“Can I help you in the kitchen?” I asked Maya, who quickly shook her head.
“Nonsense, I invited you here. You can come get you and Quillan a drink though, you and I can have a few minutes’ peace before those two cause chaos,” she joked, motioning for me to go through the opposite door.
Maya had obviously been very busy. The worktops were cluttered with various utensils and packaging and a bottle of wine was set beside some glasses. I poured three and Maya looked grateful as I passed her one. I took a sip of my own, leaning against the counter. Sam would give me so much trouble if she knew how much I’d be drinking while on medication.
“This might sound cheesy so I wanted to make sure Quillan couldn’t hear, but seeing how good you’ve been with him, how he finally seems to have settled, that’s better than any Yule gift I could get,” Maya announced softly, taking my hand in hers. “I’ve worried about him for so long, I didn’t think he’d ever really be happy but now…well, I don’t have to worry anymore.”
I blushed furiously, ducking my head. “I’m glad I make him happy.”
“You’ve changed too,” she added, making me look up. “You’ve grown into yourself. I hope you don’t mind me saying.”
My cheeks felt like they were on fire now but I knew she was right. I wasn’t the female I’d been when I first arrived and I knew my confidence would only continue to grow. Maya was a female I knew I’d get on with and I hoped we’d grow to be close. Despite her earlier protests, I helped her clean up the kitchen a little and set the table for later. I caught snippets of Quillan and Fenna’s conversation, amused by how they argued and bickered. I wondered if they were always like that.
“Should I expect nieces and nephews of my own anytime soon?” Maya asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.
I laughed, wondering how many more times I’d be asked that question. “Eventually. We’re not ready yet.”
Maya laughed too, tipping her head to listen to the pair in the living room. “He worries too much about her, you’d think he was her father. She’s got a lot of him in her, I think that scares him.”
I frowned. “Why would he be scared?”
When she sighed wearily and ran her hand through her dark hair, I knew whatever it was, it was something the siblings had often discussed. I didn’t want to press, I was still mostly a stranger to Maya, but I wanted to help if I could.
“She likes to wander off and explore, she fights a lot with the other pups, trouble is never far where Fenna is concerned,” she confessed with a shrug. “She’ll come into herself, forge her own path, if Quillan will let her. But I know my Fenna, she won’t take the easy way. The Wanderer blood in her is strong.”
“Mammy! Can I open my presents from Uncle Quillan and Auntie Oreo now?” Fenna called through from the living room, putting an end to the conversation.
Maya and I shared an amused look.
“Did I mention she has no patience? She and Quillan are more alike than either would be willing to admit,” she said with a chuckle, wiping her hands on a cloth. “The food will be ready soon, best let her have her presents while we wait. Quillan will be moaning about wanting his gift soon too.”
Unable to hold back the laughter at the image, I almost dropped the glasses I was holding. Quillan gave us both a suspicious look as we entered, still giggling.
“What’s amused you females so much?” he asked, accepting the glass of wine I offered him.
We said nothing, taking our seats and laughing again when our eyes met. Quillan would definitely go in a huff if he found out. Fenna made a frustrated noise from where she sat on the floor and Maya composed herself.
“Okay, you can open them now but make sure to give Oria and Quillan their presents too,” she relented, and Fenna nodded excitedly.
I hadn’t been expecting anything from Maya and Fenna, and I grinned as I tore open the sparkly wrapping paper that covered my clothes in glitter. Quillan opened his in the same careful way he’d opened his gifts at the house, making me feel like a hyper pup next to him.
“It’s gorgeous! Thank you,” I gushed, admiring the long gypsy skirt and brown leather belt. The fabric of the skirt was thicker than most of the ones I owned, it’d be warm enough to wear in winter.
Maya grinned, seeming relieved that I liked my gift. Quillan grunted his own thanks, admiring the whisky glasses with a smile. There were initials embossed on the glass, a Q and an O, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Thank you, Maya, Fenna,” he said softly, placing the box by his feet.
Maya opened her mouth but was cut off by Fenna yelling happily as she opened her presents. I’d gotten her a few small toys, a warm jumper, and Quillan had gotten her a little silver bracelet with runes I couldn’t read carved along it. He’d gotten a similar one for his sister and she took the time to read it, her eyes misting with tears as she thanked her brother. I’d ask what the runes said later, it didn’t seem appropriate now and whatever it said, it was special to them both.
We sat and spoke for a little while, catching up. There wasn’t much to tell from my end after having spent the last few days asleep. Maya briefly asked how I was coping but I’d quickly brushed her question aside when I felt the tug of anxiety coil at my stomach. Quillan reached out to take my hand and I was grateful for his touch. I happily watched Fenna play with her new toys while the siblings talked, pretending as much as I think Fenna did that we couldn’t hear them discuss Fenna’s wild streak. When the pup’s dark eyes met mine, there was frustration in their depths but she never said anything to her mother or uncle.
“The turkey!” Maya suddenly cried out after I poured us all another drink.
She ran from the room to the kitchen and Fenna giggled. “It’ll be a crispy turkey now.”
“But we’ll still enjoy it, won’t we, Fenna?” Quillan said with a wink and she quickly nodded with a grin.
Following my mate’s lead, we headed for the dining room and took our seats. I offered to help carry things through but Maya once more insisted that I was a guest. Despite her worries, the turkey wasn’t burnt but a beautiful golden colour that had my mouth watering. My stomach growled in anticipation and I tried not to blush at the looks I got for it.
Quillan took his share of food first, followed by me, then Maya, and Fenna shuffled impatiently in her seat until it was her turn. I understood her annoyance, it wasn’t too long ago when I was the last to eat at every meal, and now I was amongst the first. It would take some getting used to. A small puppy rumble left Fenna as her mother took some veg from the bowl.
“Enough, Fenna. Settle down,” Maya scolded with a soft growl, shaking her head at her daughter.
Fenna huffed but stilled. She was still a young pup, but she needed to learn the hierarchy now, even if we all pretended that Quillan hadn’t left the best cuts of turkey for his niece. I knew Quillan and Maya worried about how unsettled and independent Fenna was. I found her dominant streak endearing, and with an uncle like Quillan, could they really be surprised she never backed down? I bet he’d shown her how to do that.
I almost moaned at the first few bites of food, amazed by Maya’s talents in the kitchen. Everything was delicious, and even Quillan ate his fair share of the spiced greens, which shocked me. I’d never seen Quillan touch vegetables before, the occasional piece of fruit, but he was a true Wulver when it came to eating mainly meat.
I listened to Fenna talk about hating how she’d be back at school soon, how she’d rather be in the forest exploring. She spoke about the stories her grannie, Maya’s mother, told her about wolves that roamed the wilds. Quillan looked tense and he and Maya shared a look. Wanderers’ blood definitely did run through Fenna’s veins but I didn’t think there was anything to worry about. Like me, Fenna would find her way, even if she had to stray from the path others expected for a while to find herself.
No matter how hard anyone fights, life never really goes the way you want or expect it to. Never in my wildest and most hopeful dreams did I thi
nk I’d be here, sitting eating with my mate and my family by my side. I still couldn’t believe it really. I was an aunt, a sister, a packmate, Beta Female, and Healer. And one day, I’d be a mother to pups of my own.
Quillan’s eyes caught mine and I smiled, hoping he could feel the swell of joy and contentment that filled me. This had definitely been the best Yule I could have hoped for. As I sat back, licking chocolate from my lips, I made sure to soak this moment in.
Fenna yawned and rubbed her eyes, practically falling asleep where she sat.
“I better get her off to bed, I won’t be far behind her,” Maya sighed, adoration in her expression as she watched her daughter. “I’m afraid it’s time for me to kick you both out.”
I nodded and smiled, taking Quillan’s hand. “That’s okay. Dinner was lovely, thank you for having us.”
“Of course!” Maya chirped, picking Fenna up. “You’re welcome here any time.”
I thanked her again, eyeing the many dishes that Maya would have to clean but she’d already told me not to even bother offering to help.
“Shall we go home?” I asked, squeezing Quillan’s hand.
“The house will still be full of drunk Wulvers, it won’t be quiet,” Quillan warned, checking the time on the clock.
I shrugged, knowing that he was worried about how I would handle so many wolves in our home. “I think I’ll be okay. I want to join in with the pack. We’re the Beta pair, we should be there. Roarke might need your help kicking them all out soon.”
He grinned and I didn’t miss the glimmer of pride in his eyes. We stood and I leaned in to kiss Fenna’s cheek, whispering goodnight. Maya whispered her own goodbyes and went to put her female to bed. My arm linked in Quillan’s, we started for home. The air was crisp, every inhale bringing the frosty smell I loved. The stars stretched across the sky, glittering brightly against the dark night. It was quiet way out here, not even the sound of owls or other nocturnal creatures breaking the silence.
“It would have been a good night for a run, it’s a pity you want to go back,” Quillan growled by my ear.
Laughing, I made sure to keep him on track for the house. “Tomorrow night we can run if Sam thinks I’m able, I promise.”
We continued on quietly, taking in the few moments of peace before the house appeared. Quillan muttered something under his breath at the sight we were met with and I laughed quietly. It wasn’t that bad. The music was a little loud, the house bright and alive. A few wolves lingered outside smoking and laughing merrily, Flidais among them. They cheered when they saw us, their words slurred and muddled. Even from outside, I could smell the alcohol coming from house. I had the feeling my mate and I had some serious catching up to do on the drinking front.
“Are you joining us, Oria?” Flidais shouted gleefully, stumbling and catching herself on Quillan’s arm.
“I am,” I answered, trying not to laugh too much at the state of her.
Another round of cheers from the pack, a male opening the front door to shout about our arrival. I could hear Cathwulf singing obnoxiously from somewhere but I knew Roarke would be keeping an eye on her and checking on Raeghan. Everyone was carefree and relaxed, all of us safe from danger, there was no need for any of us to be on alert tonight. Eagerly I joined my packmates, getting lost in the laughter and singing.
Cathwulf and I danced a little, and she introduced me to members of the pack I had yet to meet. They were all kind and welcoming, bowing their heads in respect to me, not one challenging my position as Beta Female. Even if they had, I knew now that I could hold it. I’d earned the respect of many with what I’d done, even if it would haunt me. I pushed such thoughts from my mind, swinging myself back into the party until the early hours of the morning.
No matter where I was during the night, I could feel Quillan watching as I listened to outrageous stories, sung along to carols, and got to know my pack. When things finally started to quiet down and wolves staggered home, we stayed up. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep, I was too giddy. Quillan and I sat side by side on the couch, ignoring the few Wulvers that had passed out under blankets on the floor by the fire and on the armchairs. The house was a mess but I had no doubt we’d have help to clean up once everyone had recovered.
“Are you okay, Mo Lighiche Beag?” Quillan murmured sleepily, his eyes closed. He’d been asking me that every half hour or so but my answer was always the same.
I nodded, even though I could tell he was already falling asleep. I didn’t want to wake him and I was suddenly beginning to drift off myself until I heard Raeghan begin to cry. Slipping out of Quillan’s hold, I placed a blanket over him and went to sooth my niece. Roarke looked grateful when I appeared in the hall, where he was swaying his daughter.
“I’ll take her,” I whispered, holding my arms out.
He handed her over. “Wake me if you decide you want to go to sleep.”
I shook my head and smiled, stroking her cheek. He chuckled and headed back to the bedroom, both of us knowing that as I’d stated the first time I held her, I would hold her until he or Cathwulf demanded her back. She stopped fussing once I took her to the window where I sat to watch the snow fall. My wolf rumbled gently, comforting the little pup, feeling an aching need to be holding my own pup. For now though, I was happy in the knowledge that I would eventually have all of that. Something I’d never imagined before because I didn’t think it possible. Raeghan gurgled, tangling strong fingers in my hair but I didn’t mind. If it weren’t for her, and even my father, I might never have realised quite how strong I was.
How strong I am.
Glossary
Ailill: Known to humans as elves, they are a noble and powerful race that tend to stick to themselves in their realm of forests and castles.
Laoch: A race of immortal Celtic warriors that reside in the land of Tir Na Nog, charged with the protection of the human realm and to defend the Gods that created them.
Tir Na Nog: (Land of Youth) Known by many names in mythology, it is the realm in which the Gods and their creations, the Laoch, reside.
Tha Gaol Agam Ort: Scots Gaelic for I love you
Mo Lighiche Beag: My little healer
Nollaig Chridheil: Scots Gaelic meaning Merry Christmas
Wanderer: Wulvers that hold no loyalty to a pack or alpha, they roam the land between territories and must seek permission to cross pack land
Formorians: A race of beings often described as giants in Irish mythology, born from the earth and sea. They are also sometimes depicted as monstrous creatures
Acknowledgements
I couldn’t have started the road to publishing without my dear friend Fiona who encouraged, critiqued and helped me so much with this story. I’ll miss you so much.
About the Author
Rebecca is an Author, musician and singer/song writer based in Alyth, Scotland. She focuses her energy on her creative passions and uses her Highland roots to influence all aspects of her life.
Rebecca comes from a family of musicians and spent much of her childhood absorbing the sounds of traditional music while touring Scotland. Rebecca also has a keen interest in her genealogy as she descends from the country’s travelling folk, a culture steeped in history and stories.
A proud Scottish person with a rich family heritage, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her loved ones, travelling her beautiful native homeland and performing with friends.
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Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3) Page 37