AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And humans? We protect them. Like we protect the young and innocent. We’ve lost too many tonight, and you are our future,” said Kodiak. “One day you’ll be a leader, I can see that, and to do such a thing, you must forge your way by bringing old and new, and finding connections you never thought existed.”
Channing had been the last pup born into the pack, and that was nearly two decades ago. During times of peace, the pack focused on increasing their numbers, but naturally that hadn’t happened in a while. Their lack of pups strained the structure of the pack even more after all these losses.
“Sure.” Channing looked away, blinking furiously. “Like…like your human.”
“Like her. Off you go,” Kodiak said, turning. His gaze went straight to the limp form of Olcan’s wolf.
There was only one thing left for him to do—say his final farewell. Then everything would be set in motion so they could recover from the attack.
Of course, then there was Tamaska, the very person who mattered so much to him, who hung back, trying to help, not knowing exactly what to do.
Her gaze was helpless.
“Just keep out of the way,” he said, keeping his tone soft.
She nodded, and the air of hurt was something he wanted to soothe, but Kodiak doubted he’d get the time.
He needed to be everywhere at once. And soothing her right now wasn’t a priority. It couldn’t be. No matter how much he wanted it to be. His life was so far removed from her human world, he would understand if she wanted to leave. Still, he was glad she hadn’t fled. He was surprised she hadn’t succumbed to her fear of dogs as she’d done before. The fight had changed them all on so many levels.
Kodiak knelt next to the fallen alpha, resting a hand on his head. He closed his eyes and whispered an old wolf prayer.
“You’ll wander no more
The wild lands of earth
Your life is lived
Your prints remain
On our souls.
Go free into the spirit world
Know you led us
Into the future.
Rest now,
We will remember you
Each time we howl
As you look down on us
From the moon.”
A hand came down, comforting, there on his shoulder. He turned. Tamaska stood next to him. Her presence offering silent and unspoken support that meant more than she could ever know.
Slowly, he rose.
“You can take him now. Make the arrangements before first light,” Kodiak instructed Skoll and Onai.
Kodiak watched in silence as they carefully carried Olcan’s wolf away.
“Are you all right?” Tamaska asked, her voice soft and calming in contrast to the horrors echoing through the room.
“I should be asking you that the same thing.” He pulled her into his arms, stealing a moment of tenderness. She was soft and warm against his body. Exactly what he needed.
