"Eir, her name is Eir."
It was the last thing I heard; I felt stupid. I was like a stunned fool, but it took me a while to realize where I was. Without stretching it too far, it took me a while to remember who I was. An old lady had led me further into the little cottage-like building, and a steaming hot wooden tub was waiting. I didn’t protest as she started undressing me; it didn’t feel like me at the moment. The water was so warm it burned by touch, but I soon adjusted, and my muscles slowly relaxed. A sweet and fresh scent filled the steaming air; it felt really lovely despite the circumstances.
I leaned back and closed my eyes as the older lady started to talk. Her voice was smooth and comfortable to listen to,
"First is the bath; we will clean you. There are so many smells we are not used to following you from the earth, including your hair and skin. Do you have those plastic things on your nails? What about your lashes or hair?"
I just shook my head. I could never afford stuff like that; if I had the money to buy it, it would also mean I could go to bed without my stomach aching in hunger. No, I never had the money for luxuries like that.
"Good, that will make the process faster since you arrived late and all. Then I'll take you over to Birgitta. She will comb and braid your hair before finding the dress that will fit you. You will be served food alone tonight, but tomorrow before you leave. You will all have breakfast together. I suggest you eat well."
The old lady may look like a typical kind granny from next door, but she was stern. The way she talked was rehearsed, and the way she mentioned that I was late, making them have to work faster, was said in a way that made me feel like I did something wrong. I did not! Slowly, a little flame ignited in my chest.
Why do I act like I gave up? I've been through so much worse than this! I never sit down and give up; that’s just not me!
Be smart, Elisabeth! So, they are stronger, faster, and beasts.
"Why are they picking us up tomorrow?"
"For the mate hunt, dear! One more day away, and you would have missed it!"
"I’ve never heard of it.."
She sighed as she scrubbed my hair harshly with something thick and sweet smelling.
"You and nine other girls will be realized as the sun breaks tomorrow. Same dresses, same area, and you will all get about 10 hours head start. The hunt lasts for three days, and when it’s over, you have your mate!"
I furrowed. She sounded like this was supposed to be an honor like we weren’t forced to do this at all.
"What happens if nobody catches us before the three days are over?"
She laughed, but meeting my stern face, she cleared her throat and continued like nothing.
"The rules say that if a girl manages to stay unclaimed for all three days, she is free.”
I perked up,
“Free? So I could go home again?”
“Oh no, dear!” She laughed a little.“You would be free to choose your own mate. Now, enough chit-chat: nobody has ever made it past day two. So put aside those silly thoughts, girl, and go get dressed.”
She was about to grab my clothes, but I scrambled them together in my arms before I left. She just shook her head and showed me the way.
“You won't be wearing those, and all girls have the same white dress. That is tradition.”
Getting my hair braided was actually something I looked forward to; I’ve seen so many different hairstyles these last few days, and they pretty much all have big or small braids. But I was a huge disappointment. She gave me two small piggy tails. With those and that white dress, I swear they tried making me look like a little girl. I pulled them out, and the young girl was not happy.
We bickered and argued. She tried cutting my hair, and I threatened her with the same scissors. We met halfway. I got two braids, staring nearly at my forehead and all the way back, side by side. They ended up pretty neat, and they helped me keep my hair out of my eyes. I’ve decided to keep my head cool. I can handle this! Three days! I'm going to be the first!
The night was long. I tossed from side to side before darkness finally took over, but it felt like I just closed my eyes to the howling wolves outside, and then someone shook my shoulder.
“Here is your dress. Wash up and get dressed. Breakfast is ready!”
The old lady narrowed her eyes and looked at my head. Clearly displeased, but she didn’t say a word. She left the white dress beside my bed with a bowl filled with water, and then she left.
Another hot meal. I haven’t eaten this well since I was invited to a friend's house for dinner one year ago. It was a warm meal of meat, vegetables, water, juice, and fruits. It felt like a restaurant breakfast. I was tired but calm. I had a plan.
I recognized some of the girls who ate at the same table as me, but nobody said a word. The old lady came in, clapping her hands and asking us all to follow her; it was time!
By the door, we were met by three men, one of them Bo. I pretended I didn’t see him; he didn’t exist in my world, and I wanted him to know it. My heart started pounding as we walked out, again, paraded like the cattle we were. The way through the village was filled with people now. All looking as we were headed through. In bare feet and a loose white dress. My breath got stuck in my throat as I noticed Luca. But licensed my jaw, looked straight at him, and refused to acknowledge him.The field where the men had changed into beasts the last day was cleared, and some sort of arena and fence was built around it. It was only open towards the woods. We were lined up side by side, facing the overgrown wilderness ahead.
Suddenly, I felt so very aware of how light we were clothed. Feet bare, a loose white dress in thin fabric fell down to our knees. The dress had small straps over our shoulders, making us look even more naked. My heart beat so fast and hard that I could taste the thud between my lips. Eyes burned on my skin from behind, staring at us from all directions. Hungry, focused. Greedy lusting look that took in our every curve. Every inch of exposed skin. I felt naked and exposed. Clenching my jaws, I did my best to forget, to close out everyone but myself. The Man from last night, whom I had to call Alpha, stepped out on the open field between us and the dense forest. «Ladies! » His voice demanded power and attention; it felt like I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. It was like I could feel the other girl’s nerves on my skin and taste the anticipation in the air. “Today, we honor the goddess, the magical, and the female. Today, brothers, w bond between mae hunt!" I jerked as peopl
Toke`s POV. The air was filled with howls and cheers, but I slumped back and poured that thick, warm liquid down my throat, looking over at my good friend Rune. I could feel the excitement of the whole pack flush through me, but all I felt was boredom. «You don’t want a mate, do you? » Rune's words sounded lazy, and the words shuffled a bit before he busted out laughing. He was drunk, no doubt about it, so I lifted my glass in a toast, and we emptied yet another. He always spoke freely around me, even more so when mead warmed his body and fogged his brain. «I do, but I've already attended two hunts. I could have had a mate, but I don’t want a scared-to-death rabbit that twitches every time I breathe. Not even the hunt is a challenge, so the women are no longer worth it.» He frowned, thinking so hard I could practically hear his head squeak. Tilting my head back, I lay lazily over my dad’s throne. What had become of us? I grew up with my dad's and grandfather's stories about stron
Toke´s POV. The smoldering rage had calmed, and there was nothing to do but adjust and get ready. The alpha would not budge; the announcement was made, and taking it back would make him look weak. It’s not like him to take discussions like this without considering all the pros and cons, debating it with his second and third in command and the elders. So why now? All because of a little rabbit with a bit of will of her own and quick feet? Reckless if you ask me, but of course, he did not. My beast stirred under the surface, growling and pacing. He needed the title, and the excitement in the air had also infected him—nothing to do but make the best of it, so it was time to hunt down the runaway. Not only did he allow all to participate, but he also made the hunt a whole day long. Like that would be necessary, I think he read well too much into the fact that she ran away; if they had managed to use their heads, they all would have. But instead, they bow their head, cry and beg. No ma
I ran on adrenalin still with that silly smile plastered on my face, even if I knew it was a short-lived victory. As I ran deeper into the woods, the adrenalin pumping through my pulsating body began to feel like panic, and not before I ran up to one of the girls that had fallen did I stop. She was crying, so I helped her up, but speaking to her was impossible. She was so deep down in her own panic, so devoured by her own fear, I didn’t think she even knew I was there. With one hand clenching over her bleeding cut, she pushed past me with her elbow, and I fell on my back right into a thick bush. Of all the places, that’s where I ended up catching my breath. I just lay there and felt my heart pounding in my chest. Slowly, the pulsating rush in my ears faded, and my heart stopped trying to break through my rib cage, and I just listened. I watched the clear blue sky; what was I doing? I freaked out, like a deer caught in the headlights. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath; calm, I was
Elisabeth/Eir´s POV. Panic got the best of me as I crawled up the steep mountains like an animal. Small rocks and loose dirt rolled down around me. I clawed my way up, the howls echoing in my mind. The sweat trickled down my back, and I reached a small flat area before I managed to calm down. Far up the mountain, my eyes wandered, taking in the scenery. Wild was the first word that crossed my mind. Wild and untouched nature as long as the eye could see. It is a picturesque view, more breathtaking than any pictures I've ever seen. The sun colored the sky and the ocean on the horizon on its way down deep purple, light pink, warm orange, and bright yellow. Then, the backside of my little plan struck me; I saw everything from here, and there was nothing to hide behind. Scrambling to get to my feet to take in the mountain behind me, I wasn't even halfway up. But if I went around this first ridge, I could put the hill between us this first night. It was nearly pitch black before I reached
I felt the creature move behind me, and for some reason, I knew it was the wolf. Not human form, not the bear, but the wolf was stalking down the steep hill behind me. My, I clenched the little stone in my hand, franticly searching the area around me with my eyes for a way out, anything that could help. I'm not ready for this; this is not how it was supposed to be! One more day, I need one more day! Before I knew it, the hot breath of the massive predator fanned my hair and sent shivers down my spine. I threw myself to the side on instinct just as he launched forward. Big black paws slid on the loose rocks as the animal struggled to regain balance, and I stared at it with wide eyes—a big black wolf. No big would be the world's biggest understatement; it was the size of a goddamned horse! For a brief second, time I stood still. I sat a couple of meters away from a massive wolf; its fur was black, almost shining like the ocean waves at midnight when the cold moonlight hit the water ju
Those curious but terrifying grunts and sniffs turned to deep rumbling growls as a branch broke nearby. The beast turned around and faced something in the darkness. The hair on my neck and arms stood up as the cave rumbled; growls and snarls echoed off the walls around me, but besides scaring the living hell out of me, nothing happened. The beast’s growl died down and disappeared into the darkness. But I didn’t dare to move, breathe out loud, or crawl out to check. I stayed put and did my best not to fall asleep through the night. Again, I must have fallen asleep late at night because I jerked up and realized the sun was shining outside. I listened to birds, wind, and insects. That’s it, so I breathed out. My body was aching and sore, and I felt drained after a long night with little sleep. I ate the rest of my berries, drank some water, and washed my face with some of it before I pushed the bushes aside and crawled out. I yawned and stretched my hands over my head, trying to wake up
Toke´s POV. So, it didn’t go as planned, and even if I hate to admit it, she is different. So very different, feisty, stubborn, and clever! And what kind of a human fight a wolf? I didn’t even know her name yet. There was so much about this girl that puzzled me. She broke my fucking nose! She threw stones at me and a knife that hit me right in the shoulder. Had it been any other, my wolf would have torn them to shreds long ago. But he didn’t. I wanted to be mad at her, even if my nose, eyebrow, jaw, and the deep cut from the knife now had healed; it had been painful as hell! But what did my beast do? Whine because she fell and hit her head. Useless puppy! He growled in my mind, urging me to check on her, but I pushed him back. I found her, I got her, and the title was as good as mine. But as I kept stealing a glimpse of her from the corner of my eye, my curiosity for her grew. My wolf wanted to claim her and acted strange. Maybe it was just the rush of the hunt? His right to claim