Pack (The Ulfhednar Saga bk 1)

Truth

Bran hadn't been sleeping well since they had come back to Ulfrheim. He had a constant fear of possible surprises. He had a naggimg feeling that something was going to happen there. That it wasn't a safe haven any longer.
He sat on one of the docks watching Sol move across the sky in the reflection of the water. He imagined Skoll chasing the sun through the sky and wondered if he was related to the grand Wolves of the monster Loki. The great ships docked in the bay were amazing. They reflected in that same water, massive, wooden drekkar that could carry them over any ocean or river. Today he was hoping they would hear something, anything that would aid them so that they could move forward. For days they had been sending out scouts and brainstorming ways to attack the Draugr and Ingrid. He was becoming extremely impatient waiting but he knew that he needed to wait for the right plan.
"Have you been up to the spring yet?" A soft voice asked him. He startled, turning quickly. "I am sorry if I startled you." Said the voice again, his eyes were adjusting from staring at the light for so long. Blinking he responded "It's alright. No, I haven't been yet."
When his eyes cleared he was in awe of what he saw. A beautiful woman. She was so small that when he stood he worried he would harm her by breathing too heavily. Her hair was like fire, falling in waves down her back, eyes the color of honey were wide and set in a pale face sprinkled with freckles across her nose. She smiled at him and it was as if Sunna was shining her light on them.
"You should, it is good for your mind" She told him
"Really, so I have to give my mind a bath" he laughed. She gave him a large eyed look, and smiled back.
"I mean, it will relax you enough that your mind will work better." She was so beautiful, he felt like he was staring so he shook his head and spoke. "My name is Bran" he stated. "Maybe you can take me there sometime?"
"I know who you are, you're the alpha of the visiting pack, a King in your own right." She said. Her voice was soft but sure. Her small stature wasn't all that made her unique, he was sure that it came in handy at times however. People underestimate women like her.
Giving her a look of curiosity, she must have realized she hadn't given him her name. "OH! Sorry, my name is Laila." Her smile was flushed with pinks, her cheeks reaching her eyes. The smile was that of a carefree child, beautiful and without worries. He felt as though he needed to shield her from the world.
"Thank you for the advice. I suspect it's time to grab some dinner, will you be eating in the hall?" He asked, hopeful that he would see her again, even though he hadn't seen her there before.
"No, I don't eat in the hall. I am sure I will see you around though." She told him and walked away, looking over her shoulder at him. He was certain his heart had stopped due to a lack of breath. Laila, he thought. He was going to have to keep his eye out for her.
Lost in his thoughts as he went back to the hall, kicking dirt and stones as he walked the path. He wondered when he would see her again, his mind taking his thoughts to battle, his possible death. Her possible death.
"Bran!" He heard Olaf call.
"Olaf, Jarl. How are you?" Losing his wife must be devastating, especially losing her the way he had.
"I am well" he began, looking into the sky his chest heaved with a sigh before he began again. "I do want my revenge. She betrayed her pack and our union. That isn't why I called on you though. I heard that you have ravens. They come and go as they please, but are loyal to you. Is this true?" His eyes wide and expectant.
"Yes, it is true. I wouldn't say they are mine, but they appear when i need them."
Olaf looked at him expectantly so Bran elaborated. "They helped me and Torstein find each other when I escaped the Draugr cave. They have also kept us safe in the forest, warning us of possible danger. Why?" He was suspicious of Olaf ever since Ingrid came out as a traitor. How could he be married for so long to a traitor without knowing?
"It's nothing. I was just interested. I had never heard of anything like that before and was intrigued." Bran nodded.
"How is your pack doing here? Anything I can do for any of you?" He seemed sincere, Bran thought.
"As good as can be expected. The adjustment is going well, no fights. It is strange having so many other wolves around of course and it is so much bigger here. They are afraid of losing everything they have ever known."
"Perhaps we can do something about that. Set everyone up with work to do, try to make their lives here as normal as possible. Training, classes. All of the things your pack missed over the years. How to hone special skills...."
Bran liked the idea of his pack being a part of theirs, rather than extended guests.
"I will take that idea to them, thank you Olaf." With that, he made his way to the hall for meat and mead, his two favorite things he thought with a chuckle.