Howling Christmas

Border Patrol

Walnut was holding Merry's hand. What the hell was wrong with him? A pretty girl cries in your arms, and you're defying your Future High King? He was insane. However, Walnut couldn't say no to Merry, she was just so.... Gorgeous. Fang had been hurt pretty badly, he had been shot multiple times. Their doctors spent all night digging out the bullets. It was hard to do when the person heals faster than an eye blink. It was hard causing that much pain to a friend, as they screamed in agony. Fang had passed out a few times. Walnut had been told to leave. Being Fae, he had no place with the wolves. They didn't like anyone who wasn't pack in their town. Now, here he was with Merry, she was allowed here most of the time. Since Valens decree last night, she would be taken to court if found here. Walnut would be whipped and fired. Looking down at Merry, he couldn't find it in him to care.

"Okay Merry, as much as I love you. I can't go further than this. Your cousin is at that cottage there. I don't know if anyone is inside with him, but he should be resting. We had to double patrols and beef up security around town and the palace. The King has approved a curfew. Merry you have to be home by nightfall. " He was cupping one of her cheeks. She looked so small, he felt guilty for leaving her. But she was perfectly safe there. She nodded and leaned up, kissing his cheek.

"It's okay, Wally. I got this." Smiling, she headed to her cousin's cottage. Looking back, Walnut was already out of sight. Weird. She shrugged her shoulders and cut down the path, hiding behind trees and moving in the shadows. She could hear some wolves in another cottage.

"How the f**k did the humans even get past the ice wall?" An angry growl made her freeze. That was interesting.

"I haven't a clue. Ever since the treaty back in the 1820s, I thought we wouldn't see them again. " A loud bang was heard.

"Those bastards had high-powered rifles! They almost killed my boys. Luckily, they were lead. What the actual f**k Gregor? We have too many who depend on us here. The curse of Fenrir isn't to be trifled with. " A gruff sound was heard,

"Agreed, but they were killed. This human who escaped will be found. He's human after all. " Silence filled the void suddenly, it was almost knife-splitting.

"Gregor, they will find him, right?" More silence...

"Gregor!" A loud crash made Merry jump and almost got a squeak from her.

"Amara said. She bit him before she took her last breath." A sound like a tire losing air filled the silence.

"No Gregor no! The full moon is in her first phase!" Another crash. "Don't you think I know that Tyr? You don't think I know that a bite from an Alpha will expose a human to our world! " Merry's mind raced, it had been a long time since any humans had been turned here.

If humans got close, the pack usually destroyed them before something like this could happen. Now, they were looking at a human who an alpha had bitten. The moons on her second full moon, which would mean whoever the human was... He would be turning before the Waxing Gibbous was into its next phase.

Merry crept away before she heard something else she wasn't supposed to hear. She chewed her lip as she tried to figure out whose voice she heard. One was the Ulfric of our clan, Demetrius Sin. But the other had to be his second.

The only sound she heard was coming from her trying to be quiet, and feeling as if every move she made was louder than life. Suddenly paranoid, she looked around. Searching the trees, the setting sun was drawing it's blanket of darkness, and she was suddenly out of time. Walking to Fang's door, she listened to hear if anyone was inside. When she heard nothing but labored breathing, Merry took the bold step and walked inside. She carefully closed the door to not make a sound. Fang was sleeping on his bed. Bloody bandages lay in a heap in the trash over spilling. She covered her mouth and walked to his bedside. Slowly sitting beside him.

"Fang? " She whispered, afraid to be too loud.

He stirred, eyelids fluttering. His mouth parted and he was talking. It was so low he could barely make out his words.

"Merry, go home... Not safe."

She bowed her head, long silver and black hair fell over him like a veil.

"I can't Fang, I need to know you're okay. Is it true? There were humans?" She hated how excited she felt. Her cousin was healing from a brutal attack, and she was asking about the attackers. To be fair, they never saw humans. It was a little exciting.

Fang turned his head, struggling to hold her hand. "Go home!" The anger in his voice, his eyes glowed like golden suns. Merry fell back, making noise by fumbling and regaining her footing.

"What was that?" a voice outside asked. Panic made Merry whimper. She looked all over the cottage, running to a closet and sliding inside, closing the door as the front door opened.

"Fang?" It was the Pack Accalia, The Pack Leader's wife and title. Her name was Zinadia. She ran to Fang, stroking his cheek. "Fang?" She asked softly, Fang whimpered "My Accalia, I'm so sorry. I did my best to protect the clan and the town." he coughed, and she stroked his hand, smiling at him. "You did well little one, trust me. I am proud and so is your Ulfric. Please, don't think you failed us."

Merry watched, holding her breath.

"We haven't found the human yet, but we will. He's been mortally injured. No one can survive what Amara did to him." She bowed her head, Amara was her niece. Merry swallowed, feeling the pain of the Accalia. Fang leaned up on one elbow, "I'll find him myself." Zinadia shook her head. "No, I will not allow another Lycan to die so soon. We will talk about tomorrow. For now, I have to go and attend the Yule tide Festival. Please promise me you will eat and not give your nurses too much trouble?" He nodded and instantly passed out. She stood and walked out the door, talking to the guard. "Do not leave him unattended, the human could sneak in and kill him. Send Lycans to town if you need me. Ulfric is already at the festival talking with the Light King. " The guard nodded, "Yes Accalia, I'll guard him with my life."

The Accalia spoke softly, but Merry heard her. "I'll collect if you fail." The guards' fear was evident even through the walls. Merry tasted the truth in her words, Accalia would kill the guard if Fang died. Merry stepped out of the closet. She tip-toed back to Fang. "I have to go, I love you. Hurry up and get better. You can't leave me alone with them. You're my favorite cousin."

"I'm your only cousin cub," he smirked and winced in pain. As if the smile hurt, she moved to touch him, but he sucked in a breath.

"Woman, if you don't get to the festival yourself before Una skins your wolf."

She smirked back, "If only I had one." He grinned/winced..." You do, no one can be as cunning as you are....and not have a wolf." He yawned, and this time passed out for good. Merry stood there in candlelight and stared at him. He was handsome in his way, with tousled short blond hair. Bright blue eyes and a golden hue to him. In his way, he was more handsome than most. Always looking sun-kissed. Merry turned, and pulled the drape, looking out. She saw the guard behind a tree relieving himself. She opened the door, making a run for the path to town. The coming darkness covered her form like fresh snow, disguising her footprints.