A Crown of Thorns

Chapter Seven - The ways of the wolf

The beast's movements were swift from under me, his once floppy ears pressed back against his head as he coursed forward through the snow. The wet mush fell from the overtop trees and landed on my silver hair, blending in with the long locks as they breezed behind me, the lengthened strands blending with the wolf's ashen grey tail.

My child lay before me, whimpering as her tears froze to her cheeks, she remained reluctantly silent as I pressed her against my naked bosom. Her tears stained my chest as she silenced herself by suckling from my engorged chest. I smiled stiffly as I held her to me, her head nestled against the crook of my arm as the beast swayed between the trees. His fur was enough to keep the blistering cold at bay and yet I sensed the urgency in his movements as he ushered forward, desperate to seek a source of warmth.

“I’ll have to keep you by my side,” I said fondly as I gripped the scruff of his neck to remain balanced on his back.

My words seemed to please the wolf as he released a pleased chuff, his eyes sparkled with a joyous wonder as he pushed a final time through the thicket of trees. I could sense that we were no longer within Rezel’s territory, instead, the wolf’s incredible speed took us miles away from where the sun had yet to reach. The brisk speed of his massive legs fascinated me as we swiftly covered the ground, covering hours of travel in just a short amount of time.

The snow appeared less thick here, with a thin sheet of sleep covering the grasslands, the air was lighter with a hint of evergreen hanging within the air. I lifted my body weight from the back of the beast and peered over his head, the scene before me captivated my attention as trees made from a blackened bark towered over us, leading to a large, aged building. The building stood strong with floor-to-ceiling windows made from a thinly crafted crystal. The aged stone blocks that made up its foundation were taller and thicker than I could ever imagine.

My breath stuttered within my chest as I took in the incredible craftsmanship of the towering structure.

The beast stopped in its tracks as he released a loud, ear-piercing howl. The sound was powerful as it coursed through the air, shaking the treetops as it vibrated throughout the surroundings. His call was answered by other, less powerful howls, the respondents charged forward eagerly with their smaller paws pacing through the lush vegetation beneath them.

I stared wide-eyed at the many wolves that surfaced from behind the surrounding trees, their fur was dark in colour, the texture seemed soft, similar to the beast I rode upon. Their eyes were dark, much like the night sky. The beasts were territorial wolves, designed to protect their alpha and offspring. I glanced down at the beast beneath me curiously, wondering if his massive size indicated that he was their alpha, it would explain his size and overwhelming strength he had over others. I knew he wasn’t like the others before us, as a lethal ability lay dormant within his soul, an ability to control the fire element, it was a truly destructive nature that his oppositions naturally feared.

“You’re finally back,” a voice called as a tall figure peered through the dense vegetation.

This is the alpha? I thought uncertainly as I glanced from my beast to the man before us.

The beast nodded beneath me, sensing my thoughts as he lowered his massive head towards the man.

I peered skeptically at the man before me, he had an air of arrogance to him that set off alarms within me. I lowered my weight against the wolf so his scruff hid my presence. The man before me disgusted me, the image of him made my skin crawl as I was forced to recall Rezel and his sickening touch. I hated those who took on a human appearance, they were all vile creatures who sought to taint and defile everything within their wake. The man before me would surely be the same.

“You have been gone for weeks,” the man snapped, annoyed.

I hissed at his voice as his words were drawn out, his green eyes ran over the back of the wolf until they sought out my presence, affirming a thought in his mind.

“Hmm, you’ve brought back a maiden,” he said coyly as he smirked.

“Die,” I hissed, my thoughts reaching the wolf beneath me.

My eyes glowed a fiery red as I reached within the beast and pulled the fire from his very core, I wanted to burn the man before me, to watch as his sickening smirk melted away along with his flesh. The distrust within me grew, alerting the wolf who carried me on his back, his senses heightened as he grew attuned to my emotions. His paws clawed into the soil beneath him as he bore his canines at the red-headed man before us. A fearsome growl erupted from his massive chest as he warned his alpha to keep away.

“You can’t be serious, Arius,” the alpha sneered, annoyed at the beast’s anger.

“Arius?” I thought curiously.

The name seemed to suit the massive beast.

“It suits you,” I affirmed, pleased.

“Take this feral thing inside,” the alpha snapped, displeased as he turned his back on us, seemingly no longer interested in the scene before him. “Find a room for the woman,” he shouted as he raised his hand in the air, dismissing the wolves that surrounded us.

“Would you kill him if I asked you to?” I murmured curiously, not expecting Arius to take my words seriously.

“Chfft,” Arius chuffed as he lowered his head in agreement.

I stared at him surprised. Arius purred in delight as if the thought of carrying out my desires pleased him. I smiled at the obedient wolf, I felt a close connection to the beast, as if he were the only one I could rely on now as if he would protect me from even Rezel.

“There is someone I want dead,” I thought, my words entering his mind. The beast nodded knowingly as he pressed forward.

I wanted nothing more than to rely on Arius, the beast who took me from the embers of my prison and whisked me away to where I’d hoped Rezel wouldn’t find me and yet there was a reluctance within me, refusing to rely on the strange beast who happened to wander my way.

I cannot trust anyone; I thought pitifully just as unconsciousness overtook me.