The Wolfs Viking

Chapter 8: Awakened At Last

~Calder's P. O. V. ~

I hated leaving Saga behind with my personal guards, it could not be helped. When she wakes up, I will be bringing her either good news or bad news. I packed what I needed and left my father in charge for the next week. I looked back at my home, then headed off to the mountains. On foot, it'll be difficult and treacherous. What Saga said when Eira took over her consciousness made me worry about the distance Eira ran. I will be taking occasional breaks to keep my own strength up. I sent a scout ahead of me. Before I left, just to make sure I knew where I was headed. It was barely dawn, I threw my pack over my shoulders and began the long walk to Saga's homeland, hoping to come back alive.

I mentally said goodbye for now, the snow made it hard to walk through. I saw the trees beautifully decorated by the snow, there were no birds to speak of, just the quietness of the trees. I can't remember the last time I just took some time to myself and enjoy my surroundings. The light of dawn peering through the snow-topped trees had me in awe. The color of the snow glistened and sparkled as the pinkish color became brighter. I wish I could take this color back with me. Saga would enjoy this color. When spring comes, I will have to show her the lakes and fully blossomed apple trees.

I do not know what I am getting myself into. All I know is this: Saga needs allies. Even if the form of her allies comes from her previous mate. That is the only issue I have with this man. He refused to see me face to face, not in his wolf form. I took the short route to get to the mountains. I have never really gotten this close to them. It was almost frightening. The dark dense woods that were covered in snow. No birds. No sounds even. The more I looked into the abyss of the forest, the more nervous I got. I readied my axes in case I did come across the wolf that wanted to harm my woman.

The closer I got to it, the more uneasy I felt. As if I were being watched. Perhaps I was. I am in enemy territory right now. I don't know how werewolves work. Aside from pack life. I slowed my pace and crouched to the Earth. I wasn't going to take any unnecessary chances here. I know that Saga will need his help. If he refuses, then I don't know what I am going to do.

A loud snarl came from behind me. It wasn't her ex-mate. I slowly put my axes down. He was a werewolf. Much too big for a normal wolf. I heard the snapping of bones take over the silence. Before too long, there stood a naked man before me. "You seem unafraid, human. Why are you here?" He crossed his arms.

I told him the truth. "Saga. She declared war on the pack. More specifically, your previous... Alpha? Is that correct?" I tried to remember what Saga told me about the hiearchy.

His eyes went into wide planets. "You know Lady Saga?" He looked devastated. "How is she?"

Three encounters. All of which miss her. What does this old wolf hide? "She's well enough."

He smiled sadly. "Most of us miss her. Do you know the rankings?"

I nodded. "She discussed it with me at some length."

"Right. She was to be our next Gamma. Or... I don't know what humans call their third commander." He went behind a tree and came out with clothing. "It was heartbreaking when we heard her banishment being told. Most of us wanted to revolt against our Alpha. His mother came to the front and explained the situation. He rejected her and he thought it best that she left instead of staying where her heart was once shattered."

I looked at him with suspicion. "You don't know." He eyed me up and down. "It was your previous Alpha who threatened to kill her."

His eyes went wide again. "Beg pardon?"

"It's true, Carreg." We both looked at where the voice came from. Hakon himself in his human form. "My father threatened not only her life, but mine. I would have gladly given mine to save her. Yet, he said he would kill her if I killed myself." He turned his attention to me. "How do you know what was said?"

I looked straight into his eyes. "Your Moon Goddess. She had come down and declared her intentions with Saga." Harkon and Carreg looked at each other with confusion. "Yes. I met her. Be warned, Hakon of the Saana Mountains. She intends to make Saga the first blessed wolf. Whatever that means."

Hakon waved his hands in front of him. "Did she explain the blessed part?"

I had to remember her words. "To make her stronger than 5 alphas put together, I do believe that is what she said."

Hakon looked like he was going to choke on bile. "To put it in your human strength, that's roughly 20 armed men."

"Alpha?" Carreg tried to help him sit.

"She means it, then." He rubs his face. "No. I have to stop her. This is her rightful home."

I looked at him. "Was. Hakon. She belongs with me and my clan now. You banished her, remember?" I crossed my arms and looked at him with anger in my eyes.

He sighed and grunted. "I just wanted to save her from my father. I was hoping she would have gone to another pack. Not a..."

I raised my eyebrows, "A human?"

He stood and snarled. "Yes! A weak human! A gamma of her skills deserves better!" He yelled at me. Hearing him call me weak was a bad move. I raised my fist and struck his face hard. Making him faulter.

"Careful, Hakon. I may be a human. But I am not weak by any means." He rubbed his chin.

"Clearly." He straightened himself. "Why did you come here, Calder?" I'm impressed that he knew my name.

I picked up my axes. "To help her. She is going to kill your father. Make no mistake. But she needs allies."

I sat next to a tree. Hakon sat next to me. "She's stronger than me, that's for certain. I could never truly kill him myself." He sighed and hit his head on the trunk. "I called you weak, but I am much weaker." We shared a snicker between acquaintances.

This brought something to my mind. "What is your father hiding? Hearing about Saga's family, they just disappeared?"

He looked at me. "That's all we know. However, you are not the only one with suspicions. Her father was my father's best friend. It was surprising when he didn't go look for them."

That got me thinking that her father discovered something his father didn't want to know. Or get out to the public. "I know I cannot tell you what to do. All I can do is ask this task to you; we need answers, Hakon. I will do my best on my end to find something. I need you to search for that something in your pack. I find it curious that he wouldn't have had anything to do with them."

He nodded. "Agreed. For now," He held out his hand. His eyes were hard as they stared me down. "A truce? Until we can find out what happened?"

I took his arm in an alliance. "So be it." He grasped my arm too. "I must return to her. She wasn't awake when I left."

He nodded. "Very well. I will send my Delta with updates. And we can share that way." I nodded in agreement too.

We went our separate ways after that conversation. The journey home was not terrible. I hadn't realized how close we were to the Saana mountains. It was less than a full day's journey. I eventually got home and smiled. My Saga. I'm not even a wolf and I feel possessive over her. I think that I will take The Moon Goddess's suggestion. I want to share her world like I want to share mine with her. I entered my village where people were closing up shop for the day. I went to see Saga.

When I got there, Saga was still asleep. My heart sank. I grabbed a close chair and sat next to her. This feels like the first night I met her. Another hour later, she started to stir. "Mmm. Ow... My head." She was slowly getting up. I rushed to help her. "Did I miss anything? You smell like Hakon." I cleared my throat. Looking away from her. "Calder? What did you do?" She made me look at her. "I'm going to give you until 3 to tell me before I challenge you in the arena."

This woman knew how to light a fire under my ass. "If you insist," I sat down next to her and told her what had happened. This had her get up and pace the room.

"Let me get the story right here." She was rubbing her hands together. "You went to my old home. Talked with Hakon and warrior Carreg. All of you think the previous Alpha had something to do with my parents' disappearances. And you went to see if he would help me? Am I missing anything?"

I had to be careful here. "No. You got everything right."

She turned and looked at me with anger. "Calder! I left that pack! They are nothing to me now!" She slammed her hand against the wooden pillar. Making it break and spinter. She looked surprised. "Breaking that wasn't my intention." She looked at her hands. "Cracking the thick wood, yes. That would have been normal. But flat out breaking it?"

I got up and took her hands in mine. "Blessed wolf. I think she meant it, Saga."

She sighed and leaned into me. "I'll kill him, Calder. If he did have a part to play? I'll kill him and burn his body to ash."

I wrapped my arms around her. "Not alone, you won't."

She looked up at me. "What do you mean? You really think Hakon is going to help me?"

I shook my head. "He will help us. I plan on asking you before we go after him to turn me." She stepped out of my embrace.

Her mouth fell open. "You cannot ask me to do that. I will not put you at risk!"

I made her sit next to me as I gently took her hands in mine. "Saga. I want to be part of your world. And I want to be with you." I kissed her hands. "I am growing to love you by the day. I won't let you fight him alone."

She looked away and her eyes softened. "I will do it when I feel that you are ready, then. Is that a good compromise?"

I nodded and pulled her into a passionate kiss. "It is." Her cheeks flushed red. I loved it when she got flustered. "Aside from the sudden adventure I took, how do you feel?"

She moved her hair away from her face. "I feel stronger. Better than normal actually." She moved her arms. Noticing my axes, she grabbed one. "It feels so light now. Like air." These were rather heavy for women to handle. I saw her toss them like apples. "Oh. I am going to enjoy this." She swung one axe at the next pillar. Making it go through the wood like butter. I saw her smile. "He will perish by my hand."

I nodded and embraced her from behind. "My warrior queen. We will bring your previous Alpha to his knees."