Word Count :: 383 <-- my word counts suck today
OOC: Backdated to Feb. 27th.
The few steps from the mouth of the pack den to the back of it were excruciating. Every jostle of her body caused her cracked and splintered ribs to rub against each other and tear into the flesh surrounding them. An audible crunch could be heard each time Ciara tried to breathe too deeply, making an answering whimper leave her throat. Her side was torn, the flesh a visible hole surrounding the claw marks, and as she walked her blood was littering the floor of the den.
The newly appointed Epsilon tried her best to keep her whimpers at bay, and to keep her head held high. They had killed the cougar – she and Augustus – and had ensured their pack’s safety. The beast would never be able to harm another, not even that stupid coyote which Deuce was healing presently. She snarled a little, wincing afterwards, as she thought of Deuce’s healing powers being wasted on the ruddy looking coyote. The anger flaring inside her was not necessarily Terra’s fault, but for now Ciara blamed her injuries on the other, feeling that it was Terra who brought the cougar to the den and into their lives.
It hadn’t been all bad, obviously. Zalen had seen fit to promote Ciara, and now she was on par with Augustus. That knowledge alone made her feel better. While some secret, innate part of her liked when she had to submit to him, she felt that being able to look into his eyes was a much better prospect. She could speak more freely to him now, and perhaps someday tell him of her feelings for him. She didn’t know if he’d accept them, or her. What if Deuce couldn’t heal her and Ciara was crippled forever? Surely Augustus would want a strong, undamaged mate.
With a growl she pushed those thoughts out of her mind and moved to what she could tell was Deuce’s spot in the den. The smell of the healer was everywhere, and as Ciara dropped down carefully, she anticipated meeting the pale woman. She’d only seen her the one time, in the clearing when the Delta was charged with taking care of Terra, and it would be interesting to meet her alone. It’s a shame that they couldn’t be meeting under happier circumstances.
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