Well, out of all the reviews I've gotten on the last chapter, I'd say Amelia Valencia came the closest to actually getting what I was driving at. You see, the reason Aniu should be with Kodan is, simply, that the creators of the Balto series purposed for her to be mated with a dog. As her creators, they have total authority over her. And as the creator of the story, I share in that authority.
Now let us suppose that I were to tell Aniu in some way that she should break off her relationship with Scrub, and she refused. What would that make her?
Aniu
I sensed that something was amiss after the eclipse, although I could not begin to understand what it was. When we howled to awaken the moon, he seemed elated, as if the event had awoken some unknown joy in him. Yet before we had reached the top of the cliff again, he seemed deeply troubled. I had never seen such a change happen so quickly in anyone.
"Kodan," I asked, "Is something wrong?"
His ears flattened and he quickly shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong. I just... well, something came over me, that's all."
I peered at him in confusion. "Came over you?" I echoed. "What is it?"
He shrugged. "I don't know, it's just... weird, I guess."
I took a step toward him. "Perhaps if you told me..."
"No," he blurted quickly. "No, I... I think I should keep it to myself."
I puzzled at the meaning of his strange silence, but decided to let him hold his piece.
When he was silent and anemic the next morning, I decided to ask again. "Is something wrong, Kodan?"
He shook his head. "It's nothing," he answered, but as the day continued I decided he had been lying. He was sullen and uneasy, and wouldn't come with me to visit Scrub. I told my consort about it, and he considered it carefully. "Maybe he's caught something and doesn't want to risk passing it on to me."
I thought this over and shook my head. "It's too sudden," I replied. "It came on too suddenly," I replied. "What about the eclipse could make him so irritable?"
Scrub shrugged doubtfully. Then his eyes lit up. "Perhaps you could get him to talk to someone else? Gina, maybe."
I put the idea to Kodan later, but he wouldn't talk to anyone. But as the days wore on and he remained tight-lipped, I began to press the matter. At last, when Scrub had been out and about for a full three days, Kodan caved in and agreed to see Gina about his problem.
I waited outside for what felt like a long time. As I sat there, Scrub joined me. "Good morning, beautiful," he greeted cheerily, licking my ear.
I returned his greeting with a light lick on the nose. He must have noticed my lack of enthusiasm, for he asked, "What's wrong?"
I sighed. "Kodan's in there, talking to Gina. Something's wrong with him and he won't tell me what it is."
He tilted his head with a thoughtful look. "You don't have any idea what it is?"
I shook my head. "No, and I'm starting to worry about him."
He chuckled. "Aniu, you've been worried about him ever since the two of you went up to watch the eclipse."
I hung my head and sighed. "I suppose so." I looked at Scrub. "I suppose I've always worried about him, ever since I rescued him in that blizzard. I know he manages well enough on his own, even saved my life in the battle with the Black Claw Pack."
"Twice," he added helpfully. "First by fighting at your side against Kava and his traitors, then by keeping you out of the thick of it."
I nodded. "He can take care of himself and more, I know," I said, more to myself than to Scrub. "And yet I want to... to help him somehow." Frustration welled up within me. How was it that I could so easily discern the minds of others, and yet I couldn't even figure out, much less explain, my own compulsions?
Scrub smiled and brushed his nose against my cheek. "Forgive me if I speak too freely," he ventured, "But it sounds as if you just need someone to look after."
I guessed what he might be driving at, but feigned confusion. "I suppose I might," I allowed, "But how would saying so be speaking too freely?"
I almost regretted it when I saw what a hard time he had getting the words out, then remembered that an alpha male would need to be outspoken and forthright. "Well," he faltered a little, "Because I was thinking that a nature like that would... oh, forget the lead-in. Aniu, I've been thinking that since we've been courting for quite some time now, it's high time we decided whether or not this is really leading somewhere. If we're going to become mates, then let's. If not, I shouldn't be wasting your time when you have bigger things to worry about."
A tidal wave of emotions poured over me. I felt excited, frightened, joyful, dazzled and sick. I know now that my answer was unwise. Not because of what I would learn later or what came of it, but because I answered only with my heart, leaving my head out of it. I all but forgot about his near-madness trying to prove himself and decided that as lacking as he was, I could make a good leader and partner out of him. "Scrub... I will be your mate."
His uncertainty exploded like a tree branch in the coldest of weather, into sheer ecstasy. "Wonderful!" he cried. "Oh, we'll hold the ceremony at the next full moon. I just wish I had asked a few weeks sooner so we could have had it during the eclipse."
I laughed. "I'll go talk to my parents and arrange things," I volunteered.
He shook his head. "I already told them I'd be asking you, and the old traditions make it my job to see the arrangements made." Then with a thoughtful look, he added, "Besides, you should wait for Kodan and see what's the matter with him."
I nodded, and sat down to wait as he headed off to find my parents. I was still worried about my friend, but even so, I could not keep from feeling elated. I was going to marry!
The time seemed to fly before Kodan came out of the den, and I was a little sorrier to notice his face was no better than when he went in. "What did Gina say?" I asked.
He shrugged. "She can't help me," came the reply. Then, as if anxious to change the subject, he added, "You seem pretty cheerful. What's the good news? I could use some."
"Oh. Scrub stopped by, and... and he and I are going to wed under the next full moon."
If he had seemed sour before, he looked deathly ill now.
"Is something wrong?" I asked anxiously.
"Wrong?" he replied a little too sharply. "No, nothing's wrong. What could be wrong?"
I didn't believe one word of it. "Kodan, you know you can talk to me. What's happening to you? You've been acting strangely for weeks; you won't even talk to me or Scrub." Then as I said this something else came to me. In a guarded tone, I asked," Do you think he's trying to take advantage of me like Kava?"
This suggestion seemed to alarm him even more. "No!" he blurted. Knowing what I know now, I commend him for at least not stooping to back-stabbing. "No, it's nothing wrong with Scrub. He's great, and I'm happy for both of you. I think I'd make a great father for your pups."
I was so relieved that he approved my choice of a mate, it took a moment for that last part to register. Had he said... but surely he meant...? "What did you say?" I asked, trying not to let my voice spike.
His eyes grew wide, and every bit of him seemed to fall. He looked like someone who had gone to take shelter in a cave they thought was empty, only to face an enraged grizzly. "Aniu," he fumbled, "It was a mistake. I didn't mean..." he trailed off, unable to continue. "No," he amended when at last he found his voice. "I did mean it, I just didn't mean to say it. Aniu..." he trailed off for a moment, then spoke quickly as if he were afraid I would stop him or run, or that he might lose his nerve. "Aniu, I think... I know that I love you."
Oh, snap. Now what?
And, yeah. Sorry I made this chapter so short. I tried and tried to build up on it, but it just wasn't coming together.
So, how about it? What would it be if Aniu knew who she was supposed to be with and chose Scrub anyway?
