

Was that an insult to me, or simply an observation? I couldn’t be sure, so I bit back a defensive growl.

“Our Alpha died trying to get the pack to the coast. I was attacked by a Blood drinker during our travels and he saved my life at the cost of his own.” Guilt tightened around my throat and I had to cough to be able to speak again. “My father, my uncle’s Beta, is Alpha now, and as my older brother also fell to see us safely here, the duty to come here belongs to me.”

Caldar bowed his head. “We are sorry to hear of the losses you and yours have suffered.”

I bowed my head in return, curling my fingers into my dress as I swallowed past the lump in my throat.

“Why would your Alpha not come himself? I hope you do not think to lie to me, female.” When I tried to protest, The Alpha growled, a thunderous sound that pounded against my eardrums. “It was you who travelled from the port and almost died to come here, it’s you standing before me asking for sanctuary. I saved your life, at least be honest with me."

"My Alpha is injured,” I snapped defensively, striding forward. “He could be dying. That's why I came and not him. I need your help to get my family somewhere safe. My father is in no state to travel in skin or fur, and there are small pups in my pack who will struggle to keep up, especially in the deep snow. Not to mention, as I’m sure you’re aware, Alpha, there are creatures stalking the edges of your territory and around the villages who delight in tearing packs apart.” Fuelled by my words, I dared braced myself against his table so he was forced to see me. “You call yourself Hati Hróðvitnisson, you claim your ancestor is Fenris, the first of our kind, doesn’t that mean you then have a duty to protect our kind, and those weaker than yourself.”

At first, he seemed surprised, his eyes widening, and he sat up straighter.

I smirked. Did he think a simple female from a small pack across the sea wouldn’t recognise the name he claimed?

Hati Hróðvitnisson.

The name of one of Fenrir’s son.

Many wolves sought to say similar, siting mighty wolves in lore as one distant ancestor or another. But to claim such a close relation, and to a name as famous as The Great Wolf. . .this male thought highly of himself.

As if he could read as much in my expression, and could see I wasn’t impressed, Alpha Hati waved a dismissive hand. If it weren’t for the way his brow creased, betraying his worry, I might have believed he couldn’t care less about what I’d said.

"Injury leaves you in charge of your pack then? You stand here as Alpha of your pack.”

I stumbled at that question, my mouth opening and shutting with denial on my lips.

"The reason I ask is this," he continued when I remained quiet. "I demand loyalty. My entire pack demands loyalty. Those who come here leave their old packs behind and pledge themselves to me and mine. I will not risk the lives of my wolves to save yours only for you and your pack to betray me, so I need the word of your Alpha before the rest.”

“None of that matters because they will not survive the winter without your immediate help. I can tell you if you prove to be someone worthy of our submission, you will have it, from all of us.” Shoulders slumping, I softened my tone to allow a thread of gratefulness to show through. “You spoke true, Alpha Hati, you saved my life, and I owe you for that. Please save them too.”

Silence strained between us, the Alpha drumming his fingers across the wooden table.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

My hands fisted by my sides at how long he took to decide. Then he hummed and stood slowly, rising to his full height to block all light from the fire. I realised I'd misjudged his height as he towered over even Caldar. He was broader too, coiled in bulking muscle he didn’t dare hide with a tunic. His skin was covered in dark tattoos, too many and so intricate my eyes couldn’t focus on one spot.

When he stepped before me, I finally got a could look at him. Light blond hair was pulled back from a stern face by braids held in place at a knot at the base of his head. A strong jaw strong was hidden by a few days scruff a shade darker than his hair, and his lips were pressed into a severe line.

Seeing him in all his glory, I could be tempted to believe the story of his heritage. Instincts urged me to drop to my back and give this male my neck. So much strength and dominance exuded from him it was a wonder the walls around is didn’t shake.

My injured leg trembled with the effort it took to keep me up and my weight shifted to relieve it.

Folding muscled arms, the Alpha levelled his fiery gaze on me before looking towards his Beta, and I held my breath while I waited for them to come to a decision. When he turned back to me, a cold smirk curled the edges of lips that sent a shiver up my spine.

"You can prove your loyalty now, female.”

I blinked at his demand; especially when he didn’t add how I was to do such a thing.

Prove my loyalty.

My eyes darted warily between the too everwatchful males. The hunger in the Alpha’s eyes perhaps betrayed what he wanted me to do, and a lump formed in my throat. They were testing me. If I failed, would my plea go on ignored? It left me with little else to do. I glanced at the Beta, so-called kin, who watched with interest and offered no help.

Swallowing my pride, I steeled myself and held the damned males gaze while trembling fingers reached back for the laces of my dress. Nudity I was used to, in fact being in clothes made me feel far more vulnerable than without, but that didn’t mean sex was as neutral a state to me. But before I could tug the laces free, the Alpha let out a booming laugh. Even his Beta smirked and chuckled.

Indignation rose like a tidal wave and my hands dropped to my sides and curled into a fist.

It had been a test after all, to see what I’d be willing to give.

Still laughing, Alpha Hati clicked his tongue, and in a voice dripping with amusement, said, “Your submission will be enough for now, female; though I admire your tenacity and will to help your pack."

I couldn’t find the same laughter.

"I have come here and told you that there are pups starving, wolves being hunted, and instead of immediately offering your help, you seek to what? Make an example of me because I demanded you have an audience with me during your meal?”

Sun kissed eyes darkened and Alpha Hati stalked towards me with slow predatory steps that thundered in my ears. My gaze flicked once more for help from the Beta now leant against the wall, happy to watch this play out before him.

Doing my best not to retreat, I had to tip my head up to see the Alpha's face when stopped a mere breath in front of me. He was so much bigger than I was, and muscled where I was only skin and bone. He could overpower me in the blink of an eye. Still, I held his gaze, because he'd had a point earlier; I was the leader of my pack now. In a way, maybe I even stood before him as an Alpha on equal footing. That’s what he seems to believe, though I certainly did not. Either way, I wouldn’t submit to a male who had done nothing worthy of it.

My unwillingness to bow drew a growl from lips pulled back to reveal sharp white fangs. The Alpha's eyes flashed an eerie orange, brighter than even the fire crackling behind him, and weight of his power crushed down on me. Baring my own fangs, I growled back at him. It was nothing like it had been when it had shocked his warriors, but it was enough to make him pause.

"I can see you are strong, and that circumstances have forced you into this position, of being Alpha though you do not wish to be or feel you are worthy. I can admire that, you carry yourself well.” He leaned down, and I stiffened as he inhaled deeply by my neck. “Your heartbeat and scent give away your fear though. You will need to work on that.”

My breathing hitched and I knew he heard my heart stutter as his smirk grew. I was relieved when he straightened, allowing me to breathe again. Yet I couldn’t help as my nostrils flared to catch his own scent, a heady mix that had me leaning forward, until I caught myself. Beneath the musk of wolf that was undeniably male, was something sweeter than honey and annoyingly addictive.

Alpha Hati cleared his throat, studying me with a crease between his brow and curiosity burning in his eyes. His voice was quiet and husky as he spoke, almost gentle, “I need wolves who will fall in line and obey. Wolves that will trust me even when I have to make difficult and sometimes terrible decisions.” He stroked his jaw slowly. “I don't think you trust too easily."

My stomach sank and guilt battered against my chest, all hope fading away. Then, much to my surprise, the Alpha reached out and tipped up my head, retracting his touch so quickly I almost doubted he’d done it. "We will help your family, but your pack will be no more. You'll join us, and I will be your Alpha. You will follow my lead. In return for your loyalty to me, I will keep you safe, warm, and fed. Is that acceptable, Little Alpha?"

Gratefulness warred with irritation at his highhandedness, and the fact I was sure he’d purposefully left me thinking the worst. Maybe it was risking his offer when instead of submitting with a bared throat, I bowed my head. He would only get my neck once he’d kept his word.

A deep chuckle filled the space between us, resonating with light respect. I dared glance back up to find Alpha Hati sharing a look with his equally amused Beta who let his dark eyes trail over me.

"I trust you can look after things here while I help this female find her family, Caldar?"

I blinked, taken aback.

Protesting, Beta Caldar stepped away from the wall he’d been leaning against. "I can accompany her, Alpha. You should remain here; we can take a few of our warriors if you are concerned-"

"No," Alpha Hati said sternly. "I will go with her, we’ll take Farrin too as your presence will be needed here. It has been many months since I have left the territory, and some things I'd like to see for myself rather than have reported back to me."

Beta Caldar stared at him hard, his gaze flicking briefly to me again with renewed curiosity before he relented. "Very well. I will find Farrin.”

The Alpha motioned to me as he made his way back to his throne, and I sensed the dismissal even before he spoke. “Make sure this Little Alpha from across the sea is fed and back in bed. We will leave as soon as the sun rises."

Do you trust the Alpha?