Pack (The Ulfhednar Saga bk 1)

Escape

It had been months since they landed on the island. The snow had melted, flowers were blooming, spring had arrived in the north and it was brilliant. Sadly, Bran didn't care how beautiful and alive the island was, it was still a prison.
He spent so much time training and doing what his "mother wanted". He didn't think he'd ever be happy again.
Halda wanted Bran to be some sort of commander for her Draugr army. She was always casting strange spells on him that were supposed to force him to submit to her, she beat him and tried to tell him what kind of wolf he should be. Halda believed that he was becoming a loyal son to her plight. He knew that of he cooperated, she would trust him. So, he would repeat what she wanted him to and never pay attention to his sister or Torstein when he saw them. What she didn't know was that her magic didn't work on him. For whatever reason he was immune to the effects of the spells.
He thought about getting off of the island nearly every moment, especially when he saw his sister's sadness. He saw Val about every day, her wounds had healed, but her eyes were heavy with grief and anger. He needed to get her out of there. He would watch as Søren would touch her, lean himself against her at the tables while they ate. It was sickening. He couldn't imagine what he was doing to her behind closed doors.
What was worse than seeing his sister hurt, was seeing Torstein watch it all. He hadn't been allowed to become Val's guard as agreed. Instead, he was forced to guard Søren, so he had to see every moment that the wretched creature spent harassing Val. But they would never let him be alone with her. The only time he was free of that scene was when Ingrid took him. His head always hung, eyes to the ground when he returned from her rooms. He had never seen such a proud wolf become so beaten down. Bran didn't know exactly what happened in there, but he was sure it was something horrible.

All the while Halda presided over their suffering without a care in the world. She allowed Loki's children to do as they pleased, and he knew why.
Halda was obsessed. She believed that the God of mischief would be so grateful for her work that he would take her as his own. Why she thought he would ever want her presence in that capacity wouldn't make sense to him no matter what ideas he came up with. Due to her obsession, she allowed his children to do as they pleased, no matter how atrocious it could be. He was certain that freedom just made them crueler.
"Bran, what are you daydreaming about? You're always lost in your head. And you never speak, why?" Halda asked him.
"I have nothing to say" which was a partial truth. He didn't have anything to say that wasn't going to get him beaten.
"I would love to hear your voice, son."
"You just did." He barked at her.
"Fair enough." She sighed and rose from her seat. Walking over to where he sat, haunched over a table, she placed her hand on his shoulder and spoke. "We will be invading soon, are you prepared to lead as we discussed?" She asked. She had promised to leave their pack alone, so, as if she had some sense of honor, she was turning her sights on the surrounding human villages. If she took them all successfully, her army would be surrounding Ulfhednar lands on three sides.  He knew that meant it was only a matter of time before she broke her word and did attack the pack.
"Yes, I am ready." He was.
When he and Torstein first rescued Val from thr Draugr, Bran had realized that he could hear things Torstein thought, if they were thought with enough emotion. One evening as he was bringing food to Halda, he ran into Torstein in a hall. Bran decided to explain to the great black wolf that he believed they could communicate with their minds. Bran was amazed when Torstein explained to him that the Berserker were able to do just that.
"Berserker?" He asked. Eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes. The Berserker are the most focused and Talanted of the Ulfhednar. We are the most elite of Odin's warriors and we are also closest to the Gods. Because of our responsibility, we often have special talents." He told Bhran with a sad, monotone voice. One that had no place coming from his mouth. It angered Bran and made him more determined.
"You're one of them?" Torstein nodded.
Bran always knew that Torstein was special in some way. It just made sense to him that he was one of the best warriors the Ulfhednar had.
"Can you hear me?" Bran suddenly heard radiate within his mind. He nodded at Torstein.
"Good. You try. Focus on what you're trying to say and push them into my mind."
Bran focused. He took a breathe and pushed his words out with as much force as he could.
"Does this mean I am a Berserker too?" Torstein looked into his eyes and smiled.
"I believe it does."
He had been able to speak with Torstein enough that way, that they were able to create a plan. Torstein found a way to get weapons and Bran found a route out. The hard part was going to be getting Val out, but even if it took sheer force, they would get to her or die trying.
Halda's voice brought him to the present once again.
"Alright Bran, go to the hall and eat." She began. Her hand was still on his shoulder, the heat of her palm made him sick.
"I am very proud of you and how far you have come. You are my son, and more of a wolf, more to be proud of than Søren will ever be." His stomach lurched. He didn't want her to be proud of him. He didn't want to believe that he pleased her in any way. But in that moment, for all of the Ulfhednar, that was the best thing for them. He took it as a triumph and swallowed his guilt.
"I am trying to make you proud, Mother." He lifted his face to hers, trying to keep his mind blank and she smiled back at him. Halda fnally took her hand off of him. He turned to go when she grabbed his hand, stopping him. When he looked at her, she kissed him, full on the mouth. Not the kiss you give your son, the one you give your lover. He threw himself back, puzzled. What kind of monster was she?
"Oh relax Bran, I won't hurt you."
He couldn't breathe. His heart began to pound so hard he thought it might break free from his chest. He was so appalled, all he could think to do was run, so he did. He ran to the dining area, aware that he couldn't eat a thing after what had just happened. But it wouldn't stop him from drinking.
The sweet taste of honey soon coated his throat. He dared not raise his head out of fear of seeing her again. What was wrong with her?
"Bran, what is wrong?" It was Torstein. His body relaxed knowing he could speak his mind now. He was relieved knowing he could tell someone what had happened.
"We need to leave soon." He told his friend.  "What if she has some sick plan for me too? And the hand binding ceremony is in a few weeks." Bran was aware that he sounded frantic. He must have made a sound in his panic because one of Halda's guards was staring at him. Bran growled low in his throat at the wolf. He leapt to his feet in response, knocking the stool to the ground. Bran was too angry, vengeful, to allow anyone, let alone one of these creatures, to challenge him.
With every ounce of frustration he had in him, he lunged at the draugr. His feet pushed off from the table, turning from human to wolf, he felt his nails dig into the wood. His target responded by reaching for his axe but it was too late. Bran had him by the throat, digging his teeth into the soft flesh. Blood poured into his mouth, filling every one of his senses with rancor. He could feel him attempting to cry out, the vibration in his jaws, but Bran had severed his vocal cords.
He stood for a moment, over his kill trying not to retch the putrid blood. He leveled his eyes at every one in the room that dared to make eye contact with him. Everyone looked away. He had shown them who he was and none of them wanted to compete. Blood pumped through his body, triumph. Until he saw Val. She looked afraid, sad even. Bran had disappointed her and that was almost too much to handle.
"Well, Bran. My son. I think you have made your point." Halda entered the room, beaming with pride. He was going to be sick. He shifted as she approached him.
"I think you all know who is leading you now? Anyone else want to challenge my son's authority?" No one said a word.
"You are turning into something I couldn't be more proud of. My sweet boy." She kissed him on the cheek, softly with enough emotion that he could feel it emanating from her. He stood as still as he could, and looked directly into her eyes.
"I am happy I made you proud mother. I will lead our people, I'll do as you ask." He told her and showed her his neck to feign loyalty. With that, the whole room stood, bearing their necks to Bran and Halda. He had done it, he thought. Made them all believe he was their leader.