So sorry for the super late update! I've been having really bad writers block! Like really bad! Thanks to all your reviews, I think I've finally gotten the ending set. Just gotta get there. I'm hoping to hit 40 chapters, but it's looking like only 39. Still, thanks so much guys!
Looks like you all want Cujo to recognize the error of imitating his mother's ways. Don't worry, he will. It just might take a bit.
Dalia having Riker's pups would get mixed responses. Some wouldn't care, while others would feel it was wrong. It wouldn't necessarily be an omen though.
Thanks for the song suggestions. I like seeing how my chapters make people feel:)
Good idea for the ending being Taja's reflections on things. I like it:) It would be a good way to see into her character a bit more.
A title drop is always fun at the end;)
Suicide can be a touchy subject. Most jackals would view it as dishonorable, especially since mental health isn't readily understood. I would say that some would feel it was selfish and hurtful to the pack, while others would feel that the pack was better off without them anyway. There are a select few who understand those feelings, but had not gone through with it. I may explore that a little bit before the ending, but we'll see.
Thank you! Kylie and Lori are lots of fun to write interacting together!
Yes! Dogs can bully the ones that are weaker. We fostered a puppy one time that couldn't stay with her siblings because the bullied her and beat her up. She'd had a couple puncture wounds in her chest and we had to wash them out every day. Thankfully it wasn't too serious and she healed up good. She was a great little dog and she found her forever home! (sorry for the long answer, wanted to share that with you guys)
Never have watched those animations on youtube. If I have the time I may check it out. :)
Great theory left on chapter 5 lovely! I like the idea, but I have some plans laid out for Golden's captor. We will see him in Hell's Queen. I'm hoping what I've got planned out will be just as satisfying:) Your reasoning on Kenzi's feelings about Roux and Sasha is pretty spot on! And yes, Riker felt that all women were beneath him. Initially.
Yes, Pierce should've noticed Kenzi's red flags, but he was too caught up in other responsibilities. If he had, the story would be a lot different. Zayla and Anahi both let him know how truly awful she was after she was gone.
When Zayla joins her boy, she will have the privilege of raising all her children.
Thanks for all the love and well wishes! Love you guys so much! And thank you for sharing all your ideas! I enjoy reading every single one! Kisses! Enjoy this chapter!
"Lori?" Brynn asked as she entered the hut, "are you ok?" The young woman was curled up on the bed, sniffling.
"Is my mom with you?" She whimpered.
"Anahi is getting her. They're on their way." She sat on the edge of the bed and gently rubbed her back. "What do you need me to do?"
She clutched her blankets tightly and closed her eyes. "I want my mom." Tears leaked down her face.
"She's coming." She tried to help her calm down. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
"Ok," she sniffled.
Brynn helped her up and got her nightgown off. Lori stifled a sob when she felt the sticky blood smear on the sheets and her legs.
"I know," Brynn soothed, "I know."
The door opened. Nona and Anahi were there.
When Lori saw her mom her face crumpled. Then she started to cry.
Nona went over to hold her daughter, while Anahi went to talk to Brynn. The healer stopped when she saw the mess. Her heart fell. This was the third litter Lori had lost. She pulled the sheet loose from the bed and folded it over to cover them.
"I'm so sorry sweetie," Nona said gently.
"It's just not fair!" She sobbed. "I wanted to hold them. I wanted to be their mother."
"I know you do. I'm sorry."
Brynn gently and lovingly wiped her off. She didn't say anything. Lori had already heard everything there was to say in this situation. Multiple times.
Nona gently kissed her daughter's head as she sobbed.
Soon she was dressed in clean clothes and seated on the couch. Brynn got her a warm cup of tea.
"Thank you," Lori sniffed.
She patted her hand. "Do you want me to tell Creech he can come in?"
She nodded and nestled in her blanket.
Brynn smiled, then slipped outside.
While Brynn was talking to Creech, Anahi came outside with the bloodied sheets. Lori hadn't wanted to see. She was too distraught. So she was going to ask Creech what he wanted to do with it.
He looked over as she approached. His eyes glanced down at the fabric in her hand.
"I think you already know they're gone," Anahi said softly.
He nodded.
"I'm sorry."
"I know." Sadly, he knew this routine pretty well by now.
"Do you know what you would like to do?" Anahi asked, lifting the fabric slightly as an indication.
He sighed. He knew they probably should have a burial, but he was tired of having to bury pups that were barely here. It hurt too much. "What did Lori say?" He asked finally.
"She said it was up to you." That wasn't entirely true, Lori had cried and told her to get them away from her. But he didn't need to know that.
He looked pained. "Can you just dispose of it?"
Brynn could hear the distress and defeat in his voice. Her heart hurt for the couple.
"If you're sure," Anahi said as she pursed her lips slightly. "Just so you know, these are older than the others you buried. They..."
"I'm sure," he interrupted.
"Ok." Her voice was gentle and reassuring.
Brynn touched his arm, "you can go see Lori now. She's been asking for you."
A nod, then he disappeared inside.
After he left, Brynn turned to Anahi in distress. "Are we really just going to dispose of them?"
"That is what he asked us to do."
"But Anahi," she protested, "they were living jackals. We can't just get rid of them."
"I understand that Brynn, but they're tired. They're tired of going through this."
"I know. But it just doesn't seem right."
She sighed, "it doesn't. But I'm not able to dig, and we cannot ask the alpha without them finding out. They don't want to be involved in this."
"Raven would do it," Brynn said after she paused to think. "He would keep quiet about it if we asked him to."
"Then ask Raven."
Brynn found Raven on sentry duty. His ear flicked when he heard her footsteps, "hello Brynn."
She smiled, "how did you know it was me?"
"I know what everyone's footsteps sound like." He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world. And to him it was. "Did you need something?" He asked, eyes not leaving the horizon.
"Could you do me a favor?"
"What kind?"
She swallowed, "I need a hole dug."
"For what?"
"Lori lost her pups."
That tore his eyes away. He looked at Brynn now, obviously upset. Lori was a close friend of his. "Is she ok?" He asked.
"She will be."
"Once Roux gets here I'll come do it."
"Do we need to gather everyone?" He asked as they walked to the healer's.
"No. Lori and Creech just want us to take care of it."
Raven nodded. He understood.
Anahi was outside waiting for them. She took Raven's hands, "thank you for doing this."
"It's the least I could do. You've done so much for this pack, I don't mind returning the favor." He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. Then he picked up the shovel, "where should I start?"
"Lance! Stop!" Lena shrieked. He was teasing her again. She covered her ears with her hands so he couldn't tug on them anymore.
He snickered.
"I said stop it!" She cried as she slapped at his hands.
"Lance." Pierce's firm voice carried through the air as he approached. The boy was always annoying his sisters. "She asked you to stop."
He hung his head, there was no worse feeling than disappointing his father.
"If you cannot treat your sisters with respect, how will you be able to be a good alpha?" He asked.
"I'm sorry papa," he mumbled.
"You need to apologize to your sister."
"Sorry Lena."
She sniffled and wiped her face, "it's ok. I know you don't like me."
Lance winced. He didn't truly dislike his sisters, but he didn't get along with them. Deep down, he was jealous of them. They had so much of their parents love, he didn't like sharing it. "I like you," he said after a minute.
"No you don't." She stared at the ground, ears back and fat tears dripping into the dirt.
He touched her hand and she looked up, eyes watery. "I'm sorry Lena, I should be a better brother to you and Zen. Like Zayne."
She laughed a bit, wiping her eyes. "We can't all be like Zayne."
He smiled a little, "yeah." Zayne was so caring and kind, but he was capable of defending those he cared about. He was growing up to be a strong warrior, and Lance wanted to be like his younger brother.
Lena grinned at him, then took his hand, "let's go find him."
Anahi looked up when the door opened. She was expecting Roux. He was early. To her surprise, it was Creech. "Is everything ok?" She asked with worry.
"Is it my fault?"
Brynn dropped what she was doing and she hurried to his side. She took his hands, "come sit down." She led him to a chair.
"What makes you think it's your fault?" Anahi asked kindly.
"Because of how I am."
"Your defects?"
He nodded putting his head in his hands.
Brynn rested her palm between his shoulder blades in a soothing gesture. Anahi could be so blunt sometimes. She gave her a pleading look. Please, be gentle with him, her eyes asked silently.
"I could look you over if you like," Anahi said gently.
"Do you have time? I don't want to interrupt."
"I have time." She took his hand, guiding him to the examination room. She glanced over her shoulder at Brynn hoping she could keep Roux busy when he got here.
Brynn nodded, understanding.
Sure enough, as soon as the beaded curtain swung shut, Roux arrived. "Hi Brynn," he smiled.
She returned the smile, "hello Roux."
He looked around, "where's Anahi?"
"She's in the examination room, her last visit is running a little over."
"Ok." He sat down.
Flicking her ponytail down her back, she went back to wiping off the jars of herbs. "Have you been feeling ok?"
He shrugged. He wasn't sure he wanted to talk with Brynn about it. He'd accepted he would never be a father, and that he would always have pain. He had some kind of abnormal growth, but Anahi didn't know what it was.
She gave him an understanding smile, then went back to her work. He didn't need to know she knew all about it already. She and Anahi discussed things. It helped to have someone to bounce ideas off of.
It wasn't long until Anahi and Creech came out of the examination room. It was obvious he was upset. Anahi had told him that while it was most likely because of his defects, his defects were not his fault. "Are you sure you'll be ok?" She asked.
He nodded, "I will. Thanks Anahi."
She handed him a small package, "for when you're ready. It will help." Then she patted his hand.
"Thank you." He didn't know when, but he and Lori would try again. They wanted a family together.
He left, and then Anahi smiled at Roux, "ready?"
"I'm sorry Lori," Kylie said gently as she touched her arm.
Lori gave her friend a small smile, "thank you." She drew a shaky breath and looked up at the night sky. The stars were so calming. Her ear twitched when she heard Ivy laugh. They were all gathered for supper. She smiled softly, glad she'd joined them. She'd almost decided to stay in tonight. But she needed this. Needed to take her mind off of it.
A plate was put in her hand, and a soft kiss on top her head. She smiled up at him, "thank you Creech."
He smiled back and sat beside her. Her head rested against his shoulder and she sighed.
His hand rested on the small of her back, "you ok?" His voice was still slow, but quiet.
"I think so."
He slid his hand around to her hip and tucked her against his side, "are you sure?"
"I miss them," she sniffed. Her hand rested on her now empty belly.
His throat felt tight. "I do too."
She drew in a deep breath, then looked up at the sky, trying to suppress the returning tears. "Do you think we'll ever have pups together?"
Kylie watched sadly, her friend was so miserable. So broken.
"Someday," Creech replied. Then he rested his mouth over hers.