Way of the Wolf: Redemption

Hidden in the mountains and surrounded by thick forest, rested where the pack came for winter. A waterfall rumbled from the tall heights off a cliff into the river below. I was glad I was carried across when fear spiked and I had to hide my face against Bjarke's chest. The soft brush of fingers across my leg was comforting and the Alpha Female rumbled until we stood on solid ground once more.

I slid down the Beta's body as he carefully set me on my feet. My knee still felt stiff but didn't buckle when I put a little weight on it. Wildflowers and silver trees filled the site with sweet floral scents and a musky smell told me deer had passed through not long ago. This place was built like a fortress but the presence of herd animals meant there had to be another way out.

A few wooden huts still stood from the last time the pack were here, or perhaps they were permanent. One stood out amongst the structures I was sure were homes. It was bigger, the back pushed up against the side of the biggest mountain. Something was carved into its walls, wolf heads guarding the large double doors. Something called me to it and I forgot all about studying the place that was to be my new prison.

Neither the Beta nor the Alpha Female stopped me when I started to hobble my way towards it. I got the strangest sense that I'd seen something like it before. The pack were too busy unpacking and setting up to give me a second look as I pressed my hand against the cold wood of the hall.

The ghost of a hand pressed against my back, urging me to look inside but I hesitated. There was a thick plank of wood across the doors, one that was too heavy for me to even think about lifting. I stroked across the craving of a rune, frowning.

"We gather here to eat, make clothes, and do other chores. It gets too cold to eat outside when winter comes," the Alpha Female spoke from behind me.

My hand fell and I stumbled back, shaking my head of the whispering voices the wind brought on the breeze. When I turned, both wolves were watching me. The Beta's eyes were on my leg as if waiting for any sign I might fall. The Alpha Female was, as always, scanning my face.

"Why do you not go south to warmer places in winter and stay here in summer instead?" I asked.

It seemed the obvious thing to do. It was the way I was used to. Move with the seasons to escape the cold. No Wulver wanted to struggle for meals more than usual, surely. Or why travel at all because I was sure in the summer these lands offered much to eat.

"Winter brings with it more than snow. When our kind was fleeing war many many centuries ago, this place kept us safe. It still keeps us safe," she replied, eyes drifting up to the mountain before she looked back at me. "It's beautiful here when the snow falls. I think you'll like it."

I scrunched my nose. Snow didn't seem like something I'd like. It was cold and wet, and made hunting difficult. What was there to enjoy in that?

"I don't like snow," I stated harshly, annoyed this female thought to act like she knew me.

She flinched, lips parting and I hated that I felt a little guilty. But her reaction spoke of more than it being simply my tone.

"You don't?" Her voice was soft, shoulders slouching ever so slightly.

I shook my head and wrapped my arms around myself, wishing I was back to being the outcast nobody wanted to speak to. Everything I said just seemed to upset someone. I'd already caused strain on her relationship with her mate's and others were beginning to pick sides too, I wasn't blind. Bjarke was sided with his Alpha. Katrin and Aljana had chosen Signy. The reason was a mystery I hadn't figured out yet but I was sure in time, I would.

Feral I might have been, but I wasn't stupid. I'd spent my life watching everything around me with a careful eye so I could keep myself alive and on Valdis' good side.

The Alpha Female's whole body deflated in front of me and she clasped trembling hands together. "Well. I suppose we better find you someplace to sleep."

"Alpha Jakkon made her my charge until he says otherwise. I have room, she can stay with me," Bjarke interjected.

She pursed her lips, eyes scanning the Beta up and down. He didn't waver under her scrutiny but kept his gaze respectfully lowered. Whatever she was looking for, it was important to her. I stared at the Beta, trying to decide how I felt about having to share a den with him. It wouldn't be much different from how we'd spent the last few weeks but a den was private, wolves were territorial, and I was sure there was somewhere else they could keep me captive.

"Very well. That's probably best, she trusts you," the Alpha Female finally agreed.

I short laugh escaped me. Though they hadn't harmed me, and although the Beta had been my only true companion since I'd been taken, I wasn't sure I would quite say I trusted him lightly, more like I was forced to. She gave me a look that sobered me up and I ducked my head, feeling like a scolded pup.

The Beta held his hand out for me and I limped over, face creasing in pain. Even the small walk from the river to the hall had worn me out. Sensing this, he swung be back into his arms and I scrambled to hold onto him. The Alpha Female watched us, her eyes on where male hands touched my body.

"We will talk tonight, Beta," she instructed before stepping to one side to allow us passed.

He bowed his head and started walking, winding through the pack. Some still set up tents but most were opening up the huts, pushing up wooden shutters from windows to air them out. The pups were back to causing chaos, getting under feet and tripping wolves up.

The Beta stopped outside one of the bigger structures and placed me back on my feet. He crouched to pick up a bag with its contents spilling out by the door, mumbling to himself about trusting Madden with his things. There was a pile of rolled up furs and another, smaller bag that brought the scent of herbs to me. The healer had left them for me like he knew I would be staying with his friend.

While the Beta was busy picking up his things, I crouched down and snatched the bag, slipping it under my dress without thought. I'd seen his face this morning, I knew he didn't like me taking them. I wasn't going to let him leave me in pain because he didn't approve.

When he stood and looked at me, I worried he'd be able to tell, that my expression would betray me. He only gave me a half smile and then opened the door to his den. I waited for him to step in first before following. It was almost pitch black inside, only thin streams of light filtering through a crack in the shutter over the only window.

He dumped the bags and furs at his feet to open the window and particles of dust danced around the streams of light. My nose scrunched at the musty smell and I stood unsure of what to do. The Beta barely glanced at me as he began to unpack. He lay the furs out at the far end, placing them carefully as if each fur and blanket had a specific spot he'd memorised.

I looked around while he worked, feeling like what he did should have been private. This was his private space and I was very much intruding. Turning slowly on the spot, I inspected the rest of the room. There was a shallow, circular pit by my feet that I assumed was used for a fire. An old bench that looked a little rotten was against one wall. It was simplistic, rustic, nothing like I'd expected. I'd always been told packs lived in grand houses like the humans did with bathrooms and kitchens. I'd only been inside a house once when hunger had driven me to steal from the humans that lived nearby. That hadn't ended well.

"The bench isn't heavy, move it to the pit and sit. I'll light a fire so you can warm up," Bjarke instructed as he turned to see me still standing by the window.

"I told you I wasn't cold," I muttered but did as he said anyway just so I could do something.

"You're shivering."

Was I? I clenched my fists when I saw my body was indeed shaking with small tremors. Swallowing, I made my way to the bench and dragged it over to the pit, all the while he still watched me. My leg was throbbing now and I sat slowly and stretched it out in front of me.

My hand fell to the bulge on my dress where I'd stashed the bag and sharp eyes caught my movement. When Bjarke stood, his presence filled the room. Power wound around me and I struggled not to shake all the more. I could pretend it was from the cold but it was fear, a sense of being trapped like a wild animal.

"You're in pain. Perhaps I should go ask Madden for more herbs for you." There was a glint in his eyes and I knew what he knew but I kept my mouth shut until he reached the door.

"Don't."

He turned and folded his arms, not needing to say a single thing to get me to obey. I pulled up my dress and retrieved the bag, my neck bent as the weight of his disappointment reached me. I stayed quiet as he took it from my hands.

"It's time to make a few things clear so we can start getting along." He held up the bag of herbs, expression serious. "These aren't good for you. They're addictive. I've seen wounded wolves fall to their hold and I won't allow that to happen to you so I'll be keeping them. You will ask me only if you need them, not if you simply want them. I'll know the difference. You'll do as I say here for your own safety as well as the pack's. You'll get up in the morning when I get up, you'll go to bed when I go to bed, you'll eat when I eat, do you understand?" He crouched in front of me as he laid out the rules of my new life. My wolf bristled at the orders, I was used to doing things as I wanted when I wanted, unless Valdis had us moving somewhere.

A flash of fangs brought me out of my thoughts and I lifted my head to look into stern brown eyes. This male wanted my complete submission and I feared what would happen if I refused to give it. He watched me war with myself until I thought I would become a screaming mess again. Right now, my survival completely depended on him. It was easier to give in.

My head bowed and tilted to the side to give him my neck, my body losing all will to fight. It chipped away at who I believed myself to me and tears stung my eyes. This was it. They'd won. They'd tamed me.

I jumped when he leaned in, scenting my skin before pressing his cheek against mine. We stayed in that position for a while until my restlessness settled and I got used to his scent when there was nothing else to taint it. Even just the press of his cheek was overwhelming to my senses despite having been carried by him for days now. He was accepting me.

When he pulled back, he smiled and pet my hair. "In return, I'll look after you as best I can. I'll make sure you get food, drink, that you heal and get stronger."

There was nothing but sincerity in his expression and I found I believed him. But why was he willing to do all this? What did he get out of it, except practically having me shackled to his existence. He opened the bag but kept his eyes on me.

"Do you need some?" he asked.

I nodded, heart missing a beat as I waited to see if he believed me or not. He took out a smaller amount than Madden had this morning and I felt myself pout. It gave something away that made him sigh softly before he pressed the herbs into my already open mouth.

His fingers brushed over my bottom lip and he grumbled and apology when I stiffened. Chewing quickly, I waited for the herbs to do their work while I watched the Beta finish unpacking. He left me alone while he went to get firewood and I studied what I could see through the open door. The huge fire in the middle of the settlement was being built up and I could see pups hanging from a huge oak tree.

The sound of their laughter normally brought a smile to my face but I found it made me feel cold and empty now. I was cold, I realised. Freezing actually. The pile of furs and blankets called to me and my thoughts were muddled enough that I didn't think about how it would be further giving in. I almost had to drag myself over to the far side of the hut.

Burrowing under a thick blanket, I nuzzled my cheek against the furs I lay on. They smelt mostly like Bjarke but Madden's scent lingered too. I didn't seem to mind that, in fact, I sunk in deeper, pulling more fabric over me until I was completely cocooned in warmth and comforting scents. I liked the dark better.

I'd never been so comfortable before in my life, I was surrounded by softness. The soothing high of pain relief and finally feeling safe and warm almost made me giggle. This was luxury to me. These wolves were so lucky.

Only when I heard the Beta return and the sound of his chuckle did it ruin my moment of peace. I stayed hidden but listened intently to each move he made. I could sense him close and felt the weight of another blanket being pulled over me. Smiling in the dark, I settled back into the den I'd made for myself, uncaring that the behaviour was odd for me.

Dozing in and out, my fingers kept stroking over the furs until they held my scent as well now. I relaxed further, sinking into feelings of contentment. I could hear the snapping of branches as the Beta started building the fire, and then the smell of smoke. A little crackling and then the comforting sound of a steady fire filled my senses. There was something sweet in the smoke and I pulled back the furs just a little to breathe it in before hiding again.

The Beta stopped moving. I could tell he was still here, I heard his every breath, but he seemed to be comfortable with our silence. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad being stuck with him, he respected my need for space. He was somehow always completely in tune with my emotions.

Curling up tighter, I was still trembling. I wasn't sure if it was still because of the cold though. When I shifted, I swore I knew he looked this way. I could feel his gaze despite being hidden from him.

"I'm pleased you've made yourself comfortable but you've given me very little room to lie next to you." His voice was nearby and my eyes flew open.

The pile I was buried under was pulled back and I growled on instinct, trying to snatch back the warmth. The Beta was chuckling as he peered down at me, eyeing the way I was wrapped around myself. I watched him warily as he maneuvered himself over me and lay closest to the wall. He joined me beneath the blankets and my gaze flew to the window. It was still light outside and this male never went to bed before most of the pack.

He gave me a smile when I looked back at him, eyes taking in my confusions. "It's been a long journey for both of us. If you want to sleep, I would like to as well."

I considered him for a moment, unsure I wanted a male in my space like that but it was his den. When I continued to just stare, he lay down anyway. He made sure I was covered head to toe again, hidden and safe, burrowing into the dark. I turned my back to him, making sure every blanket was in the correct place then paused. Hadn't I made fun of him for doing just that? I'd never had a den before but I found myself needing everything to be just right on instinct.

"Until you have a place of your own, you're free to treat this as yours. Stop fretting and get some sleep before you have to join in and help the pack," he ordered. "You won't be sleeping through the day anymore."

I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to tell him that I'd sleep whenever I wanted to. My back tingled with the awareness of his presence so close so I tried to focus on the sound of the fire. The little herbs he'd given me hadn't been enough to drown out the noise in my head completely and I fell into a fitful sleep. In the moments I woke up whimpering, I'd hear the rumble of the male lying next to me that settled me enough to go back to sleep. It happened like that a few times. I woke up from bad dreams, wriggled around a bit, rearrangement furs and blankets, and then rested again.

He couldn't have been having a peaceful rest when I was forced disturbing him. This time when I woke, strong fingers in my hair stroked through strands that were now knotted again, rubbing over the tension in my neck. His touch was what got me back to sleep and had me staying that way through the rest of the night.