Love Among Shadows

by Smokey Moment

  A

  light tap at the back door caught Aesir’s attention. He looked at Zen and she shrugged her shoulders. They had no idea who would be at their back door. Everyone came to the front. Aesir stood up and walked through his kitchen to the back steps. Zen watched him, then turned her attention back to the white and tan yarn that she looped yellow yarn through. The little booties would come in handy. She suspected she was with child. Her heat was gone replaced with feelings of hunger and a thirst for blood.

  The males were hunting more but there was tension among the pack. The men were angered that Legend was not there to ensure the larger game would be taken down. With his help, the bison and wildebeest didn’t stand a chance. Hunting would be more successful. Yield more food. But he hadn’t been there in weeks and Aesir felt the pressure. They looked to him for answers. It was his brother. But Aesir too was stumped. He wasn’t sure why Legend was never there. Only that Legend had told him he had a mission that he could not discuss. Blake was complaining and Darr was meeting with Lou more frequently, and at odd times of the night. Something was amidst. He just wasn’t sure what it was. He was only sure that it involved one thing. His brother.

  “Legend!” Aesir said, as he opened his back door. “Ace. We need to talk. Where’s Zen?” he asked. “She’s in the front room. Let go out,” he replied. “No! I can’t be seen. Pop is coming here. I don’t have much time. Can you get her to go out? Maybe visit Storm or Trinity until were done?” he asked. Aesir gave him a look.

  “Ask her to leave? You don’t know Zen very well, do you. I’ll never hear the end of it,” he replied. “Come on Aesir. Shit getting ready to jump off. I can tell,” he said. Aesir nodded. “Yes. That I can agree on. Darr and Lou been hush, hush. And Blake acting like he’s running shit. I heard he’s been meeting with pop. What the fuck is that shit about. Meeting with our father! Really!” he said.

  Legend looked away. His demeanor changed. “Are you sure?” he asked. “No, I’m not sure. Only rumor. Storm saw them. It could be nothing,” Aesir said. “Or, it could be something,” Legend replied.

  The men walked into the living room. Zen stood up to hug her brother in law. “Legend! Where you been. I haven’t seen you around. Everything okay?” she asked. “Yeah. Everything’s good,” he said, keeping his reply short and looking over at Aesir. “Babe… Um…Can you leave us to talk for a moment,” he said. Zen stared at her husband. Legend’s lack of conversation and the request had her wondering what was going on. “Sure honey. I’ll be over Sheeba’s,” she reluctantly agreed. Zen didn’t like trouble. She hated the unknown. Legend had been a mystery since he showed up. He refused to open up or let anyone close. Any healthy robust Valkan male would be entertaining every available female until he found his mate. But not him. And it concerned her. Trinity was gorgeous. She was smart. And she was loyal. She was of beta royalty. A top female. Second only to a pure-bred alpha female. It didn’t make sense.

  Zen gathered her things and walked out of her home. She crossed the road and walked the short distance to Osimi and Sheeba’s cottage.

  “Okay. She’s gone. What’s so urgent?” Aesir asked. Legend was pacing. He stopped and turned to his brother. “Did you ever find out who is following me? Tell me something Aesir. I know you know something. Seen something. You are up all hours of the night. Who have you seen? Darr expects everyone to stick around the village at night. And from what I have seen, everyone mostly obeys him. They only go to town during day hours. Who is out at night here, besides you?” he asked. Aesir walked slowly back and forth. Legend became angry.

  “What the fuck Aesir? Who? Are you protecting somebody? Someone more important than your own brother,” he fumed. “What! Of course not! I just don’t want to be responsible for anything. Why do you, get to move freely at night, but no one else. Yes, I like to go into the city. So do you. And so do a few others. It’s a guy thing. It’s not a big deal. No one is following you. You ever stopped to think that they want the same freedoms you have. Just because your pure Valkan and spiritually blessed, doesn’t mean anything to these men. They want the same things. They want freedom!” he shouted. Legend walked slowly toward Aesir. He looked like a man preparing for battle. Aesir took a deep breath. Legend was bigger. More powerful. He didn’t want to do battle. He couldn’t win.

  “Have you not listened to anything I have said to you. This is not about freedom. And I have tried to keep you out of it. But now, I will tell you what this is about. And you will keep your mouth closed because revealing it, will cause war,” he said, stopping short of being within an inch of his brother’s face. Aesir was on edge. Legend could be intimidating. But he was also not the type to react, and any move made by him, would be a well thought out move. Aesir was curious. If it wasn’t about freedom, then what was it about.

  “Then tell me. What’s with all the secrets. How can I help you if I don’t know what’s going on,” he replied. Legend took a step back. He wasn’t sure he could trust Aesir. His own late-night behaviors raised concern. Picking up human prostitutes was alarming. He hadn’t been around Aesir in years prior to coming to Cedar Falls. They were once close, but that was as youth. Who was he now. What had he become. Was he a man of honor, or was he someone to be kept at arm’s length.

  Legend took a deep breath. He was family still. Aesir was all there was. There was no one else. He was his only connection in Cedar Falls. Legend trusted no one. He barely trusted his family. But things were becoming difficult to handle alone. He needed an ally.

  “There’s someone in Anchorage that I see. A human,” he said. Aesir couldn’t believe his ears. He was quiet. Legends words were shocking. He sat down. Legend sat beside him. He knew Aesir needed a minute. What he said surely caused a ripple.

  The men looked at each other. Aesir looked down. He shook his head slowly in disbelief. “You followed me that night to the hotel. Made me return to Cedar Falls. And all along you’re doing the same fucking thing,” he criticized.

  “This is different! I’m not seeing a prostitute! I’m in love with her. She is a regular person. I haven’t even touched her. It’s not like that,” he replied. “She’s still human. You won’t get a pass for that. You think Darr will give a fuck. He won’t. Neither will pop. You’re being a hypocrite,” Aesir said, his voice becoming louder with each syllable. “Calm down Aesir. Don’t you think I feel bad. It did not start out that way. I was supposed to kill her. She is a ruid,” he said. Aesir’s eyes bucked. He was frozen. Unable to process what his brother had revealed.

  “What! There’s a ruid? Here? In Alaska?” he asked. Legend nodded. Aesir looked away. It was a shocking revelation. He was aware, like all wolves, that they existed. But he was also under the belief that they had all been destroyed.

  “What does this have to do with anything? Why are you telling me this? Kill her or don’t kill her. Why be concern with whether someone is following you? I don’t get it,” he said. Legend leaned forward. His eyes penetrating. His demeanor intense. It was a serious game someone was playing. And Legend wanted answers.

  “Someone else has been hired. There are no Valkan wolves here except you and I. And only Valkans receive kill orders. The same reason only Valkans can become king. It is our right. But in order to pay homage to the spirits for the honor to be king, we must kill if they send the order. You know this, right?” he said. Aesir nodded. Legend continued.

  “So, unless you’re going to tell me, that you are the man that was standing in the shadows that night she ran to the river, I need to know who else is trying to kill her and why. The spirits would never allow it. Someone is going against our natural laws. I want to know who. And why. What do they get out of it. They can’t become king and money is not a factor,” he said.

  Legend knew that all wolves had access to resources. Their society was one of wealth and privilege. There were no poor or homeless werewolves. Each family provided handsomely for their own. Whether alpha, beta or omega. And so, he was stumped as to the reason someone ha
d taken on such a duty. And it was risky. The spirits could disapprove and wreak havoc, eventually causing an unnatural and painful death. Only the spirits gave orders to kill. And wolves were not allowed to kill, unless directed to do so.

  “You have an enemy right in your face and you don’t even know it. A Valkan. Think about it. What other Valkan comes around here. Reed is gone. He went to Africa and never returned. And there aren’t any others. Uncle Montaan is in Canada. So are his sons. Uncle Sierbin is in Asia. His sons are either in Asia or Africa. Everyone is in Canada, Asia or Africa,” he assured.

  Legend looked off. He thought hard. He understood what Aesir was saying. But he didn’t believe it was a Valkan. He believed it was someone from Cedar Falls. A beta or maybe an omega. And if that were true, where did they get the order. He was sure the spirits saw what was in his heart. Saw that he loved her. And he wondered if things had changed. Maybe a new order was spoken, and another wolf was entrusted to make the kill. But something wasn’t right because the new order would have been given to another Valkan wolf. He wondered if it was a rogue. Someone taking it upon themselves in the hopes of impressing Archaeus and Darr. A Valkan could chant to the spirits and ask for a pardon. The spirits might listen and save the life of a rogue wolf, if the wolf meant no harm and was looking out for the greater good. And if they beat him to killing Valentina, maybe they could become an important leader. Killing a ruid was a major accomplishment.

  Legend stood up. Aesir meant well, but he was misinformed and still bitter about a childhood he regretted. Their father Archaeus was a lot of things but he was not this scandalous. Aesir had insinuated it was him. That he was the Valkan in Legend’s face. But Legend didn’t agree. This was something else.

  “You’re wrong. You say that because he was never there for us. And you haven’t forgiven him. But he is not the man in the shadows. I have to go,” he said, as he walked to the back door. “Legend!” Aesir shouted. Legend turned around. Aesir looked at him. He had a whole new set of worries now. They were Valkan and hard to take down. But not if the enemy was another Valkan. Aesir was stumped. He wondered who it was and why.

  “If you need me to help. Just say so. I’m here,” he said. Legend smiled. “I don’t want you involved. It’s dangerous. A lot is at stake. Just keep your mouth closed and your eyes open. They may come for you. You’re a link. They know I will come for them if something happens. Just be careful,” he said.

  Aesir watched as Legend walked out the door. He was proud of his brother. He had a second child on the way and he didn’t want to get into anything dangerous. Zen was pregnant again. He had a growing family. They relied on him.

  Aesir shut the door. He leaned against it. Legend was his brother. Any jealousy he had was now taking a back seat to feelings of concern. He loved him regardless of his own insecurities. And he hoped Legend knew what he was doing. The men of Cedar Falls were dangerous when provoked. And it was hard to see how deep the rabbit hole went.

  “Zen! Hi! Come in,” Sheeba greeted her friend. Osimi stepped from the back room and walked down the hall toward the living room where the two stood. “Oh, hey Zen,” he greeted, as he approached and gave her a hug. Osimi hung close by, hoping to get an earful of what was going on down at Aesir’s home. He was still being pressured by Blake to get answers regarding Legend.

  “What you doing? I was bored. Wanted to get out of the house. You mind some company?” Zen asked, hoping not to be questioned about her visit. Her and Sheeba often visited one another. But it was dusk and she should have been home.

  “Everything okay?” Sheeba asked. “Sure. Aesir and Legend are doing their male bonding thing. They’ll probably chase each other towards Denali. Who knows,” she replied. Osimi furrowed. Legend had been M.I.A. The brothers didn’t engage in such behavior. Running around in wolf form for the sake of it, was more his style. He, Blake and Eshram ran at night, letting off steam and releasing any tension through their wolf forms. The form they felt the most powerful. Under the moonlight, and not so visible from prying eyes.

  Legend didn’t partake in those activities. Aesir did. But he hadn’t since his brother showed up. Legend only turned when he hunted. As if he was too good to be a wolf. Ashamed of their heritage. Blake believed he wanted to be human. That he worshiped them and was trying to blend in with them. “You two relax. I will give you some privacy. I need some fresh air anyway. If you want, you can help yourself to my scotch,” he said. Zen smiled. “I’ll have tea. Thanks,” she replied.

  Osimi walked down to Blake’s cabin. He looked over at Aesir’s home. He had to pass by to get to Blake’s. He hoped they didn’t see him. He knocked on Blake’s door and waited. He could hear footsteps. The door opened slightly. Osimi was shocked to see Trinity answer his door.

  “Trin. Uh…Is Blake here?” he asked. “Yes,” she said, as she stepped to the side. Osimi walked in, looking at her as he passed. She didn’t seem like herself. She was quiet. Not as vocal as she could be. “I’ll get him. He was resting,” she said, as she walked up the stairs to the second level of the cabin. The log cabin, made of thick wood and cement, was one of the nicest cabins in Cedar Falls. Blake built it himself. And his work was stunning.

  Blake emerged from the room and walked the staircase. He tied the belt on his robe as he took his time. He was tired. A night of hunting for Trinity had him wore out. He wondered what his good friend wanted. The look on Osimi’s face wasn’t easily discerned.

  “What’s up,” he said, as he walked up to him. Osimi paused. He cared about Trinity. She was like a sister. He looked out for her and Storm. They were the youngest females in the group when they first arrived. He took on the role of big brother, protecting them from becoming concubine of the males. It was because of Osimi that they were respected and sought after for mates, not just for sexual favor. Being passed around would have ruined their chances at finding a mate in such a small community. They would have had to travel. Start their lives over. And if they had children without a mate, it would damage their reputation.

  “What’s going on. Is Trinity okay?” he asked, looking fiercely at Blake. “Why wouldn’t she be. Is she still your concern? She’s twenty two years old. No longer a child,” he said. He was ten years older. Age didn’t matter. He could be twenty years older and it would be perfectly fine. Wolves aged slowly. They still had children well into their golden years. Blake was far from it. With age meant experience. He could teach Trinity about life. Their customs. The older a Harou the closer they were to the spirits. The spirits only respected wolves who possessed knowledge and only the older ones were gifted with such honor.

  “I didn’t ask that. I want to know she’s okay. Because she did not look okay. So… What I’m asking is… Did you harm her? Are you holding her against her will?” he asked, looking Blake straight in his eyes. A challenge by most standards. Blake smirked then walked over to his bar and poured two glasses of whiskey.

  “Calm yourself. She is fine. I know you care about her. And Storm. You know I could never harm her. I love her. She just needed help seeing it,” he said, as he handed Osimi the glass. “Is that why you’re here. To enquire about Trinity?” he asked. Osimi took a sip. Then another. “No, it’s not. Legend is back,” he said. Blake’s eyes bucked. He walked quickly to his window and looked out.

  “Where is he?” he asked. “Over Aesir’s. Zen came to my home. They must have asked for privacy. Whatever they are talking about they felt the need to remove Zen, and she is the most private of them all. She would never utter a word of what Aesir talks about. It makes me wonder,” he said. Blake paced his floor slowly. He rubbed the back of his neck. He had Trinity, yet he still felt he was standing in Legends shadow. He was the man who could turn his world upside down. Trinity would leave him in a heartbeat for Legend. He didn’t have much time. Things would change once she became pregnant, but until then, she was fair game. And there was also another pressing matter. The future of Cedar Creek. Legend had proven himself to be the top choice to rep
lace Lou or Darr. And he still needed to disprove that by showing Legend as a human loving traitor. Blake hated him with vengeance. He wanted him gone. Dead. Brought up on charges of treason and persecuted. He was sure Legend was mingling with humans. But he still had no proof.

  “If he is still there, then he will be leaving shortly. It will be dark soon. Zen will want to go home. Wait for me near Eagle Creek. Over by the single large redwood near the rocks,” he said. Osimi finished his whiskey and sat the glass on the mantle. The fire popped gently. The warmth of it was felt throughout the first floor. “Tell Trinity I said bye,” Osimi said, looking back at Blake as he walked to the door.

  Blake scoffed. It wasn’t the right time to check Osimi for the disrespect. He needed him. Osimi was strong. He was agile. And he was fast. He was also well versed in human living and their behaviors. He kept up with technology. Politics. He understood them. He didn’t fear or loathe them the way so many of their world did. And so, he was valuable. It was obvious Legend was also well versed in human behavior. And so Osimi would understand his moves. What to look for. And he would be able to see through Legend.

  Blake walked back up to his room. Trinity lay on the bed, her back to him. Blake walked around to the side she was facing and sat on the edge of the bed, nervous and unsure. Trinity meant everything to him. And he was holding on by a thread with her.

  “He’s worried about you. I could see it in his face. He asked if I was holding you here,” he said, waiting on her response. He wondered. She was free to leave. But she hadn’t and yet she still kept her distance from him. Sex was always the same. Him crawling on top of her as she lay there motionless. No response. Not so much as a grunt. And she was now back to pushing him away. Weeks had passed since he touched her. She was still there and he wondered if she felt any differently. It was his right to choose her. His birthright to select her, and mate with her. But it was also her choice as to whether she would make his home a happy one. Whether she would give in.