We're almost done with this story! Thank you to all who've stuck with this! It means a lot!
I did get a few comments from those who don't like this. I know some of the topics are controversial, and I apologize if I have offended anyone. But if you don't like it you don't have to read it. I'm just going to leave it at that.
Lori definitely has reasons not to trust Cujo. Even though she is a kind soul, his actions were very hurtful.
Yes, Riker's leaving was ultimately for the best, even though his reasons were selfish.
Female alpha's are extremely rare. Taja was a special case.
Taja and Nia's parents wanted more pups, but they couldn't. This will be mentioned in Ace and Nia's story.
Riker became a very complex character. I think everyone has mixed emotions about him.
No, sensing the presence of those who have passed isn't really a thing in this world.
Thanks for all the reviews lovelies! Also, check the end of the chapter for more notes.
"Miracle," Splendor whispered. His brother didn't stir. He padded into the room and over to his bed. He poked his shoulder, "Miracle."
He sat up with a snort. "What Splendor?" He sounded annoyed.
His ears went back, "I just wanted to talk to you."
"It's the middle of the night."
"I know, but this is important."
"Well make it quick," he mumbled as he lay back down and pulled his pillow to his chest.
"I don't think I belong here."
"That's nonsense. We love you. Besides, where else would you go?"
"I dunno."
"Didn't Lance say we all have a place in the pack? You just haven't found your place yet."
"But what if I don't? What if I never find it? What if I never find a mate when I grow up?"
"Don't worry Splendor," he said with a yawn, "I'll help you find it. When it's daytime."
He smiled, "thanks Miracle."
Miracle sighed, he could tell that Splendor was still standing there. "You can sleep here," he said while scooting over.
The black pup climbed in his brother's bed, snuggling against him, "thanks."
"Lori?" Cujo asked, "can we talk?"
She paused and looked up at him, "to be honest Cujo, I really don't want to. You were awful to Creech and the boys, and I would rather keep distance between us." Then she went back to washing the dishes from the morning meal.
"I know. I was out of line."
"To say the least," she muttered.
"I'm sorry."
"An apology doesn't change what you did."
"You're right."
A sigh, "Cujo, I know you've been through a lot, and I'm sorry for you, but you acted just like your mother before. Is that really what you want?"
"No. I want our pack to have a fresh start, and I know I didn't help with that."
"You know that it's never too late to make a change."
"I know. I will."
She smiled softly, "then apology accepted. But just to make it clear, that doesn't mean things are back to normal between. Things can never go back to the way they were. I can't trust you."
"I understand. Thank you Lori."
"I hope you'll try and set things right with Creech and Splendor," she added.
"Is Splendor still upset about it?"
"He's still upset with you." Her voice was firm. Her eyes met his, "he doesn't like you Cujo. He's afraid of you." Then she turned back to her work.
His ears went back, "I never wanted that."
"Well what did you want?"
"I don't know. I was angry. I just wanted to lash out at someone I guess."
"If you wanted to fight you could've asked Creech. He likes to spar."
"He does?"
"Yeah."
"I'll talk to him later this evening. Splendor too."
She nodded. "Just don't take it personally if he's still afraid. Splendor has issues."
"I won't. And again, I'm sorry."
"When is Anahi going to do the procedure?" Sasha asked as she took a bite of bread.
"She said in the next couple days."
"How long will it take for you to recover?"
"Completely? A couple weeks."
"I'll get some space ready for you to rest." She took his hand, "I'll wait on you for a while."
"Actually, I was going to stay at Anahi's."
Her face fell, "oh." She squeezed his hand, "but I wanted to take care of you. You're my man."
Roux looked conflicted, "I know."
She pursed her lips, but stayed quiet. She would talk with Anahi about this. She wanted to know what to expect. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"It's nothing."
"It doesn't sound like nothing," a little voice piped up.
They both jumped. Splendor and Miracle were standing there. The black pup was looking up at them with concern in his icy eyes.
Sasha smiled warmly, "it's nothing you need to worry about sweeties."
"I know what it's like to be upset," Splendor told Roux. He patted his hand, "I'll listen if you wanna talk."
Roux smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Sasha will still love you," Splendor said suddenly.
He was startled. Then composed himself. "Why wouldn't she?"
"That's what you're worried about right? That she won't love you anymore."
"How did you know that?"
"I can tell."
"I'll always love you Roux," Sasha said while leaning against him.
Splendor frowned, Roux was still upset. Why did no one else see it? "She really means it," he reassured the adult. "She loves you more than life Roux. More than all the pups anyone could give her." He grabbed his hands tightly. He wanted so much for Roux to truly know how Sasha felt about him.
Roux jumped a bit as a small tingle went through his fingers. It was weird. It was like he could feel Sasha's feelings about him. "Do you really feel that way Sasha? Do I really mean that much to you?"
"And more." She smiled and rested her forehead against his.
"I guess I can recover at home," he returned her smile.
Miracle and Splendor took the chance to wander off. "How did you do that?" Miracle asked.
"Do what?"
"Help Roux feel better. I didn't even know he was sad."
"I could just tell." He helped Miracle over to the bench beside their parents. "It was like an aura or something."
"You can see feelings?" Miracle asked with surprise. "How come you never told me that before?"
"I can't really see them. It was weird. More like I could sense them. I didn't know I could do that," he added. "That's the first time it happened."
Miracle grinned, "I think you just found your place."
Splendor hugged his brother tightly, tail wagging with happiness. "Thanks for helping me not give up."
"Anytime Splendor." He returned the hug, his tail wagging too.
The two boys were half done with their plates when Cujo approached. Splendor stiffened and Miracle paused mid-chew.
"What do you want Cujo?" Creech snarled.
Splendor could literally feel the anger emanating from his father. It swirled around him and into his stomach. He was a little overwhelmed at this new ability.
"I just came to apologize."
"You don't really mean that," he snapped.
The black pup stared at Cujo. The other's aura was a tangled mess. Knots of confusion. But buried deep was fear. His blue eyes burned slightly as he felt the other's emotions. Cujo felt alone. He felt afraid. He was also sincere in his apology. He grabbed Creech's arm, "he's sorry papa. He means it."
"How do you know? Don't you remember what he did to you?"
"I remember papa. But he's hurting too. That's why he's so mean." He turned to face Cujo. "Right?"
He was taken aback. Splendor had discerned exactly what his problem was and laid his feelings raw. "How did you do that?" He asked.
Splendor shrugged. Then he went back to his food.
Creech and Lori looked at each other with surprise. "Splendor?" Lori asked, "you just developed this ability?"
He nodded eagerly. "Miracle and I think I could use it to help the pack."
"Anahi would know," Miracle added. "She knows everything."
"We can talk to her tomorrow," said Creech, "for now, let's finish dinner."
"Stay close boys," Dalia said as she led her pups through the village. They kept getting too far ahead. Her little girl stayed right by her side, holding onto her shirt with one hand, and sucking her thumb on the other.
The elder shoved the younger. They loved to roughhouse. They tumbled, yipping and snapping their teeth.
Dalia's heart dropped as they fell, tripping over a small dip in the path. Especially when they bumped into a large male.
She grabbed her daughter's hand and hurried to catch up to them. She hoped he wouldn't be upset with them. They were only playing.
Both boys looked up at him. He was tall. "Hi," one of them chirped.
"Hello." His voice was warm, "is your mother around? I don't think it's good for two little boys to be running around by themselves. It can be dangerous."
Dalia reached them, "I'm sorry," she gasped, "they got away from me." She gathered them to her side, "they won't disturb you again."
"They didn't do any harm," he said with a small smile. "You and your mate are lucky to have such vivacious pups."
"Yes, well," she fidgeted uncomfortably, "their father's not really in the picture."
"Oh." He looked down at the children, somewhat confused as to why he would leave. Pups were an honor to have. Your legacy. He smiled as the younger boy leaned against his legs. He'd always had a soft spot for pups. They were so innocent. Untouched by the cruelties of the world. For a while anyway. His hand gently rubbed the boy's mane, drawing a hum of contentment from his throat.
"We'd better get going," she said finally. "Come along you two."
"But mama," the younger boy whined, "we like him."
"I know, but he probably has things to do."
"Not really," he shrugged.
"Then he can come with us." He wagged his tail, hopeful.
She eyed the male. He seemed nice, not to mention good looking. And he seemed to like her pups, a very good sign. "Sure. Whatever." She hoisted her daughter onto her hip, still holding the fishing supplies in her other hand. She ushered the boys in front of her where she could see them. Even though she didn't think he would hurt them, she didn't want to risk it.
"Get away from the line Koda," Dalia scolded for what felt like the thousandth time. He was wading in the water too close to the fishing spot again.
She took his arm and pulled him away, "go down there with your brother." Rail was trying to catch minnows a little ways downstream.
He nodded, then went to see what Rail was doing.
Dalia sighed. She was feeling burnt out and frustrated. She knew it was for the best that Riker was gone, but she was tired. She was tired of raising his pups by herself.
A hand brushed her arm, "you ok?"
She wiped at her face, "I'm fine Phoenix. Thanks."
He obviously didn't believe her, "you don't sound ok."
"Like I said," she snapped, "I'm fine."
Just then, Koda and Rail ran past, through the fishing line. The wire broke loose.
Dalia tossed the pole down, upset. She would have to start over. It was getting late, if she wasn't able to catch anything before dark, her pups would go hungry. They were just too young to understand.
"Here," Phoenix said while picking things up, "you take care of your pups, I'll get something for them to eat."
"Thank you." She was grateful. Since each family was responsible for their own meals, she had trouble providing food and taking care of them. Providing was the male's job. And she didn't have one.
"I don't mind."
Her face flamed at the way he looked at her. He was obviously interested. And to be completely honest, so was she. But she would see how well he could provide first. "Ok."
Then she went over to her pups so he could get something.
As evening fell, they were able to eat dinner. Phoenix caught several fish. Koda and Rail were fighting over the last piece. Koda shoved his younger brother.
"Quit," Dalia scolded him with a light swat. He growled at her. "Stop it Koda." She popped his snout, but not hard.
He didn't like that, but obeyed her.
While they were distracted, Phoenix swiped the last piece of fish.
"Hey," Koda protested, "that's mine."
"Not if you're going to fight over it."
"You're not in charge."
"He's the one who caught the fish," Dalia said firmly. She was giving him the green light to make this decision.
Phoenix gave the food to Rika, "she is behaving herself, she should have it."
She smiled, and murmured a quiet thank you. Then she ate it before her brothers could.
"Thank you for all your help," Dalia said softly as they reached her home.
"It was my pleasure." He smiled, brushing his hand on her lower back.
"Did you want something in return?" She asked.
"Like what?"
"I don't know, I just want to do something for you." She hadn't eaten that well since the pups were born. Darren still helped when he could, but it wasn't the same.
"I'm not interested in taking advantage of you," he said firmly.
"Then what's your goal?"
"I wanted to help. And besides, I am looking to find a mate."
"And I appeal to you?"
A nod.
"Why? You know I've already had someone else's pups. I can't put their lives in danger."
"I understand your concern, but I don't want to kill them."
"You're willing to take care of them as your own?"
A nod, "if you're ok with it."
She smiled, "I'd like that." Then she opened the door, "why don't you come inside?"
"Do you think I can really help the pack Anahi?" Splendor asked eagerly. His tail wagged at the thought.
"Absolutely." She smiled, "this ability is remarkable, I've never seen anything like it." The old healer examined his eyes and face, looking for any clues about it. Then she stepped back, "but you must understand, while this ability will help all jackals to grow as a people, it will be hard on you."
His ears tilted, "what do you mean?"
Just then, Brynn entered the room. Splendor drew back with a gasp, clutching at his chest. His eyes watered. Why did it feel like his heart was bleeding?
"Splendor?" She asked, "are you ok?" Her hands gently touched his upper arms.
"Are you ok?" He replied with a question.
She smiled, "I'm fine."
"No you're not." His hand took hers, "someone hurt you. Someone you should've been able to trust."
She drew in a sharp breath. How did he know? How did he get to the heart of things so quickly? It was almost scary.
"I know you feel alone. And afraid. But there are good people here. Who care about you. Who love you. No one feels you are at fault or are a burden." His thumb ran across her knuckles, "you have a home here. You can get through this and still be strong." He smiled, trying to project comfort and reassurance, "I'll listen if you want. And we'll all be there for you. You're our healer."
Brynn choked on a sob. It was one of relief. She knew she had a long ways to go to heal, but he'd said exactly what she needed to hear. "Thank you," she whispered as she drew him into a hug.
He returned it eagerly. Her aura's tension melted slowly to a soft warmth. He liked it better like this.
"Splendor," Anahi said gently, "this is what I meant when I said it would be hard. You will know the greatest weaknesses of everyone in the pack. It will obviously drain you." She could tell he felt tired just after that interaction with Brynn. "You don't have to do this."
"I want to Anahi," he replied with determination, "I want to help. I want to be helpful and able to contribute to the good of the pack."
"You will. While Brynn and I can only heal their bodies, you will be able to help them heal their minds. Their souls. That will bring so much good to us. We will be forever grateful."
Lori hugged her youngest, "I'm so proud of you," she said.
He basked in her glowing warmth. Lance had been right, he'd found his place. And he was going to be the best.
So I decided to make Splendor an empath. His abilities will be able to help all jackal kind to grow as a people. I hope you all liked this idea as much as I did.