Rising from the depths of darkness and despair, I return with the long awaited chapter 17! Miracles have happened on this day!
Before I get started, I would like to apologize for my spree of inactivity. I know a lot of you have been waiting (Oh so patiently) for this chapter, and I know I promised you all it would come, but through these past 2-3 months I have been hit by the double battering ram. Life, and writer's block thicker than a concrete slab.
The writer's block has been defeated. Life...eh I cant do much about that.
There's a few things I would like to mention. Thank you, to my wonderful wonderful readers for being so patient and polite when asking about chapter 17. I am so happy that you guys are always here waiting for me, no matter how long I take. :) You have no idea.
Also, thank you to those that recently left a review involving my fanfic and their criticism. All of you had such good advice and pointed out a lot of things I could fix, which I hope I HAVE taken care of in the following chapters. Part of my way to improvement depends on feedback, and I am so thankful for your help! Hope to hear from you in the future to see if I've improved! :D
And last, but certainly not least, I hope you all enjoy what I have coming in the next updates. A lot of you have made predictions for "Why So Blue?", and each one was very intriguing. I hope I will frighten you, surprise you, sadden you, and even make you angry if I can.
(NOTE: Chapter 18 was intended to be posted with 17, but seeing as I fell asleep at 3 oclock in the morning working on it, (with my face on the laptop's keyboard) I figured you all would want intelligible text for a chapter. 18 shall be released shortly!)
"Jurassic World: Why So Blue?"
Chapter 17
"Breaking Ice"
Everyone had a role to play. As such with all packs in the wild no matter the animal, the branch of ranking was complicated and therefore bestowed each member with their own score of tasks. It was important to remember your place.
The alpha was of course the top in the chain of command. Out of all the members of the pack he was the fastest, strongest, most brave, most intelligent, and most dominant. The role of alpha was like the role of a king, although not one in the same. A king had his duties to the people which an alpha shared, but an alpha had his manual work. His specialty was not simply politics.
As the head of the pack, the alpha had plenty of his own tasks. He went out on every hunt to ensure that food was acquired for the pack and naturally he called the shots, for he was the best of the hunters; he was to guard the territory with routine patrols and perimeter marks, as well as the willingness to fight should anything threaten the safety of the pack; and he was needed within the pack as the peacekeeper, disciplining those out of line and keeping the ranks in harmony.
The pack depended on the alpha for his protection and guidance. The title was earned, and only those very brave or very stupid dared to challenge his title.
Beneath the rank of alpha was the beta role. This was owned by an animal nearly equal to the alpha in strengths, and in turn was granted power of second in command. When the alpha was in need of assistance the Beta would be there to help. When the alpha was ever absent, the beta would take full command and responsibility of his duties.
The beta was the heir to the throne, so to speak. If anything were to befall the alpha then it was there to keep things running.
Beneath the roles of command came the higher subordinates, the common rankings of the pack. These titles ranged from hunters, caretakers, the pack young, and the elders. All submitted to both the alpha and the beta, but as a section maintained their own hierarchy depending upon the animal's dominance.
There was only one rank beneath these. It was the last and most certainly the least in the pack, positioned at the lowest of the pecking order. The omega.
You could say the omega had a rough time of life, changing on the whim of the pack's mood. They had no particular role other than the member to release one's tension upon. They were the last to eat, the last member allowed to have an opinion, and the last member to be of much value to the pack.
To Blue, the role of omega was foreign and odd. There had never been an omega amongst her sisters. She didn't know exactly what it meant but she got the drift of it, and rightfully considered it an insult to her previous title of beta. Alpha Kilo had given it to her as his way of separating her from the others of the pack. The lone female was a part of the ranks now, but hardly in the way she had expected.
At least there were some things that chose to sway into her favor.
After two weeks Blue was faring better in physical means, that at least she had to be thankful for. The bruising and breaks of her skin from the Utahraptor had begun to disappear, and her ribs no longer hurt so fiercely when she breathed. There were still many weeks to pass until the breaks healed fully but the improvement was a start. Good feeding only made the situation better.
The Waterfall pack's high success rate in hunts assured Alpha Kilo brought plenty of hefty servings back to the den, and thus his family ate well. Even when Blue was granted the last pickings she received a substantial meal, meaning it wasn't long before her thin frame began to put on the pounds. New weight spelled promise of greater energy and strength, while the memory of her once conditioned body came a bit closer each day.
Matters of good food and shelter had been solved, but problems with Blue's newfound pack still presented themselves daily. It was a work in progress...however slow the progress may have been.
The first morning of the second week began like all the others. Similar to clockwork you could call it a habit of survival instincts, brought on from enduring two months of Isla Nublar's dying ecosystem. It was a strict ritual Blue practiced for precaution.
From her sleeping spot against the wall near the cave door, Blue used the sun to her advantage. The moment the golden lined rays reached up over the secret meadow's wall, they fell warm against the scales of her face. She was always the first to get up using this system. Not even the alpha was ever awake before her.
As the dawn rose up in the east Blue lifted her head off the cold stone floor, yawning with a spread of her jaws and flash of her fangs. Her scales gleamed in the daylight and her neck flexed with strength the raptor had just recently rediscovered. Her tongue ran over her lips with a low chuff, then her eyes slid open.
Deep golden pools looked upon the world with a new light. Sweeping over the den in a quick check of surroundings, she searched for the dark forms of raptors sleeping deeper within. Of course they were there, curled up in their soft nests of branches, old leaves, and dirt. They were still asleep but Blue would not dare to try and wake them herself. The pack would rise in their own time.
Yawning once again Blue shook her head. Her fail flicked over the ground and her claws flexed to give off sharp scuffs on the stone, while her legs shifted beneath her belly. Instincts told her it was time to get up. Her body demanded food and drink.
Picking herself up off of the bare stone Blue arched her tail and neck, stretching with soft chitters as an itch formed on the back of her skull. It was unreachable by forelimb, so with a feat of balance the female reached one leg up high. Head lowered, claw extended, and eyes closed, the itch was relieved.
Once finished Blue focused her attention back on the morning. A quick stride -making sure to be silent as to not wake the others- took her out of the cave and into the full warmth of the sun. With growing intensity it chased away the shadows and gleamed bright on Blue's scales as she made her way across the meadow.
The meadow was small, considering the amount of space filled with dense trees and foliage. What was clear was covered in soft grasses, as well as the occasional surface of a great flat boulder. These the raptors liked to sunbathe on at the peak of the day's warmth.
Surrounding the meadow, the stone walls were high and provided shelter from biting winds. A watering hole in one corner near the cave provided fresh water. It was cool and clean, fed by miniature falls coming down from the ridges above.
Striding up to the pool's rocky bank, Blue was calm and her gait was collected. She did not glance about in fear, nor did she worry of vulnerability. Even when she spread her legs and stooped low for a drink -completely vulnerable to the threat of an enemy- she was not ridden with anxiety. The meadow was safe. It had taken some time to adjust but it was an adjustment Blue was thankful for. No more frightful mornings, wondering if a larger predator would appear and strike when she least expected it. She could relax for the first time in months.
Dipping her muzzle into the clear pool, Blue chuffed softly and began to drink. The water was so much better than the puddles and murky swamps she was often forced to drink from when she lived on Isla Nublar. The watering holes had always been heavily guarded by herbivores and predators alike, while the Mosasaurus lagoon was never even an option. She had seen too many creatures meet their fate on its pavement shore to dare drink from it.
Breaths easing out in deep huffs, Blue lifted her head and clicked her teeth. As the water dribbled down her chin the raptor snorted and shook herself, sending droplets upon the air like a thousand crystals. The trails running down her neck felt good on the skin; a cool feeling on scales in need of a cleaning.
It was easy for meat eating dinosaurs to get dirty after all.
So, closing her eyes Blue curled her neck to the side and lifted a forearm. Her teeth were used to nibble and scrape at each section of scales, then was followed by the wipe of her tongue. It was a slow and tedious process, but before long Blue was fully lost in the session and therefore lost awareness of her surroundings. The sun began to rise higher and the hidden meadow was lifted from its early morning silence.
From the trees, birds began to sing their songs. They fluttered about hunting insects while keeping one wary eye upon the carnivorous dinosaur below them, moving with bright flashes of plumage and various feather colors. It was a sight Blue was ignoring, but in turn caused her to miss a shift of movement from behind.
Deep within the grasses, shining from shadows that slinked about in utter silence, watched a pair of sharp golden eyes like that of a treasure's coin. In its gaze was a look every hunter gives its prey, a sharp studying eye looking for any chance of vulnerability or the opening to strike.
Something was on the hunt, and Blue was the target. The female had yet to realize her predicament but it was already far too late.
As Blue curled downwards to lick at the scales of her chest, the eyes grew closer. A small form could then be seen within the shadows and teeth flashed amidst gentle chitter heavy with excitement.
This excitement, fell upon Blue's hearing like the whisper of the wind. At first -as she snorted and gave a finishing stroke of the tongue- the female passed it just as such. The wind was whispering, nothing else.
But then, the figure grew hasty in its approach. At a sudden burst of speed it slid foreword through the grass, but in turn stepped upon a sharp stick and let a pained growl from its lips. This growl was louder than the other previous whispers, easily loud enough for Blue to hear and know something was going on.
For a moment she tensed and curled her lips. At first thought she assumed there was danger in the brush but her nostrils flared and scents flooded into her mind. Birds, rodents, and a little raptor?
As quickly as concern had entered her mind, Blue felt a strike of mischief with realization of her current situation. So she was being stalked? Oh how unfortunate that was. Whatever was she to do?
Acting as though nothing were amiss, Blue snorted casually and flicked her tail. Her lips twitched with anticipation, but she forced her body to remain loose in order to keep her victim believing they were still in charge of the hunt. Her eyes remained ahead but every other sense was trained upon the grass.
Footsteps came closer, quiet chuffs reached the hearing, and familiar scents confirmed suspicions. For a long moment Blue stood in absolute silence, until someone made a move.
From the grass came a rasping cry, young and not yet capable of strengthening into an adult's roar. Grey scales erupted from the greenery to shoot like lightning over the ground, accompanied by needle teeth and claws that flashed. Straight to Blue it charged and prepared to lunge.
Well, little Star was brave today wasn't she. How cute.
Whirling with an eased grace, Blue faced her attacker and bent low to the ground. Her jaws widened with a loud chatter and her forelimbs reached out as if to catch the little raptor barreling forward. It was all Star could do to slide to a stop and scramble in another direction before the adult's claws could wrap around her.
The hunt had failed! Retreat!
~Shadow's POV~
Even in her sleep, she could hear the ruckus. Like daggers to her dreams the shrieks and chatters echoing from outside the den were tearing and slicing, pulling her back to the real world with a fierce grip. Was it already time to wake? Had the pack risen without her?
Shadow lay curled in a ball within her leaf nest, drowsy as her mind was thrown harshly from peaceful sleep. Ever so often her eyelids would flutter, her body would twitch, and her parted jaws would emit low groans that more than not broke into wide yawns.
What was going on out there? Couldn't she have five more minutes?
Growling in slight irritation Shadow's head lifted from the nest floor. At her side a sleeping Victor lay with injured leg extended, which she was cautious of when shifting in the nest and adjusting her sleeping position. With every intention to return to sleep the female sidled up to her mate and willed her eyes to slide shut once again. Her body sunk downwards, but in the wake of consciousness came realization.
Where was Star?
Shadow could not feel her daughter up against her, not did she hear her grunt one would expect when disturbing the nest. Her scent was dim with absence, telling that she had left some time ago.
The shrill calls shot once again from outside the cave, and Shadow recognized their tone. They were calls of distress? Panic?
Yellow eyes widened, lips curled into a sharp hiss, and muscles bound to launch the female from her bed. In an instant motherly instincts kicked in at full speed and demanded investigation, while dread wore rigid on the Beta raptor's heart.
Where was her baby?
Star had been the youngest of Shadow's first litter with Victor, three younglings in total. She and the two older siblings had been the parents' pride and joy, their treasure, until a terrible turn of events tore them away in the worst way possible.
Shadow's first and second born found their deaths a few weeks before, when the den was attacked by two Utahraptors. It was a miracle in itself for Star to have survived, and spared her the grief of loosing all three children. Loosing the two had been painful enough and took much time to recover from, if yet at all.
Protectiveness was justified, and at the moment Shadow's ears were filled with her daughter's rushed cries, accompanied by thrashing in the grasses outside and the occasional vocalization of an older raptor. This raptor Shadow could almost recognize immediately, and it fired her up with a rage.
The blue marked omega was a new addition to the pack. No one knew of her past nor did they know where she came from, but she had been the raptor responsible for saving Star's life in the attack.
Such good information, was thrown aside and replaced with motherly scorn. Shadow's instincts blocked out all rationality and informed her that her daughter was being attacked. The omega was the attacker.
Hell hath no wrath like the rage of a mother, but the greatest of these is the rage of a raptor mother. If the blue marked omega had harmed so much as a single scale upon Star's head, then she would discover what it was to die slowly.
Snarling sharply Shadow stepped free of her nest and rushed for the den entrance, disturbing Victor from his own slumber in the process. All he saw was his mate leaving the den through tired eyes, making him blink and chitter softly.
What was wrong?"
Shadow ignored his questioning voice and was about to call for her daughter, when she caught sight of a figure standing before the entrance of the cave. Shrouded in sunlight it was difficult at first to identify, but keen eyes focused on the outlined form and picked out deep ebony scales, marred with the occasional pink slash of a scar. This raptor was one Shadow did not need to fear.
As the Beta hurried to meet the figure, the click of her talons over stone fell upon sensitive ears. An intelligent head tilted with the raising of a single yellow eye, followed by a snort and chitter of soft greeting.
Kilo had woken not moments before his sister. Lured out by the racket in the meadow the alpha had made to investigate out of concern, but what he found was shocking to say the least.
Curious, but still worried, Shadow crooned softly. Did Kilo know where Star was? What was happening?
As the two siblings exchanged looks, a thrashing came from ahead and something shot across the edge of their vision. In reaction it caused Shadow to flinch and bring her head upwards, but Kilo merely turned and clicked his teeth. His eyes were strangely calm, while Shadow's grew wild with uncertainty and impending anger.
Why was her brother not sharing in her alarm?
Jumping from the grasses into an opening came Shadow's suspect. With grey scales accompanied by the long splash of blue, she ran in a circle with head high and voice a chittering storm...as though the raptor had suddenly gone mental.
Then, from behind Blue came a grey flash and Shadow's eyes widened. Playful chirps filled the air, the chase was quickened, and the mother's heart skipped a beat. There was her child, racing along with the omega though the grasses having the time of her life.
They were playing?
Taken aback Shadow's tension melted and the aggression clear in her body disappeared. Her eyes softened, her claws lowered, her lips uncurled, and her growls went quiet entirely. Every muscle in her body went still, and she simply watched.
Holding herself back Blue would run ahead where Star could not reach her, slower until the hatchling very nearly caught her tail, then off again into the lead. Back and forth they seemed to be in a never ending game, through figure eights and big circles that wore trails into the grass by their racing feet. Occasionally the roles of IT would be changed entirely, and Blue would turn with such a suddenness that Star would cry out in excitement and try her best to dodge the older female's clicking jaws, jumping and bounding with energy only a raptor of her age could express.
Thus far the two playmates had failed to notice their audience, for they were so enveloped with their romping. Even as Shadow moved out in the open to stand beside her brother, they continued on and provided a clear show.
She couldn't believe it. The Omega -the not so appreciated new addition to the pack- was playing with her daughter as though they knew each other their entire lives. Her actions were gentle and her voice was without trace of aggression.
And here they were so worried about her...so harsh to her from the beginning. Since day one the pack had treated her as a foreign thing and feared that she was a threat to them, sometimes expecting her to suddenly turn against them any given day.
It would be lying to say Shadow didn't expect the worst when she heard her daughter's cries, or that she raced out with every intention of killing. She was ready to admit to the pack's fears and assume Blue had proved them right, but all her fears were bashed aside by what she discovered.
Star was safe, and having real fun for the first time since the deaths of her siblings. The pack was so busy fearing the worst of their new addition that they failed to see her potential.
Obviously, she was good with the younglings.
Clicking her teeth Shadow brought her eyes to settle on the raptor at her side. Kilo was still standing there with a look of turning gears and colliding emotions. His lips quivered and pursed periodically, a sign Shadow recognized well that told he was stressed.
He had been the one to deny Blue the most. Everything he now saw of her probably confused his beliefs...his alpha instincts and doubts of the omega's safety amongst his family...
They had all been wrong about the lone female.
~Blue's POV~
Her breaths were hard, her body rippling with energy and movement. Ever so often her ribs would tingle and sting but the thrill of play was all that mattered. All Blue could sense was Star and the grass that tickled at her belly when she ran through it.
It had been months, but it felt like years since she had been able to play like this. The last time -well, if you considered the genuine play and not the semi-aggressive wrestles- was probably with her baby sister Charlie, not long before the fall of the park.
Pivoting on her legs with the momentum of the foreword charge, Blue spun and lifted her head with a high pitched chatter. Her claws flashed in a mock threat and her tail snapped about like a swinging bull whip, while her eyes fixed foreword and locked on a single target.
Star -currently IT in the game of chase- slid to a stop due to the startle of the change and squawked uneasily. Her eyes were alert and Blue could see every muscle in her tiny body prepare for movement. She was going to give her movement. It was her turn to be IT again.
Bending low the older female hissed, and Star yelped with a new excitement. Both dinosaurs' bodies tensed like racehorses at the starting line, and both eyes locked waiting for the hunter to strike and the prey to run.
After a single silent moment to catch her painful breaths, Blue had enough of rest and waiting.
She lunged foreword with great speed, to which Star reacted and spun around to race in the opposite direction. Through the grass they once again chased like wolf and rabbit, until Star careened to the left and pointed the game in the direction of the pack den. Neither of course realized where they were running in the heat of the moment, but it didn't take them long to run out of free meadow.
Grass turned abruptly to stone slab that clicked beneath their talons, and Star made a sharp yelp. When she slid to a stop it was all Blue could do to slow down and not crash into her.
The older raptor growled softly in confusion, but her eyes fell upon a sight that made her stomach flip and body stiffen. Two pairs of legs stood just before them, the owners of which Blue could guess immediately. Only two raptors had such black legs, one pair slender while the other thick with a male's bigger bones.
How long had Shadow and Kilo been standing there? How much had they seen?
Like a dog that suddenly discovered it was going to be beaten, Blue's head reeled back and her voice rose in a storm of frantic clicks of apology. Her body became as rigid as a stick, and her eyes widened until one would think they could widen no more.
Blue knew the pack didn't trust her, and she knew it well. The leash they kept her on was short, the constant supervision was like hawks over a carcass, and the rules were strict boundaries set by the alpha. There was no sleeping near the pack, no eating with the pack, no sunbathing with the pack, no hunting with the pack, no leaving the secret meadow, and most certainly no playing with the younglings.
Of course, Star had not been so easily deterred from her guardian, that much Blue knew over the weeks. Every chance she got when the pack wasn't looking, she would go to Blue and give her company. Sometimes they would lay together in the sun while the others were napping, or eat together when no one was looking. If it wasn't for the rules Star would have been stuck to Blue's hip.
She had to admit, the little hatchling was her saving grace while the rest of the pack gave her the cold shoulder. When they played together she was reminded what it was like to have fun again, like the old days with her sisters. In fact she had come to see Star more like a young sister as every day passed.
Knowing she had done wrong by the rules, Blue continued to back away and beg for forgiveness. While on the outside she would have melted into a puddle, inside her former beta instincts scolded.
Pull yourself together. Don't be such a coward and stand up for yourself!
Such instincts however, could get one such as herself in trouble. Shadow was the beta of the pack and her position in that role was strong. To challenge her say would be playing with the fire of her talons, then the following death brought on by her furious alpha brother. Getting brave would only get an omega killed. Blue had to continue her pleas no matter how pathetic it made her feel or how much it bruised her pride.
Suddenly, the cries of her voice were echoed, and little Star cooed softly. Standing not far away the hatchling was anxious, as Blue could tell by the way her forelimbs curled up beneath her chest and how her claws wriggled together. Despite the presence of her mother and uncle, she dared to move to Blue's side.
Shadow looked down at her daughter in a moment of silence, but eventually her eyes drifted to the grey and blue female crouched on the ground. She uttered no sound, while Blue squirmed like a child pinned under her gaze. She didn't move, she didn't snarl or hiss, but she didn't leave. As still as a statue she seemed to think.
Thinking over what way to punish her, perhaps?
Suddenly, the beta snorted and stooped low. Blue shied with a click of her teeth and panic, but the female came so close she could feel the tickle of her breath upon her scales. Her eyes were unavoidable, as deep pools of gold fixed on her and Blue pressed deeper against the stone.
She expected a snarl, a scolding nip to the face, or in the very least a warning hiss. Blue was willing to lay there and accept her punishment, but what came next was a surprise entirely.
Gently, hesitant at first, Shadow purred and nodded her head. The sound was so unexpected that Blue flinched and looked up with a snort of bewilderment.
A purr? A sound of appreciation and reassurance?
Flicking her tail Shadow simply clicked her teeth, then turned to nuzzle her daughter. Star responded with a happy chirp while Blue could do nothing but sit up straight and tilt her head. What just happened? Just days ago Shadow wanted nothing to do with her, now this? What had she done to deserve it so suddenly?
Hearing a chirp, Blue's eyes drifted lower and fell upon Star. The hatchling was gazing back with a look of victory on her face. Her head was high, and her tail arched in the air as if they had suddenly won a great battle.
Maybe they did...Maybe she had finally made a breakthrough!
As Blue thought with disbelief upon the new turn of events, she failed to notice movement stirring from the mouth of the nearby den. Chitters rose upon the tone of lingering sleepiness, broken by the occasional yawn and shudder of a raptor shaking out its scales.
Only when Shadow lifted her head and crooned in greeting, did Blue flinch and realize the rest of the pack had awoken. Her body stiffened once again in instinctive caution, and a quick step to the left put some safe space between her and Star. Luckily the hatchling was too occupied with her approaching family to notice.
At least, -while her dear foster pack had thus far made her keep her distance- Blue had a lot of free time over the past few weeks. Most of that time she spent watching them, studying each member closely as they went about each day. Memorizing their actions, level of dominance, quirks, and relationships shared with one another, Blue probably knew more about them than they realized.
The first raptors to appear from the den were the elders Alden and Hook. Both the males were very powerful indeed, and Blue had different feelings for each.
Alden, was the gentler of the two raptors. Like the old grandfather whom had spent his youth traveling the world, he seemed to have experienced his fair share of troubling times, and thus knew all the tricks to every trade.
These tricks and trades, Blue sometimes saw him try to transfer down to the younglings of the pack, when he led them on mock hunts after a small animal unfortunate enough to have found itself in the meadow. Alden had a great tolerance for their rambunctious qualities and short attention spans, but tolerance wasn't always a good thing with them. He probably let them get away with too much.
As Alden strode from the shadows with white hide and rose eyes shining, Blue immediately found herself caught under his gaze. But, unlike some of the others, she did not shy at it. Whenever Alden looked at her she saw a look of curiosity and partial understanding in his eyes, as if he somehow knew her situation and what she had gone through.
From the beginning Alden had treated her differently than the others. Blue was intrigued by him.
The elder Hook, -on the other hand- was more like a war veteran. He appeared to be slightly older than Alden, and bore more signs upon his body for a life spent in battle. Faint scars riddles his scales however not as harshly as the alpha Kilo's, and he was missing one of his death talons.
Old age and missing equipment put the brown and burgundy striped male at a slight disadvantage, but that he made up for in wits.
When Hook went out on the hunts and patrols, Blue could see how his eyes gleamed. Through them she could see the gears turning away and sense there was already a strategy taking place in his mind. He was smart, and a bit ornery at times.
Like a strict general, Hook often snapped to the adult raptors of the pack when they got on his nerves. The only members he gave leeway were the alpha, beta, and pack younglings. It hadn't taken Blue long to figure that, like Alden, he had a soft spot for the youth.
Obviously, she was not included in said soft spot.
As Hook walked lazily towards the watering hole, he looked to Blue and regarded her with a strict tension, like a stern army commander regarding the weakest of his troops. Under his eyes the omega shriveled back and at the sight of that he was amused, cackling softly as he went by.
Hook was on Blue's "Hope they don't notice me" list.
Next coming from the cave was a raptor Blue was fond of. With a stumbling stride he was much slower than the others, and made a horrid clicking sound mid-stride from the broken bone in his leg. While on the mend, it was not so easily endured as cracked ribs.
Appearing from the den Victor was a sight to grimace at. His grey and white speckled scales were dirty from resting on the ground, and his golden eyes dulled with the pain he currently experienced.
Despite all this, the kind male greeted everyone with a soft churr and nod of his head. Even to Blue he offered his gentle consideration and chirped, which she returned with a bow of her head to show respect.
Victor, Star's mother and Shadow's mate, had been kind to Blue ever since the attack. When saving his daughter from death she had earned his trust, a thing most valued in her current status.
Following after Victor came the two adolescents Curare and Mike -or, as Blue liked to call them, Touble and More Trouble.
Running after one another in a storm of chitters the younglings wove in and out between the adult raptors. Their energy was liable to go wild in the mornings, but such was expected at their age. Younglings play, and the pack tried their best to put up with their howls and yelps. Not even Star could always keep up or stand to their rough antics.
Watching the two adolescents run off into the grass, Blue clicked her teeth and flicked her tail. They occupied her attention for a moment, but when she turned her head foreword once again, her vision was filled with bright tan scales. The sight of those scales brought her mind into a whirling fright.
Lima, was a member Blue put high on her "Hope they don't notice me" list.
Standing before her with chest extended and lips curled, the temperamental female glared shards into Blue's flesh. Every ounce of her body was geared towards aggression and her voice was heavy with challenge. Lima, the thorn in Blue's tail from the moment she was welcomed into the den. Lima's idea of a welcome was a good tail slap to the head, or a bitter nip when she was having a particularly bad day. Blue associated her with nothing but anger and pain.
Reeling backwards and around, Blue hunched low and gave her rival a wide birth. Her own lips curled up and her eyes reflected the daggers, while she continued to step away from the female in an effort to escape confrontation.
Lima seemed to have different ideas. With a returning snarl the female rushed Blue and snapped her jaws, teeth just missing the skin of her muzzle with an empty click. In order to dodge it Blue had to reel backwards, with such speed and clumsiness that she stumbled and crashed, right into what felt like a hard wall.
She didn't remember the den being so close...
For a short moment, Blue remained on her haunches with a wild look. She leaned up against the thing behind her and prepared to stand, but it shifted and she became aware of something frightening.
Smooth scales of a hard chest rested against her spine, accompanied by the low thump of a heartbeat and the vibrations of a deep growl. The voice was recognizable, as a shadow fell over Blue and a head curled down to look at her. She was faced with a single golden eye, filled with a glaze of annoyance she knew very well.
Alpha Kilo.
Going wide eyed, the growl died in Blue's throat and her aggressive air sputtered to that of submission. When he showed his teeth, she chittered and lowered her head till her chin touched her throat. She would not dare to snap at him as she did to Lima. That would be her death.
For a long moment the two raptors stared at each other, Blue unable to muster up the mind to get off of the male's chest. The longer she remained against Kilo the more he appeared to stiffen, like a scolding snarl or nip was bubbling up inside and threatening to erupt. She waited for it with anticipation.
Yet it never came.
Suddenly, as if a rope had been cut, alpha Kilo let his body relax. Blue felt the muscle against her back soften, and watched the annoyed gleam melt from the eye before her. Lips lowered back down and growls cut to silence.
Kilo then stepped back, causing Blue to brace and fight from falling over backwards to the dirt, but in turn freeing her from his shadow. He watched for a moment, then glanced to Lima and snorted before moving away from the group. He'd accompany Alden and Hook for the morning drink. A day of hunting was ahead of them and he had to prepare.
Blinking, sitting upon her haunches like a dog with tail straight out, Blue watched the alpha leave. Her heart was still racing in her chest but her thoughts were riddled with the question of "Why?"
Kilo never let her off so easily, even for such trivial instances. He used to snap and growl and she would be afraid. Now her fear was only met with mercy.
Maybe, by some miracle it was true. She was making a breakthrough.
~Kilo's POV~
His mind was a warzone of opinions and paranoia. What was confusion and curiosity one moment, was anger and distrust in a fiery flame the next. His mind was recoiling and leaning foreword all at the same time. What a mess the omega made of him.
Standing behind the female after she had fallen, Kilo snorted and gazed upon her with a blank eye. His body was rigid and his lips quivering with indecisive emotion, roiling about upon his thoughts.
That morning when Kilo had left the den, he witnessed something most unexpected. For the first time since her sibling's deaths Star was bounding across the meadow, with Blue close behind chittering and chasing amidst the excitement. They both cried and ran with the spring of happiness in their steps, but the omega was what caught him off guard. She behaved like a youngling herself, in the way she frolicked and chased after her playmate. She behaved like an older sister in the gentle way that she treated Star, as if she had been a part of the family since the beginning.
Of course, it hadn't taken long for Kilo's mind to recoil. With great protest his instincts rose and slapped him across the face, bringing back his usual twitching lips and harsh distaste. The omega couldn't be trusted! He had to pull his head out of the fluffy clouds and remember the harsh truths in life. He had seen it all before. There was reason to his ways.
When Kilo was still but a youngling, in a pack before his own, he had witnessed such a tragedy. A loner was accepted within the ranks, only for it to turn the first chance it got and attempt to tear everything apart from the inside. Younglings and adults alike were killed, many more injured, until the traitor was overpowered and killed itself.
Outsiders could not be trusted, Kilo's mind insisted. The grey and blue female would play along, all so innocent, then would lash out the moment their backs were turned and guard let down. Kilo had told himself the day the pack let Blue follow them home. He'd never let his guard down. He would be a good alpha and protect his family at all measures and costs. He would not fall for this...this...play of innocence.
For the first few moments after Blue had stumbled and crashed into Kilo's chest, his body was stiff and ready to lash out. All in that moment his suppressed anger was going to let loose, without mercy, until he met her wide golden eyes. Her voice of apology rose on shaky chitters. His one eyes blinked, then his growling lips dropped.
In the eyes of the omega, windows to a dim world, Kilo saw a curtain of emotions he had never bothered to notice before. Pain, fear, sadness, anger, and want. He could sense the want off of her like the waterfall raging just off from where they stood. In that moment he remembered what he had seen that morning.
Why, when all of the pack was asleep and she had Star alone to herself, would Blue not follow his suspicions and make her first attack? Why in that moment when no one was watching and she had her chance, would she keep to her act and play with the youngling rather than kill her?
Kilo faltered and his thoughts froze. Their battle for opinion halted and settled upon the one question of "Why?"
Why, -how- had this grey and blue female come to them. What were her intentions if not to destroy his family?
Lost within his confusion, Kilo turned back to reality and tore his gaze away from Blue's. He stood, then backed up so that her spine no longer pressed against his chest, causing her to sway and catch her balance.
He would save such debates for later, after the day's hunt was out of the way and all were fed.
Leaving a shocked omega, Kilo turned and directed his strides to the nearby watering hole. As he passed by Lima he scolded her with a short growl, startling her, but well deserved due to the ruckus she had caused.
The alpha's mind hissed. Protecting the omega now, hmmm? Had his opinions been changed so easily?
Snorting, Kilo shook that thought and came to a stop at the water's edge. He stooped down and dipped his muzzle into the water with long drinks. Footsteps approached from behind but he did not bother to lift his head. It was probably Hook, Alden, Tango, and Lima gathering for the hunt.
However, with the cool taste of the water down his throat Kilo saw a pair of slender black legs stop at the corner of his vision. A scent of sibling's familiarity came a second after, making him snort and look up.
Shadow stood to his right, head tilted and a look in her eyes he knew well. She was thinking...planning and strategizing over something. What was it this time?
Kilo flicked his tail, before shaking out his scales and facing his sister head on. A quick swipe of the tongue bought excess water from his jagged lips, but what he heard next made his jaws snap shut with a sharp snap.
Shadow crooned, eyes calm and voice smooth. She wanted the omega to accompany him on the hunt. Had he heard her correctly?
When the alpha snorted, his sister's eyes squinted and her voice lowered to a deep growl. Sternness upon her features she gestured with a flicking muzzle across the meadow, first to the approaching hunters then to Blue further off.
The omega would go on the hunt. Kilo would be her supervisor.
Utterly shocked, Kilo growled back. Had his sister gone insane? You don't invite new additions to a hunt before they proved their capabilities and trustworthiness. It wasn't done.
No. Absolutely not.
His answer was blunt and his eye sharp with confidence, but Shadow tilted her chin up and curled her lips. She had bestowed her praise and approval to Blue that morning. She would drag her brother out by the tail if it meant getting her point across.
The omega would go hunting. It wasn't a sister's suggestion, it was a beta's order.
