Threshold shift

Chapter 3

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Going out into the restricted area wasn't just for training, though it was one of the main purposes. Owen was still working on shelters; just in case. While the pack was patrolling their territory, hunting birds and monkeys, Owen had catalogued the structural integrity of the old visitor center. It was an ongoing project of his and while the building was falling apart in some areas, the vines and tree roots had actually helped stabilize other parts.

While Owen waded through debris and sifted through old souvenirs that, even after twenty years, hadn't turned to dust. A lot of that stuff was in perfectly good condition and would get a nice buck on eBay. He would have to keep that in mind, maybe mention it to Claire and hand the stuff over to Lowery. The man loved those kind of things.

He had piled it all in one corner, cleared out what was not salvageable, and made space for the shelter he had planned.

Charlie nosed into the room, sniffing at the heap, whuffling quizzically.

"Nothing you'd need, Charlie," Owen commented with a chuckle.

She sneezed and shook her head.

The others piled in one after the other, inspecting the place their alpha had chosen as a shelter. Apparently it was good for them, too.

Blue nudged him over the bond, pushing him to join the pack for a run. There were wild, flightless chickens and the girls had stalked them for a while.

Owen looked around the dark, slightly damp room, the light filtering in through the smeared skylight that had miraculously survived until now. The reinforced glass panes were truly a masterpiece.

Safe here, Blue judged, sniffing, listening the chatter among the pack.

Yes, it was safe here. Safe enough for the alpha to stay while they took him with them to hunt.

"Okay, girls, just one hunt. I want to check out the cameras near the ferry landing. They keep going on and off."

Blue rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. The cameras could wait a day longer. The pack was priority.

Yeah, you are, beautiful. Always.

She hummed, pleased.

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Owen settled on his folded sleeping bag, which he had left in its waterproof bag. He leaned back, closed his eyes, letting the calmness before the storm roll over him.

He was immensely grateful to Nancy for teaching him the basics of meditation. It had grown so much easier for him to just sink into the bond and let himself be drawn to Blue, piggy-back along, experience what it was like to be her. To be the pack through her.

x XX JW XX x

The chickens were no real challenge, but they weren't easy prey either. Owen laughed at Delta's antics and Echo slip-sliding after a chicken, almost toppling as the flightless bird darted off to the left, which the raptor hadn't expected.

But Blue had expected it and the chicken ended up in her jaws.

Echo grumbled, miffed.

She caught her own bird a few minutes later, feathers sticking out of her teeth and tickling her nose.

Charlie had found a nest and was scarfing down eggs, yolk dripping down her chin.

They were back, sated, full, pleased with themselves, and curled up for a digestion nap with their alpha. Owen used the time to connect with his surveillance net and check his feeds.