King's Wolf (eBook)

Michelle Wingfield (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2023 | 1. Auflage
488 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3509-3644-5 (ISBN)

Infos

'King's Wolf' is a medieval fantasy novel with a modern twist about Tala-- an outcast royal and spy who must go against all odds to save her kingdom from its seemingly invincible enemy. With only the daggers at her sides, the illegal ability she possesses, and the scars of her past, Tala sets out with her wolf friend to brave the impossible.

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Orphan, outcast princess, royal guard, and spy of the Highland Kingdom- Tala has been fighting to survive all her short life. Blamed for a crime she didn't commit and wanted for the illegal ability she possesses; Tala ran away to live in peace with a pack of wolves. But when the Northland Kingdom wages a war of mysterious, invincible magic on the other kingdoms, the King of Highland becomes desperate. After Tala is caught and nearly executed, the King spares her life when he realizes that, with the very abilities he sentenced her to death for, she is the only one that has a chance at stopping the war and saving the kingdom. With no other choice, Tala sets out on an impossible mission. Her strength, courage, and trust are tested, unexpected allies arise, and the past haunts steadily. After everything she's been through- will this be the thing that destroys her? Or will she prove yet again that the impossible is simply just improbable?Fantasy, romance, action, and adventure lovers are sure to enjoy this thrilling, captivating novel.

Textauszug

Chapter Two

Some things just cannot be explained. And some things are better left unexplained, even if there is an explanation. Some things one can never speak of. And some things can only be held in the depths of one’s heart. Some of these things you know of, some things you don’t. But it is one thing to feel, and another thing to understand, and yet an entirely different thing to know, with certainty, those things that trickle through your heart and deep within your mind. Truths never uttered from the lips, yet truths that all are aware of. From the birds in the air to the grass on the ground, from the largest beasts and purest souls, to the water flowing through the mountains to the blood coursing through your veins– all feel those truths.

But it is one thing to feel, another thing to understand, and another to know.

All feel. Not all understand. And rarely ever does someone know.

My name is Tala, cub of Motherwolf. Named by Alphawolf, I strove to live up to my name. I’d never had a name before, save Stablegirl, the name the palace guard called me. But I’d never had an attachment to that name. In order for one to have a name, it must hold meaning and truth to the one. One should be able to hear a name and know whose it was by their character, skills, and heart.

Motherwolf is mate to Alphawolf, and she mothered many of the pack cubs. She was best at it, better than the other female wolves, obvious by the healthy, strong, long–living pups she produced and raised. Alphawolf is alpha, leader to the pack, and that was clear by the way he carried himself and by the sacrifice and courage he displayed for his pack. Omegawolf is second to Alphawolf and his mate, and he would be successor if something were to befall Alphawolf. There were many others in the pack, but each lived up to their name and status in the pack. Each were part of the web–like network that is the pack– many individuals, one mind.

I shared a den with the other wolves: Swiftwolf, Songwolf, Wisewolf, Strongwolf, Moonwolf, Slywolf, Nightwolf, Omegawolf, and Alphawolf. Motherwolf stayed in the small alcove of the den with all of the pups who hadn’t earned their names yet. I liked spending time with the pups, and they quickly took a liking to me. A little too much of a liking, Motherwolf often complained when they tried to venture after me when I hunted.

Often, when I’d venture closer to the paths of the Highland Kingdom, I had to make sure a certain pup didn’t follow me there. She was the youngest of the pups that year— sharp sky eyes and dark fur much like Nightwolfs. She had spirit, reminding me of myself, and I believed she had already earned her name. The other wolves didn’t recognize it yet, because of her youth, but I called her Spiritpup, though I made certain to keep it under wraps so as not to disrespect Alphawolf. But I knew Spiritpup was thrilled with her name. Many times I reminded her not to trail along with me when I hunted close to the Kingdom, but frequently I found her at my heels anyway, reaching her mind to mine.

Wait, Stalkingwolf! Watch you hunt, I must. Learn I will! Quiet I’ll be!

No, Spiritpup, I shoot back. Not safe for a young one like you. Go back to Motherwolf.

Motherwolf warm, but hunt I want to learn. Make kill, good food. Fun! Be with you I want also.

Well…alright. Just stay close and listen. Next time you stay back.

When I’d seldom cross the Kingdom’s paths, I’d notice the wanted flyers pinned to the trees, with a reward of high pay advertised if found dead or alive, and a sketch of my face. They remind me of who I am, but they also remind me of what I was blamed for. Though I knew the Prince’s death wasn’t my fault, guilt weighed on my heart. I had brought that poisoned bottle of wine to his chambers. I had been the one that hadn’t sensed the deceit in the Queen and stopped her before she murdered her own son. Me. A spy with the Keen– the Demise.

And no one would ever know the truth. Only I knew it. They have a woman ruling them who murdered her own kin. Her child. And they’ll never know.

I had been with the pack for two years now, and was almost sixteen winters old. I was woven into the finely knit network of everything around me, and was content. When something was stirred, I felt it.

But I also knew what I left behind. And I still felt the dwindling connection to him.

Prince Sabian. My twin brother.

Though I had no memory of him, I’ve always felt him. And since he’d been ripped from me, I felt a piece was missing from myself. But I still felt him. I knew when he was in danger, or having a strong emotion, was in pain, or anything of the like, I felt it. Many times I’ve reached to his mind, but every time I was blocked. First, confusion. Then, an impenetrable wall of guardedness. So, I soberly pulled back, regrettably aware of the sever between us and unsure if it would ever be amended or restored.

Brother or not, we were connected. And I knew he possessed the Keen just as I did, though if he was aware of it, I did not know.

I only wished to know him one day, and share the connection we were meant to have. I longed with all my heart that he didn’t believe me to be a murderer. Even if he didn’t know we were siblings. And most of all, I hoped he didn’t allow others to diminish who he was, or to break him down– or even worse– break him into something he’s not.

Stalkingwolf.

I was pulled from my thoughts as Motherwolf padded to my side. I adjusted my position against the oak I was leaning against and slid down to crouch next to her and meet her eyes— amber, deep and reading me.

My cub, your mind wanders.

I smiled. Yes, Motherwolf. My mind wanders.

She tucked her haunches beneath her and placed a paw on my knee, her white tipped fur glistening like snow in the sunlight.

Calm. Stay present to what is around you. That is what matters. Not what suffers your mind.

I nodded. Wisewolf.

Motherwolf snorted what can only be named a laugh. Wisewolf is Wisewolfs name. Though folly would have it that my mate did not name me with wisdom.

He should have.

Hush. She tilted her head knowingly. You’ve had another fit. Haven’t you? That is why you lean on this tree and your eyes droop.

Yes. I avoided her gaze. I tire of them, Motherwolf. They seize me without a moment’s warning. When I’m hunting, sleeping, patrolling our territory…I cannot go on this way.

You must. You have no other choice, young one.

I know. It doesn’t make it any easier, though.

Motherwolf got to her paws and nosed me to my feet. Come. Fresh, cool water will do you good. This summer heat is bound to make you worse.

And yet the winter cold makes it worse, too.

Stop complaining, Stalkingwolf. As a pack we bear your burdens with you. You are not alone. Complaining will change nothing. Now come.

She was right. I got up and followed her on shaky legs. True, the summer heat made my tremors and seizures worse and more numerous, likewise with the winter cold, but it was also true that the pack made my life possible. Motherwolf was right; I shouldn’t complain.

The river was swift and cold as it always was, regardless of the temperature. It did do me good, and I laughed and thanked Motherwolf as she splashed me while I drank.

The evening coolness was welcomed by the pack. During the day, the pack spent most of their time lying in the shade. Evening and night— and when the moon was bright— was when the pack was most active.

Motherwolf and I found all of the pups out of the den, chasing and nipping each other, yipping and annoying the older wolves. Ravens hopped about with them, enjoying the play, but when Motherwolf entered the midst, the pups grew still and shook out their coats, and the ravens scattered, squawking.

Spiritpup came and nuzzled my leg. Finally! Stalkingwolf, hunt will we?

Later, young one. If Alpha permits.

She snuffed. He won’t. I’m too young, he says. Too small.

Hush. He can understand you as well as I.

No, he does not. He does not understand me like you do. Not at all.

I mean he can hear you as well as I. Don’t disrespect him.

She fell silent, but she stayed at my side as she always did when I was near. She caught a bit of my buckskin pant leg and began pulling at it. I scolded her, but to no avail. The other pups bowled her over and began tugging at my pants as well.

Enough, Motherwolf barked. Stalkingwolf needs rest.

Reluctantly, they obeyed. All except for Spiritpup. She continued on, but I didn’t mind. She was quite tiny compared to the other pups, and her pull was not strong and didn’t bother me. She tagged along as I followed Motherwolf to the den per her demand. I sat down against the stonewall of the den and sighed. I did need rest.

No hunting tonight, Stalkingwolf, Motherwolf commanded. Sleep until sunrise. I will tell Alphawolf, do not...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 24.12.2023
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Kinder- / Jugendbuch
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3509-3644-5 / 9798350936445