Page 39 of Blood of the Fallen
“What?!” Chepi exclaimed. “It would more than comfortably fit six pups.” She wore a deep frown that betrayed her anger.
“Could six pups live without their mother?” One of the older women asked.
My human side had been right, but how? How could she have intuited what my wolf hadn’t?
Because I’myou, dumbass!
I blinked, realizing that we were one and the same, and I should stop thinking I was made of two disparate parts.
Chepi opened her mouth to argue but shut it again, realizing her mistake.
I did it!
I’d won third place. I couldn’t believe it.
“Desna, Zenib, and Sheela, your dens met all the requirements. Congratulations!”
I slumped down in relief and let out a pent-up breath. I’d really done it. The first trial was over, and I couldn’t be any more relieved.
CHAPTER 15
DesnaandZenibshiftedback to their human forms. I followed suit, and a moment later, Nirliq slammed into me, wrapping her little arms tightly around my waist.
“I knew you could do it!” she said, grabbing my hands and twirling me around a few times. I laughed, allowing myself to feel proud of what I’d accomplished and suddenly feeling like I was truly becoming part of the pack.
The sense only grew stronger when Achak and Chepi approached me and inclined their heads respectfully.
“Well done, Sheela,” Achak said.
“You’re strong like your mother. I wish you the best.” Chepi smiled.
There was only sincerity in their voices and expression, and I was struck by how different their behavior was compared to what I would have seen at the Academy. I doubted I’d ever met an initiate who had admitted defeat with such grace. The magistrates and teachers had taught us that there was no such thing as third or second best. There was only first place, and everyone else was a loser. That sort of mentality had only bred animosity among us whenever a competition took place. There had been no companionship, only begrudging animosity.
Cheering the winners, everyone moved back toward the center of the camp. Nosh set to work immediately with a few helpers, stoking the fire and grilling meat and corn cakes for a celebration.
Someone else took up the drum. The kids started dancing in a circle, followed quickly by the adults. I watched from a distance, admiring how free and comfortable with themselves everyone looked. No one showed a drop of self-consciousness, and no one seemed to judge—no one except Desna who was staring daggers at me from across the way.
“You did great,” Ila said, appearing on my right.
On my left, Bethel followed. “You couldn’t have done it without us,” she said, then took a puff from a pipe.
I waved a hand at the smoke, which smelled woodsy. “What is that?”
“Kinnikinnick. Want some?” She offered me the pipe.
“The wildlings enjoy all manner of drugs that twist the mind and soul, making them more feral than they already are.”The Academy’s teachings echoed inside my head, which helped me make up my mind.
“Sure,” I snatched the pipe from Bethel’s hand, “I’ll give it a try.”
I took a drag then coughed, beating my chest.
Ila and Bethel laughed. When I could breathe again, I went for a second puff, but Bethel took the pipe from my hand.
“Only one puff since I assume it’s your first time,” the witch raised an eyebrow in question.
“Yeah,” I nodded, “it’s my first time.”
“Then don’t take anymore from anyone or you’ll turnferal.” Bethel winked and left, puffing away. Her hips swayed and the many bracelets around her wrists clinked together. She made her way toward Novuk, who grabbed her hand and pulled her into the dancing circle. Together they swung their bodies to the beat of the drum, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
