Chapter 79: Episode 079: The Wolf Pack
The wooden gates slowly grind open.
The sound was loud, and sounded like a giant mountain cracking in half right in front of them. The heavy frozen hinges groaned against the cold wind, fighting the solid ice that had frozen them shut.
Massive chunks of ice fell from the high, dark walls. They crashed down and scattered across the thick, undisturbed snow on the ground like shattered glass.
Gianna didn’t even flinch at the terrible noise. She just adjusted her tight grip on the thick wooden handles. Her leather boots crunched heavily in the fresh snow. She pulled the wagon right through the open gates and directly into the massive, snowy courtyard of the Wolf Pack.
The courtyard was absolutely huge. It was a giant open circle completely surrounded by tall stone walls and heavily guarded watchtowers. The ground was entirely covered in a thick, perfectly packed layer of white snow.
It looked like a giant frozen lake. Massive iron fire pits burned wildly in all four corners. They threw bright, flickering orange light against the gray stones of the fortress.
Rue stayed seated deep in the back of the wagon. She held little Theron tightly against her chest. The baby boy was completely awake now. He poked his tiny head out of his soft white blankets. His bright golden eyes were wide with pure curiosity. He watched the thick snowflakes falling from the gray sky with wonder.
He didn’t seem to worry about the cold.
He reached a chubby hand out, trying to catch the cold flakes before they hit the wooden roof of the carriage.
Rue pulled her fur cloak all the way up to her chin. The air here was so much colder than the Convergence. It didn’t just chill her skin. It bit right through her heavy clothes and settled deep into her bones.
She rubbed Theron’s back with a steady rhythm to keep his small body warm.
The wolves gathered around the wagon immediately.
They came out from the heavy stone doorways and the open training yards. They were massive, terrifying beastmen wrapped tightly in thick, heavy animal furs.
Some of them stayed completely in their human forms, showing off pale skin and bright, icy eyes. Others shifted half of their bodies. They showed off thick tails that swept across the snow and sharp, fuzzy ears that twitched at every little sound.
They formed a very large, tight circle around the wooden wagon.
They wanted to know who exactly Rue brought this time; the last time, it was a little cub she saved, so they were curious about who she brought this time. A few of the older guards groaned quietly to themselves. They leaned close and whispered to each other about the troublesome snake princess.
They definitely remembered the last time Gianna visited. She had broken their wooden training dummies and caused a massive scene in the hall. Now they were all trying to stretch their thick necks to see who Gianna had brought into the pack this time.
They sniffed the freezing air. They tried to figure out the strange, conflicting mix of heavy panther, cold snake, and soft rabbit scents coming directly from the back of the wagon.
Maybe an anomaly?
Rue felt a little nervous. She pulled her knees up close to her chest. Being surrounded by dozens of wolves was definitely intimidating. She really wished Caius and Knox were standing next to the wagon to scare them off.
Suddenly, the crowd parted.
The massive wolves stepped back quickly. They bumped into each other, clearing a wide, respectful path through the deep snow.
Iris ran out into the courtyard.
The Wolf Princess wore a beautiful, heavy white coat trimmed with incredibly thick silver fur. She looked much more rosy than before. Her cheeks and nose were bright pink from the biting cold.
But when Rue looked closely, Iris’s violet eyes were not as smiley as before. But the second Iris saw Rue sitting inside the wagon, she offered a wide, warm smile.
She picked up the heavy edge of her white coat and ran straight for the wooden carriage, her boots kicking up small clouds of white snow.
"Rue!" Iris cheered loudly.
Gianna dropped the wagon handles and stepped aside with a small smirk. Iris climbed right up onto the wooden step of the wagon. She leaned inside and threw her arms right around Rue.
Iris hugged Rue tightly. She buried her face in Rue’s silver hair. She smelled like fresh pine needles and cold winter snow. Rue hugged her right back. She held onto her and felt relief that Iris was being like this.
"You actually came," Iris whispered. Her voice shook just a little bit. "I can’t believe Tanith actually let you travel all the way up here. It’s freezing outside. You must be completely exhausted from the trip."
"I’m okay," Rue promised softly. She pulled back and smiled warmly at the Wolf Princess. "Gianna took very good care of us on the road."
Iris let out a soft, genuine laugh. She looked over her shoulder at Gianna, then looked down at the small bundle wrapped in Rue’s arms.
Theron babbled happily. He reached a chubby little hand out and grabbed a piece of the soft silver fur on Iris’s winter coat. He pulled on it, entirely fascinated by the texture.
"Oh my goodness," Iris gasped. Her violet eyes went completely wide. She carefully reached out and stroked the baby’s soft, warm cheek with her thumb. "He’s getting so big. He’s absolutely beautiful, Rue. Welcome to the North. Both of you."
Iris turned around and stood tall on the wagon step. She looked out at the large crowd of whispering wolves. She waved her hand firmly, calling a few of the older, highly decorated beastmen forward from the front of the circle.
These were the pack elders. They wore incredibly thick grey cloaks, completely covered in heavy silver chains and ancient wolf bones that looked painted on top. They had grey hair and deep, serious lines carved into their faces. They looked like men who had survived a hundred frozen winters and fought in a thousand bloody battles.
Rue had to step down to the steps beside Iris, so she could get a good view of the wolf pack.
"Elders," Iris announced loudly. Her voice carried the clear, demanding tone of a royal princess. "This is Rue of the Rabbit Tribe. She is an honored guest of my family. She’s mated to the Snake General and the Panther King. She’s under my protection while she stays within our walls."
The elders stepped forward and just offered respectful bows, bending entirely at the waist. They looked fascinated at the fact that Rue was capable of mating with the two men.
She reminded them of someone they knew.
"Welcome to our pack, little mother," the oldest elder said quietly. Her voice sounded warm and affectionate. "Your fire will be kept warm here. Our food is your food."
Rue nodded her head politely. "Thank you very much. I appreciate your kindness."
Gianna was entirely bored with all the polite greetings and the bowing. The princess crossed her arms tightly over her dark leather tunic. She stomped her heavy boots in the snow to keep her feet warm.
She looked all around the courtyard. She looked at the high, frozen balconies and the dark, empty windows of the main palace building.
Gianna frowned deeply and put her hands on her hips. She looked annoyed.
"Where’s the big boss?" Gianna asked loudly. She didn’t care at all about being quiet or polite in front of the elders.
She kicked a pile of snow with the toe of her boot. "Alpha Axel never usually shows his face to guests. He’s always hiding up in his fancy room reading boring maps and playing chess with his right-hand man. But he definitely knows I’m here. I made enough noise coming through the gates. So he’ll definitely show up soon. I’m practically his favorite person to argue with in the entire world."
Iris rolled her eyes at Gianna’s loud bragging. She stepped down from the wooden wagon step and helped Rue gather Theron’s heavy travel blankets.
"Axel is very busy today," Iris told Gianna gently. "The outer hunting patrols just got back from the northern ridges. He’s going over the winter meat stores with the guard captains. He probably won’t come out of his study until dinner."
"Nonsense," Gianna bragged. She flipped her dark braid proudly over her shoulder. "I’m the guest of honor. He wouldn’t dare ignore me. He knows I’ll just break down his door if he doesn’t come say hello."
Gianna suddenly stopped talking.
She turned her head quickly and looked right past the crowd of bowing elders. She stared at the incredibly tall, wide staircase covered with a bit of snow here and there. The stairs led directly from the snowy courtyard right up to the massive main doors of the royal palace.
Gianna’s face completely lit up. She pointed a finger high into the freezing air.
"Oh, there he is!" Gianna shouted cheerfully. "My big, handsome brother!"
The entire courtyard went completely silent.
Every single wolf in the courtyard turned its body toward the snow-covered stairs. The massive warriors, the older guards, and even the highly respected elders immediately lowered their heads in deep, total respect. They didn’t dare look up at the palace doors.
Someone was walking down the stairs, and Rue was forced to turn.
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