Hello everyone! I'm back sooner than I was last time, right? ^_^;

I just want to start with saying thank you again for all your patience. It was amazing receiving your reviews, hearing that you guys still enjoy WSB despite the waits that sometimes come up between chapters. Furthermore it was amazing to hear you enjoyed the contents of Chapter #30. Got you with the cliff hanger, didn't I? hehe

I hope you guys continue to enjoy what I have in store for the pack, and what plans Muerte has for them.

On a side note...JW: Fallen Kingdom released. Again, I'm reminding you guys that Why So Blue? is an AU fanfiction. I came up with it after seeing the first movie in theaters, and have had its plot fully planned since 2016. It's only by poor luck and time that I wasn't able to finish it yet.

Saying that, I hope that Fallen Kingdom doesn't ruin what I've had planned for the story all this time. I hope that it's content remains something you guys can enjoy...but in the worst case scenario, in which you dont...….then I suppose I'll just keep writing it for my own enjoyment.

In no way is WSB supposed to be connected to FK, much less a rip-off. I'm keeping everything the way I planned it ,even after seeing the movie.

Back to Fallen Kingdom...man guys...that was awesome :) I was a little worried how the film-makers would handle it, but I was in no way disappointed! So many tears, laughs, and jump scares! (I'll keep my views on it spoiler free, just in case some of you haven't seen it yet.)

I particularly loved what they did with Blue in this plot, handling her personality and making her a more fleshed out character.

Indoraptor was...….quite enjoyable to experience...in a scary way. :D hehe

So yah! I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter, and I hope that I can post another in swift time! I'm really working hard to change my terrible updating schedule.

Thank you!


"Jurassic World: Why So Blue?"

Chapter 31

"Return Of The Tyrant King"


~Blue's POV~


She had seen that look before…...in what had come to feel like a long time ago. It was a look of fear, pain, guilt, and shame. Once again it felt like a claw had pierced her chest. She was numb but felt like she was bleeding at the same time.

Owen gave her that look in the courtyard of Jurassic World, just for a second, before she left him in search of her sisters. He was an alpha that knew he failed his pack. He knew he couldn't restore their life back to the way it used to be.

When Blue saw that look in Kilo's eye, it was all she could do not to go to him. Not to crawl through the mud and make him realize she wasn't upset...that she wasn't ashamed or didn't think any less of him for losing the fight.

Blue only wanted him to continue being her alpha. She didn't want to lose him like she lost Owen.

So, when Muerte finally stepped away from Kilo's broken body, Blue lowered onto her belly and rested her chin against her paws. The mud was terrifyingly cold against her scales, contrasted to the fiery heat coming from the bleeding slashes on her cheek. She didn't care.

Alpha?

Kilo groaned and propped himself up with one arm. She watched as blood dribbled down his chin, and his lips trembled in pain. His eyes were clamped shut and his sides shook with raspy breaths, clearly hurting him further when broken ribs shifted, making him gasp while trying to hide his whimpers.

Blue wagged the very tip of her tail and uttered the gentlest of sad coos, to avoid being heard by Muerte. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him standing on the outskirts of the challenge site, arrogantly fluffing his feathers as he regarded his pack, soaking in their attention and puffing out his bloodstained chest.

The monster….lording his victory over Kilo. No doubt he was trying to be extra loud, to make sure it was heard by every raptor in the valley. It made her wish she was in the position to challenge him herself.

Her claws curled downward at that thought. The thought of unleashing herself upon the male, imagining all the things she could do to him to make him pay for Kilo's pain.

But she knew that would be calling for death. Muerte was in total control of the situation and could strike them down in an instant, whether by his own claws or the collective claws of his loyal pack members. If they tried to defend Kilo's honor, he would be killed. If they tried to run, they would be chased down.

Alden and Hook were right, much as she hated to admit it…...there was nothing they could do.

Suddenly, a disturbance from behind made Blue flinch and grit her teeth. The very air was split by a raptor's voice, sending shivers down her spine in instincts of defensive fear. When she sat up and turned her eyes to the source, they bulged in confusion.

What was going on?

Muerte stood tall on his feet, tail arched and neck turned upward. Like a wolf he pointed his snout to the late night sky with shrill cries, communicating a pack command which echoed across the valley. Again and again, he called until other raptors were joining in with excited howls. The chaos was so much it made Blue's ears ring.

But then she became aware of a presence coming up from behind and heard footsteps through the mud. For a moment the scales down her back went cold with anticipation, and her muscles went rigid for the fear that danger was imminent. Someone was coming! Get ready to fight!

Then a familiar voice cooed, and just as quickly as it came Blue felt her fear melt. Her lungs let out a breath of air she didn't know she was holding.

Alden was standing there, hunched over and twiddling his claws nervously as the rival pack's shrieking continued. She could see how his quills shivered and his teeth ground together, or how his rosy eyes flickered around, telling her he was experiencing the same anxieties she was.

Before she could attempt to utter a coo, the old albino grunted, and she realized he was urging her with a command.

Get up.

Blue blinked and arched her neck. What was happening?

Get away from Kilo. Now.

Why?

She whimpered and looked down at her alpha, but much as she was concerned by Alden's urgent tone, she found that her limbs would not move. Her feet remained anchored to the ground and her claws dug in. Her loyalty detested the thought of leaving her wounded alpha's side.

There was a shrill cackle from Muerte's position, and beyond him, Blue caught signs of movement in the distant tree line. She narrowed her eyes in an effort to better see through the dark, but over Alden's nervous chuffing she heard new raptor calls. Greeting chirps and calls drowned out the chaotic howling, as a group of raptors appeared into the valley. They wove through the long grass at a relaxed jog and made their way up to the kill site. Blue's flaring nostrils took in their scent as more rivals…..more of Muerte's horde which only meant more trouble in her mind.

Alden warbled. He crept closer with head out and quills trembling, before he prodded Blue's shoulder with his nose. The tone in his voice became more aggressive and commanding of her.

Come, Blue! Now!

NO!

A savage snarl split the quiet, and Blue flinched with big eyes. She looked around in confusion of where it came from…...but when she saw Alden's face again she saw an expression of shock. He stepped back from her and drew his arms up, while Hook and Lima gawked from the nearby grass in shared surprise. Even Lima did not fail to express awe with big eyes and a slack jaw.

Omega?

It was then that Blue realized she herself made the snarl, and she immediately ducked her head in shame. She realized her body had moved closer to Kilo, so that she was blocking Alden's way, and had threatened him with her teeth…..even though she knew full well he posed no danger to either of them. In some hopes to apologize to the elder, she wiped all aggression from her face and showed her throat to him in submission.

Alden softened at the sight of Blue in such an unstable condition of emotions, and he gurgled his own apology. That was when she noticed it…..the anger in his own rosy eyes. She could see it when he cast small glances Muerte's direction, how his neck muscles bulged and flexed, how his quills shivered, and his death talons dug down into the mud.

He shared in her despair. He wished to see pain upon Muerte, and honor restored to their Kilo…but just like her, he knew it couldn't be. It seemed to rip him apart just as she felt her own chest burning. He seemed to try very hard not to let Lima or Hook see it.

Suddenly, Blue's thoughts were again interrupted by a sharp snort, and the sensation of eyes boring into the back of her skull. She saw Alden flinch with a ducked head before the sound of feet through mud came very close in the edge of her view. Ghostly grey scales and scarlet blood stains were all too close for comfort.

Once again the female felt anger, and she whirled with paws swinging. Her voice lowered into a warning growl even though Alden chuffed that it was wise to be submissive.

Muerte did not move. He stood there before her, neck arched and eyes narrowed in smug amusement. What was she going to do? Attack him?

He almost dared her to, and it made her furious….but still Blue began losing her nerve. Her claws lowered and her eyes looked at the ground, unable to keep contact with his gaze which held so many frightening emotions.

Well, well, well! Who was this?

The unexpected chatter of a new voice made Blue flinch. She lifted her head, expecting a rival to come for trouble…...but her eyes widened. Her body went still and her seething lips dropped ever so slightly.

This was an unfamiliar female raptor, with spotless creamy scales and a mane of well-groomed tan feathers. Dark blue eyes peered down the length of her nose with a note of…..supremacy…..heightened by the way she extended her chest and stood beside Muerte as though it was her place to do so.

Blue didn't like her. One look and she was questioning defensive gut instincts, but Beauty would have liked to think the same. At first, she looked down at Blue and saw a skinny little skink of a raptor…..no concern to her…...but as she stood there, she saw how Muerte stared at the omega. How he lusted with his eyes and licked his lips with poofed feathers, showing that ever eager expression of desire. She was no stranger to that look…...

With narrowed eyes and a low snort, Beauty cast a secret glare to Muerte, then looked back to Blue and expressed aggression through curled lips. In a great attempt to flaunt her standings of "prowess", she turned and leaned directly into her alpha. Though he growled at the discomfort to his wounds, she simply kept her eyes locked on Blue and cooed. Her tail waved in mocking challenge as though she needed to establish her territory.

MINE!

Blue wrinkled her nose in confusion, but it didn't take long for Beauty's message to make some fraction of sense in her mind. Though the concept of mates, love, and life bonds was still very new and confusing to her….the thought of sharing even the SMALLEST of bonds with the violent alpha was a horror. How could any raptor wish to put themselves through such a thing?

Muerte was not capable of tenderness or love. After his display that night, Blue was positive of it, and she cocked her head with a disgusted hiss. Beauty could keep her wretched alpha! She belonged to no one but Kilo!

Of course, such a claim made Muerte snort and grit his teeth. Blue's resistance against his new reign was frustrating, and his anger only became worse when Beauty uttered a chuff of amusement. He glanced over at his 'beloved mate' and choked on a growl.

Blue did not respect him…..not yet…..but he would change that. Soon enough she would call him alpha and cast the pathetic whelp from her mind. She'd learn to fear him just as the rest of his females feared him.

Muerte curled his lips and marched forward, so abruptly that it knocked Beauty to the side. She gave a sharp yelp and a dejected look, but his eyes were locked on Blue alone, and he towered over her with curled lips.

Submit!

Blue's heart jumped and her body flinched at his voice. As she scrambled backward she snarled and spat in fiery aggression…...but her voice cracked, and her eyes burned when she tried to defiantly stare into his own dominant gaze. Sensing this the determined alpha just pressed harder. He hung his face close to hers and rumbled a deep growl, making a point to snap his teeth in a threat of harm. He would hurt her if she didn't do as he commanded. Did she understand?

Blue felt his hot breath wash over her face, and she closed her eyes with trembling lips as she smelled Kilo's blood on it. Her exposed teeth clicked and grit together, but her lungs tightened and submissive instincts clashed with her wish to resist. Her voice further cracked from bold snarls to weak growls.

She had to fight it! She couldn't bow!

But Blue couldn't deny that he terrified her, and though she fought as hard as she could, a sound did eventually escape. A growl which quickly flattened into a gurgle, and then further into a whimpering groan as her head began to duck against her will.

First, her chin touched her neck, and she felt her own heartbeat pulse against it. As if Muerte's growls controlled her very muscles, her head then tilted, so that her throat was exposed up at him. The soft and vulnerable flesh was just inches from his teeth.

Beauty growled; Alden, Hook, and Lima watched in disbelief….but Muerte purred. He looked Blue over and savored the torment on her face, or how pretty and smooth her scales looked. He wanted to touch them…...so….he rewarded the female's submission by lowering his lips and silencing his aggressive tone. Inch by inch he breathed in her scent and put his face closer. With eyes still closed Blue felt his muzzle press against her cheek, then his rough tongue licking the bloody wounds he had put there himself.

His touch was like acid that burned her flesh. For a small second, the female begrudgingly let it happen…..but then she couldn't take it anymore. Her lips seethed, her eyes snapped open, and she recoiled from him as though a light switch flipped in her head. Her whimpers returned to defiant snarls.

GET AWAY!

Muerte just gurgled and licked his lips, unfazed by the rejection. Many a time females would react to his…..affections…..in such a way. He knew that resistance would only become broken with time and work. He knew he would get through to her, before long. She had proven that to him by submitting.

Up. Now.

Stricken, Blue snorted at Muerte's calm order. Her mind was a rollercoaster of emotions and confusions, trying to understand the way she was being treated. Why did she submit? Why didn't she fight harder against his threats?

Muerte's aggression and power was something she had only been exposed to once before. Kilo's prickliness to her, in the beginning, was far from comparable…...but in her mind, she could only remember one other creature who affected her so. Her instincts of survival and submission didn't know what to think. They couldn't process whether she should fight back or roll over and expose her belly….

Blue's eyes were gleaming with terror, rage…...and a sudden wave of shame, as she realized the weight of her actions.

She submitted to an alpha that was not her own.

It was the Indominus all over again…

A wave of greater despair overcame Blue, and she curved her neck around to where Kilo was still laying. What she saw nearly wrenched another whimper from her chest while making Muerte cackle as though he were chortling.

The scarred male was staring up at her with a new focus, but it was the look he gave her that made Blue shrink backward and bump into Alden's chest. A look of sadness and shock, to see her bow to the raptor that hurt him. The monster that broke his body and his pride…

Blue could only imagine what he was thinking about her loyalties. It made her sink onto her haunches and wag her tail, frantically apologizing to Kilo with little mewls. She was sorry! She didn't mean to! Don't be upset!

Kilo broke their eye contact and groaned, then slowly began to flop onto his side. His face sunk into the mud, neck curled towards his spine in an expression of pain. His lips trembled as he was trying desperately to hide emotional turmoil.

Blue whined and attempted to creep forward when the male went back to refusing to acknowledge her. She didn't mean it! Alpha?

Muerte strode forward and blocked her way and her view. He butted his head against her neck so that she stumbled and Alden caught her with his shoulder. The pack came to attention as he stood tall with a cackle.

It was time to go home.

Blue blinked. Alden and Hook made uneasy gurgles. Home?

Muerte sneered in an expression of amusement to their blank faces. Of course! He wanted them to take him to his new domain, meet the rest of his new pack members! How many of them were hidden away in that maze of blackened rock?

He knew Kilo heard him. He'd meet his lovely daughter Shadow! Wasn't that exciting? How did she fare through the years?

Blue wrinkled her nose and made a sharp sound halfway between a whine and a bark. Stop that!

Muerte snapped his attention back to her, and again his gaze shook her. He got close and arched his neck so that she had to lean back to avoid touching noses with him.

She was going to lead the way, wasn't she? Would she behave like a good girl, for her alpha?

The male's voice was toxic with an underlying growl, threatening her once again. Blue choked on her bravery and felt Alden gently nuzzle her neck in reassurance.

It was okay.

No….it wasn't.


~...~


It was just a few hours from dawn when Muerte began to gather the spoils of his mighty conquest. Blue could feel it in the warming air, or how the sky turned into colors of ebony and grey, and furthermore the fog which began to descend into the valley. She could hear it in the sleepy bird songs…...but then, just like that, the uneasy stillness was replaced by frightened chaos. The birds were silenced by savage growls, as rival pack members dove for all that remained of the Gallimimus carcass to take with them. Ripping meat from one another's' mouths and kicking the more timid to the side.

Very quickly Blue's already upside-down world was going to get much more interesting. She stared in shock at such terrible pack behavior, then suddenly was shoved to the side, as Muerte came upon her and gave a commanding cackle.

Come! Lead the way home!

Blue flashed her teeth to the male, but she was trying desperately to see Kilo. Once or twice she tried to stand on her toes and look over Muerte's shoulders, yet each time she was disappointed by the sight of Beauty on the other side of him, glaring back at her with all the hate of a jealous woman's scorn. The female's blue eyes were like a raging sea, obviously agitated by her lover's behavior.

As raptors skulked to their alpha, obeying his order, Blue could only brace against the pushing and shoving. If ever a male got too close or dared to threaten her with his teeth, Muerte became a whirlwind of death. He would charge straight through the middle of the pack and drive them away…...sometimes dealing a painful slash into their flesh, or knocking them to the ground where they were trampled by many feet. Each time Blue yelped in fear, but then found comfort in Alden's presence, as the albino came close and cooed to her. Hook and Lima stayed together best they could from elsewhere in the chaos.

Then…...they left. Without so much as a chance of goodbye to Kilo, they started off through the long grass, away from the kill site and all the pain which hung there. Blue wanted to call out, but Muerte turned and nipped her shoulder. The sound in her throat became a yelp of pain, to which he only purred in amusement as he got closer.

That's how most of the walk went. Over hills and through the damp grass, Blue was forced to endure such treatment. Muerte brushing up against her body while they trudged along, nipping her scales, possessively cooing in her ear, and then nuzzling her cheek whenever he saw fit. Her growls did nothing to deter his attention. Alden could only watch on with the flame of hatred in his eyes. It seemed like it lasted forever and her chest would only swell with more despair as they grew further from Kilo.

Suddenly, the female looked up, and she came to realize they were topping the last hill between them and the pack's den site. The valley was behind them, dawn ahead, and the ominous shape of the black canyon; the last thing standing between their home. When Blue saw it she couldn't decide if she was relieved or mortified.

No….she couldn't! She couldn't betray Kilo's wishes to keep the pack safe.

For a second the female hesitated where the grass turned to stone, then she began to backpedal in some effort to refuse what was being asked of her. By doing so she slammed into Muerte's chest, the sticky bloodiness of his scales making her backside cringe. She looked up to see him peering into the foggy unknown, snorting on new smells and wriggling his claws. After a moment he looked down at her.

What was she waiting for?

Alden crept to the front of the group and gurgled nervously. He offered to take the lead, to spare Blue the burden…...but Muerte snapped and the albino shrunk back. He was intent to make Blue do the job, unbeknownst to them, knowing that doing so would only break her will further.

A broken raptor was easier to convert. He'd have fun chipping her away bit by bit until she would simply fall into his possession.

He wanted to see the look in her eyes when they stormed into the den…

So, Blue choked on a fearful growl and eventually took a step forward. Without a choice she led the pack into the black canyon, carefully following each path by memory, as Kilo always led them.

It was that moment, as Blue squinted through the fog and carefully placed her feet across the slick wet rock, she realized something that made her whine.

Shadow didn't know what was coming. She and the rest of the pack were probably waiting awake, expecting Kilo to return….but he wouldn't. How would the beta handle it? Knowing her brother had been beaten from the throne and left for dead in the valley? Who would she blame?

Blue knew full well who was responsible for Kilo's hurt. A deep fear began to settle in her heart if Shadow should come to feel that way and all her hard work to gain the beta's trust would be destroyed. Would Shadow hate her for what happened?

Would Star?

As Blue shuffled quietly, she sensed a presence pull up beside her. Out of fear she flinched and bared her teeth, but Alden's gentle voice soothed her, and in turning she saw that he, Hook, and Lima were all there. Muerte had allowed them to pass forward, but he kept close behind…..she swore she could feel his eyes boring into her.

To distract herself, Blue ducked her head and made a low grunt. Looking into Alden's eyes she saw mirrored turmoil, secretly fixing on Muerte whenever he had the chance.

If only four raptors could overpower the horde.

Knowing that physical confrontation was out of the question, Blue looked past the albino and to Hook, who had been almost totally silent since their walk of shame began. She saw emotions that were very hard to decipher, but then her eyes fell on Lima. For a split second the two females exchanged glances…..but for the first time since becoming a part of the Waterfall Pack, Blue was taken aback by the expression of terror on her nemesis' face.

Where once was great pride and confidence, there was a raptor losing her hope. Every image of the sour troublemaker was replaced by a realization that she -just as Blue- was becoming lost in the events of that night.

Seeing Kilo lose must have done a number on that callous attitude. She DID care for him…..Blue had to give her that.

Touched by a very soft feeling of sympathy, Blue turned her eyes back ahead and let out a big sighing breath. Biting down her pride, she uttered a reassuring coo. It didn't fall on deaf ears that time. Lima looked at her from the corner of one eye, rolling her broad shoulders and making a tense rumble of acknowledgment.

A small bit of malice hid behind her tone, but Blue did not doubt it was due to blame. Lima wasn't the kind of raptor to hesitate blaming her for Kilo…..but still, he felt her pain…..she felt all of their pain.

There came a bend in the path, and upon taking it the moisture in the air suddenly intensified. The fog became so thick that Blue could barely see her own feet, while Alden and Muerte's scales became ghostly phantoms. Water began trickling through the rocky ground as a sound like a stampeding herd of prey began to rise.

They were coming up to the waterfall entrance.

A sense of panic began seeping into Blue's heart. She whimpered, and her steps became increasingly difficult, as the roaring water appeared through the haze, tumbling down over the upper ridges of the canyon walls and into the rocks at its base, creating a deep pool before it flowed off down a path which turned to the left; further through the canyon and towards the ocean.

There, Blue came to a slow stop. Muerte noticed this and marched forward with a quick glance about, fiery expectancy in his eyes.

Well? Where was the den site?

She could sense his impatience. With a heavy wince in her facial features and a flick of her tail, she considered what to do next. Every piece of her protective loyalty to the pack was screaming in agony. Why was she obeying? Stop! Don't do it!

The pain of Muerte's teeth effectively silenced those thoughts. He bit her hard on the wrist so that she cried and tried to pull away, but he drug her forward and nearly threw her down onto the rocks. He was making it very clear that he was losing his patience, and they'd be testing his mercy if they tried pulling a trick on him.

Blue flashed her teeth to the male as she regained her footing. She swiveled her wrist, whimpering at the sight of many red speckles on her scales. Muscles up her arm stung from having been pulled so harshly. Resisting instincts went very quiet as they were beat out by self-preservation. Her fear of Muerte wasn't so easily overcome.

Alden, Hook, and Lima watched on with mixed emotions, as their omega stood back up, then slowly began shuffling towards the secret ledge beside the waterfall. Muerte made a shocked gurgle sound upon realizing that she was climbing up onto a path he had not seen before, yellow eyes widening in something of awe, of a passageway which ran BEHIND the water itself.

How very clever of them!

The elders and Lima attempted to go up the path next, but Muerte snarled and shoved them aside. He eagerly leaped onto the first boulder, then carefully traversed upwards. Blue could feel the moment his eyes locked on her once again…..boring into her so that she quickened the pace in order to stay out of his reach.

When she reached the caves, Blue felt her heart give a terrible lurch, and chills swept through her body. She stared at the light of the entrance ahead, knowing beyond it was her family…..unsuspecting of the terror which was headed their way. Suddenly she was overwhelmed by the need to get there first, and her feet began shuffling forward, then they burst into a trot. She could hear Muerte's voice calling to her, but she didn't dare stop as the meadow opened up before her.

It was an eerie setting of fog and chilling moisture, just like the valley and the black canyon. Cold, dark….and utterly silent. Blue could hear every drop of moisture falling from the leaves in the grove she pushed through, or the nervous chirp of a sleepy bird as she jostled its perch.

Pack?

When she finally reached the clearing and the den, there were no raptors in sight. She trotted past the drinking pool and Kilo's favorite sunning boulder, then came to a stop at the entrance to the cave. Her voice came in a hushed whine as her neck arched and her tail swished.

Shadow?

At first, there was no response from the shadows. Blue felt her heart wrench…...then suddenly, she heard the scraping of talons across the stone. Just faintly she saw a raptor's form come close, then the glint of golden eyes fixing on her, wide with abounding happiness. Shadow's motherly voice chittered not a moment after, successfully waking the rest of the pack so that Blue heard them all welcome her home.

Blue!

Shadow, of course, was the first to run out to meet her. The black and red beta was a storm of coos and tail wags, subjecting Blue to a series of face nuzzles, then licks, before she began walking circles around her in a physical inspection.

Was she hurt? Did Kilo bring her back to them in one piece?

The cuts on her cheek were regarded with concerned growls and more licks. The mud and various points of damage to the rest of her body were tsked with little clicks of her teeth.

Not too bad! No broken bones! No deep cuts!

Good!

Shadow finally stepped back, and Blue found the moment to voice her urgent warning. With an aching heart, she stomped a foot and whimpered to her beta, conveying apologetic pleads and the desperation in which they were all in danger! Danger was coming! They had to prepare!

Blue saw Shadow's expression shift from joyous, to confused, and then to fear. She saw her eyes flicker about, then fill with the realization that her brother was not there…...that Hook, Lima, and Alden were not there.

As Victor and Tango cautiously tiptoed from the den, Shadow looked deep into Blue's eyes and choked on a whimper.

What happened? Where was her family?

Blue went silent. Her claws wriggled and her tail drooped sadly before she had to break eye contact and look at the ground in a great expression of shame. Her body shriveled into a crouched bow position, then she turned her head so that her throat was exposed in full submission.

She was so sorry.

Shadow stared at her in confusion….but suddenly the moment was broken by a shrill cackle in the distance, and she shot her head up with a shocked yelp. From off in the mist she could see figures breaking through the outer grove of foliage. Their scents overwhelmed her mind with memories of pain and suffering, so much that she took a stumbling step backward and uttered a mortified chuff.

Rivals? In the meadow?

For a moment the beta didn't know what to do. She shifted on her feet and whimpered, then finally looked to her mate, who saw the look in her eyes and leaped back into the den. He knew the younglings needed to be gathered. Tango sensed the intensity behind his bark and she hobbled after him best she could.

That's when Muerte appeared from the fog, like a true phantom and image of death. A king strutting in the presence of paupers. Shadow saw him, and she realized that something terrible must have happened, for that monster to have found their den.

Where was Kilo? What happened to her brother!

Blue winced as Shadow looked to her for answers, but then Muerte took notice of his daughter. His feathers fluffed up in surprise and his eyes brightened just a bit before he sauntered over with a proud cry.

Well! Seemed that Kilo wasn't the only one to grow up!

The old male regarded his offspring with a critical eye, judging her every physical feature as though gauging her success in carrying his attributes. He was somewhat disappointed to see Mother behind her sharp golden eyes or the way she curled her lips and arched her neck.

She was something to look at, just the same. Perhaps, with the right female, he could sire young with such looks AND a proper sense of authority.

Perhaps…..

Meanwhile, Shadow gawked at her father and looked over him with increasing terror. The mud and wounds over his body were signs of a struggle. The blood -still wet from the fog's moisture- struck her instincts like a physical blow.

It smelled heavily of Kilo. Her heart stumbled into a frantic pace as her mind conjured all manner of terrible scenarios, each one ending with Kilo dead….slashed apart, bleeding out onto the ground….

Muerte interrupted these images with a loud cackle. He used a tone of mockery to Shadow, further making her stumble back, nearly colliding with Victor's chest as he appeared from the den carrying Star in his mouth. Tango stayed close with Curare and Mike huddled at her feet, who looked about at the strange raptors with bulging eyes and frightened whimpers.

The pack was now his. He'd be confiscating them as HIS property, as would he be confiscating everything that belonged to them, starting with their nice little cave!

Victor curled his lips from behind the grip he held on his daughter. Blue blinked as she saw the male express his anger, totally against Muerte's demands.

Was he their new alpha? He'd have something to say about that!

But Shadow chose that moment to break free from her trance. While staring at Muerte, she cooed softly to her mate in some plead for him to stand down. There would be no challenges….no fight.

Victor seemed shocked at that. His brave and bold mate backing down from protecting her home? Why?

But then he saw her sorrow, and he remembered what it was like when they used to live under Muerte's authority. He remembered a time when Shadow was not so sure of herself….before she drew her strength from her brother.

Kilo was out of the picture, thus Shadow didn't know what to do…

Victor puffed out his chest and chose to press close into his mate. Immediately, upon sensing his scales make contact with her, her eyes refocused and she made a sideways glance to him which communicated thankfulness that he was beside her. She returned to the present world somewhat….especially when Star lifted her heavy head and looked about with frightened confusion, voice barely whispering a whine.

Muerte saw this transpire and he cocked his head, gurgling as rival subordinates began closing in.

A youngling? A mate?

Seemed that Shadow was a bit more successful in the reproduction department than her brother was…..though the resulting child was….somewhat disappointing. Bland of color and CLEARLY weak with sickness. An obvious fault in the gene pool which would not survive much longer.

Seeing this communicated through his gaze, both Shadow and Blue suddenly found it in themselves to hiss. Blue wrenched herself to her feet, while Shadow arched her neck in fear of her father's old ways. Ways of murdering young he did not see fit to live.

He wouldn't be touching her daughter! Or any member of her family, for that matter!

Something seemed to snap in the mother's heart at that moment. She curled her lips and flashed her talons, before jumping forward and startling Muerte with a sharp cackle. Doing so forced him back a step, granting her the room to stand before her pack and square her shoulders in defense of them.

BACK OFF!

Muerte blinked, then scoffed at such heroic behavior. A small part of him took great offense, but another fight would be inconvenient to his goals. His attention needed to be fixed on claiming the den site. Disciplining rebellious daughters could wait for another time.

So, the alpha male puffed out his bloody chest so that Shadow saw it good and clear, then he turned to skirt around their little group. As he walked past them into the den, Blue huddled close against Shadow's flank and ducked her head in some effort to remain unseen.

Muerte was gone…...but with that relief came a new set of problems. What would they do next?

The rival pack was in the meadow, making themselves at home in a storm of bickering cries. Some fought over the sunning boulders, some pushed for drinks at the water pool, and a vast majority scattered about with their scraps from the Gallimimus carcass. They huddled in groups and gnawed on bits of bone, or ragged meat, snarling greedily when someone got brave enough to try taking it from them.

Shadow flashed her eyes between this scene. Blue saw her trying to figure out their next move….but then she heard a low growl, and she turned to see that they were being approached by three young rival males. Each walked with claws out and heads low, regarding the new group of 'fresh meat' with dominance in their eyes.

Eager subordinates looking for a chance to climb up in the ladder of authority. Shadow saw them and she made a decision quite hastily.

They would move to the grove of trees on the other side of the meadow, near to the drinking pool. The foliage would serve a decent nesting spot out of the weather, and would provide some privacy from the rivals. It was their best shot.

The female cooed and began stepping forward, urging everyone to stay together. Blue felt Tango press up against her flank, which further pushed her against Victor so that they became a tightly packed group. Curare and Mike did their very best to walk underneath and adult without tripping them, though sometimes Blue found herself stumbling forward when Mike made a shrill cry and practically clung to her ankle with his claws.

A snarl burst from the left, and one of the rival males hopped close with snapping teeth. He was aiming for Mike, but he wasn't counting on Tango being a protective sister. She lunged out with surprising agility for her injured hip, and slashed her claws just short of his muzzle, making him yelp and jump back to safety.

They were moving slowly across the grass; about halfway to their goal, when the rivals began to up their game. Blue saw another male skirting around behind them, sneakily fixing his eyes on Mike as he struggled to keep under an adult. The younglings were easy prey. In Muerte's pack, male younglings were liabilities and threats to existing bloodlines. Everyone knew what their alpha wanted, and everyone wanted a shot at gaining his favor.

So, when Mike stumbled on Tango's foot and fell out of the protective huddle, Blue saw the nearest male lunge for the kill. Her body burst into the fire of protective rage and she lunged to meet him, cackling with all her might as she crouched over the crying adolescent, slashing her claws.

Shadow was about to rush to the omega's aid when they heard a familiar set of snarls. All eyes looked up as three raptors joined the fight, Alden going to Blue, Hook taking lead beside Shadow, and Lima sicking on the rival males.

Alden panted soft apologies to Blue as he stood over her. They had gotten held up with a group of rivals on the other side of the meadow. They tried to get to them as quickly as possible…...

Blue cooed her thanks. She noticed the cuts and bruise discolorations across the old male's side, but she didn't call attention to them, as both raptors stood up and escorted Mike back to the huddle group. He reunited with Tango, and they continued on their way, Blue skirting on the edge so that she could ward off any rival that came within fifteen feet of her family.

Then, they reached the trees. Shadow punched a hole through the thick foliage and beckoned everyone inside with urgent coos. Each raptor ducked inside as Alden, Blue and Lima guarded the rear. The rivals were losing their nerve, and upon seeing the group reach the thicket, they backed off with disappointed growls.

When Blue finally entered the cover of the trees, she was faced with a startling sight.

Shadow was throwing herself around, violently, into bushes and saplings. She made no sound but was quite effective in crushing the plant life, smashing it into the ground or leaning it dramatically to the side. Doing so broke up the canopy above, and let rays of light shine down.

It took a moment, but Blue realized that the female was making them a den of sorts. Ripping out bushes and pressing them into what was becoming a thick wall of foliage surrounding them, like a giant nest. Thorn bushes, in particular, were strategically placed to keep unwanted raptors away.

Once the area was big enough to house the pack comfortably, Alden and Hook began gathering grass in absolute silence. No raptor uttered a sound as they slashed and uprooted suitable plants for nest building, then gathered it into a big pile to sleep on.

Shadow went still for a moment and inspected her handiwork, before letting her eyes roam to each of her pack. Each face burdened by fear of what was to come….looking up at her with sad eyes, gurgling a note of comfort.

Victor made a soft purr and went to his mate the first chance he got. Still carrying Star, he offered the little one up, and Shadow made a choked whine, as she nuzzled their daughter and felt the coldness of her scales. She pressed into Victor's chest and draped her neck over his shoulders, clearly seeking his comfort as her body nearly shivered from the shock of what was happening.

Blue saw this…..and her heart wrenched. Though the pack began to huddle together and lay down on the elders' family sized nest, she hesitated away from them. She couldn't stop staring at Shadow, wishing she could heal her hurt and make things better.

First Star….and then Kilo. Try as she might, she couldn't help them….

But could she?

Another realization hit Blue and made her own heart skip a beat. All her worry began to focus, down from the big picture and to one thing that frightened her…..the fate of the younglings.

The whole point of the secret hunt was to get the younglings - particularly Star- fresh meat. In their new situation, how was Blue supposed to do that? How were any of them going to find a way to provide for their pack, if they were trapped like prisoners in the meadow?

Star was dying, and the adolescents would soon follow if they couldn't get the sustenance they needed. Tiny bits of regurgitated food wasn't enough to keep them going or save little Star from her illness.

At that moment, Blue's mind fixed on the Gallimimus carcass….or rather….the scraps from said carcass. Not a couple dozen yards away, there were hunks of it in the jaws of the rivals, unrightfully disappearing down their gullets while her family starved.

Blue wrinkled her nose at that disgusting thought. Her anger bubbled up like fire in her stomach, bringing on all sorts of daring imaginings.

So close…...so tempting.

Suddenly, taking one last look at Shadow and her family, Blue found herself backing silently out of the thicket. Trying her very best to do so without alerting the pack, she slunk free, then turned and observed the task she was putting herself up to. The entire meadow was her 'hunting grounds', essentially. She'd have to inspect each opportunity and pursue the one with the best chance of success.

So, making up her mind, Blue snorted and slowly began creeping away from the trees. She did so silently, nervous eyes flickering about the hazy meadow to each rival, considering each hunk of meat as they glared back with suspicious eyes.

Some scraps were too small to bother fighting for. Others were already being fought over, by frothing raptors that bit and slashed in desperation to feed.

Blue felt her gut twist, as she knew she might need to fight just as fiercely in order to thieve herself into a meal. Her flesh tingled in anticipation of pain, and she feared it….but just like the rivals, desperation overrode self-preservation. The need to protect her family made wounds unimportant.

Suddenly, the omega came to a stop, just as she was sneaking around two young rivals. At first, her attention was momentarily grabbed by their bickering and nipping, only seeing them hunkered over something…..but then she saw what they were guarding.

A sizable chunk of a Gallimimus thigh, surprisingly intact even after so much time since the kill. A particularly agitated male was laying over it, barely having the chance to eat as he kept a younger and ambitious female at bay.

As Blue watched and almost drooled, the rival female lurched forward to clamp her jaws on one end of the meat scrap. She did so boldly, but when the male also clamped his jaws on the other end, he threatened her with nervous cackles. They stumbled to their feet and wrenched each other about in a great tug of war….but he made no effort to actually wound the female.

In fact, Blue could see the fear in his eyes. He was afraid to hurt the raptor trying to steal his food, but why? Why was she such a threat to him?

Little did she know about Muerte's rules within the pack. HIS females were special, and as special companions to him they earned a small level of respect amongst other subordinates…..or rather, fear that if they should ever be damaged, Muerte would seek revenge and have the offenders killed for daring to hurt his treasures.

For a moment Blue watched the half-hearted scuffle with interest, and she swished her tail. Her eyes inspected both raptors in a debate if she should try or pass.

Yes….she felt she should try. She saw no other chances for a hunk of meat so large and guarded by so few raptors. It would be the best shot for her pack.

So, Blue curled her lips and discreetly turned so that she could approach the pair at an angle. She locked her eyes onto the meat and adjusted for the direction in which it was being dragged, putting her head down and curling her fingers in preparation, putting more weight on her toes.

When the male suddenly lost his grip and the meat hit the ground, Blue couldn't contain herself any longer. Without a single sound leaving her lungs, she burst forth through the grass and did her best to approach undetected. Raptors lifted their heads but only watched in surprise that one of the new additions was so brave to compete for food. Some were amused as they gnawed on their bones and waited for a show.

Blue entered the disagreement like an explosion, and the two rivals nearly doubled back in surprise. Muerte's female companion cackled as this nobody omega landed on top of the meat, totally shocked by the insubordination, but quickly insulted and game to defend her rights.

And that's when the fight started. The male, seeing that two females were now aiming to start a ruckus, lost his nerve completely. As Blue gave a great cackle and latched her jaws across the widest part of the Gallimimus thigh, he sulked off and the pack fixed their attention. Some howled in great joy at this 'catfight'. Oh, how exciting!

Blue was only focused on winning, as she struck her foe and succeeded in knocking her to the side. Even with a mouth full of meat, she continued to scream and cackle with all the dominance she could muster.

Before long, Muerte's companion began to tire. She was smaller than Blue and driven by her own need for meat, rather than the selfless need to care for three starving younglings. The aggressiveness in which she snapped at Blue became more and more labored.

Then just as quickly as it started, the fight ended. Muerte's companion suddenly let out a loud angry shriek, let the meat slip from her jaws, then turned and ran a safe distance away.

No longer struggling against another raptor, Blue discovered just how heavy her new prize was. The weight of it dropped her mouth to the ground, snuffing in dirt as she propped herself up with her arms and gasped for breath. Her body was tense as she looked around, expecting another fight from the raptors who stared at her in bewilderment, snarling at them in something of a dare for a fight.

No one offered to step forward, so Blue grunted and allowed herself to relax a tiny bit. The taste of the meat was so tempting on her tongue, but she turned and began dragging it back towards the thicket. No hesitation to take it to her family. No waiting around for a raptor to change their mind.

Almost a dozen yards from her goal, Blue thought she was home free…..she did it….she got food for her pack!

But then…..she was aware of a figure following after her, not a moment before there was a sharp hiss and a foot came crashing down onto the meat. Blue came to a lurching stop and made a shocked garble.

What was this?!

Tightening her hold on the scrap and bracing her legs, the omega wrenched her head to a painful angle in order to see the raptor who intervened. Her stomach dropped in confusion and concern at the same time. Her panting lungs let out a devastated groan.

At first, it was hard to identify the raptor, whose face was blotched out by the light of the rising sun from behind….but those creamy scales struck a chord of familiarity. A scent which carried Muerte's musk made her snort in realization before Beauty swooped her head down and sneered with angry blue eyes. Her feathers were poofed like the hackles of a bristling dog.

What did the omega think she was doing?

Blue growled uneasily, and with a sharp tug with both legs, she managed to jerk the meat out from under Beauty's foot. Doing so made her stumble backward, while Muerte's lover took the chance to dive and skirt around, moving to cut Blue's way to the thicket altogether. She arched her neck and gave a challenging cackle that made the pack shift with excited chatters.

Confused and threatened by the female's actions, Blue stood up best she could with the weight of the meat and stomped one foot. She attempted to swoop left and go around, but Beauty cut her off. Again she fluffed her feathers and curled her lips.

Why couldn't the wretched female let her pass? What was her problem?

Beauty bobbed her head with another challenging cackle. She was inching closer and closer, eyeballing the meat Blue was struggling to drag over the ground, wondering how the omega thought she had the right to steal from subordinates of Muerte's pack. She thought she was something special? That she had the alpha's favor?

Wrong. She was just a skinny little skink that couldn't possibly understand what Muerte was offering!

So, Beauty stomped forward and cackled, outright challenging Blue for the share of food. She slashed her claws through the air and lashed her tail, which only sent the pack into an uproar of joy.

Give it!

Blue blinked in shock and jumped backward. She returned a dominance snarl, unaware that Beauty was challenging her for more than just the meat, between the lines…...but only the meat mattered to her. She only saw a raptor trying to take it away, and she WAS NOT going back to Star without it!

Crouching low, the female rocked on her hips and conveyed her determination. She attempted again to get by, and Beauty only blocked the way as before…...but Blue kept pushing. She sidestepped and lunged hoping she could somehow slip by…..but suddenly there was a sharp wrench on her face. Her eyes flashed to the side and saw that Beauty had snapped her teeth over a portion of the Gallimimus thigh. She was thrashing her head side to side while pushing against Blue's shoulder with both paws, trying to take it from her by force.

Absolutely unacceptable!

Blue responded to this outrage by running full bore into Beauty's chest. She became a whirlwind of struggling efforts, swinging paw and foot against her foe so that Muerte's lover became enraged at the resistance. The omega always managed to hold on, even when her teeth and jaws began to hurt from the straining. Ever so often she felt the sting of claws gouging her shoulders or her sides, but they were shallow.

Beauty was far from skilled in battle, despite her confidence. All those years of hiding behind Muerte's shadow made her strikes clumsy and poorly aimed. Blue did more to strike and slash with her experience of fighting great white Indominus Rexes, and murderous Utahraptors.

Not bad for a skinny little skink!

Just faintly, Blue was aware of the pack crowding around them, just as they had done for Muerte and Kilo's fight. As she slammed the side of her head into her foe's ribs, she saw raptors watching on with excited eyes. She heard them howl and shriek in anticipation for the winner.

No one ever dared to hurt Muerte's prized mate before! What consequences and excitement would this bring?

But, beyond the chaos, Blue heard another voice. Her bulging eyes swiveled around in search of its familiar source, and she soon found it. She saw a black head stretching above the thrall, frantically trying to get a view as frightened yellow eyes fixed on her.

It was Shadow. It hadn't taken long for the beta to realize someone was missing from her group, much less were the battle cries hard to miss. In a fit of panic, she ordered Alden and Hook to stand guard, while she burst from the trees and found their omega latched in a fight….with the second worst raptor she could possibly aggravate.

Blocked by the crowd from reaching them, Shadow could only shriek and beg Blue to break it off. Give up on the meat and run! Now!

Blue knew she should have listened. Everything that had transpired that night, was because she disobeyed orders….but she couldn't obey them now. She had to get that meat for Star.

For a few long moments, the fight continued, drawing the omega's strength. Just before it seemed she could no longer hold on, Beauty lost her grip, and the two females stumbled away from each other with gasping cries.

Silence fell as they caught a breath, Blue taking a moment to rest her muzzle upon the ground, relaxing her hurting muscles while her sides heaved and her eyes remained locked on Beauty. The other female was hunched over with a bewildered look on her face….as though she didn't expect her adversary to hold out for so long. The pain she felt over her own body was….offensive. How dare she!

Blue was nothing but an omega, and belonged with the rest of the pathetic low ranks to squander their days in filth and starvation! She didn't deserve an alpha's affection!

To this claim, the omega puffed out her chest. Still holding onto the meat in her jaws, she lashed her tail and made a challenging bark. She refused to give Beauty the submission she desired. She was not Kilo, nor was she Muerte! She had no power over her!

Beauty seethed in anger. For the slightest moment she was shaken by the thought of a female not being afraid of her…..but then she bared her teeth and showed her claws. She marched slowly towards Blue, inch by inch coming closer with every intention to change that, if not slice the skin's throat open for such defiance.

Blue braced and Shadow made a fearful cry. She waited for the female to charge…...to attack her…..but then….she didn't.

Beauty's eyes unfocused, shifted upwards, then fixed back on Blue with a gleam of raging disappointment. Her body seized, then she dropped out of her aggressive stance, taking on a more hunched position; ducking her head and tilting it to the side with an exaggerated whimpering cry, so unexpected that Blue recoiled and sucked in a breath of confusion.

Beauty continued to cry and act as though she was in a state of agony, working her pain and the 'crime' done against her.

The omega attacked her! She hurt her and brought blood to her scales!

What!?

Absolutely appalled, Blue snorted…...but then she noticed something. How the female stared behind her. How each raptor in the crowd now held a gleam of fear and uncertainty in their eyes, some excitement.

Then…...she sensed a presence from behind. The feeling of eyes boring into the back of her skull sent shivers rolling down her spine and fear into her own heart. Slowly Blue dropped the meat from her jaws and began to turn, head low and claws tucked against her chest.

Alpha Muerte was there, standing tall with a less than pleased look on his face. He peered down at her with narrow eyes, unreadable as his tail swished and his black feathers fluffed up. Immediately Blue felt her courage die, and she shriveled up into a ball. Extending her neck and choking on a whimper, she feared what would be done to her…...what consequences he would give for hurting Beauty. A small part of her wondered if pleading mercy would even work…

But no punishment came…

Blue blinked in shock when the alpha male made a low snort, then abruptly walked past her. She wondered if she saw a note of anger deep in his eyes…...but they were shifting to Beauty, whom gave an overly dramatic whine and went to meet him. Her gait was broken by a fake limp, leg extended out to the side as though it had been broken it in the fight.

Alpha! Look at what she did!

Muerte was frighteningly silent as his mate pushed up against his chest, rubbing her face into his scales, purring to him and giving Blue secret smug glances…...but Blue watched with wide eyes. A feeling of unease touched her, for reasons she couldn't understand. Danger instincts were niggling at the back of her head like frightened whispers.

After a moment of caressing, Beauty looked up at Muerte and cooed to him, twisted affection in her eyes and trust in her voice. She leaned up to attempt licking his nose, to which the male tilted his head and regarded her with that blank look…..a look of indecisiveness.

Suddenly, it was like a switch flipped in the old male's mind. Blue saw his indecisiveness flash to a calm rage, in smoldering eyes and snarling lips, the same second his neck snapped out and his jaws closed over Beauty's throat. His beloved mate let out a terror scream as he pushed her backward, using his strength to throw her to the ground underneath him. Blue couldn't believe her eyes…..she could only watch and utter fearful whimpers at the betrayal of bonds taking place.

Still biting into Beauty's throat, closing her windpipe and drawing her blood, Muerte kicked at her with his feet and pushed down into her chest with his arms. Though she struggled, calling to him with the cries of a mate who barely had the chance to realize what was going on, he felt no guilt in wounding her. He stared into her eyes with that calm rage…..until he finally let go of her, and stepped back with a victorious cackle. Not enough to kill her….not right away at least…..

When the dust cleared and Blue gathered her wits, she could only stare at Beauty in absolute horror.

The female was reduced to a tattered mess…..hardly the image of beauty she was just seconds before. Blood flowed from deep pits in her throat, which rattled and gargled with each breath from the damage done to her windpipe. Her feathered mane was torn out of her neck in some places, strewn across the ground. One forepaw seemed to have been crushed under the struggle so that every bone was broken and distorted the way her fingers curled.

The worst damage Blue could see was the massive gash running down Beauty's stomach. From the breastbone in her ribcage to between her legs, blood gushed out in scores. In one place it even seemed that the cavity into her stomach had been breached.

Silence fell over the pack. Only Beauty's gasping whimpers could be heard, as raptors began leaving the scene…...some too nervous by Muerte's eruption to stick around.

He had never turned upon one of his females before….

Licking the blood from his lips, Muerte snorted at Beauty as though amused by her, before he turned and fixed his eyes on Blue. She saw this, and deep terror hit her, as she stumbled onto her haunches and ducked her head. He strode towards her and she feared the worst.

If the male was so easily turned against his mate….would he kill her?

The female clamped her eyes shut and waited for pain…..but again nothing happened. She sensed Muerte in front of her, then she heard his sickly sweet purr, and her eyes cracked open.

He held the dropped scrap of Gallimimus meat in his jaws, standing proudly before her. When their eyes met Blue had half a mind to run away, but she was stuck in place by her fear, almost trembling in the male's shadow.

For a moment Muerte looked at her, that calm expression again on his face, then he snorted. He extended his neck out to her, offering the meat in his jaws. He held it quite easily despite its weight.

Take it. A gift, from him.

A gift?

Shocked, Blue made a choked growl and nervously eyed the meat. More accurately…..she eyed the blood coated over Muerte's face, dripping down his exposed teeth and the scrap he was so 'graciously' offering her.

Seeing her hesitate, the male jiggled the scrap and shoved it towards her with a stern growl. Doing so made her flinch and duck her head further in the fear he would lash out.

TAKE IT!

Blue whimpered. She didn't want to accept…...but she remembered how much she needed that meat for the younglings. If she refused, they'd go without food another day.

Making eye contact again with the alpha, he puffed out his chest and cooed to her in fake gentleness. A cold feeling went through her body, but she inched forward and parted her jaws, tilting her head to the side in a gesture of acceptance.

Muerte shifted on his feet in approval. He reached to meet her, teasingly nuzzling the edge of her mouth with his, before shoving the scrap between her teeth, almost making her choke before she clamped down and pulled back like he was going to bite her any second.

He hissed, she forced herself to slow, and he fondly nibbled the scales of her throat before finally allowing her to back away.

For a moment Blue didn't know what to do. The weight of the Gallimimus thigh was difficult to hold, but she didn't want to turn her back on Muerte. She didn't want to move her eyes off him…..but how could she reach the thicket if she couldn't move?

This question was answered, when a raptor trotted up to meet her, chuffing softly though Muerte snorted and flicked his tail. Who was brave enough to approach him now?

Blue looked up and was met with the warm face of her beta. The female cooed to her, then reached down and grabbed one edge of the meat in an effort to share the load. Each moment she was casting untrusting looks to her father, growling at him to stay away from her omega.

Shadow understood at that moment, what Muerte wanted of Blue…..and it made her so angry she wished she could maul him.

Instead, she watched him scoff at them before he turned to stalk away, leaving them to return to their family…..and leaving Beauty to lay alone, gazing at her mate with devastation in her eyes.

Shadow and Blue didn't stay long in the open. They hurried back to the safety of the trees, where they were welcomed by the pack's nervous chatters. Upon stepping into the shadowed den, Blue's fear washed away and she was wrapped in the warmth of her family.

As the elders promptly took the meat to the center of the room, Blue and Shadow collapsed in a heap amongst the gathered long grass, side by side. Tango and Lima stared in bewilderment at the omega…..shocked by her actions, while the adolescents crept forward and began rubbing against her chest. Upon realizing they were thanking her, Blue reached her head down and nuzzled both of them with a tired chuff. After that, they shuffled over to the meat and began wolfing it down, silently but enjoying it just the same.

That's when Victor approached with little Star in his mouth. Shadow watched with hopeful eyes, as her daughter was rested in the grass next to the meat, nuzzled and bumped by Victor who urged that food was there to eat.

Didn't she want to eat?

Star was very weak and limp for a moment. She regarded the pile of flesh with half aware eyes before the scent of it began to touch her senses. First, her sides shook with breaths….then her tail quivered, and she uttered a happy little whine. This was followed by awkwardly crawling towards the meat and shoving her face into it, getting as big of a mouthful as she could manage, then swallowing and repeating.

Shadow wagged her tail and gave a relieved rumble. Blue beamed at the sight of Star getting her nourishment, knowing she did well….before her eyes glanced to the beta and guilt resurfaced.

Shadow?

The female looked over, and Blue was faced with the eyes of a raptor who tried her best to hide inner emotions. She saw pain….struggled to keep inside after all the events of that day weighed down on her.

Like Kilo…...she didn't want the pack to see her weakened. Leading them was up to her now…...she had to be strong. She had to be strong for her family….right?

Blue whimpered. For a moment she just looked at Shadow, then she reached out to lick the raptor's face in comforting apology. This seemed to shock her….but suddenly Blue felt her entire body shake, and heard a long weak sigh, as she sunk into the contact. Everything just let go in one big release of emotions that Blue could sense in waves.

No one knew what the future held…...and it scared them all.