Time seemed to move so quickly to here Kajika felt there wasn’t any time to react to what was happening or to notice what was going on around him. Though he could hear the voices of his pack mates and especially the children he couldn’t register what was being said. He had to concentrate on what he was doing and what the boar was doing so that he wouldn’t be injured. For as long as he could remember self-preservation was something that he kept at the forefront of his mind and this was no different.

Before it had just been him that he had to worry about keeping safe and injury free but now he had to make sure that he didn’t get injured in case one of his pack mates did so that he could help if they needed it. This was for his pack, it all was for his pack as his teeth sunk into the flesh of the boars flanks in an attempt to help distract it from the youngsters.

Then he was forced to let go as the boar turned to face him and the rest of his pack. In a flash everything seemed to have changed. Nathaniel and Verspertio were injured, Kajika didn’t know how bad.

Cernan's eyes were well-trained on the boulders; his only clue to Nathaniel's fate being the painful cry that tore through the air behind him. The boy only dared to look at the carnage once he was safe, air filling his lungs in horror when he realized what had happened. The dark man was on the ground, crumpled up like a dried leaf with red marks on his skin. Blood. Nate had taken the hit for him; the anguish on his face should have been Cernan's – and the pup suddenly felt immense guilt. His heart raced in his ears; fluttering out of rhythm with the chaos below. Wide golden eyes swept back to the boar, shrieking in rage as his pack successfully drew its ire. He couldn't breathe.


The creature's furious voice sent chills of fear bursting through the pup's chest. It could kill them, and it absolutely wanted to. The Vuesain's youngest thought for sure that this all-consuming dread could get no stronger, until he saw the monster move toward Papa. Neha reacted first, both her movement and her exploding words causing Cernan to jump as well. Every one of his muscles tensed and he lunged to her side, now thoroughly afraid that She would try to rush back in like she had with the swan. The boy didn't know which family member to be more panicked over. In an instant his young voice chimed in desperately, "Dad!" His body was leaning forward over the boulders; legs splayed wide for stability. That, and perhaps he could impede Neha should she make any foolish decisions. His teeth would be in her hide if she so much as inched forward. Cernan would not loose her too. 


Inside the youth's body burned. They were helpless children, forced to watch as their family and pack were injured or worse. Moisture crept into his eyes and they shined in the light. As much as he wanted to he couldn't look away. There was too much at stake. A primal, frantic whine-bark sprang from the Prince's throat and his body flinched. He wanted to help; he wanted so badly to help, but he was afraid too. It was a horrific feeling; a swirling torrent of indecision and conflict and he hated every torturous millisecond. All he could do was watch, and keep Neha safe.