Chapter 44: Orion’s the better Fighter

The hearth’s crackling fire filled the vast interior of Brynhild and Lysander’s home with a steady warmth, the golden light dancing across the rune-etched beams and stone walls.

Sophia sat on the cushioned stool, her nervous smile lingering in her face.

"What could that be?" Brynhild asked her.

The room, deceptively spacious within its modest stone exterior, exuded a homey charm. The wooden floor, polished smooth and patched with wolf-pelt rugs, creaked softly under her shifting weight. Shelves along the walls held jars of salves and scrolls, Lysander’s healing touch evident, while the oak table bore a steaming kettle and a basket of bread, its aroma blending with the herbal scents. In the corner, a small crib of dark wood, carved with protective runes, stood beside a narrow bed piled with furs and woven blankets in earthy tones, a quiet promise of the baby to come.

Sophia took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Could you teach me to fight?" she asked, her voice tentative but earnest.

The words tumbled out, gaining momentum as her admiration spilled forth. "You were practically a goddess out there on the field! The way you swung your swords against the Skylur at the gate, dodging its claws like it was nothing...I couldn’t take my eyes off you. It was incredible!"

Brynhild’s eyes narrowed, a snarky edge creeping into her voice. "Keep mentioning you were at the gate, darling, and I’ll have to scold you properly. You’re testing my patience."

Sophia’s mouth snapped shut, her cheeks flushing. "I’ll shut up now," she muttered, clamping her lips together. The silence lasted about five seconds before her enthusiasm bubbled up again. "But seriously, I know you’re the best warrior in the pack. I’d love for you to teach me, please?"

Brynhild’s laughter rang out, rich and unexpected, filling the room with warmth. "Best? Hardly. That title belongs to Orion." She leaned back in her chair, the warm cloth over her lap shifting slightly as she adjusted.

Sophia made a face at the name, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "Orion?" she echoed, the word tasting sour.

Brynhild’s laughter deepened, a sound that eased the tension.

"Dont make me pee myself again. But yes, Orion. He’s the one you’d want," Brynhild said, her tone softening.

"But I don’t want Orion even if he’s the best. I want you." Sophia told her.

"But I can’t train you, not with this bed rest. Lysander’s orders are clear: no fighting, no duties. And except you want to wait for months before training then that’s not going to happen. You shouldn’t worry about learning to fight though, it’s not like you aren’t protected here."

Sophia’s jaw tightened, her mind flashing to the dream, Trihydra’s gaping maw, Orion’s bloodied accusation, the pack’s destruction. The fear lingered in her bones, a visceral urge to be prepared even if her rational mind dismissed it as impossible. She didn’t voice this, keeping it locked behind a determined gaze. "I want to learn," she insisted, her voice firm. "Just in case."

Brynhild studied her, her heightened senses picking up the undercurrent of unease. She sighed, relenting slightly. "If you’re that set on it, meet Orion. He’s a good teacher. He has an eye for what fits and doesn’t fit most people. He trained half the warriors here."

Sophia grumbled, crossing her arms. "I don’t want to meet him. I don’t like him either and he’s insufferable." She could still remember his words as he scolded her. The annoyance with which he referred to her. Right from the first day they met, there was just something annoying about him.

Brynhild raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Suit yourself, then. Be quiet if you don’t want to learn to fight." Her tone was teasing, but it carried a challenge.

Sophia grumbled again, louder this time. "Are you sure that stubborn ogre will even teach me?"

Brynhild’s smirk widened. "Use your charms, girl. Work your magic."

Sophia rolled her eyes, a huff escaping her. "Orion wouldn’t know charm if it hit him in the eye. He’s too busy shouting orders and pretending to be a good person. Annoying freak that he is."

Brynhild’s laughter erupted again, the sound echoing off the rune-etched walls. Brynhild didn’t correct Sophia. Orion was a good alpha. He’d been alpha from a young age and always put the pack first before himself. He’d make sure others were cared for before caring for himself, hence why his injury from the trihydra had spread like that. There was also the fact that he hated being a burden to people choosing to hide his pains and worries than speak up.

"You’ll never know until you try. Maybe he will be eager to teach you." Brynhild told her.

Sophia scoffed at that. She doubted Orion would be eager to teach her but he was her only choice for now.

Soohia and Brinhyld fell into an easy conversation and the minutes slipped by in a comfortable rhythm. Eventually, Sophia’s gaze drifted to the corner, where the baby items stood.

The crib, its dark wood gleaming with protective runes, and the narrow bed with its pile of furs drew her curiosity. She rose, stepping closer, her fingers brushing the edge of the crib.

"Are you excited?" she asked, turning back to Brynhild with a gentle smile.

Brynhild’s hand moved to her stomach, a soft smile curving her lips as she rubbed the slight swell. "I am. It’s a new fight, in its own way." Her voice carried a quiet joy, tempered by the uncertainty of her condition.

Sophia’s smile widened. "Can I be an aunty when the baby comes?" The question was impulsive, a hopeful bridge between them.

Brynhild nodded, she didn’t dare voice that Soohia would only be an aunty if she was able to stay in the pack until the birth of the baby especially given the fact that they still knew nothing about her. Lysander had told Tobias to check for any books about Sophia’s condition so they could better understand it since he had little knowledge about the condition. Time will tell if Sophia was a friend or foe.

As the fire crackled, casting shadows across the room, Sophia glanced at the hearth, then back at Brynhild. "Any news about the annoying oaf?"

"Oaf?" Brynhild asked.

"Please don’t make me say his name." Sophia begged her.

"You mean Orion?" Brynhild asked her.

"Who else is not him?" Sophia asked.

"No. He hasn’t woken up yet." Brynhild told her. "Why though? Do you care?"

Sophia mimicked throwing up. "Care? Care for him? No way. I cannot care for someone like him. He collapsed in my presence and that’s the only reason why I’m asking to know if he’s okay. But I’ll take my leave now. It’s nice to see you awake." Sophia told Brynhild who just smiled.

"Well then..." Sophia said as she began her walk to the medical facility to see the ogre.