Oooooohhhh goodness...it's been a while.

Hi there everyone! I return from the dead with gifts! hehe

Though I cant say that would be far off. Lots of you guys sent messages inquiring about me or the story's progress, or simply offering encouragement for both departments. I have deeply appreciated both. Things have had their ups and downs. Inspiration and motivation comes and goes with the flow of things.

I do apologize to everyone for the terrible wait on this update, and thank you for your patience. This has been probably one of the longest periods between updates since WSB was created, but with help from my dear co-writer, things crept along through the life crazies and eventually we got here.

With a big ole 20k word chapter! (I am QUITE surprised it got this big.)

Hopefully, the great beast will be enjoyable for you readers, in the continuation of our pack's woes and struggles under Muerte's new rule. I'm really liking how things are progressing with the plot, and how ideas are being changed/created.

I look forward to continuing the writing process, and tackling the upcoming events. Something of which, of course, I hope to tackle in a more SPEEDY timeframe. My co-writer

So please! Dive in, and if you would like, let me know what you think! I don't doubt that after all this time my writing has gotten a little rusty, so constructive critisism is much appreciated.

Thank you everyone so much!

And a special big thank you for my co-writer. ^_^ I truly don't know what I'd do without them.

"Jurassic World: Why So Blue?"
Chapter 33
"Peace is a Luxury"

~Alden's POV~

There was a ritual Blue had to play in the mornings, when Muerte and the pack hunters went out of the secret meadow in search of food. It was her special job for the Waterfall group, which no one could take from her, even if Alden knew she didn't particularly want to perform it.

The hunters always left in a thrall of shrieks and shoving -probably the worst formation of hunting compatibility he had ever seen in all his years. Then the waiting game began. Blue would leave the den site quietly while the others were still waking, and wait at a nearby place for the "task" to commence.

If done right, it was a harmless, albeit uncomfortable, process. Yet things were still uneasy amongst their group, after what happened the night before. Especially between Blue and their acting alpha Shadow.

From where he was sitting at the entrance of the pack den, Alden could easily see Blue asleep in a nearby cluster of foliage, away from her usual place snuggled up by the others. She was a tightly curled ball of tense muscles that shivered every so often, or flexed one foot as though the separation from her family was causing distress in her sleep.

A few feet from her he could also see the newest additions to their motley crew, Dust and Mud.

Dust was curled protectively around her child, holding him against her belly with one paw, while he cooed in his sleep and absentmindedly nibbled on her scales. Alden watched in mild amusement as the little one's dainty paws pressed and kneaded his mother like a content kitten.

It wasn't until Dust's paw moved and pulled Mud protectively out of view, that Alden realized she wasn't asleep like he had thought. His rosy eyes shifted and was met with her own amber ones, which stared at him with an unsure gaze…...wondering why he was taking so much fascination in her son. The mother seemed very passionate about who was allowed to interact with him or look his way…..almost overly so.

Not wishing to concern her, Alden relaxed his muscles so that his quills drooped, lowering his head and chuffing to show he meant no harm. Without realizing it the tip of his tail wagged with little thumps on the ground.

~Dust's POV~

He was... very odd, she decided. From their first encounter, the pale elder had been nothing but an anomaly to Dust. Her mind reeled at his behavior towards her, just as it reeled for Blue's. New things that she wasn't used to.

In their first encounter, Dust had run to the aid of her son with all intentions to kill, and faced the albino and the blue omega in an aggressive standoff. He was fierce to her and seemed very capable of doing harm….yet mere moments after she capitulated and begged for her son's life, she had seen a transformation, and felt he might be another raptor entirely. The blue omega had already proven it to be such.

It was a shock that night, when the blue striped omega had left the albino elder to keep watch of Dust and Mud while she ventured off in search of meat. In those silent awkward moments, he only gave glances to her, with a gleam of caution that mirrored her own eyes. He didn't growl or treat her with any hint of hostility or move too close for her comfort. He stayed back at a distance that she wasn't entirely uncomfortable with.

When Blue returned with a rival male on her heels, Alden didn't hesitate to step up to the plate and give protection, as was proper.

Loyalty and defending one's family wasn't a trait often shared by members of Muerte's pack. But that loyalty only continued as the night went on and Alden displayed his side with Blue, voting to protect her and Mud despite the anger of their beta.

Dust could admit she was grateful for that…and that she was deeply intrigued by Alden. Past the initial meeting of snarling and threats, he seemed like quite the gentle soul, especially to the younglings in his pack. It had been some time since she last saw that in a male.

Coming back to the present, Dust puffed again out of her nostrils and gave the albino one more judging look. He hadn't stopped wagging his tail, or posturing himself with head low and quills relaxed against his scales. She looked at the innocence in his eyes amongst the experiences of years gone by, and for once she felt comfortable with what she saw.

She was all too used to being looked upon as an object; either something to be taken advantage of, or something in the way. Alden didn't seem to look at her with such bad intentions. He looked at her as another raptor….or maybe even more than that. Maybe even a potential friend.

A mother, certainly, with a child to protect all on her own. A weary soul that he could see because he took the time and compassion to see it.

Realizing all this helped Dust to relax. Despite her wiring causing her to never trust a male, she let her protective hold on Mud slip. His sleeping form slowly shifted out from the curve of her body, back into Alden's view and against her stomach. Being jostled made him mewl and stretch, but a soft coo helped him purr and fall back to sleep. Back to nibbling on her scales and kneading his paws.

Seeing this, Alden lifted his head with an approving bob, as though he was quite relieved the female understood he meant no harm. He chuffed a few more times and settled deeper into the spot he laid in, Dust continuing to wonder about him all the while. Sometimes she gave him a small glance and he would catch her looking, but every time his rosy eyes made contact with her, she'd let out a sheepish grunt before averting her eyes to a "more interesting" rock or shrub. The male would just tilt his head to one side in curiosity of her unusual behavior.

To each of them, the other was just as unusual, for different reasons. Not a bad unusual…...but a kind of unusual that got the gears turning in their heads, trying to solve whatever was different about them. For Dust it was Alden's gentle nature, for Alden it was Dust's fear; a wish to know what had happened to the poor thing to make her the way she was.

Dust wasn't quite sure what to think about him….

~Alden's POV~

For some time, they sat in total silence. Only once in a while was the peace disturbed by a distant squabbling pack member, or a bird singing in the branches above their heads.

There was only a specific sound that Alden began to pay attention to. At first, it was a whisper in the distance, out of his view towards the meadow's waterfall entrance. The sound of rocks skittering along a path, and the shrill echoes of raptors snapping at one another, as Muerte's pack could only do.

The hunters had returned.

Suddenly, things weren't so calm, and Alden wasn't so at ease with the moment. His quills lifted back up from their drooped position, so that they quivered against each other as he wrenched himself to his feet. His soft rosy eyes narrowed and sharpened with the intensity of realizing that Muerte was on his way back, and routine meant that there was business to be done with the tyrant alpha. Business that required their omega and beta, who were still asleep.

Dust flinched when the male rose so abruptly. Curling tight again around Mud, she watched as Alden grumbled to himself and began moving over to Blue. She herself could hear the raptor sounds off in the distance and knew that Muerte was coming, which gave her a whole new set of anxieties. It was no secret that the Waterfall pack dealt with the tyrant on a regular basis, but remembering that detail reminded Dust that she was currently WITH the Waterfall pack members. By nesting with them she had unwittingly put herself in the position to interact with that very raptor she tried so hard to avoid.

Should she leave while she still had the chance? Could Blue's promise of protection save her from Muerte's abuse as well?

Seriously doubting it, Dust whimpered and bent down to gently nudge Mud. The calls of raptors were becoming louder, both from the nearing hunters and the remaining rivals who became ecstatic at the thought of fresh meat. Her heart was beating faster and she cooed urgently to her son, so that his eyes popped open with a disorientated yelp.

Meanwhile, Alden tried to do the same for Blue. He prodded her with his muzzle and chuffed for her to wake, some times before the omega's body suddenly shook and her head shot upwards with an equally startled yelp.

Alden kept a calm face and simply bobbed his head. It was time to receive Muerte's gift. She had to be ready.

~Blue's POV~

She was awoken by the soft bumping of Alden's muzzle against her cheek, and his voice drifting into her awareness through the restlessness of her sleep. It didn't help that he didn't think to avoid the tender area of her healing wounds from Muerte.

Startled, aware of a youngling making a frightened cry, Blue shot to her feet and wobbled around with a ducked head and curled lips. Alden was standing so close that she bumped him on the way up, but he braced against her and made another urgent chuff that only made half sense to her.

Muerte? What was he going on about?

Dust and Mud were still laying under the bush next to her, both awake and staring nervously away from the den site, towards the rest of the meadow. That helped her focus and recognize the disturbance at the waterfall, just as rival raptors appeared from the tunnel and their voices burst in volume.

Oh…..that.

Blue's shoulders slumped and her aggressive stance softened to a nervous hunch as she looked up at Alden, who bobbed his head sympathetically before turning back to the den. Going inside he made a couple soft grunts, nudging sleeping raptors as he went, making sure to pass over the younglings so they could sleep just a little bit longer.

Dust's gentle coo drew Blue's eyes back down. The mother was staring at her with a questioning tone to her features, clearly frightened and confused by what was taking place. Mud was sat in between her arms on the ground, still gazing out at the meadow while raptors trotted by, or came racing back with something crammed into their mouths. He shivered whenever a pair of raptors crashed into each other in a fit of biting and scratching. It was all becoming more intense as more hunters arrived.

Sensing their fear, Blue crouched on her legs and purred reassuringly. It took a moment for Dust to make full eye contact with her, but when she did, the female relaxed visibly and didn't press her lips together so hard. Mud dared to coo back at Blue, being comfortable communicating with her for the first time.

Everything would be alright…

But, that promise was interrupted by a sharp snort from behind them, and Blue looked over her shoulder to see Alden shuffling from the den. Tango hobbled behind him accompanied by Lima and Hook. Victor remained behind to snuggle up to the younglings and keep them settled.

Shadow was awake, Blue noticed. She was laying down at the back of the den, away from her mate yet faced to the entrance so that the omega and beta's eyes locked for a split moment. All the tension from the night before came flooding back, making Blue shrivel up and grit her teeth, whilst Shadow flared her nostrils and proceeded to stare daggers into the dirt.

Alden was solemn as he looked between the two. Normally…..Shadow would wake with Blue and accompany her out into the meadow, as an escort of sorts while Blue received the day's gift from Muerte. Her presence always helped to discourage the tyrant alpha from trying anything untoward.

But try as he did to coax her, she had refused to get up from where she lay. The old male had pushed her and voiced his concern for Blue NEEDING an escort for her safety, but his beta was…...adamant; still dwelling on her sour feelings from the night before.

Upon realizing that Shadow was expecting her to approach Muerte alone, Blue experienced something of a panic attack. She puffed her breaths and curled her talons into the dirt while terrible possibilities flashed through her brain. It was intimidating enough to face Muerte with the comfort of another raptor at her side. But to go alone? It terrified her.

Muerte's eyes held murky wishes that she couldn't decipher, and the slightness of his touch held a sort of bite, as though it was taking great effort to hold back from something she didn't understand. Shadow's presence made him angry, but Blue feared what kind of freedom he would find if Shadow was no longer there to protect her. She preferred never to find out what was hiding behind his eyes or his touch. A mystery she had no qualms leaving unsolved.

So what was she supposed to do?

Feeling the pressure of what was being asked of her, Blue looked to Alden and gave a shaky whimper. The elder ushered her to stay calm, before he turned to Hook standing nearby and pleaded for council. What should they do?

The other elder, having been watching the scene in silence, shifted his jaw forward so that his chin jut out. His yellow eyes narrowed and his tail flicked slightly. Small noises came from him in disgruntled tones.

Hook had been deeply displeased by Shadow's behavior the night before, and her continuing attitude was irking him. Though his relationship with Blue was…..less than well developed….he could admit that seeing her mistreated in such a way was upsetting. Normally Blue's emotional wellbeing wasn't a concern to him. He figured she needed to take care of herself, and he had no interest in playing mother hen for the second time in his life.

But after Kilo's ousting…...Hook found his disdain for protecting the omega to be fading. He could only think of his nephew's favor for the female, and how much the young lad had come to care for her safety and wellbeing, or assuring she was well treated by the pack.

Maybe standing against Shadow the night before was an act to honor Kilo's wishes in light of his absence. A way to ease the pain in Hook's own heart, after losing yet another one of his sworn charges, as he lost Grey to Muerte's terrible influence years ago….

Now his niece was becoming lost in her grief, and Kilo's omega was faced with the fear of dealing with Muerte himself. Maybe he couldn't get through to Shadow…..but maybe he could help Blue.

Pulling his chin back, cracking some stiff joints with a swift flexing of his neck, Hook snorted and stepped forward. Alden straightened with a curious gurgle, to which the other elder answered with his plans.

Alden would stay behind to watch the pack. Hook would accompany Blue to receive Muerte's ration gift, and assure she was kept safe in Shadow's stead.

Upon announcing this, Blue stared at the usually prickly male in something of shock. Unease could be seen in her posture at the thought of being with him, coping with his typical "Hook-ness". Grumpy attitude, strict expectations, and prickliness towards her in particular.

She remembered momentarily of his actions the night before, during Shadow's eruption. Somehow he was different…..more gentle…

Would he still be reasonable?

Alden saw her give him the quickest of looks, and he realized her concerns. That didn't surprise him much….he knew how Hook could be….but that made him more surprised that the elder would volunteer for such a task. And he worried if he should get on the young female's case, for some reason or another.

So, the albino chirped softly to her and approached Hook to question him. Did he really mean to accompany Blue? Couldn't he stay back?

Maybe Alden himself could go with Blue. She was much more comfortable-

Hook snorted sternly as though he was laughing. He was aware of how the other pack members could be on edge around him, Blue especially, and for good reason.

But today, he would play nice. He looked to Blue directly, sincerity in his eyes hoping to convince her that he intended to do so.

No bossing around. No angry snapping. Nothing but protection to keep her from being alone with Muerte.

Ultimately, Blue was the one in charge as long as she was required to perform these exchanges. The conditions made her deserving of that. As far as he was concerned, one step over her comfort zone and he'd make sure she was bailed out of there.

Did she trust him?

Hook was confident and to the point. Blue flicked her tail thoughtfully, considering, before she stepped forward and ducked her head. Her gaze was sheepish but accepting of the plan.

She would appreciate Hook's company…

It was certainly better than nothing.

Alden seemed mildly concerned that it wasn't him going, but he chuffed and gave Hook a pleading look that he would keep to his word, and go easy on the omega. She was stressed to begin with, dealing with the tyrant so personally.

At the thought of Muerte, Hook growled deep in his chest, but he nodded nonetheless and stepped to meet Blue. By her side he was patient as she mentally prepared herself, then together they left for the meadow's main den, bid hopeful farewells by Tango, Alden, and even Dust. The mother's eyes were full of worry for Blue's safety.

Alden puffed out his chest once they left. Remembering his own duties, he inspected each of the pack members, then focused on the den where Shadow was still sulking. She had heard the exchange and was aware she had been replaced, but seemed hardly concerned.

Shame on her….

The elder growled, glanced over at Dust and Mud for a small moment, then flicked his tail and gave his beta a good strong hiss. By the flinch down her back he knew she had at least heard him.

Good. Maybe she'd think twice about what she had done.

Still fuming Alden plopped himself onto the damp ground and arched his neck. His rosy eyes fixed again where Blue and Hook had marched off together, anxious for them to return and for everyone to be accounted for, once again.

Meanwhile, Hook and Blue were very quiet as they made their way across the meadow, and came into view of the main den. The air around them was filled with the cries and snarls of the rivals, seeming to originate from the den itself, as the hunters had probably already arrived there. Every so often one would dart past them carrying a scant piece of meat in their jaws, sometimes followed by two or three scavengers hoping to attempt a bit of thievery.

Nearly bumped into by one such desperate female, Blue made a sharp hiss and wriggled her claws. Her hackles were up and her pupils were dilated with the adrenaline in her veins, already anticipating interactions with Muerte. Her heart was racing in her ears. She managed to trip and stumble on her own death talons as they flexed and got caught up underneath her.

Suddenly, from her side came a deep voice of encouragement. Hook was steady and calm as he walked, with yellow eyes pointed ahead and body relaxed. The only hint of tension she could see was a slight shifting of his jaw, forward and backward, again and again.

Watching him reminded her of Kilo in some ways. They really weren't much different from each other, hiding their inner emotions and putting on their best "strong and serious male raptor" act. Hook's heart was guarded…..not as easy to soften as it had become for Kilo.

But Hook chose that moment to gurgle again, and his eyes shifted to look down at her. He took note of her body language and the little noises she was making in her throat. Habits made him want to snort and tell her to toughen up…..but he fought them down, and kept his tone as gentle as possible, as though he were speaking to a frightened youngling. He drew from moments of years ago, when he used to comfort the three young siblings from their fears. Those moments when Kilo would cry for his mother after they lost her…..

Pain touched him and he looked away, which confused Blue. She had to quicken her pace to keep up with his next strides, but she worried that she had done something wrong, and made an apologetic coo. Hook managed to chuff at that and assuage her fears somewhat.

It wasn't her…...but Hook was indeed feeling pain. Maybe that's why he had changed, because just like Shadow, the trials they faced made him weary. While the loss of their Kilo made Shadow bitter and harsh, it helped him to become more patient. More tender to aid the rest of their pains…..

Blue wished that she was able to comfort the both of them, somehow.

Suddenly, they reached the edge of the jungle that separated them from the far end of the secret meadow, and they both slowed down to a cautious shuffle. His shoulder nearly touched hers as he stuck close and ducked his head with a slight curl of his lips. Rivals were all around them, some preoccupied with chunks of meat, others giving sharp glances as though the presence of the omegas was insulting. Most were higher subordinates and hunters; Muerte's favored.

Blue hated this. She hated being stared down, and challenged with dominant cackles. She hated the smells of the rivals and their uncleanliness, or the sight of the blood painting their faces. It reminded her too much of seeing Kilo's blood…

Her thoughts were interrupted by Hook's gruff rumble, and both of them came to a stop about twenty yards from the den's entrance. The ground beneath them was thick mud turned up under many raptors' feet. Strewn around the den entrance were bones and other assortments of filth.

Though just an animal, Blue happened to pride herself in a clean den space. Not only for a peace of mind, but for instincts to keep scents of meat and rot away from the pack. A clean den meant safety from other predators detecting them.

Thanks to the rivals, the den was reduced to a wreaking dump. Bothersome flies and insects made Blue's muzzle wrinkle, but beyond the unpleasant things was the tantalizing scent of fresh meat. It made her mouth water and her stomach churn. Her already intense nerves were buzzing with the urge she always had to get food for her pack and for herself.

Now there were two more mouths to feed than usual…...her family dedication was especially aware of that. The desperation made her want to rush to the nearest rival and tear the meat from their possession.

That wouldn't work like last time. She had to be patient and take what was expected of her, no matter how much she detested it.

Still standing in the mud outside the den, Blue became aware of movement inside the shadows. The background noise of chattering rivals became joined by amused cackling, growing louder as faces appeared and eyes fixed on them disdainfully, subordinates snapping their bloody teeth and wriggling their claws towards the two omegas hunkered at their door.

But from deeper in the cave, was a voice that made prickly shivers sweep down Blue's back. Her lips curled and her head ducked down, while Hook arched his neck and broadened his shoulders to look as intimidating as possible. Muerte's gruff and throaty tone sent subordinates backing out of the way and ducking their own heads in submission, falling silent by his annoyance to the noise.

For a long moment nothing seemed to happen. Hook flared his nostrils and gave an impatient hiss, becoming almost insulted that the "mighty tyrant" wasn't giving them the time of day. Too busy gorging himself somewhere inside the den…

Blue was lost on what to do next, and she was glad to stand there in her confusion, until Hook reached down and bumped her shoulder insistently. She yelped softly out of surprise, but the look on his face asked the very thing she dreaded. A groan escaped her…..but she knew it had to be done if they were going to get anywhere.

Finding the courage, Blue straightened, arched her neck, sucked in a breath, and made a shaky call into the den. The tone she used was sickeningly pleading; one that Muerte hardly deserved.

A second later there was a high pitched cackle. Loud shuffling hurried about in the shadows, then movement caught their eyes, as a raptor figure came strutting out with all the enthusiasm of a flustered rooster. Hook could only growl and shake his head. Blue groaned again.

They had his full attention now.

Muerte appeared, body postured tall and proud, covered down the front in hunt gore. Ragged strings of flesh dangled from his red painted lips as he looked around with excitement in his eyes. Between his teeth was a large chunk of meat, the biggest portion she had seen. Blue knew from past dealings that it was meant to be hers, as Muerte loved to gift her generously, for that unfamiliar reason she was still trying to figure out. If he thought it would make her forget all the terrible things he had done, he was crazier than she first suspected.

When the alpha's eyes finally found her, his tail gave a little wave and the black crest of his feathers fluffed up. The torn edges of his lips curled into a sneer, but the dreadful feeling of his gaze didn't last, before Hook made a curt grunt and Muerte realized the old male was standing there as well. His sneer fell and his eyes lost their shine. A coo that stopped halfway up his throat wheezed out as a disgusted growl, to see that his fair prize was accompanied by a face all too familiar to him.

The uncle of a past conquest, and a persistently annoying thorn in his side for more years than Kilo and his siblings had been alive. Since they were both young bachelors squabbling for authority.

What was he doing with Blue? Where was Shadow?

Blue glanced between the two males and marveled at Muerte's reaction to Hook's mere presence. She didn't realize that they had past experiences with each other…...but her brain latched onto it and wondered over the possibilities of what may have taken place in their years. She was also surprised by how incredibly comfortable Hook seemed to be, despite standing in the presence of the raptor who very possibly may have killed their alpha Kilo.

She couldn't possibly know that there was so much more pain than that….

Suddenly, Hook bobbed his head and pointedly looked at the meat Muerte still held in his jaws. He dared to voice his impatience again with a stern chuff.

Well? Was he going to get down to business? Or keep standing around like a brainless horny three year old. Quite the bold behavior for a raptor of his years.

Muerte snorted and narrowed his eyes, clearly distraught by the turn off. He continued to grumble to himself, refocusing on Blue. But it was her shrinking back and displaying fear that got his feathers poofed all over again, and his lips sneering mischievously.

Maybe there was a silver lining to this…

Arching his neck into a tight S, the male stepped closer to Blue and pointedly looked up at Hook. His gaze taunted and his rumbling purr sung a forbidden song, before he spread his arms and bowed low. It was a single move from the courting dance, but when he rose back up and made eye contact with Hook again, he found pools of rage glaring quietly back.

Muerte sneered again as he felt his excitement returning. He had seen that anger in Hook's eyes before, years ago…...when a certain female had fallen gravid with the eggs that would eventually become Kilo, Shadow, and the runt Grey. A fire of a female that had caught his eye from the very beginning, and fell for the act of his affections, ultimately bearing his young.

Blue wasn't so blind as to fall into his affections willingly…...but with enough coercion and dominance, it was only a matter of time before he would have her. Hook was a turn off and a thorn in his side, but the old omega could ultimately do nothing to deter him.

Muerte wanted something, and he'd have it. They needed the meat from his rations to keep their little family alive, but in trade he expected satisfaction.

So, purring again, the male looked down at Blue and extended his head out to hers. He tilted it to offer her the meat in his mouth, to which she licked her lips and stared nervously. His eyes swept over her, his thoughts rampant. She finally worked up the courage to open her jaws and reached out to take his gift.

When he felt her pull back on it, Muerte kept his grip and growled. As per routine, he expected her to be still and she reluctantly obeyed, so he could turn his muzzle into her cheek. The three scars he put there were marks he always nuzzled and licked, as though they were marks of his ownership. He knew full well they were still tender and elicited whimpers from Blue. The sound was nothing more than thrilling to him.

Hook watched on and tried to keep his composure. His claws flexed and his teeth grit together to see Blue trembling at the male's touch. Memories of Kilo's mother being treated in such a way resurfaced and had his insides boiling.

Blue didn't understand, and that innocence almost made him all the more furious. She didn't deserve to be Muerte's victim, but if only the meat for the pack wasn't on the line. He'd cross the space between them and take the tyrant to the ground if he could…

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Muerte pulled back from Blue and Hook let out a long breath. The female's eyes were closed and she was biting down hard on the meat in her mouth, juices dribbling out but barely registering as a taste on her tongue. Her heart was racing in her chest and her talons were begging to dig down, preferably into Muerte's flesh. She hated it. Her heart was torn between the fear of him, and the anger of him. One wish to run and another to rip him apart for all that he had done.

Once the male had finally granted her freedom, Blue backpedaled frantically as though her scales were burning, and spun around in search of her escort. She was used to turning and finding Shadow's comforting sympathy, but instead she was met by Hook's intense silence, and became startled by his smoldering yellow eyes. The flexing of his muscles and talons said he was near ready to attack.

Muerte saw Hook in this state as well. He seemed all the more amused by the twitch in the other male's lips, or the way his brow crinkled with his nose and his nostrils flared.

It seemed it wasn't so impossible to get under his skin. He really did care for omega Blue, didn't he?….But a shame he would be powerless to stop history from repeating itself.

As though to prove this point and have one final moment of mischief, Muerte sneered and snapped his head forward after Blue. Suddenly she felt his muzzle touching the back section of her thigh, then the startling pinch of his teeth nipping her scales, which sent her almost lunging into Hook's shoulder with a yelp.

Hook blinked, absorbed what Muerte had done, then promptly showed his teeth and stomped forward with a reprimanding hiss. Doing so placed himself between the female and the alpha, but Muerte stomped to meet him and both males stood chest to chest. He might as well have been grinning behind the challenging growl edging up his throat.

He loved to see the fight behind a raptor's eyes, thinking they could take him on. Would he have the pleasure of putting Hook into his place? Would blood be spilt in front of the female?

The running rivalry between them had kept its strength through all those years. Muerte enjoyed taking the elder's claw in a spat for dominance, and he'd quite enjoy killing him now, if the old fool gave him even the smallest reason to do so.

But Hook went still and glared up at the tyrant. He wanted to wipe the sneer from his face, and rip out his throat…..yet he knew that was what Muerte counted on him to try. He was far too familiar of the strategy, having seen it many times before as a spectator.

So, he donned his own sneer and chuffed. Never letting the anger leave from his face, he began to lower on his legs, crouching before Muerte and tilting his head to display his throat. A defiant act of submission that mocked the tyrant and his intentions.

This made Muerte seethe and let out a low cackle. Oh how he hated this omega and his challenges!

Blue yelped and went wide eyed to see their new alpha raise one paw, striking it down across Hook's neck in a not so shallow gash. She heard the old male grunt sharply out of pain, but he stood his ground and merely squinted his eyes, then showed his throat again. Blood was trickling down his chest yet he seemed unfazed.

Muerte hissed and stomped one foot. His paw rose again as though to strike Hook a second time, but he knew it would be for nothing. Every punishment would only be met by smug calmness, as was his experience with Hook. It drove his anger to the peak and he stomped his foot again before snarling.

Go! Leave!

The volume of his order made Blue and surrounding subordinates flinch, but Hook quietly stood up and returned to the female's side. He offered to carry the meat for her, flexed his wounded neck, then began walking away with her crowding close at his side, still gawking at what he had done.

This left Muerte behind to fume, breathing harder and harder until he spun and looked for anything he could release his anger onto. Eventually he found an unfortunate raptor who had poorly chosen to stand too close within his reach, slashing down with both paws into the flesh of it's side, making it cry and scramble away bleeding.

He WOULD have his way. It was only just a matter of time.

~...~

As they made their way back to the den, Blue and Hook were both very quiet. She was in lingering shock of what happened, stealing small glances over at the elder while walking.

It seemed he was incredible at hiding pain….. more so than Kilo ever was. Not once had she seen him express discomfort, despite his wound. Neither had he moved his gaze from the path ahead, as though trying to avoid the acknowledgment that he had taken a blow for her sake.

It was when they were about halfway back home, that Blue finally uttered a concerned chuff and came to a stop. Hook sensed her fall behind and finally broke his trance to look back, cocking his head with a stern gurgle to question why.

Blue bobbed her head as she stared at his wound. An ugly ragged mark in his scales, still bleeding so that he had a line of red trailing down his shoulder and forearm. She felt guilty and surprised that he would take an injury for her sake…...having never thought Hook cared about her well being enough to do so.

It was normal for raptors to feel obligated to care for a pack members' wounds. She cooed gently, and the offer confused Hook, so that he raised his head and gurgled behind the meat he was carrying. Help him? Clean his wound?

The old male snorted almost grumpily, though there was a bit of shock as well. Blue had been the one in trouble, NOT him. He kept her safe as he promised, and he was fine.

He expected her to drop it, but the omega persisted. She stepped up to him and chuffed gently, not quite an order, but a plead. Besides…..the wound was located at the arch of his neck, too far up to curve around and reach on his own. Would he let one of the others do it, back at the den?

Hook would have scoffed if he could. No! He could take care of himself!

Blue huffed, and she gave him the most stern look she would dare to give him. He needed help, to get the wound clean. The last thing they needed was for him to fall ill…..certainly not because of her, either.

That was what got the old male to fall silent, when he realized how much it truly meant to the omega. He got hurt in order to protect her, thus she placed his hurt with the rest of the things she believed were her fault. She couldn't stop Kilo from being hurt…..but she was set on helping his.

So, with just a small grumble or two, Hook stooped down to rest their meat on the ground, then straightened and looked away from Blue in a sign of defeat. She wagged her tail and chuffed in thanks, then promptly reached out and bumped her muzzle against his shoulder, making sure it was okay with him before beginning to groom and lick his neck clean of blood.

For the duration of the wound cleaning Hook was very quiet and still. Ever so often Blue could feel his skin flinch if her tongue caused pain, and she would be more careful, making hushed coos and gurgles to him all the while. Once the blood was gone, she was finally able to see the full extent of it. A deep gash in the muscle that would take quite some time to heal, the tinge of pink flesh around its edges. Not far away from it was a faded scar of his earlier years.

There wasn't much more she could do….

The male looked back at her and rolled his shoulder once she was finished, testing the sting in his flesh. He seemed to think for a moment, grumbling to himself, before he let out a heavy breath. Blue blinked and cocked her head curiously, but Hook's next gesture made her eyes bulge and her head rear back.

He purred, very gently, and bumped her with his snout to express gratitude for her help. The sound surprised her so that she wagged her tail and chittered, the touch causing her guilt and concern to lessen behind the happiness of such a rare thank you.

She knew it meant a lot from Hook.

After a moment or so of Blue beaming up at him, Hook shifted uneasily. He wasn't used to a raptor -an adult no less, being so bubbly and friendly towards him….it was weird.

They needed to get home to the pack. The younglings had waited for food long enough…...not to mention he himself was getting terribly hungry, being tortured with the taste of meat on his tongue.

Blue, not noticing that the change of subject was meant to distract her, made a little jolt as her focus shot back to the task at hand. Yes! They should hurry!

Her spirits were lifted, having tended to Hook. He would have rolled his eyes at that if he could. But just as he bent back down to gather their ration into his mouth, she turned to continue on with more of a hop in her step…..then stopped. It confused him at first, until she looked back and made a hushed warble of concern. Did he hear that? Or was she imagining things?

Upon moving, Blue thought she had caught the sound of footsteps to the side of them in the bushes. At first she wasn't sure….but a few seconds later she heard rustling, and Hook chuffed softly to acknowledge he heard it too.

The female tried very hard not to become frightened again, as she backed up and darted her eyes across the foliage surrounding them. She could hear Hook beging to growl as he stood tall and tried to locate where the sounds were coming from.

Someone was there, but who? A theif trying to steal their ration? Muerte, dissatisfied with their exchange?

Suddenly, Hook's sharp eyes flickered sideways at a very dark area within the brush. He didn't look directly, to be discreet, but Blue's own eyes couldn't pick out any peculiarities in color or movement. All she could see was a shadow on a bush. Nothing more.

Or at least she thought it was just a shadow on a bush…...until said shadow opened a pair of bright green eyes and slid towards them almost silently. She jumped back with a yelp of surprise and the eyes approached faster. Hook stood his ground and boxed the meat ration between his feet.

Come out! Show yourself!

The eyes and shadow nearly came to the edge of the trees, before they stopped again and stared. Blue could see how they shone with hard thinking, ignoring Hook's threats, only focusing at the meat they possessed.

Without warning the eyes decided to lunge out at them. Shadows became mottled green scales and flashing claws, as a shrill cackle split the air. Blue couldn't help but shriek and jump out of the way, while Hook narrowed his eyes and made a ducked sidestep. Doing so made the attacker gear towards the unattended meat lying on the ground, but also provided bait as he positioned his already swinging tail. It all seemed to be one flawless movement to Blue.

The collision between Hook and the blurr was jarring, so that suddenly the thief was laying on the ground, legs skyward and mouth gaped open after the breath was forcibly evacuated from his chest. His face was stricken with the surprise of what just happened, and the pain in his lungs.

Hook snorted at the would-be thief in absolute bafflement. Young, very competent in stealth…..but an absolute wreck of ambush technique!

And young he was. Laying there Blue saw a male raptor, not quite fully mature, maybe one and a half or two years old, with plenty of room still left to grow. Despite this he was very large for his age, and stout. His scales were different shades of green or faint tan, mixed together in an intricate camouflage design, similar to Tango and Mike's…...but more complex and exceptionally deceiving. His stupefied eyes flashing around were a leafy green as well.

Hook continued to grumble and scoff, oddly irked by what he had seen. He'd be more intimidated by a nestling Compy! He had more ambushing skill when he himself wasn't far out of the nest!

Absolutely unacceptable, young raptors in Muerte's pack having no proper hunting capabilities, or training, it seemed. It was bad enough that they were socially impaired. This young fellow needed education from his parents, or in the very least, he needed a mentor. Desperately! As did all the other fools who thought they were tough stuff and could take anything they wanted.

Hook knew that he shouldn't be stuck on such details. He ought to simply run the thief off without hesitation, but it made him so passionately distressed. For years his only job was to teach his niece and nephews how to be raptors. He prided himself on the skills that they learned through him. His teachings successfully reared them to adulthood.

Successfully, until Kilo was lost.

Passionate fussing deflated, Hook looked away with a soft snort. The thief, who had finally caught his breath and his wits, could only blink in surprise and try to understand why the old coot would scold, rather than kill him. Any other raptor would have done so in an instant…..though none had ever been able to knock him down so effortlessly, in one swift motion…..

He still couldn't figure out how that happened. It both baffled and impressed him.

But then, Blue flinched when Hook turned to her and gave a sharp grunt. She watched as he stomped clear of the thief, bent down to take the meat back between his teeth, then stood back up and flicked his tail.

Time to be on their way!

Blue had no problem with that. For a split second she felt sympathy to the young hungry raptor….but she could not let him distract her. Dust and Mud needed her help far more than him….and he did try to take their food, after all.

So, as Hook grumbled impatiently and Blue began walking with him, the jungle rat rolled onto his haunches and stared after them.

How peculiar, the Waterfall Pack was.

~...~

Before long, with no further distractions of antagonizing tyrants and meat thieves, Hook and Blue neared home with an air of victory. Both raptors quickened their pace ever so slightly, Blue anticipating the happy cries of the younglings and…..just maybe….Shadow's forgiveness….

But she found herself sliding to a stop at the sights and sounds that met her. Her lips pulled up in dismay and her eyes bulged. Hook made a startled gurgle and trotted past her, dropping the meat at her feet.

The pack was in a state of utter chaos, Shadow standing bristling outside the den, near where the female Dust and her son Mud had been laying. Victor was trying his best to get his mate's attention from a safe distance, Tango and Lima made the wise decision to stay out of it, and the younglings huddled fearfully between their legs.

Blue's eyes lingered on Shadow as she snarled and spat, then they shot to a pale raptor whom had placed himself over Dust and Mud. The two were laying in a ball on the muddy ground, Alden's feet placed on either side and his belly laid protectively over him, arms braced into the dirt and head low with a sharp cackle. His ivory quills rattled from flexing muscles.

If Blue hadn't seen Alden's most fearsome state once before….she was certain this was it. What had they come home to? What had Shadow done to provoke their elder to such aggressions?

Coming to her senses and seeing Hook bark at his niece, Blue hurried forward. She saw Shadow's eyes shoot to the side before the beta thrashed her tail and cackled, demanding the returned raptors to come to her aid.

The rivals needed to leave! She wanted them gone!

Alden hissed again from where he stood guard over the "rivals" in question. They did nothing wrong, and they certainly didn't deserve to be cast out!

His newfound loyalty to the mother and son pair both surprised Blue and infuriated Shadow. The beta nearly charged, but Hook placed himself between them and bellowed deep in his chest. The sound was enough to make all the raptors fall totally silent.

As eyes exchanged both fear and hate, the old male took an exasperated breath and cocked his head. What happened while they were gone?

Alden snorted while giving Shadow a look of objurgation. It had started when Star came out to try greeting the youngling Mud, accompanied by her father. She had only been looking to offer friendliness, and Victor was comfortable with the interaction…..but Shadow had become unstrung, trying to attack Dust and suddenly demanding she leave the pack.

Shadow growled back. She went to the protection of her daughter, and Alden nearly wounded her for it! He protected them as though they had been a part of the pack from the very beginning…...as though they were family! They deserved no such devotion.

Once the root of the matter was explained, Hook called again for silence. He looked between Shadow and Alden a couple times, thinking very hard, while Dust and Mud watched on with wide eyes. They feared what would be done with them, if Hook decided in that moment to change his mind.

Blue also feared this. She hoped, by his behavior the previous night, his mercy would hold through. Yet was there any way to truly know what the old male was thinking?

But their elder puffed out his chest and rumbled. He ordered Alden to back down, but he also ordered Shadow to do the same, glaring at her especially for being so harsh in her judgement.

He left the pack for just a little while, and they were going at each other's throats as though they were as ruthless as the rivals who tormented them.

Only Alden showed guilt for what he had done, and ducked his head in respect, but he did so while remaining positioned over Dust to protect her. Shadow glowered at Hook and grumbled angrily to herself.

Blut let out a small whine, to realize that their beta was in as sour a mood as she was the night before. Could meat even cure her of that?

Hoping so, and desperate to diffuse the tension, the omega turned and rushed back to the meat that Hook had dropped. She picked it up in her jaws, then hurried back to the group, wagging her tail and stepping proud.

They brought back food! Everyone could be happy again!

From the side, the subordinate females and younglings lifted their heads with happy chirps. Mike and Curare scrambled to their feet before racing over, followed by Star, and Tango limping on her weak leg. Lima eyed Blue silently, but bobbed her head in a gesture of patience. She would wait for the young ones to be fed first.

But when Blue looked hopefully to Shadow, she was again disappointed by a lack of eye contact, or acknowledgment. The beta was purposefully directing her gaze elsewhere, huffing and tensing her claws.

Oh…..okay….

Blue sighed to herself and felt her hope deflate, then forced brightness into her eyes for the sake of the younglings. Hook was coming close to help her distribute rations, as they always did.

She would brace, and he would latch his teeth onto a small portion of the meat. Again and again he would tear chunks away, then bend down to one of the younglings waiting with their jaws open and their tails wagging. They would snatch it from him with happy cries, then scamper away and plop onto the ground to devour their share.

Once they were cared for, Hook turned his attention to Dust and Mud. He could feel Shadow's gaze burning holes into the back of his skull, but he stooped down in front of the two and waited for Alden to remove himself from standing over them.

Mud was still trembling like a leaf against his mother. He gawked up at Hook with the fear that something terrible would happen, but Dust had come to trust the other elderjust slightly, and did her best to soothe her child. It seemed she was bursting with the joy of him being cared for.

A portion, same as the other younglings, was gently rested in front of Mud for him to eat. His eyes bulged wider and his fluttering breaths became little whuffs to catch the scent of food. His mother cooed softly to convince him it was safe.

When it finally struck that it was meant for him, his little body again went into a fit of wiggles and wobbles. Blue couldn't help but purr as he clambered over his mother's arms and nearly face planted into his share, then just as soon as his muzzle brushed it he began to dig in, making an absolute mess of himself but convinced he was in paradise. His mother's tail thumped quietly on the ground as she watched him.

Tango, who had next priority with her healing wound, gave deep thanks to Hook upon receiving her own ration. Victor had quietly shuffled close, acting sheepish after his mate's behavior, but Hook gave enough for both him and Shadow. As the grey male left he glanced over and offered Dust an apologetic head bob that she shyly returned.

With each fed raptor, Blue watched the meat shrink. She began to fear that there wouldn't be enough…...as was unfortunately the case now and then, if Muerte's gifts happened to fall just short.

And with two extra mouths to feed?

Hook saw it as well, and with each trip back to Blue, his wrinkled face became more and more twisted up with a frustrated expression. Alden's turn was next, and he took the meat solemnly, rosy eyes shifting between what little was left, and the female that he had become so attached to.

Blue wasn't surprised when he gave a little gurgle and strode over to happily dangle the morsel towards Dust. It made her distressed that the elder was giving up his food…..but pleased her at the same time, to see Dust's eyes once again light up with the surprise and captivation of his actions.

Once she tried to deny his gift, but with his persistence, she tenderly took the meat from his mouth and began to pick at it. She didn't mind him laying nearby to watch over her, but tried very hard to be dainty. Before long she couldn't keep herself composed anymore, and dug into her meal with the same ferocity as the younglings did.

Alden of course only gazed on with that soft look of awe that had Blue intrigued as well. It nearly hid the tone of hunger hetried to diminish.

She was lurched out of her thoughts when she felt tugging on her own mouth, and realized that Hook had come back to split the rations again. Only him, Lima, and herself were left…...yet the last portion in her mouth was hardly big enough to split again. It was barely ration enough for one adult raptor.

For a moment Blue tightened her grip on the meat, and Hook was unable to get a grip on it. He grumbled impatiently, but she was looking over at Lima, and the two made eye contact.

Lima didn't take long to catch what she was thinking. Her eyes narrowed and her chest heaved a few times, before giving an exasperated snort to show she would give in. Somewhat willingly.

FIIIIINE!

Hook gave the disgruntled female a puzzled look. When he turned back to Blue, he saw her own expression and gave a sharp huff, knowing immediately that she was up to something.

Whatever it was, he wanted no part of it. No more omega shenanigans today!

But Blue wagged her tail and pressed. No shenanigans. Just a gift, from her and Lima -as much as Lima was going to grumble and groan about it.

He could have the rest of the meat share, all to himself. To insist upon this, she bent down and dropped it at his feet, them promptly got clear. Hook tried to get agitated and growl at her for such foolishness, but she countered him with a stubborn snort.

No! If Tango was given special attention for being wounded, then he had every right to be looked after as well. He was wounded too, if he didn't remember.

Blue puffed out her chest as Hook just stood there and glowered. His wound was hardly the severity of Tango's hip, and he was almost irked that the omega would use such an excuse…...but if she had been determined enough to clean his wound, he knew she would be just as so now, if not more.

And he couldn't pretend that he wasn't starving…...but no. The younger raptors were far more valuable to their pack than an old timer like him.

Oh shut up!

Blue might as well have shouted that in the human tongue, when she growled sharply and stomped a foot. Hook and Lima, and everyone else for that matter, gawked in surprise at her, and she repeated the action.

Just shut up and take the meat!

Lima's face twisted into that of amusement. The omega had certainly crossed a line now, using such a tone on Hook. There wasn't a chance he would let her get away with it, much less listen.

And yet, after Hook stared intently at the omega and seemed torn on his response, he bent down and gathered the final ragged chunk of meat into his mouth. The tone he expressed was one of amusement as well, that she was feeling brave enough to repeatedly challenge him…..yet she had done so respectfully and with good intentions. It wasn't out of spite or to be ornery.

Alright….she won again.

And as if Lima couldn't drop her jaw any further, Hook made a halfhearted growl at the omega, and Blue returned it with a wagging tail. With that the old male walked off to a shady spot in the brush, leaving the two females to look at each other, Lima cocking her head with a snort.

It was exceedingly rare to see Hook take orders from other raptors, even Kilo and Shadow, as was seen during Shadow's temper tantrums.

So how did an omega like her dare to boss him around and survive?

Lima just couldn't figure it out. Hook had bowled her over on multiple occasions, for pulling such a stunt when she was younger.…...And she was further agitated having lost her meal for Blue's charity. She was hungry too, so what was going to be done about that?

Blue would have liked to think the same. She licked the taste of meat from her lips, and winced at the twisting hunger in her stomach. Two of her pack had gone unfed, and she wasn't certain if she could amend that before the next day's rations.

But what Blue was certain of, was that finding more meat beforehand would be a difficult task. The only way to obtain more was to steal it from the rivals…..and she was quite sure she wouldn't be as lucky as last time. Either the raptor she chose to steal from would actually catch her…..or there simply wouldn't be any rations to steal in the first place.

It had seemed that pickings were slim that morning. Raptors were learning to eat faster, to avoid theft from either each other, or plucky blue omegas.

But what other option could there be? She felt absolutely terrible that Alden was going hungry….and even Lima's complaining tore her up a bit. If it weren't for Dust and Mud, at least they would be tended to.

Determination returned to her through the uncertainty. Maybe she had an idea…..an awful idea that made her scales crawl and her teeth clench together….but this was a desperate situation, and desperate situations called for desperate measures. Seemed that she was committing plenty of desperate measures as of late. Why stop now?

She just had to be crafty. No one could know where she was going, lest they think her crazy and try to stop her. And she had to be brave….

No escorts or protection this time….

Blue waited, to make sure that no one was looking. Lima had stalked off to sit and grumble by herself, and Hook was busy savoring the comfort of his meal, but Alden was unoccupied. She would have to be careful, should he look over and notice her leaving.

The omega began backing silently towards the trees. A time or two she flinched at one of the pack members snorting or noisily gnawing on the scraps of their meals, but she eventually made it just short of the brush. Just as she was about to turn and dive out of sight however, her golden eyes were met by amber ones, and her heart skyrocketed with the thought that her cover was blown. It was Dust, watching her leave with concern and curiosity. She had unexpectedly finished her ration first.

For a moment Blue was caught in her stare and didn't know what to do. Maybe the female wouldn't cause alarm and draw attention…..but with that hopeful thought, Blue saw Alden perk up and wonder what Dust was gazing at so intently. He was just about to turn, when Dust distracted him with a gentle coo, pointedly casting Blue a look that told her to hurry.

She wasn't sure what the omega was up to…..but she could sense from her body language that it was urgent.

And like that, Blue was off. She ducked into the shadows and began to trot towards the location of her admittedly foolish plan. Her heart was picking up pace and her mind was full of fear the closer she got to it. It was a sensation of deja vu, having just come through and back this way with Hook.

She must have gone mad. The things she was doing for strange raptors…..

Maybe Shadow was right, in some small ways. Kilo would have a roaring fit if he saw what she was up to. Yet it also felt right to her, that she was doing these things.

Suddenly, after some minutes of apprehension passed, Blue looked up from her feet and found herself back at the pack's main den site. Again. She nearly bumped headfirst into a rival subordinate's backside, who recognized her upon spinning around and gave a confused cackle. Other raptors nearby shared the interest of a Waterfall member coming so boldly into the den area…...and without a bodyguard!

What was she doing back?

Blue just hunkered her head down and avoided eye contact. She had to stay focused and keep moving. The sooner she got it over with, the sooner she could-

Her musing was interrupted with a great yelp and jump that sent her many feet across the mud, when one of the rivals saw the chance to reach out and nip her in the flank, cackling mischievously and bouncing on their toes. The cackling spread amongst them like wildfire, and a spry female tried to join in on the amusement, nearly catching Blue in the shoulder with her teeth. They knew she was a raptor partly responsible for the shortage of meat rations, whether by thievery or by Muerte's charity.

They thought it was quite foolish of her to show herself without protection, and maybe nobody would notice if she was missing one or two scales. Time to have some fun!

Becoming overwhelmed by the prodding and crowding, Blue snarled with wide eyes. She whirled on the next raptor who tried to put their teeth on her, not willing to turn the cheek and take such discomfort any longer. She was exhausted. She had been run ragged. She was tired of being tormented in her own home.

At the end of her whirl, Blue struck with her claws and caught the offender closest to her, before his bite could connect with her tail. She was almost shocked by the sensation of her claw tips sinking into the soft flesh of his eye socket, sending him howling back into the crowd as other raptors gawked at her act of defense. None of them could believe that such a lowly omega would dare to fight back. A thief AND a challenger? Had she not learned her place?

Hearing the cries of the wounded offender agitated them. Challengers put threat to what little control over rank they had, and had struggled to earn through so many years. It fixated their passionate aggressions on Blue….and she realized it just a moment too late.

But leaping and dodging out of the way of attacks as they came, she had every intention of staying on top, refusing instincts to submit to such a group of scum. If she could just get to the cave, then maybe she could still make it back to her family in one piece. There was no other option she could see than to fight back. Retreating would only risk leading the angry rivals back to endanger her family.

A young female tried to latch her jaws over Blue's arm while she was distracted with another rival who got too close. Just as she felt hot breath on her skin, she turned and swung her arm wide with a complimentary dose of claws gouged across the muscles in the rival female's chest. She yelped and got clear before Blue could repeat the strike, stumbling backwards into the crowd so fast that raptors were blown off their feet and others stepped cautiously away.

Blue felt like she could almost breathe again, just for a moment. The rivals kept their distance from her bloody claws and glared indecisively. Were they done? Had she convinced them to let her pass?

Blue could see the cave over their heads, still blocked from her and seeming so far away despite the mere 50 feet.

But suddenly, there was movement from behind, and as Blue continued to growl threateningly she again felt a raptor's hot breath on her skin. But it shot underneath her tail, and a second later there was stinging pain in her lower region. Teeth pinched her flesh, ever so slightly, but she lunged forward with head high and eyes bulging. Her lungs let out a horrified cry that brought the rivals back to roaring amusement.

Whimpering and lifting one leg, Blue craned her neck around to see chipped and scuffed scales, from a nip mark just past the underside of her tail base. Despite the pain it really was mild…..but when the female gawked and looked up, she was met with a sneering rival's face. It took her a moment to recognize the bone structure and masculine features, as the big male she stole meat from the night before, obviously come back for vengeance. He stood there in a prideful stance, chin turned up and teeth showing. His hulking body was like a mountain above the other raptors' shoulders.

He bit her?! There?!

Blue was simply mortified. No raptor had ever tried to touch her there, much less wound her. Her instincts were infuriated by a sense of intrusion and disrespect, amplified by her already existing agitations.

How dare he!

Blue lashed her tail and curled her lips, to which the brute blinked and tilted his head. She stomped her lifted foot down, turned to face him, and locked fiery eyes with his. He took a confused step backwards at the insidious glare she leveled at him. This wasn't the reaction he expected from a lowly omega…...it was unnerving.

It was only a heartbeat more until Blue made her move and lunged at the new offender, letting out a charging cry. The brute didn't expect that either, taking a few steps backwards with his head high out of reach and his teeth bared. Other rivals cackled in a great thrill of this new challenge. What great sport it was!

The odds were against Blue by nearly half again her size. The brute's head towered over her and his chest was as wide as she was. They had every expectation that the big brute would swat her into the ground like an insect, and oh would they enjoy seeing that!

Blue crossed the distance between them like a streak, then the muscles in her legs thrust down, catapulting almost straight up at her assaulter's face. He certainly wasn't expecting that, nor did the rivals expect for her to jump quite so high…...or for her to lash all four limbs out at once and attach herself, talons hooking into his thighs and arms hugging around his neck.

Suddenly the brute found himself one blue omega heavier, and breathing to be a little hard, once she got a vice grip of her jaws around his throat.

Stricken gasps and gurgles came from his open mouth as he began to throw himself around, trying fervently to break free of the female's choke hold. Try as he might however, her limbs and body had successfully restricted the movement in his own arms and shoulders. They couldn't lift with enough leverage, or rotate enough to land any strikes.

Rivals hopped up and down at the morbid hilarity of it. The big tough male! Outclassed by a smaller female, not just once, but for a second time now!

Blue clung tight, her heart pounding in time to the pulse of the male's life blood she could feel between her teeth. The tighter she clenched her jaw muscles, the harder and faster it became, exciting her every fiber with blood lust. Very quickly the brute was desperate to try anything to dislodge the angry female. She could hear raptors yelp and feel them brush against her back, as though he was trying to knock her off on a bystander. Then his body began to sway dramatically and his closing throat rattled with gagging coughs.

That's when Blue realized the brute was falling to his belly, and her backside smashed into the muddy soil. She was jarred to the side as he began to roll with her, her face pinned beneath his thick neck, twisting her own at an almost painful angle with her shoulders.

But Blue lashed her tail and growled, then used every bit of her strength to roll herself, going with the male's movements until she popped back out from under him. His eyes again bulged to find the female straddled over his belly and chest. She found support by moving her feet from his thighs to the ground, getting a deeper hook of her claws and more power to her bite.

It seemed that his desperate last ditch attempt only resulted in giving her the upper claw, sealing his fate. She could feel him grab and scratch at the scales down her side, but he was losing strength with his breath. His tongue hung out the side of his mouth, drool running out, gurgling as it just seemed he would only last a moment longer before her teeth finally punctured his windpipe, or his life vein.

What Blue failed to realize however, was the position she had put herself in. Rivals watched on in that gleeful excitement, yet some couldn't help but notice the omega's vulnerability. Their nature drew them to it. One or two shifted anxiously on their feet and wrinkled their snouts.

Finally, one young male couldn't let such an opportunity pass him by. He was spry and eager to improve his standings. Such a nuisance like the blue female would help him gain favor in the ranks, surely.

Such high hopes spurred his confidence to give a shrill cry, then hop forward as though he were frolicking for something as innocent as youngling's play. Blue flinched and tried to look up, but she felt teeth sink into the back of her neck, just behind her skull. More pain blossomed through her flesh. Her mind, focused wholly on the big brute, flipped like a switch and found new fury. Her face wrinkled up tighter and her nostrils flared with big rushing breaths.

Making another loud scream, Blue opened her jaws and let the brute free. She was faintly surprised by how much the muscles in her mouth and neck ached, and faintly aware of the raptor coming back to life underneath her. His breath returned and his body fell limp, gasping and uttering weak groans, brain just starting to compute all that happened in those fleeting moments. He had been a claw's length away from death.

Meanwhile, Blue was half clambering off of the brute's body and half being drug off. The new male holding onto her was cackling happily, while her body thrashed and kicked about in some effort to grab him. He had her head immobilized by his hold, just behind her skull so that every attempt resulted in painful twisting that got her nowhere.

The rival didn't intend to kill her….at least not quickly. Though he held tight, she couldn't feel him squeezing tighter to rip through and reach her spine with his teeth, nor did his claws do more than push and shove her body away from him. He was playing with her, gloating to the others as he drug her through the mud. Such an arrogant display just made Blue more and more angry.

She hated the dozens of eyes watching her flail helplessly around. She wanted to rip her attacker's throat out, but exhaustion was slowly setting into her body, making each kick less passionate and hushing her voice as her sides shook almost as violently as the brute's had. Her head dropped and her gaze wandered amongst the sneering faces.

That was when she momentarily saw a face that did not look so menacing, and yellow and blue mixed eyes that didn't glow with the excitement for her pain. Instead she saw a face with sympathy looking back at her. Very faintly she heard a voice chittering nervously beneath the thrall.

Maybe she was seeing things.

The rival male rumbled in his chest once Blue's movements became very slight. He lashed his tail back and forth, relishing the taste of her blood and the sound of her angry gasps, or how her golden eyes rolled back to glare at him. There was an excitement to his gestures and gaze. He couldn't help but remember his bachelor status, the courting season practically upon them. For some seasons he had been forbidden to take a mate, much less interact with many of the females in their pack.

But, just as those little trickles of thought entered his mind, the male became aware of how quiet the crowd had become. His amused eyes looked up to see how other raptors were no longer looking at the struggle, but turned away. Some averted their gazes to the sky or the ground. Others could only stare wildly at something out of his view.

The male's heart sunk, and Blue found her eyes shifting to wherever everyone was gawking. Her own heart shot into her throat and then down to her stomach, pounding against her ears as her nostrils flared again and a long whine escaped her. She tried again to push on the rival male, but no longer just to get away from him.

She had let her anger become a distraction.

Muerte strode from the den calmly, yet everyone could see the fury hidden behind the gleam in his narrow eyes, and in every step. Those eyes drove straight through the crowd to where Blue was being pinned, and she shivered at the look on his face. Pure hatred. She had really done it now. She was the cause of all this mess, and now she would pay for it….to what extent, the omega was terrified to discover.

Not a single raptor made a sound, as Muerte shoved ducking subordinates aside and came closer to the scene of chaos. Blue couldn't move her eyes off of him as he peered at one of the rivals she first wounded in the scuffle, or to the brute male whom had finally gotten to his feet with a blood painted throat, and finally back to her…

It was the cool collectiveness that scared Blue most. The silent musing, all too similar to the look she had seen in his eyes the day he approached Beauty…..and then ripped her apart for the disruption she had caused.

Suddenly the female felt relief in her neck, as her male attacker released his hold and let her slump into a heap in the mud. He arched his own neck, tail still swaying but lips quivering out of uncertainty. She could tell he was nervous under Muerte's gaze…..but his own eyes still held a smug assumption. That he had responded to the rogue omega's trouble causing and done the pack a good service.

Yes…..maybe this male had indeed gained their alpha's favor by acting as the peacekeeper and neutralizing a disturbance. Blue could only fear that he would be rewarded, and she punished.

But Muerte, with his head high and ebony feather crest fluffed, did not respond to the subordinate's wistful tail wagging and bobbing head. There was a twitch in his scarred features at the sight of Blue's bloodied neck, followed by smelling an excitement coming from the young male. He had enjoyed immobilizing a female far too much…...even having to stand head on, in poor efforts to hide it.

Interesting…..when he heard the noise and the voice of his blue wildflower, he did not expect to find this.

Muerte cocked his head at a sharp angle and looked to Blue in a greater lustful fascination. Suddenly there was a light sweetness to his eyes, and his voice lifted in proud crooning.

Well done, flower! A very fine job!

This caught both Blue and the rival male off guard, so that she wrinkled her muzzle and he sucked in a sharp breath. Well done? What had she done to deserve praise, of all things? She wounded his pack members….

Red flags shot up in Blue's brain and screamed to not let her guard down, if it was still an act. Maybe he was just finding ways to lead her on, before he took into her like he took into Beauty.

From behind, the neck biter rival lost a bit of his confidence. He stepped a few paces away from Blue and ducked his head more submissively, realizing he was not the one to be praised…..which gave him his own set of red flags.

Muerte almost smirked with his torn lip. His voice became louder and he made a great sweeping motion in his neck for dramatic flair. He greatly approved of this side of Blue, so much different from the meek and frightened version of her that he saw just that morning. It was the fury and confidence the had sensed from the beginning….and finally he was seeing it come out all on its own.

And so Muerte continued to praise Blue with loud and sweet croons. He stepped towards her and all the other subordinates stepped back, while the omega lurched to her feet. They almost came chest to chest before he finally stopped. She squirmed and tried her very best to avoid his piercing yellow gaze, but her scent and her voice brought back all his desires from that morning full force, putting him in a battle of restraint that set his eyes aflame. They were hard to ignore at times.

So…..why did his wildflower come back to him, alone no less? Where was her sour protector Hook? Had she ditched her pack and returned for his affections?

Blue snapped her head back at such a question and snorted. Absolutely not!

Muerte was both frustrated and amused by the sharp response, but he didn't let her see it. Instead he began to circle around her and glare at the bloody pits in the back of her neck, occasionally casting a moment's indignation to the male responsible.

Did she care to elaborate? Surely she didn't venture back for no reason at all, or simply to pick a fight with his subordinates.

Blue wriggled her claws nervously and grumbled. This was what she had asked for, after all…..to find Muerte and beg him for the meat rations she needed to care for her pack members. She had put herself in this mess…..but if he would just have more of it in his possession, hidden somewhere in his den, and she could convince him to show her even a sliver more of generosity.

How she would go about requesting such a favor, Blue was unsure. She didn't want to make him think he had her wrapped around his claw…..but maybe she was long past that point, judging by the look on his face.

So, when Blue straightened -noticing again how her muscles ached and her scales felt heavy with mud-, she gave a weak head bob and cooed back to Muerte's proud voice. That put another twitch across his face, and his curiosity shifted to amused surprise.

Oh? A request for an extra share of rations?

It didn't surprise Muerte all that much. He was used to raptors groveling at his feet for extra shares, and he was used to flippantly denying them such luxuries…..but oh he was pleased to see his wildflower begging. It meant that his manipulation tactics were working, forcing her to be dependant on him and thus, further establishing his control over her.

This was going to be enjoyable. Especially so as she hadn't brought an escort with her. No sour old male to keep him from having some extra fun.

With that, Muerte was behind Blue's shoulder, nudging her with his nose towards the den. The meat was inside, and he wasn't about to leave her unattended with the…..riff raff. A few rivals ducked their heads, coming to term with how foolish it had been to attack the new omega, not realizing that she had garnered so much interest from their alpha . But nonetheless a few followed as Blue eventually gave into Muerte's herding. This wasn't what she wanted…..the red flags wouldn't stop going up in her mind.

When they entered the den, Muerte strutting as proudly as ever, Blue was reminded of how much her pack had lost. Her eyes adjusted to the dark and looked around sadly, especially when she realized how little had actually changed…...save for the filth of discarded bones, or the stench of unclean raptors. She was very careful of where she stepped, once wrinkling her snout at a suspicious puddle and skirting well around it.

The nests that once belonged to her pack were still somewhat intact. The rivals didn't care enough to tear them down or make new ones, but it was obvious they weren't very good at maintaining the bedding. Bits of nesting material was strewn everywhere, the walls of the nests themselves deteriorating. It made Blue angry to see her family's hard work being mistreated by such slobs. They seemed to be inhabited by only Muerte's highest ranking pack members, most of whom were females, perking their heads up at the sight of him and greeting with crooning voices.

It was a look of dejection and nervousness that came over them, when Muerte failed to acknowledge the attention. When they turned to see Blue accompanying him, that nervousness intensified so that one or two of the females growled under their breath.

So this was the new consort that had captured Muerte's interest and caused so much unrest. If he could turn on Beauty -once his most favored mate, for this new female…..then were any of them safe if he decided they were no longer of use to him?

Blue tried not to make eye contact with any rival, until they made it to the center of the nesting area. It was then that she looked up to see Muerte facing her again, standing over a large nest in which another hunk of meat was laid. He stared into her eyes, searching for something…..as if he hoped for a certain reaction. His scarred face twitched again and his tongue ran across the exposed gum tissue.

And in a moment he got just what he hoped for.

He had taken Kilo's nest, out of all the others. Blue realized this and couldn't help a low groan, anger and sadness touching her at the thought of her lost alpha. The wretched monster was destroying it…...all the delicately layered twigs and dried grasses, the base of ferns and leaves….and the little bird feathers that Blue had long learned was Kilo's preference. She had always admired his nest building….not fully understanding why, but maybe it was because she was so poor at it herself.

In any case, Muerte in Kilo's nest only reminded her of everything that he did, and her hate for him boiled up. She couldn't let it show however…..she needed to be calm and obedient, in order to get the meat rations laying just mere feet from her.

Muerte's voice called her attention up to him. Did she really want it? He had her where he wanted her….in his den, and with his females, where she belonged.

Blue mustered up the strength to warble softly with a bob of her head. When he seemed dissatisfied, she wagged her tail once and added a pleading tone to the warble. She most certainly wanted it, bad enough to go through all this trouble and danger…..

The alpha fluffed up his feather crest and pondered her for a moment, swishing his tail back and forth, until suddenly he made a happy little growl. He stooped down and took the meat ration up in his jaws, then looked back up and repeated the airy growl that betrayed his character. She hoped that maybe he was coming through with granting her the extra rations, trying not to shrink back as he stepped closer. He was offering it with a glint in his eye.

As once before that day, Blue opened her mouth and Muerte placed the meat in her grasp. Once she had a hold, she tried to pull away…..but as before, Muerte's airy growl shifted to dominant. Her heart dropped into her gut, but she held still, so that he could turn and nuzzle her throat. It was a soft touch, oh so gentle, but was no less uncomfortable to her. She waited in silence for him to back off…..but then he gently pinched her scales with his teeth, and began to move around her, making low rumbles as he went.

Blue felt a sting of the past come over her as Muerte began prodding and nuzzling at different parts of her body. He cooed now and again, touching her shoulder, then moving up to the arch of her neck. The sight of the shallow tooth pits in her flesh made him hiss possessively.

Before Muerte, Kilo used to perform such a ritual. An act of protectiveness in his alpha rank, checking her over for wounds or imperfections, caring for her wellbeing after a hunt or a scuffle. Such moments once made Blue proud and safe. She enjoyed Kilo's inspections…..but while Muerte did the actions with a gentle voice and touch, it wasn't the same. She hated it, and that anger was always amplified by a question she could never quite touch.

Somehow, in more ways than the simple act, Blue found something familiar in Muerte. Sometimes she thought maybe his scent reminded her of something, or something in his eyes, or the way his face twitched when he was concentrating.

It nearly drove her insane trying to figure it out.

Suddenly, Blue broke from her thoughts when she felt nuzzling against her flank. She glanced over her shoulder to see that Muerte had moved behind her, his eyes wandering across her body, and his tail swishing more excitedly. It brought a fear into her gut she tried very hard to suppress.

The male stared for a moment, as though concentrating very hard to muster his own self control, before he laid his heavy head across Blue's hips. She braced under it and blinked as he began to rub her scales, growling as he did so and tagging her with scent from his throat glands. Blue was very sure that Kilo had never done that before.

Shivers ran down her spine in waves. She couldn't help making a shaky whine past the meat she still held in her mouth, or wiggling out from under Muerte in an overwhelming want to get away from his touch. In response she could feel him drag his chin hard across her hips, but without thinking, moving forward allowed him all too easy access to one place of particular interest.

Blue thought she had gotten out of the discomfort, until she felt Muerte's snout and warm breath up underneath her tail. Her shaky whine turned into a shrill yelp past the meat in her mouth, followed by scrambling forward and angling her tail down as far as it would go.

What was with males and trying to touch her there!

Flustered and feeling violated once again, Blue wasn't watching where she was going. She stumbled away from Muerte's pursuit until she felt her chest slam into another raptor's, and heard a yelp just as startled as her own. Without much thought she jumped with one clawed hand ready to slash, if she needed it.

But when she saw the raptor looking down at her, she recognized the softness in its face and hesitated, long enough to realize It was the chocolate colored omega that Blue had seen the other night, before meeting Dust! He was also the one she had caught a glimpse of in the crowd, during the fight.

Very slightly her curiosity spiked as she looked up into his concerned eyes. When she cocked her head to the side, he mimicked her. He was quiet and shy, fidgeting and trying very hard not to stare hungrily at the meat ration she held. His physical condition was only a bit better than Dust's gaunt frame.

And like Dust, somehow he was different. Blue was even more certain of that, getting to see him up close, though she reminded herself to still be vigilant…...he was still a rival.

And she also needed to remind herself of Muerte, who was chuffing impatiently and trying to get her attention. She didn't want to give it, but his smoldering eyes were locked on the male whom had intervened with his fun, and was crowding up on his female. Blue's sudden interest only made him feel more threatened.

Omega, as Blue had simply referred to him in her mind, quickly bobbed his head and offered his throat submissively. No threat!

His tone to Muerte was different than the other rivals. It was the same tone he had used with Beauty, which deeply puzzled Blue. Fear…..but it was mixed with happy excitement, as though he was fighting extra hard to earn their good graces. But not trying to woo, as she had first suspected.

Muerte snorted. Giving Omega one more irritated sideways look, he refocused on Blue and slid forward to nip at her shoulder, causing her to jump and make another muffled yelp. It made him croon happily and lick his lips, while Omega saw the discomfort in Blue's eyes and made a strained face.

It had been quite enjoyable for the alpha to mark his scent on Blue, and it had been even more so enjoyable to push the contact just a little bit further. Just a tiny nuzzle and sniff under her skirts, so to speak.

But, in that small moment of access, Muerte had seen the scuffs and marks in Blue's scales. He could tell right away that it was a raptor bite. A mild one….but a bite that told him some other males had gotten brave with his female. The same male whom he found attached to her neck, perhaps? It was only logical.

Muerte's calm outer behavior was a far opposite to the fury he was hiding. Greedy possessiveness, dominance, and anger made his blood boil. But the only hint to it on the outside was his twitching lip and talons curling down into the stone.

Eyes shifting again to Blue with a false airiness, the alpha male bobbed his head and made a curt hiss.

Omega!

The young male flinched, and this time it was Blue who offered him a strained face, but he went obediently to Muerte and stood before him. His head ducked low and his tail wagged nervously, eyes big with a soft tone of wanting to please.

What did his father wish him to do?

For a second Blue did a double take. Did she read that tone correctly? Had she mistaken the body language?

To test it, her eyes narrowed and she focused hard on the two raptors as they stood facing each other. Omega was hardly the raptor Muerte was, so much smaller and timid…...but in their eyes, there was an almost undetectable likeness. Their facial structure bore resemblance, as did their wispy feathered crests, and the splotched markings trailing down from their eye sockets.

Their scents would be the final true tell…..but as Blue focused and took their individual aroma in, she found them to be intertwined, resembling scent tags that she had identified before between siblings or uncles.

She could hardly believe it, but it was true, and the behavior Omega displayed made so much more sense. Muerte…..the harsh and tyrannical alpha…..was his father. Blue had only seen one other such blood bond, between Victor and his daughter Star.

How had the poor thing survived? And Blue wasn't even aware of his tendency to murder male younglings of his blood, as seen in Kilo's younger years.

While this matter remained a disturbing mystery, Muerte gave Omega a stern look and snorted. He was finished with the female Blue, and wanted her to be escorted out of the den and to the tree line, kept safe from the subordinates on the walk.

Could he do that?

Omega wasn't exactly the most threatening body guard, but his feathers ruffled and he wagged his tail again eagerly. It wasn't often that he was entrusted with a task.
Yes father!

Good.

Omega was just about to turn, when Muerte narrowed his eyes and made a possessive growl.

The female was off limits, understand? He knew that this was his son's first season as a mature male, ready to take a mate…...and by experience, an overeager son had once before tried to steal a mate from him. He wouldnt let it happen again.

Again, Omega ducked his head and crooned obediently.

Unsure about the situation, but relieved to finally be sent home, Blue heard Omega chuff softly to her and she promptly moved with him. Muerte watched her go, easing past staring subordinates, until the both of them had disappeared out the den entrance. Though his eyes followed her, his mind was fixed on the male subordinate behind him, hiding in the crowd. The male he found attacking Blue…

With his calm face and a sing song voice, Muerte called out. The male he sought lifted his head, eyes wide with surprise and jaw clenched. Other subordinates stepped away from him, one being the big brute that Blue nearly killed…..the raptor who was actually responsible for her scuffed scales. His own eyes were wider than the other male's, knowing full well what he had done and terrified if the tyrant should find out.

But Muerte simply called again for the single male, and obediently the raptor shuffled forward, unsure of his alpha's intentions. Every muscle in his body was trembling, and subordinates watching on were becoming nervous.

Come. Don't be shy.

He just wanted to have a little "chat".

~...~

Blue was experiencing a mixture of pride and unsettlement, as she hurried out of the den and across the open meadow. She had successfully scored a meal for the last hungry members of her pack, though Muerte's actions took some of the the satisfaction out of her victory. It made a sick feeling in her heart that was hard to ignore, and an itch on her skin wherever he had touched her.

When shrill death cries began echoing out of the den, Blue nervously picked up her pace and made soft whines, but from the right of her she heard a raptor match the pace and offer a comforting coo, reminding her that she wasn't alone yet.

A son of their tyrant leader. She didn't know how she wanted to feel about that, nor did she really believe it. He wasn't exactly the most commanding presence. Every time she glanced over at him, he looked back and gave a little tail wag, eyes soft and feather crest relaxed. There was no dominant posturing or aggressivenes, and as they walked by other rivals, he offered passionately submissive gestures that confirmed he was well suited for the omega rank.

The next question was easily enough answered, connecting the dots. If his behavior to Muerte was that of a son groveling for his abusive father's attention…..then the similar behavior towards Beauty surely meant that she was his mother.

Again….hard to believe that two terribles would make a seemingly decent offspring. But a sad realization at the same time, to remember how hard the male had been trying to care for his ill mother. She could easily see the wound Beauty had given him, swollen and encrusted in dirt, as he could not reach it to groom himself. Obviously there were no raptors who would volunteer for him.

When they finally made it to the tree line, both Blue and Omega stopped with an odd quietness. He had begun wriggling his claws nervously together, looking up at her for fleeting moments before clicking his teeth and averting his gaze. He could sense that she was nervous around him, but rightly so, and she held tight onto her meat ration in his presence.

Eventually, the male bobbed his head and offered a gentle inquiring chuff. Was she hurt badly?

Blue blinked. She wasn't sure how to respond for a moment, but his gentleness brought her to warble gently back. No...she wasn't hurt badly. The scratches and scuffs would heal, given time.

That news seemed to make the male wiggle happily, like a giddy youngling. It almost amused her, but she stifled the sound and simply bobbed her head in a small thanks, for escorting her out of the den.

Omega bobbed his head kindly in reply, and she wondered at him. What an oddity, of his lineage…...and a shame, that such a seemingly soft hearted raptor had been born into such hostile surroundings. As Dust and Mud had been so unfortunate.

The empathy hit her again as Omega turned to leave. She fought it, hard, growling to herself….but lost that battle in the end and gave a muffled chitter.

Wait!

Omega paused and looked back with a surprised sparkle in his yellow and blue halved eyes. He waited to see what she wanted of him, and Blue almost wondered the same thing, questioning if her urges to help were crossing the line of logic.

But she went ahead with it, stooping down to drop her meat ration and pin it underneath one foot. At this point Omega had cocked his head to the side and crept closer, becoming more confused as she tore a small chunk away and stood back up to look at him.

Here.

The male flinched slightly when she extended her neck forward. He expected to be struck, and it made her heart twist, but slowly his muscles relaxed and he whined as though to question her intentions. Never in his life had a raptor been so generous to offer food to him….even his own mother had been neglectful in feeding duties when he was just a hatchling.

Blue purred insistently. She hoped, even though it was a very small gift, that he could put it to use. Give a little to tend to his mother, and take a little for himself.

Besides….in a way, he had distracted Muerte long enough to deter his attention from her. And he had accompanied her safely out of the den, and hadn't tried to attack her for the ration.

Such a small piece would make no difference to the leftovers that would feed Alden and Lima. There would be plenty for them, and then some.

For a long moment Omega seemed unsure. Would his father get angry, if he found out? Was she trustworthy?

There had been times before, when pack rivals taunted him with false "gifts".

But finally, he made a deeply grateful purr back to Blue, and reached out to daintily take the gift from her. She was surprised that he did so without even touching her muzzle or lips.

Once it was done, they exchanged head bobs again, then Omega turned and trotted off in the direction Blue remembered Beauty had taken shelter. She could hear him crooning as he went, which put a sense of happiness in herself.

Once again, it was time for her to refocus and return to her family. She darted swiftly into the trees towards home, wincing slightly at her soreness.

She knew It would be difficult to hide what happened. Blue's body was covered in mud, and the tooth pits in the back of her neck were far too obvious. There wasn't a safe moment to stop and groom herself clean, and there was no way of hiding her wounds from the pack.

The elders, especially Hook, would probably be angry with her for going off alone…..but she was alright with that. She got the meat for Alden and Lima. That was all that mattered.

Her eyes refocused, and she found herself at the very edge of the brush, overlooking the makeshift den and raptors scattered about. It only took a moment to find Hook and Alden, as they were standing together away from the rest of the group, exchanging worried warbles and looking around as though they were on edge. All of the pack members were on edge; Tango huddling close to Mike and Curare near the den, grooming her little brother's head; Lima growling to herself amidst some ferns, gnawing hungrily on a tooth worn stick; Dust curled up under her bush not far away, Mud peeking out from the crook of her arm; while Star sat like a little meerkat inside the den entrance, with head high and paws tucked up under her chest. The little one seemed to be looking in all directions with wide eyes, fretting softly despite Victor's reassuring cooes, from where he laid just behind her. Shadow was missing…..returned to the back of the den, most likely.

No doubt they had heard the ruckus coming from Muerte's den, and it had frightened them. Had they realized she was missing?

Suddenly, as Blue pondered this, a face appeared in the window she used to peer out the foliage. She scrambled back with a shocked yelp. Dust!

The nervous mother had been deathly silent in her approach, and was now growling lowly in threat, convinced the snooping eyes were from an intruder. But the moment she realized that it was Blue in the bushes and not a rival, her curled lip dropped and her amber eyes widened in surprise, darting between the omega's horrid condition and the meat that smelled so tantalizing. A coo questioned in wonder.

What happened to her? Where did she get that?

After the yelp gave away Blue's return and the elders realized what had happened, they were quick to trot over. Alden chuffed nervously and Hook got straight to demands, seeking explanations as to why the omega had left them without permission….. Or at least telling them where she was going! Dust stepped quickly back to get out from between the tension.

Blue ignored it for a moment. She stood up, still a little sore in her muscles, and upon revealing herself fully, the elders both blinked in surprise. As Dust had done, their wide eyes shifted from her muddy and damaged scales, to the meat she held.

Then, with a big breath and growl at putting it together, Hook narrowed his eyes. She went back to Muerte!

It didn't take much for him to figure out. One look at her mess, he knew what she had done. He was dumbfounded that she had the guts to go back, after how Muerte treated her that morning. Didn't she stop to think it would be dangerous to go alone? That he would try something again, with a few more liberties?

Judging by her atrocious appearance, it seemed that was just what had happened!

This lasted until Blue broke the fussing with a dry cough, communicating determination with a soft bob of her head and extension of her chest….even though she knew she had come very close to getting herself in over her head. But they didn't need to hear the details.

Hook scoffed in sharp response. It was one thing to be a risk taker, it was another to be stupid! And she wasn't invincible, as she was so obviously and foolishly convinced!

The old male peered down at her and hissed before she could try and argue. She only survived her trials because she was absurdly lucky. One of these days, her irrational behavior was going to get her killed.

He thought that had finally gotten through to her, after what happened with Kilo…..

Blue blinked and grit her teeth down on the meat ration. Everything got very quiet once again, Alden awkwardly unsure of what to do, Dust continuing to squirm and become anxious at the tension being exchanged.

So, disregarding the elder's gaze with a little snort and roll of her shoulders, Blue dropped the need to defend her efforts for the time being. She then turned to Alden, gurgling gently and bobbing her head, offering him some of the meat by bending down and tearing off a hefty chunk with her foot.

Special rations for him and Lima!

Alden's look of worry shifted to that of shock. His eyes locked onto the prime meal and seemed to absorb what this meant, and when it finally did he looked back up to the omega with a warm gurgle. Really?

Blue affirmed, and the elder ducked his head graciously. He had been fully content, gifting his ration to Dust and going hungry….yet now as he gently took the new ration for himself, the taste hit his tongue and his hunger awoke with fresh wild abandon.

Hook watched this and grumbled lowly. He was discontent that the omega had closed off their disagreement and denied him making his point, but much as he wished to call her out, Alden leaned close and chuffed for him to simply drop it.

Blue did a good thing. A stupid thing, he didn't argue with that…...but a good thing just the same. Perhaps it was best if Hook didn't taint the moment.

It was then that the rest of the pack became aware of their omega's return. Victor, Tango, and Lima all looked to her with surprise in their wide gazes, while the younglings gave shrill whoops and became a clamber of excitement. Still hungry even after one feeding that day, the little raptors raced to her and made circles where she walked. Mike and Curare lunged and made desperate grabs for the meat she held, while Star kept a respectful distance and silently regarded her friend. Her young eyes weren't blind to the evidence of Blue's inflicted wounds and discomfort. After a moment she simply made a happy gurgle and rubbed up against the adult's shin, despite it almost tripping her up.

Hook marched over to break them up with a stern growl, then stand guard as though holding off a pack of hungry compiles. This made Blue warble in amusement and gave her the chance to seek Lima out.

Lima especially was surprised, when Blue called with a snort for her to come get her replacement ration. She jumped to her feet and stalked over, almost not believing it….but as Blue ripped away another chunk's worth, her eyes narrowed slightly and she made a low groan. She would never admit out loud that the omega had done a good deed…

Blue simply kept quiet, as Lima took the ration and spun around to hide somewhere in the brush. She didn't expect much of a thank you, but she sensed her appreciation of the meal just the same. Considering Lima? That was enough.

She was about to turn, when amongst the pack's faces she recognized someone that made her pause in a mixed emotion of glee and worry. Shadow had peeked out of the den at hearing the ruckus and crying younglings. At first she was confused and nervous that something was wrong, and genuinely so after it was discovered Blue went missing.

As much as she was upset with her, Shadow knew that losing Blue would drastically weaken the pack's morale and strength in its current state.

But upon seeing her walking back through the den site, Shadow lifted her head and blinked in surprise. She had not expected the female to look so….ruffled, nor did she expect to see the slab of meat gripped firmly between her jaws.

A second ration? How did she come about it?

Once Alden and Lima were fed, they made eye contact and Blue came to a standstill. The tension in their relationship seemed to cling heavy on the air. Neither made a sound for some time, until Shadow acknowledged Blue's actions with a halfhearted grunt.

So…..everyone was fed?

Blue bobbed her head. Everyone, even the newcomers.

As if on cue, Dust chose that moment to creep up behind Blue, now holding Mud in her teeth by the scruff of his neck. He was looking around with wide eyes that questioned why mother took him out of the quiet of the bushes, after having cried persistently for her.

But upon seeing Shadow, the mother let out a choked whine and shriveled up behind Blue's body. She was unsure…..maybe the beta had come to protest their presence. Mud sensed her spike of fear and stared at Shadow as though she were the most frightening of nightmarish monsters.

The beta wrinkled her snout with another low snort. It seemed for a moment that she would again voice her disapproval, but movement at Blue's feet made her smoldering yellow eyes shift downwards. Almost immediately her trembling lips stilled and her agitation melted away at the sight of the three younglings all crowded again around their omega, having slipped past Hook's guard.

She saw how their wide happy eyes were fixed on the meat, and how they chittered. But she also saw that they wove in and out between not only Blue's legs, but Dust's legs as well. They were not frightened of her, nor were they threatened by the thought of her taking shares. They were too innocent for that….

And with that thought, Shadow saw her own daughter Star turn to look up at Dust, and Mud dangling from her teeth. The little one wagged her tail and rubbed up against the female's leg as though she had been a part of the pack since the beginning. Dust was nothing but tender in her responding rumble, though it was tight with the awareness that Star was the angry beta's child.

Shadow refocused, puffing air out her nostrils, then stood up straight. The other raptors all noticed this and their own anticipation rose, until she finally offered an annoyed grunt.

Maybe…..just maybe…..she would consider Dust and Mud to be acceptable guests.

Blue did something of a double take. Her head shot up, eyes bulged, and her clenched jaw loosened so that she had to catch herself from dropping the little remaining meat and losing it to the younglings.

Really?

Shadow grumbled in annoyance. It was hardly a certainty. But she would….consider it. They would be smart to tread lightly on the subject from now on, lest she change her mind and drive the pair out of their pack with no further debate.

Their beta's advice was taken quickly, in Alden's ushering rumbles and Blue fixing her attention onto the meat that was yet to be eaten. She was just about to turn, when Shadow chuffed to her specifically, making her flinch and look up. Yes?

Luckily, Shadow only cocked her head curiously to the side. What did they intend to do with the rest of the meat?

It was a test of a question, and Blue was happy to wag her tail and purr her answer. There were still many rations worth to go around, so most of it would be given again to the younglings. The final ration would be her own.

Shadow seemed to think, before bobbing her head in approval. In some ways, she was humbled by Blue's answer.

Good.

Blue hastily offered Shadow a thank you bob of her head, then spun around to see the pack gathering towards a grassy spot in the clearing. Dust and Mud kept close to her hip. Star and the adolescents ran ahead, Mike looking over his shoulder with happy calls to his sister Tango, who hobbled along and seemed very bubbly at hearing the young would be fed a second time that day. Lima happily stayed behind to enjoy her meal in quiet.

Victor, being left behind as well, turned to regard his mate with a pleased expression. Shadow caught him and hissed again, but the sound was half hearted and her eyes told the male more than she let on. He dared to creep close, not afraid of her scowl as he gave little adoring licks.

When they arrived at the spot, Blue turned to face the raptors present. Alden quickly found a carpet of padded moss to lay for his meal, in a place where he could supervise and be close. Tango rested not far from him after some shifting and easing down on her hip, Hook following her with similar rickety movements, while the younglings lined up on their haunches in front of Blue, eagerly wagging their tails and licking their lips.

Despite his squirming and whines, Dust plopped Mud down amongst the other little ones for the lineup. He looked nervously around at the other faces and thought to run back to his mother, but she nudged him to sit still, ignoring his begging cries.

Blue took that as her cue to bend and rest the meat ration on the ground, placing one foot over the top of it. She used that leverage to latch on and tear a mouthful sized portion away. It made a delightful sound and taste on her tongue, but she went to Mud and presented it to him without letting it tempt her. She happily watched his eyes widen and stare, then his body lurch forward to sniff at the heap of tattered meat. Once or twice in his excitement, he once again lost balance on his shortened tail and teetered forward, yet he would recover and prop himself up with his arms. Blue swore the little one began to practically inhale the scraps, forgetting all about his anxiety and wish to be with mother.

Seeing him, the other younglings couldn't hold their own excitement. She had to be hasty in separating more mouthfuls of meat, dropping them into waiting jaws like throwing bait to piranhas. Mike attempted to snatch Curare's share away, being greedy, but Tango saw to it with a quick scolding growl. Blue chuffed in amusement at the sheepish look he gave his big sister, then chuffed again when he saw his own ration hit the dirt and lit upon it with happy savagery.

This made her very happy, seeing them taken care of. Probably Star and Mud most of all, to nurture their thin little frames. Two feedings would indeed serve them very well.

Finally, with the younglings hushed and busy, Blue had one final ration left over. It was Blue's turn to be hesitant, but with the others' adamant expressions, she bobbed her head softly and took the scrap of meat into her mouth. That time, she was able to acknowledge the taste and juices on her tongue, and it woke her hunger again so that she was suddenly desperate to satisfy it.

There was only one thing….in her current state of tiredness and worn emotions, Blue wished to seek the comfort of another raptor's presence. Her head turned and she shuffled over to where Dust had sat down next to Mud, plopping down with a bit of stiffness and giving Dust a particularly gentle coo. But then all her focus was on feeding, and she tore into the ration just as frantically as any other starved raptor in the meadow. She couldn't help herself.

In just a matter of minutes and mouthfuls it was gone, and Blue licked every speck of taste off the grass. She was far from satisfied, and that distressed her…...but her hushed whines were interrupted by Dust's gentle voice.

Blue looked up to discover the mother raptor was staring. Though there was an odd tint in her gaze that caught Blue's attention.

Sorrow?

It worried her, until Dust stood up and moved over to Blue's side. The omega certainly wasn't expecting that, making a confused chuff once they were sitting next to one another, and Dust began looking her over with a thorough inspection. She seemed to linger on the dirt caked to her scales, or the scuffs and scratches she had received that day.

And in particular, the half healed scars from Muerte's claws on her face, or the tooth pits in her neck. The sorrowful look was still set in her eyes, as she sniffed and gently touched the rim of the wounds with her muzzle.

Blue was about to inquire again, then Dust began to groom. She was very gentle and hesitant, looking up ever so often to make sure that her recipient did not mind. Blue's appreciative purr made her tail wag happily.

The gesture was another thank you, and typical pack bonding behavior. Dust could not remember the last time she groomed another raptor…...it was very comforting…..but she did not offer such care without a distraction.

Dust had smelled Muerte's scent on Blue the moment the female returned to the den. She knew it was a claim marker, stating his desire to make her his mate, as she had smelled on countless females before…...and even her own hide.

It made her pity Blue, and the fate that was chosen for her. It made her feel closer to the younger female in a way, more so than simply owing gratitude for such kind hospitality.

For some long moments they sat in silence, Blue drifting off into relaxation, while her scales and scratches were cleaned. She had also missed receiving such treatment…realizing that she could not remember being groomed even once during her time with the Waterfall pack.

But much as Dust cleaned, Blue found that Muerte's vile scent was only lessened. The oil from his throat glands was potent and clung stubbornly. She feared that it would never come off, that it could not be hidden from the other raptors…and even greater she still feared what the marker itself meant.

Dust noticed this despair and gave a comforting croon. Muerte was terrible, and caused them both great pain. They were both marked by him….and in that likeness, they found a sisterhood.

Sisters of pain.

Blue stared blankly at her in thought, then purred and reached out to nuzzle the older female's cheek in a friendly gesture. For a moment, the troubles of angry betas, aching hearts, and tyrant alphas seemed to fade to the back of her mind.

Sisters of pain….she liked that.

They all savored the luxury of peace some time longer, Blue and Dust continuing to enjoy each other's company, Alden watching over them. Until the younglings began finishing with their own rations. One by one they let out contented sighs, sitting up on their haunches licking their lips. Blue was pleased to see their little stomachs were rounded out. Fed well….though it looked odd with their bony frames.

The state of "food coma" induced drowsiness lingered. Then came Mike's playful chitters, as he flopped over between his big sister's arms and began to squirm around, nipping her scales and prompting her to a lazy game of wrestle. Tango looked down with joy in her yellow eyes that made Blue's heart swell, before stooping to attack her brother with gentle nips and bumps of her own. She cooed and chattered just as energetically as any adolescent, and the roughhousing was soon joined by Curare, who leapt on top of Mike and made him squawk at his full belly being squished. Tango's stern rumble silenced the bickering that followed.

Star, immediately looking over at Mud, crawled on her belly towards him and nearly scared him out of his skin. But he whirled to face her and for a long moment they stared at one another, before his tail began to wag very nervously and the little quills on top of his head rattled. For the first time he had begun to express something other than fear.

It was certainly moments like these, that made the pain of their circumstances just a little bit more bearable.