Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Aela’s POV

The desolate white forest has been optimal for training. Especially since my reserve seems to like to produce fire novas when I lose ability to control it. My mate's training regime has increased almost double since I was able to conjure my swords.

But he has a lot more for him to teach. So, I have no room to complain. He’s actually extremely knowledgeable about magic itself. Even though the difference between our swords is about the same as the differences in our magic affinities and how our reserves move.

My reserve is almost bottomless because my wolf bloodline is so strong because both my mother and father were ‘alphas’ or born leaders of their clans. Another coupling which apparently deemed peculiar and strange. I have gained strengths, and some of them almost double from my parents could achieve.

Now, I understand why so many people have hoped I was a good or, if not greater than my mother, because my reserve has much to do with my relationships with my country and its people. Everyone should feel protected and soothed when I’m near, and it’s an aura I have always had.

My swords fluctuate in their draw from my reserves. I have to continuously remember to focus on controlling their output, and then I still have problems with combusting into a fireball. Luckily, every time seems to be getting easier, and I will say what my mate knows in magic reserves and how to use them. He shows me the greatest patience than any of my tutors ever would. Every step of the way, he has been shielding me and helping me recover to try again.

With the growth and development of my reserve, I have been able to perform some simple spells. I can easily conjure fire and even refill my water flagon with the air around it. I haven’t been able to manipulate the wind, but I can feel the potential for spells and learned that’s a trait I share with my father.

The only time my mate talked about my father was when I described to him the potential of using a spell quickly, and I talked him out, and he asked me to describe what I saw. The next thing I knew, he spent an hour discussing the characters and changes I saw in others. My secondary sight to see spell structures is actually a grey wolf clan specialty. My father was a master of it, and so when he trained my mate, he would often get the upper hand because he could see the potential movement in spells.

So, all those missions I had when I was breaking through other mages’ shields wasn’t just because I was a lupine but because I was a member of the grey wolves. It still doesn’t explain why my mate’s magic is almost like a living creature. The tentacles have their own movement and thoughts. They seem to care for me, and even if they have no intention of harming me sometimes, they seem to reach for me just to make sure I’m okay. My mate seems to not have any knowledge of their movements, intentions, or motions, but they are his spells, and they do follow his commands. Everyone else has more structured spells, much like weaves of cloth or even strong like a building or wall. But only my mates spells are a living entity.

‘There’s movement on the snow. Men on their way here.’ My wolf alerts me, and I try to listen closely and hear them moving fast on a sled. My mate, who was preparing to train with me after a break, seems to pick up on it, too. He motions a signal to move, and I follow him as we seek shelter to hide over a ridge.

The men ride past us on their sleds, and I can see they are pulling cages that are covered in dark cloth. The whimpers and shudders of young children make me growl, but my mate hushes me quickly. He silences me and watches as the men ride by us.

“We have to save them. They are too young to deserve that treatment.” I hiss at my mate.

His eyes narrow to me, and he points out abruptly, “You are in no place to save anyone right now. If you stopped them, you could kill the children along with the mercenaries. I forbid you to put anyone else in danger because you can’t control yourself.”

“Those were children!” I scream at him, and I can feel fire all around me. The tentacles wrapped around me start to hold me tighter.

“Nadar, you have to stay calm. Don’t fret, please. Let me follow them and I’ll save them. Stay here where you can keep practicing control. I’ll return shortly.” He says, stroking my cheek and then kissing me chastely. I want to protest and tell him I could help, but I know he’s right. I can’t control myself without the rise of emotions. I shouldn’t endanger others because of my selfishness and want to be a hero.

He transforms into his wolf form and rushes after the men. I sit down on a stump, which has been cleared away as I watch him go over the ridge.

I wallow in my self-pity and disappointment within myself before I finally get up and head back to the cave we have been using as shelter. To wait like the immature child, I am.

As I am walking back, something occurs to me. How did he know they were mercenaries? Who could have hired them and what were they planning to do with the children.

I know my mate told me I was dangerous, but I can’t let it be. I pace in front of our den for a couple hours, debating and discussing with my wolf, and she agrees. It's worth the risk of helping the children escape from those cages. With the decision made, I shift and start to track my mate and the mercenaries. I will not sit still when children are being harmed.