The Steele Wolf (The Iron Butterfly) by Chanda Hahn Read Free Book Online

idea of an arranged marriage, because I saw a chance to get the upper hand. I wasn’t the best idea, but I could enter. I could win the prize and buy myself time, because I wasn’t ready to get married. It was a gamble and I knew my father was hoping I would say no and wed Fenri. Instead, I did the opposite.
    “Yes, I you’re right.   We need to have a Kragh Aru.”
    Bearen stuttered in surprise at my announcement, proof that I had caught him off guard. “Was there something wrong with Fenri?” he asked.
    “No, I actually hope he wins.” I lied, knowing full well, I wanted to win, but if I didn’t then I hoped Fenri would. I knew Joss would never be allowed to be my lifemate since he was a Denai, and the reason I myself could face banishment.
    “Are you willing to live with the outcome?” he asked slowly.
    Lifting my chin in defiance, I felt my knees go slightly weak, before answering. “Yes, Father.”
    My father’s dark eyes squinted in thought. “I will go and make the announcement. We will have a Kragh Aru and the prize will be you, Thalia, as the winner’s lifemate.” Bearen’s huge form rumbled as he walked across the wood floor. When he disappeared out the door, I waited until he turned the corner and ran to Odin’s home.   I could barely contain myself, when he opened the door and I rushed into a house very similar to ours.
    “Odin, you have to help me,” I blurted as soon as the door was closed behind us.
    “Ah, little wolf. What did you do now?” His wrinkled forehead became more wrinkled in worry as he looked at me. He was sitting in front of his warm fire whittling a piece of wood.
    “I’ve agreed to a Kragh Aru and I’m the prize!” I stated, my hands itching in excitement.
    “Why would you do that? I heard your father planned to announce that you would be bonded to Fenri! You are going to make people think you’ve gone mad.”
    “Papa Odin, I may be when you hear what I have to say.”

 

Chapter 8

 
    Weeks passed, as the news of the Kragh Aru spread, distant members from other clans, arrived from far and wide to compete. After all, the chance to become bonded with the clan leader’s daughter and help govern the whole clan was something they couldn’t pass up.   Especially, since the Valdyrstal’s were the largest and the wealthiest of the remaining clans.
    The week before the competition, my father became sullen and angered easily. I had thought it had something to do with the influx of clan members that seemed to be appearing daily. Family members greeted many of their distant relatives, while others brought tents of their own to set up along the outskirts of the fields. On more than one occasion I had gone to the gathering hall, where many chose to eat and drink, and found my father passed out drunk.
    But the next morning, Bearen was back to himself again. He even wore his finest leathers and furs and spent the morning looking to the mountains as if he were waiting for something or someone.
    I was spending the morning avoiding the new faces and the odd stares by hiding in the stable with Faraway. I crawled up into the hayloft to bring another bale down to the stalls.
    Throw some of that hay my way!
    Instead of throwing Faraway a handful of hay to munch on, I dumped a whole loose bale on him. I laughed out loud as he shook his head and flicked his tale comically to get the offending hay out of his mane.
    Oops. I guess you should have said how much hay.
    I don’t think you brought down enough.
    I threw down plenty you pig.
    Never underestimate my stomach, Faraway taunted back and began to munch happily on his snack.
    I heard the pounding of racing horses before I saw men race past the stable and barrel down the road towards the mountains. Normally I wouldn’t have cared, except that I recognized two of the riders as my father and Odin. Quickly, I jumped down the ladder and ran out of the large double doors and into the road, trying to see where they were heading. I went