The Winter Wolf

The table was quiet as everyone ate. There seemed to be a tension between Roose Bolton and Petyr Baelish that caused the silence. Alyssa sat beside Walda Bolton, her soon to be mother by law, and slowly ate the mutton on her plate. There was only a day left until she was Ramsay's wife, and after their kiss, she was more nervous than she had been before.

"I saw Theon Greyjoy wandering around," Petyr Baelish broke the silence. "He looks... broken."

Immediately, Alyssa lost her appite, glad that he hadn't addressed her. Roose cleared his throat as he took a drink of his water, "He was punished for his crimes against the North, and what he had done to Brandon and Rickon Stark."

"If only all traitors were treated as such," Petyr Baelish's eyes flashed. "I imagine being flayed isn't a pleasant thing."

Alyssa let out a breath and pushed her plate away from her. She looked over at Ramsay, who seemed to have no problem eating while someone spoke about flaying a man, then her eyes went to Roose Bolton. He was calm, but his blue eyes were giving Lord Baelish a warning, "I imagine it's not."

Alyssa downed her glass of wine and peaked at Lady Bolton. The large woman wasn't eating anymore either. Between the tension and talking about flaying, Alyssa was sure that Walda Bolton had lost her appite as well.

"Are you looking forward to tomorrow, Lady Alyssa?" Lord Baelish asked, unfortunately turning his attention to Alyssa.

"Yes, my Lord," Alyssa didn't look at him. She hated the way he looked at her and didn't want to see it.

"I could give you away, in your father's place, if you'd like," Lord Baelish offered.

Alyssa felt her stomach turn at the offer, so she shook her head, "That's kind of you to offer, my Lord, but Lord Bolton has already offered."

She watched as her glass of wine was refilled. The instant she was able, Alyssa grabbed the glass and began to drink down the liquid as Lord Baelish spoke, "Of course, my Lady. As your uncle, I thought that I would ask."

A snicker came from Ramsay as he ate his food. Alyssa was among everyone who looked at him. There was a small smile on his face, then he looked up. Ramsay's smile widened as he swallowed his food, "Don't mind me. I just thought of something amusing."

For a moment, it was as though everyone waited for him to elaborate, but when Ramsay gave Alyssa a wink and went back to eating, it was Petyr Baelish who spoke, "Perhaps after you're married, your husband will bring you to the Eerie."

"I appreciate the offer, Lord Baelish, but I've never wanted to leave the North. And after everything that's happened, I don't want to leave the North," Alyssa said as politely as she could.

Her answer didn't seem to make Lord Baelish happy. He seemed a bit pissed, but that changed in the blink of an eye, "Perhaps you'll change your mind one day."

"Perhaps," Alyssa forced a smile. I wouldn't hold your breath. She shifted uncomfortably under his stare, then she got to her feet, no longer able to take it. Alyssa smiled at the Boltons, "If you'll excuse me, my Lords, my Lady."

"Lady Alyssa," Walda Bolton stopped her before she could leave, "would you like to join me for a walk later today?"

"I would love to, my Lady," Alyssa nodded before hurrying out of the dinning hall. She headed towards her chambers, watching for Shadow as she walked quickly through the halls.

"My Lady," both the guards outside her chambers nodded to her as she went through the door. Shadow wasn't there, she was probably out playing with Ramsay's hounds.

Alyssa let out a sigh, glad to be away from all the tension. She closed her eyes and relaxed a bit. There was movement behind her, she smiled a little, happy that she didn't have to track down her direwolf, "There you-"

A gasp came from her as arms wrapped around her, and before she could get out a scream, a gag was shoved into her mouth, making the scream muffled. She struggled wildly, trying to make as much noise as possible. Where the fuck were her guards?

"She's impossible to hold onto!" the man who held onto her complained quietly as his partner placed a wool sack over her head.

"HELP!" Alyssa tried to scream as loud as she could, but the gag prevented her from making any loud noises. She yanked on her body, trying to pull away as she blindly kicked around her.

"Tie her hand, she's not to be harmed," a second man whispered.

"You fucking hold her then," the first man said.

"Knock her out," the second man breathed out as her hands were bound.

"But you just-" the first man started.

"Shit," there was a snarling sound not far from Alyssa. She was released suddenly and dropped to the floor. The snarl grow loud and angry, then there were screams as one of the men were attacked. They clearly hadn't thought about Shadow showing up. Alyssa knew that the screams would bring Roose and Ramsay running. She struggled against the rope that bound her wrists together, but it only seemed to tighten. She let out a fustrated scream that was silenced by the gag.

"Alyssa!" she heard Roose Bolton's voice. She was pulled to her feet and the sack was remonved from her head. While Roose removed her gag and unbound her wrists, her eyes wandered to Shadow and her attacker... well, one of them. Anger filled her when she realized that it was her guard. "The other ran out the door as we were coming," Roose told her. "Ramsay went after him. I'm so sorry this happened, my Lady."

"They were kidnapping me," Alyssa breathed out as she rubbed her wrist.

"I believe so, yes," Roose nodded.

"Why?" Alyssa frowned.

"Cersei Lannister has offered a large reward for you alive," Roose sighed. "Or it could have been something else."

"Like what?" Alyssa's frown grew.

"I have my suspicions," was all Roose gave her.

"We'll find out soon enough," Ramsay grinned as he came through the door.

"Wait until after you two are wed," Roose looked at the mess on Alyssa's floor. "You're not to leave Lady Alyssa's side unless she's with Lady Walda or myself."

Ramsay's eyes sparkled as he nodded, "I understand, Father."

"Shall I inform my wife that you won't be joining her for a walk?" Roose turned to Alyssa.

Alyssa shook her head, "I'm fine, my Lord. I'd be happy to join Lady Bolton still."

Roose gave her an amused smile, "As you wish. Ramsay, remember what I said."

"Yes, Father," Ramsay nodded as his father left Alyssa's bed chambers.

Alyssa ran her hand through Shadow's fur, glad that she had a direwolf who was linked to her on such a high level. Curiously, she looked at Ramsay, "How do you intend to get the man to talk?"

"There are ways," Ramsay smirked.

"Such as flaying?" Alyssa asked. It was widely known that the Boltons flayed their enemies, hence the flayed man on the Bolton banner. Besides, the conversation from earlier had popped into her mind.

Ramsay's eyes ran over her face before he nodded, "Yes."

Alyssa raised an eyebrow at him, "You intend to flay him?"

Ramsay grinned, "You're an observant one."

"Then what?" Alyssa asked.

"Are you sure you want to know?" Ramsay's grin grew. His eyes seemed to be studying her.

Alyssa stared at him, from the way he was grinning at her... she shook her head, "No, my Lord."

"You have no objections to me flaying a man?" Ramsay tilted his head curiously.

"Every House has it's traditions, Lord Ramsay," Alyssa stated. "No matter how brutal." Maester Luwin had taught her that, explaining how every House was unique in it's history and how they handled their enemies. Starks followed the Old Ways, Alyssa knew how much tradition meant in the North.

"I knew there was a reason I liked you," Ramsay smiled brightly at her, his blue eyes lit up. Suddenly he changed the subject, "So, how about that walk?"

"I guess I could see if Lady Bolton is ready," Alyssa nodded, glad he changed the topic. She noticed something about Ramsay through their conversation, he was happy when she accepted his tradition. As long as she didn't see it, she was fine. The thought of seeing a man skinned alive... it made her stomach turn. She had a feeling that as long as they had a common ground, Ramsay and her would get along just fine with their marriage, but she could see it becoming bumpy as well. Alyssa prefered everything to run smoothly, even if she had to accept such barbaric traditions.

The next couple of chapters will be Alyssa's POV and Ramsay's POV for obvious reasons. To make one thing clear, Alyssa has no idea that Ramsay enjoys causing pain, she believes it's just to handle an enemy. I would love to know what you all think about this chapter.