As I stood and returned the blade I recognized the face of the woman standing beside me.

“Dagr,” I said.

“Nephew,” she smiled, pulling me into a warm embrace. “I had hoped to see you soon.”

“I finished three days ago, but the final challenge left me needing rest before my journey. It is so good to finally be home. I thought it best to offer myself in the temple before presenting myself to the Alpha.”

“Very wise,” my father’s sister took my arm, leading me towards the door, “I will walk with you. We had heard of how well you were doing, you have made your family very proud Eir.”

“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to serve my clan in such a way, Auntie.”

“You’ve grown,” she said, leading me down the path between longhouses, “and not just in height. The boy we sent off would not have seen things as such. You conduct yourself well, nephew, I look forward to seeing what Fenrir has in store for you.”

I smiled, looking around me as we walked. Since Solsilva was the center of the Skollfolk’s lands most families in our clan had some sort of presence in the village. Though not much had changed over the years it did not surprise me. We lycans were not much for change, we liked to keep our old ways.

“Here we are,” Dagr’s paused, she rapped on the door then opened it, leading me into the longhouse. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat, which I could see being turned on a spit. There was another smell as well, pungent and heady, though I could not place it. More than a dozen people bustled around the fire, some were busy preparing the meal, while others sat on benches laughing and busying themselves with handcrafts. A man picked at a lyre in the corner.

“Alpha! Your new healer has arrived!” Dagr called over the happy din. A broad shouldered woman dressed in a man’s kyrtill and trousers looked up from the blade she was sharpening. She wore the golden hair of Skoll’s Alphas twisted away from her face, and when she stood I could see the way she wore authority like a well worn cloak. It was not her that held my gaze, though. Next to her there was a woman who was like nothing I had seen. She had the same golden hair but it hung loose, falling over her shoulder as she mended a piece of armor. She looked up and my gaze was met by eyes the color of the deep forest after a rain. In that moment I could have sworn to you she was luminescent, as radiant as the sun that had warmed my back all these miles, bringing me here to her. Something deep in me registered, she was my mate.

Our Alpha crossed the room and grasped my forearm, pulling me into an embrace and back to reality. I tried to regain my composure as she welcomed me, asking about my journey, my training, and others our clan had sent to Thviti. I tried to focus on her questions and answer them politely, she beckoned me to sit with the others near the fire. I stood there stupefied while Dagr sat on a bench and gestured for me to join her, looking at me curiously.

“You’ve arrived just in time for supper,” our Alpha was saying, she put her hand on my mate’s shoulder with pride, “My daughter took down an elk this morning, so we’ve fresh venison tonight.You must be famished, it is a long day’s journey from Thviti.”

“My thanks, Alpha. I could not have asked for an easier journey, but I will certainly sleep soundly tonight.” She laughed, thanking a woman who brought her a plate. I could feel the eyes of my mate on me, and I wanted nothing more than to go to her. A plate and a cup were put in my hands and I expressed my thanks. I ate and drank, sneaking furtive glances at her. I spoke when spoken to, and when the plates began to be cleared away our Alpha cleared her throat.

“I’ve given a great deal of thought to your placement, Eir. Though young, you have surpassed all your instructors asked of you. I have been hearing of the way you have managed your challenges with wisdom and skill for quite some time now. Frode, our healer here in Solsilva, has been in his position for longer than I have been around to bear witness. He is nearing the end of his 9th century and is ready to join the elders. I’ve decided to keep you here as his replacement, after an appropriate period of working alongside him. He deserves his time to rest after serving our clan so loyally for so many centuries. Tonight, I welcome you to share my hearth and my ale. Tomorrow, you will join him in service to our clan.” A few people clapped me on the back in congratulations. I smiled and bowed my head, thanking her for this honor. To be made the healer in Solsilva was no small thing. It was the center of our clan and, should it come to it, I would be serving the Alpha herself. It also meant I would stay close to my mate. Her eyes met mine, she beamed at me and I was again dumbstruck. Voices buzzed around me but nothing registered, I probably seemed like a terrible fool. It was as if my mind had turned to mud.

I had always been told that a mate is your perfect complement in all ways. As lycans we were able to sense the one with whom we would be able to create the strongest offspring, thereby strengthening our clan. Whatever I had expected, I didn’t expect it to be like this. I was absolutely bewitched and I didn’t even know her name. She stood and excused herself. Her hips swayed as she passed by me and I couldn’t help but inhale her sweet scent. She walked out the door and it felt as though a lamp had been blown out, leaving the rest of us in darkness. I half heartedly laughed at a jest made by the man next to me and felt an elbow dig into my ribs.

“Best follow her,” Dagr whispered.