Breathe in, breathe out. Alata held her bow steady, bowstring drawn back and an arrow quivering with tension. Her target was a Rhenoplos grazing peacefully on the short desert grass- unaware of the looming threat. Sweat ran down her Alatas face as she peered around- the hot desert sun was brutal, even for how much she was used to the heat. There was no sign of her partner but she knew he was here- he was just waiting for the signal. A routine they had followed many times. Ready, Alata let the arrow go.
Her aim was on point- the arrow lodged itself in a chink in the herbivores rough armor. With an angry bellow the Rhenoplos turned, spotting her in the brush and pawing at the ground, ramping up its charge. With a snarl a half grown Great Jaggi burst from the brush, hip checking the Rhenoplos so it was knocked onto its side, thrashing its legs with angry grunts. Unlike a normal member of his kind the Great Jaggi was only about as tall as a human, showing he still had a year or so of growing ahead. Alata quickly knocked another arrow, right into the side once more. After a moment the herbivore slowed, defeated.
Alata sheathed her bow over her shoulder before approaching the Great Jaggi, who was patiently waiting for her by the fallen creature. "Good job Tawn." She placed her hand against the Jaggis muzzle. Tawn raised his frills happily, before sitting down to work as she began to skin the Rhenoplos. Alata needed to make herself new clothing soon, and the rough armor would be a good start. The bones could also be used to repair her bow, or even make a new one. Once all that was done Alata harvested enough meat to last for a day or two before sitting back, giving Tawn a small nod. The Great Jaggi knew what they meant, and pounced forward onto the carcass, starting to rip in and eat his fair share.
While Tawn was eating, Alata started to pack away the harvested supplies onto the saddlebags on her partner's back, fastening the supplies with dried rawhide. As she did so, she let herself reflect on the first time they had met, almost two years ago.
Tawn had still been a young jaggi, likely having been abandoned for his smaller than normal size. Alata had just set off on her own from her small village, determined to train herself to be a hunter despite the doubt of the other villagers. Alata had found Tawn by accident- a terrible sandstorm had forced her into a small cave where she found the jaggi hiding. An unofficial truce was formed between the two- neither wanting to get on the bad side of the other. The next morning the Jaggi had been gone- until Alata stumbled upon him again, covered in several bite marks and bleeding, likely from roaming into the territory of another Jaggi. Alata had let him back into the cave that she made her home, treating him with herbs and feeding him scraps from her hunts. The presence of the Jaggi made her feel less lonely, and he was certainly better mannered than most of the people in the village she once lived in. After that, the Jaggi- now old enough to be considered a young Great Jaggi- wouldn't leave her alone even after he healed. He would follow her on hunts, gathering trips, and even helped her fight off an Azuros that was attempting to eat the honey that she used for potions. After that, Alata had taken him on as her partner. Alata discovered many things she doubted many people knew. Tawn was smart- not smart like a human, but enough to understand the basic commands she would give as well as to memorize the paths they would take. He was extremely loyal as well- but part of Alata doubted that he would stay if he had the chance to become an alpha of a pack- as all males of his kind strived to become.
A nudge brought her out of the memories and she turned to have Tawn gently butt his head against her side. There was little left on the carcass of their hunt, except a few broken and unusable bones and unsavory scraps of meat. Giving Tawn a pat, Alata turned to lead the way back to the cave.
The walk back was hot. The unfriendly and hostile environment of the desert bore down on Alata, who took frequent sips from her waterskin to try and fight off the heat. Entering the rock canyon, Alata stopped at the small stream running through the middle, dipping down to refill the water bottle. Tawn also stopped to lap up water thirstily, flicking water off his muzzle as he raised his head. Their cave was right across the stream. A low, narrow entrance that Tawn could just manage to squeeze through.
Inside the cave was a small rounded area carved from the stone by water long ago. A fire-pit was dug out near the back of the cave, where part of the stone had cracked, allowing the smoke to escape. Along one side of the wall were various hides thrown into a pile to make a bed- on another side was an area with smaller hides, woods, bones, various herbs, and even a few small jars and a few rare potions. A small, portable grill that looked close to breaking was next to the firepit- one of the few items Alata had bought with her when she had left.
Placing her bow along the wall Alata started to unload the materials off Tawns back- as soon as the heavy bags and the hide serving as a saddle blanket were off the Great Jaggi flopped down, rubbing against the stone to rid himself of the feeling of the itchy saddlebag.
Alata grabbed the fresh hides, taking them back outside the cave with her. She draped them over nearby rocks, the best way they dry them off quickly before going in to grab the grill and the meat.
Propping the grill up, Alata speared a piece of meat before using some flint to start a small fire. Once the fire had grown to a good size she speared a bit of meat before starting to cook it carefully. All the while she kept a lookout for any creatures coming in to steal a bit of meat or and on the progress of the hide tanning. Eventually Tawn crept out, moving to a warm spot to nap while the pile of cooked meat was getting higher and higher.
By the time the sun was close to setting not only was all the meat cooked, but the hides were finished. Collecting them, Alata brought them into the cave before coming back out. Helping herself to a bit of the meat, she sat outside watching the sunset. All was peaceful.
Until Tawn suddenly sniffed, scrambling up. A growl sounded deep in his throat as he looked towards the entrance of the canyon. "Tawn?" Alata asked, reaching for her bow only to meet empty air. Her bow was inside the cave. But before she could scramble for the entrance, the sound of many claws clinking against stone became clear. A howl sounded, and from the entrance of the canyon came a Great Jaggi and his pack.
The Great Jaggi was huge- pelt covered in scars, a sneer on his face as he faced down Alata and Tawn. His pack was huge as well- at least six Jaggia and several young Jaggi- the mates and offspring of the alpha. Stalking forward, the alpha let loose a snarl- his eyes locked onto Tawn, lips curled into an expression of hate. There was something almost...personal in his gaze as he glared down at Tawn. But it was mutual Alata guessed, judging by the half formed snarl on Tawns face and the anger that lined his body.
Puzzle pieces began to lock together into Alatas mind. This was a rival pack, likely looking for new territory- and they had chosen theirs. But the way the alpha and Tawn were acting- like they had bad blood- Alata took a sharp intake of breath. Chances are, this alpha was Tawn's birth father, and the one who had chased him out at such a young age. That would certainly explain the feelings of loathing between both parties.
The alpha gave a bark and the pack began to creep closer, soon to the point they were at the edge of the stream. Alata took up the nearest weapon- a small hunger dagger she had- and held it out in front of her. However, Tawn had a different plan,
Before the alpha could bark out an order to attack Tawn had jumped forward, letting out a howl-bark of challenge. The Alpha responded with a similar cry, crossing the stream in one huge leap while the pack fanned out around, all whimpering and yipping with excitement. A challenge for leadership had begun.
Alata was helpless to do anything but watch as the two Great Jaggis clashed. The two Great Jaggis circled each other tensely- the small fire still burning throwing their shadows around on the canyon walls. The alpha was the one to make the first move- leaping forward with a snarl and pouncing onto Tawn. The two Great Jaggis thrashed around in a whirl off purple scales- Alata couldn't even make out who was who in the chaos. The two separated, with scratch and bite marks all along their hide. Tawn seemed to have slightly more but the fact didn't seem to bother him at all- the two Great Jaggis howled again before starting to circle once more. This time Tawn striked as soon as he finished howling, latching his teeth into the side of the alpha. However, he was easily knocked off as the alpha hip-checked him, landing a bite along the side of the downed Jaggi. Alata felt a cry build in her throat as Tawn let out a whimper of pain- however he managed to struggle up and back away, panting.
"Tawn.." Alata whispered. The Great Jaggi swung his head over, locking eyes with her. She did her best to convey a silent plea for him, a declaration of her faith in him. But the alpha chose this moment to attack, lunging at Tawn and wrapping his teeth around his neck. "TAWN! NO!" Alata found herself moving before she could stop herself as she thrust forward, her knife coming in between the ribs of the alpha.
The scarred Great Jaggi yelped, flinching and stepping away from Tawn and turning its angry gaze to her. The knife stayed lodged in its side- Alata had no weapon. As the alpha turned to charge at her, Alata held an arm in front of her face- waiting for the pain of teeth. But instead she heard a yelp. Tawn had managed to get his teeth around the frill of his father, tugging and pulling with all his might. The alpha thrashed around, clawing at Tawns chest and doing his best to free himself- but Tawn would not let go.
Then, with a huge rip, the frill tore. The alpha screamed in pain, staggering back and falling to the ground. Tawn snarled, standing in front of Alata protectively, the ripped off frill at his feet. The message was clear. Do not touch her- she is my pack. Finally the alpha staggered up. He remained crouched, low to the ground as he let out a whimper of submission. Tawn had won. Tawn let out a loud howl- a call of the victory he had won.
The alpha started towards his pack, only to be met with growls as they parted around him. He tried to grow at them, knocking one of the Jaggis down to attempt to prove his leadership. But the others didn't stand for this. With a multitude of angry growls the pack started to attack, landing multiple bites on their disgraced leader. The now former alpha had no choice but to run from his former pack, quickly exiting the canyon and running off somewhere to lick his wounds.
The pack then turned towards Tawn, hopeful eyes and excited yelps as they rushed forward- greeting the new alpha. One of the Jaggias even brushed against Tawn, cooing at him. The huge mass of Jaggis pushed Alata away, as several of them attempted to nip at her. Walking several steps back, Alata slumped down. Tawn had a pack now- he was an alpha. He didn't need her help on hunts anymore and surely, he would chose being with his own kind over being with her.
A snarl brought her out of her depressive thoughts. Tawn was snarling at the pack, lips curled back. He brought across one simple message. Leave. He was rejecting being their alpha. The pack yipped and whined in protest but Tawn wasn't having any of that- he snapped forward, letting out a roar. With a yelp the pack turned to run from the canyon, leaving only Tawn and Alata.
"Tawn!" Joy filled her heart and she ran forward, wrapping her arms around the neck of the Great Jaggi- being mindful of his wounds. Tawn huffed into her hair, moving his head to nuzzle against her shoulder. "I'm so glad you stayed…" He chose her over his kind. He chose to stay with her. Their bond was more than a bond of necessity- it was one of love.
Finally she freed him from her embrace. "Lets get you healed, okay?" she said softly, taking a once over of his wounds. The Great Jaggi barked softly in agreement, limping towards the cave as she followed. Tawn didn't need a new pack- after all, they already were one.