26. The northern lights

We followed Talieus to a den not far from the main one.

Turning he faced us.

"Zeld your in here."

I moved to follow him but Talieus placed a hand on my shoulder to stop me.

"Not you just Zeld."

I spun on him as Zeld grabbed my hand.

"Like hell your separating us."

Talieus sighed.

"Don't you get it your now fighting against each other. You are outsiders so you don't understand the full meaning of what just happened."

"Then explain it to us."

His eyes turned to me there was something so familiar in them that I couldn't put a name to.

"You will get your answers but later and separately. For now you will sleep in separate dens if you fight us on this you'll sleep out in the cold."

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"And since you still can't shift even being wolf you will freeze this ravine gets very cold at night."

I looked to Zeld he hesitated not wanting to leave me alone but knowing Talieus was right I would not survive.

"It's just for now Rav don't worry we are close enough  if something happens I'll know."

I nodded turning to Talieus.

"Can we have a minute alone please?"

He nodded.

"I'll go wait over there come get me when your done."

I waited for him to be far enough away before I turned back to Zeld. He quickly put his hands on my shoulders bending to my eye level.

"I never wanted this Rav you gotta believe me."

I smiled sadly.

"I do believe you and too be honest it makes sense."

Zeld scrutinised my face closer.

"What are you talking about what makes sense?"

I sighed.

"He's right your far better suited to being alpha."

"Hey what happened to all that confidence? I'm not as strong as I seem Rav."

"But you have all the same powers that I do well that I'm supposed to have anyway."

"Now you listen to me. so you can't shift who cares. I've seen you take down a shifted wolf with just your wind and your voice. If that's not alpha material I don't know what is and once this pack sees that too they will realise you were meant to be alpha."

I smiled sadly.

"I doubt your grandfather will ever think the same."

"You let me worry about my so called grandfather. You just need to pass those trails."

"Any idea what they could be?"

Zeld frowned.

"None but with this week we have I'll help you. You still haven't gained control of your wind right now that could mean the difference between you passing or failing."

I stared into his eyes, eyes that I had known all my life. I knew looking into those eyes that if he won over me I'd be ok with that.

"I need you to know That If you do win-"

"Rav-"

I put my hand to his mouth.

"Let me finish."

I took a breath.

"If you do win just know that I won't hold it against you and I will follow you. I will make the same promise to you that you did to me. I will protect you as my alpha."

He pulled me into his arms kissing me on the head.

"You will win Rav I want you to do whatever you have to. I don't know what these trials are but I want you to do all you can to pass them."

He looked down at me.

"If I do win and I find out that you failed on purpose Rav I will never forgive you."

I scowled how did he know?

He smiled cupping my cheek.

"I know you Rav while you are more confident you still think that your not good enough. Power isn't everything your strength is in your love for those you care about. Your willingness to sacrifice everything to save everyone around you is what makes you a good leader. It's ok to want something for yourself Rav, it's ok to be selfish every once in awhile."

"I hate to interrupt such a heartfelt moment but I have other things to attend to."

Startled a hadn't even noticed that Talieus had returned.

Zeld scowled at him then turned back to me.

"We will start working on your wind tomorrow."

"No! From now until the the start of the trails both of you will be trained separately."

"What?!"

Zeld growled.

"What kind of stupid rule is that?"

Talieus's face remained blank as he raised his eyebrows at Zeld.

"It is our way if either of you are to be alpha you had better get used to doing things as Forest lakes wolves. This is the wild not some metal city. one wrong move as leader could cost lives, lives that we can not afford to loose. The sooner both of you realise that the better."

My grabbed my hand as he started to drag me away Zeld reluctantly let me go as he glared at Talieus.

Talieus dragged me all the way to the other end of the ravine to the last den.

He finally let me go as we stood before the opening.

Turning to face me his demeanour seemed to change as he stared down at me.

"Now that we're alone I can speak freely come inside quickly."

Curious I followed him into the den it was set up much like the one the elders convened in. The floor lined with furs but big enough to fit a family of wolves whether they be in wolf form or human.

Talieus held me at arms length smiling for the first time since I'd met him.

"You look so much like her it's uncanny."

I remained silence apprehensive of this change in character.

"You must be careful Raven you will find many enemies here there are those that would do you harm. Be mindful at all times and never leave the ravine."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"That doesn't matter what's matters is that you stay alive."

I shook my head.

"How do I know I can trust you?"

It was a fare question I mean he was there as well pushing for me to do these trails.

He smiled.

"You shouldn't. don't trust anyone not even Zeld. He may be on your side now but once his grandfather gets through with him you may find him to be a lot less susceptible to his feelings of you."

I frowned. Was it that obvious even this stranger who we had only just met had picked up on Zeld's more then friendship feelings. How had I missed it for so long? 

I rubbed my neck sighing when suddenly Talieus grabbed my hand and pulled aside my collar.

He sniffed then started growling.

"You've already been mated!"

I quickly pulled my collar back stepping away defensively.

"Yes."

He swore.

"Who?"

I glared at him.

"Ki alpha of the blue moon pack."

"He's an alpha?!"

He shook his head his anger rising.

"The others will not like this of all the stupid things you could have done this is the worse."

"He is my mate! How can anyone be angry about that we don't choose our mates they are choosen for us."

He scowled.

"In saying that you only serve to prove how naive you really are. If I ever see that bounty hunter again I'll kill him. His actions are what put us in this mess in the first place."

Everything he was saying didn't make any sense. Why was it so wrong that I had found my mate? I thought all wolves wanted to find their mates.

'Any thoughts?'

Caryi remained silent. Guess not.

"Why is it so bad?"

He sighed visibly trying to calm himself.

"I'm sorry of corse you wouldn't know. Nothing that has happened is your fault."

He started towards the door.

"I have to go. try keep that mark covered and remember what i said be on guard at all times. I'll be back tomorrow to train you for the trails. You will need to be versed in the ways of the pack as well."

Without another word he left me alone with more questions and no answers. 

'I wonder what he means by I have enemies In the pack? Surely they wouldn't try kill me just because they don't want me to be alpha?'

'We can't assume anything Raven.'

I put my bags in the corner as I lay down on the furs that were on the floor.

'Talieus is hiding something.'

'Yes I had noticed that. He seems very interested in us.'

'What I don't understand is the forest lakes pack hasn't got an alpha already? I had thought all I would have to do was challenge the current alpha.'

'It is strange perhaps it's not as simple as challenging each other to gain control. I sense that tradition means more to them then their own pride. Until we learn their ways We can not hope to understand why they do things the way they do.'

'I know your right but it's just frustrating not knowing anything about them. They have lived with these traditions for generations and I'm expected to learn them all in a week?'

I sighed.

'You will learn them all in time Raven for now we need to concentrate on the trails. You heard Zeld if you fail on purpose you will loose him.'

'I can live with that it wouldn't be the first time I was made a lone wolf.'

'But if he becomes alpha merely because you lost on purpose how do you think that will reflect on his leadership? On him?'

I remained silent as Caryi continued.

'The others will know that he won by default and none of the others would respect him as a result. You would be undermining him as an alpha right from the start plus the effects on himself. He will second guess every decision he makes because he will forever feel like he had not earned his place fairly.'

I knew she was right but at the same time there was the fact that if Zeld is alpha the future will already be changed.

'How do you even know that your alpha in that vision Raven?'

As always she was right it was never an easy task to change the future there were so many variables, so many paths and all could lead to the very same outcome. How was I to know which one was the best path to take? 

'Believe if you pass the trails then believe that that is what was meant if Zeld does then that is what was meant to be.'

I smiled.

'Everything happens for a reason.'

Caryi chuckled as I repeated her own words.

'You are learning small one. Don't fight against your path let it take you where you need to go. Deal with the obstacles as they block your path not before.'

The dark of night had already well and truely set in suddenly I heard howling.

Getting up I left the den and was amazed by what I saw. Almost every wolf in the pack was in wolf form the only ones that weren't were those that hadn't shifted yet. Every eye was aimed at the sky above as they all howled. 

Following their gaze my eyes widened as I saw the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I had read about the northern lights but to see them first hand was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Caryi instantly started howling in my head I wished more then anything that I could join her the need to shift more overwhelming then I had ever thought. The knowledge that I couldn't was never more disappointing then that moment.

"You will never be a true wolf until you can howl at the lights."

I spun around as I was suddenly pushed up against the wall of the den. A male with black hair and steel in his eyes glared down at me. My heart pounded as I froze his arms trapped me with no way out.

I growled trying to hide how scared I was but all it did was make him laugh.

"Awe the puppy has bark too bad you don't have teeth to back it up."

I scowled I'll show him teeth i may not be able shift but I do have teeth. I forced my canines out as I moved to bite him. Quicker then I could perceive he pulled back grabbing my arm and spinning me around twisting my arm behind my back as he did. 

"Well well well so she does have teeth."

Stepped closer I could feel his body against mine as he sniffed my hair.

"I will admit you do smell Devine."

His other hand moved my hair aside as he caressed my cheek. I tried to bite him but he twisted my arm harder. 

"Moon goddess blood indeed I would expect nothing less. To bad your beauty is all you inherited from the mother of all wolves."

Suddenly he was ripped off of me and thrown to the ground. Spinning around I was pulled behind Zeld as he faced the new comer.

"Touch her again and I'll rip your throat out."

The wolf before us grinned as he stared us down.  

"Awe how sweat coming to the cursed wolfs defence. Let me know how she rides better yet I'll just test her out for myself."

I had had enough of this animal just as Zeld made to attack I put my hand on his shoulder.

"I'll deal with this wolf dog."

While the male in front of us sneered Zeld smiled stepping back crossing his arms as he leaned against the den.

"Be my guest it's about time these wolves realised who their dealing with."

I approached the male with a smile.

"Your name?"

He stared at me in confusion.

"Why?"

"Because I want to know the name of the first forest pack wolf I punish for thinking me weak."

His grin widened as did his ego.

"Cocky for one with no power but I'll tell you all the same my names Drake."

A second later he charged at me, Ki's words echoed inside my head. Be smarter. Smiling I stood my ground a second before he made contact I sidestepped grabbing his wrist I twisted pushing  against his elbow using his own momentum against him snapping the bone. 

Drake cried out in pain as I forced him to the ground kicking off his back I flipped in the air landing on my feet one hand on the ground before me.

Drake growled as he shifted and limping on three legs he charged again. 

'Let us show this pup what a true alpha can do.'

I smiled as I looked up my eyes glowing my canines extended I growled. As i swung my fist connecting with his snout as he was thrown to the ground for a second time.

Stunned he lay their as I approached him staring down at his wolf form my eyes still glowing and my canines still out. 

"Know when you are defeated next time I won't stop at breaking your bones."

His wolf eyes stared up at me something in them made me step back. It seemed like he was glad for what I did, but that didn't make sense.

Zeld touched my shoulder before I could question it.

"Rav...."

I followed his gaze I was so distracted that I hadn't realised we had an audience. Every wolf in the pack was staring at us.

"Seems there's more to you then Meets the eye. Next weeks trails will be more interesting then I thought."

I growled towards Keyon as the crowd dispersed until there was just Talieus and Drake who had shifted back into human form.

"Good work Drake."

I looked from Drake to Talieus.

"You planned this?"

"I wanted to know how you reacted to difficult situations. Plus Drake drew the short straw."

He smiled as he turned to Drake throwing pants at him.

"Go get that arm reset and wrapped up."

I sighed. 

"Wait!"

Zeld grabbed my arm.

"Don't Rav healing a break like that will take too much out of you."

Talieus whipped he head to look at me as he waved Drake away.

"You have the power of healing?"

I nodded.

"Yes why? Is that bad?"

Talieus remained silent he eyes widening. 

"Talieus?"

"Forgive me but its just that the pack has not had the power to heal for many generations the fact that you have it only proves you are a child of the moon goddess."

I stared at him unsure of why that was a surprise.

"But you already knew I was a descendent of the moon goddess."

He shook his head.

"There is a difference between a descendant and a child of the moon goddess, don't worry all will become clear after the trails. Zeld is right however healing requires too much power and right now it is too dangerous for you to be weakened. Drake will be fine serves him right for going too far when goading you into a fight."

Talieus turned to Zeld.

"Both of you acted exactly how I expected and that will help our case to convince the others."

I shared a look with Zeld what the hell was going on? Was this whole scenario staged? And if so for what reason?

Talieus smiled.

"You have questions I know but they can wait til tomorrow. Both of you get some sleep we start early. Zeld be carful your grandfathers way of training is like none that you'll be used to."

Turning to me he frowned.

"Raven remember my warning."

His eyes darted towards Zeld before he started to drag Zeld back to his own den.

'What the hell just happened?'

'Their ways are very strange indeed.'

I yawned returning back to the den suddenly very tired. The past ten days was finally catching up to me. Laying down I was asleep within seconds.