Before the smoky colored brute had any time to think or react, the much larger beast was upon him with a charging roar. A paw, drastically larger than his own, smashed into his torso and pushed him against a tree. With a huff he lost his breath, and couldn’t get it back. With the bear on him he couldn’t expand his lungs and as much as he struggled he knew he was not strong enough to get out of this. He forced himself not to panic though as he knew that would only make things worse. Before Summer could try and figure out what to do to get himself out of this, a white form swam into his vision. Aimery was clinging to the bear’s shoulder, teeth and claws drawing as much blood as possible. Even though the wounds be superficial and not do that much damage, it was enough to distract the bear and release his hold on the alpha. Summer’s form fell to the ground as he gasped for air. He knew he was not safe yet though, and had to squirm away from the bear’s paws that were trying to dislodge the snow white male.

Summer’s yellow orbs continued to survey the scene as Danger flung himself in, on the bear’s back adding to the damage that Aimery was inflicting. The brute worried about his packmate’s safety, but knew he could not handle this on his own and was grateful that they had come to his aid. Summer’s orbs widen in horror as the bear’s muzzle connects with Aimery’s side, dagger tearing deep into the smaller predator’s form. Danger luckily got away and was able to scramble a safe distance from the bear, but the other male was not so lucky. Aimery was thrown to the side, limp form showing blood and gore. Summer was quickly distracted from the newest Bright Moon member though as Nzingha came into his sites. Why had she even come? She was far too young to do any damage and would just get herself hurt, and that though terrified Summer more than anything else. Danger ran to block Nzingha as the bear charged her. With a roar of anger, the smoky brute leapt, trying to get in between the bear and his niece.

The group’s attention was distracted when another sound caught their attention. Something else, something big, was coming their way. The situation went from bad to worse as the alpha saw another bear charge into the clearing, going directly towards Aimery’s form that was attempting to stand despite the blood loss he was experiencing. The other bear, this one a female from her scent, tore into Aimery’s jugular, ripping his throat in half and spilling bled upon his white pelt. His form collapsed and was very clearly dead. Summer’s panicked form spied two cubs hiding in the bushes, their curious heads poking out to watch the commotion. It was clear to Summer what was going on now. For some reason a mated pair with their cubs had decided this was where they wanted to raise him, and himself, Danger, and Nzingha were no match for that. He knew if they did not flee now that they would all very quickly lose their lives. His yellow orbs looked to Danger’s unseeing ones and barked out a command, using a tone that he hoped the other male would not question and would just obey. ”Run, NOW!” He ran towards the darker brute, his tail and pelt brushing against him in case he needed help determining what direction they were going in. He grabbed Nzingha’s scruff to carry her, not wanting the pup to get stuck behind them, and darted between the trees where the bears were not occupied. His paws carried him as quickly as he could, making sure his other packmate was there but not looking back to see if the bears were following.

As he ran he knew that his pack was lost. He was not sure if anyone else was still in the territory even, surely they would have come to the commotion? He thought of Amalthea, and how she had finally trusted him and now he was abandoning her. He thought of Karla, and how she had just lost her mate and did not even know it. Misty’s face swam into his mind and he wondered where his friend was and if she was safe. There were so many other’s that had come and gone, Scion, Kahini, Darius, and Elora. But all that was gone now. He would not risk any of their lives to defend a pack that was already dying on its own. When he knew he was a safe distance away from what had happened, he stopped, panting from the exertion of his run and carrying Nzingha. He put the pup down, licking her head and neck to make sure she was alright. He expected her to be frightened by what had happened, afterall. ”Are you okay, sweetheart? I’m so sorry you had to witness such horrific events.” After he made sure his daughter…niece…was doing okay his yellow orbs turned to Danger with concern. ”Danger, my friend. Thank you for coming to my aide, you saved my life. Are you injured?” After waiting for a reply he turned away from the other male for a moment, lifting his muzzle to the sky and letting out a howl that called to any in Bright Moon that still might be in the territory. It was no longer the call of an alpha, but the call of a friend. It called to warn of danger, and that they could still come to him. With sadness on his features he turned back to his companions. ”We…we can’t go back. Without more numbers we would only see more death. My pack has been slowly dying on its own. Those that were once loyal are not anymore. I believe it is time we found a new home. Danger I would love it if you would stay with Nzingha and myself, but obviously I do not expect you to if you wish to go elsewhere, to someone that can keep you safe and give you a better home than I did. I just hope we can at least stay friends. He gave the other brute a weak smile before remembering that he would not see it. The male was saddened even more to say the words aloud, but he knew them to be true. Bright Moon was no longer his pack, no longer his home.