---Fenris' POV---

It was odd, to come to realize that all my memories, everything I held for truth, had all been a lie.

As soon as Cain had spoken his mind, had pointed out that Loki's eye color didn't match up, I had started thinking back.

No matter how hard it was to try and remember, I forced myself to think past the horrors that were my memories and focus on the details.

And just like Cain had pointed out, the earliest memory of Loki, of my father, were of his brilliant green eyes looking down at me.

I could still feel a shiver course down my spine at the pride that shone from his very being. Back then, he had seemed like a doting father who couldn't wait to spend more time with his son.

Which was one of the reasons why I was so surprised, why I felt absolutely disgusted and betrayed when he was the one to torment me the most.

But ever since I had been tricked and chained into the bowels of the earth, every time he came down to torment me, his eyes had been a faded blue.

A blue as clear as a summer's sky, barely distinguishable from white. A trait that all my tormentors had shared.

My feet carried me back and forth as I paced, scouring through my memories to provide me with any inkling on who that being was. And why would they go through the effort to alter their forms?

It just didn't make any sense. Back then, I barely knew any of the Gods, besides the obvious ones. I suspected that, if there was even a reason behind this twisted torture, it was simply because it would've hurt me more.

To think it was my father of all beings that abused me. A person who had claimed to love me, had showered me in utter devotion and care.

"Sit down, Fenris." Cain urged softly, ignoring the low growl rumbling through my throat the second his hand landed gently on my shoulder. "You look like you're going to feint dead away any second now."

I hadn't even noticed that my legs were shaking uncontrollably until Cain pushed me on the seat with barely any effort.

My hands curled into fists, skin whitening around the knuckles as even my hands were shaking. I hated it. Hated being weak, showing my weakness in front of others, especially a God.

Curse the gods.

Cain shot me a sympathetic smile, his eyes worried as he crouched in front of me. One of his palms rested against my knee, the other holding the armrest of the chair to keep his balance.

"I very much doubt that, whatever deity has tormented you, would've showed their true self." Cain continued, eying me with a soft expression on his face before he released a troubled sigh.

"Normally, I'd suggest contacting the pantheon to clear your name, but," He quickly continued as my head has snapped up towards him instantly, "I know the Norse Pantheon well enough to know they'll act before asking questions first."

I shivered, brushing my hands over my arms in an attempt to generate a bit more heat. All of my experiences with that pantheon had been nothing but them acting without thought or care.

They just did whatever they wanted to do and they didn't care for any repercussions. Why would they? They were Gods.

"Being a God doesn't automatically make it fitting to be an asshole." Cain replied to my thought with a curl of his lip, shaking his head.

A knock sounded on the door, making us both look up before it opened to reveal Peter shooting a wary look in the room.

I could almost feel my currently nonexistent fur bristle, teeth baring at the alpha's approached before he paused, holding his hands in the air.

"I'm not here to attack you nor do I wish to make you submit. If I had been informed beforehand that I was summoned to demand submission from the legendary wolf Fenris, I'd have declined the offer immediately." Peter explained with a pointed look to Cain, who rolled his eyes with a groan.

The god pushed himself upright and away from the seat before crossing his arms in front of his chest. "And how exactly was I supposed to know that he was Fenris?"

Peter huffed in annoyance, scratching at his nape before averting his gaze when he couldn't provide either of us with an answer.

"Surely there were hints that pointed towards-" He grumbled under his breath before stopping when Cain continued, "Hints, that prove nothing. All I knew without trying to pry in his mind were the simple facts that he could shapeshift in a wolf and vary his size."

Cain's eye flitted to where I was still seated, eyes slowly dipping to my wrist. "Even if you count the scars, there was no tell-tale sign. And I wasn't going to break his mental barrier in an attempt to satisfy my curiosity."

Peter huffed indignantly while I remained quiet. I hadn't realized that, if Cain had truly wanted to know my past, he could've easily tore through my defenses.

It would hurt me, hell, it could possibly destroy my state of mind by having my memories forcefully examined. And yet, despite him being a God, a being that from my experience, thought everyone else beneath him...

He didn't. He hadn't acted out on his curiosity in the way Thor or Odin would've. They wouldn't have cared that there was a high possibility that I'd be left like a mindless being if the investigation went wrong.

They would've probably rejoiced at that, would've tried their very best to make sure I'd become exactly that. A mindless puppet to dance to their ever changing tunes.

I shivered in disgust before pushing the thought away. Hell, I had a hard time even focusing on the teasing bickering between Peter and Cain, instead finding it odd how the god seemed to treat Peter almost like an equal.

Cain laughed and smacked Peter on the shoulder and the wolf didn't even cringe. He too laughed along, shaking his head as they continued to converse jovially.

And I felt... almost envious. All my life, ever since I had been transformed into this immortal being, I had been all alone. A wild animal that had been caged and locked away.

To see these two men, both from completely different cultures and social standings, still act and treat one another almost like brothers...

"Fenris?"

I blinked, glancing up at Cain as he sent me a reassuring smile before he sent me a wink.

"While you were daydreaming, Peter here was coming up to let us know that the pack is going out on a hunt soon." I arched a brow, not really understanding why that had anything to do with me.

Did they need help or something?

Cain sighed softly as Peter glanced between us with a curious look. "They want to know if you wanted to join on the hunt. If you want to go and stretch your legs, bond with the pack and perhaps catch a meal."

I paused, wondering if I heard right. Because to me, it almost sounded like I had a choice. I could say no if I wanted to.

Cain nodded, "You can. Of course I have a well-staffed kitchen downstairs with staff who are more than capable of producing us some food here, if we wished."

"I...I don't... understand." I managed, feeling absolutely lost. Nobody has ever asked what I wanted. Everything had always been decided for me.

Odin hadn't cared if I never saw my human family again. Didn't care that I had never wanted to be a wolf, let alone an immortal being.

And Thor hadn't cared at all that I hadn't betrayed them or that I saw them as family. They had still trapped me, chained me up and left me to slowly wither away and die.

To be given an option now was... overwhelming. And judging from both Cain's and Peter's expression, they understood, to some degree.

Swallowing in an attempt to moisten my suddenly dry throat, I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I...I'll join on the hunt."

Peter smirked eagerly, "Good, you don't know how long the pack has been harassing me to come and ask you. Overeager pups is what they are." He snickered, the warmth in his eyes denying the annoyed tone of his voice.

Peter glanced up at Cain and smiled, "And what about you, winged one? I doubt you'll slither along on the hunt. You'll probably scare off anything in the woods that would be good enough to hunt."

Cain smirked slightly, tongue flicking over his lips in an almost teasing manner. "I'll join but I doubt I'll shift, to give you pups a fair chance." He said with a pointed look at Peter, who barked out a laugh as he headed for the door.

The god shook his head affectionately before holding his hand out to me. "Come on Fenris, let's put aside our worries for the future, at least for now. It seems like some of these pack pups need to be put in their place."

When I didn't respond right away, he smiled understandingly, reaching forwards to grab me gently by the hand. And for once, I didn't fight, as I was still too confused and overwhelmed, attempting to gather my thoughts at this rather confusing display of affection, coming from a god of all beings!

Curse the Gods for being such twisted and confusing beings!