Historic Ember: The Vargr, #6

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.

Today was a seed of vision, planted by change more than a thousand years ago.

Five people with vastly different outlooks and wishes for that future found friends or enemies in each other.

To move forward without making the same mistakes again, the Alphas of all gather knowledge about that time and what happened then.

There are only three people left in the world to tell that story. One is the product of the past, one can hear what ripples through time, and one experienced it firsthand.

Gathered around a bonfire, history comes alive as those three educate the Alphas of all about the times of change that blew across the North after the Great Pack War had ended.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MarLau Publishing
• Release date: Jan 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9788793966543

Book preview

Historic Ember

Vargr #6

Meraki P. Lyhne

Historic Ember

1. edition

Copyright © 2022 MarLau Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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ISBN 13: 978-87-939665-4-3

Cover design by Mibl Art

www.miblart.com

Edited by Laura McNellis

www.alternativedits.com

Find more about the author

www.merakiplyhne.com

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.

Read more about the World of Vidundr and the books in it on my webpage

www.merakiplyhne.com

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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.

Today was a seed of vision, planted by change more than a thousand years ago.

Five people with vastly different outlooks and wishes for that future found friends or enemies in each other.

To move forward without making the same mistakes again, the Alphas of all gather knowledge about that time and what happened then.

There are only three people left in the world to tell that story. One is the product of the past, one can hear what ripples through time, and one experienced it firsthand.

Gathered around a bonfire, history comes alive as those three educate the Alphas of all about the times of change that blew across the North after the Great Pack War had ended.

Chapter One

After having met with his uncles at the Alpha house, Matt and the other Alphas of all had agreed to hold the old King up on his promise to tell them the story that had begun around the fires at his estate after the Vargr run on Fyn. He’d said he needed time to think about it to make sure he remembered the important details. Now they needed the knowledge, considering the future couldn’t afford the Alphas of all repeating mistakes from the past.

One of those mistakes was the one they were attempting to rectify by uniting the Vargr, after all. To avoid repeating others, they needed insight. Having learned that another sibling race’s fate had been touched by their shared past, they needed the tale in order to secure a future of unity that counted more than just Vargr and Cubi. Especially since that tale hopefully also held knowledge and insight into their enemy.

After returning from the Alpha house the day before, Matt had asked the old Cubi King if he felt ready to share with them and he’d told the old King why it was needed. Excitement at the prospect of a story had spread around the pack since Nol-Elakdon’s eyes had lit up at the request and immediately stated that he was ready.

The old King had called Thyra over and asked her to join him as a storyteller to get a broad foundation for the Alphas of all to work with. Before the evening was over, Alpha Stallion Bjark had promised to come to the pack and add to it, too.

To say that Matt was excited was the understatement of the year, yet the fact that his uncles sat under arrest at the Alpha house for treason kept a damper on it. Matt had gotten the questionable honor of telling his dad that they’d been brought there and why. The fact that one of his brothers had put Matt’s life in danger caused a dangerously dark gleam in Rolf’s eyes, a sneer on his face, and a growl to escape that made the pack move in with their fight faces on to support a Beta pack member.

Tristan and Steffen had backed Matt up, telling Rolf not to go there, and he’d acknowledged the order. So had the supporting pack members. Rolf had spent time thinking after that, yet Matt figured they needed to talk more. He just didn’t want to hide it from his dad. And he needed to find a way to get the brothers to tell him more. Preferably without setting the Völsung in him on his uncles.

They’d rolled over pretty quickly and answered Matt’s questions, making Matt think about the comment that they were Omega playing at being Beta. They were ass kissing for something. According to Tage, they were lone wolves with no bonds to anyone but each other, and ass-kissing was their way of at least staying close enough for security in the packs.

To get ready for those conversations—both with his dad and the twin uncles—Matt would sit with Hati, Finn, Jes, and Freja, considering they knew the brothers the best from having been in packs with them for the past fifteen years. And Vivi, too, because Matt needed her insight into their minds. He had a small but growing list of questions on his phone for those to help him with answers so that he could learn what to ask his uncles. Now he just needed to ask those five to join him somewhere after the story had been told.

But first, lunch.

MATT AND HATI PUT THEIR plates with meat by Steffen to cut for the Omegas.

You two up for softball against the pups? Steffen asked, grinning.

Sorry, Matt said. We’re commandeering Finn and Vivi, and we’ll run to Geri and Freki’s place. We need to prepare for something.

Steffen’s smile fell, and he stopped cutting to look up at them. Anything I should know about?

Always. Matt squeezed his shoulder. I need to wrap my head around it first, though.

Peter and Troels, Steffen concluded, his gaze shooting to the side.

Matt’s gaze followed, finding Rolf turn his head at the mention of his brothers’ names, and the wrath returned to his eyes. My Völsung side is debating with himself whether to eat their tongues out of their mouths, torture them for information, or merely make them pets to keep syphoning information from Völsung.

I hate that I agree with him on all three, Steffen mumbled, pulling a face.

For the third to be possible, lone wolves can’t be used without us being more frightening than Warlords. I don’t see that happening, even with the legends and the weight Sköll Hati puts on our rise.

Rolf stalked to them between the tables to the inner ring of their setting, ending up opposite Steffen. He had his fight face on.

Their Pack Alpha sat back, looking troubled. Let’s take this to a corner. Steffen stood, and Rolf scaled the table in a jump. They stepped into a corner, indicating to all Vargr to adjust their hearing away from them. Except Klaes, of course. He’d be allowed to see if it were of relevance, considering he was first Alpha to Steffen.

Please, son, don’t keep me out, Rolf begged. I—I failed you and Rebecca once because of them.

I won’t keep you out, Dad, but I will not allow you near them when I feel your ember cry out for me to take action. First bond urged the actions of the Völsung, since a Völsung had only that bond, and it pained Matt that this caused his dad such anguish. He’d contemplated not telling him and merely shower and change his clothes to keep it from him, but no, he didn’t deserve being kept out.

Use it.

Matt mentally shook his head at the Völsung.

Don’t show weakness! Take action, use the tools at our disposal, and strike!

Again, Matt mentally shook his head at the Völsung. Patience is our greatest tool working with a mentality you don’t understand. Leave Vargr minds to me. But they are pets!

The Völsung growled appreciatively.

They took so much... The pain in Rolf’s voice and expression cut only half as deep as the anguish through their bond, making Matt’s ember rise, but Matt focused on supporting a Beta through actions taken, and it rose to warm and soothe Rolf, while Matt put an arm around his dad’s shoulders and pulled him closer.

Rolf leaned into him and tightened his grip around Matt’s midsection.

Prosperity, yeah, Steffen said. And your ember is making mine roar, Rolf. I will fulfill my vow to you. Steffen all but growled.

Matt remembered how Steffen had conceded to Rolf during the burial of the stones with the uncles’ names. If it was the last thing he did, Steffen would help Matt find peace. But then Matt rose as Sköll, one of four Alphas of all Vargr, and it wasn’t Rolf’s misery that had ignited a trauma ember as first thought. The embers of the Alphas of all had awoken from a cry of need from the majority of the Vargr in both Sköll Hati and Geri Freki packs. Yet Steffen was a man of his word, and he’d see it through no matter what. He’d promised when Matt was merely a pup with an early ember. Later, the knowledge of the dreams surfaced. Then the need to unite the Vargr. Steffen had finally helped lead the battle against Völsung as they mistook Matt for a strong Geri Freki Alpha to be trained.

Even Matt’s Völsung side admired that as a strength in the Pack Alpha it otherwise rolled its eyes at for finding purpose and strength in giving pups piggyback rides or playing softball with them.

Strategies, Dad, Matt said. First, we focus on strategies. But I need you to think about all you know about your brothers and what they talked to Old Ulrik about because they—Lying tongues to be eaten!—lie. They hide the truth in phrasings. I’m half-blind, and you’re my best way in. But you need a level head. Leave hate behind. Leave hurt feelings. Neither will serve us because we need objectivity before we decide on actions.

Did you manage that?

Yes. We had a beer and chatted. They asked about you. I showed them pics of you and Ulrikke and Oline and Mom, and they looked happy for you. Genuinely.

Rolf sneered. They’re good at lying.

And I’m inexperienced with my senses. But I need you to try to see it from a place not of pain. I need a list of your siblings’ packs in Germany, Dad, because I need Tristan to go there for more insight when he runs for the Feral bond down there.

Yes, Alpha of all, Steffen said, acknowledging for his mate. That still surprised Matt. The fact that Steffen pulled out his phone and sent a text said it all. I’ll compile my memories of them as pack members, and I’ll try to be objective, but seventy-some years doesn’t allow for much.

Rolf sighed. Then let’s hope less than forty with first bond helps. I’ll write something down for you, too. He smiled at Matt. I admire your ability not to hate. But don’t give them first bond. The sneer wrinkled his nose and brow. They don’t deserve it.

The Völsung growled, and Matt agreed with Pets are tools, yet Vivi’s right hook had taught him to take more care when phrasing the translation between the Völsung’s and his own thoughts. Visit treachery with treachery. Odin. Glancing at her, it didn’t look like she’d try to see if feral teeth of the Völsung could be knocked out of Matt’s mouth. She looked strong and capable, and her gaze was locked onto Rolf, meaning her raised ember was to back up Rolf as a victim of bullying by first bond—the worst there was to a Vargr.

Rolf’s sneer turned gleeful, and he nodded. Matt hoped Vivi’s blazing ember helped Rolf feel secure that the Alphas had his back this time.

Please bring Grams, Steffen said.

Matt looked around, finding her grinning with Klaes’ twin daughters on her lap as she sat on a sofa with Klaes, Sanne, Freja, and Jes, who had a Succubus on his lap and his Feral daughters, Mica and Runa, leaned against him to be petted.

Thyra seems busy with better things.

Thyra turned her head to look at Matt. Okay, so that Alpha Bitch didn’t respect corners if her name was mentioned. Then again, she’d promised to be there to help with the Völsung.

Matt smiled at her. Enjoy them, Grams. We’ll be tossing ideas and nothing more.

Thyra returned the smile, then directed her attention to one of the girls showing her a crayon.

Hati squeezed Matt’s shoulder. We’re running late.

Matt nodded, then kissed his dad’s cheek. You’ll know, I promise, he whispered.

Rolf let go, managing a smile, but he looked like a dad needing to defend his son, and Matt appreciated it. But this was the Alpha’s fight, not the Beta focusing on prosperity.

Matt shifted to Vargr form. Keep up, Hati.

Hati snorted, while Finn laughed and shifted, too.

Humans on the building site, Steffen reminded them.

Sköll growled and shifted to human. We don’t even have a way around them.

So sorry... Steffen flashed a grin.

No, you’re not! Finn stated.

You’re right. I’m not. You have to learn to live with them, too.

Race you to Yggdrasil, then. Matt set off.

ARRIVING AT GERI AND Freki’s farm, Matt, Hati, Vivi, and Finn found the Alphas with three pups, tossing a ball. Freki didn’t catch it and cried out in defeat. He ran to the pup, put her on his shoulders, and pranced around the yard, while the others clapped and stomped, singing a song about conquering a dragon.

Matt chuckled, feeling right at home. The Geri Freki pack had grown. Ingeborg hung out there a lot, yet she wasn’t officially a member yet. She was a territory pup, and she sought out the farm as often as possible.

Running at a normal pace, they’d passed the handymen building cabins, and the living standards for the pack would soon rise. Freki insisted on it. It was part of why the Geri Freki at Wolf Park hadn’t moved back yet. Others wanted to stay with Steffen’s pack. Dennis and Jan, for instance. Ronnie and his two pups were on the fence, but the human mate liked that he was allowed everywhere, and he often worked on the farm with Geri and Freki as head station man. Or whatever it was called. 

Geri noticed them, yet he kept singing and stomping. Matt and the others joined in until Freki had made his round with the laughing pup and put her down.

Okay, pups, you need to play without us for a moment, Freki said.

But it’s fun! the girl exclaimed.

Absolutely, and we’ll have Hati teach us a new game to have fun with afterward.

The pups jumped around in excitement at Freki’s promise, then ran off.

Matt glanced at Hati. His mate looked thrilled at the promise as Geri and Freki came over.

A ducking Vargr approached hesitantly, clearly afraid to step too close. Patrick’s dad. Do you need anything for your guests, Pack Alpha?

Geri put a hand on the Omega’s shoulder. Water, thank you, Dion.

The Omega dashed off and into the house through the newly built addition to the living room.

Uphill? Matt asked.

Freki nodded, looking bothered by it. We’ll run that hill later.

Speaking of running hills. I talked to Steen, and we’ll go stalk burglars Friday, Hati said.

I thought that would be tonight, Freki said.

No, the old King and Alpha Bitch Thyra are arranging to tell the story tonight.

Yes! Freki pumped his fists a few times. Meaning we need Feral here.

I can call for Osso and Pry?

Please do, Geri said.

Matt focused on the bond to the Feral first bond, and the double pulse left his ember. Also, Alpha Stallion Bjark will arrive at four, Matt said.

Geri jumped. Damn! I wanted Isbait here to see my pack. He hung his head. 

Matt could only hope Nol-Elakdon had asked for the foal to come, too, yet he had no idea how many Sleipnir could fit in a horse trailer. He knew they came in double size, though.

The Omega returned with chilled bottles of water. They each took one and thanked him.

We won’t be home for dinner, Geri said. So, you get my cut.

Thank you, Pack Alpha. Can—can you tell them?

Of course. Geri patted his back, yet the Omega dashed off quickly.

Finn seemed disgruntled as he watched the Omega retreat. What pack was he from?

A very hard pack, Geri said. If not for Regional Alpha pressure, they wouldn’t have let him go. And they punished him for learning he had a son.

Freki sneered. I want to run there.

We will, Matt said.

Sure? Vivi asked.

We will run the North and down through Europe. Matt hadn’t finished reading those books, so he wouldn’t lay it out for them yet. What I’ve read so far, Geri Freki outnumbers Sköll Hati the further south you get from the borders, and their balance and territories are different than here.

Geri nodded. It’s completely different down there. Mom said Geri Freki are more prosperous there. The further south you go, the more they rival Sköll Hati of the North.

Why is that? Finn asked.

Because Sköll Hati are less numerous to hold onto an old grudge.

Matt nodded. The cultural memory is different. Here, we hold onto the Great Pack War. There, they hold onto World War Two, and Sköll Hati, even being fewer, are still the victors, yet what holds down Geri Freki here isn’t as pronounced down there.

So we don’t change that, Freki said.

No, but we need to at least merge the Vargr to become territory packs since Völsung are more numerous there, too. And they’re communicating. They don’t see human borders—they see wolves and that’s it. Matt sighed. The greatest fight we’ll see will come from the south and run up through Jutland.

I agree, Geri said. We need to look outside our own borders, too, and we need the King of North, considering his Kingdom covers the entirety of Vargr territories. And Völsung. We can’t win this without the Cubi King on our side.

Luckily, we have him, Matt said. And his closest ally.

Your friend, Daniel.

Matt nodded, once again thinking about coincidences. We need lists of early embers and what they whisper about from all of the North.

Tristan and Thyra are going, right? Hati asked. To pull the Feral?

Yes, Geri said. They asked if Freki and I would run with them, considering the prevalence of Geri Freki down there.

Maybe all of us will run, Hati said.

Yeah, but we’ve got a stack of stuff to align here, first, Matt said. If the attack comes from the south, we need all of the north gathered in a running bond first.

Should we go to the Alpha house and plan? Freki asked.

No, I think we need the King’s story before we do more. And we need his insight into Sweden and Norway, considering none of us know anything.

So...softball? Hati looked at his phone. It’s a few hours until Alpha Stallion Bjark arrives. Hati looked at Matt, who felt a need through their bond—the need for Matt to play.

Okay, softball.

Geri turned and called over a Bitch. Feral will come here soon, and you call me if you feel the least bit threatened. We’ll be with the old King today. He’s helping us with something.

Yes, Pack Alpha, the Bitch said.

And my cut’s for the Omega.

Yes, Pack Alpha.

Matt looked across the field, finding Osso and Pry racing across it. Let’s meet them.

They jogged off and met up around the place where Karsten and his handymen were building cabins. Harry’s fear rose as the wolves crossed that area, yet he apparently didn’t have a ladder to climb this time.

Osso turned and tossed himself on the ground next to the frightened man, showing trust and peaceful intent by having his back to the human. Still, Harry stood frozen with tools clutched in his hands.

Karsten pointed to Osso. That means he likes you.

Why? Harry exclaimed.

Karsten threw out his arms. I don’t know! Maybe he likes good and hard workers? Harry smiled at his boss’ praise, then glanced at Osso. He’s more into horses, Karsten whispered, pointing a thumb at Harry.

They don’t bite that hard, Harry said.

No, they kick.

Only if you’re an ass.

Same with dogs.

Harry rolled his eyes.

Matt chuckled, having heard the stories of the handyman unwilling to crawl down from a roof. He liked their banter.

Pry went to sit by Karsten, who petted the huge wolf.

We gotta go, Geri said. Osso and Pry, give the guy some space and protect the farm.

Osso rose and padded to his brother. They ran off to join the pack at the main building.

There’s a soda or beer for you at quitting time. Geri pointed toward the farm. Just tell the house.

Karsten lit up in a smile. Thanks! 

They jogged off.

Man, they run a lot, Harry said.

With dogs that size, I’m not surprised, Karsten said. My wife did a marathon after we got our first Malamute.

By then they’d run far enough away for the conversation to become mumbled.

They arrived back at Wolf Park where Steffen, Cristel, and Rasmus were gathering the pups.

Freki elbowed Matt. That’s her disgruntled face.

What? Who? Matt looked around, finding Hanne glancing their way. Upon being noticed, she stalked over.

What’s up? Freki gave his former Alpha trainee partner a one-armed hug.

I know you trust me, Freki, but... Hanne looked at Matt. Am I being excluded because we never trained closely enough?

Matt felt hurt by the question. No, Hanne, no! He squeezed her shoulders and groaned at having missed a step that big. Then again, he wasn’t exactly on top of his game with everything that had and was still happening with Völsung and his uncles. "Alphas need to focus on pack, too, and we exclude you because you’re under one hundred and not burdened by having risen to be an Alpha of all, but when push comes to shove, we all trust you. The fight at the mall? You secured all when shit hit the fan... Matt saw where he’d erred. You will be included because you can’t do that if you don’t know what’s going on. This is us gathering intel. The boring stuff. You will be included once we make sense of it all."

Hanne smiled. Do I get a hint?

Alpha stuff, so no one listen in, Matt said, pausing for Vargr hearing to redirect, considering they didn’t have a corner around. Traitors to Sköll Hati have been handed over by Regional Alphas. My uncles gave my name to Völsung as a rising Alpha, which almost cost me my life to nidhug. What to do? That’s the conversation to be had.

Her gaze darkened. If not for them being your first bond, I’d vote nidhug.

Never look at anything but their actions, Matt said. In this case, I want to use them. Pets! Pets to Völsung. And I have one inside me. But as a Vargr Alpha, I need to find a balance. I won’t trouble you with that because Steffen needs an Alpha to play softball. And that’s important, too.

Hanne grinned, but the darkness remained in her eyes. Pull me when needed, Alphas.

Yes, Alpha Bitch, Hati said, making her laugh.

Have our backs with the pups, okay? Matt glanced at where Steffen helped Helene carry bats and balls.

You got it. She nodded sharply. It’s for them.

Matt winked at her, happy she understood. They seriously needed to up their game regarding keeping their own informed. What balls were they dropping outside that?

Hati poked Matt in the back. Let’s play a bit.

Considering they needed the story to have intel, there wasn’t much they could do before then, so Matt obliged, and the young Alphas jogged to the softball team.

Still got room on the teams? Matt asked.

Steffen put up a brilliant smile. Absolutely!

Around four o’clock, Matt’s team had lost two out of three rounds, and they were having a soda or water by the gate, waiting for the Alpha Stallion to arrive.

Matt, Hati, Geri, Freki, Vivi, Finn, Rasmus, Hanne, Torben, Britt, and the triplets lounged in the sun. Most of the time, at least. Freki managed to provoke Lars into a fight, but it stopped the moment a vehicle, pulling a horse trailer, stopped and backed it through the gate.

Geri shuffled his feet, excitedly, sniffing the air.

An Incubus and a Succubus exited and came around back to open the trailer, smiling at them.

Dame, Sire, Matt said, nodding.

Should we get someone? Flemming asked.

The Kings and Stef, Hati said.

Yes, Alpha. The triplets ran off.

Yes! Geri exclaimed, jumping around. The back lowered fully, and two Sleipnir were onboard—both in their feral form, yet Isbait was easy to recognize with his gray spotted color. The two stepped off the trailer, and Geri went to hug Isbait, who used his head to pull Geri into a hug. I’m so happy you came, too! I can show you my pack, then.

Isbait neighed excitedly.

Nol-Elakdon and Daniel sprinted around the bend with Steffen and Tanja, all four skittering to a halt. Daniel’s eyes turned golden, and he gaped, then grinned.

Alpha Stallion Bjark, Isbait. Steffen sauntered over. Welcome to Wolf Park. I’m sorry I don’t know your culture enough to know how best to greet you.

Geri struggled out from under Isbait’s big head, considering Isbait seemed in a playful mood and kept biting the back of Geri’s shirt.

I do. Nol-Elakdon stepped forward, and Bjark lowered his head. Elakdon stepped closer until they leaned their foreheads against each other, and a moment of peace and silence followed between them. Thank you for saying yes to helping me today. Nol-Elakdon stepped back, then acknowledged the two kneeling Cubi. They in turn bowed to Daniel until he recognized them.

Matt kinda liked the flat structure of his pack, but he also had the insight to understand why the Cubi had stuck to their stricter formalities.

Steffen went to Bjark and copied the old King, then Isbait, who allowed it. Matt and the others followed their example. It took at least fifteen minutes for all to have said hello, even though Isbait refused to meet people he hadn’t hung out with and liked while they’d been around the bonfires at Nol-Elakdon’s estate.

Instead, he hid behind the Alphas of all, leaning his head on Freki’s shoulder.

Finally, they made their way to the communal building, while the Succubus drove the car and trailer to the garages.

Once around the bend and free of the driveway into Wolf Park, where by-passers could still see them, the two Sleipnir shifted, while the assembled pack stared agape.

More introductions.

The hunter, Anders, came to Matt and almost walked into him because he was too busy gaping and staring at the two mythical beings. What are they?

You’ve heard of Sleipnir, right?

Oh, shit.

Geri pranced over. Okay, so, tomorrow, yoga soccer tournament at our place.

Hati laughed.

But first. Nol-Elakdon snuggled in between Matt and Hati, draping his arms over their shoulders. Storytime.

Where? Matt asked.

Under your grandmother’s tree, of course. Knowing that she punched your Pack Alpha to keep it makes it kinda awesome.

Matt chuckled at the old King’s amused tone, and the grin on Steffen’s face as he glanced at them.

Isbait trudged over slowly, minding pups and puppies.

Anders stepped back from insecurity.

Matt put an arm around him. Don’t worry, he’ll ignore you anyway.

I like your pack, Sköll, Isbait said. Do you have pasture?

Yeah, and forest. And Yggdrasil. I’ll race you there.

Isbait smiled. I will go and sleep with Geri tonight.

It’s on the way there.

Listen up, please! Steffen said loudly.