Chapter 99 A WORD OF CAUTION
SEBASTIAN'S POV
For a moment neither of us speak and we just enjoy the night's cool breeze.
Then Torin says quietly,
“Ancient wolves are not just simply powerful Sebastian,”
I look at him.
“They are very rare.”
“Yeah, I’ve kinda noticed.”
“In most recorded history,” he continues, ignoring my sass, “there have only been a handful of them and they are killed almost immediately they are discovered.”
That makes my stomach twist again.
“Great.” Good to know once again Torin.
“But what most wolves often forget,” Torin adds thoughtfully, “is that ancient wolves were not feared only for their strength.”
I frown.
“What else?”
“They were feared for their ability to remove the moon goddess's influence on a pack.”
I stop walking.
Torrin stops as well.
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“It means that ancient wolves were akin to gods themselves,” he says simply.
“How?”
“Through their presence alone… and I really do know the specifics.”
That… doesn’t make much sense to me at all. Nothing in this situation makes any sense to me.
“I’m not, or rather I've never influenced anything,” I mutter.
“You underestimate yourself Sebastian.”
I snort.
“You clearly haven’t seen me try to function before coffee before.”
Torin smiles faintly at that before his expression turns thoughtful again.
“There is no need to fear it.”
Easy for him to say. He's not the one who's head is almost on a platter.
“I’m not afraid,” I lied.
“Of course.”
He doesn’t call me out but he gives me a knowing smile.
Which is somehow worse but we start walking again.
“Has Ragnar helped you understand how or what triggers it?” Torin asks casually.
“Not really.”
“He has not?”
“He said it would take time and he also banned me from the challenge.”
Torin nods slowly.
“Well… Ragnar has always believed that things reveal themselves naturally.”
“You sound like you disagree with his beliefs.”
“I believe preparation is valuable for everyone.”
I glance at him.
“In what way?”
“Well,” Torin says mildly, “if something powerful exists within you, learning how to control it sooner rather than later might be considered wise for us all.”
That seems reasonable enough I guess.
“The pack would certainly feel safer around you if you were in total control.”
There’s that word again.
Pack and responsibility.
“I don’t want anyone to feel unsafe because of me.”
“I know you don't. So that's why you won't tell anyone other than me.”
His voice is calm.
“Which brings me to the reason why knowledge matters and why you should be taught.”
We reach the path that leads straight to my small cottage.
The small building sits quietly beneath the trees and looks very homely.
Torin notices where I’m looking.
“I see you’ve come to care about the Alpha.”
It isn’t a question but I shrug anyway.
“He’s… been well helping me.”
“Yes.”
Torin watches the cabin for a moment.
“Ragnar has always taken his responsibility very seriously.”
“That’s a nice way of saying he’s stubborn.”
Torin chuckles softly.
“That too.”
We stand there for a moment then he looks back at me.
“Sebastian.”
“Yeah?”
“If you ever feel overwhelmed by what you are becoming… you do not have to face it alone.”
I blink.
“I’ve got Ragnar.”
“And that is good for you.”
His voice remains calm.
“But Ragnar is an alpha.”
I wait for him to continue.
“And Alphas lead through strength and instinct.”
“And that’s bad somehow?”
“Not for pack matters, no.”
He folds his arms loosely.
“But ancient wolves like yourself are…typically different.”
“Different how?”
“They require more understanding.”
“Okay way to not be mysterious or anything Elder Torin.”
“Call me Torin. There are records the elders keep,” Torrin continues thoughtfully. “Old knowledge about wolves just like you.”
That catches my attention immediately. “There are?”
“Well some.”
“Why didn’t Ragnar mention that?”
Torin’s expression doesn’t change.
“He may not consider them important. Besides, the elders are not really on good talking terms with Ragnar right now.”
That seems strange, Ragnar said most ancient wolf knowledge was lost. Also why were they beefing?
Aren't the pack leadership supposed to be in one accord with the Alpha?
Maybe he didn’t know about the records.
Or maybe they’re buried somewhere dusty and useless.
Torin watches my reaction quietly.
“If you ever wished to see them,” he adds casually, “I could arrange for that.”
I hesitate for a moment.
Ragnar is not exactly on good terms with him. Won't it be a bad thing to get help from him?
“That sounds… complicated.”
“Not particularly.”
The breeze shifts once more, carrying the scent of pine through the air. It was almost autumn.
I glance back at the cabin and I see a shadow moving in my room.
I almost scream for bloody murder until I see Ragnar’s silhouette moving briefly behind the curtain.
“I should probably go inside,” I say.
“Of course you should.”
Torrin steps back slightly as if he's heading back.
Did he just escort me back like some knight?
Huh. He's a gentleman I guess.
“But remember something, Sebastian.” He calls, turning to face me as I pause.
“What?”
His gaze is steady and now serious.
“You are entering a part of our world that few wolves understand and most will kill you for.”
Yeah I know. It's becoming painfully obvious.
“So you should be very careful who let in or you follow,” he continues calmly, “trusting the wrong person will kill you and destroy this pack.”
I nod slowly.
“Right.” Thanks for the goodnight lullaby Torin.
“Ragnar surely will protect you,” Torrin says but there’s a brief pause.
“But you should know that before you both became a thing, he was an Alpha first. His first responsibility is to the good of this pack.”
Something about the sentence and the ominous way he says it lingers in the air and settles.
I nod again, still unsure of what else to say.
“Yeah thanks I guess? Goodnight, Elder Torin.”
“Goodnight Sebastian. And please call me Torin.”
I turn and walk toward the cabin in silence. I'm stewing over the conversation I just had with Torin.
The door swings open before I even reach it and Ragnar steps out, his eyes immediately scanning me.
“Are you alright Sebastian?”
“Yeah,” I say.
Mostly. I'm too tired for another fight.
He glances toward the path behind me as if curious. Torin is already too far away for him to see him, his shadow the only thing Ragnar sees causing his jaw to tighten slightly.
“Sebastian, I've been looking for you everywhere, where have you been?”
I shrug nonchallantly.
“Its been a long day Alpha Ragnar.”
Ragnar studies my face for a long moment then he sighs quietly and steps aside to let me inside.
As the door closes behind us, I can’t help thinking about what Torin said.
‘Trusting the wrong person will kill you and destroy this pack.’
And for some reason, I can’t quite stop wondering if he’s right.
Especially with Alisander going mute during the whole thing.