The dim light of the moon barely illuminated the area while the pack dug in. Although the carcasses did not have much meat on them, there were more than enough dead hyenas to go around. It was like a buffet.
Valter quietly studied everyone happily enjoying their meal. Everyone looked so relaxed that he felt ridiculous staying so tense. As time passed, Valter let his guard lower bit by bit. For the first time, he could enjoy his meal in such a simple manner.
When they were done, the wolves stretched and lounged under the stars. Quin and Red laid on their backs. Ward, Zira, and Valter took a dip in the pool. Alma and Neoma rested against each other.
By the time the three exited the spring, Red and Quin were knocked out cold. Zira reverted into her wolf form and curled up, ready to sleep. So, Ward did the same. Valter went off in a more secluded spot but found that Alma and Neoma were following him.
"What do you want?" He gruffly asked.
“But why would she?” Neoma whispered back as the pack huddled closer together.Ward looked at the pack then back at Zira. He felt like he should know what was going on, but he did not feel secure about leaving Zira alone at that moment. Understanding his dilemma from the way he behaved, Zira sighed lightly and returned the pack’s side with Ward close by her side."It's either to test our strength or a fight for territory or…" He looked at Ward and Zira huddling in with them. "Something personal."Just as Valter ended his sentence, the rest of the yellow wolves prowled towards Neoma’s pack with their fangs bared. Their leader turned back around and looked down at Neoma’s pack like they were small fry.Neoma and the others stuck close and bared their fangs as well. They stared at each other down, no one willing to back down.All of a sudden, Valter dashed forward and broke the impasse. Red followed clo
When there was no response or sound coming from behind her, she turned around to check if he was still there. He was, but he stood there with a faraway look in his eyes.When the focus returned to his eyes, he turned to look down at the valley and the other wolves. “I don’t understand myself either.” He said softly.Zira sat down and waited. She felt like that was not all he had to say.“Since you asked… I think it’s the way you fight. Desperate and stubborn. But not because you overestimate yourself. More like perseverance. It’s... Strangely enchanting. And inspiring.”Zira found the things he described oddly familiar. She had gotten used to hearing the familiar soul say such things to her, but she still could not understand what about that made her worthy of such devotion and love. “So what?”Ward finally looked back at her. Pink petals danced around her and made
The Pureblood stood their ground. However, the pack members were clearly losing their calm. Some had their fangs peek through and were poised for a fight. Others looked anxiously between Kaiser and Neoma’s pack. Only Kaiser looked unbothered.He overbearingly took a step forward with his pack backing him up. “I’m here to claim you as my fated partner.”Neoma’s pupils constricted in anger and her breathing picked up. Both took on their human forms and stepped closer to each other, as if daring the other to back down. They locked gazes for a long while. The atmosphere was tense. All of a sudden, Kaiser moved faster than anyone could react. His arm circled her waist and flushed her body against his. His lips pressed firmly against hers.The scene made Zira raise an eyebrow. /And here I thought that things were going to change./Everyone else watched with their jaws hanging open. Was the tension they fe
Meanwhile, it was a whole other atmosphere within Zira's head. BaoBao laughed like a madman and gushed over how Ward had instantly ran to Zira’s side when she collapsed. [I’m serious. This shtick will NEVER get old!]Zira ignored BaoBao with much effort and focused on her task at hand. She opened her eyes a little and looked at Ward. “I just need to rest.” Her voice was barely audible.Her breathing was weak.Ward tenderly picked her up then brought her down to the den where he knew there were softer beddings made out of fallen petals and leaves.Neoma wanted to follow them but the other Pureblood members advanced towards them in a threatening manner. Having had enough, Neoma rallied the other wolves together and defended the den as a pack.With renewed vigour and having regained their teamwork, they made quick work with the Pureblood members. No one got seriously hurt, though. Neoma's pack was just giving
Kaiser dismissed Valter’s threat. "What are you saying? I'm just impressed that you got Skye's-""RED can decide for herself who she wants to cooperate with."The insinuation that they were more worthy of Red's cooperation ticked Kaiser off. However, he bit his tongue and held back from lashing out."Yes, she can. Now, may I meet your leader?""She would be out here if she wanted to meet you.""Being her fated partner, I believe I have the right to meet her, is that not true?"Valter eyed him keenly then sent a glance to Alma. Alma got the message and went inside the den. She came out soon and solemnly shook her head."Your fated partner doesn't seem to share the same idea." Valter relayed the message.Kaiser's rage boiled over and he barely held back a growl. His lips twitched and threatened to curl up. "Well then, I'll wait here until she's ready to meet me."He sat where he was and made sure not to retreat
The Pureblood pack hung back for the first time. Valter, Ward, and Zira paid them no mind and took however much they wanted. Neoma, Quin, and Red took just enough for themselves. Alma gave up some of her share to leave enough for the Purebloods. The bear was eventually reduced to nothing more than blood and bones.While the wolves dug in with a clear divide between their packs, Ward pushed some of his share to Zira. Having expected that, she shoved it back to him unhappily then looked at the amount she had before her. Understanding that she had taken more than enough for herself, Ward ate without a worry.[Kaiser should think ofsomething more original.]BaoBao’s grumbling brought Kaiser to Zira’s attention. She ate and watched Kaiser clumsily using his paw to nudge more meat to Neoma. The random thought that she was watching a cutscene after winning the final boss battle popped up in her mind.Having gotten Neoma&r
Zira stopped in her tracks then turned back halfway. She was impressed to find the other wolves keeping a respectful distance behind Neoma. Her gaze dropped to the wolf before her."I have unfinished business. You live your life and I'll live mine.""But-" Neoma tried to protest some more."You did well." Zira ruffled the top of Neoma's head then took off with Ward in tow.Neoma stood there in a daze. Zira did not smile but she might as well have. Her tone was the warmest and proudest Neoma had ever heard. Tears fell as she shouted as loud as she could, "I'll miss you! I'll go visit, okay?!"Although she did not get a response, Neoma felt sure that they heard her.Zira did not hold back and ran at her top speed. Ward easily matched her speed and stamina. They cleared the same terrains faster than when they had travelled as a group. They had fewer stops. With the help of her nose and BaoBao's sight, she avoided areas o
Zira blinked her eyes open. Wide eyes with fully dilated pupils stared back at her. Her heart jumped and she pushed herself up off the ground. She jerked from the pain that shot through her body, but it did not stop her from moving away. A large hand on her back stopped her from going further. She turned her head and saw Ward in his human form. She looked down at herself and saw that she was in her wolf form. Finally, she looked around and found the Darkfire pack scattered around her lying and sitting in different positions, but all were looking at her. She noted the cyan stream and so knew that they had moved from where the fight had taken place.[You’ve been out for days! Is your recovery slower now or what?] BaoBao exclaimed worriedly, but he continued on to fill her in as usual. [The pack members recognised Ward as friendly, so they led him here. They told him that you liked hanging out here when you were still with them.