WHEN WILL I LEARN

So here I am, and I will not run.
She watched as the pups tumbled out into the warm day one by one, trying to shake the feeling that something was wrong. Frist it was Integra, and a soft smile pulled at her jaws at the happiness her eldest daughter showed. Then it was Atreides, the only male. Finally it was Sirius- and Bellona came out last, tumbling into the open area. Roman left them to their own devicies, confident that they would be safe. "Play m'dears. Your father is off hunting, I think. So it's time to play! Stay close to the den- and don't leave the clearing!" She commanded, giving Bellona a stern look.

She laid back on the rock, to let the pups play- and she closed her eyes, a small sigh leaving her. She could hear the chirping of birds.... and something crashing in the wood? Roman raised her head slowly. No wolf would make that kind of noise... She took in a deep breath, and her heart stopped and her blood ran cold.

Bear.

Letting out a panicked bark, she leaped down from her rock- herding the kids with a panicked look. "Back into the den!" She cried, and growled at Bellona when she started to question it. "NOW!" She didn't wait to see if they obeyed, because there was a stirring right in the clearing- and she turned, her defenses automatically falling into place as she did. Her claws dug into the ground, her chin tucking slightly- eyes narrowing- then widening again as she processed what she saw. Holy. Shit.

There wasn't just one bear. There were two. "Gods alive." She breathed. These were Kodiak bears- and they were huge. "Integra! Take your siblings to the back of the den! Stay in there until you're called!" She barked, trying and failing to keep her voice calm. She prayed to the gods that they'd listen for once. She let out a short howl for help, but it was strangled and garbled. Shaking her head, she advanced on the bears, her teeth bared and a nasty snarl leaving her throat. She was an Armada and Armada's never backed down from a fight no matter what their opponent was.

"Get out!" She snapped, her teeth slamming shut with an audible click. Roman didn't know she could be this afraid. Her heart hammered in her chest- and she wondered if the bears could smell her fear-scent? She tried to call back all the training she knew, but it was complicated. Her mind kept going back to her neighbors and how they didn't belong here- why couldn't the bears have slaughtered them?! She let out a hissing breath, her violet eyes narrowing in determination, and she jumped forward, darting past the bears, she heard them rumble as they turned to follow her. At least she could lead them away from the kids. She'd done it before... but could she now? Could she lead the bears to her neighbors territory? A grim smile lit her jaws as she ran.

Guts over fear. The time is here.

She slowed down slightly, to see if the bears were still following and she let out a strangled yelp as a large brown paw slammed into her hips. Not again. The claws raked through her fur, and she tumbled- her body stopping when she hit a rock. She let out a shriek of pain and terror as she sank to the ground, her violet eyes widening as the bears approached- roaring.

She couldn't die here- her kids needed a mother! She couldn't leave them like her mother had left her! Her empire needed her! She had neighbors to kill- dammit all- this wasn't fair! She tried to stand in vain- a burning pain raced through her hips when she moved, and she swallowed a cry of pain. Were they broken? The bear reared up as it approached-- was that malice in it's black eyes? She bit back a cry, letting out a furious snarl as it took it's final steps on it's hind legs, and let out a roar as it brought it's fore-legs crashing down on her. Roman let out one last strangled cry, and fell into the blackness- as it welcomed her with open arms.

Can't feel anything- when will I learn?