Page 10 of Hitched to the Wendigo (Monster Matchmaking #1)

CHAPTER TEN

Sakira

The freezing wind whipped my hair across my face as I clung to Eryx's back, his powerful strides carrying us swiftly across the icy terrain. My heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and fear as we approached the ancient site: a sprawling complex of ice caves that held secrets older than both our peoples.

"We're close," I shouted over the howling wind, pointing to a formation of jagged ice spires in the distance. "The entrance should be just beyond those."

Eryx grunted in acknowledgment, his pace never faltering. As we drew nearer, I could make out the dark shapes of figures moving near the cave entrance. My grip on Eryx tightened instinctively.

"It's them," I whispered, though I knew he could hear me perfectly well. "The resistance."

We had tracked them here, following whispers and clues gathered from our network of spies. This group, led by a charismatic human named Varen, had been causing trouble for months by spreading propaganda against wendigo-human unions and even resorting to violence against mixed couples.

Eryx slowed as we approached, allowing me to slide off his back. I immediately missed his warmth in the biting cold, but I steeled myself. We had a job to do.

"Remember the plan," Eryx rumbled, his red eyes scanning the area for threats. "We try to talk first. Violence is a last resort."

I nodded, squaring my shoulders. "Let's hope they're in a listening mood."

As we approached the cave entrance, the figures came into sharper focus. There were about a dozen of them, a mix of humans and wendigos. At their center stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with a shock of white hair, Varen.

His eyes narrowed as he spotted us, and he raised a hand to halt his companions' nervous murmuring. "Well, well," he called out, his voice carrying easily in the still air. "If it isn't the traitor and her pet monster."

Eryx tensed beside me, a low growl building in his chest. I placed a calming hand on his arm, stepping forward. "We're not here to fight, Varen," I said, keeping my voice steady. "We just want to talk."

Varen's laugh was cold and sharp as the icicles hanging above us. "Talk? What could you possibly have to say that I'd want to hear?"

"How about the truth?" I shot back. "The truth about what you're really doing here, about the people you've hurt in your misguided crusade."

His eyes flashed dangerously. "Misguided? I'm trying to save our people from being devoured, literally and figuratively, by these beasts." He gesture dismissively at Eryx. "And you? You're the worst kind of traitor, spreading your legs for the enemy and calling it love. "

Eryx roared, the sound shaking loose snow from the nearby cliffs. I had to use all my strength to hold him back. "Don't," I hissed. "He's trying to provoke us."

Varen smirked, clearly pleased with the reaction he'd gotten. "You see?" he called to his followers. "They can't control their beastly nature. This is what they want to unleash on our people!"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "You're wrong, Varen. The wendigos aren't our enemies. They're people, just like us, with hopes and fears and the capacity for love. And it's the future."

For just a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt in Varen's eyes. But it was quickly replaced by steely resolve. "Enough of this," he spat. "You want to see what your future looks like? Let me show you."

He gestured to two of his wendigo followers, who disappeared into the cave. When they returned, my blood ran cold. They were dragging three human women, bound and gagged, their eyes wide with terror.

"Monster brides," Varen announced, his voice dripping with disgust. "Captured before they could be forced into unholy unions. We're saving them from a fate worse than death."

I stared at the women, horror and rage building inside me. "You're insane," I breathed. "You're the monster here, not them!"

Varen's face twisted with fury. "I've heard enough," he snarled. "Take them!"

Everything happened in a blur after that. Eryx moved with lightning speed, putting himself between me and the charging resistance members. I ducked and weaved, using the skills I'd learned in our many battles together.

But we were outnumbered, and Varen's people fought with the fervor of true believers. I felt a sharp pain in my side as someone's blade found its mark, and I stumbled.

"Sakira!" Eryx's voice was filled with panic. I saw him fighting to reach me, but there were too many between us.

Varen appeared before me, a triumphant gleam in his eye. "Time to choose, traitor," he hissed. "Your people or your pet monster."

The world slowed down as I stared up at him, his words echoing in my head. Choose? How could I possibly choose between my human roots and the love I'd found with Eryx?

But as I looked past Varen to the terrified faces of the captured brides, I realized this wasn't really a choice at all. Those women needed help, and I was in a unique position to give it to them.

I met Varen's gaze, steel in my voice. "I choose both," I said firmly. "Because they're not separate anymore. We're all one people now, whether you like it or not."

With a burst of strength I didn't know I had, I swept Varen's legs out from under him. He went down hard, and I used the moment of confusion to dash towards the cave entrance.

"Eryx!" I shouted. "The brides! We have to get them out!"

My mate roared in acknowledgment, redoubling his efforts to fight through the resistance members. I reached the bound women, quickly working to undo their restraints.

"It's okay," I assured them as I worked. "We're here to help. Just stay close to me."

As soon as they were free, I led them deeper into the cave system. I had studied maps of this area extensively, preparing for just such a situation. There was another way out, if we could reach it.

Behind us, I could hear the sounds of pursuit. Eryx's roars echoed through the icy tunnels, and I prayed he was alright.

"This way," I urged the women, guiding them down a narrow passage. The air grew colder as we descended, and I could see their breath coming in panicked gasps.

"What's going to happen to us?" one of them asked, her voice trembling.

I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You're going to be okay. We're taking you somewhere safe, where you can make your own choices."

As we rounded a corner, I skidded to a halt. The passage ahead was blocked by a sheet of thick ice. I cursed under my breath, my mind racing for a solution.

That's when I remembered the pouch at my hip, the herbs I'd gathered before we set out. Among them was a rare Patagonian plant known for its ability to rapidly raise body temperature. In large doses, it could be toxic to wendigos, but in small amounts...

"Stand back," I instructed the women, pulling out a handful of the dried leaves. I crushed them between my palms, then pressed them against the ice wall.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sharp crack, the ice began to melt. Within minutes, there was a hole large enough for us to squeeze through.

"Quickly," I urged, helping the women through. "We're almost there."

We emerged into a vast cavern, its walls glittering with prismatic ice formations. At the far end, I could see a faint glimmer of daylight.

But before we could reach it, a familiar voice rang out behind us. "Stop right there!"

I turned to see Varen and several of his followers emerging from the passage we'd just left. His face was contorted with rage, and he held a wicked-looking blade in his hand.

"You can't win, Sakira," he snarled. "Give up now, and maybe I'll show mercy."

I stood my ground, positioning myself between Varen and the rescued brides. "Never," I spat. "These women deserve freedom, not your twisted version of protection."

Varen's eyes narrowed. "Then you'll die with them." He lunged forward, blade flashing in the dim light.

I dodged, but not quite fast enough. The blade sliced along my arm, drawing a line of fire. I gasped in pain but didn't falter.

As Varen prepared for another strike, I reached into my pouch once more. This time, I pulled out a different herb, one I'd hoped I wouldn't have to use.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, then threw the crushed leaves directly into Varen's face.

The effect was immediate and horrifying. Varen screamed, clawing at his eyes as the toxic plant took effect. His wendigo followers recoiled, clearly recognizing the danger.

I used the distraction to push the brides towards the exit. "Go!" I shouted. "Run!"

As they fled, I turned back to face Varen and his people. The resistance leader was on his knees now, his face a mask of agony.

"What have you done to me?" he gasped.

"Saved you from yourself," I replied, my voice hard. "The pain will pass, but maybe it will teach you something about judging others based on what they are rather than who they are."

A thunderous roar shook the cavern, and my heart leapt as Eryx burst onto the scene. He was battered and bleeding, but his eyes blazed with protective fury as he took in the situation.

"Sakira!" he called, relief evident in his voice.

I ran to him, throwing my arms around his massive frame. "I'm okay," I assured him. "The brides are safe. We need to go."

Eryx nodded, lifting me onto his back once more. As we prepared to leave, I looked back at Varen and his followers. They were a pitiful sight now, huddled together in fear and pain.

"This doesn't have to be the end," I called to them. "There's still a chance for peace, for understanding. When you're ready to listen, we'll be waiting."

With that, Eryx carried me out of the cavern and into the blinding sunlight. The rescued brides were waiting for us, their faces a mixture of fear and awe as they took in Eryx's wendigo form.

"It's alright," I assured them as I slid from Eryx's back. "This is Eryx. He's my mate, and he helped save you."

One of the women stepped forward hesitantly. "You're together? A human and a wendigo?"

I smiled, taking Eryx's hand in mine. "Yes. And we're not the only ones. There's a whole community of us, working to build a better future for both our peoples."

The women exchanged glances, a spark of hope kindling in their eyes. "Could we see this community?" one of them asked tentatively.

"Of course," I said warmly. "You're welcome to stay with us for as long as you like. No one will force you into anything you don't want."

As we began the journey back to our settlement, I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. We had faced danger, made difficult choices, and come out stronger for it. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, there would always be those like Varen who resisted change, but I was more convinced than ever that we were on the right path.

Eryx squeezed my hand, a gesture of support and love that needed no words. I smiled up at him, my heart full. We would continue to fight for a world where humans and wendigos could live in harmony. And with each small victory, like the rescue of these brides, we moved one step closer to making that dream a reality.

As we crested a hill, I could see our settlement in the distance. Smoke rose from cooking fires, and I could make out the forms of humans and wendigos working side by side. It was a beautiful sight, one that filled me with hope for the future.

"Welcome to your new home," I said to the women, gesturing towards the settlement. "Welcome to the beginning of a new era."

Their eyes widened as they took in the scene before them. I saw wonder, fear, and curiosity warring on their faces. But most importantly, I saw hope. It was the same hope that had brought Eryx and me together, the same hope that drove us to fight for a better world.

As we made our way down the hill, I realized we needed a true peace treaty between the humans and wendigos with a staunch punishment for breaking it. The confrontation with Varen and the rescue of these women had shown me just how much was at stake. But it had also shown me how much we had already accomplished.