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So I won't be able to get all of these chapters out as fast as I have been, I'm going to be crazy busy for a while.

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-&-

Chapter 5

       Days slowly went by after my encounter with the King, long days that gradually turned into even longer weeks. The heavy snow had finally started to fall, and Lei wanted to leave for the Lower Kingdom in the next day or two. I was nervous, ridiculously so- even though I knew I had no reason to be.

       The King of the North had told me not to leave the town, and our annual trip hadn't even crossed my mind during our entire conversation. But it's been two weeks since then, and I hadn't seen a wink of him. Did I honestly expect to? I knew he said he wouldn't stay away for long, but the look in his beautiful eyes suggested otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised if I never saw him again.

       And that fact hurt.

       I put on a smile around Mae, talked to Lei when he stopped by, but my Elder-appointed escort still followed me everywhere, and I walked around the village like one of the dead. But the maddening part was that I couldn't help it. My mind was constantly revolving around him, around his eyes, the warmth of his skin, the strong feeling of his arms.

       It never gave me a reprieve. I was forced to dream of his voice, replay our encounter in the forest over and over again- like my own soul was taunting me over the fact that we couldn't be. Not yet, at least. That was what the King of the North told me. Not yet.

       Then when?

       Mae would follow the guard and I around occasionally, offering to start a conversation or go do something more fun outside the walls. But every time I started to agree, the King's command rang through my head.

       "Stay in your village until I see you again."

       But I had no idea when that would be, or if I ever would.

       That night, after my guard had fallen asleep outside my door, I found myself wandering the perimeter of the village. I had done this a couple of times since the encounter in the woods, and I always seemed to teeter on the edge of breaking his command- on stepping just one foot out of the village, to see what would happen. Would he know?

       Would he even care?

       I was never supposed to have him, and he never wanted me. Did we even have a future? I didn't know what this feeling was. This- this emotional tug pulling me towards his territory, his castle, him. I didn't know how much longer it would let me obey his demand. All I wanted to do was run back up that mountain and-and- and I'm not sure what. But I knew that I needed to see him again.

       Needed to.

       And that scared me.

       Was it me that wanted to be with him so badly- or the gold-power?

       I've felt it stir deep within my chest a few times since I met him in the woods, but every time one of the town's healers or Elders prodded at me- it disappeared. And it was all I could do to shove it down. I was terrified of the power now, terrified of what it could do to me.

       It was the middle of the night, and most of the village was sleeping when I finally decided to cross into the forest. It didn't really matter anyways. I've crossed out of the village numerous times before, and no harm had ever found me- besides sneaking into his town. I doubted any would now.

       A part of me did fear the northern woods, especially now when I was venturing in on my own. But this was the only time I had to be by myself. My escort would no doubt not let me leave the town, and neither the Elders or Lei would allow me back into the forest. Holding my resolve and facing my fear was the only way I would be free of that place, even if it was just for a few brief moments.

       The dark trees and shadows that welcomed me was- almost refreshing. Despite my hesitation, I breathed in the fresh air and the cold snow of the mountain. The frigidness filled my chest and came out as a hot breath, but I loved it. I was starting to dread the upcoming trip to the Lower Kingdom, for more reasons than one.

       I found myself tracing the King of the North's phantom foot steps back to the little spot where he had taken me all those days ago. It had barely been two weeks, but it felt like a lifetime. I suddenly felt silly for not leaving the town sooner. There was no reason to take his command to heart. The mountain and its base were safe. He kept them safe, even if the Underlings were beneath them.

       Why would he care anyways?

       My heart skipped a beat as the dark thought flashed across my mind. He pretty much told me he didn't want me. Didn't want a mate. The King wanted space between us, so we couldn't grow close- so his enemies wouldn't have a way to hurt him. He wanted me locked up, waiting quietly, so he wouldn't have to deal with me.

       The odd emotional bundle of chaos in my chest shattered at the notion. The nerves and panic that shot through me was strong enough to stop my tracks cold. I rubbed my fist into my chest to ease the blossoming pain. Then wouldn't it have been easier to reject me?

       I told him it would be okay. That I never expected to have a mate to begin with. Was this the universe's cruel way of punishing me for something I did in a past life? Or my burden for holding the gold-power? For the first time in a very long time I felt pins prick my eyes. This feeling was horrible. I didn't ask for any of this, especially him.

       My heart stopped when a sudden low growl emitted from the dark trees surrounding me, and I took a step back in fear. That was a not a snarl I was familiar with, or sent a pleasant feeling down my spine. I blinked rapidly out into the dark shadows of the woods, and gasped when a pair of dark golden eyes blinked back. The creature's white fangs flashed dangerously in the moonlight.

       My breath caught in my throat as I took another shaky step back. This was not the King of the North's wolf. Those golden eyes watched my every move, every breath that left my chest. It was unsettling- unnerving. There was nothing good swimming around his irises, and it made my stomach clench in fright. I retreated further, and watched as those deep golden eyes narrowed. The growl that sounded from the beast shook me to my very bones- but I got the hint.

       Stay still.

       The dark wolf stepped forward, power and authority strumming through its lean body. It might not have been the King, but it was definitely a powerful, high ranking wolf-borne. Its large body stood proudly as its brown fur reflected darkly off the light of the moon. I was so nervous I wanted to throw-up. I never felt this much fear around the King, but one other wolf-borne and I feared the very day I was born.

       Its eyes regarded me carefully as I stood stock still in the middle of the leering dark forest. There was no hope of escape if it wanted to kill me. It might have let me run a little ways, for the fun of it, but I wouldn't have made it back to the village alive. I watched with wide eyes as the wolf watched me- its dark gaze slowly rolling over my body, like they were judging me- seizing me up. It made the hairs on my arms stand on end.

       I didn't like it.

       "W-what do you want?" My voice sounded foreign with the hesitation ringing through it as I spoke against the silent background of the forest. The wolf's eyes snapped back to mine. I gulped. I wanted to turn and run for my life when its large body began to step out from the darkness of the trees, but I held my ground. I knew if I so much as turned it would pounce, and my throat would be clutched tightly in its large jaw.

       The wolf was big, but not quite as large as the King of the North's. His fur was such a dark, rich, brown that it could have easily been mistaken for black, and that golden stare stopped just inches away from my own. The beast was as tall as me. I gulped. I supposed venturing off on my own wasn't such a good idea. He let out a hot breath of air that hit me straight in the face and made my nose scrunch up at its unpleasantness. I watched as amusement flashed through those dark eyes.

       Then the beast started to change right in front of me. Fur began to retract, bones began to crack- to shift, and skin soon covered the wolf's body. The shifters in the village all changed so fluently, usually in a jump or leap, but nothing ever this- brutal. I was both repulsed at the sound of breaking bone, and intrigued at the awe-inspiring sight.

       It wasn't long before I stood staring at one of the six men who sat beside the King on that platform weeks before. A very large, very brooding, and very naked man. The worst part was that he didn't even try to hide himself! He stood barely three feet in front of me, showing off every inch of his large body, and stared down at me with calculating eyes.

       I looked at anywhere but him.

       "W-who are you?" I asked after the silence around us became too deafening, and I doubted he would talk anytime soon.

       "Terif. Delta of the Northern Kingdom and third in command of the Great King. Who are you?" His voice was such a gruff growl that it caused the birds in the trees above to take flight in fear. What I wouldn't have given for wings then- I gulped again as those gold eyes narrowed into a look so dangerous it turned my blood cold.

       "E-Emrie." I gave him a little-bitty wave for good measure, but he only ignored it. I jumped when he suddenly bent forward and started sniffing around my head, like he was checking for some odor I hadn't cleaned away in my daily bath.

       "Um- What are you doing?"

       "Be quiet child." He snarled before going back to sniffing at my hair. I tried not to pay too much attention to his actions though- or his very naked body. I've never seen a nude male before, and I tried to shield my eyes as much as possible to keep it that way, but the brief glimpses I caught revealed- unexpected extremities.

       Terif pulled back a moment later with a curious look gracing his no longer brooding face. "You smell like him." He mumbled softly as his dark gaze scanned my face curiously.

       My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I smell like who?" My eyes widened and I shuddered at the seething look he sent me, before taking another unsteady step back. He took one forward.

       "The Great King. You smell of him."

       "I-I do?" I frowned and lifted my hair to smell it myself, but only found the scent of my hair soap. I glanced up at him in confusion.

       He nodded and his eyes turned thoughtful once again, but he didn't say anything else. I wasn't sure how long he would be content with staring at me strangely, and I was afraid of the repercussions of trying to flee.

       "What are you doing here? Wolf-bornes don't come down this far without a reason." My voice trailed off as his eyes went hard once again.

       "That is none of your concern." His voice was an icy blade that cut easily through my resolve, and I took a quick step back as that cold demeanor once again fell over him. "Go now half-ling, before I change my mind." And without another word, he leapt into the air and shifted once again back into that terrifying wolf.

       I ran all the way back to the village.

-&-

       "Em? Emrie are you even listening to me?"

       I blinked over at Mae's older brother in a daze as his dark eyes glared over at me. "Huh?" I mumbled as he slammed his bag shut and threw it on his single bed. Our home was bigger than most in the village, but the rooms were still awfully tiny and barely had room for a large bed. Even Leikos, the town's leader, had a rather small living space.

       "You can't keep tuning everyone out, kid. I'm starting to worry."

       "You're always worrying." I said with a heavy sigh and finally dropped my feet from the window's seat to turn to him. "But I know, I'm sorry. I've just been thinking a lot lately."

       "Indeed."

       I shrugged at the look he shot me before staring back out at the snow falling from the sky. It was the evening after my little run in with 'The Great King's' third in command, and my mine was still reeling from the encounter. What had he been doing there? Snooping around? Looking for his next meal?

       But then the darker thoughts crept in. Like did the King sent him to watch me? To stalk me? To kill me? And then I would tell myself those were ridiculously theories, and if he wanted me dead he would have done it himself a long time ago. I was only being dumb and naive. Just because he didn't want me with him, didn't mean he wanted me dead.

       "We're leaving tomorrow morning. Are you even packed yet?" I smiled guiltily at him as he threw another bag onto his bed. "I didn't think so." He grumbled as I played with the rug underneath my feet.

       "Do I have to go?" I mumbled as the cold of the glass window pressed into my back. Leaving the village again for such a long period was not the best idea. I already left once, and that didn't have the best end-result.

       Leaving the whole mountain for the winter, much less the village, without telling the King was not a good idea. Then again, he wouldn't even know. Probably wouldn't even care. Maybe getting away from those God forsaken Elders and their stupid examinations would be a nice change.

       "Yes, you have to go. We've already had this discussion."

       "I know, I know. I'm sorry. I'll go pack." I groaned as I stood off the window seat with a heavy groan. The smile he shot me was more than enough to make me forget the stiff ache in my bones. He was the father figure I never had- making him proud always made my heart soar.

       "Thank you, Little Cub. I will see you in the morning."

       "Good night." I grumbled over my shoulder and shot him a wave before retreating back to my own room, my escort following silently behind me. The older guard never spoke, to me at least, and he always stayed three or four paces behind. I guess I could initiate a conversation first, but I rather not to talk to the person ensuring my freedom was short lived.

       It didn't take long to pack what I usually needed for these annual trips, and since most of my clothing was made for northern weather, I had very little that would be sufficient enough for the Lower Kingdom. Yet, I always seemed to manage.

       It was late when I finally went to lay down for the night, the bright light of the full moon glowing serenely into my room- but I paused before reaching to blow out the candle. We would be gone for two moons at the least, and I couldn't ignore that nagging feeling in my chest any longer. I couldn't leave in the morning without telling the King somehow.

       I sighed and opened the drawer of the nightstand at the side of my bed. Even if he wouldn't care, I couldn't just leave. I grabbed a piece of paper and charcoal stick from the drawer and wrote a quick note down. No one would deliver this to his territory, no one dared cross into his land as I had, and I wasn't going back there anytime soon.

       I slipped on my snow-shoes and checked to make sure the guard was sleeping outside my door before slipping out into the cool night air. This was the least I could do, and it wouldn't harm anyone. Even if the King never saw the note, or never came down again- I would feel better knowing I had tried.

       I didn't bother taking my time to enjoy the snow or the cool night air as I exited the village's gates and headed into the dark of the forest. The phantom path the King had taken me down all those nights before was etched into my mind, and I reached the spot sooner than expected.

       I paused for a moment and breathed in the refreshing air. I-I wished I could see him again before we left, see those lightening eyes that made my heart race. He said he couldn't stay away for long, but was two weeks not long enough? And now I would be gone all winter. I was starting to highly doubt I would ever see him again, and the knowledge made my heart ache.

       I let out a heavy sigh that turned into fog in the freezing air as I turned to the nearest tree. If he did care, and did find the note, at least I knew he wouldn't wonder where I had run off to. I reached for the string I placed in my cover's pocket and leaned up to tie the note tightly around the trunk. There. At least my part was done.

       I didn't even know his name.

       That was all I could think of as I started the cold, lonely walk back to the town. I was this hung up over him, and I didn't even know his name. Was this how the rest of my life would be? Wondering over if I would see him again, if we would ever be?

       I didn't even know his name.

-&-

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