Page 27 of The Silver Ones
Nia put her flowers down, chuckling. "That’s a good idea—let’s start a small session now. While you wait in the waters for an Elder to arrive… Is it alright if I join you?"
"Of course," Rem replied, not having to fakethatenthusiasm. Rem might be cautious on doling out her trust so easily, but Nia reminded Rem of her childhood friend, Rachel—like a distorted mirror of home.
How I miss Rachel. I hope she is doing well with her new family.
As was customary, Rachel moved many states away to marry into a new family while Ashmire accepted a new female in her place. Until Rem had discovered she had silver hair, the witches had discussed finding a male suitor to bring to Ashmire for Rem—something she didn’t like. She wanted toleave, and they always made it so difficult.
Except for when the shifters came. That seemed easy.
Now that she thought about it, everything about that was wrong as well.
Both of them stripped and got into the water. Once back inside, determination quailed her anxiety. The Alpha was potentially on her side and gave her his explicit permission to use his hot spring. There was a forbidden part of her that wished he had remained, the side of her that wanted to forgo all humanity in exchange for these luxuries. “What will happen to Jackson?”
“I don’t know. This is the first for us. Normally, the female would just return the attack and the day would be over.”
Rem couldn't imagine Nia fighting another, as she seemed so gentle. Then again, what if that was a tactic? What if some wolves liked to wear sheep’s clothing? "Do you get into fights often? You don’t have as many scars as Gally does," Rem asked.
"I don't have any that count," Nia mumbled, sinking into the water, her braids dipping under the surface with a few floating outwards.
“Is that a bad thing?”
"Here, if you get no injury, it means you're not worth respecting. Who wants to follow someone who can't overcome wound and pain? Even in agony, you need to show that the pain doesn't bother you. It's a profound sign of strength for my people, or weakness if you cave into it."
Rem sighed, staring back up at the sky, listening to the sound of nature. This seemed to be a very unforgiving place.
"I didn't even hear them coming..." Rem said aloud, mostly to herself. She could hear the woodpeckers but not two large males approaching her. She was like a blind, deaf chicken living among foxes. Rem lowered herself into the water when the wind carried fresh leaves with it.
Fall would arrive soon, despite the warm air. She hated leaving Oliver alone as everything grew colder.
Nia's face turned to regret. "I am really sorry for putting you in that position. I don't usually do that. That was all my fault. My family is a Gamma Clan. In our society, it goes Alpha, there is only one, then a Beta Clan, then Theta, and lastly Gamma, where the rest of us live. I didn't smell him coming because I was smelling the vina vine, and I am not as capable as those above me. That was my fault. I just wanted to show you luxury, being the most likely candidate for Luna, and all."
Rem slowly looked over at Nia, who genuinely looked upset. "Well, it went better than when Jackson attacked me, so whatever. It's fine, Nia. Don't beat yourself up."
Nia looked up, and with a flat tone, asked, "WhydidJackson attack you? You said it was because you attacked him, but that's a deep wound. Whatever is on your back is a lesson, not anger."
Rem pursed her lips together and widened her eyes, her heart swelling with aneedto confess. Rem looked down at the water, her throat burning with the curse. "I can't go into detail."
"Well, hopefully Ronan gives him a matching scar, or worse."
The corner of Rem's mouth curled, enjoying just even the thought of it. "Ronan would do that?"
"Of course," Nia replied, almost as if offended. "We might view fighting and scars as second nature here, but you're a guest of the Warden Pack, which is Ronan's responsibility. And it’s not like you can give him a matching scar yourself."
Rem looked down at the water, examining her hand through the cloudy warmth. It was more apparent than ever that the culture and world of the shifters would require major adjusting if she wanted to adapt.
"So, Rem, were you married? Wait, how old are you, anyway?" Nia asked as leaned against the stone wall.
"I am twenty-two. Oh, wait, my birthday is in, well, I guess little over a month away. I forgot all about that..." She laughed cynically.
She had been excited to eat a honey cake after gathering lots of honey that season.I wonder if I will be a shifter by then..."And no, I wasn't married. I didn't mind. I didn't like anyone in Ashmire enough to marry them, plus I liked living with my family."
"You're a real family person."
"Oh, yeah."
"That's good. We're pack oriented. It's the same mentality."
"Except your family is here, and mine is not," she said without thought. A pang in her chest reminded her that Oliver was still here, though.
