Lítil Barna

What the hell is that noise?

I blinked just to stare at a ceiling covered in vines.

The apothecary? Why the hell— ow.

Looking down, I winced as I examined the bandaging.

That's right. I was pelted with arrows and stabbed. How am I alive?

As if reading my mind, a voice spoke, breaking me out of my confusion.

"The Gahe worked tirelessly for nearly 2 nights. Your Alp— mate, he was escorted out and in turn, I'm the one watching over you. Well, along with the bald pup, Cuyler I do believe his name is."

Sitting up, I turned my attention to the voice and scowled.

"Who are you," I asked flatly.

"Haaken."

When I didn't respond, the man stood and took a place against the wall, putting further distance between us.

"Well, Haaken, I don't know who you are or what Alistair was thinking putting you here to watch me but I'm getting the hell out of this place."

The man snorted as I stood, grimacing.

"You should rest more," River said tiredly.

"I concur," Faelen piped.

"Shut up, we've had enough rest."

"You are in this mess because you didn't listen to us," Faelen snapped.

The man huffed, bringing me out of my mental dispute and moved to stand in front of the door.

I just stared at him before I turned away and began to fill a satchel with random things from Thyra's stupid apothecary, ignoring the pain lingering in my shoulder and stomach.

He looks familiar.

"You should listen to them. Your wounds might be healed, thanks to the gahe and your natural abilities but you nearly died."

"Don't tell me what to do. I'm leaving. This place is creepy and on top of that, I don't know you. So move."

I faced Haaken again, who looked amused from his place in front of the entrance.

"I have no desire to fight you but I will if you don't step aside."

"Oh? Fight me? Do you think you could actually win against me," Haaken questioned, an annoyed expression spreading across his face.

"I am confident in my combat abilities."

It was then Haaken glared, crossing his arms.

"Is that why you nearly died on the battlefield? Because of your so called "combat abilities"? Your aim is true enough but you lack finesse and you're incautious," Haaken growled, taking a step forward exposing his full height.

"Not to mention, you refused to shift into either of your wolf or your lycan. You are a halfbreed, you have an advantage over most yet you squander your abilities over foolish and misplaced pride."

"What the fu—," I didn't get to finish as he took another step forward, backing me up against the bed.

"That wasn't a mead hall brawl. That wasn't the training grounds. That was a battle between Skelmar, Dark Wood and Moon Rock which magically all revolves around you in some sense. You are not invincible because you are a hybrid. You are not the Gods. You. Can. Die. So rather of doing what was told of you by your mate, save face, your Alpha— instead of at least shifting, you ran head first into battle, ALONE, might I add, in human form and almost died."

What in Helheim is happening right now?

"If you would of thought of the consequences, if you would of at least shifted neither you nor your brother would of been fatally injured. Both of you are lucky to even be alive."

The last bit of Haaken's lecture came out almost as a whisper.

A pang of guilt hit me.

He wasn't wrong. If I would've of shifted instead of wanting to show off— to prove that I could handle fighting in any form, including human, things could of played out differently.

Im not going to tell him that though.

Before I could say anything though, the apothecary's door opened and in stepped Cuyler.

"Alpha Haaken, I'm here to relieve you of yo—," Cuyler stopped as he looked at me.

"Noir! You're awake finally! Let me alert the Alpha!"

Looking between Haaken and Cuyler, I smiled as I straightened myself.

Perfect.

"No need, I'll alert him myself," and with that I ran passed both Haaken and Cuyler.

***

I glared at Haaken as I sat on the edge of the bed.

"I don't want to be in this room. Why did you even go after me?"

"I already told you. You may have healed but you still need rest. Did you not hear anything that I said to you before you decided to run off," Haaken asked in annoyance.

"He has a point, Noir," Cuyler quipped, not knowing of the prior discussion Haaken had with me before his arrival.

"Traitor."

Sighing, I plopped back onto the bed and looked over at the two men.

"Who are you anyways," I questioned, pointing to Haaken.

"I already told you who I am."

"You told me your name. You're not from this pack so who are you and what's your business here?"

"Ah. I see. Well, you've already met your brother, Bjarke. I'm Haaken or have you already forgotten Bjarke already told you about me?"

When I didn't say anything, Haaken raked a hand down his face.

"I'm the Alpha of Crest Valley. Bjarke's father. Your father."

"No," I said. "My father is Gamm— Alpha Khinn Asketill. My mother is Desha Asketill, Gamma of Moon Rock, my sister is Triaa Asketill and I'm Noir Asketill, mate to Alpha Alistair Lajos of Dark Wood."

"Lítil Skúlka, your name is Rúna Renouf, second born Alpha to Crest Valley. First born Alpha is Bjarke Renouf. You are both children of Desha Hérou, later Asketill. I am your actual faðir, Alpha Haaken Renouf," he retorted calmly.

I didn't say anything as I watched Haaken, Bjarke's words coming back to me from the night of the battle.

When the silence became overwhelming however, Haaken sighed.

"It's a lot to process and take in so one question at a time but not right now. You need rest."

Yeah. I don't think so.

When I felt both Haaken and Cuyler let their guard down, I sprang up and bolted towards the open window again, successfully leaping out of it, letting Faelen take over.

As we hit the ground, the sound of howls, barks, splintering wood and thudding of paws could be heard from the apothecary.

"You really are trying to piss everyone off, aren't you," River piped from beside me.

"No. Maybe. I just don't like being in the apothecary."

"Well, might as well run," Faelen signed before taking off, switching between the ground, sides of buildings and rooftops.

As we neared the pack house, a growl startled Faelen as she was tackled to the ground, winding her and whisking me back into full control.

Without hesitation, the Faelen look-alike and I rolled across the ground, snapping at other another, shredding skin, ripping out tuffs of thick fur and digging blade sharp claws into flesh before others approached.

Haaken's lycan and I stopped for a moment and looked around to our new company.

Surrounding us was Hael, Eskil and Olcan followed by Botolph, Rayshon, Snowball, Kiba, Fern, Herlief and Evenora.

Hael and Eskil moved forward, growling and snapping their jaws at Haaken.

Haaken's lycan crouched down and growled, halting the two lycans as they looked between Haaken and myself.

When Rayshon and Kiba moved, Hael, with perked ears in a sudden realization, growled at the two and took a couple steps back.

When I was confident enough that they would no longer interrupt, I turned my attention back to Haaken's lycan, Faelen now pushing through with success.

Faelen's ears twitched as she watched the one in front of her and without further doubt, lunged at the lycan before her. Both tumbled to the ground, fighting for dominance as they torn into each other. I knew Haaken's lycan was holding back but still, Faelen fought aggressively, leaving her mark over his body before the tables turned.

In a swift movement, Haaken easily evaded her and slammed Faelen to the ground, clamping massive jaws around her throat and positioning himself to where she couldn't move without fatal damage.

Neither moving, he growled. It was a sharp, rumbling saliva-filled growl that otherwise shook our surroundings as his canines sunk deeper into Faelen's throat and even though she whined, ears flat against her head, Faelen fully exposed her neck in defeat.

When the lycan on top of her was satisfied, he released his hold and licked her neck before removing himself completely and shifted, leaving a naked Haaken in his place.

"You have a lot to learn, barna." And with that, turned and headed towards the pack house, nodding to Hael as he passed.

Lítil Skúlka - Little Girl

Barna- Child