So sorry for the late update yet again! And for the cliffhanger. I just have to say that we're about to get into some stuff. Hold on!
So sorry I missed the question about luck and jackal belief. They don't really have luck per say. There are things considered as Taboo, or signs of things. There would definitely be concern about Zayla losing every pup. An omen if you will.
Yes, Brynn will still be future healer. What Riker did will not change that.
Once again, great voices! I love your choice for Jay! How did you Dwayne Johnson is my celebrity crush? Lol
The speed of the infection of the parasite would have to do with the strength of the jackal. Especially the health of the brain.
Kinnley would definitely be very valuable as a doctor. Especially for jackals.
Thanks for all the reviews! Enjoy!:)
Anahi hurried into the alpha's hut, and into the bedroom. Brynn was right behind her.
Zayla moved out of the way so Anahi could help him. Tears stained her cheeks.
The healer checked to see if anything was caught in his mouth to obstruct the airway. She didn't see anything. She took over doing CPR and chest compressions.
After a moment, Zayne gasped in air and began to cough. Anahi took a step back as he coughed up green gunk. The healer sniffed at it, searching for signs of an infection. Her nose wrinkled. There was some pus in it too.
Zayla had taken the pup in her arms, trying to comfort him. He was crying, snot dripping from his nose. It was green and nasty too.
"Zayne," Anahi said gently, "can I look at you?"
He nodded with a sniffle and scooted away from his mama.
She had Brynn listen to his lungs, and she looked inside his mouth and nose. His throat was coated in more gunk since he coughed that stuff up. It smelled bad too.
"Anahi," said Brynn, "his lungs sound like there's fluid in them."
The healer lowered her head to listen to his chest. It sounded thick and full of mucus. She frowned and rummaged through her bag, looking for the tube.
"What's wrong with him?" Lance asked. His lower lip trembled, "is my brother going to be ok?"
Anahi didn't answer. She was focused on helping the alpha's pup.
Brynn knelt to his level, "Lance, we're not sure yet. But we're doing everything we can to help him."
His ears fell back. That wasn't what he wanted to hear. But he nodded. He trusted Brynn and Anahi.
Anahi pulled out the bag with the tube in it and a container. The tube was made out of a hollowed willow tree branch. "Lay back now Zayne."
Zayla held him as he leaned against her chest.
Brynn moved to hold his mouth open so Anahi could stick the tube down his throat. He gagged a bit, and tried to get away, but Zayla held him tight. "It's ok," she said gently.
Anahi put her mouth on the end to start the suction, then set it in the jar to drain into.
The pup cried as the fluid emptied from his lungs. He didn't like the feeling. But as they emptied, his breathing became easier.
Once the tube stopped draining, Anahi listened to make sure his lungs were empty. She smiled. They were clear now. But she did feel a certain sadness. They had gotten three jars full. No wonder he'd been so miserable all this time. She removed the tube from his throat.
"What is all that stuff?" Zayla asked as she held him close.
"Infection," she stated. The birth fluids caught in his lungs must've fermented."
"But I thought he got all that out."
Anahi's ears folded, "I did too. I am sorry I missed that. Your pup could've died because of my mistake."
"He didn't. He's ok. I am just glad you were able to save him."
Anahi dipped her head in a sign of submission, "you are too kind Zayla."
Brynn was shocked and surprised. Anahi had never made a mistake as long as she'd known her. Or acted submissive. But as quick as it came, it was gone. Now the old Anahi was back.
She clasped her hands together, "now let's get something to kill anything left in the lungs." Then she heated some herbs for him to breathe in the aroma.
Brynn smiled, his eyes had a light in them she hadn't seen before. He already looked healthier. He seemed to be feeling better too.
"How are you feeling?" Anahi asked him.
"Better. Thank you Anahi."
"Take it easy for today. Brynn and I will check on you tomorrow." The healer and her apprentice put away their things and headed out.
Zayla followed them. "Thank you for saving him Anahi."
She nodded.
"Is he going to be a normal pup now?" She dared ask.
"I believe so. The infection is what slowed him down and caused his fatigue. Because he didn't get enough oxygen to really do anything else besides sleep. Still, make sure he rests today. We'll see how he's doing tomorrow."
Kenzi yanked a cluster of red berries off of the bush. She was griping about how disrespectful Haven was. How dare Cujo choose someone as manipulative, conniving, and disgusting as her. She was not going to sit back and allow her son's bloodline to be tainted. Cujo would thank her later.
She put more berries into her basket. No one else knew the patch existed. If they did it would be destroyed. These were the same berries she used to tamper with Zayla's tea. Now she was going to use them on Haven.
This was only a minor setback. Once this was taken care of she would handle Zayla's boys. Then Cujo would be chosen as alpha, he would realize he'd made a mistake in choosing Haven, and she would rise to power behind the scenes. He would thank her when the time came. Besides, everyone would be better off this way.
But was she really willing to hurt and kill her own grandchildren? Could she live with herself? She shook her head, clearing those thoughts and guilt away. She couldn't back down now. She'd gone so far already. It wasn't likely Haven was pregnant already anyway. She recalled Anahi saying once that it usually took a couple tries for first time mothers. This would just make sure she that no amount of trying would bring forth pups.
Kenzi made quick work of sneaking in and back out of Cujo and Haven's house.
She bumped into Asia while putting distance between her and the hut. "What are you up to." Asia asked.
A pang went through Kenzi's chest when she heard the suspicion in her voice. The two of them used to be such good friends. What went wrong? "Nothing Asia. I haven't seen you in a while."
Asia's gaze softened when she heard her old friend's voice. She sounded like when they were young girls. Not the hard and angry voice she'd grown used to now. "I've been around," she said softly, "trying to stay busy."
"I'm sure it's hard losing a son a second time."
"Yes, but he had to go. What he did is inexcusable. Is Brynn ok?"
"I guess," she shrugged. "I haven't really checked on her. I don't hold anything against you though, all males get like that at some point." She glared at the dirt, "deep down they all only care about one thing."
Asia took a deep breath to keep herself calm. "Kenzi, can we talk? Really talk?" She touched her arm gently, "I miss you. You haven't been the same since the illness."
Kenzi sent her a glare, "I don't want to talk about that." She wanted to forget what her mate had done to her. And her daughter.
Asia didn't know exactly what had happened to her, but it had been at the end of the illness. Her mate had been the last male to die. Kenzi had drug herself out of her hut sobbing and covered in blood. Anahi had helped her, so she knew all the details. Kenzi had been in rough shape, she'd been on bed rest for months. All her sisters had visited every day, and she'd pulled through. She'd apparently had more inner turmoil than anyone had suspected.
"That's ok," Asia said gently, "we don't have to. I'd just like to spend time with you if that's ok."
Kenzi sniffled a bit and wiped her face, "I'd like that."
"Have you seen Roux?" Raven asked Brynn.
She looked away from hanging up some herbs on the porch. "No, I haven't. Everything ok?"
He frowned, "I dunno, he's been disappearing a lot more recently."
Brynn dusted her hands off on her skirt, "I'll ask Anahi. She may have seen him. You know she likes to keep tabs on everyone," she added with a smile.
Raven followed her inside.
"Anahi?" Asked Brynn, "have you seen Roux today?"
"Not today." She closed a jar and set it to the side. "Is he missing?"
"No, he was around when I woke up," replied Roux, "I just wanted to do something fun today, and Rhyme is busy. It's ok, I can look for him."
"Why don't you go with him Brynn?" Anahi suggested. She thought it would be good for her to get out a bit.
"Oh, um, don't you need help today?" She really didn't want to leave the hut without Anahi. She hadn't gone anywhere since Riker attacked her. Except for when she accompanied Anahi.
"I'll be all right for a little while. I think Raven could use your help more."
"Oh, well ok." She adjusted her dress, making sure it was properly covering her body.
"Thanks Brynn," Raven smiled.
"Do you think Roux and Sasha have been mating already?" Raven asked as they walked along the wall.
Brynn swallowed, "I don't know. Maybe. They seem to like each other a lot." She didn't mention how they'd been outside her room a couple weeks ago. It had seemed like they were having trouble keeping their hands to themselves. Hormones were running high right now. For them at least.
Raven's ear swiveled. He heard hushed voices.
"What do you hear?" She asked.
"It sounds like Roux." His ear twitched again when he heard a feminine giggle. "And Sasha," he added.
They followed the sound of the voices. Roux had Sasha pinned against the wall, his teeth grazing her neck.
Her tail was wagging happily as his hands roamed across her body. She was trying to keep quiet, but giggling despite herself.
"Roux? Sasha?" Raven asked.
Sasha yelped as Roux jumped back. She scrambled to cover her chest with her hands. Roux picked her green shirt up off the ground and gave it to her. She held it to her chest, face burning.
"Raven," Roux hissed, "what are you doing here?"
He glanced between the two of them. "I was looking for you."
"You found me."
"We didn't mean to interrupt..."
"Shut up Brynn!" Sasha let out a sob. She was so embarrassed. She pushed past them, still holding the fabric against her breasts. "I'm going home."
Brynn picked up her sister's bra and followed her, "Sasha, wait. I'm sorry."
Sasha kept walking, but slowed down so Brynn could catch up.
"You should at least put your clothes back on," Brynn suggested quietly.
"I don't care!" Another sob, "Why did you have to interrupt? I was going to let him take me!" She stumbled and almost fell, but Brynn grabbed her to keep her upright.
"It's ok," she whispered softly while rubbing her back.
Sasha collapsed to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably now. Brynn just held her. "You just don't understand Brynn," she gasped, "I want him so much."
"You're right, I'll never truly understand how you feel. But I want you to know that my heart breaks with you over this. Over him." She took her sister's hand, "you deserve to be happy. To be able to mate with him if you want to. To have babies with him."
Sasha whimpered. "I want it more than anything."
"You'll have another opportunity. Maybe you should talk to papa," she said carefully. "Cujo talked to him, and now he's with Haven."
"I don't want mama to kill Roux," she sniffled.
"Sasha, don't you think she'll be more upset if you get pregnant while you're at her home instead of at your own? We don't want you, or any pups, getting hurt either."
She sniffled, "do you really think she would do that?"
"I don't know, but do you really want to risk it?"
"No. I don't want anything to happen to our pups. But it's so hard."
"I know," she soothed, "I know."
"I just don't know if I feel comfortable talking to papa about this."
"Maybe you can talk to Zayla, I'm sure she understands your feelings better than I do."
Another sniffle, "ok."
Riker sighed heavily as he sat down. His leg was hurting badly. He rubbed the skin on his thigh.
"You know you're going to have problems with that leg when you get old," Nova smirked.
Riker rolled his eyes, "you speak from experience? I've noticed you limp."
"I was beaten up when I was exiled too. At least they let the healer patch you up first."
He nodded. "Do you regret what you did?" Riker asked after a moment.
Nova sighed, thinking about how to answer. "No," he said finally, "I just regret how my actions cost her."
"But she wanted you to right?"
"She did. But if I really cared about her, I wouldn't have done it." Another sigh, "but I was young. Inexperienced. She was wild, being the alpha's mate didn't change that."
"What happened to her?"
Just like that, his demeanor changed. "That's none of your business," he snarled. He showed his teeth and everything.
Riker flinched back, "sorry."
Nova tossed a blanket at him, "go to sleep. And don't shiver all night this time. You keep me up." He turned his back to Riker as he lay down on the cave floor.
For the first time ever, Riker felt a tinge of regret in his heart. For some reason, he cared about what Nova thought. But he got under the blanket, he would worry about it later. He didn't like feelings. Or acknowledging his anyway.