Pack (The Ulfhednar Saga bk 1)

Fighting Back

He woke with a start. Something was wrong, Valdis was in danger but he wasn't sure why or how. He felt as though there was a gaping hole in his chest and knew it was because she was gone. Torstein was out the door as a wolf in record time. His legs moved faster than they ever had before, carrying him out through the grove towards her hut.
He didn't have to go in to know she wasn't here, her scent was too old and only lingered on the air faintly. He traced her scent back to their rooms where it mingled with Bran's. She took Bhran because she wouldn't leave without him. He realized.
To be sure he went into their homes. Weapons and packs were gone, leaving only faint hints of their movements. It hit him then, she left in a hurry, which means she thought she was in danger. Something frightened her enough to make her leave, so she took her brother and they made their way out of Ulfhrheim. He was panicked and confused, what was happening and how could he keep her safe if she wasn't here?
"Torstein, what are you doing?" He heard from the trees. He hadn't realized until then that he was pacing. Ingrid stood before him, her hands clasped in one another over her hips. Her face was the same soft face he had grown to trust, hair braided over her shoulder but something in her posture let him know that she wasn't as sweet as she was pretending.
"I saw them leave. They were in a hurry from the looks of it, I guess they aren't brave enough to be one of us." Her voice was filled with something akin to laughter. It was thick with venom and malice. This wasn't the Ingrid he knew, the one that raised him.
"You know that isn't true."
"Do I?" She began moving towards him, hands reaching out to caress his hair. Her touch sent chills through his body.
"They aren't one of us you know. Just because they shift doesn't mean they are Ulfhednar. She isn't good enough for you, Berserker."
Hearing her call him by a title that his kind revered, respected so greatly, angered him. Barely able to control his wolf he snarled at her, showing teeth and he replied "What did you do with them? I know it was you that sent them away."
"I did no such thing. I simply told Valdis what we are up against and she decided to flee. To save herself." Ingrid was smiling and twirling her hair with her fingertips as she circled him.
"When will you see that she isn't good enough for you? You need an Ulfhedinn that is worthy of your skill. You are Thane to the Jarl. One of the few Berserkers left and you want to lower yourself by helping her and her pack?" Her voice had become heated with jealousy. Her face had always held a soft and rounded touch, was now hard angles and full of hate.
"I don't know what you have become, Ingrid, but what you're saying is insane. This has nothing to do with me and her, it has to do with saving the Ulfhednar. With protecting our kind, and I will stop at nothing to do so." His voice a deep growl of anger. She laughed sharply at his response.
"You are so naïve Torstein. You would think that saving her pack is what is best for us all. What good is a bunch of inbred mutts to us? We need strength. The Draugr will pick them off soon enough." She told him.
"Pick who off?" Curiosity piqued.
"All of the weak."
"Ingrid, are you a part of this?" His temper was flaring. He couldn't imagine that the woman that helped raise him, played any part of killing off an entire pack. That she was the one summoning the Draugr. He knew she had the power to do it, to call them from their shallow graves.
"Am I trying to keep my pack safe? Yes, that is exactly what I am doing."
"Does Olaf know? Is he part of this too?"
"Olaf is a fool. He is nothing without me! And I am worthy of so much more." She began touching his hair again, moving closer to him. "I should be with someone like you, Torstein."
Shocked by her words, he stepped back, growling. Every part of his body shook with anger. "No, you don't. You're insane if you think what you are doing is right."
"No Torstein, I am not. We are doing what is right!"
"We?"
She laughed again, wide mouthed and sinister. "Stay Torstein, kill Olaf and lead the pack with me." He couldn't believe what was happening, but he knew that he needed to find Val and Bran before it was too late.
"No"
"Fine." She said with a look of anguish. Then you better run, the Draugr have a head start." With that she turned and left. Ingrid moved with ease. As if nothing in the world affected her. Her hair had come loose while she spoke. He wanted nothing more than to rip every strand from her head, but he knew he had to find Bran and Valdis. He turned and ran through the forest, promising himself that he would make good on his promise to protect his pack.