Starglow Basin The jungle

Osiel’s in no mood. He has a lot on his mind. The dregs of war, the pack, the attempt on Saya and increased security on their borders. And now @Soto is acting like a loose cannon. 

He forgets his place. The ocelote is here to remind him.

“Levantarse.” It’s night. Osiel appears at the mouth of segundo’s den.

soto’s been busy. 

he’s used to running things how juarez liked it. big man decides the direction, soto provides the people. for all his cleverness, he never stopped to think osiel might feel differently. 

he’s up at his makeshift den in the lookout when el oceloté comes in bristling. commanded to get up, soto does so — wondering if the man’s come to punish him for saya’s failure.

Dead silence as they climb to the desert’s highest peak. Just beyond in a glen unburdened with bristlecone is a wide, fertile valley. Enclosed in grey atmosphere. Here, Osiel plants four feet. Soil pools underpaw.

"Mirar. No verde. Ningún producto." Los Zetas, all over again.

"Sin un producto, no somos nada. Sin un producto, no tenemos rumbo." Never had it been more evident. The muscles in the ocelote’s jaw clench. Of course he wanted to strike him. Of course the leopard should pay in blood for Verapaz’s failings. Eyes find Segundo in the dark.

"Has perdido a tus hermanos," Osiel leers. "Hacemos que este valle sea verde. Entonces tendremos tu venganza."