The Wolves of Ulmer

Incident

Guys, I am so, so, sorry fo not updating recently. I promise that I'll try to post a new chapter every 1-2 weeks. Anywhere, here goes, hope you like it :)

Chapter 4

I awoke in the infirmary two hours later, my head feeling like it was filled with cotton. Hjelga, the head nurse, was fussing over some bottles filled with purple liquid a few meters away. I sniffed at the air, my wolf blood kicking in as I picked up traces of juniper and poppy from the bottles, ingredients of the brew  for headaches. I layed in the cot for a while, enjoying the warmth of the caribou fur skins that enveloped me. Grey, with brown and darker black mottles, probably from the northern areas of the territoties. I’ve never taken down a caribou, but I’ve seen my dad do it. The males do most of the hunting in our packs, while the females take the border patrols and looking after the young. Personally, I think that daily routine around here is pretty boring, but I’d never tell my parents that. I shifted around In the cot, which alerted Hjelga, who happened to be blind. Now, if you’re thinking that having a blind nurse is dangerous, and you would be completely right. I have no idea what point my father was trying to prove. Seriously, that woman has caused more injuries than she has healed. What was my he thinking? Anyway, Hjelga made her way towards me in a steady shuffle.

“Foolish girl, sparring without paying attention.” She said in a heavily accented voice as she administered some sort of polstice to my forehead, missing by a few centimeters and spreading it into my eyelids.

“In my time, femaesd didn’t have the need to spar like you kids. The males took care of it, as it should be.” I rolled my eyes, then realize that she wouldn’t be able to see. What did she mean by “her time” anyway, the Jurassic Era?

“Right before the feast, too. Hopefully that beast of a wolf, Mirr, knocked some sense into you. If I had my way, you wouldn’t go outside for a week before something important like an engagement feast. Give you a nice ivory look too.” If it was up to you, I wouldn’t go outside at all, I thought.

“You seem to be fine. Heh, some poppy will take the edge of the pain off.”

“Thank you Hjelga, but I’ll manage.” I spoke up, my voice raspy. “I need to get ready for the feast anyway.” Shit, I had completely forgotten about the feast. My dizzy feet were out the door before Hjelga even had a chance to gather her thoughts. I sped through the maze of pathways and corridors, climbed up a set of stairs, and burst into my chambers, my breath coming in short bursts of air. My mom was there, along with Loa and Bryn.

“There she is!” My mom exclaimed, “I’d thought you’d never wake up. I sent Bryn to check on you as soon as I heard about your incident.” My mom said in her usual chirpy voice. Of course she hadn’t come. I love my mom, but my whole life she had seemd to just not care. No offense, but I was making sure that I would be the complete opposite of her in my time as Luna.

Luna! My heart gave a squeal. However boring the life may seem, there is always satisfaction in being in control of others. Alright, that sounded shallow. But it’s nothing short of true. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be queen?

Beside me, Bryn gave an exasperated groan. “Your haaaaairr. By Thor, Thy, I worked the whole morning on that. I walked over to the mirror and stared at my twin in the glass. My bronze locks were in disarray because of the match, with patches of leaves and dirt stuck in there. Loa burst into laughter. “You’re sure to impress Erik looking like that. I thought mom had told the instructor to give you time off today.”

I gave her a pointed look. Hgrar would not let anything as petty as an engagement ceremony  get in the way of his precious class.

I had completely forgotten about Erik showing up to see me get my ass kicked by Mirr. What would he think of his future Luna being so weak? I resolved to train harder so that he could see what a strong fighter I could be. Or at least I hoped I could be. I’d never actually cared much for fightin-

Hold up.

Why did I care so much about what he thought of me? Yes, so he was an Alpha and my future husband, but still. Why should I have to change to try and please him. I didn’t even think that he was my actual mate. For the brief time that we’d had together, I’d felt nothing. At all.

But I could grow to love him. I was sure of that.

I looked over at Bryn. Bryndis, who was so stunningly beautiful. Three years older than me, I’ve often wondered why my father offered my hand to Erik and not hers. Erik is what, 21? 22? Whatever. With a face like that, my sister should have no trouble finding love.

My eyes followed her as she moved around te room like a bee, fussing over apparently insignificant things. I laughed at the thought of Bryn with itty-bitty wings. My mom turned to look at me, and I was reminded of Erik. I asked if she knew where he was, and as she was about to answer, a yell broke through the walls of the room, coming from the outside.

I turn to look at Bryn, and I see my fears reflected in her eyes.

Oh, Gods, please, no. It’s been three months. Not now, not today. I can barely hear myself think as I burst through the entrance and leap. Something inside me takes note on the position of the skay. Only a few hours unti the ceremony.

Please, no.

I can feel the fear and adrenile coursing through me. The wof inside me is ripping me apart, all of my instincs telling me to Turn. I don’t want to Turn. Not now. I fight it, imagining Two legs solid ground. Two legs, human. Two legs. Two.

Please. My mind shouts, but I know what’s happening already.

I suppress the change, hitting the ground as I look around for the source of the yelling. My eyes are drawn to the rise that is the main entrance to the valley, where Eri had come through earlier. There, two figures stand in sharp contrast against the goden light of the western sun. A third figure is suspended between them. The pack has all become aware, and I feel them racing by me towards the commotion.

I composed myself. You are the Alpha’s daughter. They’re all going to be looing at you for reassurance. Deep breath in, out, in, out. And then I walk.

As I approached my three pack members, their identities become clear. It’s Matzu, Jrrosk’s mother, and Jaira, one of the Beta’s wife. They had been sento out on patrol a few days ago. Jaira is in her wolf form, silver fur all on end, while Jrrosk’s mom is standing up. Between them lied a brown heap of flesh and fur, surrounded by the pack.