The Steele Wolf

Looking Fenri over, I thought about the bravery that he had shown at the pass. He would make a good clan leader.

“Fenri, I can’t say what I thought back then. But today—right now, I have to decline.”

“Why?” he said stubbornly.

“Because I already lost my past, and I can’t let my future slip through my hands without a fight.”

His mouth pressed into a firm line of understanding and he nodded his head in acceptance.

I rode hard for home, letting Fenri chase after his horse, which according to Faraway, was stopped by a stream a quarter mile away. Riding up to the door, I left Faraway and strode into the house yelling for my father.

“What?” the great voice rumbled back as he was sitting barely four feet from me in his favorite chair.

“You chose my lifemate without consulting me? How could you?” I yelled at him.

“I had to. Rayneld was acting too pleased this morning and I heard rumors of him going before the council.” Even though Bearen ran the clan, the council of elders was used to decide on any discrepancy of the laws for someone had to make sure the clan leader didn’t betray them.

“Well, I refuse,” I firmly stated. A feral gleam of challenge rose up in Bearen’s eye and I knew that I looked just as menacing. After all, this was the man I got my famous temper from.

“You choose to willingly disobey your father?” he growled.

“Yes—a thousand times, yes!”

Bearen threw his hands up in the air in disgust. “What in heaven’s name girl, do you want me to do?”

“Why do I have to have to be married? Why now? I’m to young to have my future decided.”

“It’s not your future I’m worried about. It’s the clan’s future. If you don’t have a man by your side soon, then Rayneld may try to press the ongoing witchcraft rumors and have you banished. I may even be banished and he’ll take over the clan. And you know that he won’t stop trying until I’m in the grave. I can’t imagine what will happen if he takes over.”

His words hit me like a slap in the face. It wasn’t about me, it was about our clan and the struggles they would endure under my ruthless uncle.

“Well, if you don’t want me to choose a husband for you, than I have one option left. It’s one that even Rayneld and the elders can’t argue against. I’ll call a Kragh Aru.”

My mind struggled to recall the words but finally an old memory started to surface. It was Odin telling me stories of warriors competing in an elimination contest for money, land, and even a bride. For some reason, this idea didn’t bother me as much as the idea of an arranged marriage, because I saw a chance to get the upper hand. I wasn’t the best idea, but I could enter. I could win the prize and buy myself time, because I wasn’t ready to get married. It was a gamble and I knew my father was hoping I would say no and wed Fenri. Instead, I did the opposite.

“Yes, I you’re right.  We need to have a Kragh Aru.”

Bearen stuttered in surprise at my announcement, proof that I had caught him off guard. “Was there something wrong with Fenri?” he asked.

“No, I actually hope he wins.” I lied, knowing full well, I wanted to win, but if I didn’t then I hoped Fenri would. I knew Joss would never be allowed to be my lifemate since he was a Denai, and the reason I myself could face banishment.

“Are you willing to live with the outcome?” he asked slowly.

Lifting my chin in defiance, I felt my knees go slightly weak, before answering. “Yes, Father.”

My father’s dark eyes squinted in thought. “I will go and make the announcement. We will have a Kragh Aru and the prize will be you, Thalia, as the winner’s lifemate.” Bearen’s huge form rumbled as he walked across the wood floor. When he disappeared out the door, I waited until he turned the corner and ran to Odin’s home.  I could barely contain myself, when he opened the door and I rushed into a house very similar to ours.

“Odin, you have to help me,” I blurted as soon as the door was closed behind us.

“Ah, little wolf. What did you do now?” His wrinkled forehead became more wrinkled in worry as he looked at me. He was sitting in front of his warm fire whittling a piece of wood.

“I’ve agreed to a Kragh Aru and I’m the prize!” I stated, my hands itching in excitement.

“Why would you do that? I heard your father planned to announce that you would be bonded to Fenri! You are going to make people think you’ve gone mad.”

“Papa Odin, I may be when you hear what I have to say.”

Chapter 8

Weeks passed, as the news of the Kragh Aru spread, distant members from other clans, arrived from far and wide to compete. After all, the chance to become bonded with the clan leader’s daughter and help govern the whole clan was something they couldn’t pass up.  Especially, since the Valdyrstal’s were the largest and the wealthiest of the remaining clans.

The week before the competition, my father became sullen and angered easily. I had thought it had something to do with the influx of clan members that seemed to be appearing daily. Family members greeted many of their distant relatives, while others brought tents of their own to set up along the outskirts of the fields. On more than one occasion I had gone to the gathering hall, where many chose to eat and drink, and found my father passed out drunk.

But the next morning, Bearen was back to himself again. He even wore his finest leathers and furs and spent the morning looking to the mountains as if he were waiting for something or someone.

I was spending the morning avoiding the new faces and the odd stares by hiding in the stable with Faraway. I crawled up into the hayloft to bring another bale down to the stalls.

Throw some of that hay my way!

Instead of throwing Faraway a handful of hay to munch on, I dumped a whole loose bale on him. I laughed out loud as he shook his head and flicked his tale comically to get the offending hay out of his mane.

Oops. I guess you should have said how much hay.

I don’t think you brought down enough.

I threw down plenty you pig.

Never underestimate my stomach, Faraway taunted back and began to munch happily on his snack.

I heard the pounding of racing horses before I saw men race past the stable and barrel down the road towards the mountains. Normally I wouldn’t have cared, except that I recognized two of the riders as my father and Odin. Quickly, I jumped down the ladder and ran out of the large double doors and into the road, trying to see where they were heading. I went back inside to grab Faraway with the full intention of riding after them.

“I wouldn’t do that, Meja Faelan.” It was Fenri. He had snuck up behind me and gently laid his hand across Faraway’s stall.

“Do what?” I answered.

“Follow them. It is your father’s business, and if he wanted you to come he would have asked you.”

“Is he in danger?” I couldn’t help but let the worry show.

“No, he’s not the one you should worry about. Besides, he has Odin with him. I guarantee you they will both be back by nightfall in time for the feast. After all, how often does our clan get together and we have such a glorious occasion to celebrate.” Fenri made a show of waving his hands in the air, but I could tell that he was somewhat disappointed.