Black Ice-Completed

Several years had passed since Syn had left Nyota’s territory, and the ache never left Nyota’s heart. To keep herself busy, she ran with the new pack of Thurian wolves that had shown up. They were welcomed as long as she could run with them.

The alpha of the pack saw no choice in the matter. The land was prosperous with food and his pack had moved enough. But as time sped by, he began to trust her and was able to relax when the outsider ran with them.

Nyota spent most of her time as a wolf after they accepted her, only feeling a little guilty for leaving her Aunt alone for long periods of time. Whenever she went to visit her aunt, Veronica always seemed to want to get rid of her minutes after arrival.

After the third time of it happening, Nyota refused to leave until her aunt spilled, “You rarely see me and when you do, you automatically try to push me back out the door! Why?” she growled as she glared at her aunt.

Veronica shuffled her feet back and forth as she nervously twiddled her fingers. Swiping her hair back over her shoulder, she sat down in chair and looked up at Nyota with bright and shining eyes, “I have a beau,” Veronica said softly, shyly.

“A what?” Nyota exclaimed out in surprise and had to sit down as well. Taking her aunts hands, Nyota’s mind was rushing through so many possibilities but her main question was how had this person gotten into her territory without her knowledge.

“A beau, his name is Bazra Therick, he lives in Marais and has been coming to see me for the past several years. First it was just once or twice a year then after awhile he came several more times. This year he’s started to stay with me for a week or so, then leave on business but he always comes back within two to three weeks. He’s actually due back rather soon,” Veronica finished off, looking at the door longingly as if he’d come through the door now.

“And he doesn’t know about me?” Nyota asked with a frown, not understanding why her aunt had kept this from her and Bazra.

Veronica stiffened and narrowed her own eyes, with a scoff she growled, “Nyota, you have and always will be my first duty. Protecting the secret of the first Black Ice female has been the utmost importance. You are all that I have left of my sister Analise!”

Nyota blushed in shame and hugged Veronica tightly, “I’m sorry for doubting you,” pulling back, Nyota frowned, biting her lip nervously as she said, “How has he been getting into the territory? I haven’t smelled any outsiders anywhere.”

Shrugging, Veronica got up and went back to tending the stew that was over the fire, “I don’t know Nyota, he usually comes early morning with food and clothing. They’re so beautiful, I haven’t seen that kind of material for such a long time. Its silk made from the shedding squirrels that live in Uscyte. Only some merchants have them so the material is very costly.”

Nyota bit her lip as she just then noticed the clothes that Veronica wore. Instead of furs and leather, Veronica was wearing silk that had been dyed in pinks and silver. It was in a desert style and made Nyota shift uncomfortably as she remembered the warning of the slavers moving across the land.

“And he hasn’t asked about any traps or about the type of animals that live in the forest?” Nyota asked softly, trying to keep any judgement out of her voice.

Obviously she failed at disguising her suspicion because Veronica glared at her and huffed in exasperation as she threw a dish towel she had been holding at Nyota, “He hasn’t asked anything of the sort! Even if he had, you’re the only other person I talk to. Most of the animals stay away from the cabin and any shifter that is here tends to leave almost immediately!”

Nyota sighed and held her head in her hands, “When is he supposed to show up?” she asked knowing that she would eventually have to meet this man to assuage her own suspicions.

“Why? Oh Nyota please don’t scare him away! I’ve been so lonely since you’ve chosen to live in the forest!” cried Veronica and guilt yet again swept through Nyota. She should have never left her aunt alone so much.

“Aunt Veronica,” she said softly, “This is my territory. I want to meet him. If he’s truthful and shows he is not a threat to either you or me then he can stay. But I want to meet this man who sneaks in and out while I am not aware,” giving her aunt a small glare she rumbled, “Now when is he due back?”

Veronica slumped her shoulders, she knew Nyota was protecting both their well beings but she was really lonely, and Bazra lit her up as no one had before in a very long time. She also knew that she should have told her niece about him long ago, but again she had wanted him just to herself, “He’ll be here tomorrow or the next day.”

Nyota took her aunt’s hands and nuzzled them, giving her a small smile, “I’ll stay here until he arrives then, don’t worry too much Aunt. I just want to meet the one who has stolen your heart.” And true to her word, Nyota stayed day and night, helping her aunt around the cabin and doing chores to prepare for the winter.