The Viking's Wolf Bride

ng-an ambush by a rival clan had cut their numbers in half, leaving them limping back to their village with nothing but wounds and shame. Erik cursed under his b

awing sense of dread was creeping in. The forest was unnervingly quiet, as if even the birds and beasts knew something was wrong. Erik had felt it for we

Smoke curled from the chimneys, but the usual sounds of daily life were absent. No children's laughter, no clamor of wome

ard, their eyes wide with fear. They barely acknowledged Erik's return, their focus fixed

?" Erik demanded

rik's. "The wolves, my lord," he whispered

aving nothing but blood and bodies in their wake. Livestock had been slaughtered, crops trampled, and worst of all, people had been killed. The attac

e main square was deserted, save for a few villagers huddled together, their faces pale and drawn. Smoke rose from several pyres,

with age. Her hair was a wild tangle of white, her eyes milky and distant. She held a long woode

out, his voice echo

s they focused on his blood-stained armor. "You've returned,

ell me what's happening! These attacks-why can't we stop them? We've h

m. "The wolves are not mere beasts," she murmured, her voice low and eerie. "The

. "A curse?

bound in the depths of the earth, his rage seeping into the land. He stirs, his power gro

d of the world. But that was just a myth, a story told to frighten children. Yet as he loo

sked, his voice strained. "

one way," she said slowly. "The curse can be broken, but it requires a sa

, his confusion growin

o a whisper. "A marriage, Chieftain. A marriag

blow. "Marriage? You expect me to marry so

out of hunger or malice. They are driven by the curse, seeking to fulfill the

h anger. "And where am I supposed to find

lmost trance-like quality. "When the time is right, they will lead you to

as he looked around at his village, at the frightened faces of his people, he knew he had no other choice. The

s what must be done to save my people, then so be

. "But you must be prepared, Chieftain. The path ahe

ening. "I will do whatever it takes t

tic smile. "Begin by listening to the wo

The people were watching him, their faces etched with worry. He knew what they were thinking-how could their chieftain,

putting his faith in an ancient prophecy and following the guidance of wolves, then so

urnful howl of a wolf echoing through the forest. The sound sent a shiver down his

pyres and the distant howl of wolves. Erik sat alone in his longhouse, the firelight casting flickering shadows on the walls. He

his-this was something different. It was as if the very fabric of reality had sh

rik could feel their presence, a weight in the air that pressed down on him like

y did, he wo

*

hecy with them. Their reactions were mixed-some were skeptical, others fearful, bu

l we break this curse. If marrying this... chosen bride is what it takes, then I'l

through countless battles, faced down enemies far more fearsome tha

red for another attack. The villagers whispered among themselves, the fear of the unknown gnawin

ad barely slept, his mind too restless, his body too tense. He was standing by the window of his

illage was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of the night absent. The

from the shadows at the edge of the village. Their eyes glowed with an unnatur

He knew instinctively that this was no ordinary attack.

and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. Erik felt a strange pull, a connection that was both terrif

nrir's chosen, the leader of the pack,

's heart pounded, but he didn't flinch. He could feel the eyes of h

thout warning, it turned and began to walk away, heading toward the

n he had been waiting for, the path he had to foll

ed his men, his voice

s warriors began, but Eri

rmly. "The wolves won't harm me.

o the forest. The night closed in around him, the trees casting long, twisted shadows. The wolve

e, to a place where the trees grew so thick that the moonlight bare

dge, its eyes still locked on Erik. The rest of the pack formed a

oonlight, cascading down her back in wild, untamed waves. Her skin was pale, almost luminous in the darkness. But

her, something primal and ancient. She looked at Erik with a mixture of curiosity

Erik asked, his voi

," she replied, her voice soft but strong. "I am the one the wolves h

eart pounding in his chest. "W

ust as you are bound to your people. The curse flows through my veins as

en of, the one who would save his people. But who wa

rowl, a sound that reverberated through the clearin

. "You must decide now. Will you accept me as your bride and br

, unnatural. But he couldn't deny the truth-the wolves had led him here f

eath, Erik nod

k his hand, her touch sending a jolt of energy through him. Her eyes softened, and fo

eal our fate,"

le on his shoulders. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with dang