Plains wolves. They were running machines, the fastest of their kind. Also, the most reckless, the most verbal, they loved to howl and laugh, especially over stupid things. Zelena was constantly amazed by them. When hunting or fighting, there was hardly any tactic, just run and leap in with everything you had. They lived in extremes, one day extremely happy and hyper and some days, happy and so lazy they don't even get out of the den. They spend almost all their time as wolves and usually lived underground in grand tunnels, however Alyndra had chosen a large simple cave for their new home that Zelena had taken the liberty of decorating in Ozian finery.
"Zelena!" The witch raised her head as her mate burst into the small alcove used for her nest. "You're awake. Good. I was wondering if you would like to go hunting with me. You know, stretch your legs."
"I don't know. The pups are nursing." Zelena said.
"After?" Alyndra settled down to wait.
"Dear, go and lead your pack. I'll be fine."
"We don't spend a lot of together anymore, Zelena. I want to hunt with my mate." Alyndra whined.
"I have 12 little ones here and no other nursing queens, baby. They need to be fed and kept warm at all times. This is my first time as a mother…" She trailed off as she looked down at her babies. All of them so precious and perfect. She wanted to do a good job and be the best mother she could. Alyndra snuggled closer and started grooming her fur. She rolled her eyes at her mate's insistence on being as close to her as possible. Alyndra soon turned to grooming their pups but she was interrupted as one of their betas came in, a small gray she-wolf whose name happened to be Grey.
"Boss, there's trouble. It's Raevyn again."
Zelena growled. She was starting to understand Regina's pain, what with a jealous older sister and everything. As soon as she saw Regina again she was definitely going to apologize for all of her nonsense. Raevyn was Alyndra's older sister, one of Zelena's new mortal enemies. Although Raevyn was essentially in the prime position to take over the pack, and it was her right as the oldest child of the past alpha, Alyndra had seized the throne rather unintentionally at first through saving most of their pack from a flood a few years back. With Zelena's arrival, Alyndra started to take her role more seriously in an effort to prove herself capable of being a leader. Raevyn never got over it and continued to cause trouble whenever she could.
Alyndra stood up and Zelena raised her head as Alyndra's mother trotted over. Zyra merely nodded. Zelena gave her a grateful bow of her head. Her mother in law took her place with her pups, snuggling them into her long golden fur. Alyndra lead the way out of the den and found Raevyn gathering the pack for the hunt, a right reserved for the alpha pair.
"Raevyn, what the hell are you doing?" Alyndra demanded.
"Doing what you should be doing." Raevyn returned. She glanced at Zelena, licking her chops and Alyndra bared her teeth.
"This pack moves when I say move. Not before. Stand down."
"I am a century your senior. I deserve to lead this pack. It is my right."
"It will soon be my right to shove my foot up your ass if you don't stand the fuck down!" Alyndra roared, squaring up for a fight.
Raevyn bared her teeth as well, her hackles rose. But it was a fight she couldn't win. With Zelena's enchantment, Alyndra wouldn't be defeated. Her mate was barely 200, quite young for a pack leader, especially one of their size, but she had stepped up to the plate in the last few years. "Fine. I'll stand down...for now."
Alyndra slowly relaxed and turned to Zelena, giving her a lick on the cheek. "I have to lead the hunt, but I'll bring you back your favorite."
Zelena purred. "You are sickeningly sweet, dear. Go, I'll just take care of our 20 children until you return."
"Tonight, can we go on a date? Just us? Mom can watch things until we get back."
Zelena nodded and nuzzled her mate and watched as her lover trotted off, leading the pack across the plains. Raevyn growled as she brought up the rear. She returned to the den and switched places with Zyra. "Zyra."
"Yes, dear?" Zyra settled down nearby.
"Why did you give up your place as alpha. Aren't you like 1000 years old?" Zelena asked.
"When I lost my mate...I lost my desire to lead." Zyra said softly. "I do so when it's necessary of course, but the pack is in good paws with Alyndra at its head. I believe in my heart she could lead us to greatness."
"Maybe that's why Raevyn's so upset. Maybe showing a little favoritism there. I kinda know what that feels like."
"No." Zyra chuckled. "In Raevyn's heart, we need to show the other packs we are superior. She wants power and territory. She has a cunning mind, I'll give her that, but she has no heart to truly lead. Alyndra does. She is young, but she can learn. Until she does..." Zyra turned to looked at her. "I think you could serve her well with your own cunning mind."
Zelena flattened her ears, blushing beneath her fur. Zyra had always been motherly to her. The first real mother she could remember. The older wolf had been the one to actually teach and help train her in being an Alpha, showing her what it really meant. Sure, Alyndra could've done it, but they were too busy acting like a bunch of lovebirds to pay much attention to anything else. "Thank you." Zyra chuckled to herself. "What?"
"Just imagining all of us trying to keep up with 12 young 'uns."
Zelena flattened her ears. "Please don't."
Such was a day in the life of a plains wolf.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Regina didn't have such problems. It hadn't taken the Mills Pack a night to clean out their newfound den, a large cavern they found carved into the side of the mountain. Regina used magic to expand it, gave it stairs and separate rooms and filled it with whatever they wanted. Now she was enjoying the sunlight shining through her newly made window and Lycia's lips slowly moving down her belly.
"Baby, we've been at it since last night." Regina said, although she didn't mind. She enjoyed Lycia's attention, and her mate loved to give it.
"Regina, should we try anal?" Lycia asked, looking down at her bellybutton as she kissed it.
She rolled her eyes. "You must stop it with these incredibly random questions, dear."
"Fine, we won't try anything new." Lycia ducked beneath the crimson blankets of their massive golden bed that nearly took up the entire room. Lycia had convinced her that the room would mostly be used for sex anyway, and she had to agree. Still, it was the alpha's den, so it needed to be furnished properly so she'd added in some rugs and a fireplace that wouldn't release any smoke and a shelf with family photos on it. She was an Alpha now, but that didn't mean she didn't miss the finery that came with being a queen.
"Lycia, take it easy. Go a little slower, I'm a little exhausted." Regina said.
"Maybe if you'd let me get my second fill last night, we wouldn't be having this problem." Lycia said, her voice muffled from being attached to Regina's soaking wet center. The queen growled and dug her hand into Lycia's hair.
"Even slower." She commanded.
Lycia growled and obeyed. "You taste too good. I just want to shove my whole face into-"
"Mom?" Regina sat up in a hurry to cover herself as Cara peeked in, already blushing. "I know I'm interrupting but I pulled the shortest straw to come tell you that we're ready for the morning hunt and border patrol."
"We'll be out in a minute." Regina said. Cara nodded and left. Lycia growled from the sheets and continued her onslaught, even lifting Regina into the air as she ate her out. "Fuck, Lycia." She came hard into her mate's mouth and Lycia dropped her back on the bed, furiously licking her lips.
"What are you waiting for, Regina, let's go. We have a hunt to commence." She hopped off the bed and walked into the bathroom.
Regina glared at her back, still panting from her orgasm. She magically cleaned herself and put on some black shorts and a black sports bra before heading downstairs where most of the pack was gathered. Ruby quickly greeted her with a hug. "Good morning."
"Almost afternoon." Ruby teased.
"Blame the fearless leader, okay? Respite is not a word she knows."
"Seconds is not one you know." Lycia retorted as she passed, heading out of the den and calling for everyone else. Regina followed, shifting with the others and mixing scents, before leading the family in checking out their new territory. It was a good place for their pack, wide and spacious and covered in a light forest with some meadows here and there. Prey was plentiful. Giant, fat rabbits raced across their path and large deer herds scurried away from them. Clumps of bright pink and yellow flowers dotted the landscape in a beautiful pattern. Several creeks and a large river cut through their land providing a source of water and food with big blue fish swimming beneath surface.
"This is a great place, Regina." Scarlett commented. "It's like a paradise."
"Not to mention with the mountain at our backs, we've only got two packs to worry about." Lycia added, giving her mate a lick on the cheek. "Come on, let's mark the border and get started on breakfast." Lycia lead them to the river, marking one border. She wiped her back feet on the dirt and Regina copied the motion while the rest of the pack rubbed themselves on nearby bushes and trees. Lycia lead them to the second border where they managed to run into their new neighbors. There were two great hulking males, a young gray male and a small red female who was clearly the leader. All of them were battle scarred and glared at them as they marked their border and moved on.
"Well that was rude." Quinn commented.
"They might be trouble." Lycia growled.
Regina brushed against her mate and marked their side of the border with her feet before moving on. There was no point in wasting time talking and staring and speculating. Next on the agenda was breakfast.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lucia clenched her teeth against the icy wind biting at her fur. Her teeth threatened to chatter right out of her mouth. All around them there was nothing but snow and barren trees. She was up to her belly in the snow while her companions, all of whom experienced in such an environment, simply padded along in the surface. Tala looked behind her at her young apprentice falling behind and called a break.
"She's slowing us down." Trina complained, sitting down with a sigh.
"She'll get used to it." Her sister snapped. Tosca came over to give Lucia a nuzzle with her nose and offered her warmth by snuggling close to her.
They'd been trudging through the snow for a day now, hardly stopping. Prey was surprisingly scarce, and any they managed to come across Lucia unintentionally ended up scaring away before they could get close because of her fur, which stuck out like a sore thumb in this white wasteland.
"Sorry guys." She said, growing hot beneath her fur.
"Hey, it's okay." Tala turned back to her and sat near her to give her warmth as well. "I know this is your first time in a cold place like this."
"And away from your family." Tosca added.
"Don't worry." Tala assured her.
But Lucia was worrying about if she would be received well by the Royal Pack. She did have Royal pack blood, but it was from distant relatives. Most of the pack would undoubtedly be pure blooded.
"I'm gonna go scout ahead and see if I can call the pack." Roque said. He touched Tala lightly on the ear with his nose before racing off with Trina.
Lucia raised an eyebrow at the affectionate gesture. "So...you and him?"
"Childhood friends. Nothing more." Tala replied curtly.
"Uh huh." Lucia stood up and shook herself. "I'm ready to continue."
"There's nothing wrong with resting." Tosca said.
"I don't need to rest. I'm ready." She tried to walk on top of the snow like Tala and Tosca, but she just fell through, so Tosca instructed her on walking with her toes spread and the going became much easier. They followed Roque's tracks for a little while until he returned, reporting that the pack den was a half a day's walk from where they were. Rather than seek shelter for the night, Tala picked up the pace. Lucia was incredibly exhausted, but she urged herself onward after her companions. Roque announced their arrival with a deep baritone howl and he was quickly answered not far away. A cave came into view, almost shrouded by the icy wind and darkness. All of them nearly collapsed after walking through.
"Welcome to the Royal Pack den." Roque panted.
Lucia looked up at the maze of hallways before them. There weren't many wolves. Most of them were ancient elders, pressed against the wall in dirty nests. There were some young juveniles, but rather than the usual playing and roughhousing, they were just laying on the ground, staring off into space with cloudy eyes. The only nursing female was trying to quiet her whining pups, begging for milk. She had none to give. All of the wolves' ribs were showing. They were bony and their coats lacked luster and their eyes were dull and lifeless. The air itself stank of herbs that could do no healing and sickness.
"What happened here?" Lucia asked, rising to her feet.
"The Council happened. Everyone wanted us punished. Rorah followed through. The other packs hunted our prey to near extinction and what's left is nowhere near enough for all of us to survive. Three wolves have died already from starvation." Roque answered.
"Who's the leader?" Tala demanded. "We need to talk."
"This way."
"Stay here." Tala commanded to Lucia and her daughters. "Do what you can I suppose but don't go back outside."
Lucia nodded and went about the rooms, examining the results of Rorah. It was amazing that the pack had survived at all. Half of them could barely move. She lit some braziers and torches for light and warmth and she and Tosca passed out some old furs they found. She personally cleaned the elders' nests and tried to clean out the den of bones and old fur, anything to keep herself useful, anything to stop her from looking at the pitiful looking wolves around her. Some of them managed to find the spirit and help her, but most just watched. One of them caught her eye, a handsome, small, frail looking wolf trying to urge one elder to eat some kind of mouse. The elder was clearly dying and simply could not muster the strength, so she pushed it over to the mother and told her to eat. Lucia returned to the cave entrance and sat down, watching the snowstorm rage across the land.
"Thank you." She turned her head as the small wolf sat next to her.
"It was nothing. They need food." Lucia growled. "It just amazes me."
"What does?"
"When I used to hear about the Royal Pack, I heard things about them being strong and beautiful and proud and now…" she trailed off with a sigh.
"Cailan."
"What?"
"My name's Cailan."
"Lucia." Lucia watched Cailan pad over to the other juveniles. They were all white of course, a very dull white now. Earlier, she'd learned their names were Winter, Storm, Skye, and two twins named Luna and Loki. She felt sick looking at them, they were so gaunt and bony, in desperate need of nourishment.
"Lucia." Tala's call made her turn and walk through the stone passageways to a large room. Tala, Roque, Trina and Tosca were sitting in a circle around an old white wolf. "This is Keeva. The last leader of the Royal Pack." Lucia respectfully dipped her head, momentarily taken aback at the sheer beauty of Keeva. She was old, yes, but she held her chin raised and let bright blue eyes scan her guests with interest. "Keeva, this is Lucia, daughter of the Evil Queen."
"Regina." Lucia corrected.
Keeva looked her over. "You have come to help us?"
"Yes." Lucia said. She flattened her ears and glanced at Tala for some sort of direction. Her mentor looked blank.
"Your fur is as brown as a tree's bark." Keeva stood up, circling her. "And nowhere near thick enough to survive in our lands." Lucia said nothing, lifting her chin. She liked her fur color, but she understood that it couldn't help her here. In the forest where she'd grown up and trained, she could be the best hunter in the pack. Not here though. "You are not Royal Pack and you wish to help us. Why?"
"It's the right thing." She replied.
Keeva paused and looked her in the eye for a moment before retaking her seat. "She can stay."
Tala immediately flashed a grin. "I told you. She's just like her mother."
"On to more important matters. We can't stay here. If we do, we die."
"There's no food." Trina said. "Why don't we just hunt in the neighboring territory?"
"We deal with enough shit from Rorah and his goons." Keeva snarled, making the younger wolf shrink away from her. "Rorah wants us broken, and he has succeeded so far. But we have one more trick up our sleeve. The winter den."
"Winter den?" Tala frowned in confusion.
"You were too young. You wouldn't remember." Roque said.
"We would have to cross the ice bridge, follow the caribou across the great lake." Keeva continued. "Grow in strength there and then return and take back our home."
"Ice bridge?" Lucia ventured to ask.
Keeva directed their attention to the wall behind her where images had been painted on the stone. A scene depicting what looked like a bridge of broken ice lead across a lake. The caribou seemed to be crossing it to a hidden land on the other side. "That is why the Royal Pack have always moved in the shadows. Why we were able to grow so large and attack the other packs. This time though, will not be about attacking anyone else, or revenge. This time, it'll be about survival. First, we need to gain our strength. It's a difficult journey."
"We'll begin preparations." Roque said.
Tala sent Trina and Tosca off to hunt before turning to Lucia. "You should contact your family. You may not be able to for a while."
Lucia nodded and went to find an empty room and a mirror. She sat down and crossed her legs, laying the mirror against the wall in front of her. She didn't possess magic like Cara, but Regina had made sure to teach her children multiple ways to contact her when they were apart. Her mother appeared in the mirror a moment later.
"Lucia!" Regina smiled. "I didn't think I'd hear from you for a while."
"You might not after this."
Regina frowned in concern. "What's wrong?" She asked softly.
"It's bad here, Mom."
"I figured it would be. The Council met, I'm afraid. They made a new law prohibiting the Royal Pack from having packs bigger than 7 wolves." Lucia rolled her eyes. "Lycia tried to talk them out of it."
"Did she?"
"What's that supposed to mean, young lady?" Regina asked.
"She hates the Royal Pack just as much as anyone else. Why would she help us?"
"Us?" Regina arched an eyebrow. "You know your mother did everything she could. And her hatred is well founded considering she watched her mother die at the hands of the Royal Pack. Listen to me, I am glad that you are finding your way in the world, even if it's away from us, but don't forget that you are still one of us. You are our child, and our sister and our niece and our god child."
"I know, Mom. It's just not fair." Lucia whispered.
"Life isn't fair." Regina shrugged. "That's why we make the most of it. Where are you going?"
"The pack has to find food. That's also why I need you...to change my fur color."
"Change your-"
"I know what you're thinking. This is not because I look like Ma and they're not brainwashing me. I need to blend in better to hunt. That's it, Mom. Please."
Regina sighed, walking back and forth in front of the mirror. "Promise me that you will be safe."
"I promise."
"Promise that you will return."
"I promise."
Regina sighed again before standing in front of the mirror once more. "I love you, Lucia."
"I love you too. I love all of you guys."
"Will your leader at least let me send you some food to start your journey?"
"I don't know. I'll ask." Keeva was less than pleased about accepting charity, but it was an offer she could not decline. When Regina delivered the food, she ended the spell and Lucia saw her new reflection. Her hair was no longer golden brown. It was almost white now. She didn't think it looked too bad. Perhaps she could change it back later. Right now though if she had to choose between the color of her hair and fur and eating, she would choose food any day.
"You know, you don't have to look like someone to be one of them." Tala said to her apprentice.
"No, but this'll help hunting. That food won't last long."
"It won't. Come on and eat something before it's all gone. We leave in an hour."
The pack devoured the food in minutes and with new energy rushing through them, they got ready to set out on their journey. The pups posed a small dilemma though, one Lucia remedied by tying a piece of fur around the mother's stomach that kept the pups pressed against her for warmth and so they could nurse. Tala gave her a proud nod of approval. Roque and Keeva lead the way out of the safe, warm den and out into the cold. The young ones tried to help the elders and keep them moving. Every few minutes or so, Keeva let out a piercing howl and the bushes around them would part as a wolf would come running out, calling all of those who hadn't made it to the den. There weren't many for a pack that had once numbered over 100. When Keeva stopped howling, there were barely 25. It was slow going. And they had so far to go.
/
Regina sighed, ending the spell after sending the moose and two elks to her daughter. She hoped it was enough.
"Hey. What's going on?" Lycia asked, walking into her study.
"Lucia. The Royal Pack are going through some times and she asked for my assistance."
"She mad at me about the decision?" Lycia sat down and looked up at her.
"No. She's upset, but it's not because of you." Regina assured her.
Lycia scoffed. "Yeah right. She changed her hair color?"
"Fur color too, but there is a reason the Royal Pack is white. It does help when hunting in the snow."
"She doesn't need to be white." Regina fought back a sigh as Lycia stood back up. "They're turning her into one of them."
"They are our daughter's pack now."
"She's not-"
"Lycia." Regina said sternly. "You fight her on this, you will push her away. She's happy. She feels like she's making a difference, finding her own way. We should be happy."
"Regina, I'm trying, but I don't see why she would rather be with them than with us." Lycia dug her hands into her hair and Regina gently untangled them and pulled them down. "Maybe we shouldn't have let her spend so much time with Tala when she was younger."
"Lycia, one day, each and every one of our little ones are gonna grow up and leave the nest. They're going to fall in love and have mates and children and form packs of their own. But they will always be our children, no matter what. You have to accept that."
"How? They're my babies."
Regina smiled and kissed her cheek. "They're babies no longer. They're growing up."
"I don't want them to." Lycia pouted.
"They will whether you want them to or not, so stop worrying. We raised all of them well."
Lycia growled and kissed her forehead. "I love you. We should have more pups."
"I would give you as many as possible, however you can't have your seconds with a puppy coming out of my vagina." Regina chuckled as Lycia suddenly lifted her into the air. "I love you too, Lycia."
"Take us to the bedroom." Lycia commanded. "Ugh, I cannot focus on anything with you around."
"Uh uh, no. You have another Council meeting in a couple of hours."
"That's more than enough time!" Lycia whined.
"We both know you'll take the whole two hours. Now put me down."
"Just a taste."
"No."
Lycia growled and suddenly threw her across the room onto the couch.
"You. Bitch." Regina got up to chase her out of the room. Lycia ran into the living room and ducked behind the couch where Natasha and Bron had been sitting.
"What's going on?"
"I'm gonna kill your other mother." Regina growled. She leaped over the couch onto Lycia and tackled her. Lycia laughed as she slipped free and took off again. Regina sighed, leaning against the chair. "So, what are you guys up to?"
"Nothing." Natasha shrugged.
"Bored?"
"Little bit." Bron said.
"You know what's a fun game?"
"What?"
"Stick." Regina smiled as she went outside, shifting and picking up a large stick.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
"Come and get the stick." She dropped her chest to the ground like a dog and wagged her tail. Bron and Natasha grinned as they gave chase to get the stick from her. Regina laughed as she leaped over a fallen tree and crouched down, her two children still running. She stood up and wagged her tail until she heard them talking to her other kids. She dropped her tail and took off as Anita suddenly burst of the bushes and tackled her, trying to tear away her stick. She swung her head hard, throwing her daughter into the bushes and strutted off.
She could add in more entertaining things to the den later. But there was so many simple things they could do to keep themselves occupied. There was a nagging feeling in her heart though at the thought that one day her little ones would be gone. She almost wanted to whimper, understanding Lycia's fears. Her mate and children leaped out of the bushes and in the scuffle, she lost the stick. Cara soon shot by, snatching it up, and everyone began the chase anew.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
There used to be no one who loved Zelena. She used to believe that no one could love her. Now though, the word love held a whole new meaning for the former Wicked Witch. She now lead a pack with 25 other wolves who respected her, loved her, and now followed her. She looked out over her new domain from atop their cave, watching as the setting sun cast a beautiful golden glow over the plains.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Zelena fought back a growl as Raevyn came to stand at her side. Her human form was just as dark and menacing as her wolf form.
"Can I help you?" Zelena asked.
"I was just wondering why were you sitting here all alone."
"I'm waiting for my mate." She hissed. "Please, go away."
"Your mate." Raevyn growled. "Tell me, exactly how did you and my sister meet?"
Zelena fought the urge to kick her off the cave, but Alyndra entered her thoughts and all that negativity dissipated. That day hadn't been so special at first. It started out like any other. She liked to remember it a lot, remember how her life changed forever. "It was...love at first sight."
Alyndra padded up to the top of the cave, feeling a lightness to her paws at the thought of spending some alone time with the woman of her dreams. She gently clenched the flowers between her jaws, careful not to bruise them, and nearly bit them in half when she spotted her sister with her mate. However, everything became dull as her eyes fell upon Zelena. The witch turned as she approached and it was like she was being showered in golden light. Her hair turned to flame and her eyes were so beautiful. It was almost like the first time Alyndra had ever seen her. As soon as she had, she knew that she wanted to see that face every day for the rest of her life. From that moment onward, it wasn't gravity holding her to the ground, it was Zelena. Finding her mate was greatest accomplishment. Their family and their life together was what she was most proud of.
"Alyndra, dear, are those for me?" Zelena asked.
"Yes, of course." Alyndra stepped forward, kicking Raevyn off top of the cave and shifted into her human form to present her mate with her bouquet.
"They're just like the ones you gave me the day we met." Zelena purred, sniffing them. She looked up at the awestruck blonde. "What?"
"You're so perfect." Alyndra smiled. "I'm so lucky to have you."
"You are sickeningly sweet." Zelena retorted, kissing her nose. "And I am the lucky one." She sighed, stepping away to look out over the plains. "I used to think that I was...unlovable. That I would never have a true love, or a family. Or a happy ending. I always figured Regina was the 'good' sister and would have this perfect life while I wasted away."
Alyndra hated those thoughts coming from her mate with a passion. She knew of Zelena's past, of being wicked and feeling unwanted and hated. The painful part was, all of it was true. Not anymore though. She touched Zelena's shoulder, gently making her look her in the eye. "You are wanted. You are loved. You don't need what Regina has. I don't know about that true love stuff, but I love you. You're my mate and I would do whatever it takes to make you happy. We have kids and a pack and a wonderful life. You are not wicked. I'll spend a lifetime making sure you know that and remember it."
"I know." Zelena smiled at her, making her heart skip a beat. "I love you too." She let out another sigh, but Alyndra could hear the contentment in it. "I should get back to our little ones."
"No." Alyndra snapped, cupping Zelena's face and letting their foreheads touch. "You promised that for tonight you would be mine. Staying curled up in a den 24/7, even if it is to care for pups, is unhealthy. Now, please put a forcefield." Zelena smirked as she obeyed and Alyndra kissed her lips, slowly peeling off the witch's clothes. A piece of fur was conjured and she laid her mate down on her back, leaning over her, taking in the sight of the naked goddess beneath her. "Perfection."
"I'm not." Zelena said, turning red. "And stop making me blush!"
"Cute too." Alyndra smirked. "I fucking love you, Zelena. I couldn't possibly tell you how much."
"I can feel it." Zelena closed her eyes, both of them feeling their Bond singing with pleasure, love and devotion towards each other. Love was often complicated, but between them, there were no complications. Even Raevyn's annoyances weren't enough. Alyndra suspected her sister had an unhealthy interest in her mate, but she didn't worry over Zelena's loyalty. Zelena was hers and hers alone. Zelena smiled as she threaded their fingers together and kissed her again.
"Hunt with me tomorrow." Alyndra said.
"As you wish."
"Just like that?" She asked,giving the redhead a playfully skeptic look.
"I suppose I should ignore my instincts and actually listen to someone else once and awhile." Zelena shrugged. "But I want something in return."
"Such as?"
"For you to rock my world tonight." Zelena smirked.
Alyndra growled as her eyes flashed gold and quickly straddled her mate. "Wish granted."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The cold buffeted the Royal Pack from all directions. They had been trudging through snow and crossing frozen streams and rivers for days now. They were all exhausted and one older wolf had collapsed. Roque carried her on his shoulders, but she was limp and hadn't moved in hours. Finally, she was buried and her grave marked before they were forced to continue on.
"You okay?" Tosca asked, coming to Lucia's side.
"Yeah. Just tired. How much farther, do you know?"
"No." She shrugged.
Lucia sighed. This environment was harsh, not at all what she was accustomed to. Her mother had taught her to adapt when necessary, because failure to do so could mean bad things, even death. She'd been taught to use everything to her advantage, especially when it came to survival. But there was nothing in this godforsaken land to do anything with.
Tala came to her side. "You've done well so far, kid."
"Thanks." Lucia purred with pride at her mentor's compliment.
"Keeva's leading us to shelter for the night, an old hot spring. While the others get settled, you two'll come with me so we can find food."
Lucia nodded, although she really would've rather been diving into a hot springs at this point. She was walking with her head down so Tala's body could block the wind...when she noticed the blood. She paused, seeing that it was only a few drops, but still was part of a trail. "Tala." Tala turned when she pointed it out. Lucia followed it, Tosca right at her side while the others were being alerted. The trail lead her into the nearby forest of pine trees. Everything went silent. Even the wind stopped howling. More and more blood appeared as the forest became war torn. They came upon a clearing and found the source of the blood. "Oh my gods." Tosca went and vomited into the bushes while Lucia could hardly tear her eyes away from the bloody massacre before her. A whole pack of wolves had been slaughtered, broken and torn. The snow had been churned, bark from nearby trees were stripped away. "What happened here?" Tala and Roque arrived and froze.
"Who would do this?" Tosca asked.
"They're Shadowpack." Roque said grimly, going to search for any survivors. "This couldn't have happened too long ago. Maybe a few weeks."
"They put one hell of a fight." Tosca added.
"Who are the Shadow Pack? Or who were they?" Lucia asked.
"There are the Royal Pack, the Plains wolves, the River wolves, etc. Shadow Pack wolves were famous for hunting at night and mastering the ambush technique. You know how Lycia explained that when the Royal Pack started the Wars, they joined up with 2 other packs?"
"Yeah."
"Shadowpack was one of them."
"This was their punishment?" Lucia asked.
"This had to be orchestrated." Tala sighed. "No one could sneak up on the Shadowpack without getting their asses kicked."
Roque yipped for them to come with him and they followed him to a den, nestled between two trees, the entrance nearly covered with snow. Inside lay the rest of the pack, even little pups. The fact that someone would hurt children made them all sick to their stomachs. Another disturbing thing were the large wolf prints all over the place, some bloodied and others not so much. Roque examined the wounds, concluding that wolves had done this, and not some other predator. "Let's go report back to Keeva. She'll want to know about this."
"Shouldn't we at least bury them?" Lucia looked around at the carnage. "They should be put to rest."
"They will be, but we need our strength for a job like that. Come on." Tala took the lead back to the starting point of the trail.
Lucia paused to look back, thinking only about the tragedy that no one would've known about. She sighed as her gaze fell down to the little drops of blood at her feet. Maybe someone had gotten away. Something compelled her to start digging in the snow. She wasn't sure why, but she did. It took a minute, but she found him. The one wolf that had tried to get away. It was a young male with chocolate brown fur. Great claw marks scored his back and were caked with dried blood. Then she saw it. The tiny movement of his flank. She licked his face and he stirred. "Tala! We got a survivor!"
Lucia grabbed the wolf's scruff and attempted to pull him out of the snow. He suddenly started whimpering and she dropped him. Then she heard it. The growling. She turned around and her ears quickly went back against her head at the sight of the great brown bear towering overhead. There were few natural predators for Alphas, but bears, often times twice as large as any Alpha, were a great problem. Bears weren't numerous, but when you saw one, you tucked your tail and tried to get away as fast as you can. Lucia found herself frozen, staring down the massive creature.
He struck but she ducked and dug herself down into the snow, coming up behind him. She needed to get him away from the other wolf, who hadn't moved at all. She bit into the bear's leg but he just kicked, tossing her like a ragdoll. She hit the ground hard, bouncing twice and landing on her back.
"Lucia!" Tala was suddenly in front of her. Trina and Roque leaped onto the bear's back while Tosca tried to save the fallen wolf. He only started whimpering again, flailing to get away. Tala dove for the bear's neck, furiously kicking at its muzzle and nose, raking it with her hind claws. Lucia growled as she got back to her feet and tried to move around to help Tosca. The bear saw her and suddenly rolled. Trina managed to let go but Roque was nearly flattened. The bear grabbed his hind leg in his jaw and threw him, before charging her. Lucia ran as fast as she possibly could, trying to make it back to the safety of the forest. She was backhanded from the side and could've swore that she was flying before slamming into the ground once again. She tried to get back to her feet, the bear charging her once again. Her leg suddenly gave out and she collapsed, almost completely disappearing into the snow. The bear slammed into her as it tried to stop, but it skidded. The next thing she heard was a roar and a heavy thud.
"Lucia!" Tala frantically called. "Damn it, where are you? Please don't be dead." Her mentor walked by several times before she found her apprentice and quickly pulled her out of the snow. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Where's the bear?" Lucia asked, giving herself a shake. Her legs were trembling.
"Tosca'll take you to the spring. Get some rest."
"Go to Roque. He looked like he was hurt." Lucia said, looking around for the bear. It was only then did she notice the cliff. She looked over the edge and saw that the beast had fallen and landed on the sand below. The lake stretched out beyond that with a bridge of floating ice extending down the center. Where it ended, she couldn't even see. Tala nodded and raced off to see about Roque while Lucia returned to Tosca. They shared the weight of the wolf and carried him to the spring. Pushing aside the stone door they entered the dark cave, sighing at the rush of warmth that greeted them. The pack was lounging or laying in the steaming water.
"What the hell happened out there?" Keeva demanded.
While Tosca filled in the she-wolf, she dragged the male wolf over to a quiet corner and started cleaning his wound. Roque limped in a minute late and sent the other juveniles to assist Tala and Trina in bringing the bear carcass. Lucia looked down at the wolf. He had dark chocolate brown fur with black markings on his face and two what looked like tattoos on both of his shoulders. His claws were unsheathed and actually had bear claws attached to them, making them longer and more deadly. She tried talking to him, telling him about the bear attack and the Royal Pack, hoping that he'd wake up, but he didn't. The bear carcass was brought in, skinned for the cloak and the meat rationed out.
"Hey, how you doing?" Tala asked, delivering their rations.
"Fine." She shrugged. "Nothing's broken at least."
"You are full of surprises, aren't you? That your first bear?" Tala started grooming her fur, reminding her of her own mother's touch. If Regina or Lycia had been here, they'd have destroyed that bear. It was just dumb luck she managed to survive at all.
"Yeah. I froze up. I nearly died."
"You did well. You saved his life." Tala gestured to the male wolf and nosed some meat towards him. "Maybe the smell will wake him up soon. You should eat. Keeva's heading out in the morning."
"Do me a favor, Tala."
"Anything."
"Go kiss Roque."
"What?"
Lucia raised an eyebrow. "Clearly you two like each other and he hurt his leg to save you. He deserves a thank you kiss."
Tala glared at her. "We are just friends."
"Sure." Lucia settled down to eat while Tala went off to check on the others. A minute later she happened to glance up and saw Tala give Roque a lick on his cheek and flatten her ears shyly. Roque looked surprised, but pleased by the wag of his tail. "And they say we're weird when it comes to romance." She heard stirring next to her as their rescued companion inched his way towards the meat. Tosca brought over a bowl of melted snow for them to drink. "What's your name?" Lucia asked softly.
"Kovu." Came the deep chested growl. "Of the Shadow Pack Marsh Clan."
"I'm Lucia. You're with the Royal Pack. Here, you eat and get something to drink and I'll see what I can do about your wounds."
"I'm fine."
"Tell me you aren't one of those stubborn guys who think they don't need any help, when they clearly do." She growled, going to get some warm water. Cleaning away the blood was easy, but the open wounds hadn't healed yet and would need to be bandaged. She used a piece of the bear's fur for that. Then she settled down again. "You're welcome." He glared at her. "How long were you under the snow?"
"I don't know."
"Do you remember what happened?"
"No. What did happen?"
"Something I'm sure you don't want to know about. Rest now. Tomorrow we move out."
He snarled. "I'm not going anywhere with you all. My pack needs me."
"Your pack is gone, and there's no way you could survive on your own with your back shredded like that." He huffed and rolled onto his side facing away from her. Tomorrow they would cross the ice bridge and get to the winter den and grow in strength. It would take some time, but it could be done.
"They're...gone?" Kovu whispered.
"I'm sorry." Lucia said. "I wish I'd been there-"
"So you could've died too?" Kovu hissed, angrily getting back to his feet. He had a pair of the most intense silver eyes she'd ever seen. He stormed off out of the springs and she quickly got up to follow him. He was going back to where his pack had died. She made her way through the forest and found him furiously digging until he unearthed the body of a giant black wolf. He had to be the oldest and strongest wolf among those fallen. Around his neck was some kind of collar of sorts. Kovu pulled it off and hung it on a nearby tree. He nearly collapsed from his efforts, but he shrugged it off and continued on, determined to bury his packmates. Lucia moved forward to help him. "Don't!" He suddenly roared. "I have to do it."
Lucia stepped back, surprised by the sudden vehemence, but she sat down and waited, just in case he needed help. Despite his wound he worked tirelessly, until each one of his former comrades now had a resting place beneath the snow and ice. Lucia then was allowed to mark the graves with stones she carried over. "We'll find out what happened to them." She promised him.
"Shadowpack isn't dead." He replied, fitting the collar around his neck after nearly collapsing from exhaustion. She found it strange that a wolf would wear such a thing, considering it would make them akin to domesticated dogs, but it clearly bore some sort of reverence. "Thank you...Lucia."
"Wait." She said, watching him start to trot off. "You're not coming with us?"
"No. I'm no Royal Pack prince." He tossed over his shoulder. "And soon you'll realize that you aren't one of them either. See you later!"
"You'll die out there alone and wounded!" She hissed. The stupid wolf was gonna get himself killed!
Kovu's response was to unleash a long piercing howl before he melted away into the forest. Lucia sighed and called after him, but there was no reply. She turned and went back to the warmth of the hot springs.
"What happened to the other guy?" Trina asked.
"He basically committed suicide." She replied.
"He's gone?"
"Yeah, let him go." She shrugged. She sat down, trying to forget about the fool. It made her irritable, but it was his fault. She had bigger things to worry about. After a while of trying and failing to get a nap, she was joined by Cailan, who offered her his warmth. It helped enough for her to finally rest.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A few months later, Regina, Cara and Lycia left their territory and headed around the mountain to the largest entrance of the Alpha city. Great boulders and rocks were blocking the entryway and part of the side had caved in. "This is gonna be a challenge." Regina said, stepping forward to examine the damage. She shifted in human form and tried pushing on a boulder. It rolled away rather easily but the rest of it collapsed and they had to dive off the path before they were flattened. "Well, that didn't work."
"Sorry I'm late." Zelena burst onto the scene, panting and out of breath. "Mya and Myra wouldn't go to sleep and Ky was crying."
"Is it customary for all Plains wolves to have a Y in their name?" Cara asked.
"I think so. Alyndra named most of them." Zelena sat down to catch her breath.
"Alyndra didn't come with you?"
"No, the pups really would've freaked then. They don't like babysitters."
"Aww, they like for their mommies to watch them." Regina purred, getting up to greet her sister. "Okay, I did a thing and made it worse, so what do you think we should do now?"
Zelena shifted into her human form, wearing black tights and a green tank top. She went to inspect the newly made damage. "Perhaps we could use your boulder over there to bust through this."
Regina nodded to Lycia who rolled the boulder back in front of the entrance. She noticed her mate giving Zelena a funny look as she flexed her wrists.
"See something you like, Lycia?" Zelena asked with a smirk. Lycia just moved away from her. "Is this about me trying to kill Regina?"
"No." She said. "Yes. You're her sister. I don't know whether to hug you or kick your ass."
Regina smiled as Zelena continued picking at her mate. "Let's go please. I want to see the inside."
"Sure, good luck kiss, Lycia?" Zelena blew a kiss to the brunette and turned back to the boulder. Regina a rolled her eyes and took up position next to her, as did Cara. There was a moment of stillness as all three focused their magic. In unison, they stepped forward, striking out with a controlled burst of magic that sent the boulder straight through the entrance, opening up the great path. "That did it."
"As for what waits inside, I have no idea." Regina added. She took the lead inside. Zelena threw up a few balls of light to illuminate the dark area. They hovered in the air and followed them as they moved. "Holy shit."
"You weren't kidding about the actual city inside a mountain thing, were you?" Zelena gasped.
"What'd you think I was talking about?" Lycia asked. She went over to some kind of flower pot and touched the center with the palm of her hand. More of them began lighting up, all along the numerous roads. It was indeed an actual city. The ruins of a mighty civilization brought low. The buildings were broken and cracked. Most of them had caved in or been crushed from falling rocks. Regina ran her fingertips along the wall of an old store. It was filled with old silks and fabrics. Another held swords and weapons and a cold forge. Zelena found one with rotten food and other wares. Throughout all of them, even lining the streets were bones. Bones of those trapped within the city or killed as the Royal Pack swept through and destroyed anything in their path.
Lycia growled. "Royal bastards."
"Royal pack weren't the only ones who did this." Zelena muttered as she passed.
"Maybe we should go." Cara said, pressing herself against Regina's back fearfully. "I feel like we're disturbing a tomb or something."
Regina agreed with her. She almost didn't want to disturb anything else, but she didn't see how they could reopen the city if they couldn't clean it out.
"I could bring it to the council." Lycia offered.
"Sounds like a plan for now."
"How many roads are there into the city?" Zelena inquired.
"Hundreds." Lycia shrugged. "The mountain is the very center of Alpha lands, it was open to everyone. But with the Wars, it was completely blocked off."
"Not completely." Zelena reached into a long trough of broken weapons, searching through them.
"What are you looking for?"
"There's a trail of blood down here." Regina imagined that at one point blood would've been everywhere, but her sister continued searching. She pushed it over and found the dreaded weapon, a broken sword hilt. She held it up to the light. "If no one could get in, how come there's fresh blood on this sword? And how come someone tried to hide it? Failing miserably as well."
Lycia took it and looked it over. "I don't believe it."
Zelena looked around before meeting Regina's eyes. "Something happened here. Not just the city being attacked, but something else."
"And it happened recently." Regina agreed. "But what? How did the Royal Pack enter the city without raising an alarm?" she asked, looking at her mate.
Lycia pinched her nose as she thought. "The Shadow Packs taught them to hunt at night. That's when they attacked, used nearly every road to get in. Except the Western road. They sent waves of wolves through there to overwhelm everyone else."
"Why the Western road?" Zelena asked.
"It's one of the largest and it extends into Royal Pack territory."
"Take us there. Something isn't quite right. Royal Pack had at the least 100 wolves in their pack. Their allies had maybe 60 or 70 a piece. All of them couldn't have attacked from nearly every road and still had enough for an onslaught on the Western one. They'd be spread way to thin."
Lycia lead them to the Western road. As they drew nearer to the caved in entrance the amount of bones and dried blood started to go down. In fact, the street was empty and rather clean. "That's odd."
"Indeed." Regina looked around with an interested eye. "Maybe we have the story wrong."
"No we don't." Lycia said. "The Royal Pack attacked the city and massacred hundreds of our kind. That's all there is to the story."
"There are many sides to a story." Zelena countered. "Royal Pack isn't stupid. This city filled with Alphas would slaughter them if they attacked outright. There's more to this story than you've been told I think."
"Let's go for today." Regina said. She lead them back outside and Lycia pushed the boulder back in front of the entrance for the time being. "We'll meet again later."
"Maybe we shouldn't talk to the council about this." Zelena murmured. "Could be dangerous. They might know something we don't."
"You think there's some kind of conspiracy?" Lycia scoffed.
"I think something's weird around here and I want to find out what. Until then, we'll meet in a month." Zelena gave Regina a quick hug and smacked Lycia's ass before shifting and racing off.
"I don't like her." Lycia said.
Regina smirked. "Come on, let's get back in time for dinner. Granny's making salsa." They raced each other home and found the pack in the middle of celebrating. "What's going on?"
"She's pregnant!" Seth exclaimed, swinging Regina around. "Scarlett is pregnant." Regina grinned and hugged him.
"My Little One is having little ones." Lycia kissed them both with teary eyes. Scarlett smiled as she was pulled into the middle of the happy family. They all rushed out to Run with Scarlett and Seth leading the way.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Months flew by. It seemed as though new life was being brought in every second. Regina was standing on a small rise, waiting impatiently for her sister to arrive. The pack was nearby on the meadow, playing with a football. Scarlett though was in wolf form lounging in the grass, her belly swollen so large with pups that it dragged on the ground. Seth was watching over her. She was due any day now and everyone was waiting excitedly for the newest arrivals. She tapped her paw in annoyance. Zelena was never late.
"Aunt Gina!" She woofed and hopped to her paws as Zelena appeared, bounding across the meadow with all 12 of her nieces and nephews running at her side. Alyndra and two other packmates brought up the rear for protection. "Aunt Gina!" All of the pups called, tackling her as soon as they were near enough. She laughed and wagged her tail happily as they clambered over her and tried to leap up and grab her tail. Zelena looked so happy and full of pride.
"They kept up well." The witch said.
"We did." One of her nieces said, a small golden she-wolf named Myra. She still had trouble remembering all the names. Myra, Mya, Byron, Ky, Jay, Khyra, Laya, Coryna, Lyra, Troy, Danny and Zyrana. All of them were still small with golden coats ranging from a deep gold like a lion's to an almost cream color, or reddish like their redheaded mother. Only Danny and Myra possessed Zelena's dark red fur.
"We ran all the way here." Troy said proudly.
"Come run with us, Aunt Gina." Myra begged.
"I bet she can't beat Mum." Zyrana added. All of them began chanting race.
Regina looked at Zelena, who stood up, wagging her tail. They teleported on the other side of the meadow and everyone moved to give them space. "Go!" Alyndra called. Regina was the fastest of their pack but Zelena had lived with plains wolves for years and was conditioned for running. She shot forward, determined to win, but was overtaken by Zelena almost immediately. She put on a burst of speed to catch up and for a moment it was neck and neck, but she tripped and slammed into Zelena, sending them both crashing into the dirt.
"Mommy!" The pups and Alyndra and Lycia came rushing over to help them up.
"You okay, baby?" Alyndra looked at Zelena with concern. Meanwhile, Lycia covered Regina's face with licks and brushed against her repeatedly.
"Are you alright?"
Both sisters grinned at each other. "Round two!"
"Don't trip this time, Baby Sis." Zelena laughed, bouncing around them.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Regina leaped up, exciting the pups into a Run around the meadow. The others joined in and it was amazing to have all of her family near and having fun. Seth got distracted by the game and when he looked down...his mate was gone. In her place was a small puddle of blood.
"Scarlett?" He looked around, fear striking through him like a spear. "Scarlett?!"
"What?" Scarlett waddled back towards him and sat down with a huff.
"You were gone, and there was blood-"
"I had to pee." She shrugged. "Oh yeah, and the pups are coming."
"What?! Are you sure? This isn't a joke like last time?"
"I am very serious this time." She replied.
"Mom!" Seth screamed. "We have to get you to the birthing den. Can you make it?" Scarlett tried to move, but only made it a few steps before stopping as she felt a few contractions. Regina and Lycia raced back to their Little One. Zelena and the pups were escorted home by Cara and Bron while everyone focused on Scarlett. Regina teleported her to her chosen den, one similar to her own and not far from their actual family den. Granny quickly arrived and took the mother below, along with Regina. Seth anxiously paced above with the rest of the family. "What-what if something goes wrong?" He asked, sitting next to his mother.
"Everything is going to be fine." Lycia assured him. There was a scream a moment later and Seth glared at her. "Pain is a part of childbirth, Seth."
"I should go in there." He said. "Should I?"
"I wouldn't." She shrugged.
"Then what do I do?!"
"You just relax. Scarlett is in the best hands possible."
Seth huffed and laid down, placing his paws over his ears in attempt to block out his wife's screams. Lycia patted his back. It took another three torturous hours before there was any life from below. Granny exited the den, beaming proudly and Seth wasted no time in diving inside. Lycia followed.
Scarlett was stretched out in her nest, looking completely exhausted, but filled with pride at the three little bundles burrowing into her belly. Regina sat nearby, watching with sparkling eyes. Seth nuzzled his wife's head and touched noses with her before his eyes fell upon his children.
Regina smirked, looking at Lycia, who was obviously crying, but was trying to act as though she wasn't. "I saw that." She said as her mate wiped a tear.
"So what. I'm emotional right now, okay?" Lycia sniffed. "I can't go through this with 7 other kids, Regina."
Regina purred and licked her cheek. "Don't worry, I believe you can make it through."
Seth looked at his babies, his little ones. All three were girls. "They're so beautiful." One bore his black fur with a white underbelly. The other two were shades of gray, though one was much lighter than the other. "What'll we name them?" He asked.
"I want the light gray to be named Aria." Scarlett said. "I've always liked that name."
"Then she'll be Aria." Seth nodded firmly. "What about Serra for the black one? She looks like me."
Scarlett chuckled. "Then she can be Serra. And for our last little girl…" She tilted her head for a moment, looking at the dark gray pup. "Asha."
"Perfect!" Seth exclaimed. "They're all perfect. Just like their mother." He looked at his mother and jerked his head for them to come closer. "Come on, Mom, Ma. Meet your first grandkids. We have 11 more to go." Scarlett threw him a playful glare and he flattened his ears, laying down so he could look at his children.
Lycia moved forward and sniffed each pup, giving them a little nuzzle with her nose. "I'm guess I'm your grandma." She looked at Regina. "I'm too young to be a grandma."
Regina rolled her eyes. "And you want more kids?"
"Well, yeah. But none of the others can date." Lycia said.
"Cara already has a boyfriend."
"WHAT?!"
"Mom!" Cara yelled from outside. Lycia immediately got up to demand clarification from their daughter.
Regina smiled as she turned back to the happy little family in front of her. "We're proud of you, Little One. And you of course, Scarlett. Even my labor didn't last that long."
"Thanks Ma." Seth said without taking his eyes off his daughters.
"Thank you, Regina." Scarlett added.
"Well, I should probably go stop Lycia from hurting Cara…" She skipped over Seth and exited the den. The others demanded news and she told them the names of her newest granddaughters.
"Regina, Cara is the baby. She can't date. Not until she's 50." Lycia yelled.
"Mom, it's nothing serious." Cara said.
"I forbid it. In fact, no one can ever date."
"I second this motion." Quinn agreed.
Regina and Ruby exchanged annoyed looks and sighed in unison.
"Ma, you're being ridiculous." Natasha said.
"No, I'm not. Believe me, I have superstrength, claws, a good alibi and a mate that make bodies disappear in a flash." Lycia replied. "Try me."
"I got this." Regina teleported Lycia back to their bedroom, changing them back into human form and threw her on the bed, quickly getting between her legs.
"Damn it, Regina. I don't have time for this. I am putting my foot down on this one. I can't-" Lycia trailed off as Regina made their clothes disappear and started licking her slit nice and slow. "Don't...distract me." Her mate was powerless to resist and soon Regina had her forgetting all about the previous 10 minutes. "Sex will not always work on me."
Regina raised an eyebrow as she kissed Lycia's inner thigh. "The day it doesn't mean we have a problem."
"Let's hope it never it comes."
"It won't." Regina smirked.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Read and Review! Sorry for any mistakes!