--- 8 Years Ago ---
"If you we take this pass, we can remain hidden." Justin's finger moved over a map as the other two generals watched over him. "It will give us easy access to Kenya to do recon, and it gives the perfect cover." Alec chewed on his bottom lip as he reviewed the map in front of him. Mouse had been invited for input, however he knew that was not the case. It was more for his visions to hopefully give them insight.
A few months ago, Kenya was attacked by the Calthilon army. They were a small territory that was on the border between the two clans, but it had always been difficult to connect to due to the mountains. It made the territory easy to attack, but it held no real gain. However, for it to be taken by the army it had concerned Bellaroos. Thus, they decided to send out three unites in order to investigate and hopefully capture the town back if needed. It was no loss for them, but it did worry them for the clan mates. It was a loss, and that within itself was enough for the alpha to command its return. According to reports, it took less than a day for the territory to be overrun, defeated, and conquered. They were unsure of which general or who issued the order It was only known that it had been the felines, which left the question of exactly what was the gain. Much to the fears of their clan, it was theorized they wanted to use the mountains as a mean for an ambush on bigger territories. It was a clever plan considering the two armies matched in power.
However, this mission was not just for recon, but a test as well. Mouse had been granted back into the pack under the protection of Alec in return for loyalty. Thus, he was ordered to attend to prove his worth as well as Alec's. Alec had recently been given the position of Beta, and now he was given the responsibility of a general to begin this war. It was only under the pressure from his mother, Scarlett, that the alpha allowed his position, and only under her demands was he allowed to be here now. If he failed at this mission, it would bring his position into question. Mouse, on the other hand, had been unable to shake a darkening feeling regarding Justin instead.
Justin had gained his through killing the other delta, but he was given general at only fourteen years old. Mouse, at the time, had been exiled. Thus, he had not heard of what happened. It must have been a glorious event considering the man's age. Now at the ripe age of 20years, Mouse had to wonder exactly what this man could do. He was brilliant, skilled, and he had become apart of the pack easily. He was not born in Bellaroos or by both canine parents. He was tainted, and because of that he was often not respected. He supposed being raised by the alphas' though could boost anyone's position. Looking at him now though, speaking with confidence and grace, he watched as a darkening shadow laid around the man. Each time he blinked, he could see a petal or two. At least, he thought so... A lily maybe, which did not settle well with him.
Snorting, the Mouse glanced away as he watched the exit of the tent. "I think we should take a small recon team." Alec said and moved his finger along the map. "What about Justin's unit and mother's unit take the mountain route? We can pull my unit to this side here. It's close enough for a flare, but we can get behind their defenses easier."
Alec's eyes flickered to his mother who had been quiet the whole time. She was a beautiful female with long slightly curled silver and black hair. It had been pulled back and tied to keep it from hindering her vision. Her eyes, like her son's, were a deep green. They were clear, calm, and collected. She was thin, yet she looked to be well built and made for speed. Just like her son, she wore a scaled shirt and pants with thick leather boots. Around her waist was a leather belt that held two large teeth used for knives. She had a wolf head tattoo on her throat and what seemed to be a blue tattoo going around her throat. At the moment, she matched her son's height at 5'9, but he had much growing to go yet. He was only seventeen after all. Mouse hated this women. She was known as one of the most beautiful canines of the pack, and she was graceful, strong, and well bred. However, she knew this, and her tongue did well to manipulate those around her.
Scarlett moved to point at the map. "I think we should switch the positions." Her voice was soft, angelic with each movements of her lips. "Alec's unit should take this route, and we will take this one." Neither general disapproved, but before they could discuss it further Mouse left the tent.
---
True to their word, Alec's unit decided to take the mountain pass, while the other two units took the forest route. Each unit was only about five soldiers and two generals. The main force would not be there for several more days. Their job was not to liberate Kenya alone, but just get a taste for it. This would let them gather information in order to make the best plan. Alec's would go to the heart of the territory, while the other two generals would try to locate the camp. Mouse had been reassigned to help the two unites since they decided to give a few more soldiers to Alec just in case.
It would only take another day to finally get to Kenya, but for now the small group had decided to stop to rest, eat, and go through the map again. This time, Mouse had not been invited to the meeting. The two unites had stopped at a small opening by a river of water. They were lightly carrying, thus there was a healer's tent, a general tent and a few others. Most of those tents had no one in them, as they preferred to sleep in the open. At the moment though, everyone was sitting around the fire where a large boar was cooking for their super. It had the men and women excited. Each one of them chatting and laughing among themselves, yet Mouse sat alone. He had chosen a spot away from the group against a tree where he would not be bothered. Even among the healers, snow cap was not welcome. He never minded though. He preferred to be alone in his thoughts mainly when he felt uneasy.
Mouse, canine or not, never felt safe in a group regardless even when he was a pup. He hated them. Thus, he sat alone as he worked on a bird he had caught. He did not wish to be apart of the big feast nor did he wish to be involved with the others unless need be. His enjoyed his craft, and Mouse found it interesting. That was the only reason he didn't reject the offer of healer. Then again, when one showed promise of being one, they often did not have a choice. Visions tended to be the precursor, and sadly he had found that out at a very early age.
The snow cap attempted to shake those thoughts as he pulled the last of the meat from the bird just as a strange foreboding came over him. The canine frowned deeply as he glanced up and looked passed the rowdy group that came for the boar. They were pulling it from the fire to start preparing it to eat. For a second, he thought it was because of them, but his pink eyes looked to the trees instead beyond them. He felt as if they were being watched.... as if there was something sinister there. Mouse's eyes searched... searched... listening to the wind and feeling the cold shiver that slithered down his spine. Mouse rubbed up his arm and found, to his surprise, that he had goose bumps. He did not like this.
"Mouse, are you on watch duty?" The coyote snapped his head around at the voice. Unable to help himself, Mouse smiled slightly at the sight of small blond haired girl. Skipping over to him, she laughed and ruffled his hair. The male couldn't help but growl at her, however she knew it was an empty threat. She knew he was no harm, mainly towards her. "Or are you pouting again?"
Narrowing his eyes, he slapped her hand away and tossed the bones of the bird to the group. "If I was pouting, it would be in private." As he spoke, he eyed the girl before her. She was young, sixteen years old. However, she had the heart of a child. Her blue eyes would trick any man that she was innocent and naive. Her blond curly blond hair that framed her face only made it harder to think otherwise. She was a stick too, flat chested, and wore a feathered dress. She had always loved clocking discarded fathers of all colors, and she had woven them into a sweet dress. He had not approved of her coming with Justin, but he insisted. Mouse hated it. She couldn't fight, but her strength did lay in her heart and mind. She would make an excellent delta female if she could be... more accepted.
Smiling brighter, the girl placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned down. He looked away with a huff as she leaned towards his face. Just like a little sister, she had to pester him even now. To most, they looked like mates, but in truth they had been looking after each other since they were children. It nearly broke her heart when he was exiled. "I think you like people knowing you're pouting." Laughing, she pulled away as he slapped at her hands.
"If only you knew Alissa." He grumbled, but let a small smile slip on his lips.
Laughing still, she waved and started to walk away. "Get some rest soon."
Mouse reached up and waved after her. As soon as she was out of sight, his eyes turned back to the trees once more. Parting his mouth slowly, he tasted the air as he stood up and stepped forward. The bird bones snapped under his feet as he scanned the area and found once more there was nothing. Although, when his eyes landed again on the trees his body tensed at the sight. Pulling his lips back slowly he released a slow snarl. His fangs displayed themselves and his hair stood on end at the sight of what looked back at him. Two deep crimson eyes stared back... Its beak parted slowly and screeched out. Its black feathers reflected the moon making it glitter and looked almost blue. It was a crow... and it looked to be slowly fading out of sight. Death was on his way, and he would be taking no prisoners.
"Damn it!" Mouse bolted from his position, nearly knocking over another canine. He heard the curse behind him, but he simply kept moving. He needed to find a general... now before it was to late. They needed to move the camp before death found his way here. Mouse simply wished he knew what would cause the dark omen to appear, and when it was coming.
He attempted to shake this from his mind though as he slowed his run. Mouse's body tensed slightly as he breathed in the scent of the female alpha, and he could not help the shiver that ran up his spine. It had been years sense he stood alone anywhere near her, and that only made him more nervous. The idea of even speaking to her made his blood boil, and him cold to the bone. Despite this, he forced his hand to move. Brushing the tent flap aside, he stepped in. Frowning, Mouse found her dressing. Her scaled wear had been discarded and now she was wearing a long animal skinned dress. It was strained purple, and at the moment she was attempting to button it closed in the front. It was long sleeved with small cuffs she had folded. He had to attempt, it looked strain to see her in a dress that came to her knees, and that made her look so much younger than she was. He almost forgot just why he was there.
Shaking himself, Mouse cleared his throat. The alpha's eyes glanced over at him before darkening at the sight of him. Instantly, she showed her distaste for the male by baring her fangs. Her eye narrowing as she watched him silently. It did not matter because he gave her no time to speak. "The crow was here." He doubted she understood the significance of that, but all sensible Beastmen understood that meant death. "We need to move our units... now Scarlett."
Scarlett turned to him with her dress still partly open. It revealed her breast... smooth like silk and plump like a pillow. His eyes flickered for a moment to them, but they did not linger long. They found her again as she snarled at his words. "You want us to change our position, snow cap?"
Mouse clenched his jaw at the intended insult. His fingers twitched when he felt his nails sharpen, however he tried to keep himself under control. He knew he had no power to fight an alpha, let alone her. "Death is coming this way. We need to move, Scar-."
Before he could finish his sentence, the alpha had stepped forward. Her hand snapped out and snatched the front of his shirt. The coyote tried to jerk away, but she picked him up and yanked him close to her face. Snarling loudly, she hissed lowly at the male. "You are not to speak my name, you worthless piece of shit."
Throwing the canine to the ground, Scarlett stepped back and pointed to the tent. "Get out!"
Mouse, hissing in pain, rolled onto his side and sat up. His eyes narrowed at her while trying to keep his temper in check. His throat burned, and his body felt as if it was on fire. If only.... "I beg you, move the force." The man choked out. The words only wounded his pride further, but he could not bare the thought of lives being lost in vain.
"Get out. I will not listen to dirt."
Cursing under his breath, he glanced back at her. "You have made a grave mistake." Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked from the tent. It was the last time Mouse would ever see her.
---
Mouse refused to give in, thus his next stop was the delta. Perhaps, he would be able to get the unit moved or at least speak to Scarlett. Maybe, just maybe, she would listen to him. However, something deep down told him otherwise. It was unlikely, he could make her do anything. Forcing the thoughts away, he yanked open the flap of the tent. "Justin!" The delta snarled low in his throat while the girl under him screamed. She moved to cover herself, but the male did it for her. He simply laid down on her naked body.
"Damn it Mouse!" The delta snapped, yet the coyote looked at the couple with little amusement. His eyes caught Alissa's making her move to hide her face in utter shame. Mouse had known from the start that there was only one reason Justin insisted she come along, and it would now seem he was the victim of seeing the reason. The male was laying over the naked female who was rose red and drench in sweat from the onslaught of thrusts the husky had been giving her. Her hair was in a complete mess, her nipples swelled and hard, and her body trembling with need. The smell of sex was strong in the tent, and Justin seemed to not be affected even a tiny bit by the whole ordeal. The only thing that had been able to cover it up was the deer skin blanket that laid on top of them.
Dismissing it, Mouse spoke. "We need to move the units, now."
Justin frowned and slowly removed himself from the female. She whimpered and moved to quickly hide behind her delta. Alissa snatched over the deer skin and pulled it around her. For a second, she parted her lips to snap at the male, but one glance cut her off. She tilted her head in confusion as if asking what was wrong. She knew it was not like him to be so upset, let alone bare his fangs at her. Thus, she leaned her head down in submission and buried her face in the hair of her delta and mate. Justin had not missed a beat. The male had sat up and stared up at the healer with narrowed eyes. His hand lazily moved along the girl's leg to calm her while they spoke. "I'm listening."
The healer clenched his hands again as he stared down at the male. His mind racing in knowledge that Scarlett could kill him for going against her, however this was a race against time. If she would not listen to reason, perhaps Justin would. "I saw a crow. We need to move... now." Mouse only grew more anxious that the fog previously around Justin had grown thicker. Could the crow be after him?
Mouse could not stop the slight tremble in his voice or the way the end became out in a shout. "Death is coming this way, so do your fucking jobs and move this unit!"
Justin was unaffected. "Did you ask Scarlett?"
Mouse glanced away in annoyance. "She refuses to move the units."
Justin leaned back with little care of his exposure. "Let me talk to her."
It was already to late though.