Lunansholt: The tale of the beginning of the wolves

CH 22 She's Back

Leif and Aslaug walk hand and hand to the training grounds for their first official training with the village warriors. They sat back observing what Gamma was going over today and how he trained the warriors. Aslaug scoffs looking at Leif leaning toward him as she whispers to him, "I’m impressed, you guys don't have a bad training regime. Do you guys have both male and female programs?"

Leif looks over to her, "Sort of, they usually have them train together. Women in this village are treated equal to males. If you want power and a title you have to beat both the males and females to get it." Aslaug nods in approval, "I like this pack more and more."

"Pack?" Leif asks, "I haven't heard of that before you got here, but you say it all the time." Aslaug looks to him confused, "Oh really? That's a name that my old Alpha would call the village, he said that's what the Moon Goddess would call it, so we adopted it. It stuck with me."

Leif tasted the word in his mind eventually agreeing. "Yeah, it actually fits really well." Aslaug nods, "It's like combining our wolf parts in every part of our human life. I find it fitting." Aslaug smiled leaning back onto Leif while they watched the warriors in front of them.

Leif nods as they drift into comfortable silence when he looked around absentmindedly when the Gamma walked up to them. "Leif' he nods to him in greeting then looks at Aslaug, "And I take it this is your new mate, Aslaug?" Leif shakes his head "This is the only mate I’ve ever had. Not new." Aslaug smirks haughtily at the correction. Leif looked at Aslaug now formally introducing her to the Gamma, "Aslaug this is Gamma Frode." Aslaug nods to him in greeting and he does the same. Gamma eyes Aslaug for a moment then looks to Leif, "I heard you got your wolf, congratulations. We're working on hand-to-hand combat today. We can pair the two of you together for the time being." They nod then follow him to the front of the warriors when Gamma whistles to signal a stop to the training to get everyone's attention.

"Warriors, this is Aslaug, Leif's mate and they will both be joining us in our training sessions from now on. As is customary we will hold a strength test in the morning to place them in the proper rank. All are welcome to try and move up in rank or simply to fight. We will begin at sunrise. Do not be late. Once the sun has fully broken past the Earth we will assign the matches and after sundown we will assign ranks. It will be announced by the Harald at dinner."

All the warriors start to cheer. "Whenever a new member is brought to the village all members are allowed to try and rank up. There are a few slots open currently as leaders of war parties, a slot for leadership in a protection squad for supply runs, and a slot opened up for Harald's private protection squad. People have been waiting for Harald to announce the next annual match, but your arrival brought it sooner and they are all ready." Leif explained to Aslaug.

Gamma holds up his hand demanding silence and after a few seconds begins to speak, "Leif and Aslaug are the only ones required to participate against the already ranked members. We will go one more round of training today then we will break early in preparation for tomorrow's match. Good luck everyone." Gamma backs away and everyone turns to face their opponent. The energy on the grounds is electric and once Gamma announces to begin they all charge at each other with a newfound motivation.

Leif turns to Aslaug and smiles while c*****g her head to both sides popping her neck, "Something funny, mate?" Leif's smile spreads farther and he starts circling her, "Nothing at all, my love." He winks at her then charges. He races straight at her, and she steps to the right at the last second just out of his reach. He drops to one knee sliding as he plants a hand onto the ground spinning around to face her. She looks at him amused then winks at him again, "Gonna have to be quicker than that" she says mockingly and Leif smiles his predatory smile. He gets up wiping one hand against the other to get the dirt off them while he watches her for any slight movement but sees none.

The next thing he knew Aslaug is behind him whispering in his ear. "My king you're going to have to move a little quicker than that if you want to get me on the ground." She licks his earlobe and Leif smirks quickly swirling around in an attempt to grab her, but she drops to the ground and dives between his legs kicking one leg out from under him. Leif drops to his knee and looks behind him to see Aslaug smiling at him smugly. Skuggi speaks in their mind, "Little minx." Leif watches her then charges at her again and when she tries to sidestep again he jumps to the side and grabs her leg. He pulls her towards him and she falls back. He tries to pin her to the ground but in the next second she locks her leg over his left hip sliding out from under him then pushes herself off the ground and onto his back. She wraps her arm around his neck locking him into a chokehold with her other arm pulling him up into a seated position at the same time. He reaches up to pull her arm from his neck, but when he starts to move it away Aslaug wraps her leg in the crook of his arm pulling it back down.

He drops falling hard on his back and the shock of hitting the earth causes Aslaug to let go as she tries to catch her breath. He jumps to his feet and Aslaug slowly sits back up with a smirk on her face. He smiles signaling for her to come get him and Aslaug runs full speed at him jumping to tackle him, but Leif catches her. She pushes her body off him swinging her legs around to wrap them around his neck simultaneously pulling his arm as hard as she could.

She yanks them both down to the ground pulling Leif's arm while squeezing her legs to choke him. Leif tries to pull her legs off with his free hand but can't get a good hold eventually tapping out when he started turning red from lack of oxygen. She lets him go and Leif coughs while rubbing his neck. "Goddess woman you're quick" She laughs offering her hand to help him up and Leif eagerly takes it and as soon as he’s up he pulls her close kissing her hand and whispers to her. "If you’re able to wrap your body around me like this then our mating night will definitely prove to be interesting." Aslaug blushes as Leif winks at her and they look around to see everyone watching them.

Gamma claps signaling the end of training for the day and everyone heads straight to the longhouse. Warriors keep walking up congratulating Aslaug on her win and a few men stop to talk with Leif. As soon as they enter the longhouse they all take their seats waiting for the feast to begin. Soon Harald walks in with Frida, and he walks to the end of the hall at the head of the tables and begins his announcement.

"Warriors welcome! If you haven’t heard tomorrow we will host another ranked match. At sunrise we will begin the matches to find our new ranked and titled members for the village. Those ranked members will be recognized tomorrow night and we will congratulate them and thank them for the sacrifices they make for the good of us all. For now, celebrate those that have proven themselves and prepare for those that will do so tomorrow. Skal!" Everyone lifts their cups roaring as one, "Skal!"

Thralls come rushing in one by one bringing in platters of food and barrels of ale placing them throughout the room. They place plates of roasted meat, bowls of fruit, bread, and vegetables on all the tables. Once everyone is eating a group of thralls come out and start playing instruments and the feast truly begins as songs are sung with enthusiasm but not with talent.

Leif and Aslaug are at a table near the head of the dining hall but behind the Harald so they can be alone to truly enjoy the time they have together. She’s tracing circles on Leif's hands and smiling up at him moving closer to whisper in his ear then to kiss him tenderly. Just as she breaks the kiss and pulls back they hear someone clearing their throat. Leif looks behind Aslaug and sees a pissed off Astra standing there red with anger with her hands on her hips. "Plan to explain yourself, mate?"