Way of the Wolf: Redemption

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Chapter 35: Promises Kept

"Is that my son?"

I sucked in a sharp breath, every fibre of my being rocking with those words. I wanted to believe that Valdis could maybe smell that the pup I held was his, but there was something smug in his expression. A glint that told me something horrible.

"You knew. You knew I was pregnant with your pup," I accused, my tone husky. Whether that was from my wolf pushing forth or fear, I didn't want to take the time to figure out.

"Of course I knew," he scoffed. "You didn't bleed after your heat, and your skin held only my scent."

I hadn't bled?

That should have been something I'd noticed. But I could barely remember my last heat at all. I had no doubt that, like usual, as soon my scent had stopped filling the air with hormones, I'd found a place to curl up and sleep. Recover.

Yet his admission was so much worse than anything I could have thought of him. It made clear a sterling reality.

"You knew I was carrying your pup and you still left me for dead." My words were choked with disbelief and I stared at him wide eyed, and hurt. Logically I knew it was silly to feel so betrayed, he'd never shown any ounce of true compassion, not unless he got something out of it.

Still, that he could abandon his own blood, an innocent, so easily. . .that twisted deep in my gut until I feared I'd throw up. But I couldn't show weakness in front of him now. I wasn't the simpering and submissive female he'd made me anymore.

"Why are you here?" I snapped before he could form another clever reply, stepping past Sol as fury burned through my veins.

He gave me a smile. The smile that had drawn me to him at first, before I'd known he was a monster. I didn't fall for it now. The ease in his expression only put me on edge as he trailed around us. A hunter taking stock of his prey.

Sol moved with him, twisting his body so that his back was never towards the wolves that crowded us. He was nervous, I could tell that, and I was shaking with fear. Part of me debated crying out for help but I couldn't risk Valdis making a move. Keeping him talking until help arrived felt like the safest thing to do for now and from the looks of it, Sol agreed.

Either way, Valdis didn't seem to care that he was so close to the village and the pack. Everything about him was so calm and collected that we could have been discussing the weather, and not the low regard he held the lives of others.

"I didn't think you and the pup would survive, especially after you injured your leg," he admitted casually. "But when that pack took you in, I decided to see what they'd do with you. I don't know why they decided keep you and feed you up, perhaps they took pity on the pup. . ."

I shivered, doing my best to push away the doubt that he seeded. Valdis was a master of mind games. He knew what to say to make me falter.

Sol touched my arm, offering me a little comfort. I should have been trying to think of a way to run from them, to call for help as I was sure Sol was, but for some reason I was hypnotised by the male that circled us.

"You didn't care when you pressed a knife into my hand to take my own life with. Am I to believe you're here for the pup, to lay claim to him because you want him?" I snarled.

He chuckled and placed a hand over his heart. "He is my pup, my blood, of course I want him. You wound me, Freydis."

I swallowed at the venom he poured into my name as if having it on his tongue disgusted him. He'd been watching, listening, learning about me and my life here. A shiver went up my spine. How much had he seen?

"Every male wishes for an heir, a legacy, but I made peace with the fact he would die after your fuck up with the hunt. I followed the pack to show my wolves what packs do to our kind, to make an example out of you, to show what happens to those who disobey. But then that female got in the way and you defended her, and then much to my surprise, that fucking pack defended you too. Once I realised they were allowing you to live. . .well, I couldn't deny my pup a chance to grow strong in your belly for me to claim." He smirked, daring to step closer, and I recoiled instinctively.

His whole demeanour changed as if someone had flicked a switch in him. Gone was the charismatic, handsome male with smooth words and a gentle smile. It was a change I'd had many years to study. A shadow fell over him, features contorting into something ugly. Threatening. "I could place a claim on you too if the pack really follow the old laws."

"You have no claim on either of us." I didn't sound like myself in that moment. I sounded like someone dark, and dangerous. My skin prickled as instincts urged me to shift into fur, a form I could fight in, but I held back, clutching my pup to keep me grounded.

I could feel Bjarke's presence as he caught onto my emotions flooding through the bond. He'd find me. I knew he would. My mate was coming and he was smart enough to know to bring plenty backup. We needed to keep him talking for just a little while longer.

"You should turn tail and leave now. The pack is coming and they won't show mercy," Sol advised. He grabbed my arm, gently pulling me back until I was placed firmly behind him. I was surprised by the strength in his grip, and the power that rolled from him.

Valdis cocked his head as if only just noticing Sol was even there, studying him with something akin to amusement. "All I want is my son, old male. Will you deny me of that?"

"The pup is a member of the pack. His father is Beta, his mother Beta Female. His grandparents Alphas. He is not yours to have. I will not let you take him." There was a growl to Sol's voice now, his eyes holding a glow that gave away his wolf was close to the surface.

Valdis' laughter rang around the clearing and a few of his wolves had the audacity to chuff their own amusement. There was something else too, confusion as he studied me.

"His grandparents are Alphas," he trailed off slowly, the rest of his words spoken more to himself. "But your mate is the beta. . .which must mean. . ." His eyes met mine again and I hated the sight of confusion becoming intrigue. "Who are you?"

I smirked, unable to help myself. So he hadn't been watching close enough after all if he didn't know the answer to that. He grew visibly frustrated at my lack of an answer and I knew he hated that. Valdis prided himself on his knowledge that went beyond what the rest of us knew.

"Bitch," he hissed, taking a step forward that had Sol tugging me further away from the enemy.

Hackles rose, and Valdis' patience had worn thin. We were in trouble now.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, taking another few steps back as my eyes scanned the trees again. Wolves shadowed my retreat, freezing me to the spot. There was no sign of the twins and I was sure Valdis had arranged for them to stay back on purpose. Or they'd run, fled. I prayed that was what they'd done. Where I used to think we were all lucky to have each other, I saw the truth now. But still, having no sign of them made me uneasy.

Basjan mewled and everyone's attention seemed to zero in on the pup. I looked down to see bright hazel eyes staring up at me and I patted his back, hoping to keep him at ease.

Nothing would hurt him. I'd promised him that, I'd sworn to keep him safe.

"Do you look at him and see me?" Valdis wondered, smirking as his taunt hit its mark.

I shook my head fiercely, feeling my hands begin to tremble. "He is nothing like you."

His expression twisted, his smile turning into a sneer. With his wolves gathered behind him, he straightened up. I knew then that I'd run out of time to stall.

"You either both come with me, you hand me the pup, or. . ." he trailed of, and his eyes took on the glow of his wolf, fangs peeking from behind his lips. "We'll take him."

I didn't even have a chance to reply. Sol shifted to fur and stepped in front of me. His hackles were raised, gnashing fangs clicking together in warning but Valdis wasn't concerned in the slightest. He could probably smell that my would-be protector was sick.

"Very well then." Valdis sighed, sending a signal to his wolves that kept them at bay as he too shifted into his grey wolf.

One look from Sol and I knew he was warning me to stay back. He didn't have to worry because I was stuck where I stood, even as the two wolves launched themselves at each other. I screamed as they fought, my gaze darting around to the Wulvers that's watched on. A few crept closer and I quickly backed up, but they never made a move to attack me.

I should have run when they were mostly distracted by Sol's attack but I couldn't leave him. Not the male who'd treated me as pack before many others. Sol fought well, darting smoothly away from claws that swung out at him and Valdis grew ever more impatient. He'd underestimated the strength of this old male. Maybe he'd be okay. . .after all, I had my pup, and he came first. His safety came first.

My body trembled, and I could feel Bjarke growing more restless and worried but he was getting closer. Valdis doubled down on his attack, beating Sol down to the ground again and again. He was playing with him, taunting me, showing me that my friend had nothing on him.

Another glance at Sol and he caught my gaze. He looked resigned to his fate and I understood what he was telling me without words. Run.

And I did.

I left him.

Careening past snarling wolves, I managed to outmanoeuvre their attempts at stopping me, spinning around before starting for the village. Something screamed inside me, calling me a traitor for leaving Sol behind and my heart tore as I heard a sharp whine then the sound of bones crunching. I whipped back around just in time to see Valdis dropping a limp Sol to the ground. Blood stained his fur and his tongue lapped at what dripped into the snow.

My knees buckled beneath me as I watched the fallen male, silently begging for a twitch or a puff of air to tell me he was alive. A howl in the distance and everyone's heads snapped towards it. Goosebumps rose with a shiver up my spine. Bjarke had sounded the call to battle. The pack was close.

Running again, I tried to head in the direction I'd heard my mate. My boots slipped in the snow but I somehow managed to keep my pace up, even as my chest heaved with each gasp of freezing air that burned my lungs. Basjan started to whimper, protesting against the tight way I clutched him as he jostled about.

Valdis was gaining on me but I didn't dare look behind me. The pounding of many paws growing louder was enough motivation.

Tears streamed down my face, blurring my way forward. All I could see in my mind's eye was the way Sol's head had hung limp with his throat in Valdis' teeth. I couldn't afford to break down now though because I swore I could feel hot puffs of air against my legs.

I screamed, hoping to announce my location to whoever was coming my way. Bjarke's presence grew ever stronger, his determination fuelling my own. The moment I saw shadows move ahead, I redoubled my efforts, flying over a fallen tree only to land on ice and skid across the ground. I managed to roll to my back to keep Basjan from being crushed, and the moment I did, a huge wolf flew over me.

Snarling and fighting broke out immediately, more wolves jumping over where I was now curled up against rough bark so at least my back was protected. I couldn't see my mate among the warriors but I knew he was here, I could catch a faint whiff of his scent.

Hands on my arm and I erupted defensively, swinging out with curled fingers to scratch at whoever it was only to see a young Wulf with wide yellow eyes. The whimper of relief that slipped past my lips frightened him more as I clung onto his arm. He was bleeding from my attack, but didn't seem to notice as he started trying to tug me to my feet.

"Bjarke wants you away from here. Come quickly," he ordered.

I nodded in agreement. This wasn't the place for me. Before getting to my feet, I fumbled to untie Basjan from me and Wulf frowned, tugging once more at my arm in an attempt to get me to move.

"Wait!" I snapped, finally loosening the knot. "You're going to take him and you're going to run as fast as you can. They expect him to be with me, I'm the target."

He began to shake his head furiously, dark hair flying around his pale face. He was scared, I could see that. A pup sent somewhere he shouldn't be and I couldn't figure out why. Despite his protests, I quickly secured Basjan to his chest and began to shove him towards the village, thankfully the opposite direction of the vicious fight taking place.

"I am your Beta Female. You will do as I say. I'm coming with you, but if we're followed, it's safer this way."

It didn't matter that he was still unconvinced, there wasn't time for a change in plan. Chancing a glance behind me, I saw the pack vastly outnumbered Valdis' wolves. Two light coloured wolves who must have been Jakkon and Orin, flanked my mate as they took on Valdis.

"Come on!" Wulf cried out, yanking me alongside him as he began to run, his other hand splayed over Basjan's back.

I stumbled to my feet and did my best to keep up with him, but he was much faster than I was and I didn't want to slow him down. Shoving at his back, I yanked my hand from him, urging him to run at his pace. The pack were keeping our enemies busy, I could take care of myself if I ended up falling behind.

Something in my expression must have made him decide it was best to comply. He sped up with such speed, he became a blur, and I realised why Bjarke had sent him to me and not one of the others. His thoughts were the same as mine, get Basjan to safety as quickly as possible.

A great weight hit my back and I went down hard. Everything went black the second my head connected with a rock jutting out of the ground. Heavy limbs refused to obey me when I struggled to move, to try and shove the wolf that was snarling above me. Blood tainted the air, something wet dribbling down the side of my face.

I shoved weakly at the fur, wondering why they didn't attack, simply stayed with their body over mine to keep me caged in.

He thinks I have Basjan.

It was the only explanation as to why he didn't attack. To keep the pup they were certain I'd not let leave my skin safe. I smirked brokenly, recognising the wolf now my vision slowly cleared up. This male had taken any pleasure from my body he could when granted the right to by Valdis. I wouldn't feel bad about fighting dirty.

Kicking my leg up, the male whined and staggered at the blow between his back legs. The very method of attack I'd once used on my mate.

I'd only angered him though and he swung out with a big paw, my whole body rocking to one side at the force of it. Half my body was soaking and freezing cold from lying in the snow while the other half burned with agony at freshly torn open wounds.

"You'd do well not to touch my daughter again, male."

An almost hysterical laugh left me at the fierceness in my mother's tone. I couldn't see her, but I could hear two sets of footsteps crunching through the snow. The wolf lost interest in me, giving me a chance to tilt my chin up.

Aljana flanked her Alpha Female, no weapons in hand but I knew she didn't need them. My mother held a long dagger with a hilt of bone, the steel blade already painted in dripping red. I could have laughed at the fact this wolf thought he stood a chance against my mother, or Aljana. He left me still dazed in the snow, stepping over me to confront the two growling females.

My mother's eyed met mine and she uttered a single word. "Basjan?"

I whimpered, trying to get the word safe out but my mouth had stopped working too. It was a dry croak that came out alongside a jerky nod that let her know he was okay, that she could take this male on.

"Take Freydis to her son, Aljana. Then get them both to the hall," she ordered, her tone calm as she studied her foe.

Aljana opened her mouth but seemed to think better of whatever she was going to say and snapped it shut again. She moved slowly around Signy and the other wolf, never giving either her back as she came to me. I reached for her hand when she offered it but she ended up having to drag me to my feet because I had no energy left. Sliding her arm under mine, she propped me against her side and quickly headed to the village.

I couldn't help but look over my shoulder. The sound of fighting still echoed through the trees and the shock was beginning to take hold. When the blade flashed, I squeezed my eyes shut and allowed Aljana to get me home.

My mind began to whir over every possible outcome. What if I hadn't managed to keep Valdis talking? What if I'd fought with Sol, would he still be alive? Would Valdis really have killed me to take his son, could I have died today? Were my father and brother alright? Bjarke? Did Wulf manage to get Basjan to safety?

Why did I decide to give him to someone else, I should have kept him with me. My wolf was biting at my control, demanding I tear everything apart until I had him in my arms again. But then, if I had kept him, the wolf that had tackled me to the ground might have snatched him and ran.

"You're bleeding a lot."

I grunted something in reply to Aljana, even though her statement made no sense to my frantic mind. The moment the village came into view and I spotted Wulf amongst those gathered at the hall, the feral side of me took over. Aljana cried out as my skin gave way to fur, bones grinding to reform, muscles straining with the effort. Pain blinded me but that didn't stop me from running forward with a ferocious growl.

Following the scent of my male, I growled at the wolves that blocked my way, snapping at those closest. Their words were garbled nonsense with wilder instincts in control. All of it had been shoved away. Thoughts were black and white, no room for reasoning. I wanted my son, and they were in my way.

Katrin stood by the fire with Basjan in her arms and she bared her neck as soon as I stepped into the hall with hackles raised. Nobody moved a muscle as I stalked my way forward, not when the slightest shift could set me off. I scented the air and growled unhappily at how tainted the scents in here were.

I could sense Aljana trailing behind me, her voice ringing out towards a stiff Katrin. Slowly, she began to lower herself to the floor, freezing when I snapped in her direction. When I was certain she meant no harm, she gently lay Basjan on the floor before scampering back a few steps. Her posture was submissive, head bowed, eyes down and quick glance around the room showed other wolves in the same position. My hackles softened a little and I paid them no more mind.

Basjan wriggled unhappily on the floor and I quickly trotted the rest of the way to him. I scented the length of him, relaxing further when there was no smell of blood nor sign of injury. Laying down, I spent the next few moments covering him in my scent again, licking his skin until I was satisfied.

Another presence in the room drew me from my work, a wave of power reaching out to ruffle my fur. My Alpha Female stood a few places behind me, blood splattered across her cheek. She looked fierce and I couldn't help but flatten my ears and tuck tail in submission, stood over my son.

"He's alright as you can see. Shift back so we can take care of you, your head's still bleeding," she ordered gently, holding her hand out for me. "You can hold your pup for a while and then Katrin will look after him for you."

I hesitated, unwilling to shift into a form I couldn't fight in when danger still lurked. But my mother's eyes were pleading and I hated to see that worried look. Fur gave way to skin easier than I thought but it was a slow and painful process. I had to crawl away so as not to accidently crush my pup when my legs gave out beneath me. Sharp pain shot through my muscles and I lay twitching, skin prickling and burning.

Tender fingers stroked through my hair and I nuzzled into that touch. Adrenaline had worn off and now I was exhausted and sore. My head was pounding, a pressure pulsing behind my eyes with every beat of my heart. There was no room for worry about what was going on at the border, and the continuing thrum of the bond was all the assurance I needed right now that Bjarke was okay.

"You were so brave, my female. We're all so very proud of you. You saved your son's life. . ."

"No," I croaked, shaking my head and breaking off my mother's words. I'd barely done anything to help. If it weren't for Sol, I was certain I'd be dead. Or Valdis would have run away with Basjan. "I wasn't brave. I ran and Sol died because I was too afraid to do anything."

Helping me sit up, Signy tilted my chin up. "Don't take blame for his death. He died defending his pack, like a warrior who Odin and Freyja will be proud of, and that's the way he would have wanted to go."

I nodded numbly but at the moment, her words were of little comfort when I could hear the sound of Sol's neck snapping echoing in my head.

Aljana appeared with a bowl of water and some cloths, setting them on the table and I knew there wouldn't be a chance for me to grieve quite yet.

"Let's get you seen to. Madden will be here soon with the others that were injured fighting. The wound looks deep." There was a slight frown on Signy's face as she hoisted me to my feet then sat me on the edge of the table.

Katrin came over to place Basjan in my arms and I clung to him like a lifeline. The events of today replayed in my head in a loop until I wasn't sure I was really amongst the living.

I didn't feel like I deserved to be counted among those injured fighting. All I'd done was run. But I'd kept my promise. I'd kept Basjan safe.