Should you always stand your ground, or is it better to know when to bow down?
Chapter 12
"Step away," Caldar called out. "Get back to Astrid."
But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead of throwing Vali towards the snapping, hungry teeth of our Alpha, I yanked the slender male with surprising ease behind me. Chin jutting out, I planted my boots firmly in the snow and made it clear I would let no harm come to our guest. The scouts hesitated at my decision. Hati, however, snarled and snapped his teeth so hard together, the sound resounded around my skull.
"He came to be heard," I said, my voice stern, while my legs trembled.
Facing up to my mate was terrifying even if I knew he wouldn't hurt me. The darkness in his gaze as he stopped a breath away from me, so close his nose nearly touched my own, had me fighting not to submit. I was his mate, I reminded myself, his equal.
A puff of warm air billowed against me with his every breath, and still I stood my ground, refusing to remove my gaze from his. I tried not to waver as another growl tore from the depths of his chest, the sound vibrating into my very marrow. It both sparked exhilaration and sent a jolt of fear up my spine.
"I think you should hear him out," I said. "Find fault with anything he says or does and I will happily help you do whatever you want to him. He shouldn't have hidden from the patrols and toyed with Caldar. He knows that, don't you Vali?"
The male spluttered behind me before managing to choke out, "Yes, I know. I apologise. I'm a creature of habit, I just couldn't help myself."
Hati's blazing gaze cut to his uncle, and Vali quickly ducked back behind me again.
"Habits can be broken of course!" he offered, clutching onto my sleeve.
Another chuff from Hati. I could smell Vali's fear, but I didn't take pleasure in it like my mate did, though he did seem to be thinking on my words or I imagine he'd have attacked by now.
"This is madness, Alpha, you can't be thinking of allowing him inside our walls." Caldar came striding over with his hand gripping the hilt of the sword at his hip as if he wished to use it, rage and disbelief drawing his expression. "Darkness clings to him like a second skin. I can smell it. He'll only bring us trouble and grief. Even if he's done with Sköll, there are others he might pass on our secrets to who would seek to cause us harm."
"That may be," I agreed. "But that doesn't change the fact he deserves his chance to speak."
Something flickered across the Beta's expression. Shock perhaps. He wasn't the only one; the warriors still backing their Alpha in fur snapped and rumbled unhappily. I didn't understand myself why I was sticking my neck out for a known killer,
Brother killer.
Oighrig had warned me about his arrival but was that enough for me to cast him out?
No. I couldn't. If we didn't allow those who'd made mistakes to have a chance, we were no better than the Gods.
"Where else could he have gone after what Odin cursed with but to Sköll?" I murmured, searching my mate's gaze for some chink in his armour. "You're proving now you wouldn't have taken him in. He might have killed, but we know under what circumstances. They aren't much different to yours, Hati, a ghaoil. Let him plead his case, then make your decision, it doesn't mean we have to trust him."
My skin crawled as Vali peered over my shoulder. "I know Sköll is planning an attack. A distraction. It would be dangerous if his plan succeeded. I know about his eyes here too. I could help you find them."
Hati span away on paws, leaving deep prints in the snow as he fought with himself. His head shook side to side, lips peeled back to show fangs as he debated which course to take. When he swung back, there was a tilt to his ears that I thought meant it was time to back down, step out of the way, or risk having to fight to defend Vali, but then he gave a rough bark and jerked his head towards Caldar.
"This is a grave mistake," the beta grumbled, stepping around me to take a hold of Vali.
Two others approached to help, and I reluctantly stepped aside to let them drag Vali within the gates and towards the Meeting hall. The scouts traipsed back inside too, a few coming close enough to rub against me, and I made sure to thank them for running about the forest for so long. Astrid went back inside too, after rushing forth to rub her cheek to mine.
"Vali can fix whatever he did to Farrin, convince my stubborn cousin to think of that," she whispered, sinking her fingers into the light fur of her mate who seemed as displeased as Caldar with my decision.
Meeting Farrin's gaze, I promised. "I'll find out what he did and how to fix it. I really don't think he meant any harm."
Farrin wrinkled his nose then began to nudge his freezing mate inside the castle so I was left alone in the snow with an Alpha who still paced back and forth. I stood quietly as he worked it out for himself, feeling relief when he finally shifted to skin and it wasn't anger deepening the lines around his eyes, but concern.
"Did he touch you?"
"No. He wouldn't dare." Brushing blond hair back from his face, I gave him a wry smile. "Whatever he knows about me, however I managed to open that portal in Sköll's rooms, I think he's slightly frightened of me. Did he lie about being alone?"
"Not as far as I know." Hati cast a scowl back down the road before scooping me into his arms and pressing his nose against my neck so he could breathe deeply of my scent. "Once I realised the trails belonged to one wolf, we started making our way back. I would never have believed you if you told me Vali was who we would find. I've only met him a handful of times, and none of the interactions were entirely pleasant. He may be named for one of Odin's son, but Vali is Loki's child through and through, more than any other. He is conniving and-"
"I'm aware he's not to be trusted."
Calloused fingers gripped my chin to tilt my face up. Teeth nipped at the exposed skin of my throat first, gaining a gasp that seemed to soothe some of Hati's ire as he pulled back. "I understand why you stood for him. Yet, even if he tells us truths, he will fill it with falsities and half-lies, so much so we will be less sure of where we stand than we do now. We can let him have his say, but then I think we should hand him over to Odin. Those of Asgardr will be able to draw the truth from him."
I lowered my gaze and nodded. I knew when I'd bargained for all I could. In all honesty, I felt better about the idea of handing Vali over to Asgard than the once-god would probably have liked. I'd done my part though. I'd saved his life, which meant I was no longer indebted, and that made me feel better. However, I was still unconvinced Vali wouldn't prove useful, because he was privy to Sköll's plans, and he might be willing to do things others on our side wouldn't. Including Hati. I wasn't above using tricks and deception if it meant keeping our pack safe.
"Lets get out of the cold. I need to convince the council of your plan but I want to speak to Vali first." Hati gave me a look, one that told me he didn't relish the idea and that he was doing it to save my skin. "If Vali stays, Eabha, for however long he does, he is your responsibility. Any mess he makes will be yours to clean up. Do you really want to vouch for him?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I. . .I don't know. My gut is telling me to. He's your kin."
Hati scoffed and slid his hand into mine. "And let us see where helping family gets me."
And he thought I was the pessimistic one.
Inside the hall, two Vargr accompanied Vali alongside Caldar who stood brooding by the fire. Harald, one of the council members, and another male who bore an intricate pattern of scars on his skin like prized tattoos, looked impossibly behemoth next to where Vali kneeled between them. Given loose trousers and a tunic, he appeared a little less feral, his blond hair pulled back in a thick braid that revealed the mottled skin along one side of his face. He'd taken a beating recently. I hadn't noticed that outside. Had Sköll done that?
Vali's dark eyes glittered as Hati and I walked into view, and he smiled up at us as if greeting close family, and not his current captors who held his life in their hands.
"Nephew." He beamed at Hati, twisting to wave a bound hand from behind his back. I wasn't sure rope was enough to hold him. "What a welcome I have received. Not even an offer of food or drink? Or a chance to dry off by the fire? You've broken the rules of hospitality; your parents would be most displeased." Vali sniffed, while Hati stiffened next to me. "And you, Eabha. I know the laws of your people too. Especially during harsh weather, you welcome guests into your den whether they be friend or foe, with the promise no harm will be done, is that not so?"
My nose scrunched. He was right. It was common custom to share your fire and food with the agreement of peace for the duration. Even the humans in the Highlands back home held similar customs; if someone came to you seeking sanctuary, it was to be offered, but I felt I'd covered my end of that bargain. Now he was inside, we couldn't harm him.
"He's right," I admitted grudgingly. "It's one of my people's traditions, and I'm on the council to make sure my kin's traditions are adhered to as well, yes? We can't have him tied up. . .not yet anyway."
Darkening amber eyes whipped to me with so much accusation, onlookers might have thought I'd agreed to join Vali in some conspiracy against our Alpha. It just so happened Vali was wiser than he let on, maybe he had to be, because I was certain he was used to having to weasel his way out of sticky situations such as these. He looked entirely too comfortable on his knees, hands tied behind his back, with hulking warriors ready to take him down should he so much as twitch.
"Very well," Hati suddenly said, smiling despite the billowing rage in his eyes as he motioned to the Vargr. "Untie him. I won't have my mate's traditions ignored if that's her wish."
I didn't like his sudden change in demeanour, nor the smug way he carried himself over to stand before his uncle. Harald and his companion glanced nervously at each other before crouching to obey their Alpha, one holding the rope while the other used a knife to cut it loose. They backed up quickly once it was done, their eyes flicking to me for guidance, but I was none the wiser about what Hati was doing.
"Get. Up."
Power radiated from him at his simple, clipped command, and electricity fizzled in the air with the threat of violence.
"Hati? Don't do anything you might regret."
He ignored me.
Infuriated, I looked to Caldar, motioning to our Alpha in the hopes he might intervene, but the Beta watched on as if he couldn't wait for this to be over.
My lips pinched together. Fine. If they wanted to act rashly, and risk angering an opponent as scheming as Vali, they could, but they then owed me a pass at doing the same in future.
Despite all that rage being directed at him, Vali didn't hesitate to meet it. In fact, he rolled his eyes in apparent exasperation and rose with cat-like grace to his feet, rubbing at his wrists as if he'd been tied up long enough for it to chafe.
Helpless, and not willing to risk getting in between the two, I hoped maybe they might shake hands and make up, and that neither would make some jab towards the other that would cause the tension in the air to implode in catastrophe. They might as well be strangers to each other, but their similarities in height and expression were undeniable. Both tall and blond, with sharp eyes and high cheekbones, it was clear they were blood even if there was no love lost. But the indifference as they eyed each other was chilling.
Blood meant nothing to either of them.
With an almost bored tone, Vali shook out his arms and straightened. "One hit, that's all you get."
I frowned. One hit?
"That's all I need," Hati replied gruffly, and then he swung his arm back and pummelled it into the side of his uncle's face.
Even Caldar flinched as Hati's fist connected with a loud crunch, followed by the thud of Vali hitting the floor. He groaned and rolled onto his back with a bloody grin, chuckling even while he shook his head, blinking as if to clear his vision of stars.
Hati rubbed his hand, issuing one last biting growl before turning on his heel to come back to my side. Glowing golden eyes remained locked on the stone floor, avoiding my disapproval which he could probably sense as I bristled.
I gave the dazed male on the floor one last glance before snatching up my mate's hand, rubbing a finger over already bruised knuckles.
"I'm not impressed, Hati," I muttered, offering my mate a scathing look. He didn't care. Not anymore than Vali did.
"It's alright, mate of my nephew, I have a hard head," he drawled. He managed to stagger to his feet but swayed dangerously, grabbing the shoulder of the stricken Vargr on his left. He cast the young male a hungry look. "You stay right there, handsome, in case I need some support."
"Leave him alone, Vali."
Hati chuckled as he realised my voice had joined his, but even after punching his uncle, he didn't appear any more settled. There was still a wildness to his aura, a glint of wolf in his eyes. He caught me staring, and slid his arm around my waist as if affection would gain him forgiveness. When it didn't, he huffed and narrowed his eyes back on Vali, who was wiping blood from his face with the edge of his tunic.
"You can eat and drink once you've proved your worth, and if you do, you may stay here. Betray me, Vali, and I will kill you. There will be no sweet words or offer of truths that will save you."
Caldar muttered from behind us but didn't speak out.
"And your council will allow this?" Vali asked, sobering up remarkably quickly.
"As much as it would be preferred to have their support, I am Alpha." He squeezed my hip, amending, "We are. And what we say, goes. You better have something of worth to share, Uncle, or when I take Eabha to Freyja, I won't be going alone. Maybe Odin will decide my father is in need of brotherly companionship. . ."
I cast my mate another glower of disapproval for using such a threat, but it worked. Vali paled, and I maybe even caught a tremble in his hands before he fisted them by his side.
"You might want to take her soon then, nephew. Sköll's plan is to hit Asgardr, and soon. You won't want her there when it happens. If he ever gets Eabha within his grasp again, he won't let her go."
"Why?" I asked. "You must know."
"All I know is this, even if Ragnarök occurs, your existence somehow means the gods will have a chance to survive it, even if Yggdrasill burns to ash, you will keep the connection between worlds."