Chapter 68: Not Alone
Joseph slicked his sweat-soaked hair back after carrying out the last delivery to the barracks-turned-field-hospital. It was far later than he would like to be up, but even with Mama assisting Tel and Kelth, it had been a bit of a struggle to prepare food for so many people in a way that they could safely eat without getting sicker.
It was going to be a bit of a slow process getting so many of the servants that arrived back on their feet, what ranged from days to weeks of barely being given enough to contribute what little they could for their packs wearing them down to shadows of the people they once were.
It pissed him off to know that people would be tossed aside so blatantly, but the majority of those who were sent apparently did so willingly to ease the burden on their friends and family when hunting and agriculture just couldn’t keep up. There were improvements since he traded out specifications for a basic bow and snares, but until the other packs could get proficient with making and using them, it sounded like a lot of people simply went hungry.
It was easy to forget that his pack was a bit of an oddity, their numbers being low enough that they could pass along the benefits of their situation to whoever ended up at their door. It meant that they never really felt the strain that other packs did as they found themselves failing and needing homes, or having to struggle through the winter as their supplies dwindled away with more dangerous predators becoming active, their attempts at raising livestock pulling what little they had.
The base provided them lavish shelter from the elements, and the Atmo expedited construction along at a time-scale that was absolute insanity for those who needed to go through the tiring process of producing tools strong enough to fell and work with the unique wood.
He was living in fucking paradise for all the others on this planet could tell.
Joseph sat against the wall of the barracks, his head resting against the cool wood as the ground sapped his excess heat from below him.
He wanted to come off as a hardened leader that took no bullshit when he met with the visiting High Hunter, but by the end of it, all he could do was see someone struggling to do what he himself did, but with far less resources to accomplish it. A fact that the male knew and had weighing on his shoulders as he tried to ensure the safety of those he brought.
He couldn’t hate Bratik, as apparently hostile as he seemed at first. The facade faded when him and Pan showed that they were more concerned with getting the people what they needed rather than fuck around with mind-games, though Tel had poor timing with her contribution to the latter.
Nalah and Sahari were apparently pretty pissed-off to see the people they expected to be happy leaving packs who had mistreated them instead resigned to dying far away from their loved ones. Harrow had stayed back to offer help assigning people to places they could stay while they set about sorting how poorly everyone was doing, but she fell quiet as she quickly assisted Nalah in setting the current barracks up as a clinic of sorts instead.
He turned his head to the side, noticing the orange-furred female absently staring into the fire that was set up to lessen the distance that Kelth would have to travel to deliver what food he could help with, the male showing a surprising amount of motivation once Mi’low pulled the stick from her ass and started snapping directions at people to help out.
The Grand Hunter sighed. The High Huntress and him had always had a back-and-forth relationship, the two never really knowing how to deal with each other, just that they needed the other in order to function properly. Seeing her command her pack for the benefit of strangers made him gain a bit of begrudging respect for how she did things, though he wasn’t about to follow in her footsteps, as far as attitude was concerned, if he could help it.
Getting to his feet, he shambled over to Harrow as she remained still, the dishevelled fur he could spot from behind her telling of how haggard she had gotten setting everything up.
“You should sleep,” he commented as he approached, stopping at her side to watch the peaceful wisps of smoke and ember travel away from the flames that spawned them, now that the dirty-blond-furred cook had retired to get his rest.
She jolted, her ruminations broken by his speech. A turn of her head revealed tired eyes, the damp fur below them telling of her tears. “Huh? Oh. Yeah.” She faced the fire again, clearing her throat to dissolve the harsh edge. “I’ll try in a bit.”
“You okay?” he asked, laying his hand across her back to her shoulder. She leaned into him, his loose hold slipping around her to rub her arm softly.
“I’m okay. Just a lot of work.”
He nodded, cycling a breath before he looked back to the fire. “I’d say. I heard you organized it pretty damn quick, too. Never expected you to know triage.”
She let out a dry laugh. “I couldn’t forget how it was done, even if I wanted to.”
A quirk of his brow preceded his careful questioning, the tone of her voice being so fragile worrying him. “Dealt with starving people before?”
Harrow shook her head, a paw reaching to clutch at his shirt. “Burns. Smoke inhalation...”
Joseph’s eyes widened slightly as her voice grew forced, choked sobs threatening to overtake her.
“I can still remember the screams, Joseph. The wailing of den-mothers holding their lifeless kits. So many people carrying the same Void-filled look, offering defeated smiles to those who were trying to help them despite knowing that they wouldn’t last the moon.” The wetness in her voice intensified, a laughing cry accompanying the shaking. “The lack of hope as more and more were brought in to be sorted, each worse-off than the last. The vacant eyes of the ones who were brought in too late.”
He squeezed her softly, prompting her to turn towards him in an attempt to bury herself into him. “Harrow...”
“I don’t want to remember, Joe. I don’t want to relive that moon. I don’t want to hear those cries again. A kit calling for her kin, knowing that they didn’t make it, but refusing to believe it. The sounds of a young one breaking as the last of what they knew burned to the ground, leaving them alone in the world. The desperate pleas of a small smoke-ravaged voice begging the medics to save her sisters as they lay aside to be identified later. The crushing reality shattering the soul when they didn’t get up. I don’t want to. I can’t.”
He held her close, shocked by the sudden breakdown. He ignored the pain when her claws dug into him as she burrowed further into his chest, her tears soaking his shirt. “Hey, hey. It’s okay. You’re okay. There’s no big fire. No burns. No kids. Just people that need help getting back on their feet, okay?”
She trembled in his arms as he rubbed the length of her back, a worried glance at their surroundings failed to find Jax, though he should be around somewhere. He lowered his head to speak softly into her ear.
“Let’s get you inside, okay? I’ll get Jax and you two can take the rest of the night easy. Catch up on sleep. I think you’ve pushed yourself too hard lately.”
He let go, failing to separate as he tried to take a step back. Her voice came out small and vulnerable. “Joe?”
“Yeah?”
Harrow fought to compose herself enough to speak, swallowing a few times before croaking out her words. “Can I rest with you?”
His expression softened, a hand slowly stroking between her ears as he tried to put some humour into his response. “Wouldn’t Jax be jealous that I stole his girlfriend?”
“Please?” The whispered plea ruined any chance he had at denying. He took a deep breath, holding it for a moment before releasing it.
“Okay. I’ll ask someone to let Jax know so that he can come get you later.” He glanced back at the fire as he considered it for a moment. “Or join, I guess.”
She nodded, wordlessly tagging along with a paw gripping his clothing as he walked back to the base, stopping to ask one of the security members to tell Jax where his mate would be when it was time for him to retire for the night once Harrow had recovered enough to translate for him.
The hub was quiet, the pack busy arranging everyone for what needed to be done to help out with whatever the hell was just dropped on their lap.
Jax was in charge of keeping an eye on the visitors. Sahari would be assisting with care whenever she wasn’t leading hunting expeditions, which—given the almost doubling in requirements—would be most of her time for the next little while.
It wasn’t like it was an incredibly urgent need, but they wouldn’t be able to support it for very long unless they got more aggressive with it. Funny, since it was only earlier in the day that he was getting ready to dial things back, but there wasn’t much else they could do right now.
Nalah was helping as much as she could with the new servants, barking at people to get a move-on building the second barracks. Pan was helping out wherever someone needed it, since she lacked any specialty that might help the overall situation at the moment. It meant she spent most of her time carrying supplies around to whoever needed it, but at this point that was more helpful than most of the other things she could have been doing.
Volta was quickly called in to assist in cleaning up, something she took to with a vigour that made Joseph raise a brow. She had started with the barracks, and was now in the process of scrubbing down the bathhouse so that they could start bathing the new members to discourage any ailments that might arise from their weakened immune systems. It wasn’t something that he had thought of, but he was glad someone did. It was eating through their alcohol like anything, but he wasn’t about to complain.
The biggest surprise, and perhaps relief, was Bratik and his four members ignoring Joseph’s insistence that he didn’t need to help. The High Hunter threw himself in to assist, going so far as listening to Mi’low and Pan, or even random members of the pack whenever they needed a hand with something. If the Grand Hunter wasn’t warming up to him before, he certainly was now.
The promise to return the favour that he had offered when he set off to start all of this was mostly a respectful acknowledgement of what the guy was putting himself through for people he didn’t know. Acting like he was? Fuck it. If Bratik came to the door bloodied and bruised, Joseph’s pack wouldn’t skip a beat bringing him in. The guy was proving he was someone worth helping if he ever needed it.
Harrow waited for him to get on the bed, hesitantly curling up into his side as he sat and leaned against the wall. He lightly rubbed her back, choosing not to mention how tightly she was holding onto his shirt. It took quite a while for his comforting stroking to have an effect, but she eventually dozed off, leaving him to stare at the female and really internalize that he knew so little about her.
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Sahari gathered the bowls and spoons she was using to feed the servants that were too weak to manage the task themselves. A stiff smile was given to one as they struggled to thank her for her help. She shook her head, ushering for them to save their strength as the shadow of sleep took hold.
Spending most of her moments—from the instant that they ascertained the reason for how sickly they all looked to this late in the moon—doing as much as she could for those who needed it, she felt the fatigue build on her tired body.
Tel and Mama had set about making several thicknesses of stew out of what they had, ranging from a watery broth to a more standard meal that the most well-off of them could stomach. Mama’s blades were particularly adept at mincing the various meats for those who needed it, something that eased the process greatly for those of them that were taking care of their impromptu patients.
Seeing so many neglected people being brought to their settlement had enraged her initially, but hearing the stories from those able to speak of them had changed it to a sorrowful mood that fought to keep a sense of hope for her people that had survived the ship.
One female had lost her mate, losing her usefulness in the pack as a result. It didn’t take long until she was unable to produce what he had brought, leaving her with less and less to subsist on. She eventually accepted the opportunity to leave, even if it was just so her friends could pretend she wasn’t effectively committing suicide so that they may have a little more.
A male had willingly accepted the dubious offer on the condition that his blood-brother be afforded his portion of the supplies, spending the moon celebrating the new chances at life while secretly wishing for his kin to remember him happy, rather than starved, abandoned, and likely dead within the confines of the forest.
Many journeyed to lessen the strain on their pack as a whole, smiling bravely as they knew they were likely being sent to the Void under the guise of finding a place in which they could thrive.
What really broke her heart was the crying.
Those who realized that they had not been trudging to their end, and that the place that had wished for them would work so hard to ensure that they would survive. Those that begged through dry muzzles to reach out for their kin, so that they might share in the miracle afforded to them.
Those that mourned the ones lost before such an offer was known.
Through the light conversation that the healthiest offered, if you could attribute such to them, it was revealed that many under Grand Hunter Trill’s domain had already heard whispers of Joseph and his pack from their short visit to the two settlements. Tales of unrestricted violence, mysterious weapons, strange speech, and causing the death of High Hunter Kahn were all facets of the rumours circling around the Human.
Not one mentioned how hopeful he was to offer those with less a place to call their pack. A warm den and kind kin. A family. Such words did not spark the same curiosity that compelled some to share.
For what it was worth, none of the servants feared seeing the Grand Hunter when he started assisting personally. Instead, they thanked him softly, even that proving to be difficult for them to manage. Be it assumed a figment of their waning consciousness or them simply being too defeated to resist such an otherworldly being offering his help, they quietly watched from where they lay.
They watched the Human support the heads of the weary as he supplied them the much-needed sustenance alongside others of his pack. They watched as he returned every tired smile, even when he was mourning their misfortune inside. They watched the tears that fell when one female recounted her miscarriage due to undernourishment, a memento of her passed mate being lost due to circumstance she had no control over, and the embrace he offered that comforted the weeping.
They watched as Violet carried in portion after portion, the den-kit desperate to help where she could to the point of escaping Volta’s vigilance when the opportunity presented itself and circumstances were revealed. They accepted as she cut tangled fur and tended to minor wounds after so much practice doing as much to her selected blood-father. They watched as the two alien creatures wore themselves to the bone to assist with everything without a single expectation of something in return other than their continued existence.
And, although Sahari was the only one with the mind to notice, Violet watched Joseph.
The sweat from his hurried pace. The desperate need to heal whom he could. The speed in which he deferred to those who knew more. The thankfulness he displayed for even the smallest gesture. The swift but gentle treatment he gave when all else were occupied. The short moments of steeling himself before he returned to do more.
The depth of empathy he held for these complete strangers who arrived with nothing to offer but burden.
Sahari had seen Violet internalize the kindness of the Human, her every action redoubling her conviction to become more like the male who sowed hope in the hopeless. She no longer simply felt excitement from the small praise she received as she helped. She seemed fulfilled to be helping at all, as if choosing these actions was a reward, rather than what may come from them.
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Eventually Joseph had asked Violet to rest, the activity extending too long for his kit. Eventually most everything that could be done for the moment was, and he had excused himself to cool down. Eventually it was just a few of the full pack that was tasked with providing assistance, should any of the enfeebled require it.
Eventually, Sahari finished what she could do and left the barracks, some of Mi’low’s pack tasked with overseeing the rest in her stead, feeling the weight of her past anew as the cooler moon air brushed past her fur.
How many hasty medical tents were erected due to her work? How many people spent countless time assisting those affected? How many passed within the confines of promise and aid? How many did what she was doing now, fighting the knowledge that the things they were working against were far more terminal?
She was not a monster, that much she knew, but even if she was more selective of the contracts she accepted, there were bound to be dens that mourned their losses. Undoubtedly packs that relied on ill-gotten gains to support their kits.
Plenty of those who had chosen a poor path in life, strung along to the fancy of those that held a metaphorical leash that guided their actions, before she was the one tasked with ending them.
People like Nalah, who had simply caught the notice of ones that the blond-furred female had not.
She found the female sitting in the hub at a table with Jax, the male and her drinking from what smelled to be ethanol. The black-furred male raised a cup in greeting, pouring a fresh mug and sliding it towards an empty seat.
“I see your tasks have concluded for the moon.”
Sahari nodded, taking the spot next to Nalah and taking a tentative sip after cycling a breath, allowing the slight burn to coat her throat. Nalah gave her a worried glance.
“Drinking again?”
“I find myself in need,” she replied dryly, pushing away the memories previously associated with the substance as she took a larger mouthful.
“Have any passed?” Jax prodded, sipping his own drink as he leaned into his elbows on the table, his gaze probing her mental state.
Sahari shook her head, slightly thankful that the journey had not been longer. She did not wish to feel what Joseph would in such an instance. “Not as of yet, anyway. Few were within some suns of a point of no return, but it seems that they have reached us in time.”
“A small gift from the Hunt Mother, I suppose.”
She huffed a destitute laugh. “Perhaps. A female has a worrying fever that has persisted, but there is little we can do besides pray for her recovery. How is surveillance of the visitors?”
He refilled his alcohol, sealing the container before sliding it to where the others may access it more readily. “Bratik and his kin are resting now. The informants have been kept at bay, mostly, though I would expect them to start their inspections in full on the rise, if not shortly after.”
“The question remains of how much we let them see,” Nalah added, swallowing before continuing. “Their bows are inferior to even our initial attempts, from what Joseph could tell.”
Jax nodded. “It was a wise choice to restrict our ranged arms to those who would be out of sight unless needed.”
“If they had more members of credible threat, I may not have suggested as much,” Sahari commented, taking a long drink before topping off her mug. “The Blades were under orders to dispatch any who became hostile regardless, though I doubt they will do much as long as they are in accordance with Grand Hunter Trill’s contract.”
Nalah raised a brow. “You think that would stop them?”
“It is one of the reasons Blades were assigned to accompany them, I would imagine. Their Grand Hunter would have them executed upon return, assuming I have read his character correctly. He had done as much for similar reasons without much concern.”
“What happened to those Blades?”
Sahari exhaled, her sense of smell dulling slightly as the ethanol took effect. “Tel has probably released them by now. Her point was likely to discourage inclination that any not of her level would even pose so much as a mild concern.”
Jax shifted in his seat lazily. “And knowledge of her relationship with our Grand Hunter?”
A slow shrug was returned before she took another sip, the soft clack of her mug landing on the table disturbing the subtle ambience. “He seemed to disregard Joseph’s species until Tel failed to answer with certainty, so there is only so much stake put into her offspring. Enough to be dismissed in favour of her selecting a Sheath at all, it seems.”
“So we don’t know if he will take issue with her choosing him properly,” Nalah surmised with a sigh.
The male at the table snorted, a comment muttered as if it wasn’t meant to be heard, but accidentally spoken loud enough for it to be anyway. “Now if only she would take him.”
Nalah scowled at him. “Was I mistaken when I walked in to see you and Harrow propositioning him while bathing in the same tub?”
That caught Sahari’s notice. “Pardon?”
Jax held up his paws at the attention. “I was unaware he was utilizing his dedicated bath when I made arrangements with my mate to use them. He did not mind my accompaniment and I had forgotten to mention that she was expected while we were speaking.”
Nalah pointed a claw. “And that explains his heat?”
“I do not take fault for him appreciating our forms,” Jax replied smartly, the playful grin showing that he had consumed enough to lighten his mood from the dour one he had previously. Sahari surrendered any attempt to follow the conversation as the two bickered, the alcohol easing their minds. Hoping to achieve some levity as well, she quickly partook of several refills, finding the arguing more enjoyable as she progressed.
“Go rest with your mate.” The blond-furred female waved at him to leave, seemingly done trading toothless insults.
Jax laughed boisterously, setting down his empty cup as he stood. “I believe I shall heed your request, Nalah. She should be in the Grand Hunter’s bed, if the message I received is correct.”
Nalah sputtered, Sahari fighting to maintain a coherent thought at the declaration. He quickly gestured for them to calm down before they could say much of anything, chuckling to himself at their reaction.
“It seems that she has found the moon stressful and wished not to pull me from my work. Joseph offered her company to ease her rest.”
“I see you are a male of either great courage, or great stupidity,” Nalah deadpanned, frowning when Jax shrugged.
“I would entrust all that I am in his claws. My mate may make the same choice.”
“I meant Tel.”
He paused, considering it until he waved it off while turning to walk towards the dormitory wing. “Then I should wish it was worth the sacrifice, no?”
Sahari smirked as Nalah dropped onto the table in time with the door closing behind Jax, the female looking to the ceiling as if praying for patience. Sahari spoke, offering a small assurance to the defeated. “I would not worry about such occurring.”
“I just don’t want our meals to fall in quality due to her mood.” She grinned lazily, holding Sahari’s gaze for a moment before quickly redirecting it. Sahari patted her on the back as she laughed, idly pawing at her fur after a few seconds.
“I believe Mama may ease our plight if we requested it.”
“She will be quite busy assisting with construction, I’m afraid. Though the frame for the new barracks is completed, it will be an effort to expedite the remainder.”
“Then perhaps you shall prepare my meals when you are not directing her then. Have you tend to my every whim in apology,” she jested, pulling the blond-furred female into her side. Nalah leaned into the contact, her voice much more subdued after a few seconds of quiet.
“I wouldn’t mind doing that for you.”
Sahari noticed the quiet expression of expectation, Nalah shyly sneaking a glance from the corner of her eye. She failed to find a response, instead drinking in the moment and the warmth of another pressed against her.
She remembered the conversations with Joseph. The small stokes to fuel a fire long since quarantined within her mind after losing her bond. The words of her newest pleading with her to allow the hearth of her heart to ignite so that it may warm another.
The thoughts of this female whenever Sahari considered allowing it to.
Although the slight guilt at leaving such a fragile female behind after selfishly carrying her to a planet she did not know remained, she couldn’t ignore the relief she had felt underneath the surprise of seeing Nalah as she disembarked the shuttle on this planet so long ago. To meet the one whom her clouded actions had saved so long after they did, and to be shown how grateful they were for what she herself felt sinful.
Sahari may have accepted the initial vow from her when it was under the pretense that the ex-Grand Huntress would guide them to a proper settlement, but seeing the same look within the blond-furred female’s eyes after all they had been through...
Nalah turned to face her once she noticed the somewhat blank stare, Sahari’s focus lost in rumination and contemplation, placing a paw along her muzzle as worry crossed that once diluted gaze. The ex-Grand Huntress exhaled, smiling as she nuzzled into the touch, the alcohol causing the worst of her thoughts to fall into obscurity.
“I think i would not mind either, Nalah.”
The silence between them lasted for what felt like eternity, their quiet stare matched as each sought something from the other, yet both were too hesitant to voice the yearning they felt. The studying flutters as their vision scoured the other’s features for hints of permission to indulge further.
It started with a fraction of distance, Nalah’s expression growing fearful, yet hopeful as well. Her eyes flickered to Sahari’s lips, a slow progression to meet them with her own following as her touch remained, her pad brushing the black fur of Sahari’s cheek.
The subtle shock on her expression when Sahari completed the distance, fading as her focus turned towards the new sensation imparted upon her, the paw placed to the black-furred female’s jaw increasing the intensity in which it felt along her features.
Nalah slowly traced Sahari, her claws moving along to the female’s neck until they parted, their eyes both glazed with a drunken desire to soak in this new connection that held together with naught but a moment of need, yet wanting the present uncertainty they held to never end, lest a decision in any direction cause the fragile form of their unspoken feelings to shatter.
“About time.”
A snap of Sahari’s head showed the intruder of their moment to be an irritated Tel, the female having just returned from whatever task she had set about completing. Though her tired eyes told of stress, the bemused smirk directed at the pair suggested that she was quite pleased to have an opportunity to cause some modicum of chaos with her presence.
The two separated, Nalah taking a surprisingly reticent approach to Tel’s appearance by not speaking at all, instead staring a hole in the table as she blushed and tried to make herself as small as possible. Sahari glared at the grey-furred female, her face showing she was more than a little annoyed with the Blade’s disturbance.
“Something to say?”
Tel chortled as she shook her head, eyeing the alcohol that rested in front of the two with a subdued interest before rolling her eyes and walking towards the dorms. “Nothing of importance, it seems. I’ll be heading off to rest.”
Sahari huffed, a slight grin making its way to her face as she called out before the female could pass through the doorway. “It would be wise to insert yourself between him and Harrow before she experiences how thorough his touch can be, assuming she has not felt it already. She has yet to learn how to tame it.”
Tel’s ears perked as the door closed, a smile of victory donning upon the ex-Grand Huntress’ muzzle until it registered that Joseph’s bed would be over capacity, assuming Jax had chosen to remain with Harrow upon it.
“It seems that we have lost our place of rest for the moon,” she eventually sighed out, inspecting the last of her drink before finishing it. She glanced at Nalah, the female still silently looking down at the table, though the lack of focus suggested that her mind was far from there at the moment. Sahari nudged her, smiling when Nalah jolted with rapid blinks.
“Sorry, what?”
Sahari’s expression softened further as she watched the female fail to make eye contact, Nalah bashfully trying not to let her nervousness show. She stood from the table, offering a paw to assist the female in the same fashion she had all those years ago.
“You would not mind if I occupy room upon your bed for the moon, would you?”
Nalah stared at her with wide eyes, disbelief and optimism dancing in her gaze as she tentatively accepted the outstretched paw with her own, a wetness threatening to dampen her fur as long suppressed emotions were allowed to bloom. Her voice was quiet as she responded, a slightly forced effort doing nothing to conceal the fulfillment behind it.
“As long as I have even breath to offer, it will be yours, Sahari. Always.”
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Pan took a moment to gather her breath after running the last of the supplies, the moon being high amongst the stars telling of how long she had been occupied with the task. Though they lacked bedclothes for so many that may benefit from them, the fire within the barracks staved off the slight chill sufficiently enough that she need not worry about manufacturing such for the moment.
What would be occupying her for the near future seemed to be sewing new clothing for the unexpected volume of members that had arrived, though it was a small comfort knowing that she would be able to do such with the leathers she had prepared thanks to Violet’s efforts in ensuring that they continued production of the material even with her increased workload.
Though she did not wish for her kit to be so active in the more industrial side of the settlement, she couldn’t find it within herself to ask for otherwise once the Atmo seemed to find such joy in doing as much. Hearing that Violet had set about assisting Joseph with tending to the weak and weary had worried her—thoughts of possible fearful reactions leading to harm being the main concern—but nothing besides gratitude had seemed to become of it, so Pan allowed a smile at the young Queen following so closely in her pseudo-Blood-Father's footsteps.
She even began interacting with the visitors in small stints as they organized what needed to be done next. Something that was made considerably easier once the High Hunter instantly accepted the declaration that the Atmo was kin.
Bratik was a curious male, for all Pan could discern. He still held contempt for her condition, not that it came as much of a surprise, but he was quick to realize his situation and even apologized for his transgression, which eased their worries somewhat. His showing how troubled he was in regards to the status of the servants had removed the desire to ‘grill’ him, as Joseph suggested, and they ended up treating the male far more kindly than they may have set upon otherwise. The male giving Pan such a determined gaze that was vacant of any previous disdain as he requested direction to assist the feeble had solidified the bonded respect that Joseph felt towards him, and she found that her hesitant reveal of a phrase which they would honour should the worst come to pass had turned into a genuine offer of aid in the event he required it.
The look of reverence as the High Hunter noticed the mural that Atrox had created with the help of the Atmo, it being completed without Joseph’s knowledge, had warmed her. The male seemed to be a devout of the church and, better yet, seemed to follow the scriptures of the Aspects. It was possible that the male sought to become one, or perhaps merely wished to follow a path close to those detailed in the tomes in an act of piety and altruism, but either way, it meant that he had gleaned something from their interactions that lent itself to noticing Joseph’s nature and embracing it.
The short conversation with him between supply runs revealed that his mate was once an acolyte of the temple, something that was a surprising revelation for the Paw, since she knew not of the fates of those who preached their religion as they resided far from the shuttles along with most of command. She wished to speak to such a Lilhun, to ask forgiveness for her once distrustful regard of the Hunt Mother after she had watched everything she ever desired burn at the paws of the unfaithful.
Having what she did now, perhaps it was the greater intent of the goddess to shape her as a receptacle. To offer connection to the strange new species known as Human, so that she may act in a greater capacity for her troubled kits.
Theology aside, there was much to be gained for her people—and to a more focused extent, her pack—if they were to come in possession of such a figure. Pan decided to ask Bratik if he would be willing to send summons throughout Grand Hunter Trill’s domain for one of the Great Hunt to enlighten her people, should they wish to embark upon The Guardian’s territory.
Finding that most everyone had retired, save for a few of those who would be overseeing the health of the new members throughout the moon under Mi’low’s command, she set about doing the same herself, the promise of her mate’s comforting scent guiding her footsteps.
The silent hub gave way to dormant dormitory, the traces of her bond lingering in the air to tell of his presence throughout the hall. He had been stressed, but that was understandable given the circumstances. The motes of pity and worry were what troubled her.
Slowly opening their bedroom door so as not to disturb the rest of the inhabitants unveiled a curious sight, one that left her blinking to confirm.
Harrow was in Joseph’s arms, and him in Jax’s, the three of them resting peacefully in an odd combination that had not fallen within her expectation. The only thing that prevented any suspicions was how protective the two males seemed to be in their embrace. Joseph encapsulated the orange-furred female as if the slightest falter of his grasp would have the Void take her, and Jax’s larger form allowed him to stretch his arm over both to do much the same.
Pan was aware of how deeply the mated pair cared for the Grand Hunter, their relationship being somewhat odd in regards to him, all things considered, but it was small gestures like this that showed that the concern for one another was far more than the crude remarks they often traded.
“Yet another obstacle to my rest?”
Pan looked to Tel, the female resting on the chair in the room, straddling the backrest with her arms crossed and chin supported upon them. “Is their inclusion in our rest preventing it?”
She took a moment to gaze at the Paw before rolling her eyes closed. “A female rests in his embrace, and you feel nothing?”
Pan considered it for a moment, having never felt much of a need to worry about such besides the initial desire to claim him first. She shook her head softly as a smile grew upon witnessing Joseph’s usually exploratory touch remain placated, his claws softly working through the fur upon the female’s nape in soothing motions. “I feel he is comforting one who requires it.”
Tel allowed a soft glare before returning her stare to their mate. “You feel no need to keep him to yourself?”
“I feel the need to indulge in his happiness,” she provided in return, stifling a yawn ineffectually. “Any who would allow more in which for me to do such are welcome, regardless of the relationship they seek.”
“I will allow no other,” Tel stated firmly, though her tepid expression when she looked at the Paw showed her uncertainty in the face of the bonded one’s casual dismissal of the current situation. Pan laid upon the bed, making sure there was space for the perturbed female before raising an arm in offer. The elevated brow of the Blade drew a soft chuckle.
“Rest, Tel. Joseph would worry if you were to simply brood through the moon.”
“You expect your embrace to substitute his own?” she asked haughtily, though abandoned the seat she had been occupying. Pan giggled, reaching out to pull her in once she got close enough. The weak struggle to separate spoke volumes of the fatigue the female had been fighting.
Pan allowed her to sort herself for a moment before mirroring Joseph, encapsulating the other object of his affections much as he would. “I expect little else than to offer comfort for one who brings his heart fulfillment.”
Tel eventually stopped struggling, allowing the Paw to pull her into her bosom and gently stroke her fur. “Why must you smell of him,” her drowsy voice murmured from her somewhat enforced prison, the tone suggesting she was not referring to any acts and merely his ambient scent.
Pan huffed lightly in amusement as the grey-furred female’s breathing started slowing. “Because I embrace him wholly. You would as well, were you to allow yourself to do such.”
“I can’t. Not yet.”
Pan squeezed her, a slight chastisement working into her voice. “The only risk of harm he faces now is that of his heart should you continue to leave it untended.”
Tel’s weak response was revealing of her fight to remain conscious. “I will not lose that which the other before me had.”
A pang of sympathy passed through the Paw, though the breathing of the one in her arms confirmed the loss of the battle to remain awake. She closed her eyes, slowly stroking the female and offering one last comment before allowing herself to drift as well.
“Unlike them, you are not alone.”