A Shifting Land

Chapter 39

"We need to go, now." Kiri landed hard, his claws digging into his mind.

D'vala scoffs, "Good luck with that. They're determined."

Kiri settled himself back into his body, his people gathered around him. "Have you explained what's going on?"

"Noooo, why would I do that. Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"D'vala! Please, don't tease. Not like this." He leaned forward, his head rubbing against hers.  "Everything is going wrong. Firestorm is trying to kill Swift, and I can't be there because my pack won't get themselves to safety! Even Frost and Sky are there. I should be there. I need to be there. And I can't because of my people!" He glared at each of them, his lips twitching back. "Come. We need to get off planet. Now." 

Ryker leaned back, his ears flat, "Alpha, respectfully no. We're not going to just abandon her to Firestorm's whims. Not when you have both done so much for us."

Lana tsked at the young male. "And what of the ones who don't have the training or the mentality to fight? What do you expect for them?"

"Actually Lana..." Came a soft voice, "I would rather show up and at least be part of it... It's not like we should really have to fight, right? We're just going for our alpha back. Just like what Firestorm's people would do if Frost took her."

Kiri snarled softly. "No. It's not the same. Because Firestorm doesn't believe you're redeemable. This situation started because alpha Firestorm came after us for doing what we do. To get you guys home safe. "

Ryker growled slightly. "So? Who cares if we pass. Alpha would do it for us. Why shouldn't we do the same for her. Or you."

"I'm acting on her request. I wasn't the one who wanted to get you guys safe. No. I want nothing more then to be by her side." Kiri groaned. "But she asked me. She did. It wasn't my idea. She just wants our pack safe."

Lana growled at Ryker, "Listen to yourself. How many people does Firestorm have? How many of you could resist a command if she ordered you to stop breathing?"

"Don't be such a sleekar Lana, this is far better then running and hiding. We get to show our loyalty! And Illandria has been training with us constantly. I'm sure we are more then ready."

Kiri snarled, "Ryker! Listen to yourselves. Look around you. Our friends. Our family. Our pack. Do you think for a second I would want to lose a single one of you?! Swift has been my partner since day one. Every second you stand here arguing with me is another second that my sister is in more danger!"

"Exactly Kiri. So let's go. Let's walk up to the front gates and tell Alpha Firestorm to give her back!"

Loki chirred, gently rubbing along Ryker's chest. "Rye, don't you remember how it hurt to be cast from your pack? It hurts us too to lose pack members. It frays at our minds, wearing at us, especially if we lose them in a brutal death. You can't tell me you didn't feel Firestorm kill our newest friend, and the way that burned, can you?"

Ryker paused, his head dropping. "We can't just let you go to fight her alone, it's akin to suicide."

Kiri paced, glancing over his shoulder back towards where Swift waited. It would've been so much easier to just go alone. Leave them here, sneak away.

D'vala's paw curled across the back of his head, the thump resonating hard enough to make him duck. He rubbed the spot, glaring at her. "It was just a thought!" 

"A stupid one." 

Kiri blinked hard, forcing his abilities to creep into his voice. It had worked once, it had to work now, didn't it? "Pack." Command rippled, smoothing his voice to perfection. "Come with me. To beyond this land. Wait there until I or Swift return."