Soon the few crude buildings scattered around the clearing turn into a hidden farm tucked away from the world around them. Very few know of the clan hidden among the southern trees and those that do, won't dare utter a word. For two years they feel like they can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Ayana is nowhere in sight. Nor should she ever find them, protected by the fish clans beside them. So it's no surprise that Alfred finds himself alone on the beach he's come to adore like no other especially since he's grown close to more than a few of the nearby fish folk.

As he lies in the late day sun he turns to a young fish woman cleaning a basket of shells. They've been together for two hours and for the most part he was only listening to her hum. "Bella you ever wonder what it's like away from the ocean?" Alfred asks as the water tickles at his foot, telling him it's nearly time that he goes home and back to his growing family.

The Omega looks over with a warm smile as she playfully tosses a clean shell onto his chest. "And you ever wonder about life in the Ocean?'

"Honestly?" He asks picking it up in his fingers amazed by how fragile the shell.

"I won't have asked otherwise." She looks up at the sky, seeing dark clouds in the distance. The young fish woman knows her brother will be worried if she's on the land by the time the storm hits.

While Alfred sees them he's not as worried about the out coming storm. "I'm pretty sure it would be awesome except for the me drowning part."

"Well," Bella says with a flick of her white tail. "It's about the same thing for me. Half breeds can walk around on land yet I can't go past the dunes without feeling the lure of the waters again." She finishes her basket and turns her attention to the seaweed next to her. "We'd drown in a way."

"Hmm so it would make sense to have half breed kids but down the line it could be a problem for them." Alfred closes his eyes in thought. "If they mated with another half breed like them they could have kids that are fish folk."

Bella dips her tail in the water, letting a bit of water cling to it before dripping it on her friend's forehead. "Yes but it's not likely. Many are mated off with land beings, like the one with your brother." Her head whips around towards the dunes as the wind starts to pick up. She's sure a twig snapped but as a few birds fly off she returns to her work. "Her little ones are going to be mostly foxes that will love swimming."

Alfred sits up and runs a hand through his hair, shaking a bit of sand his short hair. "Makes sense and maybe in a few more years I could go see them..."

"You're not a prisoner here," she says standing with her basket. "Don't let the lions play games with you like this." She waits for him to return the last shell before walking back to the rising tides. "They're only cats after all and I'm sure my big brother would love to toss a few into the high tide just to hear them scream."

With a chuckle he stands, he's sure she's mostly kidding but he can never completely tell. Either way he sees her off before turning back towards home and his young children. He doesn't want to be away for too long since his youngest is only a few months old and his heat is close at hand.

So as the sky above darkens and the sound of thunder echoes around him, Alfred makes his way over the soft rolling dunes. As he slides down the sand his foot catches against a thin wire and he's sent tumbling forward. He lands hard on a rock but before the world dims around him, he's sure a new smell encircles him that makes his blood run cold.

Back at home Leon looks out the window as rain starts to pour down. His mother should have been home before the rain hit. Most of the Alphas are still out in one of the barns trying to prepare for the rainy season. So while he's sure his father won't like it, the eight year old picks up his jacket and heads out into the rain. Before he steps off of the porch Leon picks up one of his father's knifes and heads off towards the beach and where his mother should be. Once or twice before the Omega's been caught in the rain and normally would hide under a rock until it would either pass, they'd come get him or he'd finally make a run for it yet something in the air doesn't feel right for the tiny Alpha.

Lightening darts across the sky as the child makes it to the top of one dune. His ears perk up as his eyes scan the horizon for any signs of the tall blond man. When the wind blows in his direction, a smell of blood hits his nose and the distance sound of a horse cries out.

Fear takes hold as he lets out a loud panic howl that his father answers moments later. But he's no longer on the dune, but racing towards the sound of the horse. Leon makes it in time to see a large cart racing away. "Mama!" He screams out, morphing into a wolf pup. "Mama!"

The door opens on the cart and a tall lion throws a heavy rock at him, missing his head by inches. Again he howls out as the cart gains speed, leaving the wolf pup in the mud. He lets out another cry as his father and uncle dart past but it's already out of sight. "How did those motherfucking shits find us?" Jason says trying to catch his breathe.

"I don't know." Gilbert answers, reaching out to take his son into his arms. "But we'll get him back."

"We better," Jason says looking up at the sky. "Before she gets her way with him...fuck Pork chop." He shakes his head walking back towards their home. "I fucking hate you right now for making me run out here in the pouring rain...and making me fucking care about your fat ass."