A Werewolf Fantasy
Chapter 17

Erin felt an equal measure of relief and dread when her father and his fellow warriors from Quandagh arrived in Ketjuok promptly at noon. She was thankful to have her blood relation here with her but also afraid that things might get hairy and one or both of them may be fatally injured.

Before she could see her father, he had to first meet with the Prime Alpha for an important strategy meeting. The meeting in which Danshak and his brothers participated, took more than two hours and when it was finally over, Erin was more than happy to be reunited with her father.

"My dearest Edvana," he said with a happy smile as he enveloped her in a warm embrace. "What a relief it is for me to see you again in good health and unharmed. Your mother and I were so worried when we heard about the ambush. I am so glad you are well."

"I'm so happy to see you too, Father," said Erin brokenly. "It was awful, the attack. I was so afraid, it's a miracle that we are all still alive."

"I heard how brave you were during the second attack. I am very proud of you, my daughter."

"I don't feel so brave, Father," she confessed softly. "I want to go back home but I don't want to leave Danshak's side. I want to be with him until the end of this nightmare."

"Do not worry, my darling. The Quandagh warriors are here now and you are safe. You do not have to leave your mate out of fear now because we are here to keep you all safe. We will travel with you all until you reach Denai' Vena safely, and then we shall return home."

"But what if you get attacked on your way back home?" Erin asked worriedly.

"Have no fear, Edvana. It is not I or my warriors that Nikjin is after, at least for now. He is after the Prime Alpha and his immediate family, not the rest of us."

"But they attacked other werewolves during the two ambushes that have happened so far," she argued.

"Yes, and that was because those werewolves tried to stop the beasts from getting to their target. Trust me, my dear. The rest of us are in no danger if we are not near the Prime Alpha."

Erin sighed but not out of relief. She hoped her father was right and that he would not be harmed during this journey or when he and his fellow warriors returned home. The uncertainty of the situation was almost driving her mad with worry but there was nothing she could do.

"Come, let me show you the bundles your mother and sister asked me to give you," said her father.

He knew she was still feeling uneasy despite his attempts to reassure her of her safety and that of her mate. He took her to where he had kept a small stash of wrapped items and he retrieved two leather-bound bundles and gave them to her. "Thank you," she said solemnly before unwrapping the items. The bigger one was a beautiful fur poncho designed with beads and tiny shells of different colors.

"That one is from your mother," said her father. "She had just finished making it when the messengers arrived yesterday to inform us of what had happened during your journey here.

"She initially made it for herself, but when she learned that I will be coming here, she decided that she wanted you to have it. She thought you might appreciate something from home to keep you warm and to remind you that we are thinking of you."

Erin's eyes stung with tears at her father's words and her mother's sweetness. It felt good to be reminded of how much her parents loved her, even in a different era. It seemed that her parents' love for her transcended any period in time and it remained unshaken and that knowledge humbled her.

"This is so beautiful," she finally said when she found her voice. "I wish and can see her now and give her a hug for this."

"I will embrace her on your behalf when I return home," said her father with a wink, making Erin laugh despite her momentary sadness.

She unwrapped the small bundle and was pleased to see a beautiful necklace in it made from shells, onyx, and turquoise. It was the most beautiful item of jewelry that she had ever laid eyes on, even in the future where she came from. "This is breathtaking," she gushed. "Did Abna make it?"

"Indeed, my dear," said her father proudly. "This should remind you of why your sister is famous for making unique necklaces. She is simply the best when it comes to crafting things like this. Do you like it?" "I love it!"

"Good. She will be glad to know that you love your gift."

A servant came to inform them that lunch was served, so both father and daughter went hand in hand to the clearing under a wide willow tree. The meal comprised the deers that Danshak and his brothers had caught earlier and some fruits and steamed vegetables. Erin sat beside her husband and was glad to see him smiling at her once she had settled down.

"You look more at ease than you were in the morning," said Danshak. "I believe that has everything to do with your father's presence."

"True,” she admitted. "And my mother and my sister sent me gifts from home."

He chuckled. "You have only been gone for a few hours and your family is already sending you gifts? They must be missing you very much."

"Just as I miss them too."

"Even when you have me?" he asked softly.

Erin felt her blood bubble with excitement when she looked into his smoldering eyes that were fastened on hers. "I only miss them because they are not here, but you...you are here with me. How can I miss you when you're right here with me?"

"And I will always be with you," he whispered.

The Prime Alpha cleared his throat and said, "Perhaps you two should go into your tent and we will send a servant to bring your food to you."

Everyone in the gathering laughed and Erin couldn't hide her embarrassment when she realized that the werewolf supreme leader had been speaking to her and Danshak. Everyone was looking at them with that knowing expression reserved for newlyweds.

"I do not mind that at all," said Danshak, with a grin. "That sounds like a good idea, does it not?"

"Don't be silly," said Erin, swatting him playfully on the arm. "We will eat with you all here," she said to her father-in-law.

Lunch became a relaxed affair as they all eat and laughed at each other's jokes. It was their way of boosting everyone's morale during such a dire period.

They knew that the beasts would not attack them during the day because they were creatures of the dark, so this knowledge made them relax a little bit.

Once they finished eating, they rested a little and began to prepare to continue their journey out of Ketjuok. The border village and the beastly night creatures were the only things standing between them and their destination, and according to Monah, if they set off this afternoon, they should arrive at Denai' Vena by dawn.

"This leg of the journey might be the most dangerous part of our trip home," said Vak Smallchief as he addressed his subjects.

"We are about to continue our trip home and if everything goes well, we shall arrive on our home soil before the sun rises tomorrow morning. However, as we all know, evil creatures are lurking in the shadows, sent by my brother to devour us. Let us all be on our guard and fight with all of our strength and might when the need arises."

"Now that we have more warriors in our midst, they shall run ahead, beside, and behind us," Monah announced. "Those devils will have to slaughter all the warriors before they can get through to the Prime Alpha or his family." Erin felt a bit reassured by these announcements by the Prime Alpha and his general, but she was still worried about the warriors, especially because her father was one of them.

She wasn't the praying type, but she silently offered up a few words of prayer to the universe to please spare the lives of her loved ones and fellow innocent werewolves as they embarked on the deadliest journey of their lives.