It was different than last time.

There was no doe now - no gentle, weary creature for him to watch over with keen and hungry eyes. Perhaps his tastes ran differently now that his family was growing, his little pack of daughters and granddaughters. Those whose blood ran just as cold, following at his heels.

Peep walked amongst them, as she had many moons ago, and the smell was the same as she remembered. Blood and death. It didn’t matter how clean the massive Kiokote was, he carried with him a cloying scent, as if each kill lingered in his fur.

She saw him first, even in the gloom. 

But they weren’t alone in the dusk filled clearing.

Pretty Teeth nipped at her as she passed by, never daring to make contact but laughing at her own daring anyway.

Howling watched from a safe distance, red eyed ever watchful. There wasn’t much of Fluke in her, not on the outside. She seemed solely her father’s offspring. But Peep had watched her grow, along with her siblings, and eased their mother through difficult times. She knew there was more there, and even though Howling ran with her father, there was kindness deep within.

Enough, she wanted to say.

Surely he had enough family now.

But who was she to say that?

She who had borne many of her own, including his.

They were a treasure, a gift, the loves of her life.

Peep looked at him.

The great beast of a Kiokote, darker than night, sharp teeth catching the light.

He stared back, glowering red eyes, nostrils flared.

You’re back, his gaze said. It wasn’t a friendly look but she didn’t fear his violence. She was here for a reason and he knew it.

He had been waiting.

Peep looked around once more, seeking while knowing the doe in question was not there. He’d either hidden her away or they were just as wild as he was. She hoped it was the latter. Surely there were those out there attracted the sheer brutality and madness that was Big Bad.

What would those children be like?

Without softness to balance him out would they be wild and uncontrollable?

Would his madness infect them too?

Peep wondered what it would be like to lie beside him again, to feel each rumbling growl, his hot breath of her cheek, simultaneously loving and threatening. It felt so long ago. She had been so young then, so full of love and hope.

He grunted to pull her attention back to the present.

“I’m here to bless you,” she said.

Big Bad grunted again, this time with a hint of laughter. He scratched his shoulder against a tree, slow and jagged movements, always staring her down. He teetered at the edge of madness but wasn’t quite there yet.

There were many things she could ask from the MotherFather but when she opened her mouth, her most earnest wish was -

“I hope they are happy.”

That was all she asked for.

Regardless of what that meant.