PROLOGUE
With only the flickering glow of the fireplace lighting the room, Rafe was unable to discern his mom’s expression. Next to the window, seemingly relaxed in the overstuffed chair, she pensively stared into the mesmerizing flurry of snow swirling through the night sky.
Quietly stepping into the room, he made every effort not to disturb her meditation.
“Have a seat and join me,” she said, still watching the falling snow.
Maybe it was the slightest difference in her tone, or the motion she made with her hand that caught his attention. Whatever it was, Rafe realized she had been busy processing something. Perhaps, she’d had a vision or some other deep thought.
Then again, with everything that had happened as of late, maybe she just wanted to spend a few peaceful moments with her son.
“A cold night, the first snowfall, a warm fire, and a hot chocolate.” Rafe handed her a cup. “It sure is relaxing,” he said even though he sensed the tense energy swirling around her.
“Thanks. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Great. Now what?”he asked his wolf.
Whenever she said it like that, thesomethingshe wanted to talk about was actually a much bigger issue—a potentially huge issue.
He let out a sigh and readied himself for bad news.
“What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve had a vision. It has come to me a number of times as winter approached, but I needed time to process it, to understand what it meant.”
“And? A premonition of bad news I take it?”
“No. Not necessarily, but I’ll get to that in a minute. First, it would be better if I explained what it is. Have you heard of the Odensjakt?”
Rafe marveled how Old Norse so easily rolled off her tongue, as if it was her native language. He shook his head. No, he wasn’t familiar.
“It means Odin’s Hunt in English,” she clarified.
“Ah, I think…maybe. A long time ago I heard a legend about it. Sorry, but I can’t remember any of the details. Anyway, if I remember right, it was just an obscure myth.”
“Legendary, yes. But not it’s just a myth. During the harshest winter of a generation, Odin chooses thirty of his trusted warriors, and thirty of his strongest wolves from Valhalla. These warriors are led by the powerful God of the hunt, Ullr and the winter Goddess, Skaldi. Mounted on wild black horses and accompanied by the wolves, they take to the skies during the blizzards which sweep the North.”
“But why? There must be a purpose.”
“They only appear to us, our kind, one pack each generation. And my visions have revealed to me it is this generation of Black Paw wolves which Odin has chosen for this visit.”
“Ullr, I know about. He’s considered a good guy, a hero. But Skaldi, isn’t she a negative entity?”
“Yes and no. Together they represent a balance, a reality of life during the harsh winter. Ullr is generous and shares his skills, and gifts, with both the worthy and the weak. Skaldi, who is at home in the ice and darkness, shows us the beauty which can be found even in a land which at first seems to be cold, and devoid of life.”
“Not exactly the most romantic pair.”
“Are you kidding? They complement each other, just like each of us in the pack need to do to survive, especially in the hardest of times. Without Skaldi’s appreciation of life in the face of darkness, we’d never be able to summon the generous and joyful spirit of Ullr.”
“So, what does this all mean? That your visions are predicting one of the harshest winters in a generation?”
“Yes, but it’s much more than just an omen. It’s an honor and a blessing for Black Paw.”
“The most vicious winter in a lifetime and a visit by a troop of Odin’s fiercest ghost warriors is a blessing? How so?”
“Because it’s an opportunity. The pack will be judged, or at least some of the wolves will be. But my visions are not yet clear on who they will be, nor what the reward will be for those deemed worthy. According to legend, the Gods will grant them a gift. Again, it’s not clear to me what it will be.”
“Judged? Against what standard? I mean, can we prepare for it?”
