Labyrinthine

"Great," I heard Gavrill through the mindlink as a lycan shattered the massive window at the main house.

Stopping, River's head hit the back of Eskil as he shielded us from the other.

"What do you think you two are doing," Alistair's voice boomed through the mindlink.

"I was helping and escorting Noir. As you see, we are both here. Is there a problem," Gavrill sniped.

That simple sentence did it.

Hael charged Eskil, colliding with him, not caring they fell on River before tumbling away.

The sounds of flesh ripping and sickened growls filled the air before I made River shift.

Eskil regains his balance and lets out a rich, low, warning growl, his lips pulling back to show large, dagger-like fangs.

Hael turned his ominous forest gaze on Eskil, his snarl pulling his lips away from his razor-sharp canines as his ears flatten.

Hael stands across from Eskil and his hackles rise at the same time, his tail quivering and bristling.

The area is silent for a short instant before Hael lets out a loud snarl and takes a slow, threatening step forward, lunging for Eskil without warning. Eskil leaps into him, making him fall back against me.

Hael then shifts his attention and focuses on me.

River takes over in an instant as Hael lunges for her throat causing her to stumble sideways and run with Eskil in hot pursuit.

Jumping onto a large wood pile, River turned to face her pursuer with her body crouched low and her teeth bared in a snarl; like a formable shadow with silver polished eyes.

"Brother, calm yourself," I heard Gavrill say through the mindlink, his massive body towering over mine.

What the hell is Alistair's problem?

I wanted to ask this but I knew I would cause more trouble than necessary so I didn't speak at all.

"Great time to have common sense," River snapped as I rolled my eyes.

Hael stayed stationary as he snapped his jaws in our direction causing Eskil to hunker down lower than he already was and tuck us more into his underbelly.

"Why are you attacking us? Why are you attacking Noir," Gavrill continued.

In the moment, Hael perked it's ears and took a step back as Nebo, Cuyler and Valenner piled out of the home, shifting on the spot. At the same time, another wolf joined the chaos, his mostly black fur standing on end.

Rayshon immediately jumped in front of River and Eskil. Standing beside the new wolf was Snowball and Nomad, now crouched in front of us.

Nebo was the one to break through the mindlink.

"I know how you're feeling, brodir but this is too far."

When Hael growled back, Nomad shifted into a solid brown lycan, standing nearly as tall at Hael, his sharp ears flat against his head.

It was in that moment Hael realized something as Eskil and the others growled and barked.

Flashing a look towards River, Hael vanished and was replaced by Rune.

When this happened, Rune dropped to his belly and crept towards River, neck exposed. River ignored the gesture as she snorted.

"Go cool off," she snapped before Rune nodded and ran off, leaving 2 lycans and 3 wolves to stare in utter dumbfoundment.

"What was that about," I asked as I stayed motionless underneath Eskil.

"Hael. He can have a short temper," Gavrill spoke, still growling in the direction Heal went.

When I tried to stand however, Eskil grabbed the nape of River's neck in his massive jaws and held her in place.

Just before the others could turn on Eskil, the old hag, Thyra, piped up. "I can explain the tension."

With that, we all shifted and followed her into the house.

When we got inside and dressed however, I shouted, "WHAT THE HELL," as the rest of the room remained silent.

"You're like Alistair," the old hag chided before hitting me upside the head with her stick.

I growled, "that's impossible."

"Think what you want."

"That's not right," I said, pointing to myself. "I can't be like Alistair because if I was, that means...," I paused and looked around the room.

However, everyone in the room, including Gavrill, averted their gaze.

It was Thyra who spoke up.

"It isn't uncommon for those who aren't linked through the mate bond to find comfort with their mate if they discover them, whether they are marked by another or not"

"What if one mate was never honest about their lineage," Gavrill questioned, drawing all eyes in the room to him.

"Hmm. Well, that is always a possibility. Most packs would use those of lycan birth as weapons of war or they would simply kill them," Thyra paused and looked around the room to make sure everyone was following what she was saying.

When she was content, she continued.

"But if one had both lycan and wolf blood, they can easily hide amongst packs, only shifting into their wolf. This could explain it but we can't know for certain but what I do know is that you, Noir, have both."

"That is probably why Calder targets you in particular," Nebo spoke.

"What about my sister," I asked suddenly. "You treated her when she first got here. Does she have a lycan?"

Valenner and Thyra exchanged glances before shaking their head.

The room was quiet as everyone looked at each other.

This is too much.

"I..." I paused.

I stood, unsure what to say and with that, I ran towards the door and as it opened, River took over, howling as she ran towards the brook.

As we approached the water's surface, River released her grip on me and I sat there naked with my knees drawn to my chest pondering on the words the old hag had said.

If that's the case with me, why just me?

When I didn't get an answer, I sighed and continued to think about what Thyra said.

Where is Alistair? Is he okay?

As I continued to think and process what was said, something wet nudged my back before something soft and furry was placed on my shoulder.

I turned slightly to look at whatever it was that rested against me and sighed.

Rune.

River whined in my subconscious as I turned to face him. I looked at him as deep honey hues stared back at me before leaning forward and hugging the massive wolf who returned my gesture by dropping his head further onto my shoulder and wrapping his front leg around me as he whimpered.

I adored Alistair even though we bicker and I believe him to be unreasonable. He saved me from Calder— for now at least, gave me a new home and always kept me on my toes.

It was fun irritating him even though it wasn't, for the most part, intentional. He was a good man and Rune was a good wolf.

We stayed like that for a long time before the crunching of rock hit my ears causing Rune to lift his head only to drop it against me again.

The sound drew closer and before I knew it, there was a clawed hand holding my foot and another furry head resting beside my leg. looking down, I smiled.

Gavrill.

I reached down and petted the top of Eskil's head as other wolves joined us, laying down in a protective circle around myself and their Alpha.

In that exact moment I felt whole. Like the pieces of a puzzle were beginning to fall into perfect place.

Reaching back up, I held onto Rune's head and hugged him like my life was depending on it.