Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

H ome.

It felt like it this time to Astrid. After her mother’s death, her father had moved the pack so many times that the word had begun to sound like another language to her, foreign, vague, and just out of reach. But now, as she stood in front of the pink stone fortress of Svanna Rock with Erec’s hand in hers, a peaceful calm washed over her, bringing back all the sensations and memories of family and belonging that she missed.

This was where they were supposed to be. She could feel it in her bones.

Astrid glanced over at Erec, who was staring at the crystal wall, too. His expression, though, read conflicted and unsure. The skin between his brows was pinched, and Astrid wondered what plagued his thoughts. Was he thinking about what they had spoken about before—how they might be destined for each other and made to break the curse? Even she had to admit that when Erec first suggested the idea she hadn’t been sure what to do or say.

It had crossed her mind as a possibility, but wasn’t finding a mate supposed to be unquestionable? Wasn’t there supposed to be some kind of zing a person felt after finding their true mate? She hadn’t gotten anything like that. Nothing overly romantic or dramatic like she fantasized about growing up, but there were some things about Erec she still couldn’t quite understand. Like the strange pull she had toward him whenever he was near, or the sinking in her gut whenever he was in danger. Not to mention that when he kissed her, her mind turned to mush.

Although there was no certainty in those things, Erec could still be her other half. It was a possibility. Astrid had never been in love before. She didn’t know what it was like.

What if this is it?

If only there was a way to be sure. Standing under the Blue Moon, hoping not to die, was nerve-racking. She had a chance at a future, at least, and that was more than she had a few days ago.

Excitement buzzed inside her at the thought of Erec by her side, running through the forest on a warm spring night, their wolves finally free to take their form whenever they wished. They would chase the river like she and Filip used to do as children until the ground ended and the water spilled off the side of the earth into the large ravine. She couldn’t know for sure what life with Erec would be like, but it wouldn’t be boring.

Astrid gave Erec’s hand another light squeeze, wishing the connection between them could somehow transmit her optimism into him, but his grip remained loose. She wanted to tell him she was afraid of what was to come, too.

Erec’s shoulders fell, and he expelled a loud sigh.

“Home…” he whispered, his tired gaze still roaming over Svanna Rock. “Is this what a home looks like?”

All the joy Astrid had been feeling drained away, leaving her chest empty and aching. She hadn’t even thought about how Erec might feel when she had uttered the word. He didn’t know what home was; besides his brief time in Mikel’s pack, he’d never had one. Not really.

Erec would have a home now. Her father would make him pack after everything he had done to rescue the survivors and protect their people. Not forgetting that he also saved her life from Claus and Jerrick’s other two scouts. Her father had to welcome him. Had to. Especially if they were going to be mates. Father would overlook Erec being a rogue and accept him. He would allow all the others to stay.

Saying it to herself did little to calm her jumbled nerves. Her father had always been unpredictable, and now with his mind wandering, who knew what his reaction would be.

Astrid’s eyes prickled with tears, but she blinked hard to hold them at bay. She didn’t want to think about her father’s sickness anymore. It hurt too much.

The warmth of Erec’s touch reminded her that everything wasn’t lost. She had him; she had Filip and Mila and the pack. There were all the new friends she’d made as well, like Stefan’s mother, Dana, and Henrick. Sparks of hope flared to life again behind her ribcage, and she tried desperately to keep them ignited. Things were going to be all right. She would repeat it over and over until she was blue in the face if she had to.

Everything was going to be fine.

“Do you think your father will accept them into his pack?” Erec’s voice yanked her out of her thoughts.

Astrid paused, biting her bottom lip. Had she let any of her musings slip out of her mouth, or was Erec somehow on the same wavelength as her? The first explanation seemed more reasonable.

“He should,” she started, putting on a big smile. She hoped it would be enough to convince him.

Erec’s brows rose, proving his disbelief, and immediately her fake grin faltered. “Should.” The concern on his face only intensified, and he let go of her hand. “You really don’t think he will, do you?”

“He’ll have to,” she said, trying to keep the worry from her tone. “He’ll welcome all of you.”

Erec ran a hand over his stubbled jawline in frustration. “I don’t care about me. I can take care of myself.” Then his voice dropped to a low rumble. “But these people haven’t eaten or had a good night’s sleep in days. They need somewhere safe to go. They need a pack.”

The doubt was starting to set in again, but she shoved it aside. Everything’s going to be fine, remember? Yes. Yes, it was.

Astid nodded, more certain this time. “Father will make you pack, too,” she replied firmly. “And everyone else. He will. He’ll understand.”

Erec grunted. “That’s what I’m afraid of—relying on Boden understanding.”

Astrid opened her mouth to respond, but movement at the corner of her eye caused her to swallow her words and look up. At the front of the group, Bec waved his hand, wanting to claim their attention. “We’re here,” he shouted to them, “but where’s everyone else? They were supposed to be here by now. Are we meant to meet them somewhere else?”

Erec nodded for Astrid to follow him. They walked over to the massive stone pillars. At first glance, the rocks’ smooth, clean faces appeared fragile, reminding Astrid of glass. Even her skewed reflection stared back at her, like some kind of distorted mirror—red hair, freckles, and all. When she stepped closer for a better look, thousands of sparkling pink flecks winked back at her, despite the low light. It was one of the most remarkable things she had ever seen. Erec had said Svanna Rock glowed even more at night. She couldn’t wait to see it.

Wondering how the surface felt under her fingertips, Astrid reached out her hand. Was the stone as warm as it appeared? Or was it slippery and as cold as the air around it? She wanted to know.

“Don’t!” Erec’s shout jarred her. She jerked her hand back, heart pounding.

“What?”

“Don’t touch the rocks. They may be smooth, but those corners—” He pointed to one of the straight edges— “they’re deadly. Extremely sharp.”

That was close. “Oh…”

Erec shook his head and let out an exasperated breath. “Everyone stay close to me and don’t touch anything.”

Uncertain and a little nervous to go on, Astrid glanced over her shoulder at Bec, Kalle, Claus, and the others. Each member of the group wore the same look of apprehension—everyone except Henrick, who gave her a stiff nod of encouragement.

“Astrid—everyone, stay close!” Erec’s warning turned her back around. Her stomach dropped. He was already feet ahead of her, his quick strides lengthening the distance between them. She didn’t know what other secrets Svanna Rock held; she hadn’t even been here for more than ten minutes, and she had almost cut herself. Astrid rushed to catch up to him.

Some of the rocks were as gigantic as forest trees, stretching to the skies. The most amazing thing, Astrid thought, was how they all stood side by side, pressed against their neighbor, creating a beautiful yet menacing barrier. There was no way through the crystal pillars, and from what she could see so far, no way around them. They seemed to go on forever, an impenetrable wall of razor-sharp stones. Fear slithered across her skin.

Erec slowed and waited for her to come to his side before offering her a small smile. His expression turned mischievous. “Do you trust me?”

Astrid bit her bottom lip, trying to muster up some bravery. She wanted to trust him, but this was a colossal barricade with no way through or around. Unless he could somehow sprout wings and fly, there was no way this was going to work. “Erec…”

“You have to trust me.” He began to walk backward, toward Svanna Rock, but his teasing gaze never left her. “Come to me, Astrid.”

She took one step but then halted cold. Erec was gone. Vanished before her eyes.

Astrid’s heart thundered. He had been right there in front of her, only feet away. Right there. She’d been watching him the entire time. Was she going insane? “Erec! Where are you?”

“Keep coming forward.” His voice echoed nearby, distorted and shaky as it reverberated off the rocks. “Remember what I told you.”

“I can’t see you!” Reaching out a hand, Astrid took another step but pulled back her fingers when they got too close to the pink crystals.

“I’m here. The reflective surfaces create illusions. Nothing will happen to you. I promise.”

Illusions? As she squinted at the rocks, her vision hazed over and everything shifted. Wait, is that…a break in the wall? It couldn’t be. Her eyes had to be playing tricks on her. If only it was night and she had her wolf with her now. The keen eyesight would have come in handy.

Suddenly, a hand was on her shoulder and Bec stood beside her. “I don’t like this, Astrid,” he said, carefully. “You stay here. I’ll go first.”

“Erec said I’ll be fine.” Annoyance pinched at her. Did everyone believe she couldn’t do a thing on her own? Hadn’t she proven herself enough? “He says he’s right there.”

“I don’t like this,” Bec repeated. “It looks like you’re going to walk face-first into a wall of sharp rocks. I promised your brother I would keep an eye on you, and I—”

But she didn’t bother to hear the rest. Taking a deep breath to extinguish her lingering fear, Astrid shrugged off Bec’s warning and his touch. When she blinked, the rocks seemed to move before her eyes, creating a temporary cavern. Like before, it was gone as quick as it had appeared. There was only a solid wall staring back at her. She tried to swallow past the tightness in her throat, reminding herself that she could do this. No problem.

It’s just an illusion.

“Keep walking,” Erec’s calm voice echoed ahead. “I’m right here.” A silhouetted figure materialized, and slowly its features emerged, too—Erec’s blond hair, tilted smirk, and stormy blue eyes looked back at her. At first, she thought he was trapped inside the stone, but the longer she stared at him, the clearer things became. Erec was standing in the middle of a small opening, a sliver of space between two of the pink rocks.

“Just stay focused on me,” he repeated. He took her hand in his. Erec’s grip was stronger this time, more confident and comforting than it had been before, and in an instant, all the tension inside her melted away. “See? I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

“You did.” At least he thought she could do things on her own. Erec could have led her through the entrance, hand in hand, like a parent with a child, but instead, he had let her discover it on her own. He’d known she could do it, and that belief in her was all she had ever wanted. A tingling warmth began to grow at the center of her chest, and she smiled.

Erec waited for the rest of the group to meet up with them before continuing through the passage. Astrid’s eyes struggled to keep up with the changes around her. It all made her head pound. Every once in a while Erec would guide her left or right, depending on the path’s curve. She had no clue where they were going, but the pressure of his hand was enough to relax her. Erec seemed to know exactly where he was taking them, and Astrid did trust him.

How had the pack known to come this way? It would be close to impossible for a person to figure it out on their own.

“Did my father know about this?” Her voice rebounded all around her, leaving her ears ringing.

“I told Filip. Marked it on his map,” Erec replied. “I found it the hard way years ago. Same with those sharp edges.”

Astrid winced just thinking about it.

“Svanna Rock is probably the safest place for your pack right now,” he went on. “It was a good choice by your brother. Not many people know about its secret.”

She paused, her stomach flipping. There was more? “What secret?”

Astrid’s next breath froze in her lungs as the walls ended, and they were standing in a vast, open clearing. She gawked at the size of it. All around, in a protective circle, was a wall of sparkling pink crystals.

Erec stood by her side, smiling. “There’s an inside.”

Several tents had already been put up. Fires roared, and the mouthwatering scents of cooked meat and boiled fish filled the air. Axes chopped into tree logs for the start of cabin walls, and nearby, children laughed as they jousted with sticks like swords. So much commotion but so much joy. Astrid saw it on every person who rushed by, their hands full of supplies from the wagons. The air was buzzing from the pack’s excitement. Astrid’s insides hummed along with it, too. Everyone could feel it—the promise of home, of peace. This is where they were meant to be.

E rec couldn’t look away from Astrid, even as the rest of the group filed in behind them. Her childlike wonder and enthusiasm was infectious. Refreshing. He couldn’t help the grin lifting his lips. That was just another thing he admired about Astrid. Everything about her was so…genuine. He had never met anyone like her before.

She turned to him, her green eyes wide. “Why do they call it Svanna Rock? Do you know?”

He nodded, thinking back to the stories he’d heard over his travels about the place. “Tale says this is where Maurus lived, the wolf spirit we descend from. This was his palace of sorts.”

She gasped. “Really?”

Erec chuckled. “You know the legend from there, I’m sure. Everyone does. Maurus killed that innocent woman in the mountain out of jealousy, and when he came back to his home, his mate was dead. The sky spirits punished him for his deed, and all of his kind.”

Astrid held up one of her hands with the blue markings twisted around her fingers and palm. “Oh, I know that part well. Now we must find our true mate and stay with them under the Blue Moon to break the curse.”

“Exactly,” Erec replied. “But what you might not know is that Maurus’s mate was named Svanna.”

Astrid’s mouth fell open.

“That’s what I’ve heard anyway. Who knows if it’s true.” Erec shrugged. “Travelers like to weave tales to pass the time during long nights. There’s no way to know for sure if Maurus was even real, is there? They’re all stories.”

Henrick strode over to them. “We made it! Safe and sound,” he said. “It’ll be nice to have a home again.”

There was that word. Home. It irked something inside Erec every time he heard it. Maybe it was because he didn’t know what made up a home exactly. Was it a large space? Dwellings? Having basic needs met? He wasn’t sure.

“What should we do about the loon?” Henrick asked, pointing at Claus’s half-conscious form in Kalle and Bec’s hold.

“We have to bring him to Filip,” Erec said, “and explain to him what happened with the other scouts.”

Bec and Kalle exchanged uncertain looks.

“What about Boden?” Bec asked. “Shouldn’t we bring Claus to him?”

Oh, that was right. The alpha. As part of the pack, everything was supposed to go through him. Erec would much rather speak with Filip. He was more reasonable of the two, especially if Boden was still struggling with his sickness. Talking to the alpha would be a waste of time, and Erec wanted to know what Jerrick was up to and fast. Who knew how much time they had until he found out where they were and attacked.

Was there a way Erec could get around pack rules?

The loud crunching of boots in the snow snapped Erec’s attention left, and his muscles tensed at what he saw. Boden’s massive frame marched toward them. He looked more like a colossal brown bear lumbering across its territory than a wolf shifter, with his mess of coppery hair, wiry beard, and broad shoulders. He carried an axe bigger than any weapon Erec had ever seen before. It had to be hefty enough to take down a mature pine in a single chop.

Erec sighed. Great. Just who I wanted to see right now.

A few of the survivors gasped. The alpha’s intimidating presence was everything like the stories told. He certainly did look like a powerful, callous warrior. If only they knew he wasn’t nearly the man they thought he was.

When Boden’s piercing gaze landed on Erec, anger pinched his red face. There it was again—his alpha wolf aura pressing against him, commanding Erec to submit. Because it was day, Erec’s own wolf was dormant, but that didn’t stop him from meeting Boden’s glare head on.

Not very smart, since you’re hoping to be welcomed into his pack.

But Erec hated the way Boden looked at him, like he was worthless, the lowest of the low. A no one. He was allowed to think like that about himself but not Boden. He wanted to prove him wrong.

The standoff ended, though, as soon as Astrid rushed over to her father and wrapped her arms around his middle. Boden’s entire body eased, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as she squeezed him.

Even one of the most feared men of their kind was a kitten when it came to Astrid.

“Father,” she whispered into his vest, her words muffled by the fabric. “I missed you.”

Erec knew what she meant by the words. The last time they had seen Boden, he’d been talking to the sky with a distant look in his eyes, his mind gone. He had hated seeing Astrid screaming at him, heartbroken.

Boden pulled back, holding her by the arms, and looked her over. “Look at you, shining like a little star. My Astrid.”

“Father…” she warned and stepped away from him. “Please don’t.”

His laughter thundered. “All right. All right. I’m just relieved to have you home. Safe.” His attention snapped to Erec again, and the coldness returned to his stare.

“My son said you were going to rescue some of Jerrick’s prisoners,” Boden began, straightening his spine to appear even taller. He spotted Erec’s bandaged shoulder, and his nostrils flared. “What happened?”

Erec hesitated, not sure how to respond. He needed to figure out how to tell the alpha what had happened with Claus and the scouts without really “telling” him what happened.

Boden’s grip on his axe tightened as he waited for an answer. “Well?” he growled.

Suddenly, Astrid was between them. “Father, Erec not only rescued the survivors, but Jerrick’s scouts had been watching us nearby and—” She paused. “They chased me. Erec saved me. Because of him, we’re alive. Because of him, I’m alive.”

Boden’s top lip curled up, his anger radiating off him like heat from a fire. “I told Filip. You should have never gone. Jerrick’s scouts? You could have been killed, Astrid.” His scorching glare whipped toward Erec. “She should have never gone.”

Oh, I know.

“Are these them?” Boden asked, swinging his axe toward Henrick and the others.

“Yes,” Erec replied. “There’s about a dozen of them.”

“And who is this?” He gestured to Claus the same way.

“One of the scouts who chased me,” Astrid chimed in. “He’s Jerrick’s right-hand man. Or should I say dog.”

Another threatening growl rumbled in Boden’s throat. “How do you know this?”

“Erec recognized him,” she said.

“He was the one who knocked me out the night of the attack on Mikel’s pack,” Erec added quickly. He didn’t need Boden thinking they had a connection other than that. It was obvious the alpha still didn’t trust him.

“You should have killed him,” Boden huffed.

“Believe me, I thought about it.” Erec gritted his teeth. “But killing him means we lose the only connection to Jerrick we have. Claus has information. He knows Jerrick’s plans, and the more prepared we are the better. We’ll be able to stop him.”

“He’s right, Father. Claus will know everything about Jerrick,” Astrid said. “Listen to him.”

But the scowl on Boden’s face didn’t lift.

“Father,” Astrid started, tone firm, “Erec has done a lot for us already. We should trust what he says.”

Most alphas didn’t like to be told what to do. Erec had only had three encounters with Boden the Warrior, and those few were enough to confirm that he was no different.

The alpha was quiet for a long moment.

Finally, he heaved a sigh. “Bring Jerrick’s mutt to my tent. I have some questions for him myself.”

Claus’s head snapped up. Terror flashed across his face as Bec and Kalle lifted him up. They carried him off.

“Father, what about the survivors?” Astrid asked, regaining his attention. “They have to stay here with us.”

“They’re strangers, Astrid,” Boden retorted, his tone harsh. “It was a risk even bringing them here.”

This wasn’t going to go as easily as Astrid claimed. Boden was never going to accept any of them into his pack.

“They’re harmless,” Astrid shot back. “Do they look threatening to you?”

Erec didn’t need to glance over to know each one of the survivors appeared dirty, cold, and malnourished. What was Boden afraid of?

His anger sparked to life. These people wouldn’t hurt anyone. They just wanted a place to stay and feel safe and maybe some food. Only a heartless monster would deny them that.

Astrid pounded the shaft of her spear into the snow. “All I see are some poor, hungry people who need a pack. They need our help.”

“I don’t expect you to understand, Astrid,” Boden replied. “I have to protect my people.”

“Are you serious?” Erec shook as fury spiraled through him. He couldn’t stop the bitter words spitting from his lips. “I thought you were Mikel’s friend, his ally? Yet you turn away his people when they’ve done nothing but come to you for your help?”

Boden’s eyes widened, and Erec could bet every other face around them mirrored his surprise. It was one thing having the alpha’s daughter confront him, but an outsider? A rogue? It was unheard of. Challenging an alpha could result in death.

But Erec didn’t care. He’d gone through too much in the last few nights to let Boden—or anyone for that matter—cast them aside like spoiled meat. The alpha didn’t need to give him a thing. Days separated him from his last Blue Moon and his death. He didn’t care about having a pack; he had survived this long without one, but there was no reason for him to throw out twenty innocent men and women who had been through hell by Jerrick’s hand. None.

Boden raised his axe. “How dare you!” he roared. The skin around his eyes and mouth rippled as his rage pushed his wolf toward the surface. His alpha aura smacked into Erec so hard this time, it knocked the breath from his lungs. “I’ve had about enough of your disobedience—”

There was a blur of silver, and Astrid was between them again, the sharp tip of her spear pointed at Boden. Her chest heaved, but her weapon never wavered.

“Enough, Father!” she barked. A fierce determination clung to her brow. “I won’t let you hurt him. Put your axe down.”

Boden was frozen in place, taken aback by his daughter’s defiance. Erec couldn’t believe what he was seeing, either. Astrid had pitted herself in the middle and had chosen him over her own father.

“Erec deserves to be here with us,” she said, unmoving. “He’s helped us more than he had to. If he goes, so do I.”

Erec’s heart stopped. Icy fear ricocheted through him. Did she know what she was even saying? Desert her pack—for him? That was insane! “Astrid, no. You can’t. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

But she didn’t move an inch. Her expression stayed as hard as stone.

His stomach somersaulted. He couldn’t let her do this. “Astrid…it’s all right. I’ll go,” he whispered. Not knowing what else to do, he reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll go.”

She remained completely still with her narrowed gaze locked on her father.

The tense moments dragged by.

Finally, Boden’s axe lowered, and the wrinkles around his mouth deepened as he frowned. Then, he uttered the words Erec never thought he would ever hear from him. “Get them settled with the others.”

Boden’s heated glare drifted back to Erec, and he let out a threatening growl. “All of them.” The alpha walked away before anyone could say another word.

Erec stood there, stunned into silence. Had that really just happened? Pain sliced through his chest, and he realized he had been holding his breath throughout the entire thing. He drew in as much frigid air as his lungs could hold, but he still couldn’t manage to do anything but blink, mouth agape.

It wasn’t exactly the “welcome home” he had always dreamed of, but compared to the catastrophe he had expected, he’d take it.