The Shadow Wolf - Part 2

Ice devoured the land as far as the eye could see in varying shades of black and gray underneath the midnight moon. The ice formations stretched into the sky, and jagged edges and steep slopes danced along the horizon. The helicopter blades whipped the snow and ice into its whirlwind, devouring any remnants of visibility.

Taking in the stark beauty of his homeland, Kaj wondered why he was making the arduous journey back home. His heart wasn’t into this since he had no desire to verbally wrestle with his father over his decision to leave the main pack lands and travel to warmer climates in the hope of finding his mate. 

Returning to Grettis Falls empty-handed, he felt like the prodigal son and wondered if he would be accepted back. Would his father force him to start again as a gamma, or would he punish him? He could be demoted to an omega, but his strength had only grown over time. He could be the Alpha if he needed to challenge his father. 

Shuddering at that thought, he tried to immediately erase the images from his mind, fearing it might come true. After all, since his mother passed, his father had become a vindictive bastard. Before she left, his mother had managed to control his father’s temper, but unconstrained, he could force Kaj to be an omega out of fear of Kaj’s growing strength. 

Lost in thought, he felt the bump as the helicopter touched down on the ice patch, and the pilot yelled into the headset, “Exit on the left and step away from the copter as quickly as possible.”

It took Kaj a few minutes to unbuckle himself and gather his meager possessions before he jumped out and took off for the ice hut about a hundred meters away. Once inside the dilapidated hut, he took off his hat and gloves and packed them in his backpack. 

He quickly undressed, stuffed his clothing in the pouch, and shifted into his white wolf. Feeling like a trapped animal in the small building, he grabbed his bag with his teeth and pushed the door open. The frigid air didn’t bother his wolf as his paws hit the ice. Tane was ready to run.

Scanning the landscape for predators, he needed to start the last leg of this journey. It would be thirty kilometers over rough terrain during winter ice storms. He hoped he would make it to the pack lands before the storm’s full force blew in.

As his paws pounded underneath him, the steady rhythm calmed his restless soul. He wanted to try to make up with his dad and catch up with his two sisters, Aani and Rusa. 

‘I know. They’re the only reason we’re heading home,’ Taniale, his wolf, grumbled. Kaj had to fight with him to return. The last thing Kaj wanted to do was fight with Tane over his decision as they raced through the storm. Knowing they needed to stay focused on their changing surroundings. Fighting with Tane would not only make the journey miserable, but it would add an element of danger. 

Admonishing him, Kaj said, ‘Tane, don’t start again.’ 

‘I’m not starting anything. Just stating the obvious.’ 

Tane shut out Kaj for the next few hours as they raced under the perpetual midnight sky. He was on full alert as they drew closer to the pack. When they were a few kilometers out, he linked with the clan to announce his arrival. ‘Approaching, Kaju Tasiak. Entering pack land alone.’

His father’s voice echoed in his head. ‘Permission granted.’

Kaj wasn’t surprised that his father didn’t say, “Welcome home.” It would be a dicey reunion at best, knowing his father had a cruel and vindictive side that he wasn’t afraid to use as his temper flared at the simplest slight. 

The fur on the back of Tane’s neck stood up as several sentinel wolves rapidly approached him. Tane stopped in his tracks and waited for them to acknowledge him. Circling Tane, their growls grew louder as they bared their fangs. 

This was not the welcome party Kaj thought he’d receive. 

What the bloody hell was going on? His father just granted him permission to enter their land. He should have safe passage to the pack lands, not a warning party. Before he had a chance to react, he watched in horror as they crouched down into attack formation, and without warning, all six sentinels lunged at him.