Helo peeps, Books here with Chapter 14!

All I ask on this update, is that you please let me know what you thought. I worked extremely hard on it and I'm anxious to see if I did good by it, so please, reviews are appreciated with any criticism you might have!

I would like to thank my friend "Wild Hearts Warrior of the Pin" for taking her time to read my story. :) I appreciate it.

ENJOY THE CHAPTER!


"Jurassic World: Why So Blue?"

Chapter 14

"This Isn't Goodbye"


"Owen! You lying pile of dinosaur dung!"

Here we go...

Claire strode away from the helicopter like a raging storm; face contorting with such anger that Blue curled her lips and turned her head to the side. Her voice was loud, and directed to Owen full heartedly.

The woman hadn't much hesitation, after they had taken an hour to hike out and find them in a nearby clearing. The second they had broken through the tree line Claire had jumped out of the helicopter. Her hands were curled into fists and her body was tight with aggression as she stomped up to Owen and very nearly growled in his face.

Owen, keeping a straight expression, chuckled, "You really didn't expect me to let you stay, did you? And I know you're angry but that's no reason to come in and explode."

His girlfriend pursed her lips and huffed, "I expected you to actually care and let me do as I wished. And yes! I think this is a very good time to be angry don't you think? You tricked me!"

She was wearing some sad attempt of green outdoor safari gear to what Owen suspected, 'look the part'. Every time he looked at her his lips twisted and he chuckled; thankful she had at least chosen to let the safari hat go.

"If I let you do as you wished out here you'd be killed within 24 hours."

Claire went wide eyed, then crossed her arms, "I would not!"

Her defiant and challenging tone made Blue shift uneasily, and she muffled a low hiss. This female was flaunting her dominance before the Alpha and treating him as though he were nothing but an Omega. She may have had what the humans called a..."Relationship", with Owen, but that did not give her the right to insult him and his rank.

Trying to ignore the argument, Blue snorted and looked down to her feet, where Star had taken to hiding once again behind her legs in anxious fear. With big eyes she gazed over at the helicopter and it's slowing propellers, then flinched when Claire flung her arms up amidst a strong shout.

"I wanted to help! You have any idea how much I worried back on the mainland?"

Owen raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief. He seemed half amused, and half annoyed by his girlfriend's temper tantrum. He was trying to stay cool about it all but the more she talked the more he shifted and his face distorted.

"Worry? You? No..."

The woman before him grit her teeth, but muttered, "I can't believe you; always running about like you're the boss of everything. Just because you were some big wig Alpha in the raptor world doesn't mean you can treat other people like peasants!"

Blue snorted, and Owen's voice rose a bit in tension and a strike of confidence, "Well as Alpha to my raptor, I have my duties, so I'm not going back to the mainland just yet."

Claire paused a moment, then stuttered, "What? Why?"

"Blue hasn't settled in yet; I have to make-"

"Make sure she's safe, yatta yatta yatta! You can't camp out here like it's some tropical getaway until Blue finds her place. Owen, are you insane?"

The man stiffened, and looking away from his girlfriend he cast a glance to Blue. A silent Barry also stood nearby; knowing better than to interfere upon the argument and get himself caught up in the crossfire.

Without saying a word to Claire, knowing he wouldn't get her to calm down any time soon, Owen turned on his heels and simply strode off away from her. He nodded shortly, and waved an arm to Blue, "Come on...let's get back to the village."

Claire stuttered heavily and as he then passed Barry, Owen made a muttering growl.

"Women!"

Barry could only grimace heavily, and as his friend walked away he turned to Claire with a low voice.

"You bring any supplies?"

He earned a sharp reply that caused him to blink and back off.

"Of course not. As far as I was concerned I was coming back to get you idiots off this island!"

Claire flung her arms again in a fit and Blue curled her lips. Her eyes lingered on her for a moment, before she turned and chittered sharply for Star to follow as she headed off after Owen. She didn't want to be near Claire's shouting any longer, and Star seemed glad to get away from it as she chirped loudly in agreement.

At the fall of the park Blue was jealous of the woman's affiliation with Owen; jealous of how she clouded her Alpha's judgement and changed something about him. The -as the humans called it- "Relationship", was sudden beginning and felt as though it were a spur of the moment. From the tension between the two now...Blue wondered if that moment was dying.

All she knew was that she had attacked Claire once before, and if she continued to challenge her Alpha in such a harsh way, she might consider it once again.

Choosing to keep her attention on other more appealing subjects, the raptor strode along after Owen's trail into the thick jungle with Star close in tow. The hatchling was calming with distance from the helicopter, and that soon gave way to her bubbling excitement.

Darting about, jumping at insects and crying out in play challenges much as she had done to the rat that morning, Star raced through the brush on the trail and chirped constantly to Blue, whom tried her best to keep her eyes on her. With a hitched gait she fought to keep up and constantly had to call Star back with a sharp chitter whenever she chose to stray off the trail.

The little one's bravery and confidence had risen since her kill that day...and if she wasn't careful it was going to get them into danger. They could be heard by other carnivores, or Star could wander off and get herself lost.

Once, the hatchling made a daring leap for a bird she flushed from the bushes; launching herself off a log with jaws open in preparation to snap over its tail feathers. She was inches away...closer...closer...

It was then that the bird realized the danger it was in, and dove away with a sharp shriek and flap of its wings to steal Star's one chance of a strike. She yelped, but she had reached the end of her jump, and came crashing to a heap on the ground when she didn't stick the landing. It through up a chorus like laughter in the trees above; birds fluttering about taunting the failed hunter before dispersing and going quiet once again.

Blue saw all of this, and tilting her head she fixed a stern eye on Star whom now struggled to pick herself up off her belly. She gurgled in disappointment and glared about as if the world were out to get her, which only brought Blue's frustration into amusement.

One misfortune was no reason to get angry.

So, flicking her tail and moving to the young one's side Blue stooped down until her head hovered beside her; snorting when Star looked up and whined as if to tell of her woes and receive pity. She tried to get herself up but it seemed her long limbs created an awkwardness, making her further growl in frustration.

A moment passed as Blue watched her struggle, before she finally gave in and by grabbing her tail in her teeth, showed her the pity she desired. She lifted her up onto her feet, then nudged her sternly. At first Star didn't respond so she nudged with more severity and an added a scolding snort.

Eventually Star brought her eyes up. Seeing the look in her guardian's eyes she clicked her teeth, paused, then looked away with a defeated chitter and flick of her tail.

Alright. Now that everything was sorted out.

Lifting her head with a nod of short approval Blue turned back to the trail; pleased when Star exhaled and followed obediently. She wasn't going to be easy on the young one. It was her job to keep things in line and out here was no place for a hatchling to become rambunctious.

Of course, Blue never had to worry about such vulnerability when she was young and in the safety of her enclosure, but she knew it wasn't the same in the open jungle.

It was becoming easier to care for Star, she had to admit. The more time Blue spent with the hatchling the more she remembered her time as a youngling herself; mainly the trouble she got herself into and the scolding from Owen.

He was with them more back then...when they were smaller and more dependent of him. Not as lethal and challenging commands like rebel teenagers.

Protection was key, her mind told her. Protect the young, comfort them when they fall, and praise good behavior whilst disciplining the bad.
Feed them often, was also a coming realization to Blue as Star gazed about with hunger again in her eyes. Her body was alert and so far she was keeping close to her, but in a few moments...

Blue chirped sharply to catch Star's attention, before again turning to the trail and walking on. She was calm; eyes drifting about in an ever present caution that for once was only dim. With Star hurrying along beside her she was without the pain of loneliness, and again she enjoyed that peace.

It was a peace she would hold tight, until she had to return the hatchling to her pack. It wasn't a task she was looking forward to and the thought of being away from her own kind once again pained her.

Blue's thoughts lingered there, until from ahead a voice rose and her eyes lifted with warm relief.

"Hey Blue, finally decide to catch up?"

It was Owen; waiting for them on the trail with arms crossed and a weak smile on his face, despite his earlier argument with Claire. At the sight of him Blue gurgled softly and moved closer, whilst Star followed close and chirped in happy greeting.

Owen smiled at the hatchling, then nodded and stepped forward; Blue responding with a controlled stride to match his own. Her head was high and after a moment she chittered expressing her detest for how Claire treated her Alpha.

The man glanced down at her and sighed, "Sorry for the ruckus back there, girls. Claire's just...I don't know. I don't want to hurt her but sometimes she can be such a control freak."

Blue could sense the tension in his voice, and it made her flick her tail with a snort. Her golden eyes then turned ahead and she lengthened her stride for a moment to avoid kicking Star when she strayed into her path.

Claire didn't understand their bond. She saw a man putting too much effort into caring for his animal, Blue saw a loyal Alpha doing his best to provide for his Beta. They were family now more than anything...not something that the raptor wanted torn apart any time soon, if she could help it.

As they walked, Owen was given a good show from Star, whom insisted upon running about his legs with repeating chirps as she displayed her 'skills' of stalking and pouncing upon helpless insects before eating them with a sickening crunch. Blue's lips twitched, but seeing that her Alpha was amused and he praised the young one with a clap of his hands and a warm tone, she didn't intervene.

At least they weren't birds...or rodents.

It was like that until they came to the village road; Star running about in excitement as Owen laughed and smiled with great happiness. Blue liked seeing that face...he hadn't made it all that much in the later years of their park life. He was more serious back then...more focused on keeping his raptors in line as well as keeping them safe from Ingen.

Blue had never seen him laugh or smile this much; and it all started when he brought her here. It brought a warmth to her that such happiness would be linked to her and Star...

Now that thought darkened things and put a burden upon Blue's shoulders. The youngling was not to be with them permanently...she was not theirs to keep, and bad things were to happen if they did. No matter how enjoyable Star was...she...wait...

Where was Star?

Shaking out of her thoughts and back to the present, Blue realized with heavy shock that it had become silent around them; no chirps, no barks, no scuffling of tiny talons over the pavement of the human road. Star was not running about their feet...and Owen was staring ahead with dark eyes full of curiosity and confusion.

Blue followed his gaze flicking her tail, until she saw a tiny figure standing a few yards away from them in the middle of the road. A tiny grey head was lifted high as it could reach and tiny nostrils quivered harshly. Breaths puffed out with shaking sides and talons gripped into the pavement as sharp yellow eyes darted about with growing energy.

Star glanced around her, testing the air, before releasing a soft chitter of familiarity and happiness. She spun to face Blue and Owen and raced foreword to circle around them amongst a burst of chuffs and warbles.

Blue blinked at this, and Owen frowned keeping his eyes ahead, "You smell anything Blue?"
He knew something was up...and whatever it was Star was oddly approving of it. Was It a prey animal and she was looking for a hunt? Was it the village and she was excited to return to camp?

Blue snorted. The camp was a distance away yet so that was not it, and on the way in she had not sensed any prey animals larger than a green vermin.
Her head lifted and the raptor took a shallow breath to analyze the air; hoping to detect whatever the hatchling had detected moments ago and why it threw her into such a fit.

The earthy tone of plant life, the grimy stench of a flock of Compies, the odd aroma of the paved road, and...

Blue blinked, and faltered on a particular scent that caught her attention. Too faint to determine immediately it required a second breath, and she closed her eyes to concentrate.

Dinosaurs, ahead of them near the village. They were not prey animals but they were not the intimidating scent of a Tyrannosaurus. It was familiar...and when Blue finally recognized the smell it struck a chord of horror in her heart despite Star's own happiness. Her eyes show open, and her muscles tightened with a burst of anxiety.

It was Star's pack. They had found the village and were in it at this very moment.

Lips pressing together and twitching heavily, Blue spun her head around to cast a wide look to Owen.
They couldn't find them with the hatchling...that was precisely what she was trying to avoid when she attempted to return her early that morning, but oh so happy Claire had to interrupt things.

Owen blinked down at her, and Blue shook her head before chittering frantically and turning to fully face him. Her tail swung back and forth and her teeth clicked in a broken attempt to alert him of the danger.

He pursed his lips and glanced over her down the road, "Something's down there."

Yes. Something incredibly dangerous, and incredibly temperamental!

Blue recalled the black scarred Alpha with a small growl and she stepped forward to snort. They had to leave the area, before they were found. The village wasn't safe and this wasn't the way Star needed to be exchanged.

All of her previous plans and strategies were changed because of this...

Struggling to find a solution to their new development, Blue failed to notice movement from her right, as Star walked about with gentle chitters and purrs. The hatchling had grown restless upon realizing her pack was close by and with that restlessness came impatience.

Coming to a boulder on the side of the road, Star jumped up and scrabbled with her talons for a moment before standing up and flicking her tail.
From her perch she could see a small way into the distance, and a passing breeze fed her the anxiety of once again smelling her pack's scent.

She smelled her mother, the pack elders, and the alpha. Were all of them here looking for her?

Star tilted her head with a faint chirr and wondered how happy they would be to know she found her guardian all by herself. How proud they would be of her for being brave enough to enter the jungle alone.

They hadn't liked Blue at first, when she was in the pack den after the attack, but Star was certain they would love her. She was kind and cared for her….so that meant she was good, right?

So why did she look so frightened, now that she knew the pack was out looking for them? Was she scared of them?

Star chittered and flicked her tail. Her pack wasn't frightening…...sometimes the alpha was a little stern with her but she didn't hold it against him.

So, rising up on her legs with a puff of breath, the hatchling tilted her nose up and wriggled her claws. Her neck arched, then exhaling heavily she released a sharp barking call, followed by a chorus chitters and yelps.

Star was calling to her pack. How proud it made her feel that she was going to reunite with them and show them the odd soft fleshed creatures. They would love Owen.

But as the hatchling turned her head to chirp happily to Blue, expecting approval and praise, she instead found horrified golden eyes fixed down at her.

Blue couldn't believe it….as she looked at Star with bewilderment. She just called to the pack and now…..if they heard it…...

Star gazed up at her expectantly, and the older raptor growled angrily; scolding her sharply. This drew a confused whine from the little one. Her eyes filled with deep thoughts, and Blue realized with a snort that she was trying desperately to understand what she had done wrong.

For a split moment Blue's anger softened and her eyes lost their furious glow.

Star was just a baby, she reminded herself…. she sensed her family nearby and what was she to do but seek their presence? That put a flash of guilt in her heart.

Owen was about to utter a sound, when they were interrupted, by a distant yet soul crushing cry that rose up in a sharp bark. At the sound of it Blue froze, and she made a low whine.

It was an alpha raptor's cry….the pack was coming for them now.

Uneasily Star chittered softly, and Blue glanced back to Owen.
He wasn't safe here; they would kill him the first chance they got…and her…. oh they would make her death slow in return for luring their youngling away. She was sure of that.

So, Blue shot her eyes to the nearby trees, and chuffed shakily when the click of footsteps over pavement reached her hearing. Rapid chitters and snorts rose and she realized that time was short.

The raptor turned; abruptly leaving Star's side to burst into a run towards Owen with head lowered. Sharper than she intended, it slammed into the man's gut. He then grunted and after a quick shove tumbled backwards into the roadside brush.

When she followed him in, Blue found him lying face first in the dirt; grumbling heavily to himself as she slid in beside him and lowered down onto her belly. He tried to move and speak, but she growled softly and pressed on his back with her forearm and forced him to remain still.

Him going quiet allowed Blue to focus her attention back on the road.

From her new hiding place in the foliage, the raptor saw Star jump from her boulder and squawk sadly; gazing where her guardian had disappeared. She called out to her, and almost appeared ready to venture into the trees herself.

But she went still, and Blue flinched when a loud call rose from ahead; shifting to peer through the leaves as a group of figured raced into view.

The first she saw, was a large black male raptor covered in pale scars. His teeth bared in a warble and his eye shone with heavy relief, but Blue ducked down in unease as if worried his keen eye would pick her out of the shadows.

Star spun, and chirped happily as the male slid to a stop; the pack soon following behind.

The albino elder, the red and black female, the elder male with a missing talon, the grey female with green splotches, the two adolescents, and the sour tempered female with tan scales.

Blue tilted her head, when even from down the road limped the wounded father; his head high and eye bright at the sight of his daughter alive and well ahead of him.

The whole pack had come for her….

She assumed either this was because of their worry for her, or the alpha had been reluctant to separate his pack after what happened to them before.
He kept them all in one place; together and under his protective gaze.

At first, when the pack arrived, Star bounced about with wild excitement and chittered; rushing to each raptor as they came to a stop and rubbing up along their legs.
She avoided the grumpy female after a quick growl and snap of her jaws, then moved on to her parents.

They met her with relief; bending down to nuzzle her with their snouts and licking her affectionately. The male moved stiffly but he chittered with his daughter and whipped his tail amidst a click of his teeth.

Blue watched on with a warmth inside and took careful note of the way they coddled the hatchling….how they searched her over for injury and purred as if singing.

Nearby, the alpha male stood with head high and tail arched gracefully. His face was cool yet in his one eye Blue could see a relief set in. She snorted at this…but did not growl.

Owen breathed as the two adolescents rushed up to Star and collided with her; knocking her to the ground with a thunk and cries of play.

"It's her pack…."

Pausing he turned his head to glance up at Blue, "You stole a hatchling from her pack?"

Blue snorted softly and bared her teeth to that accusation. She didn't steal Star; the hatchling followed them from the pack den all on her own accord.
She wasn't so stupid as to snatch a pack's youngling…..how could he think that?

Owen pulled out from underneath her, but she let him, and watched with a silent tilt of her head as he tried to crawl closer for a better look.

A quick claw hooked through his shirt kept him from going foreword, and he glared before looking back to the group of raptors.

Blue did as well, and almost didn't hear him murmur.

"Kilo….."

Blinking the female looked to her alpha, and he nodded, "The black male…..you can tell he's an alpha by the way he looks out for danger."

So…he was naming them now? What gave him the audacity to name the pack? They did not deserve his names….

But the human pointed a gentle finger on to the albino elder, "Alden."

Then to the elder missing a claw, where he paused a moment in thought.

"Hook…that seems fitting."

Soon the grey and green spotted female became Tango, the black and red mother became Shadow, the wounded father was named Victor, the sour tan female became Lima, the adolescent spotted male was Mike, and the feathered adolescent female became Curare.

Kilo, Alden, Hook, Tango, Shadow, Victor, Lima, Mike, Curare…and little Star. These were the survivors of the Utahraptor attack.

Appalled that her alpha had gone through lengths to name the strange raptors, Blue lowered her head and flicked her tail on the ground; making sure to keep her grumbles lower than the pack could hear.

Her eyes stopped on Star, and her growls shifted to a low whine.

She took joy, in seeing the little one rough house with the other younglings, and her lips twitched in amusement when she latched onto Mike's tail. The male yelped and his sister Tango chittered sharply as if laughing.

Blue enjoyed watching them…as Owen examined their behaviors and actions with alert eyes. He was always interested in these things and Blue could remember him looking with such a gaze onto her and her sisters as they interacted.

He seemed extremely happy….little did Blue know this was because of his quest of finding her a pack of her own.

All had gone quiet and the group had relaxed upon finding their youngling, until Star picked herself up, and glanced into the tree line with a lingering gaze.

Their eyes almost connected, and Blue blinked when she chirped and moved foreword away from her family. She called to her, and Blue tensed.

No…no don't come this way!

The older raptor pressed flat to the ground and held her breath. Star continued to approach, but under the watchful eye of her alpha, she was soon stopped.

Kilo, the scarred male, rushed up with graceful steps and cut the hatchling off; bending down to tilt his head and snort sternly.
Star reassured him with a purr and glanced around his leg calling out to Blue where she hid.

She was so expectant; waiting with a shine in her eyes for her guardian to appear from the bushes and join her with her family.

Blue kept still, and the hatchling's tail drooped with a confused gurgle, followed by a second cry that made her flinch.

No. Resist…do not give in to her calls no matter their urgency. The pack would attack her if she revealed herself.

Star called again, and the scarred alpha looked to the bushes with confusion. His eye narrowed and his tail flicked, before he snorted heavily and growled.
Blue realized with horror that he might have her scent…..and this horror only worsened when he took a slow step forward.

Owen whispered beside her, "Go."

The word was abrupt, and blinking the raptor shot her gaze to him. Go? Was he insane?

The man stared out at the pack with an oddly solemn expression, and he turned to her with a low voice, "Go out and meet them."

A weak smile was on his lips, and his eyes shone with an anxiety that shook Blue into concern. What was wrong with him? Why did he send her out like this?

The scarred male, Kilo, stepped closer and she whined. Owen only chuckled, "I'll be right here….don't worry….."

He almost seemed anxious to see what happened. Really?! He wanted to see her get torn apart!

At first Blue was tense and stared at him without moving, but Star warbled, and she glanced out at the pack. A sliver of hope seeped into her causing her to shudder.
Owen's voice was soft and reassuring; almost pleading her to do as he said.

"Please Blue."

She stared at him still, before shifting so that her feet were beneath her. Blue then winced, and still watching her alpha she rose up to stand, then inched foreword.

There was a snort from ahead and she flashed her eyes foreword, then held back an amused gurgle when Star chattered happily.

A slow cautious foot reached out from the bushes, then wiggling talons, and grey muzzle. Wary golden eyes followed with splash of blue, and the scarred alpha bared his teeth.

He knew this raptor.

For a long moment, all was silent as Blue came free of the tree line and to a stop before the pack; keeping her head low under the hard stares and low chuffs.
Before her the scarred male stood tall. His head was tilted to the side in order to see her and his tail was arched like a flag in alert.

She could see the readiness in his gaze…how his muscles flexed as if any moment she would lunge an attack his pack.
This made Blue snort softly. After all she did, he would still doubt her safety?

Silence clung on tight as they sized each other up and waited for someone to make a move. For a second Blue's beta side rose, and she curled her lips in reaction to his cold stare.

The alpha, Kilo, blinked in shock. His talons worked but before he could react himself, a cry broke through the air, and a tiny grey figure shot out from behind him.

Blue looked down just in time to see Star collide with her legs; making her tilt from the impact but chitter in amusement.
The hatchling then proceeded to purr and rub over her, before looking up and cooing happily, as if she were thanking her for not leaving.

Blue chittered back, and the pack stared bewildered at the scene.

Their hatchling was care free with the lone raptor…..friendly…why?
Some chittered in confusion to one another whilst the mother and father stared at Blue.

But, at Blue looked back to the wound male 'Victor', she saw approval in his eyes. A second later he bobbed his head, and she churred in surprised response.

They weren't as angry as she suspected….none of them truly seemed ready to tear into her, aside from the alpha's look of wariness.

Star purred again, and turned to the black male with a pleading cry that then made Blue blink and look down at her with a snort. The hatchling just beamed up at her…adoration in her eyes as she chittered gently.

She wanted her to come with them…

That realization brought an overwhelming happiness to Blue's heart, but when her head lifted and she looked up to the pack, she found herself staring right at ebony black scales; nostrils flared with a sharp puff of air and teeth showing aggressively.

Blue jumped back, and Star cried repeatedly as the Alpha strode after her. Fury was in his eyes and a growl shot up his throat making Blue hiss defensively.

Welcome this stranger into the pack? This loner?

The look in the male's eyes made it obvious he opposed to that idea, and the happiness fled from Blue. His growls shook her and her tail touched the tree line as he pushed her back and away from his family.

He was intent on driving her away once again, until a growl filled the air, and his eye widened in shock.
Gaze darting around he hissed ready to discipline a challenger. His teeth bared and his tail flicked, but when he looked to the other raptors they gazed not to him…..but towards the ground…where Star had lowered and was now snarling to her alpha in earnest.

Slowly the hatchling crawled foreword, over to Blue, and up onto her foot before sitting down atop it. Her eyes were smoldering and her teeth flashed with challenge.

Blue watched on with awe, and the alpha snorted.

This little youngling, challenging her leader with all her strength. Blue was as prideful of it as the scarred male was bewildered.

When she refused to back down, he looked back up at Blue and seemed to think for a good moment. She saw his lips twitch and his eye look her over, then heard him huff quietly.

From behind, the female strained to hear Owen shift but she could detect nothing, then a sound from ahead drew her attention back foreword.

The alpha was before her again, staring at her, but something in his eyes had changed. Where once was untrusting hate, there was an uneasy denial, followed by hesitant defeat.

He wasn't thrilled with it, but glaring at Blue and snorting one last time, he gave her a short nod of his head, before chittering in vague appreciation.

Wait….was he agreeing with Star?

Slightly confused by the situation, Blue stared up at the larger raptor and churred anxiously. He almost seemed annoyed by her lack of understanding at first, but she saw him force it down, and he warbled to her with surprising gentleness.

She had saved his pack once and, despite the doubts he held with her after Star disappeared, she had taken care of their youngling. He didn't seem to want to believe it but a hiss from the pack hatchling kept him on the path.

The alpha gazed at her, then snorted and turned with a flick of his tail to rejoin his pack.
He called to Star, and after a moment…chittered to Blue…..

She could hardly believe it…was this true? Had Star really-...

Golden eyes wide the female looked down to her charge, whom gazed back up with happiness and purred wildly. The pack shifted nearby, and while she did hear the occasional grumble, the adolescents chirped curiously, and the wounded male crooned.

Blue froze for a moment and glanced to each of the raptors, then felt her lip twitch and her body quiver.

They were welcoming her….albiet stubbornly…but Star made them welcome her! She could go with them! She could be with their pack! She could…..

Suddenly, as the excitement began to infect her, Blue blinked, and glanced over her shoulder at the bushes behind her. The brightness in her eyes dimmed and her tail drooped.

But what about Owen? What was he to do if she left?

Truth was….was she ready to leave him?

Her instinct purred. The pack was letting her in; amongst their ranks. How was she to turn that down after all this time of yearning for it?

Yet another half whined. How could she leave Owen after all they went to? He was her alpha…

Torn; thrown in a sudden depression, Blue looked down to Star whom gazed expectantly up at her. The pack was preparing to leave nearby; the scarred alpha ushering the members into a group before he turned and called to Star.

The hatchling cast him a gaze, but remained with her guardian with deep determination, whilst Blue could only click her teeth and exhale. Was this was she wanted?

Bending down, the older raptor crooned softly and nuzzled Star, then urged her towards the pack. At first the youngling chirped in confusion, but she reassured her and glanced again to the bushes.

She had to take care of something first.

So, reluctantly, the tiny grey raptor left her side to rejoin with her pack, and Blue was left alone.

Slowly she turned to the bushes, and lowering her head she slinked in until she came to the place she left Owen. He was waiting for her; expression bittersweet.

"Hey Blue."

The raptor chirped weakly and stopped just before him to gaze into his eyes. Her claws clicked against one another and her eyes were storms of thought. But he seemed calm….a little dim…..but happy…..

Sitting up the human exhaled heavily, "So…..you found a pack, huh?"

He spoke smoothly, and his voice willed her to relax, but Blue snorted and flicked her tail which caused him to chuckle.

"You know this was all in the plan. You may not have realized it yet yourself, but deep down you knew."

His eyes took on a gleam of pain as he spoke to her, like she could talk back to him.

"It's okay."

It was okay? It was okay to abandon her alpha and venture off with an entirely new pack? That was okay?

Almost not wanting to believe it the raptor inched foreword, but Owen blocked her with a lifted hand. Blue blinked, and his face shifted into one of stern affection.

He meant it…

"This is all I ever wanted when I went back for you….you deserve a pack and a home…..and I cant provide that to you anymore."

She went silent, and he continued as if reassuring himself; looking to the ground to avoid her piercing gaze, "This isn't goodbye. I'm telling the truth when I tell you I'll come back every few months and check up on you."

He would come back? Somehow that thought didn't give her much confidence even though it was meant to.

Blue stared at her alpha.

He was right, she had to admit. This was what she wanted, and this was what he fought to give her when he brought her to Isla Sorna.

This was precisely what he wanted, and he knew what he was doing when he told her to go out and meet the pack. He was trying to get her accepted and it worked, but it hurt her…almost as much as it did when he first left her on Isla Nublar.

Suddenly, as they remained silent, a stern call sounded from behind and shook her from her trance. It was the alpha; giving her a last warning before they left without her.

He wasn't all that pleased that she was coming…If she didn't go with them soon he might change his mind.

Go! Her mind told her.

Owen smiled, and she finally tilted her head and took in a low breath. This was it. Her human chuckled, and waved a hand at her forcing her to take a step back, "Go one, you've got a good chance with this…..Go on!"

His soft voice switched to a soft command, and she backed away from him with a low whine. Again he waved her off, smiled, and she backed away.

This continued for a long quiet moment, until the raptor stood outside the bushes, and he remained hidden within. Her eyes were locked with his and her heart was racing in her chest.

But she changed in that moment…it suddenly became easier, and she crooned a reluctant goodbye before turning away from him.

She never planned this, when she woke that morning….but…..a part of her was crying out with a wild joy.

A pack of her own. It was a long shot but she was willing to try.

Blue stepped on; going after Star whom waited patiently for her on the road. Only once looking back to see Alpha inching foreword to the edge of the bushes, and body slowly relaxing she remembered his words.

This wasn't goodbye.