Black Ice-Completed

Three Years Later

Nyota stared out across the great hall and sighed in contentment. It had been three very long years since the fight with Lyosha. So long because so much had changed.

Looking down at the base ofhte throne, she had to smile as her twin daughters played with the dolls that Aunt Veronica had shipped to her. Tymothyn stayed right by the girls side, watching everyone’s moves and making sure her girls stayed safe.

Nyota’s daughters were as opposite as night and day. Anna was a little girl that loved to laugh and explore. Fearless, she’d stride up to anyone she didn’t know and start buzzing their ears off. Her crystal blue eyes mesmerized anyone and it was luck that no slave traders had tried to steal her yet.

Zephyr was quiet and not so open to those she didn’t know. She had dark black hair and was much like Syn, except she had hazel eyes. Anna was Nyota’s mini except instead of blood red hair, the child had a rich mahogany.

It was found out that Tymothyn could communicate as well as anyone when the other was in their wolf form. Tym had told Nyota that many of the wolves that could not shift had fled to the woods and mountains to hide from Lyosha’s slaughter.

Nyota had sent him out immediately after the fight with Lyosha to bring them home. They were still part of her pack and so many came home and helped Nyota track down any wolf that was under the affects of the blood fever. Many had escaped after Lyosha had been taken down and it had taken too long to track the last one down and end the disease that had ran rampant.

After the blood fever was banished, she sent wolves into the mountains to mine the silver that was hidden in their depths. They would use the silver to replenish the supplies they needed and use what remained as an emergency fund if the silver didn’t pan out in the long run. It had caused trouble though with the Black Ice wolves that resided in the mountain. They had wanted nothing to do with their venture and threatened to kill any wolf that tried to mine their mountain.

Nyota had to fight a great brute of a man, far bigger than Rush, in the end. It had been a risk because at that point she had been so far along in her pregnancy that she could have went into early labor when she had shifted. Lady luck had been on her side and she had defeated the wolf, guaranteeing that many of the other mountain wolves would help with the process.

After the girls were born, Nyota often left them with Asper to watch while she’d go for a run and scout the borders. They had many baby sitters to watch over them. After the fight, many of the women that were taken from their homes had been granted freedom. Some left to return to their loved ones and those that did got a more than decent share of compensation for their hurt and humiliation.

Many others though stayed, they had been with the pack for many years and saw Azgeta as their home. They were welcomed into the pack and were taught to fight so that they could aid in the protection of their homes and their mates.

Another thing that had changed was after her daughters were born, many barren couples began to have children as well, twins and sometimes triplets popped up which grew the numbers of the pack exponentially. Nyota didn’t know if any of these children would be able to shift, but sometimes she could see the glow of a wolf shining back at her when she looked at the other children.

Of course it wasn’t always peace. Many wolves still tried to make their way up in the ranks, but it was harder, especially when she had made Rush and several other wolves her Betas. It always seemed to be three steps forward, two steps back when it came to the pack. Black Ice wolves did not enjoy change and there had been a lot of change in the last three years.

Glancing down at her wrist, Nyota traced her mating mark. Three years without him and it still hurt as if she had lost him just yesterday. She had not lain with another wolf in all that time. Of course Nyota had gotten plenty of offers but her heart didn’t feel right accepting anyone else. It was odd because the wolf was a carnal creature. Instead she would take runs to get away from the melancholy that sometimes plagued her.

Nyota jerked as she heard a whine and found Tym staring up at her, worry in his eyes, “I’m fine brother,” she said as she stood up and gave him a smile, “I’m going to go for a run. Watch the girls for me?” she knew she didn’t have to ask. Both of her brothers were their biggest protectors. One had to only glance in the shadows to see Adrik lurking nearby.

Laughing at Tym’s huff of indignation, Nyota walked down to her girls and hugged them close. Zephyr looked up at her with wide eyes, always quiet even around her strong mother, “You going for a run?” she asked softly.

Before Nyota could answer, Anna jumped up in with a yell, “Can I come too!” echoed all through the hall. Many people glanced in their direction but at their Alpha’s stare they turned back to their duties.

“No mi pombinia,” Nyota said and watched Anna start to throw a tantrum, “Enough Anna!” she growled and watched as her daughter gave her a challenging look. “Don’t bare those fangs at me little girl unless you’re dead set on challenging me!” Nyota snarled softly and felt guilty when her daughter’s lips trembled. Nyota really wanted to laugh at her daughter’s looks but kept it under control, “You are to stay here and don’t go giving Adrik and Tym any trouble. If I hear that you disobeyed there will be no sweets for you for quite some time. But if I’m back in time, I’ll read you a bed time story.”

“Okay ata,” Anna sulked but giggled as Nyota tickled her. Giving both girls one last hug, Nyota started for the doors. As she was about to reach them, they were pushed open. Nyota gasped as her green eyes clashed with sea ice blue eyes and “D’atai,” rang in her ears.

The End