Every minute that passed, I was getting closer to my horses, and I was really looking forward to seeing them. I had enough leads to bring them all back at once and then figure out what I was going to do. William was going to build a place for them, but that was then. I was going to have to figure out something for now, if I truly intended to bring them back. 

Reaching my kingdom, his wolves had really done a number on it. It was like they just ripped it apart in the largest of wars. Walking through the gates, or what was left of them, I followed the main road to the stables and found it was still completely intact. Heading inside, it was warm and my horses were inside like they were supposed to be. They all seemed pleased to see me. 

William was going to be livid, and I knew it. 

Whatever I got for this, I would deserve. Touching Midnight, named for his dark midnight coloured coat. He enjoyed the attention. Midnight paid me as much attention as I paid him. 

“Hello old friend. How about a ride?” I whispered, laying my head against his head. Moving back from him, I went to locate his saddle and a few other things. The more I thought about this idea, the worse it seemed. I wanted to ride Midnight, but it definitely wasn’t safe to take him or the others back to William’s pack. Not without having a place to go first. I didn’t want them to suffer or die because of my selfish actions.

Getting Midnight ride ready, I had a few hours to spend with him before I was going to be on William’s radar for being missing. Opening the pen, I walked Midnight out and mounted him. I honestly could have ridden off into the sunrise, never to see him again. But the thought alone filled me with uneasiness at the idea of leaving him. 

Midnight seemed happy to have his feet in the snow, and he was loving the wind, I not so much, but that was ok. 

“Been awhile since we’ve got a pleasant ride in.”

The area I always rode my horses in was a fenced in long section of land, safe away from predators and other dangerous to my prized stallions. Riding him around the yard. It seemed like I had limitless time, but that was so far from the truth. The need for sleep was setting in, and the sun was coming up. Sadly, this adventure was going to have to end. Midnight went away easily, and I took all of his gear on, setting it on a hook when I left his pen. I checked on them all, made sure they had food and water. 

When I was a boy, it wasn’t uncommon to find me with my horses, sleeping on a few hay bails, I honestly caught some of my best sleeps here. I was sure I could do it again too. Moving some bails, I laid down and got comfortable, listening to all the breaths from my horses and closed my eyes. I hoped that when I woke up; it would not be to a livid William. 

Waking, I looked around, and the sun was clearly up, but the stables were quiet. I could hear footsteps in the distance however, but they didn’t get any closer. I sneezed from the hay and waited to see if anyone was going to come get me out of the barn. 

After a few minutes of waiting, I got nosy and had to go look at why no one was looking for me. Surely William had to be here. There was no way he wasn’t. 

Sliding the stable door open after I fully woke up, I spotted two wolf guards not too far off, and a bunch more wolves. It was definitely the afternoon, and I hadn’t seen William. The guards noticed me and they were kind, asking me if I was well rested and that William was indeed upset and to be sure I was ready to face that before I went to find him. 

Going back inside the stable, now in the light, I pulled Midnight out again, and walked him from the side door into the yard, and mounted him. He neighed and galloped happily for me. I was happy he was happy. 

The sunlight was melting the snow, so Midnight was slinging mud and ice with all his hooves. He was going to need new horse's shoes shortly. The air was definitely above freezing now and I was honestly living for it. 

I sensed William before I saw him, emotions stirring deeply inside me, at even just the realization that he was here, and was going to be completely pissed off about my stupid actions again. He looked at me as I rode Midnight around the fenced area. I knew he was upset. His anger prickled under my skin. Being able to sense his emotions was both a good and bad thing. Coming to a stop, I hopped off Midnight, and took his lead, walking him with me to the fence. William put space between Midnight and himself, his emotions giving away that the horse made him feel uneasy and uncomfortable. 

I could understand that. William did not have any horses. He wasn’t used to them. 

“You can touch him, William. He won’t hurt you.”

“I’ll pass.”

“Please, you won’t be uneasy with him if you touch him.”

Begrudgingly, he touched Midnight. His fingers rubbing his nose softly. 

“See.” I said, looking at him. “He didn’t hurt you.”

“I’ve only seen horses a few times, and they weren’t pleasant times.”

“My father.” I muttered, knowing that’s what he meant in fewer words. 

“Ignoring that subject, when did you leave last night?”

“Late last night. I wanted to see my horses.”

“I told you I would build something for them and have them brought.”

I took a deep breath, letting it out before speaking. “I know you said that I do. When you build something, they will need protection from wild wolves.”

“Put the horse away, then we will speak.”

“He’s not hurting anything.”

“Elias, do as I’ve asked.”

Groaning, I took Midnight back inside, and a wolf took him from me, looking after his needs, as well as the others. William was outside the stable waiting for me to come out, and I sighed when I saw him. He and I walked through what they left of the village to the cemetery and he paused. 

“I noticed both your parents are buried here.”

“Yes, and the wolf, father to my brother, is buried here, in an unmarked grave too. My mother’s ultimate wish, and whatnot? My father had to know about it, but he never dug up or disrespected the grave, to my knowledge.”

William nodded and looked around the cemetery, stopping in front of my mother’s grave. 

“I imagine she was a beautiful woman.”

“She was, her eyes lit up rooms, and her voice was soft. She was never loud or rude, and she kept my father in line. I don’t think I or my aunt ever recovered from her death, if I’m being completely honest.”

He nodded, and I wondered why he was suddenly asking about my mother, and complementing her. He stopped when we got to my father’s grave and he clicked his tongue, and his anger flooded into me. 

“I was beyond livid when I woke to find you gone this morning, Elias.”

“Yes, I know. I figured you would be.” I said, keeping my voice low and gentle. 

“Then why?”

“I wanted to see them and I couldn’t shake the need.”

“You could have asked someone to come along, so that you weren’t alone here.”

“I was fine. What did you—You were worried about me?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” He grunted, turning and making his way out of the cemetery. I struggled to keep up with the pace he was keeping without running or jogging to do so.

“For what it’s worth, William, I was safe and did nothing stupid.”

“What we see as stupid is clearly different. Now come along.”

Sighing, I followed behind William. He went inside the kingdom, and into the home where I grew up, now very empty and dark looking. It wasn’t the place it once had been. Without my family’s things, it was just cold, dark stone. It was bittersweet in a way. 

“Most of the stuff is back in the pack now. The stones are going to be repurposed into houses and shelter for your people and mine. An addition to my cabin is also where some of these will be going.”

“It’s terribly odd to see my home in shambles, and to know that it never will be whole again.”

“Elias—-”

“No, I get it. You don’t want my father’s legacy to live on here. After all that he did to you, and I get it.” I muttered. 

“In a way, you, too, are free.”

“Yes, in a way.”

William and I made the trek back to his cabin in the pack. He went and found some of my things in another of the cabins, bringing them back to me. The blanket he handed me was not one my mother made, but still a favourite of mine for its weight and texture. 

“With this, I believe I need to nap.” I muttered. 

“Perhaps, after you eat.”

“Why after, I can eat later, napping with this beautiful blanket is far more important.”

“No. Eating is more important. Put the blanket down and come along. Before I show you how angry finding you missing actually made me, Elias.”

Annoyed, I followed behind William to the dining hall, all my thoughts set on getting back and wrapping that heavenly blanket around me. He had me sit beside him and he passed me chunks of things to eat. He passed me something, and I bit into it. Heat spread over my tongue, and I didn’t like it at all. 

“I don’t want this.” I hissed, my tongue burning.

“You don’t like spicy food?”

“I’ve never had that, but I can assure you I am not a fan.”

“We grew them last year, a gift from wolves down in the south. A hot pepper. We use them for flavouring meat.”

“They are hot. They make my tongue burn and tingle. I don’t like it.”

“I will remember that.” William said, taking the pepper away from me and placing a chunk of meat into my hand. He made me eat until I was full, overfull. 

“No more, please, I’m stuffed. I’ll be sick if you feed me anything else.”