Way of the Wolf: Redemption

Aljana went back to her mate but Katrin stayed by my side while I waited for Bjarke to come collect me. Quite why I hadn't been helped back to the post instead of standing by the river for the Beta was a mystery. When I saw the male heading my way, Katrin stepped in front of me. She clasped my hand in hers and I froze when she leaned in to press her cheek to mine.

I heard her as she inhaled my scent and found myself doing the same. My chest filled with that feeling again and I nuzzled into the female who'd treated me so gently.

"I'm glad I could help you a little. If there's anything you ever need, do come find me," she said, patting my hand.

Nodding, I was unsure of her motives but I didn't get the sense she was in any way malicious. Could I be wrong about them all? Or one day would they turn on me and prove to be everything that Valdis warned me about.

With one last, encouraging smile, Katrin turned and made her way back to her mate and pup. Bjarke bowed his head at her as she passed and murmured his thanks. She touched his arm then shoved him towards me with a teasing grin and I watched with interest.

I saw the way his eyes trailed slowly up the length of me, taking in the dress I wore and skin that had been scrubbed clean, before settling on my face. Intense brown eyes scanned each feature before he smiled and nodded in approval.

"Much better," he complimented, ignoring the way I flinched when he reached out to touch my damp hair.

I wondered if he saw the 'ghost' the Alpha Female had spoken of but forgot all about. He took his time brushing his fingers through my hair, fussing over me until he seemed satisfied despite the way his attention made me feel skittish. The urge to turn my head into his hand was unsettling in the very least. His movements stopped when shouting rang through the air, two voices that tried to speak on top of the other. Bjarke twisted to look at the same time I peered around him to see the whole pack was staring at their warring Alpha pair.

I couldn't quite make out what was being said, and I had the feeling that was exactly why the Alpha Female had left me here. She pointed her finger at her mate who stood tall and dominant before her. He looked angry, blue eyes glowing as he shook his head furiously at whatever she was saying. His body grew more tense, hands fisting by his sides and suddenly I feared for her safety. A whine slipped out without really meaning to, my hand clutching his arm, bringing Bjarke's eyes back on me.

He followed my line of sight and then shifted to block my view of them.

"He wouldn't dare hurt her," he assured me with too much understanding.

I wasn't so sure.

Slowly, he moved closer before bending down to sweep me off the ground. Gasping, my arm slid around his neck to steady myself, head falling to his shoulder. I gave a small flash of my teeth when he pressed his nose into my hair and inhaled deeply. I didn't push his head away like I wanted to, my attention was back on the quarrelling couple that had moved away from the pack for privacy. Whatever the Alpha snapped at his mate angered her greatly. She shoved at his chest and then stormed away. He tried to follow but a growl from her and he backed off.

I felt better now that she was nowhere near her seething mate now. There was no chance he'd hurt her, even if Bjarke promised he'd never do such a thing. I didn't trust an angry male.

"Why is she upset?" I dared to ask, looking up at the Beta. The sun lit up his face, casting skin in a golden glow. He considered my question for a while, brown eyes flicking over to his Alpha.

"I don't know. I've never seen them fight for all to see before; they normally handle things in private. You've caused a little chaos amongst us," he finally said. If it weren't for the half smile and glint in his eye, I'd have become a little defensive.

Did that mean it was me they were arguing about? I frowned, wondering what that could possibly mean. I didn't want to be the cause of the Alpha Female's unhappiness when she'd been nothing but caring towards me. Surely if I was causing problems, it would be easier to simply set me free?

"I wouldn't fret. Even the most in love mates fall out from time to time. Whatever it is, they'll work it out," he went on, and I realised I'd shown my concern.

I accepted his words anyway and watched the pack quickly gather their things. Katrin's pup was amongst a group her age and she gave me a shy wave. Hesitantly, I wiggled my fingers back at her and smiled when she grinned in delight. The Beta chuckled, noticing the interaction.

"Tordis likes when we get visitors. She was stuck to Fenna like glue, she might find you in her place when she returns," he teased.

When I looked up questioningly at the unfamiliar name, he took a seat on one of the washed up logs. We had time before the pack was ready to move.

It felt odd to be sat on his lap even though he'd spent most of our time together carrying me. This was a different position and I wanted to tell him to put me down as his arm slid further around my waist. It was too intimate, too much of my body touching his and it stirred something in my wolf that I didn't like.

"Fenna is the female that found you at the river. She arrived at the pack with Orinfaer, the son of our Alpha pair, nearly two months ago. One day, she might tell you the story of how she became Alpha Female when Signy and Jakkon decide to step down."

I remembered the dark haired female well. She'd been the only other wolf the night of the bonfire that looked as frightened as I did by what was going on. She'd heard the whispering howls of wolves on the wind and loudly as I had.

"Why are they not here?" I inquired.

If I'd decided to believe this pack meant me no harm, there was no point in my continued silence. I'd not spoken so much in years, there was hardly a need for words with Valdis and the others. It was no wonder my voice sounded so foreign to my ears, and scratchy from lack of use. The Beta never said anything about the way I sounded at least and I realised I'd grown self-conscious about all aspects of myself since I'd had time to study these pack wolves.

"They've gone to visit the pack Fenna grew up in to see her family. Then they might travel a while together," he began, capturing my attention again as he chuckled and shook his head. "They're a suited pair, both a bit restless in nature. They'll return to the pack before winter when they'll be needed. Orin is behind in learning from his father, he's lucky they've been allowed so much freedom."

I blinked at how he spoke about the future Alpha, it was obvious Bjarke was close to his family. He'd spiked my curiosity as well. "Why is he behind in learning?"

"For someone who is so against packs, and claims they hate it here, you want to know a lot," he quipped in reply.

I ducked my head, shoulders hunching in. That much was true, I didn't know why I was suddenly so curious.

The Beta chuckled and took a deep breath before answering my question, "He lost someone. He spent a lot of time looking for them and then he got a little lost himself. Fenna helped him find his way back."

I pondered on that as he stood with me in his arms again. Alpha Jakkon was beginning to lead the pack towards the mountain pass but there was still no sign of his mate. The Beta started walking, no longer keeping to the back of the pack but now walking more happily amongst them.

Pups ran around his legs despite the growl of parents wanting them far away from me. When I didn't react to their antics, the growls slowly stopped. They were beginning to realise I wasn't as dangerous as I tried to make out.

I was too deep in thought to really notice anyway. The Alpha's son had been looking for someone. Had anyone looked for me? Frowning, I closed my eyes and fought to remember the faces of my parents or any family but came up blank. I hadn't thought about them in a long time, years maybe. It never really occurred to me that I must have come from somewhere, that I must have had a mother and father out there, unless they were dead. I'd always been too focussed on surviving to really think about my past.

The hum of voices pushed those thoughts away and I was glad; I didn't like the way my chest ached. My leg was beginning to hurt too, perhaps from the walking I'd done earlier. The bliss of herbs that would numb all of the pain and blur my thoughts was tempting and I looked up to see Madden walking next to us. As if the world knew what I needed and had placed him there for me to fall further into the pack's clutches. He smiled at me when he saw me looking.

"I thought you'd fallen asleep," he said, bringing Bjarke's attention to me too.

I shook my head, stomach twisting with butterflies. Could I really bring myself to ask for help from them without prompting? A jolt as the Beta shifted me in his arms and it was my only choice if I didn't want to end up screaming my agony for all to hear.

"I'm in pain. Can I have some of your herbs. . .Madden?" I asked quietly. Both he and the Beta looked like I'd asked something horrible, staring down at me in disbelief.

I shifted uncomfortably, turning my face away from them. I'd known better. It was stupid of me to ask. The rustle of the healer raking through his satchel and I dared to lift my head a little. At the Beta's grumble, Madden hesitated. They seemed to have some unspoken conversation that ended in Madden putting some of what he held back in his bag.

My heart fell a little and I hoped the amount he was going to give me would do what I wanted. He passed the herbs to me with a comforting smile, probably happy he no longer had to force them into my mouth while I bit and scratched.

The taste was no better when eaten willingly. It was bitter and almost made my eyes water but I forced myself to swallow. Bjarke was still giving me a funny look every now and again as I got lost in my daze. The pain dulled, my thoughts became muddled, and I smiled up at the sky.

The mountains became more intimidating the closer we got to the them and the pack walked closer together as our trek took us between them. The air grew colder and I couldn't help but shiver. There was something creepy about the pass with dark shadows darkening its rugged sides. Conversation halted and the pups were ushered into the middle, away from the steep side of the mountain.

The Beta's grip tightened around me and the tension in him told me he sensed whatever everyone else did. It so weed me up quickly as I became more alert, trying to sense what was setting everyone on edge.

Our steps echoed and bounced around until it became a constant thumping like the bang of drums. My breath caught in my throat and I found myself pressing closer to the big male that carried me.

The more I listened, the more I began to believe it wasn't our footsteps making that drumming noise after all, but this was no result of pack magic like the night of the bonfire. My fingers reached out to trail over the rough side of the mountain when the path narrowed. I had to swallow the lump in my throat when I swore I could feel that rhythmic beat pulse beneath my hand. It was as if the rock was alive.

"What is that?" I whispered, my voice shaking as I snatched my hand back.

The Beta chuckled but there was a strained edge to the sound as he looked up. The peeks disappeared into the sky and it was then I understood why the pack had the place they returned to hidden through here. This way would scare even Valdis, I was sure.

"It's just the sound of us walking. These mountains have been known to distort all types of-"

"It's dwarves," Madden interrupted with a wide grin as he leaned in closer.

I blinked at him then looked back at Bjarke in question. "Dwarves?"

He gave Madden a look but the healer was still grinning and looking at the Beta expectantly. A few wolves near us cast him scolding sidelong glances.

"There's stories about this place. But there's stories about many places and it doesn't mean they're true," Bjarke stated, giving Madden a shake of his head. "It's said that deep inside the mountains is the home of the dwarves. They're ruled by a high king whose age is older than these very rocks, and supposedly served the gods in making them weapons, like Mjölnir, imbued with magic. That thumping is the sound of them hammering in their forges, or digging for gold deep beneath the mountain."

Something about the story felt familiar. I knew the name Mjölnir, though I couldn't say why. I grasped at strands of memory, but like always they slipped from my grasp with the pounding of a headache.

I looked up at the mountain again, trying to imagine the tale he'd told. "Do you believe the stories?"

He laughed and shook his head, eyes glinting. "Maybe there was such a thing as dwarves once but if there were, they're all long gone now."

"I believe the stories!" Madden butt in, cringing when his voice echoed loudly. He lowered it considerably when the pack turned glares his way. "My father swears he saw one of them when he was patrolling the territory up near one of the caves. He wore armour of gold and leather and wielded a giant spear."

"Your father also swore he conversed with Odin, and that'd he'd seen visions of Ragnarök," The Beta reported.

I muffled a laugh behind my hand and the indignant look the healer gave his friend. Then he shrugged and winked at me. "My father liked to eat one too many mushrooms at night, but I believe he saw something out here. I'd never seen him look so shaken as he did when he described that dwarf to my mother."

Whatever they all believed, whether the stories about this place were just stories or not, everyone seemed afraid to make too much noise. Even the pups were quiet now, walking with their parents instead of running around. Maybe there was something in these mountains. It certainly felt like it. Eyes seemed to peer from cracks and crannies and I hated the feeling of being watched. I shivered again but it might have been from the unease I felt now the herbs were wearing off.

"Are you cold?" Bjarke murmured.

I shook my head and kept my eyes on his chest, frightened of what I might see out there. The patterns on his skin moved with every step he took, rippling over his skin as if they had a life of their own. I didn't realise my fingers were tracing the runes circling his bicep until he growled. My gaze flicked up, barely able to see his face properly from the way he carried me. It wasn't a frightening sound, there was no warning in it, nor anger. Either way, I couldn't let myself do that again. My hand fell back to my lap.

"Not much further," he promised.

I nodded absentmindedly, eyes on the other side of the pass. The more we walked, the more I felt like I was trapped. Whether I'd been told lies about packs or not, this wasn't what I wanted. At least I knew what to expect from life with Valdis.

Alpha Female Signy reappeared as if by magic as we neared the end of the trail. She stalked her way from the back of the pack to the front and wolves moved aside for her. I didn't miss the determination in her expression and she met my gaze with green eyes a little lighter than mine.

"Bjarke," she called out, touching his arm. "Come walk with me."

He bowed his head, accepting his Alpha Female's wishes and he sped up a little to match her stride. I swallowed nervously as we approached Alpha Jakkon, the male that led his pack. He narrowed his eyes at his mate, his jaw clenched.

"She doesn't get to walk up here with me," he growled.

I curled in on myself, trying to hide from his glare. The Alpha had offered his help to me but now hatred burned in his eyes. His mate sniffed and motioned to the Beta. "She's not walking. Bjarke is second in command, he should be by your side."

"Signy, my mate. Don't question me. You're only trying to fool yourself with this female. Let it go." A ripple of power from him and Signy struggled to keep her head up.

The whole pack stopped moving just feet from the end of the mountain pass. Alpha Female Signy let out a growl of her own and I looked up at Bjarke for any sign that this was the norm for the pair. His expression didn't give anything away however.

The two Alphas postured, neither willing to back down and I watched nervously, unable to even breathe. When the Alpha's skin began to shift, his power had most heads bowing and it was then the Alpha Female submitted. She wasn't willing to challenge her mate in front of everyone and she bowed her head, taking just one step back. I didn't miss her hand flex beside the dagger strapped to her belt and it had me in slight awe of her. There was no doubt in my mind these two would continue this later, in private as Bjarke had said.

The Alpha settled again, hackles softening now he had the submission of his mate. With his power under control, I felt able to breathe easily once more. Signy lifted her slightly, leaning towards him.

"When you see what I see, you will regret this, Jakkon. And you'll need to do far more for me than Orin did to gain Fenna's affections again" she whispered harshly, only for those close to hear.

Alpha Jakkon growled again and for a moment I wondered if he was going to punish his mate for speaking to him so. Instead he turned his back to her and started walking again. The pack started moving too but Signy's hand on Bjarke's arm stopped him. When everyone was out of earshot and I was more confused than I'd been since my first day with these wolves, she turned to speak.

"When we return, I want a word with you in private," she ordered, and the Beta only nodded once.

I was tired of all these riddles and words spoken to purposefully keep me in the dark. Something was going on and they were doing their best to keep it from me. The Alpha Female smiled wearily and brushed drying hair from my cheek. There was something sad about her eyes now and it tugged at my heart.

Straightening her shoulders, she motioned for us to continue. "Come, little fighter. Let us show you our homeland."