My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 365

Fenris

I found a spot away from camp, no fire, just the cold and the dark and the quiet. I sat down and let out a long breath, already relaxing. Five days on the road, and we'd made it to the southern ridge, but it felt longer. It felt like I'd been carrying this for centuries.

The weight in my chest, the guilt I couldn't shake, the memories I couldn't escape. The men were settling in for the night, joking and boasting over the fire, testing each other. Ossian had tried to pick a fight with Jace over a dice game, and Yvara had to step in before it went too far.

Then Dimitri spoke up. "A long journey, brother."

I didn't open my eyes. "Was quiet for a while," I said without turning, then Dimitri sighed. "You know, if we didn't live like such savages, we wouldn't have to ride for days in this cold.'"

"You were Alpha once," I said quietly. "You never complained."

"Because I knew there was no changing Father. But you're Alpha now. You could change this law."

I was quiet for a long time, not answering. Dimitri shifted next to me, impatient. Finally I said, "Our ancestors have lived here for centuries. We maintain these traditions for a reason." I opened my eyes. "The gods keep us safe. Because we've continued to reject human things, we've kept our strength. The rest of the wolves have diluted theirs."

Dimitri scoffed. "You sound just like your father."

"He is your father too," I said.

"I don't need you reminding me," he snapped. I was quiet, watching the stars. Dimitri sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. You're not like him." I shook my head. He wasn't here to fight. He was here to tell me what I already knew.

He let go of my hand and leaned his shoulders against the tree. "So," he said. "Tell me why you needed to sneak out of your own camp so bad you didn't even take a fire with you. Is this about the mission, or did you just need somewhere to point the anger?"

I pushed up from the ground and glared at him. "I have real cause. Vane confirmed the eastern packs were attacked by Lycans."

"Which I would have told you earlier before now, but you were in such a hurry to point your anger." Dimitri picked a pinecone off the tree and tossed it into the underbrush. "Fenris, you don't even know what you're hunting. You're riding out there with a few dozen men and no information."

"Vane confirmed the attacks. And we found the remains of the Eastern Packs. This isn't blind rage." I folded my arms and set my jaw. "You would do the same."

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