The Viking Alpha and his New World Luna

“Dark brown eyes stare into my own green. This beauty calms my inner beast just with her eyes, she is like cold water on my burning body. She’s talking to me but I can’t hear her, her voice smooth like honey. I reach to hold her and pull her close, her skin soft to touch. So soothing against my callous hands. I lean down to gently kiss her ever so tempting lips whilst her head tilts up invitingly. As I’m about to take her lips in mine……” warrior:“ALPHA! We need to change our men around, the night crew need to rest.” Dawn already, this dream lingers in my head but fades fast. This dream woman is my torment, will I ever find a Luna? I rub my face and ready for the day. Today is going to be a tough one from the start, I look ahead and see my first challenge. An incoming storm. The horizon darker than Fenrir’s fur. This was my first solo exploration journey as Alpha. I have been Alpha of our pack in Greenland for 4 months since my father passed. Not much kills us wolves but a hungry polar bear catching you off guard while ice fishing will definitely send you to Odins palace. The bear skin made a nice revenge hanging in the longhouse, reminding us all that although we are tough- we are not invincible. My title was not easily handed to me and I was met with resistance from some elders. Our pack being ran by a 22 year old mateless “pup” was not what they wanted. The wanted to rule as guardians until I had my Luna. They tried to “help” by inviting she-wolves from various trade merchants, but none were my mate. Some were very appealing, that I cannot deny. They showed great interest and submitted to my advances. They then tried to force me to take Helga as my Luna. As much as I admire the woman she is more like a sister. She was tall for a female wolf, she’s strong, fierce and a good woman but she has the temper of a bear and snaps often. She was well muscled with long braided blond hair. To me she lacked beauty, probably that sibling feeling as we grew up today. Her parents were killed when she was young. Her lack of beauty and deadly temper are not what I need in a Luna. Plus it just didn’t feel right. She however was obsessed with me and was desperate to be Luna. The day I set sail we had an argument about running the pack whilst I was gone. To keep peace I made a pact that if by my next birthing day I still had not found my mate - we would try and make some sort of pair to please the elders. My large frame, good hygiene, traditional braided hair style and emerald green eyes seemed to weaken their defences. I keep myself well groomed, I train hard to be the best I can be. I push our warriors to do the same. We were a fearsome breed to behold. Being heavily involved with trading, you get to meet a lot of people from places far and wide. Their styles and traditions differing greatly from our own, I learnt that our look is widely feared, perhaps that’s why I like it. The elders believed I was naive and reckless due to my careless adolescent years whilst my father was alpha. Making poor choices and loosing hunt kills definitely went against me. Whilst on this journey I left pack affairs to my mother and younger brother jointly so I could prove my metal to the elders and my people that I am ready to be the best Alpha they’ve ever had. This journey did not dissuade the elders of their thoughts and opinions of my ability to run our pack. I stood on the prow of my ship. Feeling the wind as it blew hard into us trying to push us away. The seas were white capped and rolling. This was one hell of a storm. Looking back, I could just about see my fleet of 9 ships battling the elements. I watched with pride and they beat the waves trying to capsize us. These were the finest boats made to date and I had the strongest men and women rowing us forward. I kept watch over the fleet for a moment, I felt an excitement in my core then shouted “Odin is with us!”. They all cheered with renewed enthusiasm to battle this cursed storm. Vinland was our goal. The best place for timber for our newly developed boats. I know it seemed crazy to sail to another land for lumber but with my master boat builders in my crew on this voyage, I could return home with 15 new boats. A fine haul for my people who sail to and from Kattegat, our biggest trade site. Plus it would prove the elders wrong. Kattegat is a thriving port. Merchants from far off places come with all manner of animals, pelts and treasures. Slaves are a good commodity but I don’t like trafficking people. Only goods. Going to Vinland also meant new pelts and skins. The beaver pelts are great for winter, the natives in Vinland make them into “gloves”. A covering of the hands for the depths of winter. These gloves sold very well last winter and I’d like more than last time. My wolf, Agnar, was sick of this journey. Each time we have made made long journeys before he has been hard to hold back from shifting and going for a run and soon as we hit land. Too long in one form can do that to a wolf, but I understand his frustration. Agnar: “How long till we can run?” Leif: “Soon my friend. We should make land fall tomorrow or the next day. Once the skies clear and night falls I will know where we are.” Agnar: “Good, I’m in need of a run. This journey is taking too long.” Leif: “Have patience Agnar, as soon as we land we will go for a run. Do not loose your patience and shift on this boat. We are the leaders of our people, loosing control is not a show of strength. I will let you hunt if you can wait?” I said in a singing tone. Agnar: “Fine” he huffed “But I want to hunt one of those big things we heard of. A mouse was it called?” Leif: “The natives call them Moose. But is that wise? The last one nearly had our trade friend killed by its Bull. Remember?” Agnar: “I will be fine. I am Alpha, bigger than anyone and can out run everyone. The beast will not find me an easy opponent.” Leif: “As you wish friend, I just want us to remain in one piece though please. I want to get this voyage done and get our goods to Kattegat before the winter sets in. You never know, our mate maybe there as we speak waiting for us.” Agnar chuffed as he retreated to the back of my mind. Speaking of finding our mate always kept him inline. He longs to find her as do I. A Luna compliments her Alpha and leads at his side. Being the maternal side of the head of the pack, mothering the people and taking care of matters an Alpha has no diplomacy for. I watched as the seas rolled on and on. I need to rest, I swear I saw Jormungander the serpent child of Loki adding height and strength to the waves beating down on us. I looked up to see any sky. I saw nothing but clouds and rain and heard nothing but wind. I secretly hope our sacrifice to Odin has been enough to ensure safe passage for all my crews. To please the gods before such endeavours was always worth doing. So far it seems to be working.