Justin was only five when he killed his first mouse. He had begged his mother to let him go on a hunting trip. He watched each day as they came and went. The party always different, but always cheered on when they returned with bounty. Felines of all sizes, ages, and species they did well to provide for their clan. Finally, at five he decided it was his turn to join. He was a dog, but surely they would not care. He had dressed lightly in rabbit fur pants, grabbed his favorite hunting knife, and packed a small deer hind bag. He had thrown it over his shoulder and stood outside his hut. The sun had hardly broken through the clouds, however he knew that the party would be ready soon. He knew they would be there soon. "What are you doing out here in the cold?"
His mother's voice had made him turn. He had smiled at her voice, seeing her blue eyes reflecting his own. Unlike him, she had golden hair that streamed down along her neck, her shoulders and back. She was young with flawless sun kissed skin. She wore her favorite dress. Snake skin that had been gifted to her by the Hopi clan. Emerald green scales from a green tree python that had tried to win her favor. She loved his papa too much though, but she had accepted the gift anyway. She loved all things pretty. "I'm going hunting!" Justin had smiled and stood up taller, proud and sure. He would make his mother proud.
However, a sadness had leaked its way into her soft eyes despite the smile she wore. She had reached out her hand and brushed it along his forehead. "I told you, not until you're older." His mother had chuckled and took his hand.
"But, I'm five! I want to bring back a huge boar! My fangs are big enough now. See? " He had opened his mouth and pulled at his mouth to show off his tiny teeth.
She sighed as she knelt in front of him. Her soft hands had taken his as she spoke the words he would never forget. "Justin, your fangs are not meant to kill. They are meant to protect. Do you understand?" Justin pouted and looked at the ground. He nodded though.
Despite his mother's words, he would later find a mouse. He wanted to prove he was ready. He wanted to make his mother proud, so he had shifted and pounced on it. His fangs snapping down to feel the crunch of bone and flesh. He tasted the rich blood on his tongue. Pride filled his tiny body that he had killed his first prey. It had been so easy, and he knew his mother would be proud. After all, it was a male's job to provide for his pack, his family. One day, he would provide for her since his father was no longer around. She had told him so many times how much Justin was like him from his raven black hair to his smile. He had gotten his canine from him. Justin had gotten his bravery, his temper, and most of all his loyalty from his father.
Justin's tail had wagged with excitement as he held his head up high. He knew this time of day his mother would be by the ocean, laid out in the heat as she listened to waves. Usually she was serving the clan's leader's family. However, they were gone for the day giving her the perfect chance to relax. So, he bolted forward with a powerful kick. His body nearly trembling in excitement at the female's response. However, as soon as he came into view and her eyes meet his own, their beautiful color had glassed over. The tiny husky pup had stood there with his head tilted. Confusion colored his features as his mother had covered her face and sobbed. The sound becoming lost in the ocean wind and the crashing of powerful waves. Justin never did join the hunting party, unable to get the image of her tears and the blue sea out of his mind.
If his mother could see him now, Justin knew she would cry her heart out. He had to wonder if his mother knew one day he would become a killer. If she knew one day, he would become an essential part of this war. She knew he would become a man even when his body was still a pup. He certainly had not felt like a pup since his mother was murder. His father had tried to help them leave to give them a better life. However, they had not made it far before his mother had been caught. Justin had tried to run after his mother, but his father had not allowed it. His father had clenched his jaws and held him until morning. Only then did they begin their travel again, both hollow without their light beside them. He was taken in by the Bellaroos pack where he raised through the ranks. At the time, he had promised to take revenge for his mother. He went so far as to kill the delta at age eighteen. His father, however, had passed away months after having reached Bellaroos. He had died from grief. His very soul had been hung by the felines for all to witness, to know what happened to traitors. Hatred had burned under Justin's flesh. His teeth were used to take lives, and his loyalty kept him at his new family's side. It was not until he lost Alissa that the hatred faded away. Now, he was just tired.
It was days that his fur was covered in red, and his body ached from fighting that he missed them the most. It was times like this that made his chest clench in regret. This was not the life his mother would have wanted. It was not the life he would have wanted for his pups. It was not the life he wanted for the generations to come, but he stood on the threshold and looked down at Tessa's camp. The sight before him reminded him all to well of his first mouse. It reminded him all to well of his mother's eyes, the ocean crashing against the shore, and her sobs. Justin knew the felines had enslaved the ocean people, but this was sick to the very core. Only Tessa Jormungand would condone such treatment. Only her heart was this cold. He wondered if he tore it out would it be stone or would there be nothing at all.
"Fenrir, have mercy." Rarely Mary involved their God, but she had taken the words right out of Justin's mouth.
"Send a messenger." Justin did not need to say more, not that he cold. The husky's throat tightened. The Cathilon clan was many things, but he doubted they had approved of this. No, they had to much pride. They upheld laws as if the Gods themselves were on their heels. Tessa, however, had no mercy. He never realized how far gone she was, until now. "Send a messenger to Lucian as well." Justin wanted that man in Hel's realm, however he knew the man had a sense of pride. It was the only reason he bothered with the command.
His canine side slipped away and left the man in its wake. The cold assaulted his flesh. It carved at him, leaving goose bumps and shivers in its wake. He hardly noticed as his eyes darkened. He did not need to glance over to know his orders were carried out. Justin could hear Mary snapping to command. She too wanted blood, however there was a code all clans followed during war until tonight. Because down below was a makeshift hut. The fighting had demolished most of the landscape, but the trees still stood tall. Their branches reached outwards to give cover with their leaves. Their powerful trunks were used to help construct a roof and walls with vines, branches, and leaves. It was big enough to host a few individuals inside comfortably. A small glow peeked out from the cracks indicating a fire inside. Two male lions had taken guard just outside. They were lanky, skinny and meant more for show. Their bodies the color of cream, and their manes almost non-existent. They were young, most likely two little boys trying to play at adult. Their ears flickered about with one pulling its lips back in annoyance.
The general could understand why. He never did handle crying well. Wailing and screaming was worse for him, mainly when it came from a child or a female. Which was why, the sound was grinding on his nerves.
"Mommy!" The wailing continued.
Around the small camp poles had been hammered into the ground with braided vines used as rope. They were short and extended far around to create a collar. A collar that held sun skinned children. Many of them hugged their knees and hide their faces. Some cried outright. Others were curled up asleep. There was only about ten of them from various ages. Some from young as four to old as ten. Ten... almost old enough to be considered an adult, to be used for war. They were too young though. Children should be at home, wrapped up in fur and sucking on a tit until they had no choice, but be introduced to this world. However, he knew many disagreed with him.
Justin tasted blood on his tongue, and only then did he realize he was clenching his jaw. The blood grounded him, mainly as one of the lions stood. Their paws moving forward towards the child that kept wailing for his mother.
"Sufficit! Tace, puer!" Another ocean child whispered. His purple eyes pleaded with the small child. The lion turned towards the black haired boy.
"No talking!" It roared in annoyance before turning to the crying one. Worried etched along the purple eyed boy. His little hands trembled knowing if the crying did not stop someone would die tonight.
"Justin!" The delta had moved before he even realized it. The messenger had not even been sent, but he did not care. He refused to watch this any longer. They were supposed to be the shadows. They were supposed to be assassins, silent and not seen. Yet, there was a weakness inside of the male that refused to allow him to let this continue because he knew all to well. The ocean people were slaves. They were objects, and breaking an object meant nothing if it could be replaced. He knew it all to well because he had used them too. He had seen them as objects until he found his pack. It was then Justin realized that conquest did not include the people.
The child screamed louder when the lion came in front of him, while the purple eyed boy spilled threats from his lips. A twitch of an ear, the lion froze. He listened to the sound of the movement before glancing amber eyes towards Justin. The big cat flashed fangs. His hair raised while large paws turned towards him. The other lion had stood up and took a step closer, yet there was hesitation. Justin tilted his head slightly knowing they would not attack. After all, a general approaching in human form was the same as saying truce. It was funny how without a council, the way they clung to the old world. Perhaps it was a mutual respect or perhaps it was fear of being turned on by the other clans. Either way, he enjoyed the hesitation in their eyes. Strung tight and ready to pounce, they held back.
"Good evening." Justin could feel the burning of rage under his flesh. He could taste the violence on his tongue... in his veins. It licked at his wounds and tore at his control. The sickness that was there before was replaced with the need for violence. Perhaps Alec was rubbing off on him. His beta was nothing but hatred and regret. Now, he felt the same as the wailing became silent sobs. The purple eyed boy now silent, even as he stared at Justin with hope... hope a hero had come. It was those eyes that brought the sickness back because he was not their savior.
Justin did not bother with meeting those eyes or glancing forward as he walked forward. The lions parted slowly even as low snarls vibrated their chest. They wanted to rip him apart, but they knew the price. The husky did not even feel a bit of satisfaction from it though. He wished they would. Coming to the threshold, he pushed the leaves away that made up the door. There waiting for him was no other than Tessa. Her blue eyes seemed to be laughing at him. Her lips turned up in a playful smile as she laid on her side. Her head propped up on her hand while the fire danced in front of her. She wore only a deer skin skirt. The rest of her was naked showing off her smooth skin, and her round young breasts. Without a cover, he could see the white against her tanned skin. The stripes looked almost like scars where they raised along her arms, her back, and along her ribs. Justin was not surprised to not find any spousal marks on her. Tessa thought herself too good for that.
"Justin, do come in." Her smile grew as if this was whole fucking joke.
Justin smirked darkly before glancing behind him. "Touch any of them, and you die." He did not bother waiting for the lions' reaction before stepping into the hut... into Tessa's domain.