Prologue

851 AD

The first snow of the winter was building on the horizon, casting out its tendrils of freezing winds to clear the way. Harvest was well and truly over and the men had returned from their hunting trips to now help with the final touches in securing the Pack's dens for the winter. The season could be cruel here but the wolves had learnt how to fare against the harsh conditions without the aid of the human settlement some fifteen kilometres to the south. 

But that was because the Northern Star pack had something that other packs didn't; their Luna was a witch.

The fated union between a werewolf and a witch hadn’t gone down smoothly with puritans but sixteen years on, Ulf and Estrid had defied all odds and united their pack. Their love for each other inspired unity and peace amongst their people while their tenacity and bravery was what drove them to protect their people. 

The sky was turning as the sun began to dip. Pastel oranges bled into soft blues as the shadows  grew longer and darker, cutting across the frozen ground as pups raced home for dinner and the young maidens ushered the goats and chickens into their pens. Warriors stood above the mouths of the dens, eyes watching for trouble. A few left their posts to assist the older wolves with bringing in their animals or helping them to the den entrances so they could head into the warm darkness away from the cruel hand of winter. 

However, while the pack made preparations to head in for the night or to spend the night guarding their land, Estrid was going against the flow. 

In her arms was a little girl no more than one years old, her body bundled up in furs so the cold couldn’t nip at her delicate fingers and toes. No one paid the Luna and her daughter any mind except perhaps to smile fondly as the dark haired spellcaster and her blonde-haired babe stolled towards the edge of the treeline. Two warriors followed but hung back a respectable distance to provide the pair as much privacy as was safely available. Estrid didn’t mind though as she came to a stop not too far away from the first line of trees, blue eyes bright as she cooed to her child. 

“Here we are my little wolf, daddy and your brother will be home soon.” Estrid spoke as she knelt down, ignoring the bite of the frosty ground against her knees. She shifted the baby so she was facing the woods while holding her close to her chest, the little girl gurgling and babbling. “Let’s see if we can spot the wolves while we wait.” 

It wasn’t their wolven cousins that Estrid was referring to, or others like them who were blessed with two forms. Only a few could see these wolves naturally and even fewer could communicate with them. They were as dark as night and yet moved like smoke or water in a stream. They could disappear into nothing at the slightest hint of light and yet grow and multiply at times like this when the sunlight waned and twilight crept in. 

For Estrid, the wolves in the shadows were family. They protected her people and asked for so little in return except to be loved. They were vicious against enemies, the shapeless assassins and spies that could penetrate the defences of any threat whilst also providing aid to those that they obey. 

A faint shuddering in the shadows hinted at the appearance of the wolves. They moved cautiously, looking to avoid the last of the dappled light that fell between the pine trees. Slowly their forms took shape like watery images of beasts, their bodies floating and swirling like smoke and mist. Behind the witch, the warriors shifted uneasily, still not used to seeing these curious creatures. 

“Look, Signe! Do you see them?” Estrid cooed to her daughter, pointing to the first of the shadowy figures that stepped out from the roiling mass.

Signe let out a delighted squeal which had the wolf’s ears pricking forward in curiosity while the little girl kicked her legs in the air. The wolf moved slowly, head dropping close to the ground and Estrid was sure she could see the creature’s nose twitching just like a real wolf’s nose as it scented the air. Behind him three more wolves appeared, holding back as their leader took cautious steps towards the mother and child. It wasn’t that the shadow feared them but rather, he didn’t want to spook the little girl who had her blue orbs set on him with wonder. He could tell she would be his future queen and so didn’t want to spook her when she was so young. 

“Did you watch over the men, my friend?” Estrid spoke up when the wolf came to a stop a few feet away, dropping onto his belly in a sign of submission. 

We did. They are just passing the temple now.

"Thank you." Estrid smiled, looking down at her daughter. "I think Signe likes you. I have never seen her so active." 

She is precious. She will be our queen some day. The wolf's tail wagged. We look forward to the day she can run with us. 

"Soon." The witch agreed with a soft smile.

Some of the shadows began to dance like excited pups, their excited yips filling the air as a giant blonde man stepped out of the darkening tree-line followed by a smaller version of himself. Despite the winter months being on them, both males were golden like the husks of wheat and barley. Their white blonde hair matched that of the little girl babbling in her mother's arms. Ulf was much taller than his son and bulkier with muscles crowding his limbs and torso. His chiseled facial features could easily make the gods jealous and his blue eyes were topaz blue and as hard as ice as they surveyed the world around him, daring anyone and anything to defy his dominance. 

Upon seeing her father and brother, Signe let out a giggle. One day she would join them as they hunted or patrolled the land. Ulf would teach her how to stalk her prey and fight. But it was Estrid that would teach her how to tame the shadow wolves. 

"Hello little sister." Erik cooed leaning down as Signe reached out for him. He scooped her up from her mother's arms, bouncing her on his hip. "I swear you were smaller this morning." 

"Hm, soon she will be too big for you to carry." Estrid smiled as she dusted her hands off on her green dress. 

"Pfft! Never!" Erik announced, blue eyes sparkling with joy as he turned to show off his sibling to the young shadows that pranced around him eagerly. 

Estrid gasped when strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against a hard body. Heat emanated from Ulf like he was a furnace, his head dipping so his pink lips could capture hers in a greedy kiss. The young witch couldn't help but shiver with excitement as her mate's attention consumed her. She would never get bored of her male's love nor would she tire of his affections. She could spend the rest of her days wrapped up in his arms, making love over and over. 

"My moon, you are cold." Ulf murmured against his mate's lips. "You should be inside with the others." 

"I wanted to show Signe the wolves." Estrid replied, nipping at her male's plump bottom lip. "Plus she missed her father." 

"Hm, she certainly looks like she missed me." Ulf teased, both adults eyes turning to their daughter who was reaching out, hand stretched out to try and touch one of the shadowy hounds. 

A fleeting shadow lifted its head towards the little girl, its snout brushing against Signe's dainty little fingers like a cold feather making Signe giggle excitedly while the wolf wagged its opaque tail. 

"Come, it's time to head in." Ulf announced. "I am famished." 

Estrid smiled and gave a nod, ushering her children towards the den before turning to watch the shadows head back towards the safety of the forest. 

"Thank you for watching over us again." She gave a small nod to the last wolf. 

Of course. The shadow replied. Anything for our queen.