Six months...six months is a long time...did I know that it had been that long since I last updated?

No. Honestly my last update felt like yesterday, and you have no idea how sorry I am that you guys have waited this long. No doubt many of you have given up.

I've just been having some life problems lately. Busy schedule, stresses...the typical stuff. Been kind of wearing me down, and have had some medical problems pop up because of it in recent days.

I'm not dying. Dont worry about that. hehe ^_^

I should thank all of you, for your amazing reviews and notes of encouragement. Receiving them made me so happy, and gave me the courage/brain power to pump this bad boy out! Hopefully with some work I can get back into regular updates (sooner than 3 months, I assure you). I fully intend to finish this story no matter what happens, and no matter what takes place with Fallen Kingdom.

I do have a small announcement, and something that truly gave me inspiration to come back.

We now have a discord. :) A chat room for WSB, and anything involving dinosaurs, for readers to more easily get into contact with me and just have fun talking. There are channels for fan art/my art (we currently have about 50 pictures that i have yet to upload, so you need to check out the absolute awesomeness!) questions, and even a status log to let people know how I'm doing on the next chapter.

To join, go to my profile on here, and you will find the link to the discord. which is just a few days old :) I'd be happy to see you join our pack!

ALRIGHT! Now we set out on this wonderful adventure once again, in Blue's POV and present time! :) Are you ready?

I certainly hope I am. XD


"Jurassic World: Why So Blue?"

Chapter 30

"Swift Thieves"


~Blue's POV~


Where were they? What was taking so long?

It was late. Blue was standing alone in the mouth of the den, nervously wriggling her claws together as she stared across the peaceful meadow. She listened to the distant roar of the waterfall, and the nighttime birds as they sang gentle lullabies within the trees, but was not soothed by them as she usually was. Her face was tight with fear, and her worried claw-clicking became faster with each moment that the moon rose higher into the sky.

Something was wrong. They should have been back...

Kilo, Hook, and Alden had gone out that morning to hunt for food. All day she had been waiting for them to return...but as the hours drug on, it seemed her worry would drive her into madness.

If only alpha had let her go with them. If only she understood his decision to forbid the subordinates from stepping foot outside the secret meadow, and limit the hunting parties to just him and the elders. Not even Shadow, Tango, or Lima could accompany him as they used to. Why would he wish to keep them hidden? Why stretch their numbers so thin when they were in such desperate need of food?

Of course, Shadow would not want to leave the den even if she could...not with poor Star in the condition that she was.

Blue made a small whimpering noise, and her golden eyes were drawn back to the den. Just inside the shadows she could see Tango's nest, where the young female lay awake, cuddled up with the two adolescents nestled against her side. Curare and Mike were a ball of tangled limbs, making soft coos and garbles as they slept.

Tango and Blue's gazes met for a moment, but in the quiet, there was a long sound...halfway between a worried mewl and a comforting purr. Both females almost winced, before the omega groaned and ducked her head.

How was little Star doing, she wondered. Should she check again?

Yes. Absolutely.

So, turning with head hung low and lips pursed together, Blue shuffled into the den and past Tango. In doing so she saw Lima resting on a rock by the entrance, who gave her an intense look and a secret growl. She didn't have the heart to growl back, so simply avoided eye contact and hurried towards the back of the nesting area.

There was something wrong with the pack, in the way they were behaving over the three weeks following the Ankylosaurus kill. It was as though they knew something that she didn't...and they were afraid. Instincts told her that if the pack was afraid of something, then she should be afraid too. She had to protect them from whatever danger presented itself! She had to be a good omega!

When she finally arrived beside beta Shadow's nest, Blue became very still. She waited to be noticed, with a polite chuff and respective dip of her head, asking for permission to come forward before daring to intrude.

In front of her was a bed of twigs and dried grasses. Two figures lifted their heads and regarded her; one was Victor, lovingly curled up around his mate's body, interrupted from a grooming session. The second of course was Shadow herself, big yellow eyes looking up with a hidden mother's fear.

Those eyes lit up a bit, seeing that Blue had come to visit again. She uttered a thankful croon and with a gentle nod, beckoned the omega forward.

Blue crept up to the rim of the nest as Shadow uncurled her body. She lowered down onto her belly and rested her chin on the rim, in order to get a close look at what she begged to be so.

Star was nestled up against her mother's stomach, but Blue's hopeful eyes lost their glimmer when she saw how the little one's delicate body was splayed out; limp, terribly skinny, and sleeping restlessly.

The prey shortage had been hard on her. While Mike and Curare maintained their blusterous attitudes and energy with what little meat was provided, Star's sensitive lysine count had dropped dangerously low. She slept most of the day, never left the nest, and was growing weaker. Her body was hot from a fever and her stomach ached from painful ulcers.

Blue hated to see her in such a way. She was familiar with the Lysine illness, from her lone days back on Isla Nublar. She knew what the youngling was going through, and how dangerous the sickness could be. Fatal even.

If they lost Star, Blue didn't know if she could cope with the sorrow. Shadow would surely fall into depression at the loss of her one remaining child, and Kilo would undoubtedly take it very hard. She had come to learn that her alpha was very loving of his family...despite his prickliness.

So why was he holding back? Why keep hunters home, when they could contribute to the search for meat?

Groaning, bothered by her uselessness, Blue leaned forward and licked Star's neck as though to somehow make her better. The surface of her scales felt hot and clammy, even against a warm tongue. One little eye cracked open and looked up, then slid back closed as a weak coo wheezed between fluttering breaths.

At least she wasn't in a coma yet. A coma - the final stage of the lysine attack - would mean her time was up. Unable to eat in such a state, there would be no way to save her...and she would die.

They had to find meat before that happened.

Suddenly, as Shadow bent forward to caress her daughter, there was a disturbance from the front of the den. Every raptor lifted their head to the sound of footfalls and claws against rock. Every eye went wide and every heart stopped for just a moment.

Blue lurched to her feel like a rocket, when her flaring nostrils caught the familiar smell of her missing pack mates. She made happy chirps as Tango stood carefully from her own nest, and Shadow wagged the tip of her tail. Hope suddenly came alive like a revived fire.

They were back! Alpha Kilo was back!

Oh, how Blue longed to see big chunks of fresh meat hanging from her alpha's lips!

But...as the omega bounced on her toes and showed her teeth excitedly, she noticed how slowly the hunters came into view. She noticed how they walked, with heads hung low and feet shuffling like the weight of the world was putting them down.

Alden came first, and Blue found herself gawking at his state of appearance. The old male was covered from head to toe in thick black mud so that barely an inch of his albino white scales were visible. Vines and leaves stuck to his quills, while on his face there were tiny scratches, and his legs seemed to shake from the exhaustion of running...no doubt through very thick brush. His rosy eyes refused to look away from the floor, as he made his way to his nest in shameful silence.

No meat hung from his jaws. Tango couldn't manage a sound, whilst Shadow gave a soft chuff that thanked her elder for his efforts. He simply replied with a low grunt and began grooming himself clean from the comfort of his bed.

Hook came next, equally covered in black mud. Blue noticed a small limp in his stride, but she had no time to locate its source, as the old male went stomping by growling angry curses. No one dared to get in his way or utter a sound to him, but instead watched on in silence as he flopped down into his nest. Blue winced when he stretched out his arthritic limbs with a couple of loud cracks.

Neither elder came home with a scrap of meat, and neither elder could bear to look over at Star's lifeless body, as Shadow buried her face against the little one's side. Victor tried to soothe his mate by licking the back of her head, but to no success. He couldn't only lay his chin on her neck and purr weakly.

Another failed hunt. Blue felt her heart sink, and her new hope with it. She looked around at the pack and saw it mirrored in their own gazes...but with that she blinked, looked around again, then realized that one raptor was still missing.

Alpha Kilo?

She found him standing outside the den; just a black shadow overcast by moonlight as he hesitated at the entrance. She could see the reflection of his eyes staring back, going from raptor to raptor, hazed over by somber emotions.

Why was he not coming into the den? What was wrong?

Blue tilted her head when she heard a soft groan come from the male, before he suddenly pivoted on his legs and began trudging away. She called to him with a small chitter, but he seemed to ignore her and disappeared from sight completely.

Lima hissed at all the whining. If alpha wanted to be alone, let him be alone! Don't pester him, omega!

Blue gave a reproaching snort to Lima's grousing and continued to stare out where Kilo had gone. She suddenly felt an urge to follow the male, and though she tried to resist it, to respect his space, at the same time she felt horrid. There was a strange obligation to ease the pressure...to somehow encourage him to keep fighting.

He couldn't give up. Not while Star was still there to save!

So, the female sucked in a deep breath. With one last glare at Lima, a soft look to Shadow, and a purr to Star, she trotted forward out the den with a soft call.

Wait, alpha!

The air outside the den was cold and damp against Blue's scales. When she stepped onto the grassy earth, water squished up between her toes, and the smell of wet soil made her nostrils flare. It reminded her that the wet season was beginning. She could sense it down in her bones and felt that soon the rains would descend upon the island, even if there was not a cloud in the starry sky. In the name of yearly rebirth, the storms would saturate the island until everyone was in a state of misery.

But never mind the squishy dirt and instincts of seasonal change. Where had alpha gone off to?

As Blue stood there, smelling the air and glancing about the meadow, she heard something from the left. It drew her eyes in the drinking pool's direction, and immediately they widened with a show of white teeth. She couldn't help the relieved chuff that escaped her.

She found him!

The male was standing at the edge of the crystal clear water. In the open moonlight, she could see him more easily, plastered with black mud so that he looked like something out of a swamp monster film. He stood with his back facing her, flexing lean muscles as he stooped down and dipped his muzzle into the water.

Quietly Blue crept towards her alpha and up to the pool, with head low and tail swishing side to side in a friendly manner. Her bright eyes inspected his body for wounds. The meadow was so peaceful she could hear him breathing, and his little grunts told her he was quite exhausted after a hard day of stalking and chasing.

Kilo wasn't as strong as he used to be, but Blue did not count it as weakness. Though the famine had caused him to lose some bulk around his thighs and chest, she looked upon him and still saw a raptor to admire, for all his efforts to make certain the pack was cared for.

How long had it been since he ate something? Six days? A week? How had he not fallen to the lysine illness as well?

Wondering this to herself, Blue became distracted from where she put her feet. She failed to notice a large rock in her path, and let out a pained yelp when she kicked it by accident. Kilo was turned around and staring down at her faster than she could have anticipated. She had startled him.

At first, the male curled his lips and growled...but upon recognizing the omega, his defenses lowered and his yellow eye softened. He drew his arms up against his chest and tilted his head in order to see her better with his good eye before he made a short gurgle.

What was she doing out of the den? Why was she not going to bed with the rest of the pack?

Blue wagged her tail and showed polite submission with a quick display of her throat. Once she was sure Kilo was not annoyed by her presence, she crept up to the bank of the water and sat herself down not far away from where he stood. The male was still staring in confusion and surprise, but she just wagged her tail and bobbed her head gently.

He blinked a few times at that, then awkwardly averted his gaze back to the pool. He stooped down again to dip his muzzle in the water, as though he pretended she wasn't there. He sucked water into his mouth, lifted his head, then reached back to let it dribble down over his shoulder. The water helped to break up the mud caked to his scales so that when he started grooming, it cleaned up easily.

Some minutes of silence passed. Blue remained sitting there and watched Kilo, as he stole little glances her way and grumbled uneasily to himself the more she stared.

Why was she hovering there, looking like she wanted something from him?

He didn't have food...if that's what she wanted. Kilo made a sad grunt at that thought and pressed his lips together so hard they trembled. The weariness in his eye was snuffing out that usual gleam of confidence, though he tried hard to keep up the act for the pack's sake. Looking back at the den the male thought of little Star...and with all his aching heart he wished he could do better by her...to do better by his family.

Why did they choose him? What did they see in him those years ago, that made them think he was adequate to be their alpha? Strong enough and smart enough? Brave enough to protect them?

In such times of need, Kilo felt anything but. He couldn't help the sudden choking sound trying to escape his lungs or that sick feeling he'd been trying to swallow all day.

Three weeks had gone by and his territory was overrun, by not just a giant Spinosaurus, but the rival pack that he feared more than almost anything. He could smell their scent markings around the valley, claiming challenge and aggression to his stakes on the land. It seemed as though they were coming closer every day...no doubt looking for the location of his pack.

Kilo's alpha instincts demanded he hunt down and kill the trespassers...but old memories and the scars on his face said that was a bad idea. Fear made him dread the chance of ever coming face to face with Muerte for a second challenge. Fear told him he would not survive another such encounter.

And so he made the decision to keep his pack hidden inside the secret meadow, to keep them safe and put less of a presence out during the hunts. That was smart, wasn't it?

Of course, Blue had been devastated when she found out she couldn't participate in the hunting anymore. It had made him feel guilty...but he couldn't explain himself. He couldn't possibly make her understand why he did what he did, and who he was afraid of. What would she think of him if she found out? That he wasn't worthy to be alpha?

Why did he even care what she thought of him?

Suddenly, breaking through his thoughts of woe and shame, Kilo heard a soft chitter. He focused his eye towards the sound and saw that Blue was still sitting there, watching him and tilting her head curiously to the side.

Alpha?

The omega was concerned for him, and the look in his eyes she couldn't decipher. She wished she could read his thoughts, and she wished she had the answer to his problems. Goodness knows he had a few.

Well...maybe she could help somehow. Maybe he would listen, in such a quiet place away from the pack, where it was just him and her. Maybe he would like her idea to help Star.

So, wagging her tail and chittering again, Blue lurched to her feet. She stepped closer to the male and sat back down with an excited bob of her head.

They could both go out for a nighttime hunt! They could work together to find the prey in their nesting spots, and take them by surprise!

The female chittered happily and Kilo blinked at her hopefulness, especially when she looked up and her brilliant golden eyes met with his.

She would venture out into the forest at night, despite giant predators and uncomfortable temperatures, in order to get the meat they were desperate for. She did not seek to do it in a selfish way...but he could sense that her intentions were for Star and no one but Star. She adored the little one like a sister.

Kilo was greatly pleased by such noble intentions...yet immediately his wide eyes narrowed and he looked away with a short grunt. Fear bubbled up again and influenced his answer, not even taking the time to consider what risks would come with such an endeavor.

No.

Blue blinked and made a small whimpering sound. Her wagging tail went still and her head drooped.

What? Why?

The female was saddened that Kilo rejected her idea, even though she felt it really would help. She crept towards him and whimpered again, as she bent to lay her chin on the ground and show her neck in a submissive plead.

Please alpha?

No.

Please! Star needed the meat!

Kilo asked his omega to stop with a stern gurgle. He stood tall, arching his neck over her and clenching his teeth for the guilt he was feeling. He wished she would understand.

But Star was going to die!

Blue became more passionate as he tried to refuse her. She began wagging her tail in an upset way, still showing her neck and whimpering to him in some hopes to win him over. She reached out to paw at his foot and gently poke him with her claws.

Kilo knew very well that Star was dying. It burned his heart up to know that...but he couldn't agree to the hunt. His body was aching and exhausted from a long day of work, and the risks were too high. He lifted his voice into a stern growl, but it was hinted with pain. He stepped away from Blue's touch and ducked down in order to look into her eyes, trying to stop the crying. His lips trembled and his claws curled so that they almost pricked his own paw pads. His voice came out surprisingly harsh, even if he didn't mean it.

Omega, stop!

Blue went silent and stared up at him. She withdrew her arm and curled her tail tightly around her body, before tearing her eyes away from his and looking at the ground in disappointment. Little groans and chuffs escaped her with heavy breaths. Her hope quieted into a whisper.

Yes, alpha.

The air seemed to still, and she began to notice the cold air oozing in through her scales. Kilo stood up and gave a thankful grunt, before gesturing to the den with a swing of his head and somber order.

Go to bed.

Yes...alpha.

Unwillingly, saddened by Kilo's refusal, Blue picked herself up off the ground and began trudging back to the den. She looked back at him a few times...meeting his gaze, and saw his own sadness become more intense as he snapped his teeth together and swished his tail to release the agitation.

She could tell that he wanted to go, deep down. What was he so afraid of? What was out there? The Spinosaurus?

The female made a small snort and turned ahead, as she entered the cave and found that most of the pack had gone to sleep, save for Alden and Tango. The old albino looked up at her and made a comforting chuff. The green spotted female shifted and remained terribly silent as her yellow eyes flickered anxiously about.

Blue stood there and sensed their collective fear. Her sadness faded away, and her chest puffed out as an idea came to her. Her whimpers turned to rough snorts.

The pack needed food...one way or another. She was NOT going to see Star slip away when something could be done to help her, even if Kilo wasn't strong enough to keep going. She would let him rest because it was time that she started providing more for the pack, and pulling the weight of a true member!

No more being a timid omega. Dig deep and use that old beta confidence to help little Star!


~...~


Blue chuffed softly to herself, as she lurked in the mouth of the den, pressed up against the stone wall where the shadows fell over her prone body. Her golden eyes stared out into the moonlit meadow once again, but her lips twitched, and she flicked her tail in a frustrated way.

Kilo had decided to sleep on the large boulders just outside the den's entrance, rather than his nest. The male was curled up on the tallest rock with his muzzle tucked against his flank. His rising and falling breaths were something Blue studied carefully...yet try as she might, a deep anxiety couldn't decide if he was truly asleep or not.

Alpha Kilo was known to be a light sleeper. If she stepped out and he discovered her secret mission, he would turn her back for sure.

She had to be careful...VERY careful.

So, Blue lifted her chin from the stone and made an experimental chuff. She continued to stare at Kilo's form, flinching whenever the scars over his eye trembled and quivered from restless dreaming. It seemed after a moment that her voice had not disturbed him.

Good.

The female got to her feet, and her gaze flashed to the pack sleeping behind her, curled up in their nests with their loved ones. She took comfort in the sound of their breaths and sleepy coos, and as she began tiptoeing out towards the moonlight, gathered hope in the sight of Shadow clutching Star in her arms.

Upon coming to the place where Kilo slept, Blue went slowly. Almost crawling on her belly, she crouched low and shuffled on the softer pads of her toes. She clenched her teeth in anticipation and stared ahead at the trees across from the den site.

Just a little way more. If she made it into those trees, sneaking to the waterfall would be easy, and beyond that, she'd be home free.

But then, from behind, there was a not so hushed chitter. With a happy tone, it called to her and begged her to wait up.

Blue!

The omega flinched and flashed her eyes over to Kilo when he groaned and rolled onto his back with a wrinkled snout. She silently begged him not to wake, as footsteps clicked up towards her and a figure wagged its tail with flashing teeth. Upon looking back she blinked in surprise.

Tango?

The younger female wiggled in place, curious by Blue's sneaky antics. She could sense that something was going on, and by her nature, she wanted to know what that was. What was omega planning that was so secret?

Blue groaned, and with an arch of her neck she snorted sternly to the subordinate, despite their rank difference. Deep down their age gap came first in her instinctive reactions, and for Tango it felt the same, as she ducked her head submissively and chirped with another wag of her tail. She was friendly to Blue and thus was not threatened by her dominance. She liked her too much for that.

Instead, Tango proceeded more earnestly and pleaded for things to be explained. Why was Blue leaving the den site? Why was she going alone?

Worried that the young female's chattering would wake someone, Blue was forced to bob her head and give a small chuff. With emotional communication and gestures, her intentions were made clear, and immediately Tango was bouncing on her toes again. She squealed and Blue flinched when there was a soft growl from where Kilo was sleeping.

A hunt? Oh, could she come? Please please please!

The young female puffed out her chest in a brave way and snorted. She flexed her talons to show that she was strong and capable of providing support.

She could help hunt! She could help bring meat for the pack!

Blue blinked, surprised by the enthusiasm...but then she thought to the adolescents Mike and Curare. She remembered that they were in just as much danger as Star, and she remembered that Tango had also been laid off from hunter duty. No doubt she felt just as useless, unable to do something to help her family.

Sympathy hit Blue and caught the stern gurgle in her throat, keeping her from sending Tango back to the den. She sucked in a breath, then cooed softly and bobbed her head.

Okay.

Tango wagged her tail and made a happy coo, bouncing more on her toes before Blue chuffed urgently. She stepped forward and made clear the necessity for absolute silence, lest alpha Kilo woke up.

Her newly appointed hunting assistant became very still, and didn't make another sound. They could hear Kilo as he tossed and turned atop his rock, with eyes clamped shut and tail flicking slightly. Both females winced and Blue nodded.

To the waterfall, quickly.

Together they crept into the trees, away from the den and Kilo. In shadowed cover they hurried along through the brush, before breaking through and arriving at the waterfall entrance. Continuing on took them through and down the slippery path beyond the water. The gorge was the only thing between them and Prey Valley.

Blue walked with purpose, past big black boulders and trickling streams. She only half listened to Tango's excited chittering and thought hard about what needed to be done. What they had to do in order to fulfill her goal to see the pack cared for.

Where would they find the prey? What species would be easiest for them to take down, yet serve good meat to eleven hungry raptors?

Probably a Gallimimus. From her hunts on Nublar, Blue knew that they preferred to nest at the edges of clearings or meadows, where the trees were spaced apart and the grass was long. They liked to use it as camouflage, and soft bedding for their temporary nests. Sleeping dinosaurs were vulnerable dinosaurs.

Blue came to a stop, and in looking up, realized that she stood at the end of the black gorge. Her troubled eyes stared ahead as cold wind kissed her face, and in turn brought scents that made her nostrils quiver. The damp soil squishing under her feet, the ripe grasses swaying just beyond her reach, masses of indistinguishable prey musk, and the disgusting presence of the Spinosaurus. A half moon was shining down over a valley seemingly barren of life. As far as her eyes could see, there wasn't a single dark spot or figure having a nighttime graze. Even the watering hole off in the distance was left untouched.

As Blue looked over the land and questioned where to begin, Tango made a soft croon, and the two females made eye contact once again. Suddenly, Blue felt doubt ooze again into her mind, trying to eat away at her hope.

What if the subordinate wasn't comfortable taking orders from an omega? What if she didn't want to listen to her? What if they couldn't work together without Kilo at the lead? Was the secret hunt a mistake?

However, when Blue looked into young Tango's yellow eyes, she did not see a trace of doubt. They gleamed with respect and admiration, just as though she were alpha Kilo himself.

She would follow and do whatever was asked.

Really? She trusted her?

Tango jumped forward and spun to face Blue almost in one swift motion. She arched her neck and communicated determination through her gleaming yellow eyes, driving it home by snapping her teeth in passionate succession.

Of course! Blue was hunt leader tonight!

Blue could only blink in surprise of such a bold claim. Her muscles and talons begged for the thrill of the chase, which had been denied to her all those days of uselessness. The doubt retreated from her mind and was replaced by Tango's promises of loyalty and one thought.

Star's survival depended on the hunt's success. Every moment spent doubting their strength, was another moment not spent trying to find prey.

No...she would not back down from this.

Blue curled her lips and made a throaty bark, then stomped her foot hard. Tango swiftly mimicked the action.

Time to hunt!


~...~


Many hours came to pass, and odds remained ever bleak, as the two raptors set out into the valley in search of success. Together they worked to inspect every square foot of muddy earth for clues to find suitable prey, both with a particular set of assignments.

Tango was in charge of keeping a watchful eye on the visual perimeter, for danger and prey activity alike. Blue did most of the dung sniffing and track inspecting….Dirty work, really. If a dung pile or track was older than 24 hours, they were disregarded completely. If they were of a species too large for them to handle alone, they were avoided.

No.

No.

Too Old.

Maybe?

No….way too big.

Ever so often, Blue paused and growled hatefully, upon discovering fresh traces of Spinosaurus leading away from the watering hole. Tango never failed to echo such hate by snapping her tail and gnashing her teeth together.

They were growing tired, and frustrated. So much time had passed and so little was found to show for it, in such a wide open space that once provided all the food they could ever eat. Even the grass was becoming so high that it nearly reached over their backsides, left to grow wild when grazing traffic lessened significantly.

What would they do once the sun began to rise? What would happen if they couldn't find any meat at all?

Tango continued to grumble to herself. She stomped her foot a couple times, and Blue chuffed to her as a small order to stay quiet.

The prey were very sensitive at night. They needed to be careful, and they had to keep-

Suddenly, Tango snapped at her. In one fleeting moment her entire body stiffened like a board, then dropped flat to the ground with a soft thump. Blue blinked at such a sight and arched her neck in confusion, while her head tilted and her fingers wriggled. Was the female being disrespectful?

Tango? What was wrong?

The young female snapped her teeth again. She did not look up at Blue, but rather off in the distance, with big eyes that glowed in the moonlight. Her claws dug into the soil, and her hips shifted like a cat ready to pounce on its prey.

Prey!

Blue's predator brain connected the dots long before she became aware of it. Her own body folded and hit the mud at once, eyes flashing about in a frantic effort to see what Tango saw. Her flaring nostrils worked overtime to catch the scent, and upon turning her muzzle west, she was rewarded with just that.

A purr escaped the hunter's throat, and her claws kneaded excitedly.

There was a female Gallimimus nearby; a glorious, alive, healthy, solitary, female Gallimimus. Finally, it seemed that good fortune had found them!

Blue looked to Tango through the blades of grass, and their meeting gazes communicated hyped up anticipation. The younger female was wriggling in place, to which Blue chuffed quietly and tried to calm her own trembling talons.

They would have to execute the hunt perfectly if they were to succeed. Adult Gallimimus were fast and tough. Being only two raptors strong, Tango would have to perform differently than her role in one of Kilo's hunts. Rather than simply staying on the sidelines to flank, she'd be up making the direct ambush with Blue.

Execution had to be in perfect sync. They needed to pack enough of a punch to knock the target off of its feet, or risk its escape…...and even worse, risk getting wounded themselves.

Could she do that?

Tango gurgled, and Blue was pleased to see the determination still holding in her eyes.

She could do it.

And so, the two raptors set their sights in the direction of the scent. They began to crawl forward an inch at a time, using the soft pads of their feet to stay as silent as possible, and communicating through almost inaudible grunts. Tango directed them toward the last place she had seen the prey.

Suddenly, with the moon ahead, Blue saw the silhouette of an ostrich-like creature moving about through the grass. She heard it make little chirps and squawks like a big bird; relaxed sounds which told them they were still undetected.

Tango kneaded her claws into the dirt and curled her lips. Blue saw this, and communicated the need for patience with a slight bob of her head, even if her own heart was racing a thousand beats per second. Her own claws gripped into the dirt as though they pleaded for it to be the flesh of their target. Her mind rejoiced in this wonderful mental exercise of puzzle solving.

Another squawk, and both raptors widened their eyes. The Gallimimus began to turn away from them, looking around and presenting its flank in an undeniably perfect opportunity.

Now! Now was their chance!

All at once, Tango and Blue's bodies shot up from the earth. Talons flexed upward, thigh muscles released like springs, and racing hearts released massive amounts of adrenaline.

Both of the hunters charged their prey and covered the distance in just a few elongated strides. Both raptors jumped up with teeth flashing, and both felt their bodies crash into the Gallimimus' side like battering rams, talons piercing deep into flesh. Shrieks of pain filled their ears. The scent and sight of life blood was pleasing to their starved senses.

YES! Oh how she missed this thrill!

With an extra 600 pounds literally attached at the hip, the Gallimimus staggered through the mud, then collapsed onto its belly with a defeated wail. Legs thrust in all directions as a last ditch effort for survival, but the raptors were making short work of the kill. Blue reached up with her head and latched around a portion of the animal's slender neck, promptly severing the windpipe and life vein between her teeth. A patient moment or two passed after that. The Galli's eyes faded, its movements slowed, then with one last gurgle it slumped down into the mud. Blue could hardly contain her chitters and purrs of excitement as she nudged its skull with her bloody muzzle. No response made her tail wag.

They did it!

Tango gave a whooping cry, and Blue yelped when the younger female crashed into her. Both raptors fell over with happy chitters and chirrups, batting at each other with their bloody paws as though every sense of fierce predator had left them. Tango licked Blue's dirty face in gratitude to the omega for helping bring down meat for the pack. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself!

They did it all by themselves. Alpha would be so proud!

Blue purred and bobbed her head. After a moment Tango got off of her, and both minds fixated back onto the carcass. Licking lips and quiet rumbles said how hungry they were…..but Blue promptly stooped over and clamped her teeth over the bony section of the Galli's right ankle. She began tugging, and Tango moved around to help, twisting the limb more and more until they heard the satisfying POP of the hip joint disconnecting.

Make sure the pack had food. THEN eat. Blue had every intention to stuff herself, making room for meat to be regurgitated later on, and carry the leg she set aside back to the den.

There was one last happy chatter from Tango, before Blue glanced over and watched the female dive in, wolfing down mouthful after mouthful of bloody tissue like it could suddenly get up and disappear. She continued to wag her tail and accidentally thump it against the omega's side…..to which Blue simply snorted and stepped away before beginning to eat for her own desperate appetite.

She used to get annoyed at Charlie for hitting things with her tail. The poor thing would always get so excited, sometimes even walk into walls if she wasn't paying attention.

Deep down…...Tango reminded her of Charlie. Those yellow eyes full of happiness made her heart soar, to think they had done the pack good.

Blue began to think of what Alpha Kilo would do, when he saw them strutting into the den site with their prize. She began to imagine how much his eye would light up, or how his tired voice would lift into proud chitters. Maybe he would praise her efforts despite disobeying orders.

MAYBE.

As Blue fantasized of these things, she tore off a hunk of meat and stood up. Lazily her eyes glanced around, and she listened to the calm silence of the valley, before tilting her head back to swallow.

In that moment…...her brain gave off the smallest of uneasy feelings.

What was that in the brush to their left?

Blue chuffed sharply and shot her eyes back to the spot, positive she had just seen movement between the blades of mooncast grass. Her neck arched and her bloodied teeth bared in threat. Her nostrils flared in an effort to pick up any new scents.

The wind was totally still and unhelpful…..but that thought further implied that something was not right. She shifted on her feet and tried not to growl, to avoid acting suspicious.

Tango…

Her companion made a grunting noise and looked up. Ragged meat hung messily from her half open maw, as she gawked at Blue and wondered why she seemed so tense all of a sudden. Was something wrong?

Hush.

Blue tilted her head and listened intently. For an eternal second there was no sound…...no rustling footsteps or signs of a dangerous creature nearby. Tango seemed confused and slightly frightened by how Blue swished her tail, but nothing happened.

Maybe it was just a rat, or one of the pesky green vermin?

So, the omega snorted and turned around. She considered going back to eating….but she couldn't shake that feeling, like they were being watched…..

Such "out of nowhere" feelings were not odd for Blue, of course. Often times, after taking down a kill, possessive instincts would make her see things that weren't there. Paranoia of losing the meat to other predators would hang over her until she had her fill of a carcass and left.

Yet something still didn't feel right…

She was about to make a cautious gurgle to Tango, when the younger female stood. Almost simultaneously, there was movement behind her. A shadowed figure also stood up, but to the left there was another burst of movement, and another to their right. Three carnivorous dinosaurs flashed their teeth and very quickly Blue realized the accuracy of her gut feelings.

They were surrounded!

The attack came first from behind Tango. Blue watched in horror as the shadowed enemy lunged into view; a strange male Velociraptor, bearing an infuriating scent and eyes of bloodlust. She tried to intercept and defend, but was forced to watch the two collide. Tango tumbled from the carcass and into the mud at her feet with him on top of her.

Leave her alone!

Blue snarled and kicked out with her legs, catching her own talons into his shoulder. The strike sent him clambering back, but she had to turn fast in order to block a second raptor from the right. This one was female, eyes also filled with blood lust and a hunger for food even greater than their own.

They were dirty and thin…..very thin. Where did they come from?

Tango struggled to get to her feet with pained whimpers. Blood seeped from gashes across her hip, which made Blue rub her chin comfortingly against her. Then….she lifted her head and stepped to side the young female, giving angry snarls of challenge to the ones who DARED hurt her friend! They weren't going to place a claw on her or the meat!

The strange female raptor hissed and her male companions arched their necks. They took a couple steps back in order to size Blue and Tango up, but refused to leave the scene so long as there was food up for grabs. They licked their chops and sniffed at the tantalizing scent as though they hadn't seen a carcass in days.

Just as desperate as Blue and her pack…..but she wasn't about to submit to a bunch of raunchy outsiders! No way was she going to give up their hard earned kill!

Her lips peeled back and her head lifted, before she let out a big bellow and jumped forward to stand on top of the Galli's ribcage. The three raptors flinched in surprise, but the males seemed agitated by resistance, as they soon ducked low and began creeping back forward. Tango growled and hobbled to cut one off from gaining access to Blue's right. Though bleeding, she was apparently still strong enough to fight.

A moment of quiet apprehension passed as the five raptors glared each other down. Blue's mind flipped the situation over and over again to figure out what exactly was going on, while also focusing on making the fiercest face she could manage.

Their scent was becoming all too familiar to her, and recognizing it as the rival pack from the north only made her more furious. Why were they in Kilo's territory? Why did they think they had the right to push them from a kill?

One of the males charged, and Blue leapt upwards in order to latch herself to his upper torso. She used her weight to pull him down into the mud, where they thrashed and rolled around with unearthly shrieks. Very faintly she was aware of Tango intercepting the female rival when she tried making an ambush from the side. The second younger male was frantically hopping between the two fights as though trying to decide which one to help.

He seemed to choose Blue, as when she became pinned by her own opponent, he trotted over and began nipping at her flailing legs in an effort to wound. That -of course- ended when she landed a kick squarely into his jaw, and he stumbled backwards with dazed eyes before collapsing in a heap.

It was chaos. Neither female quite knew where the fight was going to go, or who was winning…..but the only thing they could think was winning it for the pack. Exhaustion and pain were disregarded for their sake.

Suddenly…...as Blue shoved her arms against her attacker's chest, she heard something above her head. Over their collective voices was a commanding roar, and a vaguely familiar scent over the smothering mud and stench of rival raptors.

Kilo?...

She couldn't believe it, but no time could have been more impeccable. Alpha Kilo had come to their aid! He had found them!

The female was twisting to see him through the grass. Her golden eyes shone with pride and a smugness that their little tousle would soon be ended. That her alpha would have the rivals turning tail and whimpering like frightened nest worms!

They wouldn't dare go up against-

But then…...Blue's eyes widened. The happy chitter wanting to creep up her throat died into a shocked warble, and her body stiffened. So quick was her change of attitude, the rival on top of her lifted his gaze and no later stumbled backwards. His head ducked low with frantic bobs that pleaded for submission, as though he was caught doing something he wasn't supposed to, by someone very unpleasant.

I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

But, it wasn't Blue's faithful alpha standing there in the grass. Two yellow eyes watched from the dark with gleaming fangs and ragged sneering lips, thoughtfully inspecting the two young females who so passionately defended their property. Oh how amused and delighted those eyes seemed. Blue could look into their depths and feel a chill riding up her spine, bringing back memories that made her rise carefully to her feet with a warning growl. Tango was suddenly at her side trembling like a leaf, almost crawling between her legs as though she was looking upon a monster…..but that wasn't so far from the truth.

Blue had only once met him…...but Tango knew him quite well; Muerte, the tyrannical rival alpha who once ruled over them when she was just a baby. The male who gobbled up baby raptors, killed for sport, and deprived them of food for his own health. His past actions made him a demon in her eyes, and she could barely whimper to Blue in a desperate plea as the big raptor began strutting forward into the moonlight.

Home…...please….NOW!

Blue remembered the fear she had seen in alpha Kilo's eyes, that day they saw Muerte out in the human logging zone…..and it made her realize that the situation was suddenly turning into more than they could possibly handle alone.

After all…...for what reason could the rivals' alpha be so far into their territory?

The shaken female began to turn on her haunches with an urgent gurgle to Tango. It was time to run!


~Kilo's POV~


Alpha! Pack! Danger! Wake up!

The peace of the secret meadow was interrupted with cries of pain and fear. Footfalls crashed through the waterfall entrance with all the grace of a drunken compy, and the tree grove was hardly an obstacle for the raptor whom plowed through it, stumbling along though she whimpered and cried.

Alpha Kilo!

He was sleeping on the rock where they had left him, splayed out on his side and oblivious to the ruckus at first, but slowly the urgency of Tango's voice tickled at his dormant brain. It dragged him from that deep sleep with niggling concern and protective instincts.

What was going on? Was that Tango? Why was she sounding so frightened, and why was she coming from that direction?

His thoughts were muddled and sleep ridden, for just a moment…...but then his brain gave a quick snap and drug his heavy eyelids upwards. It urged him with a burst of realization. Danger! Pack in danger!

Kilo coughed on his horror and shot up from the rock as though struck by lightning. He snarled and bared his teeth while looking around, expecting for there to be an immediate threat within the meadow, expecting for something to come lunging out at him.

But nothing did, and the stricken male turned his head as a figure came hobbling into view from across the clearing.

By then, the rest of the pack was waking up and realizing that something was wrong. As Kilo hopped off his perch Shadow came trotting from the den, chittering fearfully. They exchanged small glances…...then turned when Tango herself finally came limping into the moonlight just before the den entrance. Kilo made a rasping sound in his throat at the sight of her. Shadow yelped softly and thrashed her tail.

What happened!?

Tango was hurt. Her body was covered in mud, but they could see the slash marks across her back and legs, blood dribbling from the ragged flesh. It made Kilo bare his teeth and rush forward in protective "panic mode". He walked circles around her and snarled at every wound as though it offended him; damage done to one of his precious treasures.

While he threw his miniature fit, Shadow came close and began licking Tango's face in motherly care. The young female tried desperately to remove the beta and turn to Kilo. She was chittering and whimpering in a jumble of communication for what took place out in the valley, flicking her nose back at the waterfall entrance.

Rivals were in the territory! Alpha must go and-

Kilo flinched at the mention of the rivals. He came to a stop and stomped his foot before she could finish, not only upset that she had disobeyed his orders, but absolutely disgusted at the thought of leading the pack into danger, for fear someone could get hurt.

Absolutely NOT! No way was he going to risk a fight with the rivals! They were safe in the meadow, after all, and it had worked this long. His hidden terror of the rival pack and their alpha told him that was the best thing they could do.

Tango whimpered. What? Did he know about the rivals? All this time?

She could see it then, through his anger. That's why he forbid them to leave the meadow...but he kept the rival activity a secret from them. Why?

Shadow cooed and tried soothing the younger female, but Tango pushed towards Kilo and chuffed. He lifted his head at her boldness, and Shadow went wide-eyed. She began ranting on and on that he HAD to go out into the valley. He HAD to fight the rivals!

Kilo growled sternly at her, but Shadow blinked. She looked around, back at the den where the other raptors were now standing, watching on with worry in their eyes. The female began to wiggle and utter her own whimpers when she realized that one raptor was missing….that Tango surely hadn't gone out to hunt on her own, yet had come back alone.

Where was omega Blue?

Kilo went still at that moment. His eye flicked to his panicking sister before he looked towards the den himself. The pack shifted uneasily. The adolescents whimpered and Alden made a worried grunt that only confirmed the omega's absence.

Tango growled despite her rank. She showed her teeth and flicked her tail at him.

Muerte caught her when they tried to run. Blue held him off so that she could escape and warn them. They had to go rescue her!

Everything went very quiet. Kilo stared at Tango with all the stubbornness leaving him…..eyes wide, breath held, and lips quivering. For a very long time, he seemed to absorb the news….unsure what to think, before the feelings and reaction came down on him in scores.

Horror and fear made him step backward. He turned away to hide his face from the two females, beginning to pace and stare at the ground in shock. No sound left him, though his throat swelled with angry growls and woes of guilt.

The reality of Blue's situation challenged his wishes to keep the pack safe. One side demanded that he leave her and keep the rest hidden, but immediately his softer side protested…...the side that loved to betray him. Make him start to care for the omega's plucky little personality and devotion. It scolded him for even considering abandonment, then ordered that he must go out to find her.

Kilo knew full well if Blue was left to Muerte, he'd kill her, or worse. He remembered how the male treated his female companions…..and somehow that thought made him square his shoulders with a wave of infuriating hate. The thought of Muerte taking Blue and hurting her as he once hurt Mother, or countless other females, made his chest burn as though it were on fire.

No…..Muerte wouldn't kill Blue. He'll keep her like the thief he was.

Shadow whimpered to catch his attention. Kilo looked up, and found her standing with chest puffed out. Tango was staring intently waiting for his decision.

What were they going to do?

The male sucked in a deep breath, looked up at the pack, and gave a sharp snort. Alden, Hook, and Lima promptly separated from the group and trotted up to him. He turned back to Shadow and purred shakily.

They were going to go find Blue.

She purred back and bobbed her head in approval, while Tango let out a breath and seemed immensely relieved. Her head dropped low in a moment of pain, then she began making her way over to the den, met by her brother Mike who whimpered and nuzzled her face in sadness for her wounds.

But, before Shadow could even attempt to join the rescue party, Kilo arched his neck and crooned. He wanted her to stay with the others…...to take care of Tango and Star. He wanted to keep her safe.

She was about to protest, but he stepped forward and pressed his forehead against hers. Her whimpers went silent and he closed his eyes in a moment of doubt…...trying to resist the fear in him.

Listen just this once, he seemed to plead to her, and she submitted with an almost whispering coo. Her love for him shone through and it gave him a bit of hope. To go out, find Blue, and come back to his family in one piece.

When Kilo finally pulled away, Shadow trudged over to the den and received an assuring nuzzle from Victor. She watched on as her brother led the way out of the secret meadow, through the waterfall entrance and out of her sight, picking up the pace as they went.


~...~


It was hard to find their scent trail, amongst the countless others that cut through the prey valley. For a long time Kilo walked with his nose to the ground, snuffing at the mud and growling in frustration when he found nothing. Alden, Hook, and even Lima each fanned out in search of clues….though Lima was grumbling and growling to herself.

Kilo was half tempted to snarl at her, but he didn't. The tension made him a bit prickly, so he focused on the task at hand instead. Unfortunately she noticed he was ignoring her, and decided it was a good idea to raise her voice just a bit, making sure to emphasis her grudge towards helping the blue pest.

Suddenly, -before Kilo could snap and give Lima the lecture of her life- Hook gave a triumphant cry. He found the trail!

Kilo let out a hushed breath of relief, then took off at a ground covering jog, leading them on and swooping his head in order to scan the moonlit horizon for sign of life.

The valley was very quiet that night…..almost uneasy. Not a creature stirred, but he knew somewhere out there was a pack of undesirables, waiting for them.

They ran on and on, only stopping when they lost the trail, or thought they heard something. Kilo would slide to a stop and look around with panting breaths, ignoring Lima's gasping complaints of exhaustion. He knew the longer they took to find Blue, the higher the risk of her being hurt.

But…..about an hour into the search, Kilo slid to a stop once again, and shot his head high into the air. He forced his breaths to quiet and his body to freeze like a statue. The elders noticed his attentiveness and chuffed while trying not to pant too loudly.

Had he found something?

Kilo wasn't certain…..but he thought he heard something over the next hill. A raptor's cry? Snarling and bickering?

Yes…..yes there it was again!

The elders crept forward with interest. Hook growled impatiently as he kneaded his talons into the dirt, wishing he could simply jump out and tackle the enemy. Alden tried to calm him with a gentle grunt. They all knew it was taking a lot of willpower to hold back from wanting to rip out Muerte's throat…..after what had happened.

Kilo flinched, then bent low onto all fours. He crawled up the hill until cresting it, using the tall grass as cover so that he could look down. The other three raptors followed him close behind, but what they saw made Kilo blink and press his chin to the ground, overwhelmed by the sheer challenge ahead of them. Alden seemed troubled, and Hook distressed, while Lima appeared very close to simply getting up and walking back towards home.

The remains of a Gallimimus carcass lay strewn about through the trampled grasses. Around it, a dozen or so raptors squabbled for shares, tugging on long bits of ragged flesh, or running away with gnawed bones as though it was the best meal they ever had. Each and every one of them looked like scales stretched over a frame of bones. Their rival stench was enough to make Hook grind his teeth in hate.

There were so many of them. Kilo figured it had to be a third of Muerte's pack…..but then…..where was Muerte? Where was Blue?

Alden made a soft snort and nudged their alpha with his nose, just as a fight broke out at the center of the feasting zone. Raptors jumped and fled into all directions, shrieking fearfully, when one large figure leapt up and snarled his possession of the kill. Claws flashed out in all directions and one unfortunate male took the brunt to his throat, stumbling into the grasses….no doubt finding some place to bleed out.

Kilo found his eye fixed on that challenging raptor, and he let out a hushed whine upon recognizing him. He swore he could feel the scars on his face tingling almost painfully.

Muerte…...his father….his greatest enemy. The big male was just as intimidating as Kilo remembered, and looking no worse for wear, despite the poor condition of his 'loyal followers'. He stood proudly upon the Gallimimus carcass with muscled neck arched into an S and feathered tail erect, the front of his grey chest painted with blood, and scarred lips pulling up into an equally bloody sneer.

The image of that raptor made Kilo's heart race. He pressed his chin harder into the wet dirt, paw reaching up to half mindedly rub at the scars which took the sight of his left eye. He remembered how painful it was…..how scared he was when fighting with "Death".

Suddenly, a shrill cry pulled Kilo from such dark memories. His head lifted as Hook and Alden made sharp chuffs, all eyes drawn to the source of the outburst, only to widen in shock and happiness combined. Kilo almost rose to his feet and made a relieved warble.

THERE! There was omega Blue! She was alive!


~Blue's POV~


Blue tried to run from them, many many times. The first was a choice of sacrifice in order for Tango to escape, hoping that getting herself caught would give the subordinate a chance to run home and warn the pack.

The others…..well they were the classic attempts of escape, when some time had passed and she began growing concerned that Tango had not made it home. That alpha Kilo and the pack weren't coming for her….

And thus the doubts crept back into Blue's mind. Though she tried her hardest to keep faith, she began to fear the worst. That the pack would simply abandon her, and Kilo would deem this the perfect opportunity to rid himself of her.

He was never going to truly accept her, she began to think. She was a fool for thinking otherwise.

Blue whimpered, as she curled up into a ball and pretended that she did not exist, hoping that keeping still would direct less attention to her. The mud was cold around her shivering body, and the terrible noise of raptors selfishly tearing apart her hard earned kill was enough to make her go mad.

That was for her pack!

Once or twice, though she tried to avoid conflict, a brave raptor would come close and taunt her with his cackling and jumping about. They would run up and nip her scales, delighted in her angry snarls and yelps as though it were some hilarious game, before growing tired of and skulking off.

For a long time she laid there and hoped for a sign that help was coming. Then…..Muerte began showing his interest. She caught him watching her from time to time, with those deep yellow eyes that thoughtfully roamed her body, making her feel violated and try to hide herself further. He would always chuff in amusement and puff his feathers at that. So smug and sure of himself that it disgusted her.

Though, the old male had proved to be quite powerful indeed, and Blue began to understand why Kilo was so afraid of him, though she did not know quite how they were connected. She saw his heart without mercy or love for his pack…...only a desire for power…..and a desire that she was not used to seeing, much less directed at her. She had felt it the day she first saw him in the logging zone. She wasn't yet sure what IT was.

Suddenly, as Blue stared at her claws and contemplated the situation, she became aware of footsteps drawing near. Immediately her jaw clenched and her muscles primed for movement, expecting a raptor to start the poking game all over again.

But….it never came. Confused she very slowly began lifting her head, but low and behold the alpha Muerte was standing right in front of her, drenched in the blood from her kill and cocking his head at her as though smirking.

He gave off a feeling of possessiveness over her, like she was some kind of treasure that now belonged to him. It was a different feeling than what she felt with Kilo…..Kilo was honest and gentle in his ownership of the pack, truly caring for them. Muerte seemed to measure a thing's value by what it could do for him. Blue still couldn't figure out just what she had that he wanted.

The female growled, curling her lips hatefully at the tyrant before plopping back down into a huddle. She heard him chuff softly, then sensed him come closer. Her head immediately shot back up and she snarled a warning to stay away, crawling backwards, startling some of the pack and making them look over with surprise.

Muerte jumped back and cackled in delight. She had a fire in her! He liked that!

For a long while he stayed there and harassed her, trying to evoke a reaction and becoming all the more delighted when she gave it to him. Sometimes he crept close enough to bat at her with his paws….but his playful coo and friendly gaze was far from genuine. Blue didn't let it convince her from the savage and murderous alpha she had seen many times that night.

Kilo was her alpha. Testifying that in her threatening snarls seemed to really aggravate the male, until he finally growled and stomped back to eat at the Galli carcass. She huffed after him and returned to her curled up position, eyes drooped and talons poking at the mud.

But then…...Blue heard something moving ahead in the grass. Thinking for a moment that it was another rival come to taunt her, or Muerte trying a different tactic, she whipped the end of her tail and growled. Her eyes narrowed into slits and her talons flexed. When she looked up, she swooped her paw up as well, aiming-

Wait!

The gentle gurgle was a surprise to her ears. Blue blinked mid-slash, and her head cocked to the side as the grass parted around a dark figure. A golden eye met with hers and black scales could be seen just barely through the shadows. Shock spread onto her face and a shaky coo escaped her slack jaw.

Alpha Kilo?!

There he was, peering out of the grass with relief in his gaze. Laying completely still he used his dark scales to hide from sight She didn't think she'd be so happy to see Was he happy to see her, she wondered? Was he going to be cross with her?

Unsure of either, Blue ducked her head and wagged the tip of her tail with a submissive whine. She asked for his forgiveness…..but the male only rumbled and ducked down to keep eye level with her. His features remained gentle, and with a little grunt he nudged her with his nose.

Never mind the hunt, or blame. He knew why she did what she did….but it was time to go home. He wasn't angry.

Blue blinked at him in bewilderment. Really?

Kilo almost chuffed as though chuckling at her reaction. She watched as he began to look past her, glancing about the kill zone with a new seriousness on his face, identifying every raptor was present. Gears turned away in his head as he judged their level of threat and position. The scarred edges of his lips twitched thoughtfully….in that way Blue had to admit she got distracted watching. He always looked so smart when he was plotting a hunting strategy, or in their case, an escape strategy. Sometimes she liked to try and guess what he was thinking.

The female was feeling waves of joy and relief, almost too much for her to handle. Tango must have made it home safe….but Kilo came for her, and she just couldn't stop wondering over that. Immediately every doubt and fear was blasted away by pride, that she was something of worth to her alpha.

Eventually, Kilo seemed to finish his observation of what they had to work with. He turned back to Blue, and he gurgled quietly to her as a small order, to fall in behind him and be absolutely silent.

Alden, Hook, and Lima were waiting for them beyond the kill zone. If they could make it there unseen, they could run for home and lose the rivals for good.

Blue winced. Though Kilo began to turn on his belly, she whimpered to him.

The problem with the rivals wouldn't just go away….would it? Why were they in their territory? Wasn't he questioning that? Wasn't he worried they would proceed to cause problems?

Surely a raptor like Muerte wasn't there for no reason. Even Blue could discern that.

Her alpha went still. He seemed to stare off into the distance for a moment, before he glanced over his shoulder and looked at her…...a look that conveyed deep pain and sadness like nothing she had seen him display before. It made her click her teeth in sudden regret for asking.

How did the rivals connect to him?

Somehow, Blue was beginning to think it was a tragic thing….something bad enough to make Kilo so frightened of the rivals.

So, she bobbed her head and reassured him with a little purr. She crawled forward and suggested with a little nudge that they get going and save such questions for later.

Kilo didn't argue. He snorted softly, and after making sure no one was watching, they crept into the grass. Blue made sure to stay close to him as they crawled. Ever so often he stopped and she rested her chin against his hip, making soft gurgles in question of the direction they were going.

They seemed almost clear…...but it wasn't long before the rivals came to realize their captive had disappeared. Blue held back a whimper as cries shot up from where they came, signaling a warning and sending the pack into an uproar. Some began running around the killzone, others jumped into the grass and began searching.

Blue couldnt help squeezing in behind Kilo and seeking his guidance. Her wide eyes darted about as he curled his lips and tensed.

What were they going to do!

In that moment, a raptor dove just past them in the grass, almost tripping on the female's tail. She muffled a yelp and Kilo looked back at her with a desperate nod of his head. She had to stay quiet!

Another raptor shot past. Blue flinched, and suddenly she felt a weight lower over her shoulders. It frightened her for a moment….but when she looked up in fear, she saw Kilo. He had moved around to her side and laid his upper torso over her back, hugging her shoulders with his arms as he chuffed in gentle command.

Be still. Everything was going to be okay.

Blue was unsure how this would help them, but she found herself soothed by the contact. Kilo put his face down by hers and she closed her eyes, trying to close out the sounds of the rivals, and be as silent as she could possibly be. Her breaths puffed against his cheek…..but then she felt a pounding against her shoulders, and realized it was his heart racing in his chest. She sensed the fear radiating from him, but he continued rumbling to her.

A raptor crept by in the grass, and Kilo pressed tighter against her. Suddenly Blue began to understand why he did this.

His scales blended perfectly into the shadows and the black mud beneath them. By laying over her, he covered her lighter grey scales, and the obvious blue of her markings.

He was hiding her.

So, Blue uttered a thankful coo and Kilo clenched his jaw. He glanced down at her, but very quickly looked away. His chest shook with a small breath.

A few intense moments passed, before the snarls and thumping went quiet. Blue listened to everything fade away as she opened her eyes. Kilo chuffed in confusion.

Where did they go?

He leaned over Blue slowly, sniffing and listening to locate where the rivals had disappeared. Not making a sound he began to think…..wondering what they should do next.

Eventually he nodded, gurgling and nudging Blue. She made an unsure grunt, but he chuffed, giving her assurances again that everything was going to be alright.

The female looked at him…..then warbled. She began crawling out from under her alpha, and continuing straight forward through the grass. She expected Kilo to follow close behind, often glancing back at him to make sure he did.

But suddenly, before he could even make a step forward, he lurked to a stop and made a sharp yelp. There was no effort in keeping it quiet. Pain blossomed over his face and his claws clenched down into the mud.

For a moment Blue and his eyes met when she looked back. The male seemed terrified, as he continued to make whimpers and struggle to move forward. Then…...she saw movement from behind him. She saw two burning eyes as a face came into view, sneering into an almost amused cackle.

Kilo was being held back by claws that sunk into his tail. Muerte found joy in seeing the young male, a sense of recognition flashing through his eyes that made Blue feel her heart shudder.

Well! Hello there!

The big alpha tugged backwards and Kilo scraped across the ground with a sharp cry. Blue stood up and showed her teeth, but he commanded her before she could show any hint of protective aggression. His ragged voice sent shivers down her back.

RUN!

Kilo then sucked in a breath. He pulled his lips back into a low snarl, then whirled upon Muerte with his claws, stabbing them into his chest. Such an attack made the rival bellow and roll, so that both males were thrown into a tangled mess of thrashing limbs. Through the grass they bit, clawed, and tore each other with all the savagery they could muster.

Blue listened to her alpha's voice with horror in her eyes. Her mind begged to run, as he ordered her to….but her heart lingered at the sight and smell of his blood.

He was going to get killed!

Instincts of loyalty drew her lips up with a decision…..a decision that she couldn't leave. He came back for her, he'd be very wrong if he expected her to leave him to the wolves!

So, Blue snarled and mustered up every bit of courage inside of her. Her legs launched her forward towards the fight, even though rival subordinates saw and began rushing her in an effort to defend their own alpha.

A female jumped. Blue dodged, and she crashed over the ground in a burst of mud thrown up into the air.

When the next raptor made a grab for her, there was a loud cackle from behind. She glanced over her shoulder and saw familiar albino scales, as Alden intercepted the attack. Hook and Lima ran close behind and began fighting off the other attackers.

Blue gave them shrill calls of gratitude, then fixed her eyes back ahead. Muerte and Kilo were still rolling across the ground and howling like fighting dogs. She took a moment to sort the mess of limbs and bodies, not wanting to hit Kilo by accident, then jumped and latched her claws over Muerte's spine. The force of the attack and her body weight drug the alpha into the mud, off of Kilo. She tumbled with him and even found herself underneath him for a moment, but she resisted the pain across her side and kicked him with her talons. His pained cries were music to her ears.

Then he turned on her. She felt him stand, then a burning pain slashed across her face, down the side of her skull just behind her left eye. His paws shoved against her throat and she was pushed into the mud with a gagging cough. It felt as though her windpipe was crushed even after he stepped back.

Muerte turned with a few exhausted breaths and wiped his paw across a bleeding gash on his neck. He cackled as though laughing at the attempts made against his life, professing his victory over them as Kilo writhed on the ground not far away.

Pathetic. They thought they could escape him? Steal his new prize?

The old male squared his shoulders and faced the sad little raptor that was his son. He inspected him…..somewhat surprised by how much he had grown since they last saw each other, but also humored by the massive scars which had formed from said incident.

They turned out well, didn't they?

Kilo pushed his torso up and and glared at his father. Blood dribbled from his mouth, but he saw Blue and seemed to find strength in himself, which carried him through the painful movements until he stood and swayed. Muerte whipped his tail. His eyes showed delight in the confrontation he'd been looking forward to for three years, ever since the whelp escaped his grasp and fled into the world.

When he saw him that day in the logging zone, alive against all odds, he began to wonder…...where did little Kilo call home? How had he managed to keep the pack of omegas going? What secrets did he keep?

Not to mention, Muerte had to find out where he found the stunning young female with a blue marking. He suspected the two were mates for some time…...but alas his son was incompetent in the skill of wooing females. Blue was free for the taking, and that was temptation enough to investigate.

Look what it found him! A big territory, full of more food and water than his pack had seen in months!

A bit Spinosaurus troubled…..but Muerte was willing to trade raptor hunting humans for one big predator. His pack was already half the strength it used to be.

As the tyrant gloated in his strength, Blue finally gathered herself and sat up with raspy breaths. He was standing between her and Kilo. She wanted to get up and make another charge…...but her head was ringing, and blood oozed down her cheek from the three claw marks Muerte gave her. She wiped at it with her paw and whimpered at the pain.

Kilo heard those whimpers. He locked his eye on the female and felt his throat choke up, before he was met with emotions of anger and protectiveness. His claws flexed and his neck curled despite the discomfort in his own body.

Seeing Blue injured and threatened by his father was a sight which gave him courage, more noble than any act of defense he had performed since protecting Grey brother.

From there….he could either submit Blue to the fate of Muerte's companion…..or step up and try again to free her.

Better yet, kill Muerte once and for all.

Such a thought was pleasing. Revenge for Mother's death, Grey's betrayal, his scars, threatening the pack, and threatening Blue. HIS pack, and HIS Blue.

With that thought, Kilo stomped his foot and let out a bellow. It made Muerte blink with chin turned up, then he flicked his tail and bent low on his legs. Through the pain he swayed back and forth, oddly tilting his head and showing his teeth.

Muerte made a surprise chuff. What was this?

Kilo growled and bobbed his head more enthusiastically. He was performing a challenge ritual, that all males used when fighting for property or dominance, egging the opponent into facing off.

He was still afraid…..very afraid…..but too much was at stake for him to back down. He had fought Muerte once, he'd do it again if it meant protecting what was important to him.

Blue blinked from where she lay, as Muerte growled and ducked his head in compliance to the challenge. The two males faced each other, then turned, and began stalking in a circle. They teased and taunted one another with displays of dominance….Kilo's being humble and Muerte's bursting with years of victories

No…..no seeing such a sight frightened her. She didn't want to see Kilo hurt!

Before Blue could intervene, a figure came to stand beside her. A gentle chuff made her look up and see Hook standing there with Alden and Lima. Each raptor was decorated with blood stains and scratches from battling their own fights.

Muerte's pack had gone very quiet. Everyone was standing and watching, suddenly enwrapped by what was taking place. The rivals who were not yet wounded took position in a circle around the two alpha males. Kilo's followers hung back with concern etched into their faces….but there was nothing they could do.

Hook knew, if they were to interfere with an alpha's challenge, the fight would be forfeit and Muerte's pack would turn on them in an instant.

What Kilo did was dangerous…..but it was smart at the same time. If he won, the two packs would part with no further conflict. Muerte's pack would be forced to leave the territory and his rank broken.

Such was the law of the pack in raptor society. Blue didnt understand, so Hook sternly grunted at her so that she didnt go charging in to help.

Stay.

She protested and whimpered, but eventually she turned back and reluctantly went quiet. She tapped her talons into the mud and winced at the pain on her face. Once Alden reached over and licked the blood, but she hissed her discomfort and he left her alone, uttering a gentle sorry purr.

Suddenly, they heard Muerte give a sharp roar, and all eyes shot upwards to see him lunging across the way to Kilo. They dreaded their meeting…..but Kilo dove to the left and his father almost stumbled into a poor omega. Being teased like that just made him seethe and bristle his feathers, then lunge again.

That time, the big male made a connection. His claws latched onto Kilo's side and gouged him open, but not without receiving a nasty bite to the wrist. Kilo hoped that it was still sensitive after their fight years ago, which Muerte came away from with a fractured bone that fused messily.

It worked, as Muerte jumped back with a loud yelp and the pack made excited calls. This was the best kind of entertainment for them. They loved the thrill…..while Blue winced and shifted nervously on her feet. Once she even gave a sharp call to Kilo, sending encouragement through the noise.

He could do it….he had to.

As the fight went on Blue found herself creeping forward. Between rival raptors she ducked and pushed, even when one painfully bumped the wound on her face, until reaching the edge of the ring and looking around. Her big golden eyes looked for Kilo…...but suddenly she couldn't find him.

Where did they go?

Her eyes shot to an uproar from in the crowd. Raptors dodged and ran in all directions as Muerte barreled through, dragging Kilo by his leg before throwing him into the mud. The sharp thunk and crack of a fractured rib made her jolt and warble.

Kilo!

Her alpha tried to get up as quickly as he could. His body was covered in blood and mud mixed together, so thickly that she could not discern where the wounds were located. Scarlet dripped from his mouth and it appeared as though one scar on his lip had been torn open. Pain shone in his eye, though he snarled and flashed his head up at Muerte when the big male came close.

Muerte wasn't much better for wear. It seemed that Kilo had managed to strike him quite often, across the chest and down his back. The very tip of his tail was skinned, and blood came from one death talon which had been damaged in the fight.

He was exhausted, but that didn't stop him from kicking Kilo across the side, taking advantage of already broken ribs and sending him rolling over. Blue could hear her alpha gasp for breath as his tongue pulled out and his teeth bared in agony.

GET UP! GET UP AND FIGHT!

Muerte backed off for a moment, as Kilo lay on his side and barely moved. He cackled at his weakness and praised his pack's thrilled cries. Upon limping about the ring he saw Blue standing there, and for a swift moment he stepped close. In a sly move he rubbed his face affectionately across her throat. Thus he painted her scales with Kilo's blood as though to torture her.
He was what a strong alpha looked like. Wasn't he the better choice?

Blue tried to ignore the male's attention and lowered into a crouching position. She stared at Kilo as he laid there…..begging him to move.

Get up!

But the poor wounded raptor seemed broken. His eye rolled forward and she was startled by the weakness in which it shone. No more confident presence….no more spirit that she had come to enjoy seeing.

He thought he was losing. No doubt she worried the same…...but Blue whimpered and tapped one paw against the ground. She called to Kilo yet he looked away in shame of his weakness.

Pathetic! Muerte cackled this claim over and over. His advantage of age and experience over Kilo was paying off. No hills to push him off of, and no rocks to wound him against, luck wouldn't save the whelp this time!

The pack roared their excitement. Alden, Hook, and Lima stared on with horror in their eyes. Blue rested her chin on the ground and whimpered.

Kilo? Please?

A shadow fell over her, then Muerte bent down beside her. Together they looked at Kilo, but he chuffed smugly to her…..making her lips curl in anger and her eyes burn.

No longer was Kilo her alpha. She was his property now…..his treasure.

The male tried to reach out and touch her, but Blue snarled. She shot to her feet and trotted over to Kilo, so that she could crouch beside his body and purr frantically to him. Fear made her voice break as she nuzzled his muddy shoulder, but he groaned in pain and Muerte only became more amused.

Eventually, Hook and Alden trudged over. Blue looked up at them and cooed. They had to help get Kilo on his feet! They had to stand by him! Never give up! Never betray their alpha!

She failed her alpha Owen once before. She left him for another leader and it resulted in the loss of her sisters. What pain would come if they left Kilo's reign? What consequences?

Hook looked at his nephew in sadness, and a tinge of what Blue was infuriated to identify as disappointment. How dare he!

But Muerte came close and snarled to them. He pushed his chest against the elders so that they backed away, while Blue went wide eyed in confusion. What was he doing? They needed to get Kilo on his feet!

Alden cooed to her. If they stood up to Muerte after the results of the challenge, it could result in Kilo's death. To protect him…..they must submit.

Submit? How could they submit?

Blue growled and put her head over Kilo in a stubborn way. She showed her teeth to Muerte as a possessive threat.

The female was determined. Maybe, once they cleaned him up and got his wounds better, Kilo could be an omega for just a little while, like her. They could devise a plan to win back the pack!

Kilo groaned. He slowly began to sit up, but Muerte shot forward and pushed him back down, in turn making Blue stumbled backwards.

Kilo would not be going back to the den.

What?

Horrified, Blue watched as Muerte pinned his son with one foot. He arched his neck and gave command as though he had been their alpha forever.

They had to leave Kilo…..or he'd kill him. No omega. Being cast out was a punishment worse than death in Muerte's eyes…..and oh he wanted to see his whelp of a son suffer.

Alden crept close to a horrified Blue and tried to encourage her. He and Hook knew that this decision would save their family member's life…..she had to understand this.

They tried not to look at Kilo…...tried not to make eye contact and see the look of lost worth he was making. He too knew what they had to do, but it did little to soothe the pain of what he failed to do.

Kilo looked up, and Blue saw his eye turn to her. He choked on the blood in his throat and nodded gently to her...more gentle than he had ever treated her.

Go, he begged her in silence. Protect them.