The Wolf You Feed Arc (2 page)

Tore’s hesitation gave Erik the chance he’d been waiting for. He pounced, knocking Tore to the ground.
 

As Erik’s body hit his little brother’s, they rolled. Both scrabbled in the dirt to right themselves. Fur and claws flew in all directions. Dodging Erik’s teeth, Tore scrambled back to his feet. By some small miracle he’d avoided Erik’s jaws. But it wasn’t over. Tore had started something he’d never be able to finish. Sooner or later, he’d feel his brother’s teeth in his flesh.
 

In a desperate attempt to gain dominance and give himself half a chance to survive the fight, he lashed out with his paw. Blood welled across Erik’s face as Tore’s claw ripped through fur and skin. It looked deep, more than a flesh wound. It would leave a scar.
That should remind you, who Annike belongs to.
 

Erik didn’t flinch.
No.
It will cost you, little brother and I don’t just mean your mate.
He scrunched down, ready to propel himself through the air but before Erik pounced, Isak pinned Tore to the ground. His claws dug into Tore’s shoulders, his teeth just inches from the young wolf’s jugular.
 

Too late, Tore’s sanity returned. What had he done? He’d be lucky to walk out of the cave alive. He lowered his head and tucked his tail between his legs. Tore’s only option was to throw himself on Isak’s mercy and hope his status as the youngest, counted for something.

Isak backed a few inches away from his throat.
That was reckless, Tore!
 

Tore’s brothers withdrew a few feet. They deferred to their father but remained poised to attack, should he be foolish enough to try again.
 

I thought you knew better than to challenge Erik like that. Didn’t think you had it in you.
Isak snapped his jaws shut in Tore’s face, causing him to flinch. Y
ou disrespected my authority. No one questions my decisions, ever. Especially not one of my own sons.
 

Tore’s inability to control his temper had cost him more than he could have imagined.
Dad, I…
 

Quiet. You’ve lost the right to call yourself my son. I want your full apology and complete acceptance of my decision. You will pledge allegiance to Erik, and he will mate with Annike. You will accept that first, and then we will talk about your future.
 

Anger flowed through Tore’s veins once more. Did his father think he’d agree to this?
 

As thoughts began to form in Tore’s head, his father spoke again.
Think before you speak, Tore. Let me remind you — you live by my rules. If you can’t, you’re no longer part of this clan.
 

Tore looked to his brothers for support. None was forthcoming. He was on his own.
You’ll let me leave?

Isak sat, his black eyes intense.
That’s not the easy option, Tore
.
If you leave, then you’d better run fast and far. If Erik finds you within two hundred miles of our territory, he’ll have his retribution.
 

Tore glanced at Erik. His oldest brother was struggling to contain his fury. Erik wanted to settle things here and now. This was not over between them. With his days numbered at the clan, whatever decision Tore took, it would indeed, not be an easy choice. Either way, Tore would spend his life looking over his shoulder, waiting for his brother to exact revenge. The only difference would be — if he stayed — he’d have to watch Erik with Annike every day for the rest of his life.

 
2

Tore walked through the commune, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his shoulders hunched. All thoughts of full moon celebrations swept from his head. Friends called out as they carried buckets laden with ice and beer towards the woods. He waved and gave a fake smile, assuring them he’d be there soon.
 

But Tore’s heart wasn’t in it. He vowed never to celebrate the full moon again. His Goddess had deserted him, twisting fate in the cruelest way. If he lived long enough to make a new life, he’d take his chances without her. What use was heritage or religion when exiled from your own people? From now on, the only link to his Lycan culture would be his Vargr name.
 

He found Annike by the river braiding her hair. She plucked a wild flower, growing at the tree line and pushed the small stem behind her ear. Its lavender hews stood out against the golden straw color. Her honey sweet perfume mingled with the delicate fragrance of the phacelia. Tore stifled a groan as it filled his nostrils. Her scent was always his undoing. It clouded his head, blurred his vision, and now it sent shivers down his spine and woke the wolf within.
 

For six months, he’d battled with his need for her. Counting the days until she was going to be his. They’d fought against their passions. Had decided to wait for their mating ceremony before they gave themselves to each other. But in his dreams, he fantasized about running his hands along the contours of her naked body. A lump came to his throat. Now he’d never know what it was like to lie with her.

He watched as Annike arranged the fragile blossom behind her ear. Tore adored that hair, the way it swished back and forth as she walked. Loved how it skimmed the curve of her hips and drifted across her slender back in thick, heavy waves. He closed his eyes, groaning at what he saw behind his lids — a golden haired goddess waiting for him in his bed. What a spell Annike wove around him. If he lived to make a new life, he’d never replace this image of her with anyone else.
 

His eyes felt hot, a tear threatened to fall. Tore brushed it away, hating the human part of him that allowed his heart to break so easily. He took a deep breath as he prepared to say goodbye to her.
 

As he collected himself, his thoughts drifted back to December.

***

The fire roared in the center of the clearing, taking the chill out of the December air. Fur boots kept out the snow, while woolen blankets draped across knees ensured shivers were kept at bay. Tore joked with his friends as they shared sodas and wild tales. Then they fell silent, their eyes flicking to someone behind him. Tore turned. A tall elegant girl smiled at him. His friends forgotten, he found himself staring at her.
 

She asked if she could sit. Embarrassed and tongue tied, he shifted along the log to make room for her. Eavesdropping, he heard her friend call her Annike and he locked the information into his heart.

Almost immediately, Tore found himself captivated by her mouth. When her lips pursed in thought, he wondered what it would be like to kiss them. When she smiled, they curled up at the corners, creating pretty dimples in both her cheeks. As Annike ran her pink tongue across her bottom lip, he fantasized about their taste. When she caught her top one with her teeth, his breath caught in his throat.
 

They found themselves cocooned on the log, their friends having migrated to the barbecue pit. The soft glow of the fire lit up her face. Tore popped the cap on a soda, “You thirsty?”
 

She reached for the bottle, her fingers touching his. Moments later he blushed, realizing he still held on to it and was staring at her. Muttering an apology, he looked away. She laughed, placed the glass between her lips before offering it back. Tore put his own to the bottle, his heart skipping at the thought of her mouth having touched the same place.
 

“You’re Tore aren’t you?” It surprised him that she knew his name. “Annike.” She stretched out her hand. A tingle of excitement raced through him as skin slid across skin. “This is the first time I’ve been to one of these.” She waved her free hand at the partygoers. “I’m only halfway through my transition,” she explained.

Tore continued to hold her hand. “Thought I hadn’t seen you here before, I’ve just about finished mine. I turn eighteen this month.” He cursed himself. Was that all he could think of to say? Any minute now, she’d walk away and find someone more interesting to talk to. Think, Tore. Say something cool. “You…um…want to go for a walk?” Oh great, now why would you ask her that?

“Sure, I’d love to.” She stood folding the blanket that had been across her lap.

Oh, she does! Tore jumped to his feet slopping the soda, splashing her pant legs with fizzy orangeade. “Oh, I’m sorry…” He knelt down and used the sleeve of his sweater to wipe her legs. She was giggling. He blushed as he noticed the wet orange stains on the cream wool.
 

Damn, he sure was making a great impression.
 

“You ready?” She nodded towards the trees.

“Sure.”
 

She led the way through the crowds of other youths. Tore put his hand to the small of her back, not wanting to lose contact for a second.
 

As they walked through the woods, she slid her hand into his. “I saw you hunt yesterday.”
 

She did?
 

Her hand felt warm and soft in his and he squeezed it tighter.
 

“I was by the out crop. Watched your wolf come across the fields. You’re fast.”

 
“It was my first solo hunt. That doe almost got away from me.” Why did he say that? He should have shrugged it off, said he’d caught loads. Now she’d think he was a loser.

“It did? That must have felt good bringing her down, then. Haven’t tried it yet. I don’t have a clue how to read my instincts.”

“I could take you out. We could try something small together. I’ll talk you through it. Erik did that with me a few times before I went solo.”

“Would you? I’d like that.” She was breathless when she spoke. He wondered if she meant it, but her eyes were sincere. A burst of electricity shot through him, she meant it.

They stopped by the river and lent against a boulder to keep out of the wind. Her golden hair shone in the moonlight. Tore was again tongue-tied but she rescued him with a question about his studies. They chatted as they skimmed pebbles across the water’s surface.
 

“You’re not how I imagined,” she looked sideways, giving him another of her dimpled smiles.

“How long have you been thinking about me then?”
 

Now she blushed. She skipped another stone, “The others talk, tell stories.”

“They do? What do they say?”

“That you’re cocky. Have lots of human girlfriends. Stuff like that.”

For some reason, he hated that she’d heard that. “It’s just an act…I’m not like that… just talk, with the guys.”
 

“I’m glad it’s not true.” That whispered breathiness had crept back into her voice.
 

Stone-skimming forgotten, he found himself gazing into her eyes. As she returned his stare, their hands reached out and connected. As their fingers laced, a fluttering in his stomach caused his heart to play copy-cat. He leaned forwards, stopping inches from her mouth.

Annike pulled her hand away and brushed the snow from her clothes. She started to walk down the path and Tore hurried after her.
 

Did he do something wrong?
 

“We should get back. Nea will wonder where I went. I didn’t tell her I was going.”

“Nea?”

“My friend from earlier. We look out for one another, she’ll worry.”

Tore walked her back to the campfire, wishing time would slow down, so he could have her to himself for longer. All too soon, they were back in the crowds. Nea was busy chatting to Felix, unperturbed by Annike’s absence. She surprised him by sitting down beside him once more. Tore sat closer to her as he pulled a blanket over their laps.
 

Hours later, the crowds thinned. Annike watched them disperse. “I’d better head back too, I suppose.”
 

They stood, the silence awkward for a moment. Tore wondered if he should ask to see her again. Before he plucked up courage, she stood on tiptoe and pulled him towards her by his sweater. Did he dare chance a kiss? Her honey scent filled his senses as she whispered in his ear.