The Wolves of Ulmer

Erik

Tense change sorry!

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I stepped out onto the ledge that connected all of the doors in this level. The pack house was built into the eastern face of the valley that our pack called home. It had been elaborately and painstakenly carved by our ancestors. Three levels, interconnected by ledges and stairs. Each level had about five or so doors, all leading to different areas of the house. The lower levels were the kitchens, storerooms, great hall and dining rooms. The middle levels were some living quarters, the nursery, and hangouts. My family and I live in the upper levels with most of the wolves in the pack.

I look around myself. Dogwoods and cloudberries fill the little valley, along with birches and pines. A small silver stream divides it in two. We where in spring right now, and birdsong filled the air.

I jump forward and away from the edge. For a moment there, my frame hangs in the balance, surrounded by a blizzard of flyaway petals like snowflakes on a winter day. I drop to the ground, the wolf inside of me allowing me to land nimbly on my feet.

“Thyra!” My head snaps towards the direction of the noice. My dad was there, waving his arms. I jogged towards him, and he wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug.

“You look beautiful.”

I looked down at my feet. “It was mostly Bryn’s doing, but thanks.” My dad just shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Shouldn’t he be here by now?” I ask, looking around.

“Well y-“ My dad is interrupted by the sound of a horn blowing in the distance.

“Talk about perfect timing.” I laugh. “What’s his name again?”

“Erik,” he says as the horn blows a second time.

My feet carry me towards the sound. Dad had arranged it so that Erik and his pack would stay for five days. We had a feast later today to honor our engagement.

I climb up the rise and out of the valley. I think that’s them behind that copse of trees.

I squint, trying to get a better view. Yes! I think I just felt my wolf jump in excitement. We aren’t as connected with our wolves as we once were, and that’s why nowadays we don’t really have mates. Sure, every once in awhile two lucky wolves found out that they were mates, but the chances of that were really slim. When I was a little girl, I used to hope that one day I would find a true mate. And now, with the man I was about to spend the rest of my life with approaching fast, those opes started resurfacing. Could he be…? I quickly shushed the thought.

My train of thought scrambled to a stop as I heard footsteps. Out of the trees emerged three wolves. The largest one sauntered over to me and sat down about a foot away. He was gorgeous, with dark brown fur and caramel colored eyes.

“My name is Erik, son of Hakan, Alpha of the Southern Synnove pack. I have come to speak to Reidar of the Magnnar pack, would you be so kind as to escort me to him. His voice was cool and polite.

My heart did a somersault in my chest, but I did not let it show.

I looked him straight in the eyes, asserting my doimance as daughter of the Alpha.

“You are speaking to his daughter, Thyra.” His look was one of surprise at first, but then it softened into affection.

“Well, if that is the case, Thyra, may you take me to your father?”

“I most certainly will,” I said, placing a hand on his furry wolf shoulder.