A/N:Sorry if it isn't good on the maddian scenes, trying to get better though...
Rhydian perches on the rough rock, beside his 12 year old brother. Bryn lays unconscious and vulnerable, his normal colourful skin replenished with a ashen grey tinge. Silence engulfs Rhydian, as his heart breaks because of the tragedy that has occurred (Bryn dying!). Although Bryn was always in the wild, Rhydian never lost his brotherly love for Bryn, and spent most days with him during his 'wild' days, though that was mainly hunting. Maddy sits next to Rhydian in despair, tears well up in their eyes. Rhydian can't hold the tears anymore, and buries his face in Maddy's shoulder (left to be precise), Maddy wraps her arms around her Alpha, feeling his coldness and misery. Ten minutes later, Rhydian finally manages to calm down and falls asleep on Maddy's lap. Maddy soothingly strokes his tousled hair softly, as her fear for Bryn dying picks at her over and over and over and over and over again, until she can't take anymore. A timid cough diverts Maddy's attention to a tall dark haired women, who crouches down in respect, shouldn't she only do that to the Alpha of the pack? That's Jana though. The women stands before attending to Bryn's wound, in his leg.
"Hi Siwan." Maddy whispers.
"He lost alot of blood, too much I think." The women says quietly.
"Isn't there anything? No herb, plant? Anything?" Maddy bites her lip in anticipation.
"Not that I am aware of, we have tried everything here my Alpha." Siwan mutters.
"Did you just call me Alpha?" Maddy hisses, shocked.
"Yes, hasn't anyone told you? Jana will be kicked out soon, and we have chosen you to be our Alpha of the Aran and Menir like you." The women smiles, feeling this situation is quite humorous. Maddy smiles slightly, feeling rather sorry for Jana.
"Wow, that is something, no one can please them, and me!"
"Maddy, you have aided Jana since you were here, without you this pack would of fallen ages ago, two months have passed and you have made this pack more efficient, stronger and really everyone loves you. You were the tame wolf that showed us, tame wolves could change and become better wolfbloods. You turned wild and that is the most respectful thing to do in this pack." The wild wolfblood stares at her, Maddy looks at her amazed, not believing her super hearing.
"Jana was the Alpha not me I -" Maddy reasons but is interjected.
"No. She is a good wolfblood, but you are a better Alpha. Her father was too obsessed with killing your Alpha to show her a reputation and skills. Your parents told the pack that you were the leader in the tame world, is that true?"
"Yes. But Rhydian he came here and lived wild." Maddy says, knowing she can't compete with an elder.
"He didn't hunt, he didn't communicate and he just followed his mother like a lone wolf!" The women snaps. Maddy growls, aggravated how someone could insult Rhydian.
"Look I know you are trying to protect your friends, but you can't turn your back on this pack, they need you." Siwan adds. Maddy remains silent, her head i turmoil.
"Anything that can save Bryn ,Siwan, cause if there is." Maddy utters, looking so fatigued.
"Look, there is one thing, but it is rare because they aren't English. It is the Hamamelis, do you know it?" Siwan firmly confirms.
"Yeah, Mam is a herbalist, she taught us a few things about plants -too much really."
"Good." Siwan nods her head , sighing and stands. "Maddy you might want to get your arm sorted out, it looks infected." Siwan adds.
"It's fine." Maddy hurriedly replies.
"Fine, but it will get worse."
"Thanks for treating Bryn, and um telling me." Maddy smiles, ignoring the last comment.
"But do yo know what it means? You have to go to their territory, because they are domesticated wild wolfbloods. They grow many plants, and they keep massive caves. It could kill you." Siwan remarks, before exciting the small damp cave.
Ten serine minutes later, Jana , Shannon and Tom bustle into the cave, waking Rhydian up. He jumps violently, and sits in a 'normal' position again, though extremely startled. They pack silently greet each other (again) , all smirking at Rhydian, knowing they won't forget Rhydian sleeping like a 'cub' and reluctantly retreat to the having decided to take a walk.
"How is he?" Shannon asks.
"Still with us." Rhydian laughs dryly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"How did the pack take it with you two humans being here then?" Maddy says, changing the subject desperately.
"Ah, that's the thing. The pack doesn't know yet." Jana replies.
"They wouldn't have to know, we could -" Shannon doesn't finish her sentence.
"Get eaten by starving, depressed, wild wolfbloods. Who will sniff us out in seconds!" Maddy and Rhydian shout in a unison. Creating small smiles on each faces.
"Come on you lot lets go and face the wolves." Jana moans.
2 minutes later, they arrive at the base of the pack, the feral wolfbloods stare at Shannon and Tom with sunken faces. Some snarling, and others shaking their head in horror. Jana leads the way, her nerves shattering in two. The wolfbloods stop cleaning, or gathering wood (hey use wood to make huts, not fire -as they can survive in cold temperatures, and they are afraid of fire!), to form a clump of wolfbloods. Aran and Menir snarl at the Stonybridge pack, who are at the front of the wild wolfblood pack that are ALL marching towards them.
"What is the meaning of this, we only eat decent meat." Aran spits.
"They aren't for eating." Jana boldly replies. People mutter to themselves, utterly confused.
"What are they for then, I'm not up for entertainment, they look quite boring." Menir retorts. The pack roar in laughter, apart from a few.
"Settle down, settle down." Jana bellows, but none takes notice. Maddy looks at Siwan forlornly, all she does is smile. The pack still laugh, thinking it is all a crazy obscene joke.
"SHUT UP!" yells Maddy. The pack instantly goes quiet, Jana's eyes widen in awe.
"Good, now you might think this is a stupid joke but Jana our Alpha and has decided to let these humans into our pack for a bit. They are loyal, and can help the pack in cooking, and cleaning. All Jana asks is for you lot to show respect, and I know these times are hard, for everyone. Our delta wolf, Bryn is ill, and meat is low. That is why Aran and Menir will be leading the hunt. So pull yourselves together cause none of us need it." Maddy orders. The pack bow in inspiration.
"Also if any of you know anything that could help these situations please speak now." Jana suggests.
"Oi Jana, look because you led our pack into that packs territory, and they declared war on us, how are you going to solve it?" A man with a long thick grey beard cried.
"We are still trying to work that out,but it is not war! As long as we don't go on their territory and annoy them then it will be fine!" Jana responds.
"Now you sound like a tame wolf, all they do is retreat!" Aran screams.
"Look, my daughter may have some tame wolf in her. But she is wise, and do you really want to start a war right now, when we are weak and a family in our care is vulnerable. If you all think that then go ahead, but it will lead us nowhere!" Alric vociferates. The ghostly silence coils around there bodies, as Jana loves her Father even more.
"Good. Now get back to what you are doing, and we will get through this!" Maddy murmurs.
The pack break apart and go to their own devices. Dan and Emma (yeah I should of put them in earlier) come up to Maddy and they group hug.
"Well done pet, you are going to be a brilliant Alpha." Emma assures.
"Yeah listen to your mother, you were right Maddy. You told us to come here, and now we have a second home, yeah meat could be cooked and having a wash in the lake isn't ideal, but you have saved us." Dan admits.
"I love you Mam, Dad. You taught me how to live my life."
"Yeah well, we forget sometimes. Right I need to go to help with the cleaning. Dan you need to do something too." Emma says not convincingly. They release there embrace and Maddy's parents depart, heading off into the deeper part of the packs territory.
Maddy revolves round, as Alric greets her.
"Thank you. You have been good to us. " Alric grins (for once).
"Jana has been good to me, and you. I think you helped me understand the wild better, after the whole -trying to kill us..." Maddy trails off.
"You have made me think tame wolfbloods are not so disgusting." Alric shivers.
"Dad!" Jana beckons, alric bids farewell and leaves to go to his new girlfriend or Alpha, Lottie and his daughter, Jana and step daughter Mandy.
"Come on Mads." Rhydian whispers in Maddy's ear. Maddy Smith whips round to see Rhydian beaming in the radiating sunlight. Rhydian slips his hands into Maddy's and they manage to sneak out of pack duties for the night.
"Where are we going?" Maddy asks.
"Dunno, I just thought we need a walk."
"Mads what's wrong with your arm?" Rhydian asks, fear rising in his voice.
"We got attacked that's all, it will heal by the full moon." Maddy assures.
"Yeah that is next month, hardly anytime at all!" Mocks Rhydian.
"Rhydian, I know people say it will be OK. But I mean it when I say it will be OK." Maddy says.
"I believe you, I trust you Maddy. More than anyone in my life. That's saying something, when I moved around foster home to foster home, I didn't know who to believe, I didn't even know who I was. But when I met you Mads, it all clicked into place, you were always there to help me, and if I know you like I did when you were in stoneybridge, I know you have a plan." Rhydian assumes. Maddy laughs.
"You do. Rhydian the pack want me to be Alpha. They are to kick Jana out of the pack, and I will be their leader. What am I meant to do, I want to be the leader of a pack, but not Jana's, she is my best friend and I have a pack, with you." Maddy confesses blushing at the end.
Rhydian halts and steps in front of Maddy, looking at her lovingly. Rhydian takes Maddys hands and places it on his heart, just like what Maddy did all those months ago.
"Mads, you follow your heart." Rhydian looks at his precious Alpha contently, his heart leaping over the full moon. Rhydian leans in and peck Maddy on the lips tenderly, both of then resting their foreheads together.
"But whatever happens Maddy, I will always love you, and support you. You don't have to do everything on your own you know." Rhydian mutters, Maddy and Rhydin smile.
"I don't deserve you sometimes Rhydian, I don't even know why you love me sometimes." Maddy states.
"Because you are loyal, funny, a quick thinker, and you understand Maddy. You are the only person who knows me for who I am and you care. Not once have you given up on me, and hen you were telling the wild wolfbloods what to do today, I though that's my Alpha, you are wonderful in every way." Rhydian declares.
"I think you are beautiful in every way too, and Rhydian, I want to come home. But not yet, there is something I need to do."
"Same. " Rhydian's eyes fill with withered hope. Maddy cups Rhydian's cheek (left to be precise).
"How are you coping?" Maddy asks, clearly concerned.
"OK." Rhydian looks away, torn.
"Rhydian, nothing gets past in me pack, you should know that by now." Mimics Maddy, causing Rhydian to laugh haughtily.
"Just could do with some food that's all." Rhydian lies, though it's obvious to Maddy what's wrong.
So they retreat back to the pack (it rhymed!) in seconds. By the time they get back to the pack, Jana and Aran had already left to hunt. Leaving a few pack healers and the mothers and some cubs. Though no sign of Shannon and Tom...
"Well, I don't mind sitting down..." Rhydian smiles sweetly.
"Come on then!" Maddy drags a dozy Rhydian towards her own 'luxury' cave. (I was joking Jana hasn't made any changes just yet..)
They lie down on the dry ground, concealed by the shadows, only hearing the whistling of the wind. Forgetting the pack, Bryn, everything that turns into sadness, and only feeling their love for each other. Maddy nestles her head into Rhydian's chest, and Rhydian wraps his arm (left to be precise) around Maddy waist. Maddy shuts her heavy eye lids shut, as she smiles blissfully, hearing Rhydian's steady heartbeat rise as Rhydian tenderly kisses Maddy on the forehead, love shimmering in his eyes.
"I love you Maddy." Rhydian whispers, his heart feeling like it's about to explode with love for his Alpha.
"I love ya too Rhydian orris." Maddy turns around, looking up she places her dry cracked lips on Rhydian's fireworks goes off in their pounding head. They deepen the kiss as Rhydian cups Maddy's cheek gently. They break away, only because of the desire to breathe air. Rhydian rests his flushed forehead on Maddy's grinning delightfully but softly.
"Promise me one thing Rhydian?" Maddy mumbles.
"Of course, anything." Rhydian says, captivated by Maddy's charms.
"Don't leave again." Maddy pleads, barely audible for a wolfblood.
"Never, I promise. I'll stay here for as long as it takes, I need you, I want you mads." Rhydian leans in and lustfully kisses Maddy, for what it seems like a life time.
"OI! Maddy, Rhydian! Meats out, cause you are the highest ranking you need to eat it first, come on!" Aran beckons cheerfully.
"Yeah the meat is still warm!" Menir adds.
Maddy and Rhydian reluctantly break away, as they are brought back into reality. The fatigued wolfbloods stand, Rhydian gaining a peck on the lips before Mady and Rhydian quickly leave the decrepit cave, both wolfbloods sheepishly smiling. The biggest smile the pack has ever seen from Maddy and Rhydian in a long, long while...
Little did Rhydian know, by next morning it all goes wrong. Terribly wrong.