Chapter 46

The day passed in a blur of visiting with the wolves from the settlement. The Asketill Territory was spread out, and while there were small clumps of houses together visiting often involved at least a fifteen-minute walk. This settlement was more village style, with everyone close to each other. They worked together to gather their food and support each other. The settlement felt more like a family than a grouping of wolves.

Alek had been busy with his duties, but there had been a few times that we’d crossed paths. When it happened, I’d often found him watching me and it made me uneasy. Although I did my best to ignore it, I doubt I had succeeded.

Now we were seated at in a community building, where they dinner the week of the full moon together. I like the idea. Everyone coming together for a week once month, or even just a night once a month. It felt right.

“Astrid, your mates tell me that you were raised as a human?” Alek said, as he moved his fork to his mouth and waited for my response.

“Yes.” I replied but didn’t give details.

I didn’t want to talk about this part of my life.

“Do you remember anything about your birth parents?” He pushed.

I shot a glare at Frode. Why would he tell Alek about my being a foster child? He knew that part of my life was painful, and I didn’t like discussing it. He shook his head with a surprised expression on his face. Was he surprised he brought it up, or that he knew?

“Not a lot. They died when I was still very young.” I stared at my plate.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Alek frowned into his plate, but it wasn’t look of pity that accompanied the frown, but confusion.

Before I could wonder too long about it Frode jumped in to change the subject.

“Alek, is everyone ready for tomorrow?” Frode asked.

“Of course. A team has been working all day trying find the best places for the projected wind conditions for tomorrow. They were also out last night, ensuring there are spots where we can hide in the shadows. I’m not too worried about the rogue sensing us. A full moon with his mate in front of him, I’m sure he’ll be more focused on her.” Alek smiled, although his tone was curt.

“I figured. I’ve never known you to be unprepared. We just wanted to double check. What would you like us to do?” Frode smiled back.

“I think having Astrid there, in case of another vision is a good idea. We can keep her back far enough that the rogue won’t sense her. You four can protect her.” Alek shrugged.

They didn’t need us, and only including us out of respect to my mates being their next leaders. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Alek turned back to me and opened his mouth to say something. I braced for another painful question from him.

“Astrid, I think a rest would be best before the excitement tonight. Especially if you have a vision. You know how those effect you.” Erik murmured, standing, and pulling out my chair.

I appreciated Erik’s excuse to leave, but as I stood, I saw something flash behind Alek’s eyes. It was gone before I was even certain I saw it; this man was good at hiding his emotions. I wondered what else he was good at hiding. Unease, a feeling I’d become very familiar the last few days, uncurled in my stomach. Would he hurt my mates?

I took Erik’s hand, and we made our way to the cabin. The other stalked behind us, I could feel their frustration and worry grow with each step. We step into the cabin and the door slams behind us. Frode paces back and forth, his agitation starting to boil over.

“What game is he playing?” Frode growls, his pacing growing faster.

“I’ve never seen Alek push this hard, or act like this.” Rune plopped on the couch, staring at the fireplace.

Sten perched on the arm of the couch, watching Frode move back and forth. Erik grabbed me and settled me on his lap in a chair. Alek had done something tonight, or rather the last few days, that sent my usually calm and even-tempered mate into a frenzy.

We spent the next few hours just relaxing, and then there was a knock at the door. Sten answered it and we heard someone tell him it’s time. He nodded and shut the door facing us.

“Well, let’s get into position.” Frode growled.

We walked to where we were told to be, but as we grew close something was wrong. My stomach was turning, and every instinct I had told me to not be here. Sten stopped us and looked at me.

“What is it, Astrid?” He asked, taking my hand, and facing me.

“I’m not sure. We aren’t supposed to be here. We need to leave.” I said, my gaze darting around.

I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but something, someone was waiting for us. They wanted us here. This was a set up.

A breaking of a branch to our left pulls my mates’ attention from me.

“Erik, Sten, take her. Get her out of here.” Frode’s shifting into his protector form and Rune is already in his fur.

Ten figures step into the small clearing. The two of them may be great warriors, but they are outnumbered.

“No, I’ll fight with you.” I said, grasping at Frode’s arm.

“Astrid.” Sten said, grabbing my arm.

Before I can respond I’m being thrown over Erik’s shoulder and Sten is shifting into his wolf. I kick and hit Erik’s back, but he doesn’t respond. The ground beneath me blurs as he starts to run.

Frode and Rune attack two of the figures, clearing us a path to get out of the circle of strangers. We barely got out of the clearing and into the woods when we heard wolves following us. From my position on Erik’s shoulder, I watched in horror as Sten turned and fought the two wolves that were following us. Their fighting grew distant, and Erik and I moved forward.

“No! Stop!” I screamed as they got further and further behind us.

My fighting resumed, and my magic thrummed in my veins.

“Astrid, you use your magic on my and there will be serious consequences. Focus. Are you in pain? Stop fighting and focus.” Erik snapped.

I took a breath and calmed myself before I started to focus on my body. No pain. My mates weren’t in pain. They weren’t hurt or dead. They were ok.

“Don’t panic until there’s reason to panic. And when there’s reason I swear to goddess, I’ll march you back there myself. If you aren’t there and are safe, they can focus on fighting.” Erik’s pace had slowed.

He stopped and took in his surroundings, before sliding me down his front. I wrapped my arms around him, wanting to be close. My brain raced trying to catch up to the events that had just happened.

Someone had betrayed us.