Page 1 of Beast

Prologue

Kaja

The Werewolf Plane

I look up into the eyes of the woman who raised me,seeking any kind of understanding there. Helga is not a kind mother. The olderwolf isn’t my mother at all. She was designated by the First as my keeper whenI was orphaned. But Helga was the one to ensure I survived. Helga gives me foodand grudging shelter when the weather is too cold for any wolf to stand. Helgaonly beats me when there is no other option. I’m aware I’m far too thin for ashe-wolf of four and twenty, but it’s only to be expected. I have no mate, andHelga must think of her own children first.

But she owes me answers.

“What does it mean?” I ask.

I don’t understand what just happened. It makes no sense. Myhands tremble as I pull the thin shawl around my shoulders. I think aboutchanging. I always change when I feel this anxious. Fur and fangs and fourstrong paws seem more solid than my two-legged body. I hold fast to my humanform since I need to understand how my life has changed following thewisewoman’s pronouncement.

Mere moments before, the wisewoman, a large, sturdy wolf,stood up in the middle of the evening meal and spoke. I was at the edge of thedining hall, as is customary. I’m not allowed to eat until the rest of the packis done. Though I couldn’t hear everything that was said, I felt the eyes ofthe pack turn, seeking me out. They stared, some with open sympathy, most withsneers.

I do not understand why.

Helga’s eyes are anything but kind as she looks at me. “Itmeans you are outcast. Do you understand the word, girl? You are no longerwelcome in the pack. I risk the First’s anger by even speaking with you, butyou are too stupid to be expected to understand on your own.”

“Why?” My voice sounds as small as I feel.

I ignore the insults. They are as ordinary to my life asbreathing. I was never particularly welcome in the pack, but it’s the only homeI know. The world is a cold place. How will I survive on my own? It’s winter,and there is barely enough food to feed the pack. I can’t compete with thewarriors on my own. If I am outcast and they catch me hunting in theirterritory, they will kill me.

Sven will kill me.

Tears pool in my eyes as I think of the handsome Second. Heis every inch his father’s son. He will be First someday. I fought him, but hedoesn’t take no for an answer. I hated the mating, but somewhere in the back ofmy mind I wonder if Sven will help me. He desires me. That has to mean he caresabout me. I have always known that Sven will not ask me to be his permanentmate. He will select a much more suitable she-wolf for that honor. But he haspromised me the role of concubine. It is not without its benefits. I will berespected as the Second’s mistress. I will be the she-wolf who holds his heart.Even if he never holds mine, I will be fed and have a place of honor.

“Sven will not allow it.” He called me beautiful. He won’tallow me to be thrown out of the pack. He can’t. He was the one to pursue me.The truth is I loathe him, but I don’t see another way.

Helga sighs. “He’s done with you, idiot child. He’s going topermanently mate with the wisewoman’s daughter. Did you think she would allowher daughter’s future husband to keep you as a concubine? That is anembarrassment she can not endure. You should never have given yourself to thechief’s son.”

“I did not realize I had a choice,” I reply bitterly.

I remember that first night. It lingers in my dreams, anightmare I can’t escape. I was not given a choice. Sven came for me with hisfriends at his side. His friends held me down. I fought and fought, and I lost.

Helga frowns, and for the first time there’s sympathy in herdark eyes. “You didn’t, child. You haven’t had a choice in anything. It wouldhave been kinder if the chieftain had left you on the mountainside to die as Isuggested. Now, go. I will not risk my place for you. I am fourth among thewomen now. I am the keeper of this long house. I eat well and have goodshelter. I will not lose my standing for the daughter of a traitor. You mustgo.”

I turn away. There will be no moving my foster mother. WhenHelga mentions my father’s perfidy, I know there’s no argument that can swayher. My father challenged Sven’s father and lost. That is what makes him atraitor. If I was born male, I would have been slaughtered along with myfather. Perhaps that would have been easier.

As my father’s female pup, I was allowed to live but nevergiven a place in the pack. Now that I think about it, I have been outcast allof my life.

I look around the long house. It’s the only home I’ve everknown. I’m allowed to sleep in the back where they keep the cattle. I nevertold them that I don’t mind. It’s warmer near the cattle.

Where will I sleep this evening?

I’m pulled from my misery by a rough hand. I look up and seeit’s Sven’s closest friend, Stellan. He looks sad with his unkempt beard anddark eyes. Though his hand is tight around my thin arm, it’s not painful.“Come. You must go now.”

He begins to drag me along. The door to the long house isopen. It’s dark outside, and I can feel the cold from here. Once I leave, Iwill never be allowed back in. “Please, take me to Sven. He won’t let thishappen.”

Stellan stops and looks down at me. “Oh, little one, who doyou think ordered me to escort you out?”

My stomach rolls. All around me the pack is watching withjudgmental eyes. I’m weak, and they hate weakness.

“Out!” one of the women shouts. She tosses a rancid tomatoat my face. It strikes me firmly, and my eyes burn from the juice it spits out.

Stellan hurries me along.

Others join in on the fun, and I’m covered in food andbruised by the time Stellan maneuveres me out. The cold hits me as hard as anyof the objects they throw. The snow is deep, and I have no shoes. Shoes are aluxury. I am barely allowed food. When I turn, I see the light glowing frominside the long house. My heart aches. I have not known an ounce of realkindness here, but it’s safe. It’s warm.