Chapter 1- Pregnant From Pain
One morning, many, many moons and months ago, two female hyenas, one white and one dark, walked towards the sunrise and their homes.
The white hyena, about 10 months older than the dark hyena, was a mentor of sorts to the dark hyena. The dark hyena, barely 16 years old, was heavily pregnant. She was due any time now.
It was not of her choice. Asiyejali had been abused, and her innocence forcefully taken away from her by a male tigon, which she didn't even know the name of. This was what created her child.
She was pregnant all right. Pregnant from pain.
The white hyena, Lina, had kindly helped her through her pregnancy. The same tigon had abused her, and she had two children of different ages, Igor and Vladek, which came from this abuse.
Lina was a great mother and wise beyond her years.
Asiyejali on the other hand, did not know how she could be so dedicated to two children she didn't even want. Asiyejali had no idea how to mother, nor did she want to.
She had no maternal instinct, and often called the child 'the thing that's inside me', instead of her pup.
Lina pretended not to notice, but she was shocked that a mother could have such an attitude towards her own child.
They were carrying behind them, two big antelopes for them and the growing boys, Vladek and Igor.
Vladek was 13 months old, already a young adolescent, who often wondered off to hang with many legions of white hyena friends he had.
Vladek was charismatic, and manipulative, which he used for both good and bad. Igor, was 3 months and a half, and often accompanied his brother on their secretive travels.
Lina trusted that the strong adolescent could take of him. They dragged back the kill to their campsite for the boys, from their early morning hunt.
Lina, with Asiyejali following, walked quietly into the small family den where the boys were sleeping.
Lina shook their shoulders. "Wake up boys. It's time for breakfast." She cooed over them. "Ok Mom." groaned the teenage Vladek.
"Yay breakfast! Thanks Mommy!" Igor hugged his mother, and the young white hyena ran outside for breakfast, while the adolescent walked slowly in a half-awakened state.
Igor took a small drumstick like meat piece on the antelope and ate at it hungrily, while Vladek took a good head and whole leg of the antelope.
Lina and Asiyejali took whatever was left. The older adults, especially Asiyejali, needed more nutrition so they could protect the boys, and Asiyejali's pup.
Lina often wondered about Asiyejali's puphood herself, as Asiyejali's name meant uncaring. She must have had a bad mother, and that might have affected her apparent fear of motherhood. But Lina never asked her about it.
"So, Igor, are you excited about having a little brother or sister soon?" Lina asked her younger pup. "Yeah! I can't wait to finally have someone else to play with!" Igor said enthusiastically.
"Yeah, you'll like spending time with him or her, but not as much as with Cordelia." Vladek teased. Igor blushed. "Shut up I don't' like her! Girls are icky!" Igor said.
"Oh, your just three months old. Everyone knows you like Cordelia, she's three months too, she's pretty, relax it's normal!" Vladek comforted his little brother, showing his then-existent good side.
"Maybe." Igor blushed. "Vladek, are you excited about the baby?" Lina asked.
"I guess. If it's a girl that is. It has to be a girl. It can't be like that brute, who took advantage of you." Evil started showing in Vladek's eyes.
"Vladek, it could be a boy, though. We don't have a medicine hyena like we did back in my old pack. We can't tell the gender." Lina tried to tell him gently.
"I don't care. If it's a boy, I couldn't care less!" Vladek shouted. "Vladek!" Lina scolded.
"Lina, leave him be. This pregnancy is the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I can't wait to get this thing out of me! I couldn't care less either." Asiyejali stared into space blankly, with no emotion.
They had all been traumatised horribly except for Igor, who was too young to understand, so Lina left their attitudes toward the coming baby at that. Little did she know, that Lina was making a horrible misjudgement…**