Ciara’s paws dug into the chilled earth below as she moved around the borders, on the job once again. She hadn’t yet snatched her mate to make good on the time alone she’d secured for them, but she had a reason for that. There were subtle changes in her body that let her know her season was coming. After a few times now, the girl was able to predict it and not be so surprised. Now the question was whether to wait for the heat to come and make things easier, or try and seduce her mate without it? If they mated while she was in heat she’d likely get pregnant and he’d be too afraid of puppies to ever try again.
She was about to heave a sigh when Zalen’s strange howl split the air. Ciara had never heard her Alpha sound like that, and at once she was ill at ease. Pinning her ears back she finished a scent-mark she’d started and turned, running at full speed back for the den. Things had been so unsettled in New Dawn as of late. The whole mess with Amy, Jiva and Palaydrian’s departure and of course the coyote howling at the borders. The Epsilon’s coat bristled as she ran, but it wasn’t from the wind. She was starting to get pissed off at all the misfortune hitting her pack.
When she arrived at the communal den Kiara and Tharin had already met Zalen. She glanced around, checking first to see what the problem was before greeting anyone. Adonia, a pack sister she’d barely talked to, was quite obviously missing. There was blood on the air that mingled with her scent and that of Amy’s. Immediately another growl forced its way from Ciara’s muzzle. She gave a stiff greeting to her assembled pack mates and then looked to Zalen, her plush golden tail twitching behind her.
What’s the plan, she said curtly, furious that a pack mate had gone missing under her watch.
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