by The Maiden
Hrut nodded and showed his fangs in a parody of a smile.
"We win either way, then, right, Master?"
Skarp grinned. "Yes, Hrut. We win either way."
The three loped toward the cottage.
Chapter Eleven
Kira lifted the latch and pulled the door open a crack, peering out to see if Valgard had lingered nearby. He would try to stop her, convince her she belonged with him. That she could not allow. He would get inside her mind as he had before and muddle her thinking. She had chosen her course and would follow it.
She didn’t see him, so she stepped out of the cottage, the only home she’d ever known. One last look was all she allowed herself before she set her feet on the path toward the village.
She walked along the path, bundle slung over her back bouncing on her rump. The snow crunched underneath her feet and her slippers quickly became wet and cold, but she walked on. Nothing would stop her now.
The bushes at the edge of the path rustled and she stopped, listening.
"Surely, it was just the breeze."
The bushes rustled again and snow crunched beneath several pairs of feet.
Her heart beat faster and she started walking to keep up with the rhythm. The footsteps seemed to be following her. Could it be Valgard? What would he do to stop her? She didn’t fear him, exactly, but knew by now he had ways of influencing her thoughts. It was frightening, knowing someone else could be so important to her. She’d lost Amma. She couldn’t bear such a loss again. If he truly was involved in the battle against the Darkness--which she no longer doubted, thanks to his convincing demonstration--how long would they be together? Suddenly she knew the true reason for her refusal to embrace the life he offered her. One day, he would be killed as her parents, her grandfather, had been.
No, she couldn’t risk her heart again. She would live as a normal woman, hide her heritage, never again think of the past.
An ebony form landed lightly on all four feet facing her. She recognized the leader of the wolves who had threatened her in the glade. His lips were pulled back, baring long, white fangs. A growl rumbled deep in his chest, sending a chill down her spine.
Kira stared into his amber eyes, and she recognized the man behind them.
"You’re one of them, aren’t you? If Valgard sent you to find me, you can be on your way. I’m not going to join you."
"That’s unfortunate, dear lady."
The threat was clear, making the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and her body tremble.
The other two wolves joined him, one on each flank. They stepped closer, slowly. She moved backward, back down the crusty path.
"You understand my meaning, I see. There is another choice."
"I’ve made my choice. I’m going to live in the village."
"That is not the choice I’m willing to offer you. Join us, Kira. You are powerful and we can help you fulfill your destiny."
"I’m not powerful." Surely her trembling proved that.
"Yes, you are. Elena gave you her power."
"H-how do you know my mother?"
The lupine lips snarled in a smile. "She was a beautiful and strong woman, like you. But she wouldn’t turn. So..."
The wolf’s shoulders shrugged, such a human gesture it disoriented her.
"It would be a shame for you to die when you can have such a life as we can give you. My master would reward you with anything you could ever want."
"I want Amma."
The wolf cocked his head, as though considering. She waited for his answer.
"Even that he can give you."
Was it possible? Could his master bring Amma back to her? Perhaps he could even bring back her mother and father--
"No. They have been dead too long. You wouldn’t want to see them."
It was too strange. She couldn’t take it all in. Only then did she realize the wolves had come within an arm’s length of her, the three now encircling her.
And then, the wolf’s words about her mother hit her. Her body instinctively stiffened.
"You killed her, didn’t you?"
Again the lupine shrug. "Whether I or another, does it matter? In a war there are casualties. Warriors understand this."
"I don’t understand," she shouted as she swung her bundle at the leader, smashing into his snout. He howled in pain and she took the opportunity to dash past him down the path.
Even as she ran, she knew she could never outrun them. Their paws crunched in the snow behind her, not exerting themselves to catch her, her capture a certainty. She began to pray to the Great Spirit for rescue. As the wolves got closer, she began to pray for a quick death.
A flash of silver bounded out of the woods.
"Valgard!" She ran toward him. She longed to wrap her arms around him and bury her face in his fur, but he passed her and faced the three.
"Stay behind me, Kira."
The leader again smiled his strange, human smile and made a motion with his head to the others. They backed off, giving their leader room. He and Valgard faced each other on the snow-crusted path. Then in a blur of silver and black, they engaged, leaping onto hind legs and lunging at each other. She cringed with every clack of sharp teeth. A howl of pain rang through the snow-covered trees. A blossom of blood appeared on Valgard’s shoulder. She clapped her hand to her mouth to hold in her scream. Valgard limped backward for a moment, shook his head, then charged the black wolf again.
His strong jaws clamped over the black wolf’s throat, cutting off a strangled scream. The two who had been watching dashed in to help their leader.
They snapped and raked at Valgard, opening deep gashes in his body. His silver fur became streaked with red.
"Run. I can’t hold them off for long. Farewell, my love."
Her feet rooted to the ground. She couldn’t leave him. Nor could she do anything to help him.
Or could she?
Could she even consider the possibility?
The black wolf had said she was powerful. But she didn’t know how to change. And if she did, she would be as a baby, not knowing anything about being a wolf.
Then the three got Valgard on his back on the ground. The leader stood over him, as though mocking her beloved as he lay there, vulnerable to anything the pack wanted to do to him.
If she did nothing, Valgard would die.
Then they would come for her.
Fear and despair began to change into something else: anger, fury. She couldn’t let Valgard die. She wouldn’t.
Her vision clouded. An ache began at the base of her spine, bending her over onto her hands and knees. Her face hurt as bones and skin remolded. Her heart beat faster and power flowed through her veins. Then her vision cleared and she saw the leader lower his jaws toward Valgard’s throat.
She leapt forward, her new strength carrying her to the leader’s back. He fell rolling off Valgard as she sank her fangs into his neck, shaking him like a terrier with a rat. The other two, surprised by her appearance, backed off. Valgard rolled to his feet and snapped his jaws shut on the black wolf’s throat, ripping and tearing. Blood spurted. The leader fell dead at Kira’s paws.
The other two stared at the body of their leader, then turned and ran into the forest.
"Should we go after them?" Kira asked her mate.
"No. We’ll see them again and they will be repaid."
Valgard limped away from the dead body, lay down on the snow and began to lick his wounds. She padded over and licked where he couldn’t reach, his shoulders, his back, the top of his head.
"Does it hurt very much?"
"Oh, yes. Lick there." He nosed her head further down his body, toward his haunches, where she could see--not a wound, but excitement.
The chuckle she could hear in his voice piqued her for a moment.
"I see you are recovering quickly."
He nuzzled her neck, nipped her ear. "My wounds are minor, thanks to you, my love. You saved my life."
Only with hi
s words did the realization hit her that she’d actually become a wolf. She didn’t feel any different inside, but now her outer form was covered with white-blonde hair and she stood on all fours. She glanced at her rear and saw a plumed tail of white.
"You’re beautiful."
"So are you. Now, be still and let me finish tending to your wounds." She bent her head to his shoulder. "Will you have these when you change?"
"Yes. But I bear them gladly."
She raised her head to gaze into his wonderful silver eyes.
"You would have died for me."
"Yes."
His simple answer filled her heart with love and joy. Truly he was her mate.
"How did you know how to change?"
She shrugged, amused at herself for such a human gesture.
"I became angry when I thought you were going to die."
Valgard growled a chuckle. "Remind me to never make you angry."
"Now, my mate, you must teach me to change back. I don’t believe I wish to live my whole life as a wolf."
"Let’s remain as we are for a bit. I want to show you how to be a wolf."
That sounded fine to her.
Valgard led her into the forest. They ran and ran through the snowy meadows, frolicking like cubs. He jumped on her and they rolled over and over in the cold, crusty snow. He licked her face, nipped her ears, nuzzled her neck. Then he rolled off her and nosed her to stand.
"Now, my sweet Kira, there is one more thing you must learn about being a wolf."
Gently he mounted her, his forepaws holding her hips, his nose nuzzling her neck.
"Yes, my love. Teach me."
At her words, he entered her in a slow, smooth motion.
It was wonderful, so different, so natural. So perfect. Perfect love. She embraced it and Valgard, no longer afraid.
The End
