Page 18 of Mated to the Wolves

will make the pieces line up any faster.”

Only this trusted and revered elder could go toe to toe with the Alpha. I can’t help but admire her for standing her ground and advocating for me.

I throw the blankets off, squirming. “Why am I so hot?”

“That’s just the power settling in.” The Volva places a cool hand on my forehead.

“There are things I must attend to.” Alpha rises and stalks out with Alphonse behind him.

“You’ve chosen a rocky route, girl. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that.”

I groan. “No.”

“I’ll help get you through this first bit, but the rest you’ll do on your own. They want to know you’re worthy of the gifts you stand to receive.”

“Who?” I croak.

“The old ones who created us.”

My aunt returns with a carafe of water and a glass. I hide my glee when the Volva shoos her

away.

“The birth rates have dropped like a stone because our people have grown lazy and lacking. Back in the

day we fought for our positions and acted as a true community to survive. This modern age has spoiled

us. People have grown more concerned with things than pack, and they’re finally responding to our

ignorance.”

“How do we fix it?” Closing my eyes, I press fingers to my eyelids in attempt to ease my headache.

“A new set of trials are being put into place.”

“For who?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Not only you, but others vying to prove themselves. The winner will be in control of what’s left of the

wolves. I’ve seen it come to pass in my visions.” Glass clinks as she pours the water into a cup, and helps me sit up.

Holding the cup to my lips, she steadies me while I suck down half of the water.

“Easy. You don’t want to get sick.”

“How long was I out?” I lean against my headboard, settling in.

“A couple of hours.”

Mentally bracing myself, I get straight to the point. “What have you seen?”

“Stone. There are precious things hidden beneath the earth and many people are rushing to uncover it. Only the worthiest will gain the prize.”

“What is it?”

“I could never see it. The images came in bits and pieces, disjointed and hazy. The shadows

obscure many things. My time to walk among our ancestors is coming and my visions have become few.”

---