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**“The Odyssey”

By MrNelg**

Act: IX

Jason wasn't sure how long he sat there, staring at nothing in particular. Little by little, the euphoria of saving the little Lupus girl's life had worn off, and now he was, at last, realising what he'd done; more importantly, what he'd agreed to do. Everything around him seemed unimportant. He was still trying to wrap his head around it all. Although he'd help save the life of a little Lupus girl, who probably would've died without his assistance, there was no mistaking what he's said; He'd help predators.

He was busy trying to find an explanation as to why he'd agreed to do that. Why did he say yes? Was it because she reminded him of Glitch? Still, that was no reason to save all predator's. He buried his head in his hands and silently screamed. How could he have agreed to that? It was like doing something lamentable while under the influence of alcohol. Lifting his head, he peered down at the Sciuridae, happily putting away the last of his medical tools. An observation of the table showed it was almost spotless. You could forgive someone for mistaking that mere hours ago; a dying Lupus girl lay there.

From upstairs, there came a low, mournful and continuous howl. Jason turned to look up at the ceiling. {Is something wrong with her?} Tac looked confused, then chuckled.

{No,} he answered, returning to his work. {She is just singing to her daughter.} Jason frowned at him, before turning to look up again. That was singing? He listened to it for a while, before sighing heavily and turning away. {Is there something the matter, Jay-sun?} Turning, he saw the Sciuridae staring up at him, his ears flicking.

{Just thinking,} he answered. Tac's tail went still.

{You're not thinking about pulling out of our agreement? Jay-sun, you promised!}

{No, no,} Jason reassured him. {What I am thinking about … maybe, I could amend it?}

{Define amend.}

{Just to help you only with predator children.} Tac was silent for a moment.

{Are you still biased towards predator's?}

{You've seen first hand how they react. Or have you forgotten that day on the boat with the "Zepplin?"} Tac was puzzled.

{Oh, you mean the flying machine.} Then his ears and tail drooped. {If I agree to that, it could make things difficult.} Jason turned back towards him.

{Don't you have any faith in your abilities?}

{I do,} he said with a sigh. {But...} he trailed off, biting his lower lip. {Having twice witnessed what you can do in hopeless situations … I believe I've been bitten by the *.} Jason asked him to translate that. {It's from my language,} he explained. {It means a tiny Insecta, that poisons one's mind with greed.} He stopped cleaning to sit back down in the chair. {You make surgery so easy, that I believe giving you up would be like cutting off both my hands.}

{Oh, thank-you,} Jason said with all the sarcasm he could muster.

{Please, I don't mean offence,} Tac quickly interrupted. {But...} again he trailed off. Finally, he said, {Can you imagine what it's like, to have to live with failure all your life, only to come across an item – I mean, someone who can help you bypass all hurdles you've come to believe is impossible to overcome?}

{I say, you owe me for that remark,} Jason said, standing up to glare down at the Sciuridae. {And I think the best apology would be, that I help only with predator children.} Tac said something that sounded unhappy.

{Can I think about it?}

{There's nothing to think about,} Jason said. {Its a simple, yes or no.}

{I gave you time to provide me with an answer, can you please grant me the same courtesy?}

{Fine,} Jason said. Then he half-paused in sitting down, as something he should've realised finally broke through to the front of his mind. {No Vulpes's!} he suddenly snapped, shooting back to his feet. The Sciuridae gave him a puzzled look. {No Vulpes's; Period. That includes their children.} To his surprise, Tac smirked.

{Oh, don't worry, Jay-sun, I have no intention of helping those thieving **.} Jason was stunned.

"Really? Just like that?" He had to translate his comment.

{Yes, just like that,} Tac answered. {The Vulpes are all thieving, untrustworthy grifters. If I let only one of them in here, they'll swindle me out of half my medical supplies, before I could even examine them.} Jason tilted his head in curiosity.

{You hate the Vulpes?} His words were slow as if he didn't quite believe what he was saying.

{Not hate, I don't trust them; and neither does anyone else.} He turned and tapped the side of his right ear. {Also, I am no fool. Everyone is familiar with their insatiable appetite for sapiens. Surrexerunt petals or not, I won't risk having a Vulpes in the same room as you.}

Jason was stunned. There was nothing he could respond with to that. Then, he asked another question. {How do Mammalian's view the Vulpes?}

{Just as I explained,} Tac said. {Thieves, swindlers and spies. The Vulpes has always been an untrustworthy race, as their loyalty is only to the highest bidder; and even then, if someone's bid is greater, they won't hesitate to switch sides. You can't trust someone like that, unless you have a deep pouch.}

It reminded Jason of his time, back in the clutches of the Cervidae Guild Member. She bragged about organising the children to robbing as many Vulpes's as they could. The reaction from everyone had been to chuckle like it were a private joke. Thieves pick-pocketed? Jason chuckled.

{Don't your kind know much about the Vulpes?}

{We haven't had the opportunity,} Jason said. The Sciuridae appeared ready to ask why, when he paused awkwardly. Jason nodded. {While we know a good many languages, their tongue is unknown to us. The Vulpes are our natural predator's, so no one is willing to risk going anywhere near them.}

{Then I will agree to that amendment,} Tac said. {No Vulpes's; Adult or children.}

Jason was about to thank him when he saw the Sciuridae emptying his coin pouch. {What are you doing?}

{Making it easier for you to travel in here,} he said, padding the bottom of the pouch with some coin, but covering the top with cloth.

{Am I going somewhere?}

{Have you not forgotten the Prime Alpha's invitation for this evening?}

{That was for you,} Jason reminded him. {Why do I have to go?}

{Your talk about predator's has opened my eyes somewhat,} he replied. {While I am still not ready to give you an answer yet, as to your request, I will not risk leaving you here alone with two predator's.} Again, Jason turned to look up at the ceiling. He couldn't argue with that. {Besides, I think it'll do you some good to know some predator's; Good ones.}

{You mean, predator's that you get along with,} Jason said. {Those are the only good predator's you know. I am "damn" sure if they knew you had me, they'd take me by force, despite their friendship with you.}

{They're not the monsters you believe they are,} Tac answered. {I'm not asking you to see them as people, just see them from the outside, for who they are.} Jason rolled his eyes. There was no arguing with this guy. He couldn't understand that it didn't matter how Jason saw them. If they saw him, he'd be seeing them from the inside.

The Sciuridae later went upstairs to inform the Lupus mother about where he was going this evening. Just as he came back downstairs, there was a knock on the door. {They're here, come on, let's get you hidden.} Jason allowed himself to be picked up and placed within Tac's coin pouch. The cloth made sitting atop the coins tolerable.

The Sciuridae opened the front door and started talking in the Lupus's tongue. Another voice answered, and after closing the door, they were off. Not much was said as they travelled back up the staircase towards the palace. Climbing to one side, Jason was able to pry apart the stitching of the pouch to get a look at the outside world.

The palace was ablaze with torchlight. A line of guests was waiting at the door. Each guest approached the guards at the door and presented them with, what looked like to Jason, a poker chip. Whatever they meant, Jason couldn't tell. They were different colours, and if they held any significance to their person, Jason couldn't guess. All those who presented chips were allowed inside, regardless of their colour.

The Sciuridae didn't present anything. The escort took him passed the front gate with no protest from the guards. Once inside, he was waved over by a servant. The female wore a loose-fitting toga that didn't contain any jewellery. The servant gave Tac instructions before taking charge of him.

This time, they walked beyond the huge purple curtain that hid the rest of the palace from the front parlour. They were in a hallway. Narrow, enough to make two Lupus's passing a squeeze, but taller than three standing on each other's shoulders. Torchlight blazed from high above, casting dancing shadows all around. Doorways lay on either side of them as they walked to the end. Through another curtain and they were in a large banquet hall.

There was a row of seven, very long tables, each seating at least thirty Lupus's. They were low, with cushions instead of chairs. At the end of the room, on a raised wooden dais, sat a smaller table with seven Lupus's. Jason recognised the Prime Alpha seated in the middle.

{Tac!} he bellowed. To Jason's surprise, no one turned to look at either the Prime Alpha or the Sciuridae. Instead, they continued with whatever had them preoccupied. The Prime Alpha slammed a hand down on the table, buckling it, and Tac walked down the hall to join him. As he drew closer, Jason saw the other Lupus's at his side were female. While the females all wore cloaks and kilts, at the far right of the table, sat a female Lupus decked out in a crown and necklaces of flowers, with a cape of white. Sitting just behind the Prime Alpha, sat an enormous bronze war hammer; its head caked in a faded brown stain. The weapon was taller than its owner.

Raw and bloody meat covered the table, along with numerous cups that stank strongly of alcohol. The females were all tearing into the flesh, their muzzles red. Sitting down, Tac didn't seem perturbed at the display. {I don't suppose-} he started to say before the Prime Alpha cut him off with a rapid double-clap of his hands, that sounded like thunder. Within a few seconds, a bowl was deposited before the Sciuridae, filled with boiled vegetable stew.

{I do get herbivore visitors,} the Prime Alpha said. {There isn't a situation that I haven't prepared for.} Jason realised he shouted that not at the Sciuridae, but someone over the healer's shoulder. Moving quickly, Jason changed positions in the pouch to see a large, solidly built Lupus sitting just before the table. He caught the quick, flick of the ears in annoyance, but there was nothing else. The Prime Alpha bellowed his Laughter.

{I ... Don't understand?} Tac said.

{My eldest son, *,} the Prime Alpha cried out, more to the Lupus than the Sciuridae. {He believes the feast we have this night, is a waste of money and time; Like everything else I do. He sees me as an embarrassment. He doesn't approve of me, or my way of life; he wants my position.} Jason realised that no one was paying attention, in-spite of the ear-splitting volume at which the Prime Alpha spoke. {He can have it when he carries my corpse away from this cushion!} Again, no one responded as he laughed. Turning back to the Prime Alpha, he saw the Lupus was toying with the war hammer. It was then that Jason realised that the lack of attention was deliberate.

The Lupus sitting before them, turned his head slightly so that he could see with one eye. As he did this, the Prime Alpha grinned, tightening his grip on the handle. The look in his eyes said he wanted his son to do something. Instead, the Lupus turned away. The Prime Alpha scoffed in disgust, and shouted, {with such cowardice, he'll never lead this pack.} The Eldest Son didn't bite and kept on eating. He then turned back to the Sciuridae. {Family business is always such a hassle. So, what do you think of your new home?}

{Its cosy,} Tac answered.

{I hear that you already saved a young girl's life.} Jason's eyes widened. How could he possibly know about that? And if that was the case, did he know about what was hiding in the Sciuridae's coin pouch? The Prime Alpha smiled that friendly smile of his. {I can't tell you how good it is, to see you've finally conquered your greatest fear, Tac.} Jason relaxed, realising that the Prime Alpha's remarks were about something else.

{That's not all I've conquered,*,} he said, as he made a show of pushing away the cup before him. The Prime Alpha smiled again.

{It's about time.} His words were soft, almost drowned out by the background noise. Suddenly, he grabbed the cup and downed it's contents in one gulp, before belching loudly. Tac's nose wrinkled from the smell that bombarded him, and even Jason had to wave away the stench. The Prime Alpha found the Sciuridae's reaction hilarious. He was about to say something, when he paused, his eyes focusing behind the healer. {Well, it's about * time you * showed up.}

Before Jason could move, the Sciuridae turned, allowing Jason to see whom the Prime Alpha was addressing. A group of five short, round-eared Rattus's were marching towards the table. They all wore heavy, woollen hooded cloaks, that obscured everything, but their heads.

{Who are they?} Tac asked, surprise in his voice.

{Oh, just representatives from the * Guild,} the Prime Alpha answered. {They've been in port for just over a month now.} The Rattus's took their seats at the table, on either side of the Sciuridae. As they did so, Jason was aware of their height. The Rattus was the smallest of all the Mammalian's, and the Lupus towered over them like they were toddlers. Even the Sciuridae, sitting next to them, appeared taller than he was. {They're working on a unique project for me.} The leader of the Rattus's shot the Prime Alpha a warning glare; He dismissed them. {Tac here is a dear old friend of mine. He saved my life. He can be trusted to keep his muzzle clamped.}

The lead Rattus indicated to something behind him. {What about the rest of your pack?} The Prime Alpha gave a grin Jason thought impossible for his muzzle to accomplish, before letting out a loud and long howl. Silence filled the the banquet hall as every head turned.

{Fellow Lupus, my Rattus comrades here doubt your loyalty to your Prime Alpha.} The entire room burst out laughing. Watching them all, Jason could see it was genuine; even the eldest son. When they finished, the Prime Alpha leaned in close. {As I told you when you first arrive, as I explained the numerous times you've asked, and as I shall say to you again, stop trying to compare everything we do, with your own culture.} Once more, the lead Rattus half turned, and this time, pointed. {My son just disagrees with my behaviour, not my choices. He's loyal, not stupid.}

The lead Rattus sighed in defeat. {I'll never understand you Lupus's.} The Prime Alpha barked with Laughter.

{And I'll never understand you Rattus's,} he countered. {Seriously, you * are so paranoid, it's a wonder you haven't turned on yourselves.}

{Because we know sensitive information isn't openly talked about at the dinner table.}

{And my pack knows better than to openly talk about secrets, not only in front of non-pack members but other Mammalian's.} The Rattus leader cast a sideways glance at Tac. The Prime Alpha saw this and threw both hands into the air in exasperation. {Four years ago, Tac here save my life. As I lay bleeding to death on the battlefield, this brave Sciuridae risked his safety not only to patch my wound, but look after me as I lay on death's door. There is no one I trust more in the whole world.} The lead Rattus looked directly at the Sciuridae this time.

{I'm amazed you survived at all,} Tac answered. {That wound should've killed you, long before I found you.} The Prime Alpha's laugh caused both the Sciuridae and the Rattus's ears to fold back.

{It'll take more to do me in, than being half-gutted, Tac!} Jason looked towards the said gut, which was straining to contain its self between its owner and the dinner table. {So tell me,} he suddenly barked. {How goes it?} The Rattus leader looked uncomfortable and again cast his gaze around the hall.

{You want a progress report now? And here?} The Prime Alpha was about to respond when the Rattus quickly held up his hands to forestall any argument. {All I'm saying is why not turn up at the library tomorrow? We have all our results there, and my point is, why tell you our progress when we can show you.}

{Because of three reasons. One; Half the * you ** is incomprehensible *,} the Prime Alpha answered. {Two; The only time I can understand anything you say, is when I'm enjoying myself. Three; Those kind of formalities are for the Prime Beta to deal with.} He swept an arm out across the hall. {I am having a celebration, so now you can tell me how things are going.} He leaned in close to stare the Rattus leader in the eye, his voice lowering in tone to a level that was both calm and threatening. {When I want to see anything, it will be the finished product.}

The Rattus leader audibly gulped.

{What are you celebrating, *?} Tac asked. In one fluid motion, the Prime Alpha swung his right arm towards the differently dressed female Jason had seen earlier. The one decked out in a crown and necklaces of flowers, with a cape of white.

{My latest wife,} he said, his voice full of happiness. {She is the youngest daughter of the * Pack. Their Prime Alpha wishes to ally, so he asked me to take her as family, to help seal our friendship.} The Rattus's looked alarmed.

{Are representatives from their pack here?} The Prime Alpha burst out laughing.

{* no,} he bellowed. {The lovely, * just arrived this morning from the north. The wedding isn't for another month.} He leaned in closer. {Such significant events between packs take time to organise.}

{No representatives arrived with her? She just came by herself?} The Prime Alpha nodded.

{That is our way,} he answered calmly. {It is a sign of trust that you send one Lupus of Alpha Rank. By doing this, it shows the other pack your intentions are genuine. It says that you are willing to trust them with the safety of someone significant. Multiple Lupus's not only risk the chance of there being a spy or an assassin, but sends the message, 'we don't trust you.'} He then pointed at the Rattus, {Which I've been trying to hammer into your * skull ever since you and your kind showed up here.} All the Rattus's looked uncomfortable. Finally, the lead Rattus began to speak.

{Well, the results are always the same using the cheaper made cloths,} he said. {Using the finer made fabric, appears to yield longer results.} He quickly held up a hand to interrupt the Prime Alpha. {However, we finally deduced the reason why. The quality of the finer made cloth, results in more considerable heat to the subjects, thus imprinting more of their scent onto the fabric, which is why it lasts longer.}

Jason felt a jolt run up his spine. He almost tore apart the stitches in his grasp. He turned to look up at Tac. He wished he had Glitch's hearing ability so that he could get him to ask some questions.

{So, we started running a few more tests with the cheaper cloths, mainly the ones that are heavier in materiel, and the results were the same as those of quality.}

{But what about reproducing the scent without its source?} The Prime Alpha asked as he lapped at his cup.

{The scent is unique to their physiology,} the lead Rattus explained. {We deduce that the smell is primarily due to their kind being the only species on the planet to have sweat glands.} There was no doubt about it. They were talking about Sapiens. {It is this ability, combined with their natural scent, that gives it, and their taste the famed spicy flavour to both the tongue and nose.} Jason tilted his head to one side. It was the first time he'd ever heard a description such as this, of Sapiens by a predator. {While they are a completely different species, they are, in a sense, Mammalian in their biological make-up. It brings up the possibility that we can reproduce the scent – or something similar to it – without the original host.}

{What are they talking about?} the Prime Alpha's new wife asked.

{Sapiens,} he answered off the cuff. The lead Rattus almost choked.

{What are they trying to accomplish?}

{They're trying to duplicate the Sapien scent and imprint it onto mammalian made objects.} The Rattus looked ready to explode. {Will you calm down?} the Prime Alpha gestured at him. {* isn't going to report back to her pack. She's part of our pack now; thus her loyalties lie with me.}

{Let me guess,} Tac said. {Telling her everything is part of the whole, 'We trust you,' mantra?} The Prime Alpha nodded, but this still didn't give the Rattus reason to relax.

{Is it working?} The new wife asked. The Prime Alpha shrugged.

{That's what I'm trying to find out.}

{How do you have Sapien scents to work with?} To Jason's surprise, the Sciuridae asked that.

{You're not of the * pack!} the Rattus snapped.

{But he is my friend,} the Prime Alpha said. {They have four Sapiens with them, caged up in the library, that they got at a market in the Cervidae lands. They showed up just over a month ago with four of the little creatures. They wouldn't say where they got them from, but I found out it was from the Cervidae lands.} There was a minute growl from the lead Rattus. It was so low that Jason almost missed it, despite his proximity. The Prime Alpha must have heard it because he paused to grace the mammalian with a sly smile. {Not only did they require funding on a project they were working on, but workspace were they wouldn't be bothered not only by their kind but other Mammalian's.}

{Market's in the Cervidae lands?} Tac asked. He most likely still remembered the story Jason told him about how his journey started there. All eyes turned on him, and he quickly added, {I heard there was an incident at the marketplace at Tribus City regarding Sapiens.} The lead Rattus scoffed loudly.

{A good number of the Vulpes's in the crowd were pick-pocketed and set off a riot.} Laughter erupted around the entire table; even Tac joined in. When it died down, the Rattus continued. {We had procured six, but in the unfortunate events that followed, that number got reduced to four.}

Jason's body tensed with fear, only to relax as the Rattus's words jogged his memory. That day at the market place seemed like such a long time ago, but he did remember seeing Rattus's there. They were the first Mammalian's to rush the stage; tackling the leader of the Procyon's right in front of him. Jason scrutinised the lead Rattus. He honestly couldn't tell the difference between him and the others. Was it possible there had been more than one group of Rattus's in the city? Or was it him and his friends who rushed the stage that day.

{We barely managed to escape with all of our cargo intact. Thankfully, we had witnesses who could vouch for our purchases of sale, and we were allowed to leave.} He then turned to the Prime Alpha. {However, I doubt we'll have four for long if you keep telling every Mammalian who arrives on your doorsteps.} He pointed behind him. {I wouldn't be surprised if half the city already knows.}

{They do,} the Prime Alpha answered nonchalantly. {They are loyal and know not to * secrets to anyone they don't trust.} The lead Rattus was stunned.

{What's to stop them from wanting to taste Sapien flesh? They could sneak into the library, and steal-} Everyone at the table burst out laughing, cutting him off.

{Everyone who know, also understands that you and your property are under the protection of the Prime Alpha,} a female just to the left said between fits of giggles. {To do so, would be stealing from the Prime Alpha, an act no Lupus of lower rank would dare to do.}

{But-}

The Prime Alpha silenced him by slamming his palm down onto the table, buckling it and causing everything to bounce. {I honestly don't know why I even bother explaining anything to you *. Because you never seem to grasp the fact, nor comprehend, that we are different!} He leaned across the table and bellowed that last part into the Rattus's face. Jason managed to pick up a few chuckles from the Lupus's at the other tables.

A different Rattus spoke suddenly. {You must forgive us, sir,} he quickly interjected. {You're asking us to live by your culture, which is utterly alien to us, and we are finding it difficult to adjust.} The Prime Alpha's expression did not change. {It's not that we don't trust you-}

{You don't trust me,} he snarled.

{-It's just that you're asking us to disregard a method that has kept us protected all our lives.} He paused to let that sink in, but quickly added, {surely you can understand what a culture shock that can be; And it takes time to adjust to change.} The female on the Prime Alpha's right whispered something into his ear, and he snorted derisively.

{If you want to earn my trust, then trust me with whom I tell your secret to,} the Prime Alpha said in a normal voice. {While I understand that your culture is built on a 'need to know' mentality, ours is built on trust. Keeping secrets from those who's trust you want will not earn it.} Was it his imagination, or did the Sciuridae just shift uncomfortably?

{I take it we won't be eating them?} the Prime Alpha's wife asked. {I've never tasted a Sapien before.}

{Sorry my dear,} he answered. {The Rattus's are using them, and they need all of them for their experiments; so they're not selling any.} Her ears lowered slightly.

{What do you hope to accomplish by imprinting Sapien scents onto Mammalian made cloth?} Tac asked.

{Riches,} the Prime Alpha answered. {Sapien artefacts are very expensive, so they are trying to take advantage of this market to make coin.} Jason caught a flicker of something from the lead Rattus. Not anger at the Prime Alpha explaining their plan, but rather something else.

{But surely mammalian's won't buy something that isn't of pure Sapien origin.}

{No,} the lead Rattus explained. {We are not fools. We know that we can never expect to get the same price for something that isn't genuinely Sapien. Instead, we aim to create a cheaper alternative. It won't sell for as much, but we can manufacture it, mass-produce it, and sell it to the masses as a less expensive substitute.} Jason frowned. After all their hesitation, they released that piece of information rather freely?

{You have no trouble looking after the Sapiens?} Tac asked. {Protecting them from the Lupus's?} He quickly turned to the Prime Alpha. {No offence.} The Lupus gave a gesture that showed he didn't see it as a slight.

{We have a special cage to hold them, but they keep escaping. Thankfully, they can't get out of the room.}

{Because the only way in and out is through the roof, with a rope,} the Prime Alpha added. {It was a storage cellar, and they insisted on it for security.}

{Plus, it's very dark down there, and Sapiens have poor night vision,} another Rattus volunteered. {While we are in our element.} Nobody questioned that, nor did they react to it. Jason had no idea what that meant, but apparently, everyone at the table did.

{As for protecting them from the Lupus's in the library,} the Prime Alpha said. {That door to the cellar is solid. They have a lock of Rattus manufacture on the door,} he then pointed to the lead Rattus, {and * has the only key.} Jason understood that translated into no guards. The lead Rattus looked annoyed at the spilling of secrets but kept his mouth shut.

The rest of the evening passed by, uneventfully. The talk about the Sapiens the Rattus's held dropped off when their leader managed to steer the conversation towards the Prime Alpha's new wife. It turned out that the Prime Alpha had six wives, his new bride included. Jason didn't pay much attention to that conversation. He was too busy focusing on what the previous conversation revealed. Four Sapiens were being held captive by the Rattus's. His mood turned even fouler when he realised there was nothing he could do for them.

He tried listening in on the conversations, but they were boring. Talk about trade deals with the local packs, using nomads. One of the Prime Alpha's wives suggested adding a seventh wife, to secure the allegiance of a nomad pack that often visited the city, so that they could extend their trade network to the western half of the continent. Jason wasn't quite sure of when it happened, but despite the noise and the Prime Alpha's voice, he drifted off to sleep.

---

It was the jostling that eventually woke him. Opening his eyes, he found that the coin pouch was rhythmically swinging from side to side, in sync with the thudding foot-falls of the Sciuridae. He carefully climbed over to the wall, and pulling apart the stiching, found that they were outside and descending the staircase. He couldn't spy an escort but decided to keep his mouth shut until they were safely home.

Tac was strangely silent as he walked. The surrounding houses seemed eerily dark and quiet. When they finally reached their home, the Sciuridae opened the door and stepped inside. He gently placed the coin pouch on the table, and in a low voice, indicated that Jason should remain hidden while he went upstairs to check on their guests.

He was gone for five minutes before he eventually returned. {They're both asleep,} he said, and Jason climbed out of the sack. {I take it you heard about the Rattus's particular project?}

{I'm not going to ask you to rescue them,} Jason said with a sigh. {It's impossible.} Tac settled into the chair and looked down at him.

{Jay-sun,} he said. {If you want, I will agree to your amendment.} Jason simply stared up at the Sciuridae and nodded. {But please, if the Prime Alpha asks me to help with healing someone that I need your help with, will you please help me?}

{You need to have faith in yourself,} Jason said. {I can't always be here for you. What if the Prime Alpha insists on being in the same room while we operate?} Jason caught something in Tac's expression. {What?}

{I-I, **,} Tac stammered. {Jay-sun.} He paused. {I need to be honest with you. I did not bring you to the celebration, because I didn't want you left alone with two predator's in the house while I was gone. Nor so you could get to know predator's, so you could see them as people and not monsters.} He paused again. {Well, that was half the reason.} He was silent a lot longer as he appeared to be building up the courage to say something. {I wanted to show you to the Prime Alpha.}

"What the actual fuck!?" Jason cried. The Sciuridae made calming motions as he pointed upstairs. {Why?} he hissed.

{You know why,} Tac answered. {You can't keep secrets from the Prime Alpha.} Jason thought this over. How did the guy know they saved a Lupus child? Then again, he seemed to know everything about the Rattus's. {I was going to reveal you to the Prime Alpha, explain everything about you. Why you were helping me.}

{He would've eaten me,} Jason said. Tac violently shook his head.

{No, he wouldn't have,} he insisted. {You herd about those other Sapiens, how they're under the protection of the Prime Alpha.}

{The Rattus's have coin to offer,} Jason said. {You have nothing.}

{I saved his life! I have his most profound trust!} Tac answered sternly. {Jay-sun, please, I need to show you to the Prime Alpha, otherwise he'll find out about you eventually. I can't keep you a secret forever, and you've seen what happens if you keep a secret from him. He'll find out, and I don't want to lose his trust.}

{I take it the Rattus's changed your mind?} He nodded.

{I didn't know they were here, nor what they were doing. When they started talking about Sapiens...} he trailed off, trying to find the words. {I didn't know how you would react, so I thought it best to play it safe until I knew what your opinion would be.}

{Now you care about my opinion?}

{Jay-sun, that's not fair,} he cried indignantly. {I've been trying my best to accommodate to your requests. Yes, I forced this situation upon you, but I could have forced you to do what I want. Instead, I asked you to help me. I agreed to amend our working relationship because you asked me. Please, let us work together on this problem, rather than point fingers.}

The Prime Alpha always seemed to know everything. There was no denying it. The Lupus would eventually discover him if he chose to stay hidden, and then, it would only be a matter of time. Considering the way their society put so much emphasis on trust; if he didn't step forward, there would be a possibility that the Prime Alpha would take him as compensation for the Sciuridae hiding him in the first place.

{I do not like the idea of revealing myself to predator's,} Jason said at last, {let alone one.} He pointed a finger at Tac. {Once again, I'm left with little choice but to agree with you.} He jabbed the finger at the Sciuridae harder this time. {While I thank you for amending our agreement, I am not pleased in the slightest with the situation you've put me in.}

{So you agree?} Jason made a half-strangled, half snarling sound, as he ran his hands through his hair.

{What do you think?} he snapped. {I have to because I've got no choice. The way I figure, I show myself and hope for the best, or wait until I'm eventually found out and suffer a worse fate.}

{* will not eat you, nor will anyone else,} Tac assured. {I am under his protection, and you are under mine. Remember; No one will take you because that will be stealing from the Prime Alpha.}

{And what about the Rattus's?}

{I have no intention of letting them know you are with me,} he said. {* doesn't trust them, and the way Lupus society works, if you don't trust your host with your secrets, they won't confide in you with theirs.}

Jason could only nod, and with that, the conversation was over. Tac gently wrapped his furry fingers around Jason and lifted him off the table. {Come,} he said. {It's best, we go to bed. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet the Prime Alpha, and please Jay-sun, trust me when I say you'll be fine. I promise you this, you will not – and never shall – end up in a predator's stomach.}

While that was comforting, it wasn't reassuring. Tac constructed a bed for Jason, high on a shelf that was level with the top of a window. From here, Jason could see directly out onto the mountainside, covered in rock, dirt and trees. He still had misgivings about the whole deal. He would be revealing himself to, not just a predator, but half the damn city? Well, if one was to believe the Prime Alpha when he said half the population already knew about the Sapien's in the literal basement.

Yet, after a month, they were still uneaten. However, they were hidden behind a heavily locked door, while Jason was hidden behind - what exactly? He looked back at the open window. He thumped the bed in frustration. What could he do? Escape? And go where? All training stressed that you should never escape unless you had a destination in which you could reach.

Then he paused. The Rattus's did say that their Sapien captives had escaped multiple times, but couldn't get out of the room. They wouldn't do that unless they were trying to find a way out of the cellar, which would mean that they had an escape route to follow once they got out. He could help them, and even join them on their escape home.

He turned back to the Sciuridae. That would mean abandoning him. The thought made him feel something he shouldn't have; regret. He tugged at his hair in frustration. What the hell was he going to do?