Thora once more knelt beside Kata. She couldn't let her companion die, yet the only way to save her seemed so cruel. The blood staining the wolf's gray fur knotted her gut.
"Are you sure?"
"She will bite if I don't."
Thora nodded, recognizing the truth in Ari's words.
"Very well." She leaned in close to Kata's snout. Kati did the same. Tears burned Thora's eyes. "I am sorry. I must hurt you. But you will recover sooner."
She stroked Kata's head then ran her hand along Kati's back. She leaned close to the male wolf's ear. "Tell her I hate what we must do."
Kati rubbed his head against Thora's cheek. She knew he understood her message, if not her exact words, and shared her sentiment. For a few extra moments, she held him near with an arm over his neck, until he pulled free and moved to sit beside Kata's head, his snout lightly touching the she-wolf's. The wounded animal gave a weak whimper, Kati responding with a whine and a lick of his sister's face.
Turning away, Thora wiped at the tears now rolling down her cheeks. Forcing herself to focus on her task, she surveyed the forest floor, gathering small dry sticks to start a fire. She worried still about drawing attention, but that concern seemed almost laughable when she considered what lay ahead in the next few minutes.
The sound of tearing drew her attention back to Ari. He held a tunic and methodically tore strips from the garment. He seemed unaware she watched him. Despite the serious situation, she found herself admiring his strong jaw, covered with a scruff of beard. His long dark hair hung loosely past his shoulders, instead of being braided or tied back. It gave him an untamed yet somehow regal appearance.
He looked up, catching her stare. Heat ran up her cheeks when he gave her a knowing smile. Something in his unusual eyes, now the dark slate color of a stormy sky, stirred an unfamiliar tingle deep within her. She turned back to her task, even more questions rising about her savior.
Part of her trusted him, well, the part that had no choice, truth be told. Her only chance of saving her wolf lay with the man who had savedherfrom certain rape and likely death. The worry he possessed similar intentions afterward remained, taunting her. She bent to pick up a stick, remembering the brief idea she'd had earlier. If he truly possessed the wealth he appeared to, he might be able to assist her in finding a new village far from here in which to settle. It was a large favor to ask, especially as a debt as big as she owed already hung over her. She had no means to pay him, and wondered what he might demand in recompense. The various ideas that sprang up in her thoughts didn't seem as disturbing as they should.
She forced the troubling thoughts aside, to focus upon later, after Kata's wound had been tended. Seeing to the animal was her priority. Worry for herself had no place in the next hours.
CHAPTER TWO
Ari continued to tear strips from the tunic. The wolf, while weak at the moment, would likely attack the moment the hot blade was applied to her wound. As he prepared for the upcoming treatment, he continued to watch Thora. Every now and then, she glanced his way. Even from this distance, the blush staining her cheeks was clear. He found the sight intriguing.
Why did she travel alone? Well, not completely alone, she had the wolves for protection. The animals were clearly fiercely loyal to her, so he surmised she must have raised them from pups. The male had easily dispatched the one outlaw, warning Ari to use caution around the beasts. Though, so far, the male seemed more inclined to protect his mate rather than attack him, an observation that greatly eased Ari's concerns.
Thora approached, a bundle of twigs and sticks in her arms. The distress in her dark eyes roused a need to banish her worries. He shook his head. He'd been traveling alone too long, to so quickly find himself distracted and entranced. How long had it been since he'd enjoyed a woman's warm body? Months, at least. So long ago, he could barely recall the last time.
Thoughts of ways to secure her to him answered the many dilemmas facing them both. Clearly, despite her lupine companions, she faced a dangerous journey, whatever her ultimate destination. He glanced again at the animals a few feet away. Not dark and vicious, like the legendary Fenrir, they possessed silvery gray coats and at the moment, appeared quite tame.
He stood and accepted the kindling. He nodded toward the wolves. "Go, keep them calm. I will start the fire and then we must begin."
She gave a nod, remaining silent, but tears shimmered in her dark eyes and he again fought the urge to pull her close and offer comfort. Somehow, he sensed she wouldn't appreciate the gesture, for despite her sadness, she possessed strength. He withdrew a flint from the pouch on his belt, along with a few pieces of touchwood and quickly lit the kindling. Fanning the small flames until they grew, he gathered the strips of cloth and turned to Thora and her wolves.
She watched him warily, even while she spoke softly to the animals. Ari couldn't quite make out her words, but after a moment, the male lay beside her. Ari moved slowly, so as not to frighten the wolves, especially the wounded one, and gently drew the beast's hind legs together. He watched Thora carefully, but she didn't notice, too absorbed in watching how he tended her pet. He repeated his motions with the wolf's front legs. He leaned back and met Thora's stare.
"Hold her head in your lap while I…"
She nodded and gingerly lifted the wolf's head. Ari leaned forward and before the animal had a chance to react, wrapped a cloth strip around her snout, securing her jaws. The beast gave a few attempts to break free, but weakened as she was, quickly stilled again.
He took another strip and poured water from a skin over it. He handed it to Thora.
"Wash away as much of the blood as you can. Do you have the dagger I gave you?"
Thora nodded and pulled the knife from the pocket in her cloak. She handed it to him and he placed it into the fire. Thora gently cleaned the animal's fur. Ari peered closer at the wound. The edges were fairly even, not jagged and irregular, which would make the process easier. He eyed the blade, judging it needed a minute or two more to be hot enough to seal the wound. His skills as a smith served him well. He took the bloodied cloth from Thora and tossed it aside.
"Hold her still."
She nodded, her arms engulfing the wolf's head. Ari lifted the dagger and neared the animal. He hesitated but a moment before using one hand to hold the wound together and pressed the heated blade against the injury.
The animal lurched, her bound legs flailing, a muffled shriek escaping the cloth-wrapped snout. Ari didn't dare look at Thora as he worked, pressing his other hand harder against the writhing body in an attempt to hold the wolf still. The male jumped up, barking and howling but made no attempt to hinder his efforts. Ari heaved a deep breath, one less worry fighting to be heard. After a moment, the wounded beast went still, though the other continued to paw at the ground, whining and barking in empathy for his companion's pain. Ari worked quickly, laying the flat edge of the knife against the laceration for a few seconds before moving along the length of the gash, finally searing the last of the injury closed.
He drew away and let out his breath in a heavy exhale. Wiping the blade clean, he placed it on the ground to let it finish cooling. He looked at Thora. Tears spilled from her eyes and she still held the wolf's head in a tight protective embrace.
He rummaged in his pack, withdrawing a small jar. "Put this on it and bandage her."
