Page 76 of Oath of Revenge

He swallowed hard, but couldn’t speak, his throat too choked with memories. He ran his hands over her head to check for injuries, but she was fine. He sighed in relief and groaned as he moved to his knees, then his feet, not releasing Scarlet’s hand. His head pulsed with pain.

Wulfric glanced over the crowd as everyone stood, but it took a few seconds to comprehend what he was seeing. All the turned Growlers were holding their heads. Some were retching, some fell to their knees with tears in their eyes as they sobbed. A few howled in anguish.

Wulfric blinked and pulled Scarlet into the safety of his arms. His mind went blank with what to do next, what to say, what questions to ask. He was paralyzed by the changes, but holding Scarlet kept him from panicking over his failure to lead.

She mumbled into his chest, “Too tight.”

He immediately pulled back, loosening his arms and sucking in a deep, shuddering breath.

“Are you alright? What happened?” She searched his face, then scanned down his body for injuries.

Pain still flowed through him with every beat of his heart, but it was dull and achy. An old pain that would never really go away. A familiar ache of lost family and friends.

“Wulfric?” she asked.

He looked down at her in bewilderment. “I–all my memories. They’re back.”

Her brows rose. “All of them?”

He nodded, dumbfounded as emotions swirled in him. He remembered his parents, his childhood growing up in the shop. He remembered being good with money and making deals for supplies.

He remembered meeting his wife behind the tavern, sneaking away from her parents, the fight with her parents over her hand. He remembered their baby girl and happy days singing in the tavern with his friends.

Then he blinked as tears ran down his cheeks. He remembered the fever that swept through the village. The death, the heartache, the loss. He choked back a sob and pulled Scarlet tight into his arms once more.

The old woman, an Elder, stepped closer with a soft, sad smile on her face, but Scarlet barely paid attention. She could almost feel the pain radiating off Wulfric. He swayed, and she held him up in her arms.

“It’s too much,” Scarlet said, seeking the eyes of the Elder woman. “He needs rest and healing.”

The old woman nodded and stepped toward the crowd.

Wulfric mumbled, resting his forehead to her shoulder with a sigh. “I’m fine, bunny, we’re both fine.”

Scarlet’s chest ached at the endearment as the Elder’s voice rose over the wailing.

“Tomorrow at noon, we will meet in the longhouse, and the Elders will explain the prophecy. For tonight, go back to your tents and rest. Remember and get warm. All answers will be given tomorrow, and the alpha will decide what’s to be done. All hail the rightful alpha Wulfric.”

“All hail alpha Wulfric,” the crowd murmured, shifting uncomfortably. Most still held their heads, snow now piling on top of them all.

Winter was supposed to be almost ending after this last cold snap. But now that the fight was over, she shivered.

Wulfric bowed his head to the crowd. “Thank you. I tell you now the same thing I said five years ago. I am here to serve and protect.”

The Elder woman raised a brow at them. “Alpha, do you have something to say about our guest?”

Wulfric growled and nodded, wrapping his arm across Scarlet’s shoulders and gripping her to his side. He took a deep breath, lifted his head, and stared at the crowd.

He stood proud and naked in front of the fire, full of vitality, virility, and confidence as he commanded the crowd’s attention. Blood covered his chest and face, but Scarlet found him all the more enticing because of it.

“This is Scarlet, granddaughter of the druid, and one of the most feared Hunters. She is an honored guest… and my fated mate.”

The crowd gasped and then whispered furiously. Several children pointed at her, and a few looked at her in fear. Wulfric’s voice rose over them all.

“You will treat her with the same respect you treat me. I know how you are feeling. I feel it too. When we were turned, we gave up our humanity, our memories, but they are back.”

Half of the Growlers didn’t appear affected but they looked warily at those who either held their heads or stomachs. Some stood with heads held high, openly weeping even as they looked to their alpha for guidance.

Pride made her see him in a new light. He had the same burden of leadership that Knox had. She recognized that same look in his eye as he addressed the crowd.

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