Jerome had a hard time coping with the border around the meadow, making sure that Rob never crossed. But while he constantly checked, it did Rob good to learn boundaries, especially with Jerome always watching.

Rob made it clear that he had no desire to be mauled, as he stayed far from the meadow. He kept a constant gap of minimally 5 yards. Jade continued to stay active among the pack, and the pack took to her presence quickly.

Now with an alpha and omega, the pack flourished. Two members of the same bloodline- twins, even- made arguments practically nonexistent.

Mitch went to stay with Kenny and Kara a while, and got Kenny used to the Wilds. Kara was at home in the Wilds, and after a few weeks of her living with the pack, I saw a side to her no one else saw. I confronted her about it.

"Yes?"

"Is there something you wish to express? Why do you look so pained?"

"This is my element. I have to contain myself."

"Why? If this is your element, express that. Do not confine yourself."

"Fine."

She crouched down, then sprinted off, bouncing not off trees, rocks, and bushes. She stopped next to me.

"Kara, are you a hybrid?"

"Yes."

"What-"

"Rabbit. Sorcerer-raised."

"Sorcerer? They still exist?"

"Yeah. He lives not far from here."

"In the Wilds? Or the city?"

"Wilds. He never took to the city."

She led me a few miles west, to a cottage in the trees, suspended by hundreds of thick vines. My fear of heights started to kick in.

"He lives up there?!"

"Yeah, why?"

"I-I-"

"What?"

"I- I am afraid of heights."

"It's not that high."

"Kara. The shoulders of Jerome are too high. That is over one hundred feet in the air, suspended by vines. No thank you."

A shadow was cast on me from behind, seemingly out of nowhere. I turned to find a man with chocolate brown eyes and sandy brown hair pulled in a rat tail. He wore purple and gray, a royal purple cloak tumbling down his back from his shoulders.

He kneeled down and sat on the grass next to me.

"Hello, creeper."

"H- hello."

"You speak! I have never seen nor heard a creeper speak English. Especially one of your caliber. Lava creepers are very specific of their language. Can you speak the language?"

I nodded.

"I'm a little rusty, but can you tell me your name in your own language?"

"Preston."

"Beautiful. Preston, is it? I love the language. Now Kara, why have you come?"

"He never knew there were still sorcerers. I wanted him to meet you."

"Oh. Well, here I am. Still alive, I think."

"Sir, is there a way you can fix his leg? He's been badly injured, and I can't heal it enough."

"No problems. But I see he's also missing a leg. What happened, Preston?"

"Hunter. A bear trap clawed through the muscles and made it useless."

"Well, have it back."

He flourished his left hand, it flashed purple, and my weight distributed evenly again over four legs. The pain in my other leg disappeared, and I stood perfectly level.

I bounded to him and curled up against him. His body temeperature negated mine, and made me comfortable. Too comfortable, because I fell asleep.

~~+~~+~~+~~+~~+~~+~~
-???'s POV- (I think you can guess)

The creeper melted into my arms, peacefully asleep. I could feel him actually melting, enveloping my arms in lava. He still slept.

"Kara," I whispered, "I'm going to take him inside. Go to his family to tell them where he is. He'll be out for a while."

"Sir, his mother has been dead for a few years now. He lives with the baccas east of here."

"Orphaned? At his age? Really?"

My sharp tone made him stir, and I shut my mouth. Kara and I had a small silent conversation, trying to figure out what had happened and how to deal with his situation.

~~+~~+~~+~~+~~

-A/N-

Okay I'm creeped out. That chapter ended at 666 words... On the dot. Don't like it. Holy crap. The conversation is held off so you have to wait for the sorcerer's name, although I think you can guess.

Love you guys!
                      ~Percabeth1Jackson