Chapter 27:

"I don't want to be groomed momma!" Jessie whined as I began licking her fur. "It takes forever, and plus I am going to get dirty again anyway!"

I smiled and cleaned behind her ears. "I know sweetheart, but were going to spend some time with the family today and I just want you to look a little cleaner before we see Daddy."

Jessie frowned and allowed me to continue grooming her. "What are we going to do?"

I paused for a second trying to think.

"Well daddy and I thought it would be fun if we showed you all of the cool places around here. There is a place that has lots of berries, that daddy showed me before." I added seeing her eyes light up.

"Will Trinket come too?"

I knew he would be, but he would be meeting us at a different point to avoid any followers.

"Not today, it's just going to be the family." I said with a sweet smile at her.

"Well, family time, huh?"

I stopped grooming and looked up to see Jake who was looking at me critically. His hair was mangled and quite messy, and looked like he wasn't getting enough sleep.

"O-oh, Jake. Yes, Axel and I are taking Jessie out for some bonding time." I noted. He looked at me and then Jessie with a nod.

"Yeah, will do the kid some good. You plan on teaching her to hunt?" he said slowly circling us and then returning to the front.

"No, not today at least. I will leave that up to daddy, won't I?" I said with smile to Jessie who grinned up at me.

Jake didn't seem very amused. "Yeah, you would leave that up to a real Pokémon, now wouldn't you Farrah?" he said slightly with a growl.

Oh my Arceus, does he know?

I casually looked up, acting confused. "I don't understand what you mean by that, Jake." I said with a slight warning tone and continued grooming Jessie.

Jake looked at me critically and sat down himself. "I mean, since you weren't actually a wild Pokémon, you wouldn't even know the first instinct on how to teach your young. You were bred by humans."

Okay…he doesn't know…everything.

"You were raised by humans, momma?" Jessie asked looking up at me curiously.

I smiled down at her with a nod. "Yes I was, except daddy grew up here."

She nodded understanding.

"Yeah Jessie, you should stay away from those humans though. They can corrupt you, like your mother."

I felt my jaw drop open and I glared at Jake with a growl. Jessie stood up slightly nervous and stepped underneath me, staring at Jake.

"Jake, you need to watch your tongue around my daughter." I growled.

Jake didn't budge and smirked down at me. "Why? Is it because you liked living with humans? Or, is it because you simply just don't have the heart to hate them after what they did to you and my mate?"

I stared at him without backing down. "Jessie, I want you to go wait for momma over there, and don't come out till I get you, okay?"

Jessie nodded quickly and was making her way past Jake who put his paw in her way. "I think she has the right to hear what you have to say."

Jessie backed up nervously and I stepped forward getting in his face. "Leave. My. Daughter. Alone."

He glared down at me. "I don't get you Farrah…"

"You don't have to "get me", Jake. The humans don't bother me, they are human after all. They will make mistakes and will learn from them, we should try to do the same."

"Now you're actually starting to talk like one. What, did they teach you fine etiquettes as well?" he barked with a growl.

Jessie hid behind my hind leg, looking nervously up at Jake. I hated to see her scared.

"You are frightening my daughter, and this is not appropriate. Jessie, go on and find your father." I directed making sure she left without interference.

"You would think a Pokémon would be loyal to their pack, but I guess you're not all Pokémon. I can smell those humans on you, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say you actually wouldn't mind living with them."

I stared back at him intolerably. "I wouldn't mind, Jake. I don't discriminate another for their background. The only ones I owe my loyalty to be those who never made me question theirs."

Jake laughed in a hateful manner. "Really, that's what you think? How could anyone actually like, no, love someone like you, who even came from such a ghastly place? I can't believe I even thought something of you. Someone who talks like they know everything, someone who can't even teach their own offspring how to grow up like a Pokémon?"

That cut me deep. I looked down and flattened my ears.

"Look at you, Farrah. You may be a Pokémon on the outside, but on the inside? You're no better than them." Jake growled glaring me down.

I perked my ears and stood my back. "Oh, I didn't realize you were an expert on my life. Please continue while I take mental notes." I barked rolling my eyes.

Jake glared back at me.

"You may be right about one thing Jake. I am not a pure bred like you are all, but I have my good qualities too. Axel loves me, that's good enough. If that's too much to handle than I see no reason of continuing this conversation."

Jake blinked at me astonished and barked back. "Sure he may love you, but he only loves you so much. What about everyone else? What are you going to do if one day Axel disappears and your left alone? What about your daughter? No one would dare to come your way, after what they know about Sasha and your own family ties."

I shake my head defiantly. "No, you're wrong. I am strong, Jake. I take every moment I am given and I use it, I don't question why it was given to me or when it will be taken away. I love my family, I care about this pack, I love who I am, because I can see now that I am strong enough to handle the worse kinds of obstacles in life…one of them being you." I finished walking back towards the field confidently.

I can't believe I just freaking said that to him…and walked away! Keep your head up. Don't turn around or you'll look weak.

I continued walking until I felt a pain in my head. I turned around to see if Jake was still there, but he wasn't.

"Must just be a headache." I mumbled. I continued walking and saw Jessie running over to me.

"Momma!"

"Jessie? Did you never go get your dad?" she shook her head looking up at me concerned.

"I didn't want to leave you here with Uncle Jake, I was scared something was going to happen." She whispered looking around.

I smiled and licked her forehead and nudged her. "Well everything is fine, common lets go."

I continued thinking on what I said; honestly that was an incredible self-esteem boost.

"No, you're wrong. I am strong, Jake. I take every moment I am given and I use it, I don't question why it was given to me or when it will be taken away. I love my family, I care about this pack, I love who I am, because I can see now that I am strong enough to handle the worse kinds of obstacles in life…one of them being you".

"Agk!" I yelped as I felt a sore pain rush through my head, Jessie stopped as I crouched down fighting the pain.

"Mommy?" Jessie whined nudging my face. I couldn't focus on her, because I felt lightheaded, causing my body to collapse. "Mommy! What's wrong?!"

Duh-Duh-DUHHH! I will most likely post another chapter here in a few hours but I need to take a break. Please let me know what you think so far, favorite to stay connected! Thanks!