On my way home I decided to take a detour and go for a run. It would help me clear my mind and get my thoughts in order. I wanted to put my best foot forward, though it seemed I had already made a good first impression. As I followed the path into the woods I drank it all in. The sun filtered through the trees, birds sang, and as I allowed my mind to relax my wolf senses heard an animal skitter away through the leaves. A larger creature had come down this path earlier, I couldn’t place the smell but I went deeper into the woods to be sure I avoided them. I breathed deeply, there would be rain tonight.

When I felt I was far enough in I stripped my clothes and shoved them in my sling bag. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The hugr gathered at my navel. I released it and felt my fur begin to grow out of my skin. My joints reworked themselves and my snout sprouted out of my face. Once I was fully in my lycan form I stretched, lowering my nose and elongating my back. I sniffed the air and took off down the trail at an easy lope. I followed the scent of a rabbit off the main trail, it would be good to present one to Alva when I returned home.

I hadn’t been following the rabbit trail long when my keen eyes spotted one nibbling on some brush at the crest of the hill. I crouched behind a fallen log and noticed the mushrooms growing out of it. I would have to double back for them. I silently slunk from tree to tree keeping the wind to my face so that the rabbit would not smell me. When I was about fifteen feet away from it I crouched, waiting and ready to spring. The rabbit looked around, sniffing, then dipped its head to continue nibbling on the greenery at its feet. I leaped out of the brush and the chase began.

I bounded after the rabbit. It was a big one with long leaps. I was faster, though, and after a short chase down the other side of the hill, it was in my mouth with its neck snapped. Carrying it, I made my way back to the mushrooms. I shifted to my human form to crouch down and pick the mushrooms and put them into my sling bag. I could hear the river babbling nearby so I followed the noise through the trees to a riverbank. I hung my bag and my catch from a nearby tree.

As I waded in I sucked air through my teeth. The water was runoff from the snow-capped mountains nearby and it was ice cold. I dunked my head, letting out a yelp as I emerged from the water. Bracing didn't begin to cover it. I rinsed myself off, sloughing dead skin off with the sand on the river bank and running my fingers through my tangled hair. When I had finished I sat on a boulder on the shore. The sun felt warm on my skin after the icy river and I laid back and soaked it in. My mind wandered to Sage. She seemed to be the inevitable destination of all my thoughts as of late. I wondered what she was doing now and if she was thinking of me. I had hoped to find answers for her but so far I had only found more questions.

"-but when she learns to focus it. That will be a sight to behold." I heard Aunt Dagr's words in my head. Sage had blown the leaves and other loose bits around us away, could she do more? Would she be able to manipulate objects individually? Or was it more like an explosion of force? If I was to be of any help to her I could not become lax in the regular practice I had taken part in during training. I had to stay sharp.

My stomach grumbled, it would seem my nerves had no effect on my appetite. I pulled my clothes off the branch I had hung them over and dressed. I put my sling on and grabbed the rabbit. Just as I was about to take the path back up to the village I heard voices. I stilled, two men were coming down the path and arguing.

“Someone has been this way, we must make ourselves scarce,” the first said.

“Scarce? Let them come. Lesser gods than the allfather have bound their ancestor. I am not afraid of any Lycan.” the second boasted, earning a growl from the other.

“Your idiocy is not what we are here to prove. Odin only wanted us to gather information.”

“And that we have! The sun pup has found her mate, there will soon be a transfer of power.”

As they passed by me I peered through the branches. The men only wore trousers. Their torsos were hairy and muscular, with ancient symbols carved into their bodies. They had full beards and long, thick braids of brown hair down their backs. They were speaking of Sage and my desire for blood was strong. I was alone, but these were Ulfhednar. The wolf skins. Lycans were able to shift to wolves because of the blood of Fenrir that flowed in our veins, but the Ulfhednar carved symbols into themselves that allowed them to wear a wolf’s body like a second skin. They did not have the heightened senses of Lycans, which is probably why they did not sense me along the path. A Lycan would have heard my breathing or smelled me long before now.

“You know that will not be enough, who is this whelp? Where has he come from?”

“What does it matter? He does not appear to be much of a fighter. He’s only an assistant to the healer.”

At that moment I sensed movement to my right. One of the twins, Dagny or Asmund I did not know which, slid through the brush next to me and held a finger to her smiling lips. I sensed the other twin was nearby as well. A bush rustled down the path near the bickering Ulfhednar. They paused and looked at each other warily. The twin rolled out of the brush and sprung up in front of them.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen. What brings you into our fine woods on this day? I hope you come with no nefarious intent?” As she spoke the twin next to me crept up behind them, a knife in each hand, ”For if you harbor any ill will to the Alpha that I have sworn to protect my sister will be required to-”

Whatever she had said was drowned out by the cries of both men as her sister sliced through the hamstrings of one. He fell, crying out in pain. The other one turned towards her and her blades found purchase in his thick neck. She pulled them out and his mouth opened as if to cry out. He fell, blood gurgling up out of his throat and down his chest. She turned to the other, as her sister whistled.

“Damn, Dagny. You’re getting good with those.” Asmund put a spear to the living man’s throat, “Better not try anything if you know what’s good for you.”

“Eir, could you help me with this one.” Dagny called, “We need to stop the bleeding. This is the second time we’ve caught Ulfhednar this close to the village. I would like to question him.”

I rose from the brush and Asmund helped me turn the man over. The cuts on the back of his thighs were clean and precise. This man would not be walking any time soon. I pulled some gauze from my bag and directed Asmund to apply pressure. The man cried out in pain, and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a pleasant sound. Once we had stopped the bleeding I stitched the wounds closed. Dagny had dragged the body of the other man deeper into the woods where the animals would take care of him. She fashioned a sledge to drag the man in on and sent Asmund ahead to bring word of what had happened to our Alpha.

“You wouldn’t mind helping me drag him on in, then?” She asked.

“Of course,” I took one side of the sledge and pulled along with her.

“You don’t balk at the blood.” She said.

“I suppose it comes with the territory,” I replied, “I’ve dealt with my fair share of it.”

We pulled the sledge in silence, the village was not far off when Asmund returned with the Alpha leading her and Sage down the path. Her stride was long and full of purpose. I squared my shoulders at the sight of them.

“ Let’s keep him out of town. I don’t want to stir the clan up any more than necessary. There’s a small hut off the path here. We’ll keep him under guard there until he’s ready to talk.”

We followed her silently. Sage and Asmund lifted the end of the sledge as we went off the path. The hut was not far off, and the weak whimpers of the man were all that could be heard in the silent woods. He had boasted of his bravery but the other man had been right to hush him. There was no bravery to be found in his eyes now.

“Silence.” Our Alpha growled at him as we placed him inside the hut and she knelt to look the man in the eyes, “Tonight you will be brought food and water. My healer will bring you something to stave off infection. In the morning, you will tell me why your people have been watching my village and what you have learned.”

She stood, and left the hut and we followed her out.

“Eir, those look good for a field dress. However, I don’t want to risk infection getting him before I get the information I need from him. Please see to that.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I nodded.

“Dagny, Asmund told us about your quick management of those two. You honor yourself.”

“Thank you, Alpha. Asmund and I have been putting in extra hours training.”

“It shows. Sage, Asmund, stand guard. I will send others to replace you as quickly as I can. Dagny, fetch our prisoner some supper. Sylvi should have something for you.” She dismissed us and strode back into the village.

I ran to fetch some supplies from Frode’s stores. I burst into the house much to the surprise of Frode and Alva, who were just sitting down to supper.

“Who has caught your tail, eh?” Frode asked.

“There was Ulfhednar in the woods, Dagny wounded one and the Alpha has asked me to ensure he does not fall to infection.” I tossed the rabbit on to the table and began rattling through the bottles in the cabinets, looking for the herbs I needed for my decoction.

“Ulfhednar?” He asked, “In our woods?”

“Yes, Dagny sliced clean through his hamstrings. I’ve stopped the bleeding and stitched it, but I’d like to cleanse it and bandage it a bit better. I only had a few things in my bag. A poultice would be good. I don’t think she has any intention of keeping him alive longer than it takes to question him. I’ll explain more later.”

Alva stood and put the water on to boil. I tossed some clean bandages and cloths in my bag and started putting herbs into the mortar and pestle. Frode passed me enough water to moisten it and I began mashing it into a thick paste. He put dried herbs into the boiling water and fetched a few jars. After the water had been boiling for several minutes I strained it into one jar and put the poultice in another. I thanked them and was quickly on my way.

As I hurried back to the hut I hoped that Sage would still be there. I had to tell her that they had somehow known about us. We couldn’t risk the wolf skin telling the Alpha news of her own daughter, she would not be pleased. As I left the path she came into view, laughing at something Asmund had said. Her eyes met mine and she smiled.

“Would you help me with him?” I asked.

“Oh, of course,” She said.

“And what about me?” Asmund laughed as Sage followed me into the hut. The man was lying there and small pained whimpers came from his lips.

“I’m going to cleanse your wounds.” I told him, “It is in your best interest to lie still.”

Sage helped me to lie him out on his stomach and I took the decoction and cloth from my bag and cleaned the blood off his thigh and around the injury. Sage passed me the poultice and I packed it on and rebandaged his thigh properly. Then I repeated my actions on the other side. There was little else that could be done for him. Dagny had brought him food and we left him to his silent meal.

We four stood outside the hut awkwardly until Asmund finally broke the silence.

“We heard the Ulfhednar talking. The wolf skin knew about your mate before your own sworn guard. When were you planning on telling us, Sage? Hmm?”

“Oh hush, like we hadn’t figured it out,” Dagny said.

“I meant to tell everyone tonight, actually. Did they really know?” She turned to me.

“I don’t know how, but yes,” I confirmed.

“I thought we were friends!” Asmund clutched her chest dramatically.

“Asmund it has only been two days.” Sage shook her head.

“I’m not surprised they knew, you were not hard to follow,” Dagny said flatly, ignoring Asmund’s flailing arms.

“Wait, what? Follow?” Sage turned to Dagny, mouth open.

“I told her we shouldn’t but you know she doesn’t listen to me.” Asmund rolled her eyes.

“We had caught the first couple Ulfhednar only a few days before. I wasn’t taking any risks. I take my vows seriously.”

“Oh gods, Dagny.” Sage sighed, “Fine. You two stay here while I go tell my mother.”

“Have fun,” Asmund said.

Sage slipped her hand in mine and pulled me towards the path. I followed her, the pit in my stomach deepening. I knew we just had to get it over with in order to get on with the rest of our lives. When we reached the path she stopped and put her hand on my cheek.

“Look at me, love.” I turned to face her, placing my hand over hers. Her touch calmed my racing pulse.

“I’m nervous,” I admitted, “I know it’s silly.”

“You care, that’s not silly,” she paused, studying me, “I know we haven’t known each other long, but Eir I have never been more sure of something. You are my complement in so many ways. If you can’t be sure of yourself, be sure of me.”

She leaned toward me and I met her lips. She slid her hands to my shoulders and I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me. I wanted to devour her. Her fingers threaded through my hair, pulling me closer. She bit my lip, pulling away with a laugh.

“Ahem,” we heard a throat clear. Sage jumped back and my heart leapt to my throat. Alpha Runa stood there with her own sworn guard flanking her on either side. To her left stood a brawny woman with long black hair braided away from her face, a long gash ran the length of her left cheek. On the right was a lean blonde man, his hair tied back in a knot, and a yew bow was slung around his torso.

“Eir, these are my mother’s sworn guard, Revna and Arne,” Sage said, her chin held high and her expression unreadable, “Mother, I have found my true mate.”

“I see,” Alpha Runa’s face held the same blank expression.

“I had a rather nice bit prepared and was on my way to say it to you but that no longer seems necessary.” She slid her hand into mine, her palm clammy. I squeezed her hand in an attempt at reassurance.

“So it would seem,” She paused, “Have you tended to the wolf skin’s wounds, Eir?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Well go tell your Father, then. He’ll be delighted to know he was right.”