The Fenrir Saga - Part I

Chapter 38

Ben

A couple of hours later, Zac joined me in my quarters for a pre-Welcome dinner whiskey.

"How's your niece?"

He sighed.

"She still hasn't woken up, but according to Jack, it is nothing to worry about. She is fine; the only concern is that they don't know when she will wake up. The last time this happened, it took 24 hours. Apparently, it is in tune with a specific fighting technique they use or something like that. I can't pry too much, as it would be unethical, but we should not worry. That's the message."

I frowned.

"Ok.. it sounds a bit harsh, but if they are not worried, then we don't have to be either," I glanced at him, trying to sound casual. "And your sister, she is fine too?"

He furrowed his brow in bewilderment.

"Yes. Shouldn't she be?"

"I am sure she is. She just seemed a bit uneasy at the fight."

He gave me an amused smile.

"Heh. Was that before or after your calming presence?"

My time to frown.

"My what?"

There was a knock on the door, and one of the staff members opened it carefully after Zac's "enter."

"It is time, Alpha."

I downed my whiskey and followed our staff member out into the hallway. Then, I turned around a corner into the main hall, where we were hosting the Welcoming dinner. It would be the most prominent members of all the packs and their wives, Betas, or whomever they chose to accompany them.

I stood by the honor seat at one end of the table, and Zac was a long stretch away from me on the other side. He had the most prominent Alphas and plus ones on his end, and I would host the two winning teams of the day on my end. I expected Alpha Jack, Vidar, and Alpha Neil Sutton of the Bear Mountain pack and his Luna Mary Sutton. Bear Mountain was the highest-ranked team in group three but acted like it was the second-highest-ranked team overall. Jack was a pleasant fellow, but I could be in for a long night unless Vidar harbored some excellent conversation skills.

I was somewhat pleased to see that Neil Sutton had brought his best warrior of the day with him, too, seating him between himself and his Luna Mary, who, to be fair, was a bit on the quiet side. I had heard Jack rumble in the bar and waited patiently for the Ironwood pack members to join us. Jack walked towards us, and about halfway, he was joined by an elegant figure in a silver.. something. Blonde locks grazed the bare, toned arms and shoulders of Hild, approaching me with a knee-buckling smile under blue eyes. I could feel Fang stir inside me; I could actually feel a lot of things stir inside me and had to look elsewhere to avoid staring. I thought I heard Jack respectfully bow his head and mumble "alpha," but I knew I felt what Hild did.

She gave me a shyer smile than before, bowed her head slightly, and mumbled:

"Ben."

I was.

Pleasantly surprised at the much brighter prospect for my evening, I bid everyone welcome and sat down, musing that Hild chose the chair closest to me. The happiness was laced with a pinch of salt, though - as much as I liked the woman next to me, she wasn't chosen for me. She felt right but wasn't. The duty to my pack was ever there, and if there were the slightest chance for me to find my mate, I would have to take it. I did decide, though, that I could allow myself this night.

"Ms. Harryson, it is a great pleasure to see you tonight. I was expecting Vidar to come."

"Why, thank you. You must excuse Vidar; he sits with my niece and refuses to leave her. However, I will do my best to replace him, but don't expect any war stories from me," she smiled at me and Neil Sutton, sitting opposite her. Then she turned to me again, giving me a mischievous smile. "And likewise."