Page 33 of Wolf Alliance

She didn’t figure they would run as far as she would with Erik tonight, especially after having fishing lessons earlier. She suspected they would be ready for bed tonight and not give the nannies any trouble.

They had run through the woods for some time when the lead guards suddenly slowed down and stopped. She suspected they had heard or seen trouble in the forest. The guard hairs raised on the nape of her neck and down her back.

Logan and the other guard wolf’s ears were perked up like hers and the boys’ were. The guards behind them had turned around and looked off to their rear. The guards on their flanks were facing out, circularly surrounding the wolves.

Then Logan and the other guard wolf tilted their chins up and howled. She lifted her chin and howled too. The boys followed suit. She loved their little howls. She hoped there was no need for concern, but she worried there was and now she regretted the decision to take them on a wolf run like this, despite it being broad daylight and running on pack territory that should be safe.

She licked each of their faces to make sure they weren’t afraid. She could smell their anxiousness, even Thorfinn’s. She thought they should return, but the men weren’t moving, and she suspected they felt they could protect them better if they stayed where they were.

But then they heard horses coming in their direction. Her heart and the boys’ were beating like crazy. Were the riders friend or foe?

Logan howled and someone coming in their direction howled back.

They saw a dozen riders and a half dozen wolves, Erik in his white fur coat leading the pack. This was the second time he had come to her rescue from villains, though she still hadn’t seen or smelled anyone else in the area. He looked magnificent, a leader of men, a wolf to fear.

An arrow whizzed toward them through the trees and instinctively, she flattened herself against the ground, barking at the boys to do the same. She felt her first real sense of fear. She attempted to appear brave in front of the boys, but they could smell her anxiousness.

Another three arrows shot out overhead and the boys skittered. Hendrie whimpered. She nuzzled him and the other pups to show them she was there for them. Five more arrows were set free and then Erik’s clansmen sent their arrows through the woods to hit their targets and hopefully take out the brigand archers.

She suspected Erik’s guards hadn’t done so before because they had been waiting for additional support to ensure they could hit a target. Three men cried out in the woods several yards away and a couple of horses rode away from Accalia and her party.

Erik’s men began shooting back. More horses galloped away from Accalia’s party. Then some of Erik’s men rode off after the brigands in hot pursuit.

Erik, Logan, and the other wolves stayed with her and the boys, which she appreciated. The boys were scared, and she feared for their safety. The men who surrounded them on horseback remained stationary.

After what seemed an eternity, one of Erik’s men who had taken off after the archers howled, letting them know it was safe to take her and the boys back to the castle. She hoped he wouldn’t be upset with her about running with the boys, even with a guard force, and put them in harm’s way. These men were bold. She knew Erik was angry. Hopefully, he was furious with just the men who had attacked their party.

When she saw the castle towers, she had never been so relieved to see a fortification looming before her. They reached the castle gates and ran into the outer bailey. It was one thing to be concerned about the men protecting them and herself, but the little ones were her charges, and she had feared for them. Erik licked Accalia’s face, and she realized he wasn’t upset with her. She licked him back and then nuzzled each of the boys. They were panting, looking worn out.

Erik barked at them to stay at the castle, and Accalia inclined her head and ushered the boys into the keep. She figured he would go after the brigands and ensure his men weren’t injured. To get the boys’ minds off the scary wolf run they’d had and onto what they could do in the future to protect themselves, she would elicit help to teach the boys archery skills.

They probably knew some, but after what they had witnessed a short while ago, she suspected they would be eager to practice archery to protect their clansmen and themselves in the future.

She took them to their chamber and then hurried off to hers. Once she had dressed, she returned to their chamber to check on them. They were dressed but sitting on their beds looking worried.

“Come. We’re going to archery practice.”

They brightened and rose from their beds. “Da will be vexed with us for getting into trouble on the run,” Thorfinn said.

“‘Twas no’ our fault, but the men’s who attacked us.”

“Where is Da?” Johnne asked.

“He went to help his men take down the brigands who were shooting at us,” she said.

“Did he say we can practice archery?” Hendrie asked.

“Aye, though I believe he thought we would do it at another time. But after what happened, I think this is a good time to practice our skills. I need to practice them too.”

“We can beat her,” Thorfinn said to his brothers, sounding sure of himself.

She laughed. “Aye, you probably can. Let’s go find someone who can help teach us archery.”

Johnne led the way down the stairs and out of the inner bailey where men were building the wall. “Rob can teach us.”

“Teach you what, lad?” Rob asked, scratching his red beard. He glanced at Accalia and winked at her.

She felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. She wasn’t used to men plying their charms on her. At home with her pack, her da wouldn’t allow it.

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