Back on the Monday update! This story is really coming along! Nova is going to play an important part in Riker's life as we go on.
Other jackals could visit exiled ones if they really want to, but really most of the time no one would want to. They were exiled for a reason after all. Most likely they wouldn't be able to find them. Rogues don't usually stay in one place very long.
Keelie really didn't like Kinnley and Britany being together simply because she wasn't like them. At all. She was raised with prejudice. She was able to overcome some of that, but not all. And yes, her flirting with Shadow was very hypocritical. In that moment, her agenda was all that mattered.
PrincessPandaFanfic: Yes! The rogue Nova is Lance and Pierce's father! That makes Riker his grandson! He just doesn't know it. Yet.
The eldest son is always alpha, despite any violent tendencies or it being obvious he would be a bad alpha. The only reason alpha choice would be changed would be the death of the pup. Of course that means in order to change the future of the pack, the alpha could simply remove the pup in question. But that would be highly unlikely.
That would be a lot of fun to work with. Like a series of oneshots that sheds more light on characters and scenarios. Because let's face it, if I added every altercation mentioned, these stories would be a whole lot longer, and I fear the message and story I'm trying to share would be lost. But that would be a fun project.:)
I have tried my best to foreshadow things throughout these stories. last chapter, some things Nova said may be brought up again.
Thanks to all who reviewed! Love ya!
"Papa?" Cujo asked, "can I talk to you?"
"Of course." He looked up. He was showing Lance how to sharpen a knife. Zayne was still asleep, so he would have a lesson later.
Cujo wrung his hands, "could it be alone?" He winced at the hurt on Lance's face.
"Can it wait until Lance and I are finished?"
He nodded and sat down, quietly watching.
After they finished, Pierce gave Lance an approving smile, "you did a good job."
"I had the best teacher," Lance grinned.
He laughed, "that is very high praise. Run along now. Maybe you could go see what your mother is doing?" He suggested.
He pouted a bit, but nodded, "ok papa. See you later Cujo." Then he went back to the hut.
"What did you wish to talk about?" Pierce asked after the pup had gone.
"About Haven."
A knowing smile rested on the alpha's face, "you have my blessing if you want to be with her."
Cujo let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He was glad his father didn't disapprove like his mother did. "Thank you papa."
"What else did you wish to talk about?" He could tell there were other concerns on his mind.
"If she accepts, where are we going to live? I'm still with my mother, and she is staying with Nona and Lori."
"There are still some empty huts left from the illness," Pierce said, "we can clean one up for the two of you."
"What about Roux and Sasha?"
He raised a brow, this was the first he'd heard them having interest in each other. "Roux and Sasha?"
Cujo nodded.
"You are sure?" He'd never seen them even look at each other before.
"Yes. They try to keep quiet about it so mama won't know. She doesn't like the idea of them together."
Pierce frowned, this was their choice, not Kenzi's. "Do not worry about that. I will speak with them. You worry about Haven."
Cujo nodded, "thank you papa."
Raven and Rhyme were so bored. Riker not being around to cause trouble, and Roux preoccupied with sneaking around with Sasha, left them on their own a lot. Their mother was caught up in her grief, so she was less fun to be around too.
The two brothers were sitting outside in the dirt, wanting something exciting to happen.
"Maybe we could go visit Lance and Zayne?" Rhyme suggested.
"Do you think Zayla would let them play with us?" Raven asked doubtfully. They'd tried before, but she'd dismissed them.
"It wouldn't hurt to ask," Rhyme said as he stood up.
Raven stood too. "Ok. Let's go."
Zayla opened the door, "oh. Hello boys."
"Hi Zayla," Raven smiled, "we just wanted to visit."
She gave them a warm smile. They must've been really bored to want to come visit her and the pups. "Zayne is sleeping. If you want to come in you can, just don't make too much noise."
They looked at each other in surprise, but they stepped inside.
Lance was laying on his stomach on the floor, playing with a ball quietly.
He looked up when he heard them enter. He scrambled to his feet, holding the ball to his chest, "mama?" He sounded worried. No one ever came inside their house besides Brynn, Anahi, Asia, or Nona.
"It's ok," Zayla said, "these are Asia's boys. They just wanted to visit."
"Are they nice?" He asked.
She nodded. Her ear twitched when she heard Zayne calling her. "I'll be right back. I need to check on your brother."
"Do you need some help Zayla?" Asked Rhyme. She seemed a little frazzled.
"No," she said, "I think you two should wait here." Then she disappeared into the bedroom.
Zayne was sitting up, rubbing his eyes.
"What's wrong sweetie?" She asked gently, "do you need a drink of water?"
"No." His voice was still sleepy, "I have to go potty."
She picked him up, "I'll take you." She grabbed his blanket and covered him up. Then she took him outside.
When she came back, Lance had started a game of catch with Raven and Rhyme.
They were sitting on the floor, rolling the ball back and forth.
Zayla smiled, glad they were getting along so well. She set Zayne down. He watched warily.
"Do you want to play with them?" Zayla asked.
He shook his head, burying his face in her leg.
"That's ok," she said fondly. She scooped him up and sat on the couch, holding him in her lap.
Kenzi muttered to herself as she searched for the key to the room where Anahi kept the papers. She knew it had to be in the hut somewhere. Anahi wasn't wearing it earlier.
It was dinner time, so the hut was empty, but she was still nervous. If she got caught... well, she didn't want to think about that.
As she sifted through the examination room, she heard the doorknob turning. She quickly found a hiding spot in one of the lower cabinets. Just in time, because footsteps entered the room.
They weren't the confident and sure steps of Anahi, so it had to be Brynn. Kenzi frowned when she heard additional steps, then Haven's voice. She really didn't like her at all, she was trying to steal her son away, not to mention he could do better than that fat girl. She bared her teeth in frustration.
"Are you sure it's going to be tonight?" She heard Brynn ask.
Haven nodded with a giggle, "he hasn't said for sure, but he's hinted. I'm sure he'll ask me tonight."
Brynn smiled. She was happy for her brother. "You wanted something for fertility right?" She asked while opening the top cabinet.
"Yes."
Kenzi scowled, she could hear the eagerness in Haven's voice.
Brynn moved a few jars around, searching for the correct one. Things were out of order, she'd have to ask Anahi if she was reorganizing. "Here it is." She pulled out the jar, and a pouch to put some in for Haven.
"Is Cujo as eager for pups as you are?" She asked while scooping the herbal mixture into the bag.
"I think so, I just wanted to be ready."
Brynn handed her the bag, "good luck."
After they left Kenzi growled lowly. Her plans were going to have to change. She had to take care of this problem first. Cujo was not going to have pups with her. Not while she was here. She would make sure of it.
Haven was disappointed. Cujo hadn't been at dinner. Of course she was a little late since she'd asked Brynn for some assistance, but he hadn't showed up at all.
She sighed softly and pulled her jacket around her shoulders, the nights were getting cooler now.
She jumped when she turned past the healer's hut and almost ran into someone. But she smiled when she recognized him. "I was looking for you earlier Cujo. You weren't at dinner. Is everything ok?"
"Papa and I had some things to take care of." He smiled, taking her hands in his, "I do have something I want to ask you though."
She smiled back, "yes?"
"I know I'm not the biggest, or strongest, but I really care about you. I want to have a family with you. If you'll have me." His heart pounded in his chest, afraid she would say no.
"You're a good man Cujo." Her voice was soft, "I'd be a fool not to give myself to you. I know you will take good care of me, and the pups we'll create together."
His mouth brushed hers in a soft kiss, and her arms slipped around his neck. She whimpered a bit as his hands went under her shirt, and he gasped as her hands gripped his hips. Haven laughed lowly as she pulled back, "can we finish this somewhere less obvious?" They were in view of several homes.
"Do you want to go to our place?" He grinned.
Her eyes lit up, "our place?"
He nodded, "papa and I have been working on it."
"Sounds perfect."
"Brynn?" Pierce knocked on the door to her room.
She looked up, "hi papa." She smiled.
"How are you doing?" He asked.
A sigh, "ok."
"I am sorry for what happened," he said, "and I am sorry I have not checked on you sooner."
"It's ok," she sat on the edge of her bed and folded her hands in her lap, "I know you're busy."
"It is not ok. You are my daughter, and I should make time for you."
She was pleased he cared about her so much he would check on her. Her eyes watered and she wiped the tears away with the heel of her hand.
Pierce sat on the bed beside her, "this has been hard on you," he observed.
She nodded. The tears blurred her vision and she let out a sob.
He pulled her into his arms, "I am so sorry Brynn. You did not deserve to be taken like that."
She sniffled as she snuggled into his chest. "I'm sorry I'm not as strong as Anahi."
"Do not apologize. She is much older than you, she has had more time to build her strength. But there is no shame in feeling." He tilted her face to look at him, "there is no shame in hurting because of what he did to you."
Her lip quivered, "it hurt so much when he did it papa."
"I know." He smoothed her hair, "I know."
Riker shivered in his sleep. It was cold on the cave floor. He was curled up in a ball, trying to keep in his body heat.
He was jerked awake by a shove on the shoulder. He sat up with a scowl.
Nova grinned, "bout time you woke up. We should get moving, dawn is breaking."
"It's too early," Riker complained.
"It's the best time to move, it's not too hot yet. Especially if you want to learn to hunt. Didn't your papa teach you how?"
Riker shrugged, "he tried to."
"You just didn't pay attention?"
"No. I didn't go."
Nova looked at him oddly, "why not? Hunting is an important skill all males need to learn."
"I know." His voice came out as a snarl.
"Do not disrespect me pup. Did your mother not teach you to respect your elders and those who rank higher than you?"
"I ranked higher than everyone except for papa."
"I doubt it. Your mother had to be higher than you."
"Women automatically rank lower. They're women."
"You come from one of those packs?" Disgust showed on his face.
Riker wrinkled his nose, "papa didn't think that, but that's what kept us weak."
He shook his head, "boy, you have a lot to learn."