Kate and Alyse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 18:

 

Shadow sat in his chambers and sighed.

Now that the battle was over and the Talbourne was safe he was back to seeing Aleu at every turn. He sighed and closed his eyes. He’d thought that seeing her on the battlefield would make it easier when things got slower again, but…

“It didn’t.” He thought.

His eyes teared up and he closed them. Never before had he felt so weak.

He looked up at the ceiling of the chamber. “How am I going to do this without you?” He asked himself.

Shadow found he had no idea.

 

Ami sat in her chambers replaying the battle over in her mind. It was like this every time she was involved in a battle. She always wondered what she could have done differently.

Her unit had lost nineteen of its thirty wolf complement. She found herself wondering if she could have done anything to make it eighteen, or seventeen, or maybe even none.

She sighed.

She’d had no idea how the burden of leadership would weigh on her when she’d chosen to become a Lieutenant.

She sensed someone behind her and turned. “…Nick?” She asked.

The wolf in the entrance to her chambers nodded. “Mind if I come in?”

Ami shook her head.

Nick stepped inside. “Ami… I’ve been thinking and… I want to be with you, forever.”

Ami sighed. “Nick… haven’t we already been through this?”

Nick nodded. “I think we have, but that was under different circumstances, wasn’t it?”

Ami looked confused. “What are you talking about?” She asked.

Nick smiled. “Well, what was the reason we couldn’t be together?”

Ami sighed. “…Nick? Why are you asking me that?”

Nick smiled. “Come on Ami, just humor me.”

Ami sighed again. “…okay.” She said. “…because you’re a soldier and I’m a Lieutenant.”

“…not anymore.” Nick said.

Ami looked at him for a moment. “What do you…” Then she stopped. “…you… you don’t mean…”

Nick nodded. “Sure do.” He said. “I talked to Dash as soon as we got back.”

“…but… no one is allowed to leave the defense force right now.” Ami said.

Nick grinned. “I did.” He said. “I just told Dash the truth. He said I could go.”

Ami smiled. “…you’re serious.” She said.

Nick nodded.

Ami ran to him and nuzzled him. “Oh Nick!” She yelled. “That’s wonderful!”

He smiled and nuzzled her. “Indeed it is.” He said.

Ami kissed him. “I love you Nick.” She said. “You know I never stopped loving you, right?”

Nick nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He said. He kissed her back. “…and I love you too.” He said.

Ami smiled. “So it’s official huh?” She asked.

Nick smiled. “Yes it is.” He said. “…and I meant what I said. I want to be with you forever Ami. I’d be honored if you’d be my mate.”

Ami smiled and a tear came to her eye. “…of… of course I will Nick.” She said

She kissed him and smiled. “…of course I will.”

 

Dash sighed. He was standing outside the chambers of his daughter. “How easy is it going to be to eat my words this time?” He thought. He shook his head. “Facing death has a way of making you see things in a different light.”

He took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.” He said. “Hey Kalia, you there?” He asked.

“Yeah, come in.” She answered.

Dash stepped into the chamber.

“Hey dad.” She said. “Good to know you made it back alright.”

Dash nodded. “Thanks…” He said.

A period of uneasy silence followed.

“So what is it dad?” Kalia asked finally.

“I need to talk to you.” Dash said.

Jack stepped forward. “Would you like me to step out again?” He asked.

Dash shook his head. “No, what I have to say applies to both of you.”

Kalia nodded. “Okay, so what’s up dad?”

Dash sighed. “I want to be clear that I still don’t quite approve of what you two did out there… I think you should’ve given it more time and I want that to be known and clear.” Dash sighed. “…but regardless of what I think, the deed has been done, and you’re right, you’re both adults.”

Kalia smiled.

“What I’m trying to say is that…” He paused if you want to be mates… you’ll get no further resistance from me.”  

“Oh dad!” Kaila yelled. She ran to him and nuzzled him. “…thank you!” She said.

Dash smiled. “I’m sorry about before Kalia.” He said. “I was just worried about my daughter is all.”

Kalia nodded. “I know.” She said.

Dash smiled at her. “I love you Kalia.”

Kalia grinned at him. “…love you too dad.”

Dash smiled. “Well, I’m sure you and Jack have much to discuss.” He said. “I’ll leave you alone. You can stay here permanently if you like.”

Kalia nodded. “…alright dad.” She said.

Jack stepped up beside her. “…thank you sir.” He said.

Dash nodded and turned, walking out of the chamber.

Kalia turned to Jack and smiled.

 

Shadow sighed and turned around to look at the cave’s entrance. He’d decided some time alone might help him clear his mind.

He hoped it would, but inside he already knew that nothing could ever fill the void in his heart, in his soul.

He closed his eyes and sighed. “…how am I supposed to go on?” He asked. “How am I supposed to make it without you.”

“…maybe you don’t have to.” A voice said quietly.

Shadow’s mind froze at the sound of the voice. “…it can’t be.” He said quietly. Then he opened his eyes.

Tears filled his eyes. “…Aleu?” He asked.

She grinned. “…yeah.” She said.

Shadow walked over to her and looked into her eyes for a long moment. Then he buried his nose into her neck. He nuzzled her and looked back up. “…you’re real.” He said.

She giggled. “Well yeah.” She said.

Shadow shook his head. “…Aniu?” He asked.

Aleu nodded. “Yeah…”

Shadow smiled. “…thank Aniu.” He said. “She’s like some kind of life insurance policy isn’t she?”

Aleu smiled. “…something like that.” She said. “…though she’s been told this is the last time this will happen. No more returns from the dead.”

Shadow nodded. Suddenly his mind caught up with who he was talking to. He saw, in his mind’s eye, the whole incident over again. He smiled and laid his head on her shoulder.

Aleu felt his weight settle on her shoulder and she carefully laid down on the snow, cradling his head in against her paws.

She laid her head against his as he began to sob. She’d never seen him this upset. “It’s okay Shadow.” She said. “I’m fine.”

Shadow shook his head and pressed closer to her, unable to speak but four words. “I.. I love you… Aleu.” He said between sobs.

She smiled and hugged him close to her. “I love you too Shadow.”

Shadow found that those four words were all he was capable of saying at the moment, so he said them again. “I love you Aleu.” He said. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” He closed his eyes.

Aleu held him close as they both laid there in the snow outside the cave.

 

Aniu looked down on Aleu and Shadow and smiled. All was as it should be.

…or almost.

She turned to the black and white dog beside her. “…Steele?” She asked.

The dog nodded. “What is it Aniu?” He asked. “…time for me to return?”

“…return where?” Aniu asked.

Steele sighed. “I deserved to be sent where I was sent.”

Aniu nodded. “That you did. …but I think you’ve proven you have a redemptive quality. I can’t let you into my realm just yet, but I can give you a chance to prove yourself.”

“…how?” Steele asked.

“...by giving you a second life.” Aniu said. “…but if I do this, you have one mission to complete before your death to prove your worth to me, in addition to remaining faithful.”

“…what’s that?” Steele asked.

“You must befriend my son and his mate.” Aniu said.

“…you mean Balto and Jenna?” Steele asked.

Aniu nodded.

“…that’s not going to be easy.” Steele said. “They don’t like me much.”

Aniu shook her head. “No, they don’t and with good reason, but that is your task nonetheless.”

Steele nodded. “…very well.” He said. “I’ll do it Aniu.”

Aniu smiled. “…see that you do.” She said. “Enjoy your life.”

With that Steele glowed bright gold and then disappeared.

Aniu stood there at the edge of the forest and smiled. She looked back and saw her blue wings stretching from her sides. She flapped them once and enjoyed the cool breeze that flew down her sides. The foot long lengths of chain still hung from her sides as they would for the rest of time; reminders of the penalty of unfaithfulness, but the hooks no longer hurt her.

Alai walked up beside her. “…good to have you back Aniu.” He said.

She smiled. “…good to be back my child.”

Alai smiled back. “So, everything’s perfect now, isn’t it?” He asked. “Lytion is defeated, you’ve returned, Aleu has been restored, and the Talbourne lives on.”

Aniu sighed. “Yes, things are better.” She said. “…but not perfect. The dog in Nome, Dema, her name is extremely appropriate for her. It means what she is.” Aniu shook her head. “…for now things are quiet, but I since great darkness on the horizon.”

Alai smiled. “Well for now I’d bask in the splendor of victory.” He said.

Aniu smiled. “…in the grace of our father.” She said.

Alai smiled and he and Aniu turned, walking into the forest.

 

 

 

THE END

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