Awakening Ember

By Meraki P. Lyhne

The belief in the old gods of Norse mythology may have been suppressed by Christianity, but that doesn’t mean the races of old didn’t survive. Like the Vargr wolves.

All his life, Matt had been alone with his mom, but the Vargr in him responds quickly to meeting his pack. His relationship with his lover Rasmus evolves, and he’s grown tight friendships with the other Vargr pups.

Matt has also started Alpha training and is being taught and guided in what that means for him and the ember that awoke in him far too early.

Pack Alpha Steffen keeps a close eye on their new pup and the powerful ember Matt arrived with. It worries him—not just for Matt but because of the lore and history of how the Vargr pack Sköll Hati had gotten their name.

He senses trouble on the horizon. When Matt’s ember reacts violently around a Geri Freki Alpha, Steffen must step in and step up. The trouble that lands on his doorstep is but the beginning of whatever he fears lays ahead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meraki P. Lyhne
• Release date: Feb 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9788793966284

Meraki P. Lyhne

Meraki P. Lyhne, real name Martin, is a Danish author spanning multiple genres and pseudonyms. Meraki P. Lyhne mainly writes contemporary paranormal LGBT fiction with various degrees of romantic heat, some with a HEA, some with a HFN, and some with white-knuckling cliffhangers. Mostly, he writes long series with focus on worldbuilding, action, and something epic.To make sure no one is ever confused about what kind of book they're about to pick up, the surname will guide you.Lyhne writes gay fiction (with various degrees of heat).If the surname is mirrored on the cover, it is het-fiction (with various degrees of heat).If both are on the cover (like the logo), it is bi-fiction (with various degrees of heat).Information is best found on his website.Other than that, he’s a single dad to a teenage boy, the happy companion to a Rottweiler, and he lives in a very small village next to nowhere.

Book preview

Et billede, der indeholder tekst, bog Automatisk genereret beskrivelse

Table of Contents

Title Page

Awakening Ember

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

About the Author

Awakening Ember

The Vargr #2

Meraki P. Lyhne

Awakening Ember

1. edition

Copyright © 2021 MarLau Publishing

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ISBN 13: 978-87-939662-8-4

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Edited by Laura McNellis

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Find more about the author

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MarLau Publishing

Denmark

This book is a work of fiction.

That means I made shit up. All of it.

This series is set in the same universe as the Cubi, but it’s low-throttle in hotness in comparison.

It is not necessary to have read the Cubi before reading this series.

But it certainly helps.

Both series must be read in order.

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The belief in the old gods of Norse mythology may have been suppressed by Christianity, but that doesn’t mean the races of old didn’t survive. Like the Vargr wolves.

All his life, Matt had been alone with his mom, but the Vargr in him responds quickly to meeting his pack. His relationship with his lover Rasmus evolves, and he’s grown tight friendships with the other Vargr pups.

Matt has also started Alpha training and is being taught and guided in what that means for him and the ember that awoke in him far too early.

Pack Alpha Steffen keeps a close eye on their new pup and the powerful ember Matt arrived with. It worries him—not just for Matt but because of the lore and history of how the Vargr pack Sköll Hati had gotten their name.

He senses trouble on the horizon. When Matt’s ember reacts violently around a Geri Freki Alpha, Steffen must step in and step up. The trouble that lands on his doorstep is but the beginning of whatever he fears lays ahead.

Chapter One

The wind and frost bit Matt’s body and feet as he whisked through the woods, running with Vivi. Although she was no longer a pup, she was still Matt’s Alpha trainee partner, since the training didn’t stop merely because one had grown into their Vargr form and risen to Alpha. And she, too, was barefoot.

They’d grown quite close over the past year since her rise, and she’d grown stronger as an Alpha.

Vivi laughed and sped up, and Matt followed as best he could. Seriously, with the focus they’d put into his running training, he’d have to be able to rank among the fastest in the pack at some point. Except Klaes. There was no way in hell anyone could get to be that fast, ever. He might be the size of a VW Bug, but he raced like a fucking Porsche.

They cleared the woods and ran into the open field. Yggdrasil came into view up ahead. Leaning against the trunk, their Pack Alpha, Steffen, stood with a stopwatch.

Home stretch, and Matt gave it his all, fighting to ignore the pain in his lungs and the sharp sting of frost to his otherwise numb feet, while he fought to find what would convince his brain that his body was far from tired enough to need to stop.

The sight of their goal helped, and Matt shouted in angry determination and wrung out the last his body had to give for the final sprint. But he’d already pushed himself hard, and there wasn’t much to gain from it.

Vivi sped up, too, yet Matt didn’t mind losing to her. It wasn’t about winning—it was about pushing and keep pushing, even when tired.

He made it there, passing the tree to not lose time from slowing down. His foot found a root, and he took a tumble in the snow, ending up spreadeagled and heaving for air.

Come on! Vivi laughed as she hauled him to his feet and brushed him off.

You’re shaving off good time. Steffen looked at the watch and noted something on his small notepad.

How much? Matt asked.

Steffen grinned. From when?

Last race.

Uhm... Steffen looked through the pages. "I can tell you that you’ve shaved off a full five minutes and thirty-three seconds from the first time. That had been almost a year ago. That was pretty good. Not wanting to tell him his time at the beginning of the week had to mean he hadn’t improved much there, and the long-term improvement number was more positive to know. Steffen looked at Matt and Vivi. So...any bets made?"

Not dumb enough to do that with her. Matt pointed at Vivi, who laughed.

Only with Klaes? Steffen asked, amused.

Well, that’s fun because he can outrun everybody, but he has to be outwitted, not outrun, and I’m sure he’s learned to contemplate what I’m saying when butchering the Danish language.

Well, that doesn’t work anymore, Vivi said. You sound like a native by now.

Matt beamed. But the shivers took over as the Vargr running side began to shut down.

Come on. Steffen set into a slow jog, and they followed him back to the old Alpha house.

Klaes stood by the wood stove that emanated wonderful heat, making coffee. Come get warm.

Matt and Vivi huddled up in front of the stove, snuggling against each other and holding their hands out toward the radiating heat.

The no-shoes thing had evolved, and this winter, they were without jackets, too. Sweaters or hoodies at the most. At least Vargr didn’t get frostbite as easily because of their regenerative abilities. Also, during runs, they ran warmer overall, but it was still frigging cold. Matt’s feet could take a lot more now compared to the first winter, and he’d noticed that the discomfort had helped push his mentality and kept pushing him as his body and mind moved the boundary of what he could endure.

Slowly, Matt and Vivi got warm enough to no longer hug each other to share body heat, and they could turn to face the stove. Matt was sure she hugged him to help, considering she was a bitten Vargr now and thus far less troubled by the cold than he was.

It’ll be summer soon, Vivi said.

It’s not even Christmas.

Don’t burst my bubble. It’s a good mind trick.

Okay. We’ll go surfing next weekend. It’ll be summer then.

She laughed. Deal.

"How are my pupsicles?" Steffen called from the adjacent room.

Matt and Vivi exchanged a glance. Unimpressed by our Pack Alpha’s level of dad-jokes, Matt said.

Vivi and what sounded like four Alphas in the dining room laughed loudly.

Come have coffee, Steffen said, still chuckling.

Matt and Vivi tore themselves away from the lovely wood stove and left the door open to let heat in as they joined Steffen, Klaes, Carsten, and...Freja! Matt sent her a brilliant smile.

Oh, no, I’m officially your aunty, so come here. Freja stood, waving him over.

Matt went to her, sucking warmth from her body as she hugged him tightly. He wanted to prolong the hug, but they were there for schooling, so he found his seat and gratefully accepted a cup to warm himself.

The reason why we’ve stepped up your running is because a year into an Alpha training program, we do Alpha runs among the trainees of all packs, Steffen said. "You’re younger and were bitten later, so we’re trying to help you, if you go this year."

Matt perked up. Alpha runs were for Alpha trainees from many packs. The goal was to see who could pull the most pups or even other trainees. Matt so needed running training before attending one because also bitten Alpha trainees ran at those, sometimes. Thank you.

I know your dad bites you often. That’s why first bond is so important. Steffen pointed to Freja.

Matt could definitely feel the Vargr in him growing strong, yet his bond with Freja wasn’t strong enough yet to have felt her among the Alphas in the dining room. Then again, he hadn’t tried, and he had to actively search for a bond to feel anyone but his dad, Klaes, and Brian. The two tank brothers bit Rolf so often that the bond between Rolf and Matt made it easy to connect to them as they were pack members. We’re making up for lost time, yeah.

Soon, you’ll be a big brother, Klaes said. Lots of snuggle time with those two pups will strengthen you, too.

Matt smiled. He looked forward to it, but the twins wouldn’t be born until summer, since Rebecca was only three months pregnant. Having learned that a Vargr mated to a human woman would stimulate her ovaries to produce twins, sometimes triplets, as a general rule, was awesome. Matt couldn’t wait to meet them.

Oh, they’ll be snuggled, alright. Matt grinned at Klaes. Maybe enough to be your size.

Klaes laughed. I seriously hope not for them, considering the babies smell female.

Yeah, that would be awkward. But joy filled Matt at getting baby sisters. He’d have more than Rasmus and his baby siblings to read to. The runts didn’t understand half the stories, but they listened and colored mandalas that Rasmus made for them and photocopied, while Rasmus worked on either a school project or a painting.

Regarding Alpha runs, they start in April, and then we go on a tour, Steffen said. Carsten is the Alpha dealing with Alpha runs. Since you took my advice for a sabbatical, you’ll leave on Thursday mornings and return on Friday evenings, giving you some time with other packs.

A sabbatical year was just what Matt needed after finishing ninth grade of public school. It allowed him to focus on his Alpha training fully, and he got to read all the books he wanted. When not mentally too exhausted from the training, at least. He had time to bond with his dad, roam around the garage with him and Torben, fixing up the bikes and Matt’s scooter.

But Matt was no closer to figuring out what he wanted to do after that. What he wanted to study. It’ll come, they kept saying. Vivi said it would come once he’d looked inside himself to find his purpose—the one that could override the ember that was still a problem to control when his uncles came up. Or fascism and everything else that seemed to pose a threat the likes his dad had been subjected to. Matt figured it was a projection of the same problem. At least that made sense to the ember that sometimes warmed him, and other times burned him.

What are the main differences between a pup run and an Alpha trainee run? Matt asked.

Steffen smiled. The name. Pup run or AT run.

And the distance, Carsten added. In this case, you each get a route that’ll cross each other several times because as we run, our emotions shift to form bonds with those running with us. It’s our emotions that draw them to us. How we feel at the beginning of a race and during the race can have an impact on the others, picking up the change in us. We’re guided by the ones following us, too.

It’s hormonal, Freja said. Our pheromones change as we grow into our maturity as Alphas and become stable.

Our driving force becomes stable, Steffen said.

Matt got it. The ember, that all Alphas felt stronger than a Beta, was what others would follow when it was steered toward its true north.

"You get maps before the run, and you can use Google Maps to help you, Carsten said. The reason why we arrive early is also so that you can familiarize yourself with the area and routes. I know them all, and I’ll gladly run them with you before a run."

Matt looked at Vivi. How many have you been on?

All thirteen regions in Denmark and sixty-eight runs.

Matt widened his eyes. He remembered her going off many weekends the year before, and she’d come home and told him about runs. She claimed the excitement couldn’t be described properly, though. The emotions during a run were too complex. He remembered the first time he ran with his pack. That had been the day he met his dad and learned Rolf wasn’t dead. He’d felt so alive running with them, which made him even more excited about AT runs.

We run an average of twenty a year, Carsten said.

Which is why I like sabbaticals, Steffen said. Especially for Alpha trainees. There’s a lottery to host one in each region. A number is drawn among the thirteen hundred forty-five packs.

Last year, I had an average of thirty-four percent follow me. Vivi looked proud.

What was Hati’s average last summer? Matt asked.

The Alphas looked at each other, smiling.

Sixty-two, Carsten said.

On his first run, Vivi added, looking somewhere between in awe and annoyed.

On his first run as a Vargr Alpha trainee, yes, Carsten said. He was at around forty before that.

Matt widened his eyes. Wow.

Don’t worry, we’ll have more pup runs here, too, Steffen said.

I sometimes wonder what made you pick me for a pup run that day, Matt said.

Well, other than the fact that you protected your friends from your mistake, you didn’t follow Esben and ran off to find another route, making someone ahead of you double back to follow you. Klaes smiled. Only Alphas have that pull when already following an Alpha.

Simone saw it and came to tell me, Steffen said. That’s why we made the pup run. I wanted to see your natural pull.

Matt looked around the table. Usually, Esben, Hanne, and Christian were there, too. His cold body had apparently only thawed his brain enough for him to have noticed that now. Why aren’t the others here today?

Because we’d like to talk to you about your ember, Steffen said. It’s awakening, and only Vivi knows all the details, or she can’t have your back as a partner.

And because Jes’ pack won the North Region run, Carsten said, looking worried.

Ah. Meaning I could run into my no-longer-uncle.

They all nodded, while Vivi took Matt’s hand.

Whether or not you’ll be allowed to participate will be up to Tristan, Steffen said. "The ember in you can go both ways, which is why we’re having this meeting. We have four months or so to see if we can help steer the ember out of a collision course, and Tristan will come and talk to you as your Regional Alpha.

Come April, if he says no, you can’t go to any of them, not just the one with your no-longer-uncle, and that’s to avoid sending the wrong message. You represent your Regional Alpha when running, and you’re either ready for AT runs in general or not. Steffen offered a smile. Remember, you’re a year younger than the average Alpha trainee because of your ember, but the ember is also what can potentially hold you back, so not going this year isn’t a defeat. Alpha trainees often sit out the first run, and they’re already eighteen.

Matt nodded, understanding that. He’d turn eighteen soon. It still pissed him off, and it provoked the ember. In fact, he was more irritated that he couldn’t control the ember or steer it so that it didn’t stand in his way. He even found that it would be humiliating to be benched because he couldn’t control the driving force that had caused him to be selected for Alpha training in the first place. Being benched from his first AT run because of age was one thing. But the ember? That was his responsibility.

You look kinda dark right now, pup. Talk to us, Klaes urged. It’s why we’re here.

I have to control this driving force, or I don’t belong at this table.

Steffen smiled. You’re young, and your ember was awoken by trauma. That’ll take time. But if you’re not ready by my Bite...then your assessment is correct, and you’ll then rise a Beta but still be guided like Christian and the other Alpha trainees to hopefully rise later.

Two years. That gave Matt about two years, considering the Bite happened around age twenty, depending on how ready the Vargr had become. Some were bitten later, some earlier. Rasmus and Torben would get the Bite around the time the AT runs started, since they were born in March. So were Esben, Thomas, Kasper and Jakob. Maybe they’d rise then, too?

There was no shame in rising to a Beta instead of an Alpha, but all trainees felt the need to rise as an Alpha. It was a badge of honor that they lived up to their potential sufficiently. And remained an Alpha. They wouldn’t be an Alpha with direct responsibilities under a Pack Alpha before they were one hundred years old. No Alpha could, no matter what they first rose as. That time was to gain strength, knowledge, respect, and confidence.

Vivi squeezed Matt’s hand. We’ll figure it out.

He smiled at her, appreciating the friendship and closeness they’d grown into. She even trusted him to be the one watching over her when she tried shifting into feral form. It hadn’t worked yet, and she was getting frustrated. But she almost had it before her body forced itself back to the Vargr form.

I’ll do an outsitting tonight, Matt declared.

The Alphas nodded.

I’ll sit with you if you want, Vivi said. Maybe I can get the feral form to talk to me.

Still having trouble? Steffen asked.

She pursed her lips in annoyance and nodded.

It took me more than a year to hold it, Carsten said.

Almost two, right? Steffen asked. Carsten nodded.

How long did it take you? Vivi looked around.

Eight months, Klaes said. But we were five stubborn pups guided by Tristan weekly. And we tried to kick his ass for his bossiness at least half the time. Steffen chuckled. Don’t laugh. Klaes scowled at Steffen.

Admit it, Steffen said. You were being petulant runts.

Klaes chuckled, then looked at Vivi. We were.

Maybe that’s what I need, then? My year date is soon.

And no one had reported back that Sköll, the white Vargr to Hati’s black fur, had risen. Matt began to wonder if the thirteen years his dad had been an Omega, counting as a blip on a timeline when living three to five hundred years, counted when saying that Sköll and Hati would be born close together.

Don’t worry. Steffen rubbed Vivi’s shoulder. It’ll come. You took your Vargr form in eighteen hours, and that’s not bad. It somewhat indicated how long it takes for the natural wolf to come out.

"Without a slave whipper around," Klaes added, making Freja chuckle.

Yeah, I’d guess a year and three months for you, Carsten said.

Vivi nodded, clearly wanting to take her feral side for a run soon.

That was the AT run info. Steffen smiled at Matt. Whether you get to go this year or not, then trauma the likes of what awakened the ember in you is something to work with. Us not seeking justice on behalf of your dad certainly hasn’t let it slumber, I know that, and we’re all here for you night and day to help you.

I know. Matt managed a smile to everyone around the table. I appreciate it.

Me, too. Vivi bumped shoulders with him. I’m here, too.

Matt managed a more genuine smile, nodding.

AFTER DINNER THAT EVENING, Matt napped for a few hours, needing at least that to be able to stay awake until sunup.

In bare feet and a sweater, Matt brought nothing more than a wool blanket and a liter of water to the firepit, named after his grandmother, Pernille. It was where he always sat when doing an outsitting.

Rasmus took him there and helped carry firewood closer, while Matt lit the fire. He arranged the pot over the flames to get a cup of tea. At least it wasn’t a windy evening, and the makeshift lean-to would shelter them sufficiently. Unless the weather decided to change.

Rasmus, wearing a big and warm coat, snuggled up and pulled Matt closer. I’m really impressed with your training.

Matt smiled. Thanks. But I’m kinda struggling. I don’t feel like I’m doing very well at the moment.

Which is why you’re sitting here instead of spending the night with me. That’s part of what I admire. Your drive.

Matt leaned in, appreciating the support he had from his lover. He’d much rather lay in a warm bed with Rasmus than sit around a fire and stare into the flames. Be held, kissed, and fondled instead of shivering from cold and looking inside for the demons that kept blowing air at the ember.

Vivi arrived about ten minutes after the water boiled. They did outsittings so often that they’d made a stash of mugs and teabags, and Matt had prepared one for her, too. No coffee or other stimulants were allowed during an outsitting, so it was herbal tea.

Oh, that looks good. She sat next to Matt and stretched her legs to warm her feet, covered in snow. It soon melted.

By the way, Vivi, Rasmus said. Torben and I talked about our rise. We wanted to ask if you’d sit with Torben? Rasmus looked at Matt. And you with me?

Matt grinned. Of course I’ll sit with you.

Absolutely, Vivi said.

It was a tough honor, but Matt wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rasmus grinned. We asked Dad, and he said to ask you. If you then accepted, we can go ask Steffen, since it’s ultimately up to him to appoint one.

Esben and Hanne could be chosen to be tested, and Matt even figured one of them would be instead of Vivi, who was already a risen Vargr. But there was no reason to speculate about that out loud, considering Rasmus was happy with the answer.

So...birthday coming up. Vivi poked Matt’s shoulder. Any wishes?

Shoes. Matt wiggled his toes at the flames.

She laughed, bumping shoulders with him, making Rasmus spill a bit of his tea. He saved it, grinning, then bounced.

Bouncing? He was planning something, then. He always bounced when he couldn’t contain himself, and Matt found it adorable. He wouldn’t poke at it, though, because then Rasmus would crack and spill the secret from eagerness.

Seriously, Vivi said. What are you wishing for?

A new journal. I think I’ll try to compile my thoughts about the ember in one and keep it to that single topic instead of the way I do it now. I have one with everything in it and one with only Alpha training stuff.

Vivi nodded to herself. Yeah. Maybe focusing on it will help give a better overview.

Why not a new laptop? Rasmus asked.

Because it’s difficult to sit here with one, and the blue light kinda destroys the effect of the flames. Matt looked into them. They were hypnotic. Writing by hand is slower, and it does something. It helps me focus somehow.

So, it’s like drawing. I can draw in graphic programs, but by hand is something special.

Matt nodded. Maybe I should wish for a fountain pen.

Now there’s a good idea, Vivi said. Don’t tell anyone else that.

Matt chuckled, pretty sure he then knew what she’d be buying him.

Rasmus finished his tea. I better get to bed. School and stuff. He leaned in for a kiss, and Matt reveled in the taste and feel of his warm lips. See you tomorrow.

We definitely will. Sleep well.

Thanks. Rasmus stood and brought his mug.

Vivi tossed a few more pieces of wood on the fire, and then silence took over.

Secured and strengthened by each other’s presence, they stared into the flames with only two objectives for the night. Look inward, and keep the fire going.

It was a tool that had been used forever, and Matt found it tranquil. There was something hypnotic about the fire. How it danced and never produced the same flame. Like snowflakes were unique, so were the flames.

Under them, the embers burned red, and Matt wondered if a symbolic meaning or insight could be gained from it. Feeding the flames with wood made more embers as it was eaten up. Was he feeding his ember since it kept going? Awakening, as Steffen said. If so, with what?

He’d tried as best he could to avoid thinking about his no-longer-uncles and didn’t entertain thoughts of revenge. When they popped up, it was usually during dreams, and he had more and more of those. But they were surreal. He’d written about them in his journal.

He’d seen pictures of his no-longer-uncles when Rolf had shown Matt his Vargr side of the family, and the ember had burned him.

The youngest twins had always been a bit weird. Even their older siblings thought so. They’d all been born into Ulrik’s pack, and those two had been close with Ulrik. They were the five percent who hadn’t run with Steffen.

Matt wondered why Steffen hadn’t told him that, yet he figured he knew why. The Pack Alpha didn’t want to put more on Matt’s shoulders. Or feed the ember, as it were, out of the loyalty Matt had come to feel for Steffen.

The twins had both received their Bite from Ulrik a few years before, and they’d stayed with their conquered Alpha while the rest followed Steffen on the run that bound them to their new Pack Alpha. Steffen had then asked that they’d