RAIDEN ||

My pups has been gone for a total of 10 days, but on the 5th day, Roman suggested we call the pride because we planned on going to fuck shit up, raising all hell and doing whatever was necessary to get our mates back safely.

So that's exactly what we did... we called the pride.

My father answered right away, we told him what was going on, every single detail. He asked for our location and once we gave it to him, he said he would be here as soon as he could without any form of hesitation.

I love my father man

When they showed up, a hilarious amount of ridiculous took place.

Currently, I'm on the northern side of the border because my father, my mother, my twin sisters, 1 Jaguar and 8 lionesses of our pride back home showed up, causing all hell.

They have completely destroyed the pack gates, severely injured at least 45-50 wolves here in my mate's pack, apparently they decided that normal greetings were out of style and just decided to show them the sheer power of a pride and what that entails.

When I got here, my sisters, Maisie and Zahara were ripping into some of the warriors here in the pack, Rome and I both laughed before helping. To be fair, we only laughed because the warriors are supposed to be the strongest fighters.

Apparently not when it came to my pride.

After breaking up the issues with our sisters, we found our mom's leopard relaxing in one of the tallest trees, holding a wolf hostage up there with her. Literally, she had the damn wolf by it's neck and was just holding it in place on the branch, while the damn thing looked like it was going to shit itself any minute. There were 5 other wolves knocked out at the bottom of the tree she was relaxing on.

The Jaguar who I didn't recognize was among the pride, so I figured he had to be someone's mate, he was enjoying himself, completely engaged with his little game of cat and mouse or cat and wolf in this case. He had 3 wolves cornered against the ruined pack gate and was taking his time nipping and snarling at the wolves, causing them to buck and shudder against the gate, desperately trying to find a way around him.

That was hilarious!

My father's Lion had Dean and Jake's wolves pinned all by himself. He wasn't even trying to hurt them, just holding them there with his powerful aura, something I didn't miss, he used to kick me and Roman's asses with that same aura when we were younger. My mate's dad and uncle were slightly thrashing under my father's aura, but not much as my father then laid on top of them both. His oversized Lion smothered their wolves bodies without any issue.

The other 8 lionesses my parents brought with them were scattered all over the area, either chewing on a wolf's body part or grooming each other with injured wolves surrounding their relaxation.

It was pure chaos and I was absolutely sure that the wolves here never saw it coming.

Felines are known for our stealth, the way we can stalk our prey for miles without them knowing, I was sure that the pride snuck up on the warriors guarding the northern side, then pounced. The warriors then called for help, other wolves came in thinking they would do something special and got the surprise of their lives when they were met with the force of my father's pride.

They're lucky this wasn't the whole pride. When I left, our pride consisted of 38 felines, including my family. Today they only had to deal with 13, so they should definitely count their blessings.

I assumed the lack of felines today was because majority of them found new mates.

• • •

My father said when a male Lion goes off on his own in search of his own territory, he can take as many mates as he pleases to build his pride, but chooses who he wants to reproduce with and call his Queen of the pride. Hence the relationship between my father and my mother.

Then when the male and the female he chooses to call his Queen has cubs, the other lionesses, which are his other mates, would be considered the cubs secondary mothers.

The females were always in charge of their own decisions regarding their pride King though. They don't have to go with a male that wants them, they have an option to agree to join his pride or decline his offer.

If they do decide to join a pride and another male comes into the territory and finds a lioness that he wants to call his Queen and help build his own pride, the lioness has the option of going with the new male or staying with her previous male.

It's one thing I loved about living in the pride. The joy of being a feline. The lack of sexism.

When it came to running the pride, of course my father was in charge, but everyone's opinions were important. When it came to hunting or sleeping or taking care of the cubs, the women were in charge of everything.

The King, my father, was the protector and the strongest feline in the pride, but the women were the best hunters, the caregivers, the providers, the nurturers. I love how strong women are in my species.

I guess it's another reason why I hate living in a wolf pack. How much they don't value the women here, except for the purpose of pushing out cubs and then taking care of them or hosting parties and then looking after their men.

I haven't noticed many shewolves as warriors or hunters or builders. They're only the cooks or the cleaners or the caregivers for the cubs.

Wolf packs are full of sexism if you ask me.

• • •

After getting the chaos at the northern side of the border under control, I welcomed my father and our pride into the packhouse.

I learned that the Jaguar, who's name is Preston, was my sister, Zahara's mate and she was not happy about their mating, seeing how both my sisters are gay, so naturally, she hated the fact that she was mated to a male.

Listening to the way they argued was more entertaining than Roman and Hunter.

Preston was all about showing his love to my sister, but Zahara was all about keeping her mate at arms length, screaming things like "keep the penis away" or "don't touch me with your manly fingers."

My other sister, Maisie was mated to one of the lionesses named Dakota and they were much happier with their pairing.

The other lionesses had taken a liking to Avery, most likely because the omega looked more like a cub than a grown man, who I had grown oddly attached to these last 10 days.

Avery is very caring and nurturing, he loved to take care of Roman and I while we were waiting for the pride to arrive. He cooked breakfast every morning and dinner every night, I can't lie and say I didn't enjoy his company and his chaotic, nervous energy because I did enjoy it, I really did.

The little omega loved watching movies and he knew all the words to every single Disney movie he forced Roman and I to watch with him. If he could force us into a sing along, he totally would have.

He told us that he hates the card games that Dylan's family plays, he prefers board games, puzzles or books, which made me happy because I enjoy all of those things as well. Roman agreed with the board games, but not puzzles or books, my brother doesn't like things that involve using too many brain cells to complete.

When it came time to eat, Avery really seemed to enjoy cooking new slabs of meat for me. Watching my reactions and jumping for joy everytime I didn't throw up.

Avery cooked everything the same way he made the steak the first night, something that he called rare, like the meat would be a little cooked on the outside but almost raw on the inside. Honestly, it's because of the little omega that I've been able to eat anything these past few weeks. I've never had someone care for me in the way that he has, so Dylan has some work to do when he gets back.

When the pain in my back had reached unbearable levels and I refused to take my pain meds because they made me feel disgusting, the omega actually threatened me, claiming he wouldn't cook anymore steak until I took the meds. Needless to say, I took the meds.

He's crazier than my pups.

The most shocking part of it all though was the fact that I let the little omega touch my hair.

My back was bothering me a few days ago and Roman was busy combing this own hair, so Avery eagerly offered to help and I let him, not pausing for even one second. That was the moment I knew the little man had a place in my heart.

• • •

Leading the pride into the kitchen to discuss the mission ahead, I was suddenly thankful that the room was big enough to host so many people. I used to hate the space because it could occupy the annoyance that is Dylan's family, but now, the space held different meaning and I actually liked it.

I missed my pride...

"My sons, you both look great." Dad says, walking around the kitchen island and engulfing both Roman and I in his large arms.

"I can't believe it's been two years since I've seen you both. I'm happy to know you've both found your mates, even if they are canines." Dad laughed, pulling away from our embrace. "Now what's the plan to get them back safely?"

Rome looks at me, I shrug hoping he had a plan. I didn't even know where this silver river place was.

"Our mates went to scout some rogue wolf camp by the same river that my mate found me. I know the way, I lived in that area for awhile before I was stuck in the human trap." Rome explanation cussed a big goofy grin to take over my face.

"Fuck, that's perfect Rome! I mean not because you were stuck, that's terrible, but the fact that you know the way is perfect!" I exclaimed.

"So what's the plan?" Mom asks, sitting at the island counter.

"And how many wolf asses are we kicking?" Zahara asks, leaning against one of the counters with Preston right next to her, who by the way, never took his lovestruck eyes off my defiant little sister.

"I don't know how many wolves are in the area, hopefully once we get to the silver river, we can track our mates." I tell them.

"How do you plan to track them? Their scents won't be in the area after all this time." Dad says.

"I have that covered dad, I claimed Hunter before he left." Rome tells everyone and their faces light up with excitement.

"Let's gooooo!" Maisie fist pumps the air, while Dakota giggles wrapping her arms around her mate.

"I can't believe the wolf let you mount him, but congratulations brother! Hopefully the cubs take after you, I don't necessarily want little wolfie nieces and nephews, I mean I'll love them just the same, but felines are superior." Zahara laughed.

"I second that." Preston said, wrapping his arm around Zahara's shoulder, but she quickly shoved him off.

"Get your manly sausage fingers off me!" She yells at him before scooting away, but that only made Preston scoot closer towards her.

They are a match made in confusion...

"Dang, sucks to be you Zar... I wished the Gods and Goddesses gave you a female, I feel bad for Preston." Dakota says shaking her head with a smile on her face.

"Girls just do it better." Maisie purrs as she pulls Dakota in for a kiss, which her mate happily accepts.

Yeah... their pairing makes way more sense.

"Alright girls, shut the hell up before mama leopard comes out to play, you're pushing my anxiety through the roof." Mom threatens, needless to say, my sisters shut the hell up.

We all know that mom isn't playing when she takes that tone. Dad tried his best to comfort her then as he hugged her from behind and started purring, wrapping her in his calling. Mom holds his arms around her neck and leans into his touch as dad kisses her temple, never leaving her side before looking back at Rome.

"Roman, you mentioned you know the way to this silver river." Dad says, my brother nods. "Then that's just as perfect as Raiden mentioned. When can we start the trek?"

"As soon as possible, I know you all traveled for a week to get here, but if you need to rest, then we can head out tomorrow morning." I suggest, my father seems to think about it before nodding.

"Does everyone agree with that, if not we will come up with another solution together?" He asks looking around at the other lionesses, who had Avery smothered in their protective circle. The poor little omega, he's going to protected even if he doesn't want to be.

That's just how lionesses are.

"We agree my King." They all say in unison and I smile with pride.

Goddess... how I've missed this.

"Then it's settled, we will rest here for the night and leave first thing in the morning." Dad announces, I nod in agreement and we all move about making ourselves comfortable in the packhouse.

I hadn't seen a minute of Garret, Theo, Kaylie, Dean, Jade or uncle Jake after fixing the chaos on the northern side, so I just figured they didn't want to be in the packhouse full of felines. The wolves here are super self conscious, hating the fact that felines are more powerful than them.

If I wasn't enough to shatter their very fragile egos, a house full of felines would push them straight over the edge.

Oh well.. Tough titty...

Once nightfall rolled around, we all found our way into the livingroom, huddled into each other as lions do. Avery of course, was still sectioned between the lionesses in a protective circle even while we figured out how to sleep.

Which just ended up with everyone piled on top of each other. Poor Preston wanted nothing more than to cuddle with Zahara, but she made it very clear that he wouldn't in her words,

"get any Lion booty tonight."

• • •

The morning came all too quickly, as I was enjoying the cuddles and security of being within my pride sleep pile, but I knew I couldn't wallow in my contentment for too long. Today would be the day we find our mates.

Roman led the way through the many different lands. It took about 2 and a half days to get to the silver river, I loved running alongside my mother's leopard, Leanidas.

She constantly groomed Onyx and loved on him, much to his happiness. It's been such a long time since we've encountered another leopard, someone who shared the same views as we did, the same tolerance only leopards could understand, it was blissful to be by her side once again.

Roman's Lion, Asad stopped once we actually got to the silver river with my father's lion, Koa by his side.

Asad took the lead in sniffing the air, trying his best to locate Hunter, I didn't exactly know what it took to use your mate mark to locate your missing other half, but it didn't take long before Asad took off towards the East.

We all followed him closely and within maybe one hour, we came upon a gated off area. Asad started calling out for his mate, producing short deep roars that rippled through the air.

Besides my father, Roman's roar was the only other roar that could send a shiver up my spine. He was strong, powerful and determined, all that it meant to be a male Lion.

Only seconds later, we heard the faintest howl in the distance, judging by Asad's reaction, the howl had to have come from Hunter's wolf.

Avery's wolf recognized it as well, considering they're from the same pack, that didn't surprise me.

We all took off towards the sounds of Asad's mate calling out to him, until we stumbled upon another section of gates. There were at least 10 wolves guarding the borders, the lionesses made sure Avery's wolf stayed hidden deep within the brush and then we all did what felines do best.

We stalked our prey.

Leanidas shot Onyx and Preston's Jaguar a look that I knew all too well, before all of them began to climb the nearest trees, crouching down and balancing on the branches, as only leopards and jaguars could do.

Our kind was best in the trees, surprising our prey from above. The rest of the pride stayed on the ground, best at stalking their prey from below through the thick bush of the forest.

The ignorant wolves suspected nothing, so the moment we were all close enough, Koa let out a thunderous roar and we all pounced.

"BREECH! BREECH! BREECH!"

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