A Heart’s Determination

Jay continuously tried to talk to Dawn after that breakthrough. He asked her a bunch of questions like what her hobbies were, her favorite foods, ect. She stayed silent and eventually turned on him and hissed out that it was none of business.

Crux's clouded leopard coat was barely visible on the edge of camp. Jay bounded over to him. "That girl is so stubborn, I don't know what to do. She won't talk to me. I don't even fully understand why she's mad." "Don't worry my friend," he said, patting Jay on back. "Keep trying. She'll come around soon, I sense it. Oddly enough I can't read her thoughts. She's way too guarded, like some of the others in this tribe, but I get inklings and vibes. She wants to care." "Geez, I wasn't gonna give up on her man! She's my daughter, I was just venting disappointment. You got so dramatic." Crux merely laughed. "Well, it's nearly Christmas. Maybe you can do something spectacular for her." "Damn!" Jay yelled suddenly. "I just remembered something… come on!" he said smacking Crux on the shoulder. They dashed off towards Brian and Crystal having a conversation about the injured rescued prisoners, but Jay interrupted them. "Honey I didn't even realize they were born in October. I can't believe I missed Halloween!" he said now talking at Brian. "How was it?!" Brian replied solemnly, "Honestly Jay, we didn't even celebrate. I mean, your cubs had just been born, we were still in mourning for you, it was a bit chaotic. We very well couldn't have our party without our mascot, the King of Halloween, now could we?" "What?" Crystal said inquisitively mocking. "Surely you've heard hon. I'm one of the mythical monsters? And the one and only Prince of Darkness, master prankster." He just kept smiling away and continued. "Maybe we can totally celebrate it on New Years." "Yeah! New Years costume party!" Brian cheered.

"Woah, woah, woah, guys. You can't just skip the whole month." Logan said walking up to their party. "Anyway, I've got great news for Christmas. An old friend of mine is having turkeys shipped here. We actually get to eat some and then the rest will breed and we'll have a different food source running about." "I've never had turkey," Crystal remarked. "I imagine most people here haven't. I can't wait to see their reactions."

Amongst all of excitement Jay suddenly froze. He turned, panicked, towards Brian. "Where are my kids?!" I was supposed to be watching them." Before anyone else heard the scream, Jay bolted towards the outside of camp. He was choking on his fear. His vampire speed fully kicking in without any problem whatsoever; the first time since he had been rescued. He ran through the pain quickly closing the mile gap between him and them. He slid to a halt at the scene, stirring up a large cloud of dust. A huge hyena was chasing Dawn, while Dusk was high up in a tree. Without thinking or hesitation, Jay raced after them. Right before he reached the beast, Dawn let out a screeching wail as she tripped over a rock and went sailing through the air. Almost simultaneously her father tackled the hyena to the ground in a vicious flailing mass of fur, blood, and claws. The disgraceful creature finally broke away, mawed and yelping for it's pathetic life. Jay stood between it fleeing and Dawn, who was sprawled out on the ground in pain. His stance was rigid, fangs and claws dripping with blood, defiance spiking through Jay's pelt, blazing rage pouring from his piercing blue eyes.

He soon took a breath, like regaining his consciousness. He slowly turned towards the quivering cub, legs shaking with fear. Her back leg was bleeding and at a bad angle, her teeth clenched in pain. Her eyes were huge and her pelt fluffed up. Jay was almost in as much shock as he was. Saying nothing, he went over to her and curled himself around her, cradling her in his arms. Dawn couldn't muster any negative feelings towards him at that moment, he had saved her life. He instinctively began licking her, not only to calm her down but himself as well. Dusk slowly climbed down the tree and ran over to them, huddling next to him as well, wildly checking around for more predators. The rest of the family that were aware of the situation ran up with medical supplies, completely shocked at the bloody scene they found. Still caught up in the ordeal, Jay remained protective as Brian fashioned a splint, and even towards Crystal when she ran up from behind them, startling him he let out a low growl. He carried Dawn all the way back to camp and didn't leave her side all night.

When she finally stirred the next morning from the painkillers Brian had given her, she just whispered "thank you." Jay was just sitting staring at her. He just scooted closer and whispered back, "Nothing like this will ever happen again. I'm so sorry honey. This was all of my fault." Hearing that Dawn was finally awake, Dusk and Crystal rushed in. Dawn however was groggy and only half awake. Dusk looked shyly over at her Father and ran to hug him. He was a little taken aback at this sudden show of affection. She looked up at him from her embrace with kitten eyes and said "Thank you. You saved my sister's life." He teared up, hugging her back. "I would give my life for any of you." Crystal started crying too, joining the family hug.

Dawn stirred a little more as Brian walked in to do a check up on her. She groaned a little and rolled over, eyes still cloudy with sleep. "How's she doing brother?" Jay asked from the corner. "Oh, she's doing really great. Her speed healing is working well." Dawn flicked her ears. "Dad?...Can I go home?" Jay just let out a crying laugh and Brian nodded to him. "You sure can sweetie," he said, not being able to hide a giant smile of her actually acknowledging him. "The beds here suck anyway," he remarked laughing at Brian. Leg still broken, Jay scooped Dawn up, purring the whole way back to their den. He spent the rest of the day right above the den hollow keeping Dusk busy playing ball, while Dawn rested. He finally felt accepted and at peace; all was safe.

Dusk finally went to sleep. That's when Crystal came up and nudged him playfully. He was exhausted, but he couldn't resist her. She kept kissing him all over and whispered "I'm so proud of you," as she ran her fingers through his mane, that was now fully grown back. With all of his soul, starlight reflecting in his eyes, he said "I love you" in a way that made that moment sound endless. They spent the night together under the moonlight like when they first met.

Dawn, not being able to move much, actually spent the entire day talking to Jay, finally opening up a little. Her favorite food was surprisingly Alligator. "I believe you also asked me what my hobbies were." she said. "Personally I like woodcarving, even bone carving. These metal claws come in handy, not just for destroying." "I've never tried bone carving, but I LOVE WOOD CARVING!" Jay replied. "Come with me," he called over his shoulder, bounding off towards the stage area. She hobbled after him as fast as she could, delightfully confused. He was waiting for her outside of a large shed, just grinning ear to ear. "I thought this was used for instrumental storage," she quizzically said. "Ohh, yeah occasionally. Sure, I've built a couple guitars here, but I've got way better things to show off to you." He opened up the doors and she just gazed in awe at his workshop. He had a giant unfinished wooden dragon right in the center. "That's amazing." she gasped. "Yeah. I started that when I first met your mom. Passion was just flowing through me and out of my paws it seemed. Unfortunately, I was interrupted," he said, giving her half a smile. "...You know I never meant to abandon you. Hell, I didn't even know you existed. I hope one day you can forgive me and know in your heart that I really do love you." She turned and faced him. "I know." she said curtly. "And I now understand you didn't leave on purpose. You accidently bit her and you ran in fear. I get it. I fear that all of the time playing with my cousins." She saw how touched he was by her words and gave him a quick hug. Then something in the corner caught her eye and she yelled "no way!" running over to an old pair of go-karts. "Do they run?!" "I would need to tune them up, but they should work just fine." he smiled. "Me and Brian used to race laps around the camp. Dusk will love them too, buuuuut I wouldn't mind a brotherly rematch either... Great idea Dawn!" he said, starting to haul one of them out. :God. It's been ages."

Jay had to pick up Dawn in order for her to get into the go-kart, but he handed her a wrench and she got right to it. They were at it for days, and even Dusk came to help, giving the karts updated paint jobs. She greatly impressed her Father when she put an ice dragon on one and a fire dragon on the other. Logan and Crystal set up a dirt track around the camp perimeter, with two checker painted boulders marking the starting line. Nearly everyone spent the next two days either placing bets or racing each other. The family felt whole again.