Hello all! 1st update of 2021! Woo! Here's hoping we all have a great year! I've got some great ideas in the pages to come. You all are so inspirational, never forget that! Thanks for all the love guys!
Great suggestion about how the jewels' stories influenced jackal morals and customs. The way you described it fit so perfectly!
Haha! Yes when those who hurt the jewels faced judgement time, I'm sure they had some regrets:)
I would say Creech's ability to remember everything that ever happened to him would have to come from the parasites.
Interesting. Ivy naming her future daughter after Kenzi. It would fit, honoring what could've been.
The alpha can choose whoever he wishes as his female. Choosing a healer or future healer would severely undermine his reputation with the pack. If an alpha does not have the pack's backing, things could end very badly for him. The chosen female could choose to fight him, but that would probably not end well either.
At that point in Riker's life, he always tried to get out of everything.
Keelie was convinced her father cared about her and her half-brothers. Even if Finn had told the truth about him from the beginning, she would need serious convincing.
No one told Pierce about Kenzi because they were afraid of her. She had no problem killing innocents to get her way, so imagine what she would to them. Fear can have a strong grip on people.
You're about right on Anahi's age. She's been around quite a while.
Pierce's accent? I would say it isn't heavy, he was the only one to develop an unusual way of speaking. He likes his words to be crisp and clear, so I would say some may have a sharpness to them. It's more of a made up accent than anything.
Katrina's alpha definitely received some judgement for his actions. And Finn will definitely receive a trial for his actions.
Thanks for all the kind words lovelies! I hope I can do this ending justice. Enjoy!
"When are you gonna put them down?" Lance huffed. He folded his arms and his tail flicked. Zayla was holding his sisters, he didn't like that. She spent too much time with them.
"They're eating Lance," Zayla said.
"They eat too much then," he griped.
"Stop it," she scolded. "You ate more than they do when you were their age."
"So?"
"You don't need to complain. They're just pups."
He growled softly. No one seemed to have time for him anymore. Zayla was always with his sisters, Pierce had always been busy, and now Zayne liked the girls too. He was sitting beside Zayla, just watching.
Zayla swatted at him, but missed because he stepped back. "I told you to stop." Her voice was sterner this time.
Lance glared and showed her his teeth a little.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him close to her face, "I've told you twice now to stop, I'm not going to tell you again. You're being ridiculous, there's no reason for you to act up. Zen and Lena are babies, they need me to survive right now. You're a big boy, so you don't need me as much. Right?"
He nodded with reluctance. He was still angry though. He still felt neglected.
"Now," Zayla smoothed his fur, "why don't you sit up here with us? I miss sitting with you sweetie."
He smiled, then climbed onto the couch beside her. He rested his head on her shoulder. "Mama?" He asked after a minute.
"Yes sweetie?"
"Why does everyone have babies?"
"What do you mean?"
"When someone takes a mate, they always have pups. No one decides they don't want to. Why not?"
"Because pups are important. They're the future of the pack. Like you and Zayne."
"Because I'll be alpha someday? And he's my second?"
"Someday Lance, your papa won't be here anymore. You will take his place as alpha then."
"Where will he go?"
Zayla sighed. Lance hadn't seen much death. Maybe she'd sheltered him too much.
"Sweetie, he'll die someday. We all will. When he does, you will become alpha. That's why everyone has pups, to carry on their legacy."
"I don't want papa to die!" Panic was clear on his face.
"It won't be anytime soon, he's very strong," she reassured him.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Creech had to pry Riker away from the body. "Riker," he said carefully, "he's gone."
"No! He can't be!" He clawed at the blankets, holding on. He didn't want to let him go.
"Riker please, he's had a good life. Let him leave with honor."
He knew Creech was right. Nova would want Riker to remember him, but still live his own life. "I understand Creech." He wiped his face with the back of his hand. Then he looked at Anahi, "can I sit with him for a little while?"
"Take all the time you need." She started ushering everyone out so he could be alone.
"I'd like to talk to Riker for a minute," Taja said in a low voice.
"Mother..." Pierce started.
She waved him off, "I'll be fine."
Everyone else left and Taja sat beside her grandson. Her hand rested between his shoulder blades. "You feeling ok?"
"I can't believe he's gone," Riker whimpered.
"Oh honey, I'm sorry." She pulled him into her arms.
He sniffled as she rubbed his back. She rested her chin on top his head, "I know you miss him."
"It hurts so much grandmother." He drew a shaking breath.
"I know."
It was quiet for a while.
"There's something you should know about him," she said finally.
"What?"
"He was your grandfather."
"Really?" He pulled back to look at her with a shocked expression. In hindsight he should've gathered that from Pierce and Nova's conversation earlier.
She nodded.
"Why didn't he tell me?" He looked hurt.
"He didn't know. Not until he got here and saw me. He's your father's father."
Riker looked back at Nova, "that just makes him more special."
"It does."
"I miss him already."
"He did a lot for you out there didn't he?"
A nod. "I don't know what I would've done without him."
"He was a very special man."
"I don't think I'm going to be able to go on without him." He hugged Taja close.
She hugged him back, "it feels like you lost a piece of yourself doesn't it?"
He nodded. He was glad to be back with his grandmother. She had really been the only one he'd missed. And his mother. He needed to go see her before he left.
"You know that's how Brynn felt," she said carefully, "when you did what you did."
"I know that I was wrong," he mumbled, "I'm sorry."
"Brynn is the one who needs to hear that. Not me."
"I know." He swallowed, "but I'm afraid. Afraid to face my mistakes."
"But it's something you need to do. She's going to be angry," she added. "The poor girl never fully grieved. She cried some, but pushed most of her feelings down. She lost a piece of herself you know."
He nodded, his throat feeling tight. Guilt sunk its claws deep in his guts and twisted them. Brynn wasn't completely broken, but she had a crack. An ugly crack in her beautiful heart, and he was the one who damaged her. She was to be untouched by a male, the way Anahi was. But she was. By him.
His ears fell back, he hadn't done it because he liked her, or even because he wanted pups, it was all because he wanted Cujo to hurt. He didn't even think about Brynn and what it would do to her.
"What are you thinking?" Asked Taja.
"About how wrong I was."
She hummed in thought, "what are you going to do about it?"
"I need to talk to her."
"I think that would be a good first step." She touched his arm, "but you have to accept whatever she does or says. She is allowed to hurt in any way she sees fit."
He nodded, "I want to make it right grandmother."
She patted his cheek affectionately, "you've grown up so much Riker, I still love you."
His chest heaved as relief flooded through him. He didn't know how much he needed to hear that until now. "I love you too grandmother."
She smiled. In all the time she'd known him, he'd never said that to anyone. Taja stood up, "I'd better go now, but I'll talk to you soon." He nodded, and she left the room.
Riker sat with Nova a little longer before he was finally able to pry himself away.
He stepped out into the main room of the hut. Brynn had her back to him, standing at the table mixing something up, while Anahi was over by the shelf, looking for some herbs.
"Everyone else went outside," Anahi said when she saw him.
He nodded. But he went over to Brynn. Her long ponytail rested down her back. "Brynn?" He asked softly.
She flinched, then resumed her work, "can I help you with something?"
"Can we talk?"
"There's nothing I have to say to you." Her voice was short and clipped.
"I wanted to tell you how sorry I am."
At that she turned around to face him, fire burning in her eyes, "you're sorry? After everything you've done all you have to say is you're sorry?"
"I know that doesn't make up for what happened."
"It sure doesn't." She folded her arms across her chest and looked at him with a scowl.
He looked down, ears back and not making eye contact. "I'm sorry Brynn."
She snarled at him, fur bristling. She didn't believe him for a second.
Riker made himself look smaller and he licked the air a little bit.
The young healer drew back, startled. He was being submissive to her. That was so unlike him.
Anahi stayed quiet, simply watching this play out.
"I don't know what game you're playing Riker, but I don't like it. I will not be used like this anymore."
He mumbled something under his breath as she turned away.
"What was that?" She snarled while facing him again.
"It wasn't about you," he huffed. "This whole thing never was." His voice was layered with guilt, annoyance, and regret.
"Then what was it? Was I just the first notch in your belt? How many others did you bed out there?"
"That's none of your business!" He snapped.
"How is it not?" Her hands rested on her hips, "you took advantage of me, I have every right to know who else you hurt and why."
"I only used you to get to Cujo," he admitted, "I didn't want you."
Rage twisted in her belly. How dare he feel she wasn't good enough for him. Quick as a flash, her hand shot out and slapped him across the face. A resounding smack sliced the air. "You're disgusting!" She spat. Tears were blurring her vision and her hands were shaking. "You're filthy trash!"
"Don't you think I know that?" His voice was surprisingly quiet. "I messed up. I was selfish, and only cared about myself. I would go back and change it if I could, but I can't. I wanna make this right though, if you'll let me."
Brynn drew a ragged breath, "you can't Riker, and I'm done talking to you." She turned back to her work, "if you'll excuse me, I have a burial to prepare."
He reached for her arm, but a cough from Anahi caused him to change his mind. "Thanks for hearing me out," he told Brynn softly. Then he left the hut.
Kylie giggled as she and Lori made their way to the creek. She'd been drilling Lori for information about Creech. She still loved to gossip, even though her mother was the one who'd encouraged it from the beginning. It was more fun now that her mother was gone. Everyone was more willing to share things with her now. She and Lori had become fast friends, which she was grateful for. Especially since Sasha was too caught up in her life with Roux to spend much time with her anymore.
Lori shoved her shoulder, face bright red in embarrassment.
Kylie tossed her head back and cackled. Then she slung her arm around her friend's shoulders, "so where is this charming rogue? Why isn't he spending time with you right now? He'd be much more helpful in carrying water buckets than me. All that rogue strength." She flexed her free arm. "Besides," she lowered her voice as if she was about to say something scandalous.
Lori rolled her eyes, knowing Kylie, she actually was.
"I'm sure you'd rather have him hanging all over you than me." She grinned as Lori's face flushed an even brighter red. "I'm sure he could do so much with those rough hands of his."
Lori swatted Kylie away as the other female traced a claw down her spine. "Quit it."
Another laugh echoed through the trees, startling some birds. "Ok, I'll stop. But seriously, where is he today?"
"He's at the healer's, the elder rogue that passed yesterday was his father figure. He had some things to attend to with the burial." By now they had reached the creek. They knelt down with their buckets.
"You didn't go with him?" Kylie asked as she scooped up some water.
"He didn't want me to. I've realized that rogue males have more pride than the ones around here."
Kylie wrinkled her nose, "I didn't know that was even possible."
Lori nodded.
She shook her head, "you're better than me. I couldn't stand that."
Lori laughed lightly. Her friend was so independent. She watched as Kylie bent down to get a drink, her now short, choppy hair blowing in the fresh spring breeze.
Kylie's reaction to Kenzi's death was unexpected. While her sisters had seemed sad, and even Cujo had been distressed, she hadn't even had a moment of silence for her. The first thing she did was chop off all her hair, then went and made friends with all the girls she wasn't allowed to associate with before. She'd even gone to see Zayla and the pups. Yes, she was truly living now. And she was happy.
Kylie looked up, water dripped from her chin and onto her breasts. "What?" She asked. A playful grin slid onto her muzzle, "am I that gorgeous?" She'd also taken to wearing short skirts and low cut shirts.
Lori shook her head, "you wish."
The other girl stood up, "let's get back, you gotta see that rogue of yours."
Lori flushed, but grinned and bumped Kylie with her hip.
Asia hummed softly to herself as she hung the laundry on the line to dry. A certain sadness rested in her heart. Her baby boy was here now, but she didn't know if she should go see him. He was still a rogue.
Zayla and her children were there too. Zayla was working on the food, while Lance and Zayne tussled.
Asia's ear flicked when the boys got quiet. She turned around. Zayla had gathered Lance and Zayne to her side, and the girls in her lap. Asia's heart leapt, Riker was standing there. "Riker," she whispered.
He gave her a soft smile, "hello mother."
Laundry forgotten, Asia hurried over to her son and grabbed him in a hug. She'd missed him so much. She pulled back, her hands tracing his face, "baby are you doing ok out there? Are you getting enough to eat?" She turned his face, checking for thinness.
He reached up and rested his hands over hers. Instead of slapping her away like he used to, he leaned into her touch. "I'm fine mother, Nova helped me a lot."
"I am very grateful to him for that. And I'm sorry he passed. That must be hard for you."
A nod. Then he swallowed, pausing to think of what to say.
Asia tilted his face to look at hers, "what's wrong sweetie?"
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I'm sorry I was such a jerk to you."
"Oh baby," she breathed, "it's ok."
He pulled back as she held him against her chest. "No it's not," he said firmly, "you just wanted to help me, and I pushed you away."
She gave him another hug, "it really is ok. You were in a dark place. I'm just sorry I didn't see it."
He smiled, "you don't have to apologize. Let me be sorry."
She rested her forehead against his, "will you be staying?" She hoped he would.
He took a deep breath, "no." He felt sad when her face fell. He took her hands, "this life isn't for me. I hope you understand."
Asia's eyes watered, but she nodded. "I understand baby." She swallowed as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "Will you be ok out there? Without him?"
A nod.
"When are you leaving?"
"After the burial." His own eyes watered, "I'll miss you mama."
"Oh sweetie I'll miss you more."
He smiled through the tears as she gave him one last hug. He stepped back after whispering, "I love you mama." Then he left to go find Pierce.
Once he was gone, Asia let out a sob. She couldn't remember him ever saying those words to her before. Now she would never hear them again. She sank to her knees, bawling.
"Watch your sisters," Zayla told Zayne. She went over to try and comfort Asia.
"What do you want Riker?" Cujo snapped. He was sharpening a stick with his knife. The other boys were with him, and they eyed Riker warily.
"I wanted to apologize," he said softly.
Roux, Raven, and Rhyme looked at each other in surprise. Riker didn't apologize. He never had.
Cujo growled, "I don't believe you."
A sigh, "I figured you wouldn't."
He stood up, getting in his face, "why should I? You did a lot of awful things. You hurt your brothers, you hurt your mother." He swallowed, "you hurt my sister."
Riker's ears pulled back and he looked down, "I know. I really am sorry."
Cujo grabbed the fur on his chest and pulled him into his face, "sorry doesn't fix it."
Riker swallowed. He was sure his life was going to end here. Surprisingly, he was ok with that.
After a long moment, Cujo threw him down. "Get out of my sight," he snarled.
Riker scrambled away from him. Then he turned to go.
"Riker!" Raven called as he followed after his brother, "Riker wait."
"What?" Riker wiped his eyes with his arm. He didn't even really know why he was crying.
"Are you ok?"
"I'll be fine."
Raven touched his hand, "it was very brave of you to tell Cujo all that."
He gave a humorless laugh, "fat lot of good it did."
"But don't you feel better?" Raven asked carefully.
He drew a shaky breath, testing it. "Yeah," he said finally, "I do."
Rhyme and Roux came up to them.
"I'm really sorry you guys," Riker said to all three of them.
Rhyme smiled, "we know."
"We've missed you," said Raven.
"Really?"
They all nodded. "You're our brother," Roux said.
Riker let out a sob and they pulled him into a group hug.
