Bride For the Strange

The northern mountain, also known as Raven Mountain, was cursed years ago. At least, that's what everyone in Baileyi Village believed.

Climbing the mountain was impossible. No man could get close without getting hurt, and the rumor was that the cause of this was a fox. A fox so powerful, capable of cursing an entire mountain... Lowell, as a strong, dominant wolf, deeply feared a wizard being that was able to do something so serious and scare off anyone who tried to approach his territory.

He looked to the north, seeing the great green peak next to other immense mountains. There was absolutely nothing in the landscape that was frightening. He hadn't heard of any deaths either, but he saw firsthand, two months ago, three warriors returning traumatized from there. They were not injured; however, they were so frightened that they became ill until the healer's treatment helped them.

Lowell wanted one day to have the opportunity to face the demonic fox that protected those lands and find out what was so important there to prevent anyone from getting close.

He finished wrapping the ropes and handed them to Daire, his best friend, who was on top of the wagon, tying the sacks of wheat that would be leaving soon to be marketed in the nearest village.

"Do you believe that the mountain is cursed?" He asked his friend. Daire stopped what he was doing to look toward the north.

"Before, I thought it was just a myth. But after what happened to those men, I don't ever want to go anywhere near that place. As long as the fox doesn't attack us, we'll be fine."

"She won't do that." Lowell said. At least he didn't think so; if after years, it never happened, why would it happen now? Besides, if a whole mountain was enough to curse, why would it need her village too?

"You never know; suddenly that wizard fox might discover our riches and try to steal from us."

Lowell shook his head in disbelief. Many thieves have tried to peek into their lands before, but they never managed to take anything. The treasures of their ancestors were very well guarded and protected by divine power.

"I don't think so. Whoever the wizard is, he could never defeat our god."

Daire agreed.

"Are you finished?" An older man asked, climbing into the wagon. They nodded, so his friend climbed down to meet him.

"See you guys tonight." He nodded, indicating the horses should follow, carrying the goods.

"I'm tired." Lowell yawned and stretched his arms up as they both walked through the village. "Would you like to have dinner at my brother's house tonight?" Daire shook his head.

"Sorry, I have a date." A silly smile appeared on his face. "Kayle, the most beautiful lupine in the village, finally accepted my invitation."

"Another one for your list?" Lowell twitched his frown. "There have been how many this month? Four, five?"

"Three, Lowell, just three." He held up three fingers. "But none of them were good enough; Kayle will be the best, I'm sure." He rolled his eyes.

"You always say the same thing."

"I have to enjoy my youth." Daire laughed. "And you should be doing the same. I've never seen you with any lupine or dominant, and invitations are in short supply."

Lowell twitched his nose this time.

If there was one thing he didn't agree with Daire on, it was his talk of "enjoying youth" and getting into bed with any woman. Lowell wasn't like that; in fact, he thought he was the weirdest dominant of them all. A few lupines ventured to confess their feelings to him; he even felt the stares sometimes, but he never cared. He had his tiny quota of kisses early in his teens, but since he didn't like anyone, he stopped that, and Lowell had dreams. Lots of them.

The ones where he was a total romantic, finding his interlocutor, marrying her, and having lots of kids.

Someone like Olivia.

His eyes sparkled, and his reveries were broken when he stumbled, and Daire laughed hysterically at him.

"What was that? Distracted again?"

"Shut up." Lowell grimaced but soon smiled. He couldn't help himself.

He was sure that the gods had separated the ideal lupine to be his interconnected one, just as his brother, the Alpha Ishmael, had found him: Olivia, the most amazing lupine in Baileyi.

Lowell said prayers every night in silence, asking that it wouldn't take too long to find the one he wanted. His hopes were getting higher and higher, and he had even built his own house, made especially for when they started a family. Even Daire was envious of him.

"Daire, you know I'm not like you." Lowell replied with a quiet tone. "I have my plans and goals in life. I am not interested in getting involved with just anyone for simple fun."

Daire laughed and patted Lowell on the back.

"Ah, my friend, you are missing out on the best parts of life! But I respect your choice. Everyone has their path to follow."

As they walked through the streets of Baileyi, Lowell spotted one of the village elders, who was sitting in front of the herb store. His name was Yan, a healer who had always intrigued Lowell.

"Daire, I'm going to the herb store to talk to Yan" Lowell said, looking away in the man's direction.

Daire raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I don't even want to imagine what you're up to, but good luck!"

Lowell smiled enigmatically and approached the healer.

"Good afternoon, Mister Yan. May I sit here with you?"