I Do not own Halo or Alien/predator series

Chapter Three: Pack Mates

Dalidus kept close to Haak. Although he was a runt and a child Haak was an able warrior. Yet Dalidus felt obliged to protect him. Dalidus had known Haak's father, Makidus before the end of the war. He and Makidus had been good friends for most of their lives. They had grown up together on Dosiac and fought side by side in countless battles. However, they would not serve together in the final of the war. He was bound by his promise to keep Haak safe and did not join in the final battle.

Makidus was a chieftain much like Dalidus. When his mate gave birth to Haak, Makidus charged Dalidus with the duty to protect his son. Dalidus eagerly agreed. He watched over the boy and was a second father to him. Over the years he became very fond of Haak. Now that Haak was on the cusp of manhood, Dalidus was overjoyed he had been a part of the boy's life. Dalidus only wished that the same could have been said for Makidus.

Makidus had always been bound by his honor. He was prideful man who never backed down from a challenge. During the final battles Dalidus urged him to reconsider so he could be with his son. Makidus did not listen. He would rather die a warrior then live a life knowing he had walked away from a battle. Before he had left with his pack, Makidus again charged Dalidus with his son's protection. Dalidus honored his promises.

All four of the Jiralhanae moved as swift as they could through the upper branches of the trees. It was hot on this foreign world, unbearably hot. For a human, it would be difficult to travel through. Dalidus felt himself smile. If they had not lost the humans yet, his pack soon would. Suddenly Jalus froze and began sniffing the night air. His eyes narrowed and he let out a low guttural growl. He sank his claws deep into the withered bark of tree he stood in.

"What is it?" Dalidus asked with caution. Jalus only snarled and curled his lips, bearing his fangs. Haak was in the tree next to him and watched nervously. He began to back away but Salidus held his arm in a vice like grip and hissed.

"You smell like fear. Don't be so disrespectful, Whelp! He is your pack brother he would never willingly..." Dalidus glared angrily at Salidus, forcing him into submission.

"He knows this, now silence!" Dalidus hoarsely whispered. Sticking his nose into the air Dalidus tried picking up the scent. It was faint but it was there. It was the stench of the parasite and it was thick.

"We make camp here. Tomorrow, we search for a way off of this planet." Dalidus proclaimed as he led the pack down to the jungle floor below. When they reached the ground Jalus and Dalidus had taken first watch, leaving Salidus and Haak alone.

"What do you think Jalus and the chieftain are worried about?" Haak asked plainly as he picked at his teeth. Salidus said nothing. And remained alert. Frustrated from being ignored, Haak cleared his throat and started tapping his claws against the side of the tree he was sitting under. Salidus was Dalidus's son. When they were younger, Haak and Salidus had been best friends. They were still close but recently it felt like they were drifting apart. The two sat in silence for a while longer until Salidus looked to the moon and uttered.

"I don't know what's bothering father and Jalus. I've never seen them like this before little brother. It's like they're afraid." Haak smiled. In a way it was true, they were brothers. Since Haak was part of his pack, he was his brother but they were already family. Haak started to chuckle and then he started laughing. Salidus was puzzled and looked to Haak.

"What's so funny." He asked flatly. Haak continued laughing to himself for a little and then replied with a snicker.

"Jalus and chieftain scared, it can't happen!" Salidus thought it over and started laughing as well. Nothing could possibly scare those two. Once they were done laughing Salidus cleared his throat and remarked.

"Haak, you should be more respectful to father." Standing up, up Haak walked over to Salidus and joined him.

"What do you mean Salidus?" Haak asked as he stretched and leaned his back against the back of the tree. Salidus just scratched the side of his jaw and leaned forward so his face was close to Haak's.

"I'm saying to call father, father." Salidus stated bluntly. Haak rolled his eyes and let out a grated sigh.

"This again? He's not really my father." Haak replied nonchalantly. Salidus bit his lip and was taken back by Haak's attitude but wasn't about ready to back down. Salidus gritted his teeth and exclaimed.

"Then you deny that were brothers?"

"I don't. I just don't see him as my father." Haak remarked. Almost as soon as he said that, Haak regretted it. Salidus let out a small aggravated snort and hissed.

"Even though my father has taken you in, fed you and raised you when your father couldn't. You can't give him that." Haak just dug his claws deep into the ground and retorted.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Than what did you mean?" Salidus spat. Haak was silent and turned his back to Salidus.

"You are my family." Haak uttered quietly. Salidus was about to continue berating Haak but his brother's scent was wrong. It was a morbid smell. One Haak rarely put off. It wasn't anger or sadness. It was more of a mixture of both. Haak's father was a touchy subject for him. Salidus shouldn't have brought it up. Realizing at what he did, Salidus placed his hand on Haak's shoulder and proclaimed.

"We are family, brother. I should have shown more respect, I apologize." Haak turned to face Salidus and nodded his head in agreement.

"I'll try calling him father." Salidus smiled and patted Haak's shoulder. Laying down, Salidus slowly fell into a light dreamless sleep. Haak remained awake and watched over his older brother with jaded eyes. Thoughts raced through his mind of his true family, of his true father.

"We are brothers but we're not really family. My pack, my family is dead. I'll try calling him father... for you." Haak whispered before climbing to the top of the tree. Haak stayed there for most the night, watching the three moons.