Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

C alling our new dwelling a house would be like calling a Ferrari a two-door sedan. On a generous amount of land, surrounded by tall pine trees, the tri-story timber mansion is supported by beautiful pillars composed of natural multi-colored stones.

Parking in the garage off the front, we walk onto the cherry-stained front porch and inside. The open layout gives us plenty of room to be together or have our own space.

A large oversized black couch is covered with cozy plaid blankets. A fire crackles in the large hearth on the wall farthest from the door.

The mantle is built into the stone wall surrounded by an arrangement of large black chairs angled around the fire. A mixture of stone and wood, the house reflects the nature outside.

Bo whistles. "Alpha pulled out all the stops with this one, didn't he?"

"Well, he has to try to pacify the unwilling, doesn't he?" I cross my arms beneath my chest. It takes more than a pretty house to make up for the loss of my right to choose.

Fell places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

Kirk smiles. "Why don't we look the place over and decide where we'd like to stay?"

"After our mate gets her first choice."

"That's easiest. It'll be the one with the biggest bed." Bo smirks and I grit my teeth.

I know he lives for reactions, but he never fails to get under my skin.

"Give it a rest," Fell calls from across the room. The force behind his words surprises me. "She's had enough thrown at her over the past few days."

"If you would've stayed gone; all this could've been avoided," Bo snips.

"Do you know how I arrived here? Shackled, drugged, and forced to leave behind my old life." I

turn to face him.

"You don't expect me to believe that do you?" Bo delivers a fake laugh. "Always over dramatic."

"Wait." Kirk glances at Cadoc. "Is she serious?"

"Am I, Cadoc? He was there." I turn my ire to the tall man looming behind me. "He initiated the capture."

"Is that true," Fell's forehead wrinkles.

"I did acquire her?—"

"You're right. ‘Cause she's not a piece of property you can purchase," Fell's eyes narrow. The strong menthol aroma of agitation comes off him.

"Gentleman. Another argument will do us more harm than good," Kirk says.

"Speak for yourself. I could do with a brawl." Bo's black eyes light up with mischief and blood lust.

"I did what my Alpha told me, the same we all do," Cadoc says unapologetically.

Fell turns away at his statement and I study the two. There's something between them I don't understand.

I wander away from the testosterone-fueled stare-down and explore the chrome kitchen. I run my fingers over the handle of the double oven and admire the farmhouse sink.

The stainless-steel fridge has a water and an ice dispenser with three settings for the cubes.

"At least we'll have good ice," I tap the pellet symbol.

"You always liked that kind best," Fell appears beside me.

I refuse to lean into him because he's familiar.

"Um Hmm." I move to the dining section which houses a large round table made of maple wood with eight matching chairs. It's the perfect layout for a group that wants to spend time together without feeling overcrowded.

A large sixty-inch television is mounted on the wall. I move up the stairs, admiring the wolf photography hung up.

I ignore the blond traveling a few steps behind me and pause at the second-floor landing.

Fell grunts. "Are you honestly going to keep this up, Yl?"

I turn to the left. "Keep what up? We're strangers who used to know each other."

"We're far more than that?—."

"Funny. You didn't want to talk before, now you can't shut up." I smile cruelly.

"I didn't know what to say." He shoves his hands in his pockets and shrinks into himself.

His pitiful expression doesn't move me at all. "Anything would've been better than ghosting me. You turned me into a fool. I asked myself what I did wrong so many times over the years."

"Nothing."

"Bullshit." The words explode from my mouth as my emotions overflow. I shove his chest, and he takes a step back.

"Why would you do that? The drive was torture. There were times I had to pull over because I was crying too hard to see. I was so sure something horrible had happened to you." My chest squeezes tight. "I called everyone I could think of." I grip his shirt, pulling him toward me like a mobster collecting money.

"That was the cruelest part. You didn't even bother to message me." I take a breath. I feel like I'm breathing underwater as my nostrils burn. "I trusted you."

"I know."

"Never again." Releasing him, I step back and force myself to turn away.

I focus on the large rooms on the either side of the hallway. Each one shares the same nightstand, desk, dresser, and king-sized four-poster bed. I nickname them by their theme color.

The blue room, green room. A bathroom with a shower all done in black and white tile with black cabinets, and black slate shower tiles with gold accents.

"It was a complicated situation." He rubs the back of his neck.

"I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Art with a minor in English lit. Maybe you can finally explain it to me." I move around him and explore the right.

The rooms are identical except for their red and yellow themes. Another bathroom with the same motif.

Curiosity sated, I walk the final flight and gasp. This is an entire floor made just for me.

From the wooden floors layered in boho rugs with interesting patterns, to the large window with pale gray panel curtains with a white overlay with delicate silver stars on top, it's paradise.

"Wow."

Warm egg-shell white walls covered with interesting pieces of landscape art, and macrame create a cozy environment.

Plants line the walls on bunny plant stands. A large, round, antique silver mirror hangs on the wall beside a glass and silver vanity table.

"How?" I shake my head awed. A large wicker chair straight from the eighties sits next to the window.

There's a hanging swinging chair secured around a thick beam. The main attraction is the four-poster California King bed. White fairy lights are tangled in the gauzy white curtains.

The billowy pale green comforter resting on top of the sheets peeking out from beneath it with a soft rose pattern is inviting.

"Like it?" Fell asks joining me.

"Who wouldn't?" I ask with a laugh.

"Keep looking."

Fell's excitement is contagious. I hurry to the bathroom and find a white sunken garden tub with steps. A beautiful floral meadow is painted on the wall beside the tub.

"You're responsible for this?" I'm touched.

Fell shoves his hands into his pockets. "When they asked me about your tastes, I had no clue it was for this, but I'm glad it can bring you some comfort now."

"Guys. You need to come to the basement." Cadoc stops me from further exploration. There's something about the floor that's nagging me.

"We found a meditation room," Kirk adds.

The Alpha's commands and deadlines return to the forefront of my mind. I leave the sanctuary behind and return to the main floor.

I approach the basement door, pause, then descend to the cellar where the others are waiting. The air is cooler here, and the massive floor is divided into several working parts.

Made to facilitate shifters, there's a spa area with a shower and a hot tub for those sore muscles and aching bones post-shift. A natural stone theme is followed.

Through the next door, I find a salt room. I admire the tan-themed stone, contrasts beautifully. Instantly I'm at peace when I stick my head inside.

Salt protects us from spirits, helps us breathe deeply, and supports our immune system. A jar filled with the nine sacred herbs.

Cones of what smells like vanilla, damiana, and sandalwood incense blended to induce visions sit in a glass bowl on the same shelf attached to the wall.

A circular incense burner and matchsticks sit beside it. I feel a strong pull toward the chair pushed up against the wall.

"Ylva?" I look at Kirk.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?" Kirk frowns.

"Yes. I think someone wants to talk." I feel removed from my body as my brain grows cloudy. The temperature in the room plummets and chill bumps break out.

"Everyone out. Give her the room." Cadoc ushers them out.

"Is that wise?" Kirk hesitates.

"What if she needs help?" Fell crosses his arms.

Cadoc squeezes my arm. "I'll be posted outside the door."

Allowing them to figure things out amongst themselves, I strip off my shoes and stockings and venture inside. The tiny grains of salt feel like sand on my feet.

I dig my toes in and inhale. Closing the door, I move to the shelf and light the incense, trusting the instincts guiding me. I know the old rituals, but I've never had cause to use them until now. Suddenly all of Fell's ramblings about our history are being put to good use.

The smoke drifts up, and I sing an old song. Eyes shut I lose myself to the rhythm and the haunting words. The rest of the world slips away.

Images of wolves running in a forest flicker in my mind. A long, lonely howl echoes through the trees.

I find myself in an overgrown grove of large ash trees. I move in a circle. Fluffy blossoms fall to the ground.

I reach my hand up to catch the pale green petals, able to interact with my vision. A large bloom falls into my palm. I peer down and find a silver coin in the center etched with runes around a howling moon.

The energy emanating from the piece is undeniable.

"Fenrir's Amulet."

I turn and find the Volva in the forest beside me. Another figure stands in the distance, shadowy and indecipherable.

"This is what everyone's looking for?" I whisper.

"Yes. And it seems to have found you."

Shadowy figures appear on the horizon. Blinded, by the sun high in the sky, I'm unable to make out details.

Surrounding me on all sides, they begin to close in. The coin disappears when the figures surge forward with war cries.

A bright light flares, and I stumble back. Heart pounding in my chest, I search for cover.

The ground beneath me splits and I scream. Above, the sky grows overcast, and the weather plummets. Another flash of light and the figures are closer.

I sink into the rotting ground, full of maggots. Looking down, I realize I'm slightly translucent. This isn't real. I'm still in spirit form. Snakes slither along withered branches.

I find myself on my knees with my arms bound in rope, the shadow figures standing above me victorious.

A sword lowers toward my neck. I jolt back into my body.

"What the hell was that?" Teeth chattering, I rub my hands up and down my arms. I need to see the Volva.