Why does the greater good require so much damn sacrifice? I rub my freed wrist. Sitting before him, we find triangles on all of us.
“Your time grows short. You’ll leave tonight to seek the amulet.”
I’m careful to show respect this time. “How?”
“The sundial will lead the way,” Fenrir assures us.
“What about the Alpha?” Cadoc asks. “We are still beholden to his rules.”
“Let him believe he’s in charge for now. Allow him to bond you in the way of your people, but never forget where your loyalty truly lies.” Fenrir’s eyes glow red at the end of his speech.
I’d face Alpha with a dull pencil before I went toe to toe with the great wolf.
“Time grows short. Make haste.”
Fenrir opens a portal behind us and we move quickly, leaving behind the angry wolf king born of a god, we admire and respect as much as we fear.
Two hours later, I’m freshly scrubbed and wearing a thin white shift under the moonlight.
The runes Wunjo, Gebo, and Ehwaz are painted our arms for joy, generosity, and trust. Multi-colored ribbons join me to each member of my clan.
Blue for fidelity, gold for wisdom, purple for power, and black for success and strength. Alpha places his hand over ours.
“May the pack grow strong for the joining of these great families. Their paths are forever twined, their hearts shall be as one, and their clan shall be fierce. Bestow upon them the power of their lineage. Their wolves shall never again walk alone should they prove their worth.”
A brief burning sensation on my wrists shows the filled-in triangles that denote our bond.
It dances like an animated character, and golden light bursts forth, weaving back and forth with theirs.
Gasping, I stare in wonder at the feel of their magic, the very essence of who they are moving inside of me.
Is it only me? “Can you feel that?”
“I do,” they whisper sounds of agreement. Our inner wolves brush against each other, growing acquainted.
Despite the horrors of tonight, I feel restored and cared for. Don’t forget this has all been arranged.
Berating myself for confusing duty with genuine caring, I pull back.
“I upheld my end of the bargain. It’s time you do the same.” Alpha steps back.
“We will do everything possible to keep the pack safe.” Cadoc’s vow sounds sincere. But I know it’s because what’s best for the pack very likely doesn’t’ include its current leader. The Alpha unties the ribbons and hands them to me.
“There have been many rebellious sects over the years. Upstarts always have grand plans and big dreams about how they’ll rule far better. It’s par for the course. The danger comes when the leader of the movement has enough charisma and political influence to gain traction. I’m very familiar with the people who took you. The Harbingers of the Moon were spoken about in hushed conversation for years. They were an idea with no real shape or proof of existence.”
“What changed?” Cadoc continues to ply the Alpha with as many questions as he’ll answer.
“They came out of the ether and asked for you, Ylva. When I looked into why, everything changed. They’re seeking Fenrir’s amulet too. I don’t need to explain to you why that can’t happen.”
I think back to the burned man’s words. “He wanted to steal my power.”
“Why?” Alpha is instantly on edge. Eyes wide, back stiff, and mouth in a grimace, Alpha is instantly on edge.
“I don’t know—”
“They fear her,” Bo says.
“Me?” My voice is higher than it should be. “Why? They knew enough about me to know I never had any real power.”
“And yet look at you now.” Kirk gestures to me.
Fell’s eyes turn glossy. “You have Fenrir’s favor and that means something,”
“Fell?” I reach out and touch his arm.
Fell continues. “Every father has a favorite and each person a destiny. Those two things want to align. You just need to believe it.”
The wisdom in the depth of his green gaze feels like gospel.
“Tomorrow, you leave to start the search. Take whatever you need. My resources are yours. We
can’t let the Harbingers get their hands on that kind of power.”
Alpha’s description of me as a thing to be controlled instead of a person, doesn’t escape my notice.
Bo clears his throat. “You aren’t the only one we’ve made promises to.”
