Page 42 of HaL

“Maybe your generation will be the ones to break the binds holding so many back. I have prayed and still pray to the Lord of Light that HaL can and will forgive me.”

“I think he already did when he kissed you on the head, but he just needs a minute to process all this. Wouldn’t you in his place?”

“Yes, I would, but I am just not sure how to proceed now. I am so thankful he has you, Dawn. It does my heart good to know he will feel the love of a true mate. I often worried when the others started gathering here and he was never drawn to anyone, if I had doomed him to a life alone? That my sin had somehow marked him, but the moment he rushed you into that medical center, my heart sped up because I too knew what his father’s runes meant. I also knew my secret was coming to an end. I just wonder if HaL will feel obligated to tell the others now.”

“Well, I’m sure he would never be ashamed of you, but if he already calls you mother in front of everyone, why change a good thing?”

After a bit, Troza sits up and wipes her eyes, only to tilt her head and laugh as her eyes roam over me. “Lord youngling, he has left you with quite the mess. Turn around and let us see if these old fingers can still function enough to get you presentable.”

I turn back around while she quickly works her way through the rest of my hair. My mind replays everything she’s just said, and I wonder how HaL is going to handle this.

CHAPTER 14

HAL

I find myself outside our rooms, simply standing on the other side of the doorway. Knowing my beast will not let me linger far from Dawn, I walk through the side entrance, instantly changing when the frigid air from outside hits me. Since I can still see Dawn and Troza through the viewer, my beast is not fighting me.

I notice Dawn is comforting Troza, and for a moment I almost turn back. My beast is not happy that the females in our care are upset. Even though I am hurt and overwhelmed by the whys of what Troza/Dam did, I think I always knew deep down who she really was, but I never let my mind dwell on it.

I never felt unloved or unwanted … she doted on me to the point that some of the other younglings would tease me from time to time. She never failed to show affection or cheer me on when I needed her support.

Yes, I missed her as much as she did me when I went with Father to train, but SCOUT noticed and found a way for us to talk every rotation.

She was and always has been my mother. I never once considered her less than because of blood. So why is this bothering me now? Is it her story, the sacrifice she made to be my mother, or the way she knew how we would be treated by our kind? I wonder how many others secretly yearn for the same but know the consequences if they follow through.

Being a male, things like this have seldom ever crossed my mind, but now that I have Dawn, how many others would seek out another simply not to be alone? Change is never easy, but now I wonder if this needs addressing.

The winds have grown stronger this past rising, and I can see the frost is near, as the summits are now covered. I turn back toward the viewer, watching Troza finish the job I started with Dawn’s hair. I can already see a bond forming between the two of them, and it does my heart good to know they will have each other if I am not around.

I stay out here longer than I need to, but currently, I do not want to discuss this with Troza any further. A light, but deep growl reaches my ears, and just before I can turn, a thousand-pound ice bear is sitting squarely on my chest.

“Qanuk, get off me you big lump!”

She growls playfully before lowering her head and nuzzling against mine. I laugh and shove at her until she finally rolls off, leaving me grunting as I sit up.

“My, you have thickened up this past rising. Where have you been hiding?”

She roots around my hand, grunting as though I should somehow understand every sound. I reach up and ruffle the thick scruff around her neck. In retaliation, she gently catches my arm between her teeth and rolls, taking me with her as we tumble through the snow.

It is a game we used to play when she was little.

“If the others could see you right now, you would never live it down.”

A flash of red catches Qanuk’s attention.

I glance toward the compound and see Dawn sitting on the edge of one of the viewers in her room, watching us. I lift my hand and wave. She returns it with a huge smile before pointing toward Qanuk beside me.

Of course, Qanuk must investigate.

She bounds toward the wall, sending snow flying in every direction. Before I can stop her, her massive paws land against the viewer. Dawn jerks backward, startled.

Qanuk looks through the clear panel at her. Then she looks back at me. Then at Dawn again. She seems completely confused as to why there is a strange female on the other side of the wall who will not play with her. I grab Qanuk around her fat neck, pulling her away from the viewer, not entirely certain how much punishment the clear panels can take from a thousand-pound ice bear.

Dawn slowly makes her way back toward us and presses her hand against the other side. Qanuk immediately leans forward and licks the panel where Dawn’s hand rests. I cannot help laughing. A moment later, Qanuk turns around and pounces on me again.

I lose track of how many times we wrestle in the snow. She rolls me over, I shove her away, and she comes barreling back. By the time she finally tires of the game, my fur is soaked and full of snow, and I am laughing so hard my sides ache.

Qanuk gives me one last lick along the jaw, then as suddenly as she appeared, she disappears into the snow. Her massive white form blends effortlessly into the harsh landscape until there is nothing left to see.