~~~~ This story consists of non-consensual themes, fantasy (such as elves, lycanthropes and Jotunn), graphic violence and terrible grammar. Also, there is no smut in this particular chapter. If any of these things bother you, please read no further. All characters engaging in sexual activities are 18 and older. ~~~
*****
Nicholas began to pace, something felt wrong. Too much time had passed, Kael should have killed the guards and let down the bridge already.
"We need to be patient, we have no idea what is happening inside that castle. If we attack too soon..." Astrid didn't need to finish her sentence for him to follow where it was leading. They risked Jerrick hurting Eira, possibly even killing her. Surely what she had done to Ash and the other White Skulls made her valuable. If not King Olaf, then certainly every other Alpha looking to boost their own power structure. He sighed, rubbing his temple; he could feel her. She needed him and she needed him now.
"I am all out of patience. All I need is a distraction." he announced. Astrid nodded and before anyone could stop her she made her way towards the front gate.
"Name yourself!" A voice shouted from above. Astrid held her hands out, revealing empty palms as she slowly removed the hood of her cloak.
"I am Astrid, daughter of Tyrst, Alpha of the Northstar clan. I have come to the aide of Queen Eira," she announced boldly. A loud chuckle echoed through the nearly empty forest as a man appeared above the gate.
"And just how do you suppose you are going to do that?" he demanded, leaning over the rock, hands folded before him.
Astrid smiled, putting her hands on her hips as she counted the men guarding the gate, she had faced worse odds.
"First, I am going to climb up this wall. Then, I am going to execute every last one of you. After that I think I'll make my way to Lord Jerrick and slaughter him next."
"Quite the mouth you got there, I can think of several more practical uses for that tongue of yours." He leered, his fellow warriors whistling crudely.
"Why don't you come down here and show me then." Astrid challenged with innocent smile. He looked to be contemplating the idea when he suddenly cried out and looked down. It had started at his feet, working its way up his legs slowly, and the wolf began to panic.
"What sort of elven sorcery is this?!" he demanded angrily. Astrid let the cloak fall completely into the snow covered ground, pulling out both of her daggers from her belt. Several arrows flew through the air and she deflected every single one with practiced ease. By the time she looked up again the man was a completely frozen block of ice, his mouth opened wide in a cry of horror.
But he wasn't the only one, soon every man above the gate seemed freeze in place, all of them panicking as they stared down at their legs, ice creeping up their bodies until they were nothing more than elaborate carved sculptures. In all of her life she had never seen anything so beautifully terrifying. Nikolas stood by the wall, almost a small speck in the distance, both hands placed upon the snow covered stone of the wall that circled the entire Kingdom. There was a swirl of snowflakes around him, as though surrounded by his own personal snowstorm. His eyes were closed in concentration, and when he finally opened them his pale grey-blue eyes were piercing sapphires instead. Astrid watched as small steps made of ice began to appear on the side of the wall beside him, all leading straight to the top. Before another word could be spoken he climbed his way up and a few minutes later the gate came crashing down. By the time Astrid made it through the entryway, Nikolas had already jumped down on the other side, landing a few feet in front of her.
"Nikolas!?" She had never seen him like this before and for a second she wondered if he was lost to his magic. He whipped his head around to face her, his eyes burning bright against the shadows of the entryway.
"She needs me." That was all he spoke before he turned and then the Church bell began to ring, alerting everyone to their arrival; Nikolas didn't waste any time, instead he walked towards the courtyard, the winds around him picking up. Clan members began to surround him, staying just out of reach of their previous Alpha and his snowstorm.
"I am Nikolas, son of Ivar and the rightful Alpha of the Arctic Wolf clan. I have returned to take back my Kingdom and my wife. If any of you believe I am unfit to lead this clan; please step forward and challenge me now. Save me the trouble of executing you later" he shouted. A few warriors kneeled, abandoning their weapons instantly; however there were a couple that did not.
"You are no Alpha to me, you married an Elf , betrayed our King...I would rather go to Valhalla then bend a knee to you." Nikolas unsheathed his sword with a smile, the storm around him dissipating as he beckoned the warrior forward. The man smiled and charged eagerly, swords clashing. He grunted with effort, the use of his magic earlier had taken more out of him then he thought. It had been so long since he'd used his gifts, but most of it seemed to be coming back to him. He took a deep breath and shoved the man back.
The men began to circle each other, Nikolas already losing his patience. Eira needed him and he was wasting time trying to prove himself. Within seconds the traitor's feet began to freeze; it was slow at first.
"You hide behind your magic like an Elf ," his challenger accused.
"I am not quite an Elf, just as I am not quite a Wolf; I am both." he announced, stabbing his sword into the ground, the storm returning as more ice slowly crawled up the traitorous man's legs. He swung his own sword at the ice that was incasing him, but it was growing faster than he was destroying it.
"Let it be known, I will no longer tolerate the mistreatment of Elves OR wolves. We need to work together if we want to survive what is coming. Now...you are standing between me, my Kingdom, and my wife; and I will use every power I possess to claim back what is mine." Nikolas announced as the ice finished enveloping the wolf.
"Anyone else wish to challenge me?" he demanded as he turned to face his clan. Those who had refused to kneel the first time immediately dropped their weapons and joined the others. Nikolas nodded then charged towards the castle to rescue his wife.
~~~~~~~
Eira let Kael take the lead since he was far more dangerous than she was. She had gained muscle, some strength, but she'd barely had much training beyond some simple defense. The barrier began weakening faster, 2 more Jotunn and a small army of goblins had gotten through and they had decided they couldn't wait any longer. Nikolas promised to continue training her every available second. Thora had helped her with some meditation and control techniques for her magic, which made her feel like an elfling all over again. Someone grabbed her from behind and she thrust her dagger backwards into his abdomen. The blade sank into his flesh like a hot knife through butter. The warrior grunted, stumbling backwards, blood pouring from his wound. She hadn't given it a single thought, she had simply reacted. He began to pale as she pulled her dagger free, hands shaking.
