The Wolf of the Woods

Chapter 9

The she-wolf shivered as she limped through the woods. Strong gusts of wind hit her body, forcing her to keep her head low and ears pinned. She almost regretted leaving the warm house but her instincts pressed her to hide away in the wild. Surrounded by the trees and snow where she felt most as ease.

She made her way down a steep hill towards a large pine tree that boughs laid close to the grown providing a shelter underneath. She scented the air and deemed it safe enough to use that as her den for the night. She nudged the lower branches out of the way and lowered herself to the dirt-covered ground at the base of the tree.

It was cold, almost painfully so but she couldn't feel more at ease. The past few months have been hard on the young wolf and finally being able to rest among the trees again free made it all the worthwhile for her.

Her leg may be throbbing and her wounds may be painful but she knew that she would heal and she could make her way back to the mountains. Her mountains, they would keep her safe, she had been living in that area for so long that no wolf knew them better than her. She would be safe high up like the goats and touching the sky as the birds did. The south side had fewer bears as it didn't grow as much foliage and plants for their prey to eat or berries for them to forage from.

Usually, the outcasts stayed there, they were more violent due to the lack of resources but she would be able to handle a bear again. She knew an old dead tree was near a tiny stream that ran down to the valley, she could make that into her new den. She'd have to wait until spring again to do it, the winds and snow would be too much to get there right now. Plus the prey she would've caught to sustain herself was now moved to their winter grounds too far from the southern side of the mountain to catch.

Her only issue was having no idea where she was, she had no idea how to get back home again. All because of those idiots who thought they knew best for a female. She growled at the memory of them taking her from the safety of her territory, it was her fault that she was taken by that rouge wolf, it was their fault she was now broken so badly she couldn't even keep herself abundantly warm anymore. She would never trust another male again, they have brought her nothing but pain.

She made a vow to herself that no male will ever harm her again, she would fight tooth and claw to keep them back and herself safe. Trust was no longer a luxury she could afford in this life or the next. "I don't care if it kills me" She vowed. "I will never be bothered again"

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Kostis stood outside in the snowed covered fields with his brothers Tanwyn and Swithun. They were waiting with Alpha Knox, the older male who said he'd lend his warriors to help find this she-wolf before she was hurt any further, possibly killed.

"Are you cold young wolf?" He asked Swithun who stood closer to Tanwyn in an effort to keep warm. He was not used to such cold weather. "I will manage Alpha Knox." He said stiffly. Tanwyn half grinned as his brother's obvious discomfort with the cold and made a show of stretching his bare arms out. He and the eldest of the trio were raised in the bitter cold of Alaska by their father while Swithun was raised in a warmer pack by their Uncle to be trained as a healer.

Kostis remained silent next to Alpha Knox, deep in thought about their next move in finding the she-wolf. "My eldest son will be helping you find the she-wolf, he needs the experience. It will be a few days until he joins you." Kostis nodded in acknowledgment and watched as the first warriors appeared.

5 of them emerged from the distance, each wearing a silver band around their left wrists and a silver pendant of a wolf around their necks. As they got closer he could clearly see scars across their body, some looked to be from a wolf taking its claws across their body. He unconsciously touched the scar from the she-wolf on his chest as Swithun and Tanwyn eyed his movements.

They have been worried about their eldest brother. He often woke in the middle of the night in a cold sweat from a nightmare, he had fought with the she-wolf the longest and for some reason, it affected him greatly even though he would never admit to it.

"Boys these are my top warriors, Baran, Dima, Einar, Finn, and Kael. All have volunteered for this task, each are excellent trackers and fighters. They will follow you in command until the she-wolf is found, I have instructed them to bring her back here. My wife has taken an interest in the she-wolf and wishes to help her heal in a safe environment" The Alpha said. Kostis nodded his head, he knew the Alpha didn't trust him to bring the she-wolf back to her home, after all, he did take her from it. "Greetings warriors, my name is Kostis, these are my brothers Tanwyn and Swithun. We are humbled by your willingness to help us."

"We are not helping you wolf. We are helping an innocent wolf be saved from slaughter." The leader, Baran, spoke. "Either way warrior, we are grateful" Tanwyn spoke putting a hand on Kostis's shoulder calming his temper.

"We shall leave now. The sooner we get an idea of the area the sooner we may track the rouge and she-wolf down" Baran said to his Alpha. "Very well, I wish you all the best. Stay safe wolves." He said grasping each of his warriors and pulling them into a tight embrace. He whispered something into Baran's ear and then nodded his head stiffly.

"You bring them back alive Kostis, or I will have no trouble gutting you and your brothers and sending your remains back to your pack." The Alpha threatened, his eyes promising to go through with his threat. "I will Alpha Knox."

With that, the Alpha shifted and headed back towards the packhouse. "We can shift and Swithun can lead the way. It is going to storm soon and he knows the way by heart." Tanwyn said taking his vest and pack off.

"As does Kael. He will lead with your brother." Baran said nodding to his warriors to shift. The warriors were soon replaced by dark brown almost black wolves, each an impressive size and built for battle. The silver pendant stayed on them and was bright in contrast to their dark fur.

It must be enchanted for it to remain on them like that. Swithun shifted into his blond wolf and shook his pelt out, even his wolf didn't like the cold. Laughing Tanwyn secured his vest and pack on his brother before shifting as well, leaving only Kostis.

With a sigh, he stretched his arms out and shifted. His wolf acknowledged the warriors and signaled Swithun to head out. "Help keep our strength Goddess because we will need it." 

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AN

Sorry for the slow updates y'all, I've got a full time job and almost no time anymore. I'm super grateful for everyone sticking by me so far ,