Next update! Enjoy everyone!
Several weeks passed. Currently, Keelie was in the shower. She was somewhat uncomfortable now that her stomach was starting to show. She felt like something was wrong. But the doctor and nurses had told her everything was fine.
Maybe she was just being paranoid. But deep in her heart, she knew she wasn't.
She couldn't go on with her life if something happened to this baby. She wouldn't. Another loss would destroy her. She'd suffered too many already.
She sighed as she started to wash her hair. She cringed as a pain went through her middle and she dropped the shampoo bottle. Her arm clutched her stomach as she doubled over.
After a minute, the pain subsided and she bent to pick up the shampoo.
After her shower she lay on her bed, still wrapped in a towel. Her gold eyes watched the fan on the ceiling until they grew heavy. All of a sudden she just felt exhausted.
Curling up on her side, she yawned. Maybe she could rest for just a few minutes before dinner.
Next thing she knew, she was woke up by a gentle shake. She looked up. Gadget was leaning over her. "You ok?" He asked.
"Yeah," she yawned. "I'm just not feeling well."
His eyes grew concerned. "You missed dinner. Are you hungry?"
"Maybe a little."
He gently helped her up. "Let's get you dressed."
She sat on the edge of the bed as he went to get clothes for her out of her dresser.
He came back with a bundle of fabric. She held onto his arm as he helped her put on her underwear. She sniffled a bit as he helped her slip a soft sundress over her head.
"Are you sure you're ok?"
She nodded, and he pressed a kiss on her forehead. Then he turned so she could take his arm as he led her to the cafeteria.
When they got there, Vanilla was still finishing up the dishes. She gave them a smile, "hello Keelie."
"Hello."
Gadget guided her to a seat, then went to find her something to eat. He came back with a small bowl of ramen and a plate with some crackers. He sat across from her as she picked up the spoon.
She nibbled lightly at the crackers, and sipped at the broth, but that was about it.
"Keelie," Gadget set his hand on hers, "what's wrong?"
"I don't know, something just doesn't feel right." She looked up at him, eyes watery, "but I don't know what."
"Do you think we need to go to the medical bay?"
"The doctor will just say I'm being paranoid," she muttered.
"It wouldn't hurt to check." He helped her up, and they went to the medical bay together.
"Infinite?" A voice asked. Said jackal looked over his shoulder from his spot on the hill. Lance was standing there. "Can I talk to you?" He asked.
Infinite nodded, and his cousin sat down beside him. "Sorry about your face," he apologized quietly.
Lance was surprised. In all the years he'd known him, he'd never apologized. To anyone.
"I started it," he said after a moment. "I knew you'd finish it."
Blue and gold eyes gave him a heavy glare. He understood what that statement meant. Lance had wanted him to fight, wanted him to attempt to kill. "Why?" His voice came out as a growl.
"I wanted people to see who you really were. Or what I believed you really were." He shrugged, "I guess my perception wasn't quite accurate."
His eyes narrowed, "what do you mean by that?" Lance's nonchalant attitude got under his skin. It always did.
"I always thought you were cruel, sadistic, a monster. And I think you truly used to be that way. But I see you are trying to make a change." He snorted a laugh, "If Gaia thinks there's good in you, there must be somewhere."
"If you felt that way, why did you join us?"
"For Pierce. But I guess he didn't need me. None of you did really." He looked down at his lap.
Infinite frowned. He didn't know how to answer this. Because even though Lance made their missions easier, they would've been ok without him. And for Infinite, he didn't make life any more pleasant.
Lance sighed at the silence given him. "Look, I guess the reason I never liked you was because I was jealous."
Infinite barked a laugh, "why would you be jealous of me? My life is pretty messed up. It always was."
Their eyes locked. "You were alpha." A snort of disgust, "and no matter how many times I challenged you, I couldn't win."
Infinite frowned, "no offense, but you're not exactly alpha material."
"And you are?"
"The pack decided that."
"No one chose you, you killed your alpha and that automatically put you on top."
"True, but when I left my village I was bested. Yet, they still chose to follow me. You and your brother joined us. If the pack was not loyal I would've been a lone jackal." A heavy silence fell over them again. "Look, you're my cousin, and I hold no ill will for you, but I can not tolerate what you said. I am sorry I hurt you so badly, but my mate's honor must be defended."
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I've never met Bella, but she died bringing your children into this world." Their eyes met again, "for that alone she should be honored."
"Thank you."
Spade held onto Maybree's hand as they headed outside the next morning. He was looking forward to exploring. He hopped up and down the whole way.
She was looking at her phone as they went. A soft smile was on her face.
"What are you doing?" Spade asked, trying to hop high enough to see the screen.
She locked the phone and slid it into her pocket, "just texting a friend."
"Oh." His ears went back, "I wish Kane would be my friend."
The blonde thought for a minute, it seemed Kane was doing better. "Well," she suggested, "why don't we go see if he wants to come outside with us?"
Spade beamed, "ok."
It didn't take long to find Lilly. She was with Kane, reading to him.
Maybree walked up, still holding Spade's hand. "Hi," she smiled.
Kane looked up from the book. He was sitting in Lilly's lap.
"We came to see if you wanted to go outside with us. Spade wants to explore for a while."
Lilly looked at Kane, "what do you think? Sound fun?" She gave him an encouraging smile.
He thought for a minute, then nodded.
She closed the book and stood up, setting him down.
Spade grinned, wagging his tail. Then they all headed outside.
Spade took Kane's hand as they approached the waterfall. "Come on," he grinned, "let's see if we can find some minnows." He ran ahead, dragging Kane along.
The gray jackal stopped at the edge of the water, while Spade waded in.
He stopped when he saw Kane had not followed him. "Kane?" He asked while going back to him, "you know you have to get in the water to find minnows right?"
Kane didn't make eye contact. He was afraid, and that was shameful. He sniffled a bit and wiped at his face.
"Hey," Spade said while setting his hand on his arm, "what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry I'm afraid."
"You don't have to be sorry. Mama says everyone is afraid sometimes."
"Really?" He hiccuped.
"Yeah." He took the other's hand again, "don't worry. I'll help you."
Kane allowed him to guide him in the water. His gold eye stared down at the pebbles on the bottom.
Spade pointed to the brown minnows moving along the rocks, "see?" He grinned, "I've always wanted to catch one, but they're too fast."
Then Spade busied himself chasing the little creatures, while Kane watched the water ripple around his knees. He leaned forward, staring intently. Focused on the little fish brushing against his legs.
He was abruptly shoved in the shoulder, catching him off guard. He stumbled, almost falling. Just as he turned to glare at the offender, Spade's voice reached his ears. "Tag, you're it," he exclaimed, then started to run.
It took a moment for Kane to realize this was a game. It was one of the games he'd seen the other children in the village play. One of the games he'd never been invited to join. He smiled, then chased after Spade eagerly.
Lilly and Maybree were sitting on the shore, watching the boys play. The vixen smiled as Kane chased Spade through the shallow water.
"Kane seems to be doing better," Maybree remarked.
"I know." She smiled again as she heard his laugh. "I've never heard him laugh before." Her eyes grew watery at the thought of his happiness.
"He's been through a lot hasn't he?" Maybree asked while leaning towards the vixen.
"So much," she whispered. "I don't understand how parents can hurt their children in the ways he's been hurt."
She shrugged, "they're jackals." As if that explained everything.
Lilly frowned, she was beginning to think most all jackals were violent creatures. Except for Ace and his brothers. But she didn't want to be stereotypical.
"He's lucky you found him," Maybree said, pulling her from her thoughts.
"I feel like he is a gift to me." Pink eyes met blue, "even though I'll never be able to birth children, it feels like he's my son. I just want him to be safe and happy."
The two girls looked up as Spade tackled Kane to the ground with a thud. Maybree sighed, sometimes Spade got way too rowdy. Before she could scold him, Kane flipped over and tackled him.
Lilly started to stand, but Maybree took her arm, "they're playing."
The boys tussled around a bit, tumbling across the grass. Spade laughed as he pinned Kane down by the shoulders, "gotcha." His tail wagged as he stuck his nose in the air triumphantly. "I am the winner." Blue eyes met one gold, "submit to your alpha heathen." He said it with a playful grin though. He was imitating the words he'd heard his uncle say when he trained with his papa.
Kane looked up at the bigger jackal. He swallowed nervously as he felt his heart speed up. He didn't know what Spade planned to do, and he didn't want to find out. "Get off me," he demanded.
Spade sat on his stomach, "no I don't think I will."
Panic rose in Kane's chest, he was starting to have trouble breathing. His hands pushed on Spade's shoulders, "stop, this isn't fun anymore."
Spade was confused. He didn't understand what he did wrong. But he got up and went to help Kane to his feet.
"Don't touch me!" Kane snarled while batting his hand away.
"What's wrong?" Spade asked. Worry seeped into his voice. He reached for him and Kane growled angrily.
"Leave me alone." He fluffed his gray fur out, shooting daggers at the other jackal.
"What did I do?" Spade whimpered, "I thought we were playing." He moved closer to Kane.
Kane backed against a rock and showed his teeth. But Spade didn't realize how serious he was. "I said leave me alone!" Kane shouted and lunged as Spade got closer.
He'd felt trapped. Cornered. And he was reminded of all that had been done to him over the years. His teeth closed around Spade's arm in a quick bite.
Spade yelped and swatted at him. He pulled his arm to his chest when he was released. Tears pooled in his eyes, "I'm sorry." He still didn't understand what he'd done wrong.
Kane just stared as his breathing slowly returned to normal. His gold eye flicked to the other's arm. There was a mark, but no blood had been drawn.
Lilly and Maybree hurried over to the boys. Quickly, Spade was in Maybree's arms. Lilly was checking to see if he was ok too.
He nodded while wiping his eyes. It seemed his feelings were hurt more than anything.
"It's ok," Lilly said while rubbing his shoulder, "you didn't know." Then she turned to Kane, "you can't do things like that," she scolded lightly. "Spade doesn't want to scare you, but he doesn't know what's happened. You know you can tell people what you want."
"He didn't leave me alone," Kane whimpered.
"I just wanted to help," Spade protested.
"You wouldn't let me up!" He shouted.
"That's the point of the game."
"I don't like those kind of games."
"Why not? Papa and I wrestle all the time. Didn't you play with your papa?" He tilted his head.
Kane covered his ears, "shut up! Just shut up! You don't know anything!"
"I would if you'd tell me."
"Spade," Maybree said. She knew he didn't need to hear what happened.
"Maybe your papa loves you, but mine doesn't. I'm just a little thing he kept around for his agenda. I never enjoyed any time with him. Ever." He sniffled, "you're lucky you don't know what it's like to be overpowered. To be vulnerable. To be terrified of the one who gave you life." His eye met Spade's. "If it wasn't for him I would still be able to see with this eye. And I would be happy."
"Did he hold you down like that?" Spade asked quietly.
He nodded as tears rolled down his face.
Spade climbed down from Maybree's arms and went to him. He gave him a hug, "I'm sorry."
Kane lost it. He bawled. He sobbed. He screamed. And Spade just held him. He let him feel what he needed to.
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "I'm sorry."