***
Each night, the three met at the same place by the river. Felix and Nea talked about the past and what they hoped for the future. They wanted a life together, but how could they make it work? Felix knew it was impossible for Nea to return to the clan. But could he give up everything to be with her?
“Living away from the commune is great, Liam has this fantastic place. He runs a hunting Lodge. He’d give you a job, no problem. His wife is human but she knows all about us.” Tore explained
“Don’t you feel isolated? Being away from our own kind? Having to stay hidden?”
“No, it’s private there. Liam has plenty of land. We hunt in our wolf forms when we want, can be who we are. Björn and Otto don’t live far, they come by sometimes. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Tore enjoyed living amongst humans. He’d adapted well, liked the freedom, and he’d found a place where he was happy. It had only been a few years, but they’d established a small clan. Felix joining them was a viable option.
***
A few days later, nerves ransacked Felix’s stomach as he paced back and forth waiting for them. He jumped at the sound of Tore’s car despite anticipating its arrival.
This was it. Today, Nea was bringing Rune to meet him. Now he needed to make a decision, about returning with her and Tore.
His palms were sweaty. Could he take on a kid that had caused so much pain? Nea got out of the car and walked towards him. Behind her, Tore climbed out and hoisted a small child to his hip. Felix couldn’t help but notice how comfortable he was with the child. His heart lurched. Tore looked like a father with his son.
Swallowing back the lump in his throat, he wondered if he could ever be that.
A father…
…with a son.
He reached out to Rune and took hold of his chubby little hand.
“Hey there, little guy, nice to meet you. I’m Felix, Mommy’s friend. You wanna take a walk with us, see if we can find any fish in the river?”
Rune nodded, giving him a shy smile. Then, in that unconditional way small children have, he reached out and allowed Felix to take him from Tore. As Felix wrapped his arms around Rune, the little boy held on tight.
Maybe he could be a dad to this kid, after all.
12
While Felix walked Rune and Nea down to the river, Tore waited at the car. He knew his friend was close to making a decision and he wondered if he would bring Felix back to Liam’s or leave Nea behind. The latter was more risky. From what Felix had told him, repatriation would not be easy, in fact it might be suicidal. He sighed, there was only one choice if his friends were going to stay together. A smile crept over his face. And that suited him fine, because that way he would be able to keep in contact with Rune.
Tore opened the door of his rental. A twig cracked. He froze, turning his head to the sound. From nowhere, bodies crashed through the undergrowth towards him. Tore leaped back, realizing too late what was happening. David barked an order and five clan members surrounded Tore.
Tore backed up, his hand reaching out as he stumbled. Disorientated, he glanced from face to face. Henrik, Georg, David. His worse nightmares were lined up in front of him, and they’d brought friends. Luca and Marc rounded out the group of aggressors. “Guys, please let’s…” Tore’s fight or flight reaction tugged hard. It took all his resolve to stay in place. If he ran, they’d shift, if he attacked them; they would too. Either way, this was going to end badly. He swallowed hard. How did they know he was there? Anger flared as reality dawned and he scoured the trail for Nea. “Felix, you traitor.” He yelled. Why would his friend do this?
Felix stopped down the track and turned towards the commotion. He froze with his arm wrapped around Nea and Rune clinging to his chest. Tore glared at him, searching for an answer. But Felix’s eyes were wide, his face blanched. His friend was as
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