His room was vintage themed.Old paintings and artefacts littered on the wall but no personal item was in sight.The bedsheets were under the bed the only evidence of the activities of the previous night.
''I better start working,whatever he does should not be of my concern.''
Noises from outside brought me out of my cleaning trance and I could not help but run towards the direction of the noise which was the huge windows in his room.
Below was a group of young wolves whom I assume were being trained and the noise was from their cheering.In the middle were two men spurring,Ryker and a man I had not yet seen.The size of his body was a dead giveaway that he was a top warrior.
As I walked down the hallway,I heard whispers.
''Have you seen the new girl ? ''
''I only caught a glimpse of her when she was being taken to her room.''
I followed the voices which led me to the pack kitchen ,the shock plastered on their faces was enough proof that they had not expected me to appear in their presence.
I cleared my voice.
''So where do I air these beddings ? ''
''Behind the house ,there is a hanging area.I'm Emma and that's Melissa we are usually incharge of kitchen duties.'' Came a voice from a brunette headed girl.
''Thank you. And kindly address me as Trixie not the new girl.'' And with that I left through the back door .
''Melisa one of these days your big mouth will land us into trouble.''
The hanging place was breath -taking.It was a nice place to escape the world.The fcolorful flowers with pretty butterflies on them were to die for.
''You need to get those checked out ,''came a silky voice which made me loose my footing.
Expecting the incoming crush ,I fell on a pair of steady arms.
''You should be more careful,we would not like you injuring yourself more.''
As I opened my eyes,a pair of blue eyes paired with a nice smile greeted me.He carefully placed me down and stretched his hands.
'' You can call me Will.I am the pack doctor and I really insist on treating those bruises on your wrist.''He said.
Instinctively ,I held out my hand,I do not know how we reached what appeared to be his working space.
''I do not think I got the name.''He came again
''Tri..Trixie .'' I stuttered.
''So Trixie the alcohol will burn,but I need to disinfect those before wrapping them up.''
''SSss''I hissed.
''I warned you, it would burn .'' He chuckled and continued dressing my bruises.
''In three days I recommend you come here.''
''I guess you're not much of a talker.You may go now .I would not like to make you more uncomfortable.''
Fleeing the site was an understatement.I was practically taking off , my heart beating 1000 times faster.
I slammed on a hard surface due to the speed I was in.
''Watch where you're going young miss.''
I looked up.It was the man that was sparring with Ryker.
''I'm Eric,the beta and bestfriend of Ryker.Speaking of him.He said you should meet him in his room.''
''Al-alright .'' I squeaked
His bedroom door was slightly open.I still knocked, nonetheless.
'' Come in.'' Came his grunt voice.
Ryker stood next to his wardrobe,his hair loose , water dripping on his back.
He had a toned body,gotta give due where it belongs.
'' What was your name again ? Tr-Trixie.Did I get it wrong ? ''He said, ending with a jeering laughter.
''Acting all cute in front of the doctor would be futile.'' He sneered at me.
The more I interacted with this man the more I hated his guts.
''You summoned me.'' I mastered my most polite voice.I could not risk the man who held my life by a thin thread.
''We are going for a run.I assume you have shifted.''
''Yes ''
''Alright then meet point at the backyard .I assume you're familiar with the place.''
And with that he turned his back to me once more.A clear signal of my dismissal.
Nervous was an understatement.I could still remember the pain I went through from my first shift.I hoped the second time would hurt less.
Soon a couple of other wolves had assembled.All waiting for their Alpha.Even the pack doctor,Eric, was here.
''We head South.'' Ryker shouted and with that howls filled the air as they shifted.
Here goes nothing.The pain was not less but I could bare it.
The only thought in my mind .
'' I hope I do not die along the way.''
The other wolves were fast like really fast,they were one with the forest.
I could feel the harsh breath intake in my system.
I was going to pass out sooner or later.
I guess later was closer than I thought.
I met with Eric's concerned face.
''Are you alright,you passed out and Ryker had to carry you.'' He explained.
My blood went cold.Ryker had carried me.
''Calm down Trixie ,you might end up having a panic attack.''
Eric patted my back gently.As if the day could not get worser Ryker was next to us.
''I mean rather than being a burden you could have said you are not used to intense runs.'' Sarcasm laced his words 'The harshness enough to make someone cry.
''let's head back we cannot afford more mishaps.''He shouted to the rest.
When almost everyone was out of sight,Eric nudged me.
''Do not take it to heart,he can be an ass but it's for you own good.Next time speak up.He might be rough but he does not subject anyone to forced activities.''
''Let's head back,slowly this time.''He held out his hand together with a warm smile.
By the time the we reached the pack house,almost everyone had retreated to their homes.
As I passed past his room,I heard the shower running.
Maybe I was just a bad luck hotpoint just like my family had said.
Trisha’s lips pressed into a thin line. For a heartbeat it looked as if she might lash back,but instead she drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders and stepped back toward the door.“You’ve made yourself clear,” she said coldly. Her eyes flicked once, briefly, to Trixie’s rounded belly and then away. “I won’t disturb your… peace.”Trixie didn’t move. Her face was carved from stone, but inside her chest her heart thudded with the ache of old wounds reopened. She let the silence be her only reply.Trisha turned on her heel, her boots echoing down the corridor until the sound faded.Trixie stood in the torchlight, the flames painting her reflection across the chamber walls. For a moment, the memories threatened to pull her under — her father’s stern face, Trisha’s easy smile at his side, her own hunger for approval that never came. But then, faint and steady, another sound reached her.Laughter.The laughter of her pack, carrying through the stone walls. The thrum of a drum, the howl
The packhouse looked lively,with the torches lighting the night along with the glow from the fullmoon.The courtyard brimmed with life — pups darted between the legs of warriors, elders sat in circles trading stories, and laughter carried high over the stone walls.At the center of it all stood Trixie. She wore a pale cloak fastened at the shoulder with Ryker’s hand-forged clasp. Her pregnancy showed plainly now, no longer a secret to guard.Ryker remained at her side, one hand always close, as though his very presence was a shield. He looked younger today, softened by the light in his eyes.When she raised her hands, the crowd fell silent, the stillness almost holy.“You gave me everything in war,” she said, voice steady, strong. “Your blades. Your courage. Your hearts. And together, we won back the Ridge. But now… I ask for more. I ask for your peace. Your patience. Your hope.”She touched her belly. “This gift I carry belongs to all of us. A sign that our future is not only forged in
The keep’s hall had not seen banners since before the war. Tonight, they hung again — deep crimson and silver, the colors of Trixie’s line. Torches burned steady against the stone walls, their light flickering across faces both weary and hopeful.Only a select few were gathered. Captains. Elders. Friends who had bled beside her and lived to see dawn. Lana stood near the front, her walking staff carved with fresh runes of blessing. Droco, broad-shouldered and scarred, leaned against a pillar with his arms folded, his dark eyes softening only when they flicked toward Trixie.At the far end of the hall, Trixie stepped forward. She wore no armor, only a long cloak clasped at her throat, its folds falling open as she reached the dais. Ryker walked at her side, steady, silent, his hand briefly brushing hers before dropping away.The room hushed.Trixie rested both palms against the carved oak table before her, her voice carrying clear in the hall.“You followed me through fire,” she began. “Th
The packs buried their dead. Watchtowers were manned. Patrols resumed. The Hollow were gone , for now. But no songs rose, no feasts were held. Every soul knew how quickly silence could turn to screams again.In the keep, Trixie shed her armor and walked the halls like a ghost. She gave orders, signed reports and spoke to captains with the same steady tone she always had but each word felt heavier now. The war was finished, yes, but something else had begun inside her.When the council chamber finally emptied one evening, Ryker lingered in the doorway. He didn’t speak until the room was theirs alone.“You’ve carried us through it” he said softly.Trixie didn’t look up from the map she was pretending to study. “We carried each other.”He crossed the room, stopping behind her chair. His hand brushed her shoulder, grounding. “Don’t do that.”“Do what?”“Make yourself smaller than you are. You ended a war. You deserve to breathe.”Her throat tightened. She let the silence stretch before answ
Nights were never silent since the war.Stone carried every sound the murmur of sentries, the scrape of boots, the low groans of wind pushing against old shutters. But in the corner chamber Ryker had claimed for them, the noise faded to something softer, almost like a lullaby.They lay tangled together on the narrow cot, armor discarded in a heap that smelled of iron and ash. A single candle guttered at the bedside, throwing their shadows tall against the wall.For once, Trixie was not wrapped in the commander’s mantle. She lay with her back pressed to Ryker’s chest, his arm curled over her, hand spread warm and protective across her stomach. The gesture might have seemed possessive, but it wasn’t , he was guarding both of them with nothing more than his palm.“You’re awake” she murmured, half-drowsy.“I don’t sleep much when you’re this close” he said, his voice roughened by fatigue but threaded with affection. “Feels like wasting time I’ll never get back.”Her lips curved faintly, tho
The Hollow came at dusk.The pack held the ridge line, shields braced in a jagged arc against the downhill charge. Steel rang sharp in the thinning light, sparks scattering like fireflies crushed under boot.Trixie was there at the front, as always. Armor cinched, sword at hand , her voice cutting through the chaos with the steadiness her warriors clung to.But Ryker, fighting a pace to her left, noticed what others could not.Her blade still struck true, but slower. Her parries came half a beat behind. Where once she had darted like a hawk between gaps in the Hollow’s swarm, tonight her movements were heavier, each step more deliberate.The Hollow pressed. One surged high, jagged claws aimed for her throat. Trixie caught the strike but barely. The counter that should have been swift and lethal faltered, her shoulder dipping as though the weight of the world tugged her bones.Ryker moved before thought. His axe split the Hollow’s skull with a crack that echoed, ichor spattering across