Noctisardor Bypass p[r]imavaera

val was no warrior, either.

he followed after stryx, keeping the rest of ursus in his line of sight. he was relieved that there was now someone newer to the cult than him; for so long, val had felt outsider. un. now the eyes of the bear were turned to someone new and a great tension released from his shoulders.

he knew this was wrong, but he went along anyway. adolescence, desperation to impress merrick, a general sense of something missing -- all of it quelled within him and urged him to this strange pack, with its strange people -- people who had never done him any wrong.

his mothers would be so disapproving. val buried the thought of them deep. he buried the thought of those yellow eyes deep, and he buried the thoughts of those new eyes in that same dark place.

he nosed the ground for any scent, his fur bristled and an electric energy thrumming in his spine and deep in his gut.