Conquering His Cold Heart

"Will Kiba be alright on his own?" Avira asked more than a little intimidated by the large white clawed scorpion blocking their path forward.

Though it wasn't as scary looking as the iceborne huntsman she felt it was stronger and more dangerous. Her rapier would struggle to pierce through its thick carapace that seemed to cover its entire body.

"As long as he keeps his calm and doesn't try to showboat he'll be fine V. Kiba himself is at the upper level possibly even peak of C-rank. Those claws and fangs of his aren't just for show." He may look like a large kitten who loves being petted but that is merely one side of him.

The glacial winged tigers were a powerful species, not much lesser than dragons, behemoths, giants and even fenrirs. Despite not even being fully grown Kiba was almost at the B-rank, even if he stopped training and chose to laze around like a house cat, his natural growth into adulthood would see him jump that chasm and it wouldn't be the only one.

Beastlike monsters such as tigers, wolves, bears etc… tend to have another jump whenever they reach middle age therefore Kiba, as long as he stayed alive had a good chance of reaching peak B-rank possibly even A-rank solely because of his genetics.

So he may look cute and cuddly but if he deems you an enemy you better run for the hills.

"He's that strong?" Avira couldn't really believe it; Kiba looked so docile when he carried her and Frost on his back.

"V lass he's a glacial winged tiger. That scorpion's nothing but a snack in his eyes." Borris who knew full well about Kiba's origins replied with smile, finding Avira's concern amusing.

Avira blinked her eyes rapidly and looked back and forth between Kiba, Borris and Frost. Her mind churned as knowledge regarding the glacial winged tigers came to the forefront of her mind. She looked at Frost for a confirmation and received a curt nod in reply.

"…Oh, well tell him to make it quick then." The concern disappeared from her tone instantly. If Kiba truly was a glacial winged tiger, the same species she knew from the monster encyclopaedias then there really was nothing to worry about, except maybe him playing with his food.

"Kiba, V wants you to make it quick hahaha." Frost hollered with a laugh.

"Garow!" Kiba felt hurt, he looked back at Avira as if asking her what happened to their loving relationship, but such moves were no longer effective on the young woman after she learned of his true strength, so he turned back and internally promised to be so quick that she'd be shocked.

The poor white clawed scorpion trembled feeling that something awful just happened but before it could act Kiba made his move.

As requested the battle didn't take long, 10 minutes maybe 11 and the scorpion was spasming on the ground as Kiba devoured it alive. His massive teeth and powerful claws tearing through its vaunted carapace with ease.

Though the white clawed scorpion lost it did manage to land a few choice hits. Its pincers clipped hard on Kiba's forelegs, snapping a tendon or two while his wings were brutally ravaged. There was even a penetrating wound across his back from the monster's stinger, thankfully however its poison was rather mild, Kiba only felt a little dizzy.

Crunch! Crunch!

The white clawed scorpion's carapace would have made a lovely material to craft with but unfortunately Kiba was keen on devouring every last morsel. It tasted better than the spider but not by much.

Once again after devouring his defeated opponent Kiba felt a surge of energy refining his body, making him slightly stronger than before.

"Haaaaa seems we won't be retrieving anything from its corpse, sorry Borris." Frost shook his head at Kiba's gluttony.

"No problem its his kill, he can do whatever he wants with it." At least it wasn't going to a complete waste.

Once Kiba was made to drink a mid-level health potion, healing his many wounds the group carried on with their journey which was a lot smoother after taking care of the local territory lord.

Once night started to fall the group searched for lodgings, a cliff, a recess, a cave, something that could shelter them from the harsh winds and even colder temperature, not an easy thing given their location.

"There, a cave, we'll rest there for the night." Eventually Frost caught sight of decent sized cave in the distance and ordered Kiba to head over. Unfortunately this cave already had residents, 3 monsters that looked like a fusion of an ape and a lizard, each at D-rank. Frost made short work of them before handing everyone their jobs.

"V you'll be on cooking duty while Borris you'll arrange the tents, I'll handle the security perimeter."

""Got it"" V quickly removed cooking utensils from her spatial ring and retrieved a selection of meat, veggies and water from their carried luggage. While Borris pulled out their tents, sleeping bags, miscellaneous tools and their fire starting kit.

Frost meanwhile walked to the cave's entrance to scan the horizon for threats i.e. monsters.

Seeing nothing in the nearby vicinity he used magic to conjure walls of ice that blocked all but a gap roughly 8 inches wide at the roof of the cave. This allowed fresh air to flow into the cave while at the same time minimising the encroaching chill. Though the wall wouldn't be able to stop the more determined monsters from getting in it did block them from view.

Any passing monster -who didn't take the time to investigate further- would see another wall of white amongst the thousands of others.

Ten minutes later a pleasant aroma could be smelled from a large pot while three robust tents were propped up in a triangle formation around the fire, capitalising on the warmth it provided.

"Stew's ready." Avira announced as she ladled a generous serving into her bowl. The four of them -Borris, Frost, Kiba and the frost wolf- couldn't help but lick their lips in anticipation. They had been running and fighting for the entire day, taking only a few short breaks in between. They were famished and were looking forward to a warm meal rather than cold jerky and crackers.

"So goooooood you'll make a fine wife in the future V." Borris knew just how seductive a woman that could cook was to a man. He couldn't help but remember his deceased wife as he devoured mouthful and mouthful.

His comment caused the young woman to blush, but she also smiled.

"Umu if you weren't having to go to Icethorne I would have hired you as Nanna's teacher back in Niflheim." Frost felt it was a shame, he'd been trying for months to get Nanna a proper teacher but so far found no one, only regular chefs that were usually preoccupied with their own duties.

"Oh." Hearing Frost, Avira couldn't help but imagine herself living in the Niflheim city state. Enjoying the luxurious bath houses on the regular, dining in fancy restaurants, being able to be close and interact with Frost on the regular while also being within walking distance to Luna.

She had to admit it was quite tempting and not a bad failsafe….alas such a life was not meant for her, at least not at the moment. She needed to get her revenge, to tear Randolph from his throne and send him to very depths of hell, the only place a disgusting urchin like him deserved to call home.

Avira held a great weight on her shoulders, a weight that made her nights rather restless. When she slept she'd think of that night, the blood, the screams, the horror of never being able to see her mother and father again.

Every night she was plagued with nightmares and would wake up suddenly covered in sweat, a secret that she never told anyone. Strangely however the time she slept after her battle with the iceborne huntsman, when she was cradled in Frost's arms was… blissful. No nightmares, no agitation just comfort and safety.

Her body was thus drawn towards him, craving his touch. Such feelings merged with her already growing interest. As Borris put she was quickly becoming a lost cause and who could blame her. Frost was strong, talented, handsome, rich, filled with confidence and charm, so different from the pompous noble heirs she was forced to mingle with at the royal balls and banquets.

Frost and Borris dug into their bowls of stew as Avira's mind lingered in her fantasies. A bowl was prepared for the frost wolf and a very small one for Kiba.

"Grrrr!" Kiba growled in protest at his small portion.

"Why do you even need food? You devoured an entire C-rank white clawed scorpion." Frost replied with a frown on his face, what a greedy cat.

"Garow!"

"What do you mean there's always room for tasty food?"

"Gaarrow."

"No that is not common sense you damn glutton."

"Hahahaha your relationship is really close hahahaa." Borris couldn't help but laugh until his sides hurt.

"One more bowl not a drop more, you eat anything else, and I'll have to put you on a strict diet."

"Gaaarrroooowww!!"

[No diet! I'll be good promise!] was the literal translation.

Frost thus refilled a larger bowl for him while Borris was on the floor nearly puking his guts out, even Avira was giggling under her breath.

When night fell and the temperature dropped several degrees even with the protection of the ice wall and roaring fire Borris and Avira went to their tents. The frost wolf and Kiba joined them respectively to preserve heat, something Avira was over the moon about, Kiba's fur was so soft after all, he was the perfect hug pillow. Borris was less enthused but hated the cold more.

This left Frost alone by the fire to ruminate on his thoughts, he wasn't quite ready to go to bed.