Thirty-nine

When we returned to the den, Loki and Seth were there, playing with their brothers. Cinder smiled at me before going to her mate. I took a deep breath and joined in the fray.

I tackled Seth, jumping on his back and knocking him forward. He looked over his shoulder at me, eyes glowing with happiness. "You're back! I thought I scented you!"

I smile. "I'm back! Some wolf told me to come back and teach you all a lesson!"

He grinned. "You're on!"

I squealed and ran away as he went to grab me. I ended up being tackled by someone else though. Looking up, I see Loki, grey eyes luminous in the darkening world. "Zahra."

I grin. "Loki."

He helps me up. "You came alone. And without warning."

I rolled my eyes. "It wasn't without warning! I told you I'd come within a few days!"

He frowned. "But alone?"

I shut my mouth, unable to repeat the story. "Zahra!"

I look over to Cinder who had a familiar black and white pup in her arms. I smiled and ran over. "Ralphie!"

He barked and yipped happily. "Will you hold him for a moment? I want to go talk to my son," Cinder said with a meaningful look towards a sad Loki.

"Thank you."

She smiles and walks away. I play with Ralphie until Rollo, Bruno, and Ace tumble over, wanting attention too.

It was long since the sun went down that I go to my chamber, yawning. I smiled at a few sleepy-eyed wolves who were near the entrance, then disappeared down the corridor.

I just slip into my chamber when I hear my name. I look back to see Loki standing by his own chamber. I smile at him. "Hey."

"Can we talk?" he asks softly.

I shrug, stepping aside so he can slip in. I go to my bed and lie down. "Don't lecture me about coming alone," I say.

He chuckles. "I won't. I just want to apologize for not telling you."

I look at him, a smile on my lips. "Promise you won't protect me like that again?"

He bows his head. "I promise."

"Apology accepted."

He sits beside me. "Mother told me about how you're mad at your brother. What's going on?"

I shrug. "If I knew, I likely wouldn't have left."

"Besides that and the baby, how are you?"

I shrug. "Okay. Can't say I'm perfect."

"Zahra, if you were perfect, you'd have nothing to fear!"

I laugh. "How are you, Loki?"

"I'm good."

"I heard you took the pups hunting?"

He groaned and laid beside me. "They can't sit still! Rollo wants to rush it because he's hungry, Bruno thinks he is invincible and Ralphie wants to play!"

I giggle. "What about Ace?"

"He literally just sat staring at the rabbit without trying to pounce! I don't know why I thought I could teach them anything!"

I laugh. "You'll figure it out! You're their brother!"

He smirks at me. "The only ones they listen to are mother and father!"

I laugh again. "Poor Loki!"

"You try getting them to listen!"

I narrow my eyes. "Fine! If I don't get them to listen by the time I leave, then you can slobber all over me."

He laughs. "Deal, pack sister!"

The next morning, Graham took me for a walk where we talked and wandered. Afterwards, I played with Loki and his brothers, forgetting all my troubles.

So when Roan showed up around midday, I was wrestling with Luca when I saw him. I stopped what I was doing and stared at him. He stared back, a question in his eyes. I was so distracted that Luca accidentally nipped my nose. I scowled at the wolf and he apologized with an affectionate nuzzle. When he saw why I was distracted, saw the look on my face, Luca growled at Roan who in turned looked taken aback.

I rest a hand on Luca's head and nuzzled him, then asked him to find Loki. He whined, but left. All the other wolves nearby were also sensing something was wrong between me and my brother.

I growled. "Stand down!"

Seth and Jimmy growled back. "He hurt you!"

"He will get what he deserves," I promise with a whine.

Feral grins appeared on all the wolves as Loki came out of the den, amusement plain on his face. "Mother taught you well, sister!"

I sighed and festered for both males to follow me into the forest. I thought about going to the clearing where I hung out with Cinder, but didn't want to spoil the memories there. So I went far enough from the den so we couldn't be overheard and faced my brother. "What are you doing here?"

Roan glanced at Loki but said, "You left without saying goodbye to anyone. Not to mention in anger. What's wrong?"

Loki glances at me with questioning eyes. I shake my head. "You're keeping something from me." Roan opens his mouth but I say, "Don't lie, Roan. You're keeping something and until you saw I was packing, you avoided me."

He runs a hand through his hair. "I don't know how to say this without making you feel worse about yourself."

"What could possibly make me feels worse about myself besides being pregnant with Lucas's child, killing hundreds of people, and burdening you and the village ever since we met?"

"Zahra, who said you're a burden?"

I shake my head. "That's not the point! The point is that I couldn't feel worse about myself if I tried!"

Roan gulped audibly. Loki cleared his throat and said, "Roan, as a male, I would tell you to do as you know best." I glared at the wolf. "But as a pack member with one very dominant female, I say to tell her and protect later. She can't help you help her if she doesn't know what's going on."

Roan nodded. He looks at me with wide eyes and swallows. "I think your memories have been tampered with."