I roll to the side and my stomach protests the movement. I breathe through my mouth, and slowly lower my arm.
Squinting against the light pouring through the window, I blink as my vision comes into focus.
I spot the Volva and memory slams back into me.
“You saw him?” she asks.
“Yeah.” My voice cracks. I lick my dry lips.
“Who?”
Alpha’s voice draws my attention to where he stands in the corner.
“Fenrir. He called me his daughter?” I furrow my brow as the dream returns in increments.
“Did he explain the prophecy?” Alpha’s voice is tense as he comes and perches on the edge of my bed opposite the Volva.
The commanding man looks strange in the feminine setting. His expensive suit is out of place against my cream and rose-patterned comforter.
“Not really?” I cough.
“Get the girl something to drink,” the Volva demands. I look to the doorway and watch as my aunt scurries off to do her bidding.
“The choice was mine to make about the pack’s survival.”
“And?” Alpha leans over the bed, crowding my space.
“I chose to save you.”
Exhaling, his shoulders slump. “How?”
“He didn’t say.” I shift in the bed and wince at the ache in my legs and arms.
“Then what happened?” He says impatiently. The anxious energy paired with his Alpha’s power flusters me. “You were the only one who witnessed it girl, spit it out,” Alpha demands.
“I.” I exhale. “I don’t know. He said heroes have to sacrifice and then there was only pain.”
“That’s enough for now. Let the girl rest. She’s been between the veil and back and been touched by a god. I can sense the changes taking place in her,” the Volva says.
“We have to figure out what she’s done,” Alpha protests.
“Not until she’s able to stand on her own two feet. She’s already chosen her fate. Nothing you do
will make the pieces line up any faster.”
Only this trusted and revered elder could go toe to toe with the Alpha. I can’t help but admire her for standing her ground and advocating for me.
I throw the blankets off, squirming. “Why am I so hot?”
“That’s just the power settling in.” The Volva places a cool hand on my forehead.
“There are things I must attend to.” Alpha rises and stalks out with Alphonse behind him.
“You’ve chosen a rocky route, girl. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that.”
I groan. “No.”
“I’ll help get you through this first bit, but the rest you’ll do on your own. They want to know you’re worthy of the gifts you stand to receive.”
“Who?” I croak.
“The old ones who created us.”
My aunt returns with a carafe of water and a glass. I hide my glee when the Volva shoos her
away.
“The birth rates have dropped like a stone because our people have grown lazy and lacking. Back in the
day we fought for our positions and acted as a true community to survive. This modern age has spoiled
us. People have grown more concerned with things than pack, and they’re finally responding to our
ignorance.”
“How do we fix it?” Closing my eyes, I press fingers to my eyelids in attempt to ease my headache.
“A new set of trials are being put into place.”
