"The first hybrid. I daresay this is wonderful news for the alliance," Hawke pipped in while clamping a fist around Aurik's shoulder.
"It's disgusting!" Aurik spat. "Freya should have spent her life in the palace being worshipped. Not defiled by the likes of-" his words were cut off as Hawke swiftly landed a slap across Aurik's face. Hawke's face was unchanged although there was a rage burning behind his eyes. Aurik spat a spot of blood on the ground before looking over his shoulder at his father.
There was tension around them at what they had witnessed, although it had momentarily calmed Cain down from being on the verge of placing his own hands on the Adaryn prince.
"Aurik, leave."
All eyes glanced briefly between the king and prince, no one willing to step in between them.
Freya was all the gladder that Aurik's princely charms had never worked on her when he'd attempted to take advantage of her. This prince was still a boy, she could see it easily now. Although he might be close in age to Cain he was nowhere near as advanced as her wolf.
Aurik looked over to Freya one more time he snarled and clenched his fists one last time. His wide, golden wings spread into the air and with one jump he was propelled into the sky.
At that moment Freya was able to take a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding until he was gone. And with him left her naive thoughts that she could have been friends with such a man.
"Again, apologies for my son. He was born to fight and take what he wants," Hawke shrugged with exaggerated disappointment.
"Keep your son in check, Aurelian. There is promise in this alliance, but I worry for your replacement." Cain's voice came out hushed and surprisingly calm. But Freya shivered at the underlying tone all the same.
"Yes, yes. The boy will learn in time," Hawke waved his hand dismissively once again. He didn't know of Aurik's once professed love for Freya and she hoped that didn't lead him to undermine how the Adaryn prince was acting. If Aurik wasn't pleased that she was pregnant, and he was to be the next Adaryn king... But those were dark thoughts for the future she didn't want to dwell on.
"Our alliance stands. No more fighting and we go our separate ways." Cain stated as he looked at the Adaryn king and away from the speck disappearing in the sky.
"May I visit?" Lonan stepped into question whoever would answer.
"I don't see why not," Hawke shrugged as he began to stretch out his wings as a sign he was preparing to depart as well. "You can be a part of the trade committee. Whatever you like." The King was more than eager to leave the camp of wolves.
But Lonan was only hopefully looking at Freya, wanting an answer from her. There was still pain in her heart, but this was still the Father who did his best to raise a broken daughter despite what the rest of the colony thought.
"Will you bring Mother? That is if she continues to get better, of course." She asked hopefully.
"Yes, Freya, anything." He wrapped his arms around his daughter, and she returned the gesture feeling the soft feathers of her Father's wings as her hands landed against his back. In that moment she remembered being a nestling and her Father flying with her in his arms. "I wish to know my grandchild, if you'll let me."
All Freya could do was wrap her arms tighter around him as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She nodded lightly against her father's chest while in his embrace and felt him sigh with relief as she agreed with him. It made her heart soar to know he still wanted to be a part of her life and in the life, she would bring to the world.
A world with no more war.
It only took a couple of days for the Vargar camp to pack up anything they were taking back to the mountain. The camp was going to become a trading outpost for the new Adaryn and Vargar outpost. Plans were being discussed to begin construction for the outpost in the foreseeable future.
Freya stood in front of the tent she shared with Cain and ran her fingers over the rough fabrics texture. In such a short time she had gathered so many memories of this place. It was almost hard to leave. However, this camp had only been the starting place for her new life, and there was more excitement for what was to come than sadness for what was being left behind.
The recent storm has brought a cold front over the land and Freya was bundled in thick layers as she made sure the belongings she was taking were wrapped just as tightly as she was. Cain was only wearing trousers however, and she greatly envied the Vargar’s resilience to the cold. Living in the snow-covered mountains would take a lot of time to get used to, she thought.
Some of the wolves were on all fours being loaded up with bundles to prepare for the journeys and Freya was impressed to see how much they could carry once transformed. She might not ever fully adjust to the majestic sight of the Vargar as their wolves.
“Are you ready to go, little bird?” Cain approached Freya after helping tie satchels onto one of the warriors. His warm hand cupped her cheek and he stared down at her as she watched the camp lose the life it once held.
“I suppose I am. There’s nothing left here for me after all,” Freya stated as her face drooped, and she looked up into the sky in the direction of the Adaryn colony. There was nothing left for her back in that direction.
“You better hold on tight, love,” Cain growled as he fell forwards and transformed before his front paws hit the ground. The black wolf turned his massive head to Freya and observed her reaction as he always did. There was only a small smile on her face as she ran her fingers through the fur on his side.
“I’ve never been transported by a fur rug before,” Freya chuckled to herself. If Cain could laugh as a wolf, she believed the noise he was making now was just that. The black beast lowered his belly to the ground, so he was low enough for Freya to climb onto his back. She settled onto his back while holding onto the shaggy fur across his shoulders. A content sigh left her as Cain’s warmth helped distract her from the morning chill.
The rest of the pack got on all fours and transformed alongside Cain once the belongings they were taking home were settled on the stronger wolves that would be transporting items. With Cain at the front of the pack they took off, racing along the edge of the canyon.
Hundreds of wolves ran for days until they were on the opposite side of the canyon separating the majority of the land. Freya was always finding her wonder at the wolves never ending as they continued to impress her with their stamina and speed.
They slept at night in temporary shelters and hunted whatever poor animals ran across their path in the woods. Freya became aware of how the land and the environment began to change as she got further away from the land that had been her home.
This side of the world had trees that were darker in nature. The shade of the wood ranged from dark grey to almost black and she saw leaves that never changed color or fell from their limbs.
“Evergreens,” Cain told her one night as she had been admiring new species of plants and herbs, she was unfamiliar with. “The leaves never change back home. We have the richest green colors all year round.” He seemed to boast, and Freya knew he was more than ready to go home. The closer they got to the mountain in the distance the more excited the wolves of the pack seemed to get.
They could run faster and run longer through the day and it seemed they were stopping later and later at night with less breaks. Cain told Freya there were thousands of Vargar back at home that these warriors were excited to get home to.
What started as an envoy of a hundred wolves to accompany Vistra and Cain in the initial alliance conversations were the Vargar she was familiar with now. Although, knowing there were so many awaiting their return began to make her uneasy. She had time to get to know this small portion of the pack who welcomed her, but what of those who were left behind?
After a fortnight of travel, they made it to the base of the mountain. Freya was impressed at just how massive the land mass actually was. It was far taller than the smooth mountain the Adaryn royalty made their home in. The Adaryn palace paled in comparison to this ou
tcrop of land swelling into the sky.
Freya couldn’t even see the full extent of the snow-covered peaks as they disappeared into the clouds. The sight took her breath away as she was able to take in the view of the ridge in the distance spreading from the main mountain the Vargar called home.
A day later they approached the frozen peak where their village was built. Again, Freya was at a loss. The Vargar village was like nothing she could have imaged even with Cain’s attempts to share his memories of home.
She could see hundreds of beautifully crafted homes built into the nooks and crannies of this side of the mountain’s peak. One side of the village was backed by the top of the mountain itself and the side they came from was protected by the thick and sturdy evergreens. Despite the cold the wind didn’t easily reach them here in this space the wolves had carved for their village.
Cain stopped running outside of the village and took time to shed his fur and change once again into the dominant man that was now the Alpha. He kept glancing over at Freya as he dressed in dark trousers and a black fur cloak around his shoulders and fastened by a silver chain.
However, Freya was unaware of his stares as she gaped openly at the village. Her blue eyes were wide and searching, almost frantically trying to take in every small detail she could. He stopped to admire the slight flush in her cheeks caused by the cold air at that level and the little puffs of cold air leaving her lips as she gasped at each new impressive piece of the village architecture her eyes were greedily taking in.
She was wrapped up in the sights of the impressive two floor buildings that were a mix of dark stone and black wood with pointed roofs that reached for the sky. The homes were meticulously placed around each other and designed to complement the nature of the homes and the layout of the mountain. The smell of fresh pine cleared her head until the scent of roasting meat crept into her nose as they got closer.
The pup in her belly was drastically changing her appetite she noticed on the journey. Something Cain was increasingly impressed by and very proud of.
Cain took Freya by the hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze as they walked under the tall stone arch marking the village entrance. In all honestly, she barely registered he was at her side leading her into the village as she remained mesmerized by the sights around her. Bright ivy crept up the buildings walls and massive fire pits were built into the walkways.
The paths were covered in smooth stone like nothing Freya had ever seen before. They didn't have stone walkways in the Adaryn colony as the only thing they did on land was farm and forage. Everything else had been in the trees and she was dazzled by the sights of this village. This new home where she would belong.
Howling began to circulate the air around the village as the hundred wolves from the camp made themselves known and the Vargar who had seen their approach announced their arrival.
It wasn't long before Cain wrapped his arm around Freya's shoulders and drew her in close as the full force of the Vargar pack rushed into the pathways as they left the warmth of homes and long halls.
Although she wasn't afraid as she had been upon her first meeting of the Vargar, she was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed now. Men, women, and children along with wolves and pups crowded into meet their loved ones who had been gone for so long and to see the mysterious girl being protected by Cain.
Families rejoiced at being reunited and Freya felt warm tears begin to build in her eyes as she watched in amazement at the love and close bonds the pack were reveling in. No one here was acting aloof or as though they were better than any of their peers. every person in the crowd acted as equals. But the curious stares still made her nervous.
Once the crowd had settled enough Cain began to clear his throat to address the pack in attendance to the group’s arrival.
"As some of you are aware, I am now the Alpha of this pack in my mother's place." He paused to let his voice ring out through the village and the witnesses. "If anyone here would challenge me to my birthright, now is your chance."
Silence fell over the crowd and warriors turned from their families. There was a great sense of relief that fell over Freya as she looked over the crowd and noted that no one seemed to be interested in the challenge.
"In our time away, the rebel Ivar killed my mother, your Wolfmother, and was shortly dealt with not long after. We do have a new alliance with the Adaryn," at that he looked down at Freya who stood out among the wolves. Although she didn't have a massive pair of wings at her back that would show her difference all Vargar seeing her for the first time could easily see she stood out with the shocking almost white hair braided down her back and blinding blue eyes. And her longer and pointed ears that stuck out from the shorter and round ears the Vargar had.
"My mate and I stand as the united family in this new alliance, and I would thank you all to welcome her to her place as the new Wolfmother." Cain's face was calm as he continued to speak to his people.
A few gasps and surprised conversations started within the crowd. Breaking the news of Vistra's death and the changes that had transpired in their time away was never going to be easy.
After several hours of Cain speaking to his pack and answering questions the thousands of wolves in the village seemed as though they were ready to get on with honoring their fallen Alpha and celebrating the new life coming to the pack. They'd moved to the largest long hall for the conversations and Freya was in a whirlwind as the time flew by.
The dark and dimly lit long hall was warm and the Vargar began to plan a dual celebration to welcome Freya and honor Vistra as it was their tradition to do so. Freya was beginning to think the Vargar would take any opportunity to have their celebrations.
"Are you alright, little bird? I know you must be tired from the journey." Cain reached over from his massive throne like seat at the head table in the hall to grasp Freya's small hand. She closed her eyes at the warmth of his touch and nodded her head.
"I will admit I am exhausted. Amaya and Lorraine haven't stopped bringing me food since we entered, and I can feel those who are still staring." She rubbed her full belly and smiled at the thought of the little baby growing in there as well.
"Come, I'll take you home." Freya beamed at Cain with a sort of tired excitement as he stood from the table and helped Freya to his side. Vargar all attempted to stop Cain to speak more as they made their way out, but he only had eyes for his beautiful little bird.
They came up to the largest of the houses at the back of the village, built into a small hill against the mountain's face. The first floor was constructed of stone and large glass windows covered with black shutters. She noticed the second floor had more of a wood design that was interlaced in a crisscrossing pattern.
"This is our home," Cain opened the thick door for her and Freya got a vision of her future here with Cain the moment she walked inside. "Anything you need, just let me know and I'll make sure you get it. You carry my heir now and that makes you the most precious thing in this entire village."
Freya turned the man towering over her small frame as he stared down at her with hopeful eyes. He wanted her to love his childhood home as much as he did.
"Cain, I love it. I can't wait to raise a large family here." She threw her arms around his waist and felt comforted and happy when his arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace. "I love you, Cain."
"I love you, Freya." The odd couple that became the face to the end of generations of war, the bird and the wolf, were going to conquer the world together.
Epilogue
"Freya!" Cain bellowed as he ran down towards the front porch of their home where she was happily knitting blankets in her favorite rocking chair. "Have you seen the little mutt?"
"I haven't seen your son since this morning, Cain," She giggled as she looked at her mate who only seemed to get more handsome every day. "Is he late for training again?"
"Of course, he is!" Cain ran his hand through his dark hair and sighed as he looked down at Freya's belly that was once ag
ain swollen with new life. "When I find that pesky pup, I'm putting him on firewood duty again."
"No, Papa, I won't do it!" A young voice cried from the side of their home. All of a sudden came the sound of little feet running on the ground as a small boy rounded the corner and faced off with his parents.
He was tall for his age, only a few years old, but easily towering over the other children his age. His short hair was a stark difference from the rest of the village, even compared to his mother's as it was as white as snow. His crimson red eyes glared at his father in defiance of his overheard punishment. White feathers crept along the boy’s shoulders and spine in the same pattern as Freya's but far sparser in comparison. He didn't have wings, but no one here was bothered by it.
"Ragnar Fargrim, I told you if you were late to practice again, you'd be in a heap of trouble. The heir to the pack must not skip." Cain stood taller and glared down at the boy.
The Bird and The Wolf Page 21