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Mt. Isolation, White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. The spring of late April, 2021.
The clearing where the wolves lived was unusually quiet as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. Willow was scared, but she had to pull herself together. Her father, Balto, sat atop his ledge, outside his den, watching over the pack with a calm demeanor.
The judgment of Finbar was looming, coming soon with the setting of the moon.
Willow stepped forward, her legs trembling beneath her but her resolve strong. She took a deep breath and climbed up to where he was seated, summoning the courage that she had known her whole life as her father’s daughter. She was not only speaking for herself but for her family, and for the wolf-dog she loved more than anything.
She had left her pups under the rigid care of her stepmother, Luna, while she sought a conversation with the Alpha. She was not the best with children, but she was also trustworthy; the dark brown she-wolf was the only one she felt could be trusted highly with her precious babies.
“Dad,” she began, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. “I need to speak with you. Please.”
Balto’s golden eyes flicked down toward her, acknowledging her presence. He looked at her for a long moment before nodding slowly. There was a tinge of hurt, of devastation, in his expression, she just knew it. “What is it, Willow?” Balto asked, looking away.
Willow took another step forward, her breath catching in her throat.
“I know that Finbar broke our laws,” she began again, her voice pleading but respectful. “I know he entered our territory without permission, and I know that we kept our relationship hidden from you, but he never meant to cause harm to our pack. He loves me, and I love him. We have pups together. We are a family.”
Balto’s expression remained unreadable as he stared out into the night horizon, but his ears twitched slightly as she spoke. He didn’t interrupt, allowing her to continue.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“I’m begging you,” Willow said, her voice breaking slightly. “Please… spare his life. Don’t take him away from me or from our pups. They need their father. I need him. He’s willing to make amends, to do whatever it takes to earn his place here. Please, give him that chance.”
There was a lengthy, cumbersome silence as Balto considered her words. Willow’s heart hammered in her chest, and she forced herself to stand tall, even though she felt as though she might crumble under the pressure.
Finally, Balto spoke plainly: “Willow, you are my daughter. I raised you to be strong, and I have always respected your judgment. But this…”
He paused, his gaze softening only slightly. “What you have done is a considerable betrayal. Jargoth has been sent away while Finbar still remains, for if I had not sent him away I am afraid Finbar’s fate would not have ended up decided by myself. It is also to keep you safe, because your actions have caused his ire to rise. That said, this goes beyond your life; it is about the life of the entire pack. The wolf-dog is not one of us, and his presence here threatens the balance and safety we have worked so hard to maintain. You know this.”
Willow nodded quickly, her eyes pleading. “I know, Dad. I understand.. I’m… I’m really so sorry for all of this. I love him, Dad! I only acted on what I felt in my heart. I never meant… I never meant for this.. I never even meant to hurt Jargoth, I never wanted to be his mate but even so. Hear me, Dad…I believe Fin can be a part of our pack. I cared for him as he healed, I rescued him, and he protected me in return. He is not a threat. He can help protect us, not harm us. He is strong, brave and clever.”
Balto sighed, his expression conflicted. He looked at Willow with a tenderness that few others ever saw. “You love him,” he said quietly, more of a statement than a question.
“I do,” Willow whispered, eyes narrowed and brows upturned. “With all my heart.”
Willow could sense the unease in the air, and she knew that her father disapproved of her and everything she now stood for, but she also knew that her father’s word was final; if he showed mercy, then the rest of the group would too… at least outwardly, to honor their leader’s choice.
Her children would then be allowed to have their father in their lives.
After what felt like an eternity, Balto spoke with a flat tone: “I will not take Finbar’s life this day.”
Willow let out a sigh, relief flooding through her. Her eyes filled with the saltiness of tears, she dipped her head in gratitude. “Thank you.”
Balto wasn’t finished, though. “But. Finbar will not be granted full membership in the pack immediately. He will have to prove himself. He will work under my watch, and if he can show loyalty and strength, I may reconsider his place here. Know this, Willow, that if he falters, if he betrays the pack’s trust in any way, there will be no second chances. His life will be forfeit, by my own fangs.”
Willow’s eyes grew large and her smile bright, hardly able to contain her excitement that her mate was not even going to be exiled, at least not for now. There was a chance! “Dad! Y-Yes, I understand.”
“Go to him,” he said blankly, clearly trying to hide some kind of emotion. “Make sure he understands what is at stake.”