Thanks for all the reviews lovelies! :) I hope you'll enjoy this next chapter!

I always look forward to seeing what voices you come up with, although it makes me painfully aware of how many characters I've added. ^^"

You're right. Since each pack is different, they each have their ideas of an "ideal" jackal.

The parasites would really only stay with the jackal species.

Ae Caramba: Thank you for your extensive, and honest, review. And thank you for following my work for so long. I understand some topics may be a little controversial, I myself toyed with how to best handle these things. I can definitely see where you're coming from, out of all of the options at my disposal, this is the story I want to tell. Hope you enjoyed it anyway. Thanks again!:)

I know everyone has different feelings on subjects, and I apologize if anything has offended anyone. However, this story is going to continue the way I have planned. I do draw a lot inspiration from my reviewers. Keep sharing your expressions with me, I read them all! Thanks everyone!

"Stay low to the ground," Nova whispered as he rested his hand on Riker's lower back.

Riker nodded as he watched the bird pecking around in the dirt. He liked this. He didn't have to worry about sharing this with anyone, especially ones lower than him. Like Cujo.

"Good. Wait for the right moment."

Riker's tail flicked. When the chicken turned its back, Nova tensed. "Now," he whispered.

The boy leapt forward. He managed to get his teeth around the bird. Then he looked at Nova with a grin.

"Good job." the elder slapped his back, startling him. His father wasn't like that. His praise was more gentle, tender even. He wrinkled his nose at the thought. He liked the way Nova was. It made him happy to receive that kind of praise.

"Hungry?" Nova asked.

Riker nodded.

"Good." He handed him his knife, "you caught it, you clean it. I'll start the fire."

Riker didn't want to admit he'd never done this before. He didn't even know where to start. But he took a deep breath and lifted the knife.

"What are you doing?!" Nova barked.

Riker yelped and almost dropped the knife.

The elder took the blade from his hand, "did your father not teach you anything when you were little? How did he expect you to survive out here?"

Riker rubbed his eyes, trying not to cry, "I'm sorry. Papa tried to teach me, but I never listened. Or even went with him on hunts. I never wanted to." He was embarrassed.

"Why not?"

"My half-brother was always with him," he spit.

"You two didn't get along?" Nova asked carefully.

"I hated him. Still do." His lips twisted into a snarl.

"Why?"

"Because papa loves him more." He felt tears burning in his eyes. "He always will."

"Is that why you did what you did? Because you hate him?"

He shrugged, not making eye contact. "Can we talk about something else?" He wiped his nose with his arm and sniffed.

"Sure. How about I show you how to clean that bird?" Nova smiled.

He nodded, "I'd like that."

Haven woke up with a gasp. Where was she? Then she realized, this was her and Cujo's bed. She'd been dreaming.

The curvy female relaxed, and snuggled up beside Cujo. He was still asleep.

He mumbled and draped his arm over her bare waist, burying his nose in her neck.

She sighed happily, last night had been amazing. She was a little sore, but in a good way.

Cujo hummed a bit as he woke. "Good morning," he said softly.

"Good morning," she smiled.

His gold eyes took her in. Her fur was messy, and several bruises littered her skin. "You ok?" He asked.

She nodded, but winced a little as she sat up. He had been a little rough with her. He was timid at first, but got over that quick.

"You sure?"

She massaged her wrists. "I may go see Anahi later, but I'll be ok." Her wrists were bruised from when he'd pinned them above her head.

"Sorry." His ears fell back.

"Don't apologize for loving me," she smiled, "I enjoyed every second." She placed a kiss on his cheek and slid out of the bed to find her clothes.

Before breakfast, Anahi and Brynn were taking inventory. Brynn had mentioned that things were moved around, and Anahi hadn't been reorganizing things, so they were concerned.

Haven stuck her head in the room, "morning."

The healer smiled, "good morning Haven. What can we do for you?"

"Do you have some painkillers? I'm a little sore this morning."

Anahi smiled, "you two didn't waste any time did you?"

Haven smiled sheepishly as Anahi went to get some.

Brynn smiled at her, "I'm glad you and my brother are happy together."

She blushed, "I'm looking forward to having his pups." A smile graced her lips at the words.

"Are you expecting some now?"

She drew in a deep breath, "I don't know. Maybe. I feel different at least. I guess that could be from being his mate though." Her hands went to her lower stomach, "but I hope this feeling is really his babies inside of me."

"Becoming a mother is a beautiful thing," Anahi said as she returned, "it is a blessing you will always treasure." She set the painkillers on the table, "this will help."

She took them, "thank you. When will you be able to tell if I'm pregnant?"

"A week or so. You should go ahead and start with this tea, just in case. It'll help them grow and be healthy pups." She gave her a package.

Haven beamed, "thanks Anahi."

"You're welcome."

After she left, they finished checking their supplies. "Looks like everything is accounted for," said Brynn.

Anahi nodded, "good. But I can't help but worry that someone was here while we were gone."

"Should we be worried about Haven?" Brynn asked.

"No one knows she may be pregnant besides us correct?"

She nodded.

"Whoever was targeting Zayla during her pregnancy shouldn't have any reason to go after Haven. She and Cujo are not in the alpha line. They are simply good pack members. She should be fine to take care of things by herself." She set her hand on her shoulder, "we'll still check up on her every week."

Brynn nodded, "ok."

Haven decided to take the packages Anahi had given her home before breakfast. She put them on the table beside their bed. Then she brushed her hair and went back outside.

On her way she bumped into Kenzi. She hated to admit it, but she was afraid of Kenzi. Her eyes were always cold and calculating, not to mention she was very aggressive. Especially for a female. Haven swallowed, "good morning Kenzi."

The other female circled her, sniffing lightly. "It must be a very good morning for you considering my son mated you last night."

Haven flushed and dipped her head.

Kenzi grinned, "having any little ones?" Her hands touched the girl's stomach.

Haven gasped and jerked away, "what do you want?"

"Is it too much for me to check on you? You are family now."

"You're crazy. Lance was right, you are mean, and no one here likes you."

A yelp escaped her as Kenzi grabbed her hands and twisted them. "How dare you mention that waste of fur to me. Who do you think you are?"

"You're hurting me," she whimpered.

"Does it look like I care?" She snarled. "I warned you to stay away from my son, you didn't listen. Watch yourself, because you will suffer for your insolence. I can promise you that." She let go of her and Haven fell to the ground, gasping back tears until she left.

"Papa?"

Pierce's ear twitched at the sound of the little voice. He turned around from checking the gates. Zayne was standing there, holding his blanket in one hand and rubbing his eyes with the other.

The alpha was concerned, how did he get all the way out here alone? Zayla was probably beside herself looking for him. But Pierce had to stay calm. Zayne didn't realize the danger he could've put himself in. The pup was so innocent, he didn't understand that someone wanted him and Lance dead.

He knelt down, "what's wrong?"

Zayne sniffled, "I wanted you."

"Did you tell mama?"

"No."

Pierce picked him up, "we need to find her, she's probably worried."

"Ok."

When they did find Zayla, she was in hysterics. She rushed over to Pierce and took Zayne in her arms, "baby where were you?" Tears were streaming down her face.

"I was looking for papa."

"You need to tell me when you want to go somewhere, you could get hurt by yourself."

"I'm sorry," he said with a soft whimper.

She hugged him close, "I know you are. Just please don't ever do anything like that again."

"I won't."

Zayla rubbed his back and he hugged her tightly. "Come on," she said softly, "let's get some breakfast."

"Mama was really worried when you were gone," Lance said to Zayne as they were eating, "I've never seen her so upset before."

His ears went back, "I didn't mean to make her worry. I just wanted to see papa."

Lance touched his arm, "it's ok. She just doesn't want anything to happen to you. I don't either."

He sniffed, "I know." He nibbled a bit at his egg. He wished he wasn't so sick all the time. He was tired of being tired. He wanted to be normal. Like his brother.

Zayla came over and kissed his forehead. Lance's too. Then she sat beside them. "Are you feeling ok?" She asked Zayne. His eyes looked so tired.

He jerked a bit, trying to keep himself upright. "I'm ok."

"Are you sure?" She turned his face where she could get a good look. "Are you still sleepy?"

"No." He mumbled. He didn't want to go back to sleep.

"Don't overdo it Zayne," she said firmly but still gentle. "You don't want to get too tired."

"I know mama." He took a small bite of his eggs. Pierce came and sat beside them too.

"Morning papa," Lance chirped. He'd already finished his food.

"Good morning," he smiled, "did you sleep well?"

"Yep!"

He smiled. Zayne leaned against his father's side. He was tired of sitting up, and his lungs burned from all the walking he'd done looking for Pierce. "Are you alright?" The alpha asked.

"Yes." His voice was barely a whisper.

"Do you need some water?" Zayla asked. She tried to keep the worry out of her voice.

He nodded slowly. She went to get him some, while Pierce gently rubbed the side of his face.

Zayla came back with a cup filled with water. She helped her son take a few swallows. He lay his head back down against Pierce's side.

"I think you should go lie down," Pierce said gently, "just for a little while."

"I don't want to," he protested weakly. He wanted to stay up. He wanted to play with his brother. He wanted to learn to hunt and fight. His eyes filled up with tears. He wanted to be a normal pup. He wanted to be strong.

He held onto his father's arm, sniffling. He closed his eyes tightly and a few tears slipped down his cheeks.

"You'll feel better," Zayla said.

"No I won't," he whimpered, "I never do." He squeezed his hands into frustrated fists, "I just want to be normal. Is that too much to ask?" He let out a sob that hurt Zayla's heart, "why do I have to be this way?"

"Is everything ok?" Nona asked softly. She had come over to see if she could help.

"Yes," said Zayla, "he's fine. I..."

"No it's not!" Zayne interrupted. "Don't lie mama!"

She took him in her arms, "honey, it's ok. Come on, let's go home." Then she carried him back to their hut, trying to soothe him.

It was later that afternoon when Lance came back. He'd spent the morning learning from Pierce and now he wanted to check on his brother. "Is Zayne still sleeping mama?" He asked.

She looked up from sweeping the floor, "he is."

"He's ok right?" He was a little worried since Zayne had been so upset earlier.

"He seems fine sweetie. Just tired."

"Can we make sure?"

She smiled, "of course."

They went into the bedroom. "Zayne?" Lance asked, "are you awake?"

He was still curled up on the bed under his blanket. It felt like Zayla's heart stopped in her chest. She didn't see his sides moving. She hurried over to him, "Zayne?"

Lance's ears perked, he picked up on the worry in her voice.

The alpha female turned her youngest son on his back. He wasn't breathing. "Lance, go get Anahi. Tell her it's an emergency."

By her tone he knew this was serious. He hurried off to find the healer.

Zayla was glad Anahi had taught her mouth to mouth. She set to work to save her baby.