Björn Larssen walked with brisk purposeful steps, his red cape trailed behind him along the wooden floor. He held his head up despite that his blonde hair was recently cut very short, a cultural symbol of loss and grief. It was strange to have his neck so exposed to the air, especially since he had shoulder length hair for so long. No matter of the shocked looks and lingering gazes he received, Björn never let his guard down. He couldn’t afford to show weakness.

He never forgot the first time he took a knife, chopped his hair, and burned the strands in a fire. He performed the act after his father died by Björn’s hand, a decision he needed to do that left him with shame rather than triumph.

The people rejoiced after his death, because his father was a cruel man maddened with power and irrational choices. Björn merely waited until he could kill him and set it up as a natural cause. All it took was a vial of poison and nothing else.

Many had assumed Björn had cut his hair to mourn his father’s death and he allowed them to believe that. Only one person knew the truth. And Björn told him that story in the moments they were alone, away from prying eyes and gossiping mouths.

He continued towards the end of the hallway, his lips were dry and his pale gray eyes were stinging with exhaustion. He stopped and appeared before a beautifully carved door with two guards stationed at its side. They both glanced at the Larssen clan leader, turned and pushed the door open. Björn could feel the waft of warm air envelop his face. He hesitated before taking a step forward to the war room.

The table, which usually held formal clan meetings, was polished and decorated with intricate carvings. Pinned along the walls were detailed maps of cities and beautiful tapestries of flora and fauna. Björn’s footsteps caused the floors to creak under his weight until he stopped by the fireplace. Warm yellow light streamed from the window as large as a wall. The sun was already melting ice from the rooftops and the skies were blue and clear. Björn spotted the clan leader standing still as a statue in front of the fireplace.

Haakon Olafssen was a tall man with broad shoulders and a thin frame underneath his bulky fur cape and robes. His fiery red hair was still long and arranged in Northern braids. He turned his head. His narrow green eyes, sharp jaw and nose gave him the appearance of a chiseled statue. His wrinkles on the corners of his eyes and forehead revealed his true age.

Whatever doubts Björn had in his mind were cast aside. He couldn’t afford to lose the only leader who would at least give him the opportunity to listen to his prepositions. His hands were behind his back, his head high, pale eyes sharp and determined. His expression was serious, his mouth bared no smile or any positive expression. It was always in a state of perpetual grimace, due to a cutting injury that tore away part of his upper lip, revealing hints of his teeth. It was an old wound and a reminder of his father’s harsh lessons.

 Out of instinct, he would his rubbed his mouth in moments of uncertainty as he did so now. Most often people would look on in fear because of his broad frame, looming presence, jagged scars and sharp eyes. The only man who wouldn’t do so was Haakon.

Björn didn’t know why. Perhaps it was Haakon’s unwavering nature or the way he stood his ground. But he also read people like an open book, knowing their true nature. And it’s possible that Haakon had saw a more merciful side under Bjoörn’s harsh exterior. Throughout the years, Haakon’s trust in him whittled away until they no longer spoke.

It was a painful separation.

Björn was proud, but in a moment of weakness, he knew when to acknowledge defeat. It pained him to admit it.

“I am here to ask for your help,” Björn finally  said, not wanting to waste time on trivial words.

“And what could I possibly do for you?” Haakon retorted.

Björn swallowed, aware that there was a sharp pain in his throat.

“I-“ Bjorn cleared his throat, “I need you by my side. That is, as an ally.”

Haakon said nothing.

“The Silver Empire had positioned themselves near my territory. With the assistant of smaller clans, we managed to execute an offensive attack. For now, Silver forces had retreated.”

When Björn hadn’t received a response, he laughed nervously.

 “I must admit,” he continued, “we had an advantage. They hadn’t suspected retaliation so soon. The Hagandotír clan took a lot of convincing on my part but they are desperate for the slice of the peninsula coast. So, I ask if you can spare some forces to reinforce that territory.”

Haakon took a deep breath. He turned his head from the fire, his green eyes had a hard glint to them. Bjorn took a step back, unaccustomed to Haakon looking down on him like a complete stranger.

“And what would it cost?” Haakon asked softly.

Bjorn opened his mouth but Haakon already began to speak again.

“You’ve turned against the council’s wishes,” he continued calmly. It would have been preferable if he yelled at Björn. Haakon wasn’t the one to display grandiose emotions; instead his anger was calm, cold, and precise.

“you’ve taken advantage of smaller werewolf packs and have disregarded established territories. And you have intimidated and pushed Alphas to your favor. Why would I ever be associated with your fear mongering?”

“I don’t think you understand, Haakon!” Björn pleaded, “I did what I had to do to survive!”

He took a step forward. His heart was beating quickly.

“The council never trusted me,” Björn said with bitter tones. “They rather negotiate with enemies and relinquish land.”

Haakon turned his heel and walked towards the wide window. He stared at the distant mountains, the rooftops of wooden houses, and the stone walls that surrounded his territory. Björn cautiously stood next to Haakon, unable to read his face.

“We are living with an unsettling peace,” Björn said softly. “The battle stopped, but we are cowering under their boot, waiting for their next attack. I merely took the initiative and weakened them before they did anything to betray their deal.”

“And you took to the offense,” Haakon said coldly, “allowing to sacrifice everyone for a slim chance at victory.”

Silence again.

“What about your people, Björn?” Haakon demanded. “They were already weakened and strained from a defeat! What good would it do to anyone when you manipulate fallen Alphas against an Empire with a greater advantage than us!”

“Haakon-”

“You acted on impulse!” Haakon snapped. He raised his hand at Björn who stood unwavered.

“Once the situation becomes desperate, you turn to desperate measures! How are you any different from you warmongering father-”

“Don’t you DARE compare me to that man!” Björn yelled, his voice reverberated throughout the room. Haakon turned his head, crestfallen. It was clear by his sunken shoulders that he regretted the words that came from his mouth. Björn took a deep breath, rubbing his eyes.

“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t regret my choices,” Björn said in a tight voice. His breathing was labored. “What can you do when everyone else has turned their backs, waiting until you were dead or captured because you lived in the shadow of a tyrant?”

Björn took a deep breath. Haakon reached towards Björn, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I didn’t expect you to betray me,” Björn continued, uttering a mirthless laugh. “And from the time we met, I thought you wanted me! I suppose you were just lying to me the entire time.”

“I didn’t-I-“ Haakon stammered. It was one of the few moments the leader was at a loss for words. Haakon clawed at his swept back hair.

“I just couldn’t stand to see you destroy yourself,” Haakon admitted. “It tore me apart. I suppose no matter what I said, you would still fight.”

Björn shook his head. He broke away from Haakon’s grasp. He bared his teeth.

“If you think I would cower in front of the Empire, then you are mistaken!” he barked. “I will attack and destroy because what we have is worth dying for!”

Haakon said nothing. He only looked down at his hands.

“You’re a coward as well,” Björn hissed. “I can see it!”

Björn had already started to leave the hall. He felt a knot of grief, loss, and betrayal at the pit of his stomach. He took long strides towards the door, even when Haakon was behind him.

“Wait!” he cried.

The Alpha wanted to continue forward, to ignore Haakon’s call and curse at him. But he stopped.

“I can’t stop you,” Haakon admitted, “but if I were to help you, we’ll need to plan a defensive strategy.”

Björn said nothing and gave Haakon a cautious gaze.

“You’re right,” Haakon admitted, “I was a coward. I stood by and focused on my clan and became complacent. I played the Empire’s game for survival. I stood by as Alphas signed their land one by one.”

Haakon sighed, his eyes were wet. He rubbed his eyes before continuing.

“I’m the only bastion left in the Northern clans. And I now refuse to bow just as much you would.”

Björn held his breath. He was surprised as Haakon held his face between two hands. Their foreheads were touching.

“I only ask for a favor,” Haakon said. “If anything were to happen to me, I want you to protect Kaja and Joel. Keep them safe for me. Please.”

“I will,” Björn murmured.

“The council wouldn’t approve of this,” Haakon warned, “but I can seek an alliance elsewhere. In the meanwhile, hold on to any moves.”

They were both silent for a moment. Björn swallowed.

Haakon gave a sad half smile. “I’ve been failing you far too often lately and if circumstances were different, I would continue to want you.”

Haakon broke apart his embrace, wiping his eye with one hand. It was clear he had to force himself to do it.

“I’m afraid I have arrangements to make. We’ll discuss this another time and I will be writing to you.”

Björn said nothing. He turned, opened the door and let himself out. He swept back part of his hair, thinking about his next plan.

He didn’t mind risking his own life for his clan over and over again. He only worried about Haakon’s life, knowing that he was the very few who could ground Björn with any sense.

I’m not afraid of dying Björn thought. But I’m afraid for his life.