The Silver Dagger

Nate

"Aiyana, will you take a walk with me?"

"Sure, Nate." She grabbed her plate and his and took them to the kitchen. He thought she would follow him to the door, but after putting their dishes in the dishwasher, she started working on the ones already in the sink. Why was she doing that? Surely there were other wolves in the pack who could take care of it.  His mother never did the dishes - she rarely even went into the kitchen.

"You coming?"

"In a few minutes. This won't take long."

"All right, I'll meet you by the back door."

Cliff scooted back from the large wooden table and carried his own plate into the kitchen but instead of just putting it on the counter and walking away, he started helping Aiyana. Nate had only known him a few days before he and Aiyana had left for Yellowstone, but Cliff seemed different - quieter - more withdrawn. Aiyana had told him how Cliff had reacted when she'd broken the bond. He almost felt sorry for the guy, but he suspected Cliff would try to win Aiyana back if he could. If he were in Cliff's place, he would. He kept a close eye on him as they worked, but Cliff never said a word to Aiyana and when they were done and she thanked him, he gave a single nod and walked away.

Nate smiled when Aiyana finally looked his way. He couldn't help himself. "Ready?"

"Yes."

"I thought we could take a walk in the orchard again."

"It's probably not flowering any more."

"That's all right. Who needs flowers when I have you?"

She elbowed him, but he was being truthful. Just the few hours he'd been without her today, not knowing where she was and thinking she was mad at him, had been colorless and horrible. He opened the door to the backyard and tapped his pocket again just to make sure the box was still there. 

From the corner of his eye, he saw Cliff take a step toward them from where he was lurking near the kitchen island. Cliff's presence hadn't bothered him that much before, but he'd spent an amazing two weeks with Aiyana in Yellowstone and she was still hesitant about completing the bond. Maybe once they merged his wolf would calm down, but right now his wolf was urging Nate to put himself between Cliff and Aiyana and issue a warning.  Nate only resisted because he knew Aiyana wouldn't like it.  She'd flat out told him she didn't like overly possessive males.  He had to try something though.

"Cliff, there's no need for you to come. We're going to be right behind the house."

"It's my job. I'll just stay close enough to see you."

That's what he was afraid of. He supposed he could wait until they could find some time alone, perhaps in her room, but he wanted to do this outside, someplace romantic, and barring that, the orchard would do. 

His palms were sweating. He'd never felt so nervous. What if she said no? How would he live without her? Maybe this wasn't a good idea despite his mother's insistence to the contrary. He wiped his hand on his pants and grabbed hers just as they reached the edge of the trees. "I'm glad you are okay. I was very worried when I came out of the house this morning and you weren't there."

"I'm sorry. I was afraid your mother would delay you too long. What did she want you to do?"

"Reach stuff for her. She was looking for something."

"Did you make it back outside in time?"

"It would have been close," he admitted reluctantly. Aiyana hadn't said it, but he suspected she suspected his mother had delayed her in Yellowstone on purpose. Maybe she was right.