Chapter 10: The Panthera Leos

The late 1900's

Hellas Planitia

From the POV of Khaos, leader of the Panthera Leos

"We found the child."

Good. This was news that I had been waiting all week to hear. I stood with my back to the hills, watching over my pride. Whatever I did, I knew I had to have their best interest at heart. I turned to Saburi who was the strongest out of the entire tribe. I knew that he wouldn't have returned unless he had found the child. He knew how important this was to me. To all of us.

It was rumored that this child would wipe out my entire nation from the face of the Earth. The Great Elders had foreseen it- the child would bring about nothing but chaos and confusion in its wake. The only way to prevent that would be to of course kill the little one. I knew it sounded heartless especially considering that I did have children of my own but I wasn't the one who had written the fate, I was merely trying to change the future.

I owed my pride at least that much.

I gave Saburi a pat on his golden fur clad back. "Thank you," I said before retreating to my den. My den offered the solitude that I desperately craved and needed. Because every step I made from now on had to be calculated and wise. One bad move and all this could go to shit. Literally.

I sat there for a good fifteen minutes mulling over what course of action to take for the next few days when I heard Ichi calling my name. She possessed a voice that was sure to make me relax even in the midst of something tumultuous as this. I loved that about her.

She entered the cave and despite me being in complete darkness, she made her way over to me as if the den was illuminated. She stood in front of me and reached out her hand. She rubbed my brown mane and straightened out the worry lines that were situated between my brows. It was her way of letting me know that she had complete trust in me.

I felt lost in those gorgeous, innocent amber eyes of hers. I flicked my tongue out, playfully swiping at her hand. She giggled. Nosir, I would never get tired of hearing her laugh. There was something about it that never failed to tug at my heart.

"Promise that you'll return in one piece," she said with worry etched all over her face. Using one of my paws I tilted her head up so that she could look into my eyes when I spoke. "Nothing or no-one will keep me away from you for long, Lia. I love you." At this she flung her hands around my furry mane and full on cried. Women and their emotions.

I didn't understand where this was coming from though. She knew that once I chose her as my partner this was what her life would have looked like. This wasn't even my first time leaving either. Was it a case where I was expecting too much from her? In all honestly didn't think I was.

We were both interrupted when Suki entered my den. Even from a mile away I could see how concerned and nerve-racking she looked. She reeked of apprehension.

I did not have time for this.

"Khaos is it true?" she asked with her bottom lip quivering, "Are you taking the boys with you?"

As gently as I could I removed Ichi from my arms and went to stand in front of Suki. I started by brushing a few strands of red hair away from her face and tucking them behind her ear. I caressed her soft cheek and she leaned into my touch. Visibly I could see that she had relaxed somewhat but I knew she was still awaiting an answer to her question.

I decided to be easy on her. "Suki, you know I have to. Our sons will be okay," I said in a comforting tone. "You've seen them in action before, this is nothing to be worried about, darling," I added. She opened her eyes and I could see a few tears sprinkle down her cheeks. "This time is different," she replied with a tremble to her voice, "I've heard stories about the werewolves. How vicious and cold they are."

It was time to put an end to this conversation. "And that is what they are Suki, nothing but bedtime stories. Now, go get the boys ready." She knew better than to disobey an order I had just given her so she kissed my cheek and with a ruffle of her tail she was gone.

Once more I turned to Ichi and there was compassion in my chocolate colored eyes for her. "Do you think you can whip up a zebra stew for me before I leave?" I asked. That was my favorite.

She gave me a smile that was enough to change my sour mood. She dipped her head. "As you wish, my love," she replied before bustling out of the cave to fulfill my request.

With both women taken care of, I returned my thoughts to the more important task at hand.

I decided to call for my most trusted advisors, Tabby and Cattimus. I was positive that together we could come up with a plan that would have us victorious in the end. I did not plan to return to my people empty-handed and a failure. As a leader, that word was not in my books.

Once they entered my lair, I strategically laid out an elaborate plan before them. I walked them through from beginning to end just how I expected things to turn out. Here and there, they gave their suggestions on how my plan could be improved upon.

The werewolves might be stupid for harboring a creature that wasn't one of them but I knew they were no fools. They would fight to the very last of them to protect every member of their pack. I had to outsmart them.

With everything in place, I couldn't see how my plan would make us anything less than triumphant.

"Prepare the men. We're going to war," I declared.