Alpha clears his throat, and the table goes quiet.
Finally, he’ll speak his mind.
“I know you’re curious about why I called this meeting.”
“We’re honored to have you here, Alpha,” Uncle Terrel responds.
“Things have been rocky for the packs for a while. Births are happening less, and the power in the bloodlines is diluting.” They gaze at me and I tilt my head up.
I won’t feel shame for things I have no control over. I grip the material of my dress under the table. Anxiety slicks my palms.
“We’ve lost every female born in the past five years to the sickness.”
“Every one?” The number is staggering. Things have gotten worse.
The Alpha nods. “None lived past a week. We’ve also lost ten percent of the females in the thirteen to sixteen range. Those who survived the illness were made sterile.”
We’re fading faster than I imagined. The picture painted is grim. “I didn’t know,” I whisper.
“You wouldn’t have. We’ve kept a tight lid on it. Weakness revealed is a request to be attacked.” He
exhales. “A few months ago, we had a breakthrough. The Volva received a message from the gods — a
prophecy. We considered every angle carefully. It all comes back to Ylva.”
I jerk, bumping into the table. “Excuse me?” The words fly free before I can stifle them.
“You’re the one mentioned in the prophecy who can turn things around for us,” Alpha explains.
“You understand I’m the weakest wolf here, right?” I glance around the table. “This is insane.”
“Ylva,” Aunt Gerda hisses.
“No,” Alpha holds up a hand. “Let her speak her mind.”
“I’ve spent my entire life being made very aware of the disappointment I caused with my birth.
I’m too slow and weak for the Thostenson pack,” I spit the words drilled into my head
back at him.
“You come in using heavy-handed tactics to capture me against my will on some off chance I might fit into whatever tale the pack’s magic practitioner has spun for you?” I slam my fist onto the table, rattling the glasses.
Panting I grip the edge of the table. Struggling to control myself I close my eyes.”
“You don’t believe in divination?” There’s condescension in the Alpha’s voice.
“I think it can be twisted to fit many agendas,” I flirt with insult as I deliver carefully chosen words.
He grunts. “Not this time.” Alpha turns to my uncle. “Stoke the fire. Tonight, we burn the sacred
herbs, and honor the old ways. We’ll speak with the Volva. She’ll show you like she
did to me.” Alpha nods. “Then you will believe and understand.”
My aunt and uncle preen, proud peacocks. They eat up every word.
You’d think they were the chosen ones. Disgusted, I scowl at them. Our witch practices the Norse magic, seidr. Part magic, clairvoyance, they have connections with the lands and their spirit. The ancient practice has served us well.
Why does it matter? No one’s ever cared one way or another what I wanted.
“I want to speak with the youngling alone.”
I sit up straight in my chair, pressing against the cool wood.
“The girl’s been gone for so long, Alpha. She might not remember the proper way to interact
with you.”
Aunt Gerda is a simpering fool as she speaks in a sugary sweet tone.
“I remember her family. She knows.”
His sharp words silence my aunt.
“Come, wife. Let us prepare.” They exit, leaving me along with the enforcer and the Alpha with an unhealthy interest in me.
“We’ve not done right by you.”
