This update is going to be a double update! This chapter will focus on Pierce, and the next will focus on Gaia. Enjoy all!
The week soon passed. Pierce, his mother, and Anahi had left for the village. Kinnley had learned a lot from the old healer before they'd gone, and he was very grateful.
"You're an expert now," Britany grinned as she straightened out her purple top.
"I don't know about expert," he muttered.
She rolled her green eyes, "don't be so modest babe, you're a natural."
He smiled, but stayed quiet.
The chipmunk crossed the room to hug him, "I'm so proud of you," she whispered.
"Thanks." He hugged her back.
"They're almost done rebuilding the college. You can start medical school soon."
He smiled. He'd been waiting a long time. He'd even helped with the construction some. Granted he hadn't been very good at that kind of work, but he'd done his best, and he liked to think he made a difference.
"And," she rubbed his arms, "my apartment building is almost finished. We can live there if you want."
He tilted his head, "your apartment building?"
"Well, it belonged to my parents. They're gone. So it's mine now. In fact, everything they owned is mine." She smiled almost sheepishly, "we're rich."
"We are?" He had no idea what he would do with all that money. His family had never put emphasis on things.
She nodded with a smile. "Of course we will have to wait for the banks to be up and running too. But that should be soon." She sighed and flopped back on the bed, pulling him with her. "I'm so ready to get back to a normal life." She ran her fingers across his shoulders, "I wanna take you shopping with me. And I can get my hair done, and my nails."
He smiled at the excitement on her face, "whatever makes you happy."
She giggled. He was the best. She leaned in for a kiss. And he returned it.
Zayla sighed softly as she filled the last cup with cranberry tea for Asia. All of the girls were gathered in Asia's hut.
The poor girl was going through her heat cycle, and they all wanted to be there for her. She always had the hardest time out of all of them.
The jackal in question was currently reclining on her small couch. While the rest of the women either sat in the wooden chairs, or on the cushions on the floor.
Zayla came over to give her the cup. She noticed how her hand shook slightly as she took the warm drink. "Thank you," Asia said softly. She took a small sip.
"I wish Anahi was back," sighed Nona, "we could get you some herbs to help with the discomfort."
"I could go over anyway," suggested Zayla. "I'm sure Anahi has something mixed up."
"I'll be fine," Asia replied. "It'll pass after a few days."
"Of course if you had a man, this would be a different story," smirked one of them.
"Kenzi," Zayla scolded. But she grinned despite herself.
Asia rolled her eyes. But her stomach fluttered at the thought. She hadn't been with a male in such a long time. Literally years. Sometimes her body just craved a masculine touch. Especially during her heats. Anahi was usually able to give her something to end the desire, but the healer hadn't returned yet.
"I'm sure when Anahi returns with Pierce he'll help you," Zayla ventured. "You can have him first. That'll help with your heat."
"He's not coming back Zayla," she snapped. "He left. His cousin, who was dumb enough to get bred by a wolf, is obviously more important to him than us."
"That isn't fair. He does care about us, but he has a duty to his family first. And that shows a lot about his character. He'll protect us."
She rolled her eyes, obviously not believing the statement.
"I wish you weren't so cynical Asia," Nona said gently. "I know what you went through during the illness was horrible, but we all suffered. It would do you good to have a little hope."
"Talk to me when your pup is slaughtered because a male wants you," she snapped. Nona flinched.
"Let's just calm down," Zayla said gently. "I know we all went through horrible things, and let's be honest, Asia got the worst of it. But fighting about it isn't going to do any good. Nona is right, we need hope. Hope that things will get better." She rested her hand on her chest, "I do believe that Pierce will come back with Anahi. He will help us. He will take care of us." She gave Asia a pointed look, "he will protect us. And our future pups."
Asia scoffed, but otherwise kept quiet. Her eyes looked over the room as the women fell into quiet conversation. "Where's Keri?" She asked suddenly.
Keri was the youngest of their group, just barely old enough to bear pups. She'd only just come out of her first heat days before Pierce had visited them.
"She's on the roof," Kenzi said. "Watching for Anahi."
She was like a little sister to them, and they all felt the need to protect the orphan. Yes, she had been found outside the village as a young pup, shortly after all the males had died thankfully. They'd taken her in, and Asia had especially became attached.
"She's here!" Keri shouted, "Anahi's back!" She scrambled back in the window. "There's two others with her!"
"Two?" Asia raised a brow.
The youngest jackal hurried past them to meet the healer. Zayla went after her while everyone else stayed in the hut.
"Anahi!" She cried as she gave her a gentle hug. "You're back!"
The healer laughed lightly and returned the hug.
The young girl looked over to Pierce, she smiled. "You're back alpha." She wound a piece of her hair around her finger as she looked him up and down. It was obvious she was glad to see him.
Pierce gave her a gentle smile. He didn't remember her being so young. His eyes left her as he heard Zayla coming. The smile that lit up his face made a small amount of disappointment well in Keri's chest. She'd hoped he'd look at her like that.
"Pierce!" Zayla exclaimed as she grabbed him in a hug. "I knew you'd come back for us!"
He returned it with a small laugh. "I am glad to be back." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and she blushed.
"Oh," she said remembering as she turned to Anahi, "Asia is in heat, we were going to see about getting some medicine for her discomfort." She smiled at Pierce, "it seems we won't need that now."
Anahi smiled. "Go to her," she said to pierce.
He glanced at Taja, who gave him an encouraging smile.
Keri took his hand, "I'll take you to her." Then the two walked ahead.
Taja smiled softly at the remaining jackal, "are you Zayla?"
She nodded, realizing that Pierce had brought another elder with him. "A pleasure to meet you." She bowed in respect. She wondered who she was, but it was inappropriate to ask.
"I am Pierce's mother," Taja answered her unspoken question. "He's said good things about you dear. I do believe he will choose you as his alpha female, but you didn't hear it from me."
She grinned, eyes turning to watch Pierce as he was walking away with Keri. Her smile faded. "But Asia was alpha female before," she turned back to the two women, "maybe she should keep the position."
"That's not for you to decide," Anahi said, "Pierce is the one to choose. He is alpha now."
"I know, it just doesn't seem fair to Asia."
Taja smiled softly, Zayla seemed so caring. She thought for sure she would make a good match for her son.
Anahi set a hand on her shoulder, "things will work out. Come, let's get started on supper." A grin spread on her face, "tonight is a celebration."
All the women looked up when Keri entered the hut again. "I brought a friend," she grinned while pulling Pierce into the room.
Several of the women came over, excited to see him again. Asia remained on the couch, silently looking at him.
He couldn't place the look on her face, but it didn't seem happy.
"We'll see you later Asia," Kenzi grinned as she ushered the other girls out, "feel better." She looked towards Pierce and then back to the woman on the couch. "Have fun," and she shut the door behind her.
Silence fell over the two jackals. Asia looked him over. He was just as attractive as the night he left. She could tell he was sniffing the air lightly without moving his head. The female knew he could smell that she was in heat. She shifted her position. "Well," she said, "aren't you going to sit down?"
A smile rested on her lips that he seemed to almost jump at the opportunity to do what she said. He was acting on instinct, she could tell. Instinct to be with her. To give her pups, which was what she wanted. Right?
She slid over so he could sit beside her. She wasn't sure if she liked how close he was to her, but her body was screaming for him to take her right then and there. And he knew it too.
"Hello Asia," he said quietly. His nose was close to her, but he was still seated a respectful distance away.
She swallowed, waiting for him to have his way with her. But nothing happened. His tail flicked as he waited. It was then that she realized he wasn't about to do anything without her permission first. She smiled, "I'm glad you're back."
"I wish I never had to leave."
"You didn't have to."
He frowned. "I did. Keelie needed me."
"So why did you come back?"
"I wanted to. And, I was not needed there anymore."
"Is your cousin alright?"
He was surprised she asked. She had seemed uncaring before. "I am afraid she and the pup did not survive."
Asia wished she could say she was surprised, but she wasn't. She felt bad for the pup, they had died before they'd got a chance to live. "I am sorry. I hope it wasn't too painful for her."
"I hope so as well."
The silence returned. "So," Asia said after a few minutes, "are we gonna do this or what?"
He blinked. She was obviously a very assertive woman. He smiled, "if you would like."
She climbed over to his lap, putting her arms around his neck, "yes." Her voice was a breathy whisper, "I would like."
A squeak caught in her throat as he grabbed her. She felt his mouth graze her neck as she was pushed down. She squirmed a bit and he loosened his grip, "are you all right?" He asked gently.
"Yes," her voice was out of breath on account of her heart racing in her chest. "Just please don't hold me like that."
Immediately, his hands released her arm and thigh. "Tell me what you want."
She shivered. She didn't know. "I know what I don't want," she whispered. Being the former alpha's mate hadn't done her any favors during the sickness. If anything, it had made her the ultimate prize. She swallowed as he ran his hands across her body, turning her onto her stomach.
"You tell me," he murmured, "I promise I will listen."
"Ok," she tried to swallow the fear in her throat. When his teeth grabbed the scruff of her neck her fear melted. She was going to be a mother again. And she was so ready.
Keri whined dramatically, she was hungry. "When are they going to be here?" She was talking about Pierce and Asia, they couldn't eat without them.
"You can't rush these things you know," Kenzi smirked.
"None of that now," Anahi scolded lightly. "Keri, we will eat soon. It's just barely past supper time."
"Not like it's that good anyway," Kenzi wrinkled her nose as she stirred the stew. They hadn't found much in the way of meat recently, so it was mostly beetles and lizards. Along with some vegetables. She hoped Pierce would take them out on hunts soon.
"There they are," Zayla smiled as she filled the last cup with water.
The two of them walked up to the rest of the pack. Asia seemed happier than Zayla had ever seen her. Her tail flicked lazily and she had a content smile on her face.
Zayla looked on the other female's neck. He hadn't marked her, there was no welt. And she didn't smell like him. He hadn't chosen Asia. She released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She really wanted him to choose her.
Asia left his side and went to sit with Kenzi. Zayla took the opportunity to sit with Pierce. Keri sat at his other side.
He smiled at Zayla, and she smiled back, leaning closer to him.
A pout made its way on to Keri's face. She tugged his arm, "Pierce." Her voice was almost a whine.
He smiled as he turned towards her, suppressing the laugh so as not to hurt her feelings.
Keri nuzzled against his side, nudging his hand with her nose. It was like she wanted him to pet her.
His hand ran down the top of her head to the base of her tail. He kept repeating the motion and she melted under his touch.
Zayla frowned. Not because she was jealous, but because she was worried. Keri was being completely obvious that she wanted Pierce in more ways than one. But the girl was so young. She didn't really know what she was asking for. Zayla wasn't sure she was ready for this.
She watched Pierce as she took small sips of her soup. He was gentle in the way he held Keri. Honestly, if anyone was going to have her she was glad it would be Pierce. She knew he would never hurt her. At least not purposely anyway.
Her mind wandered to what he was like. How he looked. How he felt. How he loved. She made a mental note to ask Asia.
It was obvious that Kenzi was asking her. The way they were leaning towards one another and talking so low they were almost whispering. Asia and Kenzi had always been close. She glanced at Pierce again. He didn't notice as he was occupied with Keri.
"Pierce?" Keri asked sweetly, "can I have a kiss?"
All the other women stopped what they were doing and turned to look. How would the alpha react?
Pierce glanced over the others, then looked back at Keri. "Are you sure that is what you want?" He asked finally.
She responded with an eager nod.
Gently, he put his hand under her chin, tilting her face up towards his. He felt her shiver as his mouth barely brushed hers. He pulled back, "you are sure?"
"Yes."
Keri's stomach flipped as he captured her mouth with his own. She made a muffled squeak as he gently squeezed her cheeks with his fingers.
When he pulled back she could still taste his saliva in her mouth. She whimpered softly in disappointment. She would've let him do anything right then and there. She didn't care the others were watching. Or at least she thought she would.
Zayla pursed her lips. None of the elders seemed concerned. Except for Taja. But she was new to this life. So did her opinion really matter?
Pierce seemed uncomfortable as Keri grabbed for him. Her hands gripped his thighs.
"Ok," Taja's voice rang out over the fire. "Why don't we have dessert?"
The look Pierce gave his mother seemed to be thankful. He pushed away from Keri and went over to the elders.
This obviously frustrated the youngest jackal. She frowned and made a small huff.
The frown disappeared from her face when she saw the cake Anahi had. She grinned at the prospect of eating a piece. She got to her feet and hurried over.
"Where did you get cake Anahi?" Zayla asked with a smile. Her eyes shone as she looked over the neatly sliced strawberries placed on top of the light sponge cake.
"Taja and I made it." She smiled, "after all, tonight is a special occasion."
Keri bounced up and down, "thank you!" She was so excited. Everyone was really.
All of the jackals crowded around to get a piece. Except for Asia. She stayed seated at her place.
"May I sit here?" Pierce asked.
She looked up at him. He was holding two plates of dessert. She smiled. One must've been for her. "You don't need to ask alpha, you can sit wherever you like."
He sat beside her, "I know. But I would like to sit here because you want me to. Not because I made you."
She smiled. He was so considerate. She took the plate he offered her and curled her tail around her knees to make room for him. Asia took a small bite of the cake.
"Are you all right?" He asked her quietly.
She nodded, "yes. I am just tired. And a little sore."
"I am sorry."
She held his arm, "don't be." Her fingers softly rubbed the muscle there, "you've done a wonderful thing for me. You've let me become a mother again, and I am so grateful."
He wondered what she meant by again, but it wasn't his place to ask. He hummed in thought and took a bite of the fluffy dessert.
Asia looked at him sideways, wondering why he didn't ask what he was obviously thinking. She sighed. He was so different. Calmer, quieter than any other male she had met before. "Alpha?" She asked.
He turned towards her, focused on what she was about to say.
"What was your village like?"
He hummed, thinking. "My village was small like yours. We had a jungle home. Stone walls protected us, and we lived in stone houses. My mother was alpha, my father was never in the picture."
She frowned, "What do you mean? How did you manage without him? Who protected everyone?"
"There were other males in the pack, mother just never took a mate. Most of that duty fell on my brother, and myself when we were old enough."
"Oh." She took another bite of cake, "so how did your mother become alpha if she never took a mate? How did she end up with you?"
"Her father was alpha, and she had no brothers, so he chose her to become his successor. As for my father, well I have never met him. I am not sure mother even knew his name. From what I understand he was just a rogue passing through."
She frowned as she looked over at Taja.
He touched her shoulder, "please do not judge mother. She simply did not want to give a male her place. So she preserved an heir by other means."
"I see. It would be hard to give up your position as alpha." She turned to look at him again, "so how did you get to be so calm? So collected? So caring?" Her fingers brushed his leg at the last two words.
"My brother was always the aggressive one. He never was able to get anywhere or anything with that attitude. I learned that gentleness can be a powerful weapon." His breath brushed her ear and she shivered, remembering his gentle touch.
"That's enough Asia," Keri protested. She was standing in front of them. "You've had your turn long enough! What about the rest of us?!"
"Anahi," Zayla pleaded for her to step in as she tugged the elder's arm.
Before anything could be said by the healer, Pierce stood up. "Do you have a problem?" He asked firmly.
She flinched, but held her ground. "Yes I do as a matter of fact," she snapped. "Asia has been with you long enough. Aren't you here for all of us?"
Zayla gulped. Keri was challenging him. Even though Pierce was a kind and gentle soul, she knew males never took challenges to their authority lightly.
"Are you prepared to fight over this?" He asked.
"What is she doing?!" Nona hissed to Zayla, "there's no way she could fight him, or Asia. Is he really going to make her fight?"
"He's giving her the chance to back down," Zayla whispered. "I hope she's wise enough to realize that." None of the others dared get involved. They did not want to challenge their new alpha's authority.
"Like heck I am!" She growled, "this isn't fair and you know it!"
"Alright," He stepped forward, but she stayed. He leaned forward, putting his face in hers. His lips pulled back to expose his teeth and a low growl rumbled though his chest. "Choose your weapon."
Keri's heart roared in her ears. She was angry, and he needed to know how she felt about it. "You idiot," she snarled, "I'm not..." she was unable to finish her sentence before his hand grabbed her hair and pulled her forward. Next thing she knew, her back was against his chest and a dagger rested against her throat.
The other females gasped. Surely he wouldn't hurt Keri. She was young, stupid even. She didn't even know what life was like under an alpha.
Tears rolled down her face as the fear set in. She didn't want him to kill her. She whimpered.
"Are you going to apologize for your atrocious behavior?" His voice was the same calm and soothing tone he always had. Somehow that made her more afraid.
But she still felt like she was the one being mistreated. "You should be apologizing to me!" She spat. A yelp escaped her as he yanked her head back, exposing her neck.
"What is it that you want from me?" He asked calmly.
She squirmed in his hold. "You know what I want you stupid alpha!" She shrieked.
"Keri please..." Asia started. Pierce gave her a look and she sat back down.
"I want you to give me pups too! It's not fair!" Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Are you sure it is pups you want?" His hands gripped her fur tighter, "or do you just want me?"
"Sh-Shut up! You don't know anything!" She tried to reach up and pull his fingers off of her hair. She sobbed as she struggled to get free. She didn't like the feeling of his body against hers like this.
"You do not know what you are asking for." His voice was a quiet whisper.
Nona grabbed Zayla's hand. Zayla gave hers a squeeze. She realized what he was doing. He was going to teach her a lesson. In front of everyone. At least she wasn't going to be injured or killed, but the poor girl would be humiliated.
Keri yanked herself forward, not caring about the dagger or his grip. She was surprised when he let go and then grabbed her by the collar of her shirt.
A gasp tumbled from her lips as she heard the fabric tear. He pulled her clothing, tearing enough fabric to expose her shoulder. Then he shoved her on the ground.
She looked up at him. "Stop," she whimpered. "I..."
He didn't let her finish. He grabbed her throat, silencing the scream she let out. Quickly, he bit down on her shoulder and drew back.
Four perfect punctures were in her skin now. One from each canine. Crimson blood ran down her arm. She shook as silent sobs racked her body.
"That," he said while grabbing her cheeks, "is just part of what I will do to you. Are you sure that is what you want?"
She sniffled.
He waited for her answer, but she stayed silent. He tossed her down, "do not, question me again. The ones I choose to spend time with is no one's decision but my own. I will come for you, but you do not come for me. Understand?"
Keri nodded as a hiccup escaped her throat. She felt taken advantage of. Felt used. She slowly got to her feet, holding onto her arms.
Pierce turned his back on her, and he went back to sit beside Asia.
After he was far enough away, Zayla went to Keri's side. "Are you ok Keri?" She asked gently.
The young girl pulled her arm out of Zayla's hands. "I'm fine," she mumbled. In truth though, she didn't feel fine. She really thought he was going to take her, in front of everyone. She was shaking slightly from the scare.
Zayla gave her a gentle hug. "You can't treat the alpha like that. He's in charge now."
"Well maybe I don't want an alpha," she snapped. "He humiliated me, and you just let him!"
"He did not," Kenzi huffed as she came up. "You would still be on the ground if he did. Probably wouldn't be able to walk for a week."
"What are you talking about?"
"If he really would've humiliated you like you deserved, you would've been his in front of all of us. You would've gotten your pups tonight."
"Kenzi please," Zayla said. She was trying to calm things down, not make them worse. "Pierce is not like that."
"He got pretty riled up just now."
"You know that was mild compared to how any other male would've responded. With anyone else, best case scenario, you wind up dead." Zayla muttered.
Kenzi turned to Keri, "you know you can't change your mind now."
"What do you mean?"
"You made such a big deal out of something so small. He said he would come for you, and he will."
Keri wiped her face, "I'm going home." Her voice was filled with tears. She pushed past the women and hurried towards her hut.
Before anyone says that Pierce is out of character, remember that while he is a gentle personality, he is still a male jackal at heart, and an alpha. As such he has to make sure Keri knows her place. If you have any questions let me know, I'll do my best to answer them. On to the next chapter!