So sorry for the late update everyone! The past week has been busy for me, I've still been working on this when I can, just haven't had time to upload a chapter and answer everyone's reviews. I'm doing that now though!
Even though Kenzi went through an ordeal, it doesn't change what she's done. Don't worry, she'll get what's coming to her. I hope I can do it justice with what I have planned.
I listened to the song, the good in me. I think you're right, it is very fitting for Kenzi. Excellent recommendation!
Like I said before, while I appreciate your honesty, and you are welcome to feel however you wish about this, I am not going to change the way this is going. The things that happened with Gaia were not intended to cause controversy, this is fiction. This is a fun and creative outlet for me, and I am sorry if I have offended anyone in any way. The only thing I will say about Gaia, is that if she did get rid of her and Finn's pups, it would have been a lot worse than him just leaving her.
Interesting idea about seeing the future of their pups, that would definitely change things.
The world was still recovering from war, there wasn't much of a police force at that time.
Thank you dear guest for your lovely review encouraging me to stick to it. It was just what I needed to hear:) Thanks to everyone who reviews, it means a lot!
If Zayla were to lose every pup, Pierce would probably stay with her, despite any fears or pressure from the other females. He has other children that could be alpha. This situation is more of a feeling or sign of more misfortune, Zayla would not be exiled, but probably shunned by her packmates. Taja is conflicted on most of what goes on here, because it is breaking so many traditions, but she still loves her family.
I try my best to update this every Monday and Thursday, but that doesn't always happen. If I miss one I usually just update the following update day. If I miss Monday, I just update on Thursday and vice versa.
I am doing ok! Just staying busy. Hope you all are ok as well!
At the point when Riker was exiled, he did not have the desire for Lance and Zayne to die. If he was allowed to remain though, that desire would grow and eventually happen. He would want to take the position as alpha for himself. Really being exiled was a blessing.
Hope this answers everything! Love you guys!
Asia and Kenzi worked together on supper. Asia was glad that Kenzi seemed happier. It really felt like they picked up right where they left off.
"Thank you Asia," Kenzi said softly. "I'm glad we can be friends again."
"I will always be your friend Kenzi, and I will always be willing to help you any way I can, but the things you've been doing is hurting everyone. Why do you hate Zayla so much?"
"She doesn't deserve her position," she huffed, "Pierce should've chosen me!" A few tears slipped down her cheeks.
"But why do you care about that now? You didn't before."
Kenzi stayed silent.
"Weren't you happy with Crowe?"
Kenzi covered her ears, "don't even say his name!"
She touched her arm, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Don't you want to remember the good time of your life with him?"
She hiccuped, "I don't want to remember him at all."
"Why not?"
"It hurts too much." She gasped in a breath, "I can't get what happened out of my mind. What he became."
"I don't know what happened. Or how it all ended. But whatever it was, you know that wasn't really him. He loved you. And Jalna."
"But why couldn't it have been me?! Why did it have to be her?!"
Asia gave her a hug, "I don't know. I'm so sorry."
Kenzi wiped her face, "thank you."
"Zayla?" Sasha asked.
The alpha female was on the porch, watching her sons playing in the grass. She smiled when Sasha approached, "hi Sasha. How are you?"
She sighed, "ok. I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Of course. Why don't you sit down?" They both sat on the porch together. "What did you want to talk about?" Zayla asked.
"About Roux. We want to be mates, but I'm afraid of what mama will say. And what she'll do." She hiccuped, "I'm tired of waiting."
"Oh honey," she said softly, "that must be so hard for you."
Sasha nodded with a sniffle.
"Maybe you can ask her about it, she might surprise you."
"I don't know. Cujo talked to papa about Haven and they worked something out, but I'm not really comfortable talking to him about it."
"Maybe Roux could talk to him then," Zayla suggested.
She smiled, "I'll ask him. I just hope we won't have to wait too much longer."
"I know. It can be hard, especially when you really want to mate with him."
"Have you ever had this problem Zayla?"
She nodded. "Yes, it was a little different though. You know how Pierce had pups with all of the mothers here right?"
She nodded.
"I had to wait for my turn. I went last because I was his chosen female. That was hard. I wanted him more than anything I ever wanted before. But the wait was worth it. It will be worth it for you too."
Sasha hugged her, "thanks Zayla."
Haven groaned in discomfort. Her stomach was churning, and she felt like she was going to be sick.
She was huddled under the blankets in bed. Cujo brought her some tea. "Thanks," she whispered.
The female shivered a bit. Winter was setting in. Something she wasn't used to. She'd lived in the desert before, now she was in the grassy village. Cujo had told her that sometimes it even snowed here.
"Should I get Anahi?" Cujo asked.
"No, I don't think so. I think it's just because of the cold air setting in. I'm not used to it." She took a small sip of the warm drink.
Cujo tucked her in, smiling softly. "Papa and I are going on a hunt today, but I'll bring you some breakfast before I go."
"Thanks Cujo." She placed a soft kiss on his cheek, "be careful out there."
By that evening, Haven was no better. In fact, she'd vomited a few times.
Despite her protests that she was fine, Cujo went and got Anahi.
The healer came to check on her, along with Brynn. Anahi looked her over, feeling her stomach and checking for fever. "Well," she said with a smile, "she's going to be fine. But congratulations, because you two are having pups."
Haven let out a little gasp and covered her mouth with her hands. Her eyes watered with happy tears, "pups." Her hand went to her belly.
Cujo smiled. He was happy too.
"Get lots of rest," Anahi said, "and come and see me next week so we can do a thorough examination. Don't worry about the nausea, it'll pass soon enough."
"Thank you Anahi," Haven said softly.
"I'm worried Anahi," Brynn said as they walked back to their hut, "no one has nausea with pups."
"It does happen Brynn, you just haven't seen it. Although it isn't common among us jackals." She hummed in thought, "but I do think you're right to be concerned. We will find out more next week."
"Get up," Nova nudged Riker with his foot roughly.
Riker had grown used to it by now. Most of the time he was awake already, but he always pretended. And Nova knew. It was an unspoken game between them.
Riker sat up and yawned. "What are we doing today?"
Nova was covering the remains of the fire. "It's time to move on."
"Why?" He was a little concerned. He'd gotten used to his new routine of life, and he liked it. They were still close enough to his old pack where if he climbed on top of the cave he could see the village. Even though he'd wanted to leave, he didn't really want to completely abandon it.
"Winter is setting in. It's too cold out here without a house." He stretched and a bone cracked, "for me at least."
"Oh." He looked outside. A sheet of frost coated the ground. He could even see his breath in the air. Glancing at Nova, he could tell that the cold was making him hurt.
"Of course you can stay if you want. I think you could handle yourself."
He chewed his lip, trying to decide. He would rather stay here, but he had to admit, he was worried about Nova. The elder was moving much slower. Even before it got cold. It was an odd feeling to care about someone else. A foreign one.
He stood up, "I'll go with you."
A smile. "I'll be glad to have you along." He put the last few things in his bag, "we will meet other jackals out there. Some will be quite hardened, do not make eye contact."
Riker grabbed his bag, "ok."
"Are there any female rogues?" Riker asked as they walked.
Nova laughed, "not usually."
"Have you ever met one?"
"I've seen one, but I wouldn't say we met. Female rogues stay to themselves, and usually they find a pack to take them in. They're not usually dangerous. Why? Are you wanting to get frisky?"
Riker's face burned, "no."
Nova could tell by his body language that wasn't entirely true. He laughed again. "Don't worry," he grinned, "you're young. Plenty of time."
Riker frowned, a little annoyed. "I'm not a pup anymore."
"Of course. You've grown as a man since I've known you. But there's always room for growing. I've still got a ways to go myself."
"What about you?" Riker asked suddenly. "Don't you want a woman every now and then?"
"Of course. It's part of life. Instinct to mate and father pups."
"Have you done it since your exile?"
Nova nodded.
"Did she have your pups?"
"I don't know." He adjusted his bag strap higher on his shoulder, "I hope so. Because that was what she wanted. Why all the questions about this?"
Riker looked down at his feet and shrugged.
"You'll have the chance to experience it Riker. If that's what you're worried about."
"I already know what it's like," his voice came out as a snap.
"You're a little young to have done that," he remarked. The more Nova got to know Riker, the more concerned he was. He wasn't sure exactly what kind of pack he'd came from, but he knew there had been problems. Riker was a very troubled young man. And he seemed uneducated on several important subjects.
"You're not the boss of me," Riker growled, "like you're even one to talk. You mated with your alpha's mate."
Nova hit him. Not hard enough to knock him down, but hard enough for him to know he meant business. "Do not bring that up again. It is not your place."
Riker ducked his head in submission, "yes Nova." He didn't want to make an enemy of the elder. He really liked him. Dare he say it, but he had respect for him.
"Don't worry," Nova said, "you can still have a good life out here."
Riker smiled. Really smiled. For the first time in a long time. "Thanks," he said softly.
Zayla was following Lance and Zayne as they walked through the woods down to the creek. It was too cold for swimming, but the water buckets needed to be refilled. It was her turn today.
When Anahi and Brynn had returned to check on Zayne, he'd gotten a clean bill of health. Zayla was so happy. Her boy was able to run and play like his brother now.
Zayne stopped to look at a little bird perched on a branch high up in a tree. His tail wagged. "Isn't it pretty mama?"
She stopped beside him and looked up. It shook its head as a drop of water landed on it, ruffling its blue feathers. Zayla smiled, "very pretty." She took Zayne by the hand and they continued to the creek.
"Why is there an extra bucket mama?" Lance asked as she set them down on shore.
"It's about time you boys had a bath," she said while filling up the first one.
Zayne whined in agony, "I don't want to!"
Zayla resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "it won't kill you Zayne."
"I don't like baths," he muttered.
"I know you don't, but my precious boys need to be clean." She kissed his head.
Lance nudged her, wanting a kiss too. She happily obliged him.
"Do you have to help though?" Zayne asked. He liked his privacy. He didn't like being so exposed.
"Honey, you're not old enough to do it yourself yet. It's just mama."
"I know."
"There's nothing to worry about Zayne," Lance said with annoyance. Every time they were due for a bath Zayne started with the theatrics. And it was always the same thing. It got annoying quick.
"Maybe you don't mind being exposed to the world, but I have some modesty."
Lance growled lowly, "shut up Zayne."
"That is enough," Zayla scolded, "I don't want to hear such atrocities from either of you." She looked between the two brothers, "Zayne, Lance, you both are free to feel however you want about any situation, but I will not allow you to belittle each other. Am I understood?"
They both nodded, "yes mama."
"Good." She picked up the buckets, "now let's head back."