((Author's note:: Here is another Chapter for those who enjoy reading my work. ;) Thank you very much for all the positive feedback! Without those kind words of encouragement, I wouldn't be able to continue. Warning; There be sexual content... Ye be warned... arr..lol))

Chapter 8

Many moons earlier

"Hey Max what ya make of this stuff?" He let the metallic grains spill between his gloved fingers, it shimmered like crushed silver.

Max crouched next to David and shook his head, "Honestly, I've never seen anything like this before. It's never been reported in any other planetary system."

"That rare huh? No wonder the company brought us out here." David replied thoughtfully, "Let's hope we don't encounter any hostiles on this excavation. I promised my wife and kids I'd be home in six months."

Looming shadows draped over there forms, blocking out the sun in strange shapes that danced about the earth. Eating away any light that dared to linger, clinging desperately to their bodies. Both men looked forward, instinctively reacting to the sudden darkness.

Neither man wanted to turn towards the source. The air began to sting with an uneasiness that emitted from their tense bodies.

"David.." Max began in a hushed whisper, "Don't turn around.."

Max had known something was off as a strange hissing sound pulsed through the shadow that withheld them.

"What is it?" A frightened voice edged from his lips as his eyes sparkled with fear.

Max new that David was afraid, he had every reason to be. Whatever Max was hiding from him had to be bad, because Max never acted in fear. He had been like a father figure to him, being his elder by ten years. David may have been only twenty years old, but he was upstanding in every aspect.

No wonder Max took to him, they had an immediate connection when they first arrived to the planet. David was the son that Max had lost only five years earlier. His only son that had vanished on Sevorion.

Hisssssss

The sound erupted behind David's head sending pure chills of fear to snake through his spine. He wanted to run, his muscles ached and burned in his legs. No matter how strong of man he was, David never went against his instincts.

He glanced toward Max to see the color completely drain from his aged features. A chilling realization ripped through his mind.

Max wasn't looking at David anymore, he was looking over his shoulder...

"RUN!" Max roared snatching David by the arm and hoisting him into the air.

The force drove him into a fast sprint. His body pulsed with endless adrenaline, his lungs heaved with escaping breath. Living was the only thing that ran through his mind as he sped along side Max.

This wasn't supposed to happen, the company explained there were no predators in the Leviathan Sector.

Bastards... They lied.

Making their way along the path that led to the shelter, they had only ten feet until they were home free. Suddenly Max let out a agonizing wail, casing David to stop short in his fleeing tracks.

"MAX!"

David watched in horror as black shapes dragged Max off into the jungle. Unable to think he lunged forward into the madness, his soul screaming out for him to turn around and save himself. Ignoring it's plea's the jungle drank him into a fog of uncharted territory.

HISSSSSSSS!

Heart-pounding terror ignited his boiling blood as his eyes fell on the very thing that would silence his shrill screams...

CRACK!

Drip... Drip... Drip...

Silence....

Nothing but a trail of crimson leading off into the unknown....


Radiant feathers of metallic shades glistened in the mid day sun as four bodies sat on the sand. The ocean air swept over the vast beach, cooling the heat away with its soothing melody. Waves crashed playfully against the shore as a small flock of sea birds soured over head.

"We have records of the slow transformation that took place within the group of minors."

Merrick began as a clawed hand scratched behind his head. "The company had done tests on each individual before they stepped foot on Sevorion. Leading them to believe they were for safety purposes, but in actuality, they were experiments."

"Dangerous ones." Jennifer chimed as her eyes flashed a piercing emerald.

"Yes dangerous, and illegal. The workers had no knowledge of this, thinking it was routine check ups." Merrick finished with a soft click.

Jack sat completely in awe at the talking Raptors, her elbows resting on her knee's as her small hands cupped her attentive face.

Riddick sat comfortably beside her, his arms held safely against a black tank top that hid his well defined chest. He would glance every so often to Jack, find a smile eating at his lips then turn back to the very intelligent Raptors.

"What happened?" Jack asked. Her voice holding a child like quality that brought a smile to both Raptor's fierce features.

Jennifer's fluffy feathers swayed in the breeze, "It didn't happen overnight, the change was slow and gradual. It hit the female workers faster due to their higher hormone fluctuations."

"So they started transforming because of their periods?" Jack raised a brow.

"Exactly."

"I'm not going to start sprouting feathers when I get a mood swing am I?" She asked jokingly.

Riddick saw his opportunity and took it, "No you sprout fur Kid. But that's only on the full moon."

Jack glared at Riddick, "You're such a child." She growled rolling her eyes.

There was an uneasy silence for a long time before everyone just burst into laughter. It felt pretty damn good for all four predators to sit under the light of the gentle sun. Jack felt like she belonged...

While Riddick was still on edge, his beast snarling that other predators were too close to his mate.

"No Jack you don't have to worry about becoming like us. Physically anyway. You both already have the same instincts as we do, if not more so." Jennifer stated warmly.

"What happened to the workers?" A gravely voice asked curiously.

Riddick was sitting closer to Jack by this time, his body leaning against hers. He was unconsciously reacting to his primal instincts to protect his mate.

"We are not entirely sure... There is a large gap in the timeline. There are reports of those few fifty workers that had seen strange things."

Jack felt a small shiver run through her spine as Goosebumps erupted over her skin. "Before or after they changed?" She asked in a shaky voice.

"The women were the first to change then the men followed. Yet there was a small group of men that had not changed, as if they were untouched by the effects of the experiments." Jennifer's voice trailed off for a moment. Something was hiding behind her large eyes.

Something that Riddick was watching very carefully.

"One by one the men began to vanish... The only evidence left behind was trails of blood leading into the eastern jungle."

She closed her eyes as if pushing out the images and sounds that still haunt her dangerous mind.

"I was a child when the last three men were taken away. They had just arrived after the company had dropped contact with the minors many years before hand. Two scientists and one geologist."

Jennifer paused to take a slow breath, pushing back the horrible visions from her thoughts.

"I was only five years old at the time, my form already that of which you see now. Once the men and women had changed, their offspring would be of a new breed. I was one of many."

She explained so that they could understand.

"The scientist's had found a rare mineral, some kind of metallic grain at the very east of the Leviathan Sector. My pack had decided to watch them, keeping a sharp eye incase they were a threat."

"It was close to sunset when it happened. The sun was fleeing towards the west leaving a strange chill to the usually calm breeze. A creeping fear found its way into my spine, I was listening to my intuition. It was telling me something was coming... Something we had never encountered..."

She paused once more, cleared her throat with a rumbling growl, and relaxed the tension from her powerful body.

"I had been perched in a high branch on the western part of the clearing. While they stood in midst of the East. My family and the other's who had been a part of our growing pack knew never to go towards the east. It was a low humming that warned us to stay away, away from the shadowed caves of the Mountains."

"I felt a strange presence quivering through the unusually silent jungle. Nothing stirred, nothing alive made the slightest indication of their existence. As thou a threatening darkness was coming to devour them, including me."

Their attention was abruptly interrupted by a noisy flock of sea birds. Merrick let out a warning growl that caused the birds to scatter towards the safety of the jungle.

They weren't about to stick around after pissing off a Mega Raptor.

An impressed smirk fell over Riddick's face, "Nice."

Merrick flashed a wide toothy grin in his direction, "Thank you."

Jack let out a soft grumbling sigh of impatience causing the 'males' to silence for the rest of the story.

"I waited for what seemed like hours, watching the two men gawk over the shiny substance. The air began to tense with anticipation while my spine tingled with fire. I wanted to run, call out to the pack and flee to safety. Before I made any decision a strange scent found it's way to my nose. It was a rich unnatural stench that immediately caused a growl to rumble in my chest."

"Suddenly shadows began to swarm just beyond the men, who had become lost in their findings. My body burned as I controlled myself from taking off into the west. I Needed to see, my overwhelming curiosity taking over my thoughts. So I stayed silently in my deep hiding place, submerged in a tangle of branches that cloaked my form from wandering eyes."

'Man I wish I could tell stories like that...' Jack thought still immersed in Jennifer's interesting account of the past.

"I held back a gasp as twisted shapes over powered the shadows as they emerged from the east. Horrid creatures with black bodies... I didn't have time to move as the men fled in pure horror... Before they reached Shelter B the older of the two was snatched up like a rag and dragged off into the jungle."

Her soft voice trailed off as her eyes fell onto the waves. The terrifying images now a whisper in her memories... Thanking the gods that she could only remember the colors, not their real forms...

"Shelter B?" Riddick's deep voice snapped her back to the moment at hand.

Merrick saw the devastation creeping over his companion's eyes and replied, "Shelter B is abandoned, at the very east end of the sector. It is now baron of all creatures. Nothing dares stay in that part of the jungle."

He gave a small nod to the feathered creature and turned his gaze to Jack who resembled a dear in headlights.

"You ok babe?" His voice gently enveloping her mind with a loving embrace.

She merely nodded and waited for Jennifer to continue.

Jack couldn't pull away, it was like a dream you were trapped in. No matter how many times you thought you'd awaken, you were still fast asleep, trapped in the depths of a nightmare.

"His screams... He wailed in agony... I can still hear him." Jennifer's voice had dropped an octave lower as she struggled to finish the horrific tale.

"The younger male ran courageously towards his fallen comrade. Then the hiss... He turned letting out a terrified howl as the shadow towered over him. I can't remember exactly what it looked like, but what I can recall is it's tail... It was like a whip of spines waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

"I could no longer see the young man, only the creatures black essence blocking him from my view... I thought it would snatch him up like the others... But to my dismay I heard a sickening crack. Blood splattered to the ground in crimson streams as he collapsed to the ground... A hole oozing with blood gaped open on his left shoulder. He was then grabbed by the waist and pulled off to his fate."

Her voice wavered as a tears escaped her glowing eyes. Jennifer lowered her head and gracefully wiped the fleeing tears with her claws. It had been the first time in many years that she had spoken of the horror that swelled in her childhood memories.

She had carefully blocked them out, pushed them back. Now they stung her gentle mind with a cruel vengeance.

Jack's body shivered. Her mind was trying to process this frightening tale.

What it must have been like... To feel so vulnerable...

Jack knew all too well, she had felt that same helplessness years ago... She had known True fear... The Hammer Heads sensed it, pointed her out...

Jack was hunted.. Nearly crushed to death under that skeleton... But someone came back, he came back...

Riddick had saved her...


"I don't think I ever want to go to Shelter B." Jack shivered while Jennifer's words replayed in her thoughts like rolling waves on the shore of her mind.

Riddick sensed her discomfort and wrapped his arm about her shoulders pulling her against him. "Don't think about it Kid, we ain't going anywhere near that place."

He was trying his best to comfort her as they walked behind their new found friends while they headed towards Shelter A. Deep inside he was burning with curiosity, his beast finding this all too good to be true.

But Riddick didn't have a death wish, and he was in no way going to let anything happen to Jack. No matter how inviting the thought was, he pushed it aside like an unwanted piece of trash.

"We have a gift for both of you." Merrick spoke with a soothing tone that even Riddick found comforting.

Jack's eyes lit up, "A gift?" She was instantly glowing.

The darker Raptor winked a blue eye to Jack as they edged to where they had first became aware of the each others existence. The stench of rotting flesh was gone, the carcass had been removed from the clearing. All that remained was the lifeless body of the fallen Raptor that had been ruthlessly killed.

Riddick stood back as the Raptors walked over to the dead animal and tenderly removed both fourteen inch claws from it's feet. Raising a brow he canted his head to the side as they returned, offering a deadly claw to him and Jack.

"We have noticed your curved blades, so we thought, being that we have accepted you as a part of our pack, that you would take this as token of our gratitude."

Jennifer chirped softly as Jack gawked at the claw being placed in her small hands.

"This is.. Beautiful... Thank you so much." Her face lit up with a smile that could burn through the darkest of heart and bring it to life.

Merrick placed the other claw in Riddick's paw of a hand and bowed his head in respect. "We give you a piece of us, so that you may feel at home here. With our clan."

A small smile ate at the corners of Riddick's mouth as he examined the deadly claw. It shined like black steel in the sunlight. He could feel the essence of the animal pouring through his body as he held it in his strong hand.

It felt damned good.

"Thanks." He rumbled concealing the claw somewhere on his belt, hidden safely from view.

A funny expression fell over Jack's face as she glanced at her new weapon. "This doesn't mean I'm going to go running around biting things heads off does it?"

Riddick shook his head as all three roared with laughter. It was a delightful sound pushing away the intensity of the moment. Giving them needed release.

"What?"

"Nuthin' Jack, you have a knack for lightning up a situation." He purred pressing a tender kiss on her cheek.

A giggle escaped her lips as blood rushed to her face in embarrassment. The warmth of his lips sent tingles through her skin, causing her belly to ache with fluttering butterflies.

Roar!

The sound bellowed from the jungle, only to hush as Jennifer and Merrick mimicked back in unison.

"It was a true pleasure speaking with you, but we must go. You are welcome to join us."

Riddick looked to Jack who had something 'else' on her mind. "Maybe next time."

Merrick smiled at the two standing before him, "Very well. Good eve young ones."

With that said the dangerous Raptors sped off into the fog of trees. Leaving Jack and Riddick under a setting sun.

"Ready to head back babe?"

Jack smiled meekly clutching the claw close to her chest, "Yea."


With a great leap Jack launched her naked body through the air and landed with a loud CREAK on the lopsided mattress. She let out a sigh of relief as her arms and legs sprawled out along cool the sheets.

Even thou the bed was seriously in need of fixing, it was still incredibly comfy.

Broad well muscled shoulders stood against the fading light from the window. Slowly he slid the black fabric from his body and tossed it the side. His hands worked his belt and pants and pushed them to his feet and kicked them off.

Jack turned her gaze to him and raised a brow.

"What ya doin'?" Her soft voice danced through the room towards his ears as he removed the goggles from his luminescent eyes.

Riddick's eyes danced with mischief as that infamous grin devoured his face. He loomed towards her, his dark skin shimmering beautifully against the light. Every layer of muscle flexed in a web of strength throughout his naked body.

He was on the prowl, his movements resembling that of a hungry Panther tracking down its prey.

"Riddick.." Jack squeaked sitting up, her eyes fixed on his powerful form.

She knew what he was after, she could smell his scent radiating into the air drowning out the evening breeze. That intoxicating aroma lingered on her lips as he bent over the edge of the bed, his eyes filled with playful seduction.

Quick on her feet she rolled off of the bed and stood up. Her heart pounding with excitement. Her breath a soft panting in the hushed light of day.

Jack was in 'play' mode.

Riddick watched as she did this and chuckled to himself. He loved the feeling of being free to express his animal side to her, the primitive side. It was a part of him that he was afraid to reveal to her, but over time he realized, his beast had also fallen for this wild angel.

Jack let her hands rest on her hips, waiting for him.

When she gave him that look of, 'Come and get it' it nearly sent him over the edge.

Without warning he swiftly moved towards her and had her in his arms. She let out a soft gasp of surprise as his lips crushed hers in a passionate kiss. A kiss that claimed she was his.

Jack was no longer a free flowing spirit. She belonged to Riddick.

"Mmm." She purred against his mouth as he brought her to the bed.

Riddick rested both arms on either side of her body and looked into her eyes. She was so beautiful, so filled with life. How did he manage to have someone like Jack as his mate? So many thing's he could never give her, like a normal life.

He could never see himself trying to re-enter society. It had been lost to him the moment he took his first life.

Riddick almost turned away, almost left her behind. Shit he did for five years!

Stupid, so fucking stupid.

Jack was so young, so impressionable, he could have molded her into the perfect killer. Why didn't he? He couldn't, he didn't want to turn her into the very thing he had become.

Oh she had it in her, it was glaring back him with unimaginable power the first time he gazed into her eyes. That was the very moment he felt it... Annoying at first but he was able to brush it off... Over time it became an immense thundering roar breaking away the steel like essence around a once human heart.

She got to him... The longer he was a part from her, the more it ate at him. Riddick was never a sensitive man. A ruthless killer with no connection to the world that had cast him out. He preferred it that way, nothing to worry about except his own hide.

"So beautiful." A deep husky purr flowed from his lips as he gazed into her eyes.

Jack gave a warm smile as her small hand gently brushed his bald head. "My Riddick." She cooed looking into his gaze.

"Mine." He growled with a smile.

"Yours?"

"Yup, sorry Kid. No turnin' back now. And there ain't anything you could do about it."

She shook her head with a smile, "Like I'd change my mind."

"I won't give you the choice."

He let out a low growl as he inched forward, pressing his firm body against hers.

Jack closed her eyes while a tickling sensation slithered between her thighs and into her womb. Whimpers and soft moans escaped her half open mouth as he moved slowly back and forth, igniting the flames that threatened to blaze like a wild fire.

"I love how that feels.." She whispered with hooded eyes.

A beautiful smile swept over his focused features as he pressed hard against her weakness, feeling the pocket of heat moisten with her sweet essence.

"Riddick.."

He stopped and looked into desire filled eyes. "Yea baby?"

She bit her bottom lip pondering whether or not she could stomach the courage to speak her mind.

'I want to say it to him... I want him to hear it... Even if he doesn't say it back, I just need to see that he knows.'

Letting out a soft sigh she put both hands on either side of his face, causing his brows to dance in curiosity. Something hid in her gentle gaze.

"I love you Riddick."

"Say it again." He demanded in an alluring voice.

"I love you."

Leaning forward he left a soft kiss on her trembling lips...

"Good girl."


Within the darkness is where they bide...

Secrets bleeding along the tide...

You cannot see them as you dream...

They live off the horror of your screams...

Beware the shadows towards the east...

The foolish have fallen to these beasts...

No where to run, no where to hide...

They're sure to find you...

In the swirling mists of night...

Beware...