Animalistic

24

One afternoon of lounging around, raiding the fridge, and not really knowing what to do later, I find myself sitting on the porch in the same rocking chair I once bounded up to to place stupid little flags into the hands of the Lady Alpha. Looking out across the expanse of the front lawn which extends out to the large field of grass which once was the reception area of a Mating Ceremony that seemed to have occurred a million years ago, I can still remember fake limping the whole way with Atlas practically carrying me along as I slipped my hand ever so lightly into his pocket to pull out the two flags and later betray his trust to win that stupid little capture the flag game. The image of Atlas' dumbstuck face pops into my head and I can't help the slight smirk that forms at the thought of that adorable little face.

The sound of the front door opening and closing brings me out of my memories as I look to see none other than the Lady Alpha and Alpha Horne standing before the door and looking down to me. "Ah, there you are Jasabelle." The low baritone of Alpha Horne rings out. The Lady Alpha takes a seat next to mine and Alpha Horne stands to the side of it, a hand on the back of the seat.

I wasn't quite expecting to see them, but their presence is none the less comforting considering they talked for so long that they sun was only a few inches from touching the tops of the trees of the Western woods. "Hi. Uh, where's my mom?"

"Oh she asked to have a conversation with Atlas. Alone." The Lady Alpha replied rocking slightly as she gave a small chuckle."Scared my poor boy half to death."

"Oh, well, I hope she wasn't too aloof when you all talked." I sighed with a bit of relief, the image of a frightened Atlas not quite being able to take form in my mind but amusing me none the less.

"Aloof?!" The Lady Alpha yelped.

"On the contrary, your mother is a very charming woman." Alpha Horne interjects.

"Absolutely delightful in every way! I can see where you get so much charm." Rather than be confused like I thought I ought to be, a warm bit of pride swelled within me. Finally, someone sees her for how amazing she is.

"She has such an amiable air about her, very poised and refined yet genuine." Alpha Horne agrees.

"I can only assume she was the center of society back in Oblivion."

I give a small cough. "S-something like that."

"The only thing she really diffused was talking about Kane Grodner."

I give a slight nod. "It-" taking a deep breath I look up to them "it is a touchy subject. I can't really tell you much either. He died before I was born." Alpha Horne's brows pulled together at this and his eyes flicked out to the horizon a brooding, thoughtful expression in his eyes. He must have been involved in the Rogue Wars, lost someone too, or perhaps the thought of never getting to know Atlas crossed his mind.

"The Rogue Wars took much from all of us." The Lady Alpha agreed, placing a hand on the one that gripped the back of her seat.

"And now another is brewing." A new emotion of distaste entering his expression and voice.

My eyes flick up to him. Warwick. I don't even want to think about it.

"Not just here." The Lady Alpha adds. This catches my attention.

"What do you mean?"

"The South Republic. Their collated government is currently in a heated civil war." She continues

"They were idiots for thinking their one pack mentality would work." The Lady Alpha gives her brooding mate a look before shaking her head and sighing. "Of course, a challenger arose to their elected Alpha and pulled a Eralton."