Thanks for all the support and reviews on the last chapter! It means so much!:D Love you guys! Next chapter may be a little delayed, still working on it.

I'm honestly a little surprised so many of you thought Pierce would turn to violence. I tried to convey that Pierce tends to think things through before action. This situation is highly emotional, but rest assured that Pierce will handle things in an appropriate way.

You're right, part of the reason Nova was so willing to take Creech in was because he had just lost his own. He saw this helpless pup who needed a father, so he became one. I would love to explore this scene in more detail in the future.

That is high praise, thank you! I probably should make fan-art myself, but haven't made the time. As for the rating for the movie, I think it would need to be 13+ at least. Due to some of the themes here.

Taja will definitely need to have a talk with Pierce soon.

The afterlife is supposed to be a safe place for everyone, so those who pose a threat will not be around those who would be threatened. There would be some form of voting among those present.

There is no telling what Kenzi would do to keep her schemes secret. We do know that she has no qualms about killing the innocent though.

Pierce's mating with all the women doesn't necessarily cause them to feel Kenzi's behavior was a bad omen, but if these things continue it would be a possibility.

Yes, Kenzi was very tragic. That was my intention for her. I'm glad someone else saw her that way. I believe no one is truly born evil, but those who allow their circumstances in life to make them bitter turn out that way. Like Kenzi.

I will say this about the next few chapters, Pierce will do the right thing.

I do like the idea about Raven and Jalna. They probably would've been together. If they had survived.

Time wise I would estimate 2-3 years since the illness hit have passed. I have trouble sometimes keeping a good concept of timing"^^

I'm not sure exactly what would cause female Riker to choose healing, or if she even would at all. It would be an AU.

Thanks again for all the reviews lovelies! Enjoy this new one!


As soon as the door slammed shut Zayla began to sob. Pierce was angry with her. Surely he hated her now.

Lance hurried over to her, "mama? Are you ok?"

She tried to swallow the sobs, she didn't want them to be more upset than they already were. "I will be." She wiped at her face.

"Are you sure?" Zayne worried.

"Yes. I'm sure." He had enough on his mind already. He didn't need to worry about their problems too. But it was a little late for that. Zayne worried a lot about everything.

Lance helped her up and back on the couch. Then he got her food and cup that had been discarded during the argument. "Here."

"Thank you sweetie."


Cujo was startled when he was grabbed by the ear. He yelped as it was twisted and he was yanked around to face Pierce.

"Is something wrong alpha?" Haven asked. Worry was evident in her voice. She didn't know what Cujo had done to anger him.

"You have a lot of explaining to do Cujo," Pierce said firmly. "I know you had something to do with Lance and Zayne's brother's death."

Cujo's eyes widened. Somehow he'd found out about it. But a part of him was relieved. His guilt had been weighing on him. "Yes papa," he said finally, "I'm sorry."

He waited. For Pierce to scream. To yell. To hit him. What happened instead was much worse. The alpha let go of him, then he sank to his knees and began to sob.

Cujo tried to help him. "Papa, please. I'm really sorry." He touched his shoulder, "please don't cry."

Pierce looked up at him. "Sorry does not bring him back."

"I know. I wish I could take it back. I wish I'd stood up to my mother. I wish I'd told you about it then." Cujo knelt beside him and gave him a hug, "I hope you can forgive me someday."


The next week after Kenzi's death was very quiet. It was almost peaceful, except for the fact that Pierce and Zayla still weren't speaking to each other. It was putting a strain on the pack. And in their relationship.

"When do you think mama and papa will love each other other again?" Zayne asked Lance. They were in bed already, and they knew their father had been sleeping on the couch instead of in bed with their mother.

"I don't know. I honestly thought they would have made up by now."

Zayne clutched his pillow to his chest. He was so worried. What if they never made up? What if they never loved each other again?

"Try not to worry Zayne," said Lance. He got under his blankets, "get some sleep ok?"

"Ok."

Right as Zayne started to fall asleep he heard some noise. He sat up. Lance was fast asleep. Their bedroom door was open just enough where he could see.

His ear twitched. "Zayla?" He heard his father ask, "where are you going?"

"Just to the bathroom," she said shortly as she slipped on her jacket.

"Let me go with you."

"No," Zayla snapped. "I'm fine."

"It is cold out. I do not..."

She cut him off, "it's fine Pierce, I'll just be gone a minute." Then the door to their home slammed shut.

Pierce sighed softly.

Zayne pushed back the blankets and slipped into the living room. "Papa?" He asked, "is everything ok?"

"Everything is fine," he said reassuringly.

"Don't lie," Zayne said firmly. "I know you and mama are still mad."

Pierce sighed again, "I am sorry we have worried you."

"When are you and mama going to stop being mad? I want things to go back to the way they were."

"I know you do, so do I."

"Then tell mama you're sorry. I think you hurt her feelings."

"Things are complicated right now."

Zayne frowned, "that's what everyone says when they don't want to tell you."

"Zayne please, I do not wish to speak about this with you."

He noticed the emotion in his father's voice. How upset he was. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No. I do not think so." Another sigh, "but you should be in bed right now. It is late."

A nod, "ok papa." Then he went back to bed.


Zayne followed Lance down to the fire pit. They were both very upset. Pierce and Zayla had had another disagreement. It wasn't as bad as the first one, but it still upset them.

The younger brother wiped at his eyes, sniffling a little bit. Lance reached back and gave his hand a squeeze. Silently saying it would be ok.

When they reached their destination, Haven, Cujo, Roux, and Sasha were there. Haven was holding Ivy's hands in hers, helping the wobbly pup stand on her feet. "You're such a big girl now Ivy," she cooed.

Sasha grinned at her, flipping her long ponytail over her shoulder as she knelt in front of her. She held her hands out, "wanna come to me?"

Ivy did want to go see Sasha. Carefully, she took a step forward.

Haven grinned. Her daughter was taking her first steps. Ivy reached Sasha's arms, and she was scooped up in a hug. "You did amazing sweetie," Sasha commended.

"Maybe we should go," Zayne whispered to Lance. When he took a step back his shoes crunched in the snow.

Haven looked up, "hello you two." She smiled warmly.

"It's fine," Lance said quietly, "they're happy to see us." He took Zayne by the hand and led him over to the group.

"What trouble are you up to today?" Sasha asked with a smirk.

"Nothing really," said Lance, "we're just trying to get out of the house."

"Is everything ok?" Asked Haven. Since taking in Ivy as her daughter, she'd grown more concerned about younger ones. Maternal instincts she guessed.

Lance nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Mama and papa just aren't getting along right now."

"I'm sorry sweetie," Haven said softly.

He shrugged, signaling he didn't want to talk about it.

The subject was dropped and Zayne went a little closer to Sasha, he wanted to see Ivy. He'd never seen a pup smaller than himself before. He leaned forward to sniff at her.

Ivy wiggled a little bit, but she giggled and grabbed his nose.

Zayne jerked his head back with a snort. But he smiled. He decided he liked babies. "Can I hold her Haven?" He asked.

"Just be careful," she replied.

Sasha handed the pup to him and she immediately clutched her arms around his neck, nuzzling under his chin.

He laughed and looked up at Haven with a smile. "I think she likes me."

"I think so too."

Cujo said nothing, but he frowned. He was leery around Zayne now, and with good reason, the boy had killed his mother. He knew it had been in self defense, but he didn't trust him anymore. Dare say he wasn't sure if he even liked him anymore. But Zayne would someday be second to the alpha. Kind of like he was now. That meant Zayne was going to be above him someday. He didn't like that idea.

His nose wrinkled in distaste when Zayne hugged Ivy closer. They weren't too far apart in age, even though she was much smaller. And when they both got older, that wouldn't matter. No. He was not going to allow Zayne to take advantage of his girl. They would never be mates, not while he was around.


"Brynn," Anahi said while gently nudging her shoulder. "Brynn, it's time to get up."

The young healer sat up with a sniffle. She'd had a rough night. The memories of what happened with Riker had been plaguing her, and now the confusion she felt about her mother's death. She knew she shouldn't be sad, her mother was a horrible person, but she still missed her. Missed having a good relationship with her, something she'd never had before, and probably never would. "Ok Anahi," she said after a moment, "what are we doing today?"

"We need to check on Zayla today. She should have had her pups by now."

"Ok. I'll get dressed."

Zayla was sitting on the couch when they arrived. She looked uncomfortable.

"Zayla?" Anahi asked, "are you ok?"

She looked up when she saw them, "Brynn, Anahi, I'm so glad you're here." Tears were glistening in her eyes.

"Is it the pups?" Asked Brynn, "are they coming?"

Zayla nodded. "It's hurting more this time," she whimpered.

"Ok," said Anahi, "we'll help you."

They didn't have much time to get her prepared. The pups started to be born. It happened rather quickly, and with little difficulty, which Zayla was thankful for.

"You have two," said Anahi, "two girls."

Zayla smiled and pulled them close, she was glad they were healthy.

"Why don't you go tell Pierce?" Anahi said to Brynn.

She nodded and went to go find him.

She came back with the alpha at her side. Zayla visibly stiffened when she saw him and she held her girls closer. "Hello Pierce," she said quietly.

He looked at the two pups in her arms, then back at her face. He hated how upset she looked just by his presence. He stepped over to her, "Zayla, I'm sorry."

The tension and sadness on her face melted away. "I'm sorry too," she said. "I missed you."

He bent and softly kissed her lips, "I missed you too." Then he sat beside her so he could meet his girls.


It was later in the evening before Lance and Zayne met their sisters. Zayne wagged his tail as he looked at them. "What are their names?"

"Zen and Lena."

He looked up at his mother, "they're smaller than Ivy."

"They'll grow."

He grinned, "I wanna help them."

She smiled, "you will. You will be a good big brother." She looked over at Lance, he was standing off to the side of the room. He didn't seem interested in meeting them. "Lance?" She asked after a moment, "do you want to meet your sisters?"

He frowned, "no."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to."

Her heart sunk, he should have realized that these girls would not take away her love for him, or his position as future alpha. "You don't have to," she said softly.

"Good." He turned his nose up, and flicked his tail in dismissal.

She sighed softly, and a heavy sadness filled her heart. Zen began to cry, so she fed her. If only Lance was as willing to take care of them as Zayne was. Zayne was the one falling into the protector role, something the alpha was to do. She was worried. What kind of alpha would Lance become? She was almost afraid to find out.


"Nova?" Asked Riker, "are you sure you're ok?" The elder seemed really unsteady the last few weeks, and it was getting worse.

He swallowed, taking a shaky breath. "I think so," he finally managed.

Even Creech looked concerned, and he wasn't very expressive. He had stayed with them, they had formed their own pack of sorts. He reached out and took Nova by the arm, "you don't look ok."

Riker had been around Creech long enough that he should be used to his slow method of speech, but every time the other opened his mouth he was thrown off guard. He really had to concentrate on what was said, because in addition to the way he drew out his words, he had a slight impediment. Sometimes he was hard to understand. His words dipped and wavered. Riker supposed it was due to the defects he was born with.

An unfamiliar pang twinged in his gut. Pity he supposed. Quickly, he squashed it down. Creech would not appreciate being on the receiving end of that emotion. The other male still had his pride.

Nova stumbled and almost fell. Riker steadied him. "I need to stop for a minute," Nova panted.

"Ok." Riker and Creech held his arms as he sat down on a rock. He was shaking slightly.

"We need to find a healer," Creech said worriedly. "They can help you."

"No healer will help an old rogue like me," Nova muttered. "You know how most packs feel about us."

Riker opened his bag and got out his water bottle, "here Nova." He uncorked the lid and gave it to the elder.

His hands were shaking so badly he spilled half of it down his chin and into his lap. He muttered a swear.

Wordlessly, Creech took the bottle and helped him drink. They all were silent, letting Nova hold on to his dignity while he still could.

Elders were always given respect. They had many achievements in their lives, and deserved the highest honor. Sadly though, it seemed Nova would not have the same assistance others had as he grew ill. Because he was a rogue for loving another.

"Ok," Nova said after a few minutes, "I'm ready."

They helped him up and kept walking.


After about an hour of walking, Nova collapsed. He just couldn't walk anymore. His breaths came in heaving gasps. He was barely coherent.

"What do we do Creech?" Riker asked. His voice was almost a whimper, he'd already lost his family, he couldn't lose Nova too.

"He needs a healer," he said after a pause, "without one he'll die."

"Anahi will help. She can save him."

"Who's Anahi?" Creech asked with a small frown.

"The healer from my pack, she is very skilled."

"Riker," Creech said carefully, "they will not welcome you back. You're a rogue. You know it is highly likely that the alpha will kill you if you return."

"I know. But we can't give up. I can't just watch Nova die." His lower lip trembled a bit. He was so attached to Nova. Dare he say he loved Nova.

Creech sighed, "you're really willing to risk your life for him?"

Riker nodded.

"Ok. Lead the way."

Riker picked Nova up under the arms, and Creech got his legs. Riker noticed his arms were shaking from the effort of carrying him. "Can you do this?" He asked.

"I'm fine," Creech snapped, "let's go."

Riker nodded. "Hold on Nova," he whispered.