A Grimms Fate

Chapter 11 - Pretender

POV - Ryan.

I'd been here at the pack house for a few weeks now. I've fallen into a routine, waking up at 5, training till 7, taking a shower then heading outside, walking or sitting under a tree, reading, trying my best to avoid Bjorn at all costs.

After our last conversation, it had become extremely awkward between us two. Whenever we were in the same room, he wouldn't really acknowledge me, which I must admit, kind of ticked me off a little. Here this guy tells me I'm pretty much his soulmate, according to his deity, who apparently I have a significant connection with, but no one can tell me what that connection is, and now he is fully ignoring me, I was not impressed.

I was strolling around the pack grounds, mindlessly reading that strange leather bound book. It hadn't transported me to that place again, since that day I had never heard from Selene again, I was starting to wonder if I had possibly imagined it all.

The book was full of scripture, about the first child of the moon and child of the night, how they had always been at each other's neck. It spoke of blood moon rituals and mentioned Selene a few times as well and another Goddess, Nyx, how they too, were always in competition with each other.

I wasn't sure what I was looking for, I think I was secretly hoping I would find something about getting my wolf back.

Knowing that I belonged to this magical world, and how it was stolen from me, broke my heart. I would never know what it was like to fully be one of my own kind, that choice was taken from me.

I was so far in thought that I walked straight into a large man. I had dropped the book and we both bent down to pick it up, causing our heads to bump. " I am so so sorry, I am so clumsy" I chuckled, completely embarrassed, this man was so good looking. He was well built, like all the men here, and also very large. He had short blonde hair that was neatly styled and deep chocolate brown eyes. he smiled at me as he picked the book up and handed it to me. "That's okay, no need to apologize, interesting read?" he asked, with a smirk. "uhm.." I hesitated " it's not bad actually, just a bit confusing, that's all." he looked at me and his smile grew. "I'm Ridge" he stuck his hand out in greeting. "Ryan" I took his hand and shook it, my small hand fit his large hand so well. "Nice to meet you" I continued. His dreamy chocolate eyes melting over me. "Ah, Ryan.. I heard about you." I frowned at him in curiosity. "Really? nothing bad I hope?" we had started strolling together, without even realizing it. "No, nothing bad. So tell me, what is your book about?" we held a slow pace as we spoke, like two old friends catching up after not seeing each other in years. "It's about werewolf history actually, well more about your Goddess" he seemed to consider this slowly before answering "Ah okay, maybe I can help with the confusing parts?" he smiles down at me as we continued to stroll through the pack grounds. "Uhm.. okay, well actually, I have been looking into something rather.. particular." I was hesitant, not wanting to reveal too much about myself to a stranger. "Say, hypothetically, a werewolf were to lose their wolf, was there any way to get it back?" I asked him. He stopped walking and looked at me, very puzzled. "Lose their wolf? I've never heard of someone losing their wolf, I mean, your wolf is a part of you, you are born with your wolf, as you grow, he or she grows, it's not likely that you can become tethered from your wolf." Ridge finished, still looking at me as if I were crazy. Before I could answer him, my stomach growled loudly. Ridge stopped walking and laughed. "sorry." I mumbled, a little embarrassed, while holding my middle. "I haven't eaten yet." I continued, in an attempt to explain. "well, why don't we head to the main kitchen? I haven't eaten anything either, and that way, we can both eat while I answer more of your questions." Ridge beamed a smile at me, eagerly awaiting my response. "alright then, sound like a plan to me" I answered, smiling up at him as his face lit up. "Great! it's this way." we walked back up to the packhouse, continuing with small talk, laughing like old friends.

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POV - Bjorn

I woke up from that dream again, this time there was more. It was clear to me now that the female I had been dreaming of was Ryan. Seeing her die, in my dreams, made my heart ache, seeing the life drain from those beautiful emerald eyes, i could not bare it. In the dream, there was a forest of snow, and a woman with white hair. she tried to speak to me, looking worried but no sound came from her lips. I closed my eyes and ran my hands over my face. I saw her face every time I closed my eyes, I could smell her, it was faint, I suppose she was probably outside, but I could still smell her. I got up and took a shower, hoping that the warm water would rinse my mind of the tormentous dream.

I got dressed in a simple suit pants and a buttoned black shirt, rolling the sleeves up to just above my elbows. I tied my hair up into a messy bun, having to look some what presentable. I had a meeting with the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, in discussion with regards to a well formed alliance. Alpha Sameth was a good man, I knew his father, and his grandfather, and I can say with all honesty that he was far better a man than his predecessors . He was young, and having the privilege of witnessing how he grew into the man he was today, his visit would be a welcomed distraction from having my mate so close, but not close enough.

There was a stern knock on the door as Alpha Sameth let himself in. His smile beaming at me, as Alec, my Beta, entered after him, looking amused.

Sameth will alway be a pup in our eyes, being immortal, we try not to latch on to people too quickly, but even as a small boy, Sameth was favorable. His father would send him here for 4 months every year, in order to train with our warriors. Our warriors were feared, known as the most ruthless fighters, and rightfully so, they were trained in the art of war, in the traditional viking way, no fear and no mercy. Sameth picked up our ways fast, he was quick on his feet as well as with his words, he was the closest I would probably come to having a son.

"Sameth, boy, it is good to see you." I greeted the boy, now a man, warmly, embracing him the traditional viking way, grabbing each oother's right forearm. "It is good to be back Alpha Bjorn" he answered. " I have always considered this place my true home" he continued. I nodded at him in recognition. I absently looked out the window as he spoke, and what I saw made my blood boil. There, outside, I saw my mate..alone with another male wolf. Laughing with him. I cleared my throat as I stood up from the seat that we had taken awhile ago "Alpha Bjorn, is everything alright, you look upset" Sameth said, standing with me. "Ah..yes, all is well boy. again, we are glad you are here and looking forward to this alliance, for now I must go, I have...matters to attend to" I said, making my way to the door, heading for the pack kitchen where my mate..and her new friend.. were both heading.. together.