Whisper of the Wood

Chapter 14

As per Graysons order Sasha stuck to Alistair like glue during the day, whilst Jason was sent to Silver Dusk for some external training.

Due to their busy schedules Ethan and Alistair barely saw each other. After the first 6 weeks of training the young pups in preparation for the advanced lessons when they turn 14, Grayson was less than impressed and extended Ethans teaching schedule by another 6 weeks. Alistair was sure his uncle had always intended on extending Ethans workload regardless. But didn't bother mentioning it for fear his own punishment would be extended, meaning another 3 months of Sasha's temper. She never did go into another hormonal rage after that day in the common room, but Grayson had paired them up during thier daily training sessions. Despite his superior strength she managed to break his nose on more than one occasion and Alistair learnt she is much more dangerous when her mind is focused. It didn't help that he had previously skipped out on training sessions so was lagging behind the others despite his Alpha blood.

The winter weather had fast approached with a recent blizzard coating the land in ice and snow. During his last day of lockdown Alistair couldn't help but let his mind wonder, imagining the silent lake in all its frozen glory, when a force struck him square in the chest breaking a rib quickly brought him back to reality.

'You keep losing focus boy' his uncle reprimanded, as he swiftly slammed Alistair's body to the floor for the fifth time in a row.

This past week his Uncle decided to trade places with Sasha, giving her free time to visit Jason and help him transition for his training in Shadow Mist. Alistair never thought there would be a day where he wished Sasha would return, but his uncles sparring sessions lasted longer and were much more brutal.

Grayson offered a hand to help him to his feet, but Alistair ignored it using his own strength to rise. The back of his head had cracked open from the fall, blood matting in his hair as the wound started to heal.

'Thats why Sasha and the others best you, your mind is constantly somewhere else. You're an Alpha Alistair you should have no problem fighting our best warriors.'

'I know uncle, its just ...'

'you surpress your wolf' Grayson finished the sentence for him

'thats not true' Alistair snaps back. But he knew there was some truth in his uncles words. Since the lockdown started he had been neglecting his wolf, the part of him that had caused trouble. The part of him that put his pack in danger. The part of him that longed to be out and free.The part of himself he didn't want to lose control of, not like his brother nor his father.

'Walk with me' Grayson sighed as he walked towards the outdoor training area. And so Alistair followed the old wolf. The time seemed to drag on as the left the training grounds walking through ember wood towards the town until they reached a familiar clearing. It use to be one of Alistair's favourite spots as a pup, during the spring it would be filled with wild grass and flowers but now it was a winter wasteland. It was also the place Alistair first shifted into his silver wolf, he was only 6, one of the youngest in the pack. His father was beaming with Pride that day and he always vividly remembered his mother's warm smile as she embraced his small wolf form. It was one of the few time his parents got away from thier pack duties and the fond moment erased all the excruciating pain he felt from that first shift. It was the only time he ever felt truely connected with his wolf. Alec had been collecting flowers for their mother at the time and ran back when he heard his younger brothers screams. Shock was the image Alistair remembered on his older brothers face, it was later that he learnt Alec was jealous. Being the older one it was expected that Alec would shift first but it was another two years before his brother experience the change. A change triggered by grief.

'Why have you brought me here uncle?' Alistair finally asked as he switched his focus away from those distant memories.

'I want you to remember' he stated simply. But Alistair became more confused, remember what exactly he thought to himself. The rift it created between him and his brother or the memory of a family that fell apart. As if sensing the young princes internal dilema, Grayson clarified 'remember your wolf and break down the walls you built to keep him contained'.

Alistair contemplated his uncles words and somehow it didn't make complete sense. He always broke the rules to shift and sneak out, he knew how to tap into the power of his alpha blood to hold a level of authority, how was that him not connecting with his wolf. His chain of thought broken by the image of the Silent lake. 'I need to go for a run' he said keeping his eyes focus on the distant treeline. 'Alone' he clarified turning to his uncle.

Grayson mused in thought over the Princes demand. The creatures last sighting and attack was in the fatherest eastern territory, the risk was low but still existed. But the fire in his nephews eyes shone bright, a lost wolf trying to breach the surface. The sight caused a rush on guilt in the Betas mind, perhaps his own restrictions on the young wolf had lead to the unbalance in his soul.

The internal conflict between his nephews safety and sense of self continued as he broke the silence.

'Stay safe and call if you see any threats'

Alistair gave one quick nod and turned to run though the snow covered opening. The freezing air nipping at his face as a light flurry of flakes began to drift from the sky above. Barely halfway to the tree line his bones began to crack as a surge of energy wracked his body, as the pressure built the shift happened swiftly. His heart pounded from the adrenaline as his legs carried him towards the place that had been calling out so loudly in his mind, he was running straight for the silent lake.

He had almost forgotten the freedom of running through the woods. In wolf form he covered ground quickly, he passes numerous nearby warrior patrol. They all ignored his advancement towards the lake at the border of the packs territory. Not because he outranked them he thought, then he made a mental note to give his uncle a proper thank you, clearly Grayson had informed them of him lone run.

There were typically fewer patrols near the lake as it had its own deterrents to other creatures but as the density of the cleared, Alistair caught the scent of burning wood. He slowed his pace to a trotted towards a section of bushes that sat between the forest and shore. Using them as coverage he lowered his body, the scent of burnt wood growing stronger. He nuzzled his way through the undergrowth and was greeted by a makeshift camp, the fire pit still full of cinders.

A long snapping noise diverted his attention towards the lake, just off the shoreline he spotted a small figure drapped in a mass of fur walkong along the ice. It stopped short of a small pile of broken ice, possibly pulled from the lake itself. He snuffled forward slightly getting a better view as it began to tie a small blade to the end of a broken tree branch. Alistair was so entranced by the creature he failed to send a distress signal through the pack link. Instead he kept hidden between the undergrowth and watched.

He twitched in anticipation as it pulled down the sheep skin hood causing a cascade of long deep onyx hair to fall down its back.

He couldn't help but realise if the figure turned around he would be able to see the strange creatures face. But instead it let the other furs fall from its body, revealing golden kissed honey skin. It gathered up its long dark hair revealing more of its naked body ... her naked body. With his superior sight he noticed her ribs and spine protruding from her petite frame, edging closer again when her body suddenly disappeared beneath the ice of the lake.

Panicked Alistair shot out from the cover of the tree line before stopping himself as he reached the frozen water. He had no reason to fear the creatures safety, clearly it or she had intended to jump into the icey waters. He dropped low to the ground once more as she re-emerge from the water throwing the makeshift spear onto the frozen surface, a fish impaled on its blade.

She pulled her body out of the water quickly grabbing the large fur cloak to drape it around wet skin.

Alistair attempted to back away but instead found a compulsion to shuffle forward onto the ice when a blue light streamed past his ear.

His heart pounded faster, as the flaming blue light reached the girl and circled her body. She shifted around as she followed its movement until she was stood facing his direction, Alistair started to noticed the water beginning to freeze on her hair when she lifted her gaze from the blue light and made eye contact

In that moment her golden eyes met his, he sent a cascade of words and images through the link, alerting the pack to the danger, to his position.