The Wolf of the Wilds

The Freak

"Well that's a pain in the arse isn't it?" Helena said, trying to sound at least mildly shocked. "Any idea where it might be?"

Neron cast as weary glance around the market, stepping forward and hunching down to her level.

"Perhaps we should talk about this some place warmer and preferably slightly less conspicuous."

And that was how Helena found herself being escorted to the pub by the wolves of Angor. As she took her seat at the foot of the table, she was mentally screaming, positioning her pint of mead between her and the other wolves. Oleander was sat to her right, face impassive, while Lura had taken her other side, her necklace of teeth visible now she'd shed her outer layer of clothing.

She ran her finger around the rim of the cup avoiding their gazes.

"What happened then? Why is the blade missing?" She asked, putting the question to Neron. He met her gaze, his face pulled into a tight grimace.

"I arrived back the next day. The rain had extinguished most of the fire, but it was too late. It was completely decimated. When I," he took a deep breath, "when I went to the den, it was in ruins. Both alphas dead. The blade was gone." His words were coloured with pain, his face contorted. The other Angor wolves had similar expressions on their faces.

"Who could have done such a thing?" Helena murmured, taking a sip of her drink and placing it back down on the sticky table top.

"We think either one of the omegas got it, or a scavenger got there first. Either way, we're still searching. Did you happen to see any other survivors during your travels?"

Helena tapped her gloved finger against her chin, making a point to ponder the thought.

"I saw Amos and Lin a while back, but I don't think they were involved at all. They're dancers now, put up their knives a long time ago. Kids as well."

Oleander sighed, sweeping his hand across the top of his head.

"What a waste. Those two were brilliant in their prime, reduced to mere mutts," he groused.

Lura bent towards Helena, getting within her personal bubble, teeth glinting as she grinned.

"What have you been up to for the past decade?"

"At first, I did freelance work, stayed here in Imber for about a year until I got sick of the weather. Travelled the globe, seeing everything I could and eventually settling down in my own territory." The truth, or at least close to it, was the easiest way to conceal falsehoods, blurring the line between fiction and reality.

"Quaint." Lura tilted her head to the side, her pale eyes wide and the pupils like pinpricks as she gazed at the rogue. "Do you still have an unhealthy obsession with humans? Or did you grow out of your loopy Lena phase?"

Helena stared down at the wolf, raising an eyebrow and doing her best to not clobber the woman.

"It wasn't unhealthy. There is much we can learn from them even if they aren't here in person. Their sciences were incredibly advanced. They sent people to the moon, cured deadly diseases and turned the light of the sun into energy. Why is it wrong for me to want to learn more?" Her voice was a feral purr, a hint of warning to her tight tone.

Several of the other wolves, Oleander and Neron especially, suddenly seemed very interested in their conversation. Oleander had a tense look to his jaw, his eyes narrowed.

"They were vicious, hateful and weak creatures, doomed to die the moment they stepped out into the world. In comparison to us paranormal folk, they were prey animals. What do we do to prey? We kill them, not sit around reading their literature," Lura said, reminding Helena somewhat of a rabid dog. "Although what should we expect from the wolf that killed her first target with a snapped neck? You always were a bit of a freak."

The rogue decided to pitch forward just then, her nose mere inches away from Lura's face. Unblinkingly she made eye contact with her, teeth bared, lip pulled back. Her hand closed around the woman's throat and squeezing just firm enough to make her threat known.

"You are a narrow minded fool Lura, just as you were as a child. I hesitated to fight back then, but now I recommend you do not cross me. I will kill you if you do," she whispered like it was a seductive poem. "By your logic I should kill you right now in fact; I don't appreciate it when prey mocks me." Her breath tickled Lura's cheek as the older wolf drew away.

As if nothing had happened, Helena turned back to her drink, sipping it serenely. Lura was now quiet and the other wolves watched Lena with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

"So, I'm guessing you haven't hung up your knife then?" Neron was able to sound calm as he addressed the wolf.

"I dare say my strength and skill has improved since I was 18. I haven't killed for money in a long time, but I hunt often, and I enjoy the thrill of the fight if anyone is stupid enough to face me."

Neron nodded his head up and down with approval.

"A year ago, Bao approached me and my mate. He said that there are people in need of the Angor's services. With the amount of exim they're offering we could rebuild and restore our people once again. Only, there's one issue."

"The blade," Helena finished for him.

"Exactly. A handful of us can't do much, but 30, 40? We could destroy a nation if we really wanted. However, none of the Angor will recognise me and my partner as alphas unless we have it in our possession, so we can't do anything until it's been located."

"How tricky," Helena murmured, "although this is the first I've heard of you having a mate. A recent discovery?"

Neron looked glum as he attempted to drown himself in his drink.

"No. I met her a few months before the Angor fell. I kept it a secret from the alphas. Didn't want her mixed up in our business. She isn't a killer."

Oleander snorted.

"Well, she wouldn't have blood on her hands, but she'd happily see us all die as long as we kept to her schedule."

Neron kicked him under the table.

"She keeps us organised, in budget and well stocked. Have some respect," he growled, pointing his nose in the air. "She's considerate and always tries her best to keep everyone happy." Helena couldn't help but notice the way his voice softened, the easing of tension in his shoulders.

Oleander made a gagging noise.

"You're a sap old man."

"I'm only two years older than you, you idiot!"

The two men began bickering and Helena couldn't help but remember them as teenagers, squirming in the mud as they wrestled, or the time they went fishing in the river, both covered head to toe in water by the time the sun set. Once they'd finished their little spat, Neron cleared his throat.

"Anyway, back on topic. Lela, we're looking for the blade and we would be very grateful to have you help us."

Helena downed the rest of her drink, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand. She placed it back down and looked back to Neron.

"I don't kill for money anymore. It was an experience seeing you all, but the thought of serving the Angor again leaves my mouth with a bitter taste. I'm a rogue wolf and I'm content being so. Even among the Angor, I was never accepted. I was always an outsider Neron; people took me as feeble or a monstrosity. I refuse to return to that." Her chair scraped the ground as she stood, Neron's chair also flying back as she turned to leave.

"Will we see you again?" He asked, hand outstretched.

Helena glanced at him, a heavy weight settling deeper on her chest.

"Possibly. Have a pleasant day the rest of you."

Without bothering to wait for a reply she made a beeline towards the exit.

The rain still hadn't stopped, but the wind had lessened to little more than a breeze as she set off. Several peers over her shoulder told her that she wasn't being followed, but just in case, she walked a few loops through the city's winding streets before heading back to the summit.