Chapter 4: The Quest (written from June 3rd to June 26th, 2014)

"So... this is it," said Terra. She held her tears in as best as she could. She knew this was all part of life. It's what her mother would've wanted.

Stormfast was beside her, felling sorry. He knew how she felt, probably worse. His father, Owen, had died when he was a Beta during one of the worst blizzards of Jasper. He remembered that cold day when the world looked like it was completely covered in ice, where there was no noise besides the screams of the howling winds and the yelps of wolves who were desperate in their own dens to find warmth. It had started as just any other frigid mourning in the snowstorm. Stormfast was outside with the other Betas, training under his instuctor, Smokey to become an Alpha. All was ordinary until noon when the white sky started producing thunder, a rare event known as thundersnow. That's when Tony, the pack leader at the time had ordered everybody to head to their dens until further notice. Lightnining was never underestimated in any wolf pack. They were the starters of wildfires.

Stormfast then started racing to get in his family den. When he made it to the entrance, just to his surprise, neither his mother nor his father was there. Had they gone out to hunt? No... A large piece of meat was buried next to the den. He could smell it.

Stormfast decided to wait in the cave. He knew they would return sooner or later. But unluckily, minutes turned into hours and hours turned into a few days until the storm was finally away as the sun heated up the land hospitably. That's when he saw his Alpha mother, Debby again but she was all by herself. And she was crying. Stormfast was not prepared to know what she had told him. His parents were looking for him. She informed that she and his father, Owen had been searching for him-only to find out that he was at home all this time. But that wasn't the thing that he wasn't prepared to hear. It was this: he had lost his father.

He had gotten a cold while they were looking for him and due to the fact that he refused to eat the rest of his meat so his mate could live, his body didn't have the necessary energy to fight it off. He had died a day before Debby received word of Stormfast's whereabouts. He would never forget that day just like how he'll never forget this one.

Justin was lying on the den floor, laying upon a pelt of a young deer Henry had hunted down a week ago. His body was aching in pain and his breathing deteriorated to wheezing.

"Stormfast?" He whispered unintentionally.

"Yes, sir?"

"Please don't call me 'sir.' Makes me feel like a pack leader. Call me "Dad."

"Sorry. Yes, Dad."

"That's more like it. I am honored to be in your presence."

"Why?" Stormfast asked.

"I hear you're a special wolf, a legend specifically like your son. I heard about what you did as a pup. That's pretty impressive."

"I know that."

"My daughter is lucky to have you."

"It's true," Terra acknowledged. "And no motter what happens, I'll always love you, Dad."

"Me too," he added. "By the way, I think now is the right time for your offspring to join us. Did you tell them all already Stormfast?"

"Yes, sir... I mean Dad! Sorry. I haven't said that in forever."

"I understand son. Terra told me about Owen."

"You don't need to feel sorry for me. It's part of life. Nothing can change that."

"Wolves, report!" Terra called out. Three seconds later, she howled. After a while, her sons and dughters came. Autumn was allowed to come in too. Whereupon, they all gathered around Justin.

"Hey wolves, your grandfather has something to share to each of you so pay attention," Stormfast insisted.

"How are you wolves doing?" Justin asked, trying to smile.

"Good," they all anwsered in unison.

"That's great. As you all may know it is only a short time until my passing."

"Passing? What passing?" said Autumn.

"Dad! We agreed not to tell her, remember?" Henry's father had completely forgotten.

"Oh, dang it! I forgot!"

"Wait a minute, is this what you two both were hiding from me? Justin's passing?" she questioned. Henry nodded. "Ha! I told you I'd divulge sooner or later!" That made Justin chuckle. "Why were you both hiding that from me anyway?"

"We'd thought you'd get too sad," said Stormfast.

"Too sad? In case you don't realize, my father is gone so I'm sure I can be mature."

"That's good to hear," said Terra, "but I believe Justin deserves the right to talk right now."

"Thank you Terra," he responded. Next, he took a deep breath as the cave became silenced. Everybody could hear the whistling noise in his chest.

"Stormfast. You'll always be a son to me. Don't forget that."

"I won't," Stormfast promised.

"Terra. You and Rhys are the best daughters any father could have. Your heart and intelligence in unparralled."

"Thank you Dad," said Terra who was beginning to cry. He mate offered his shoulder but she declined for now.

"Henry. I know you will be come a great leader someday. Word of advice: don't let anyone stop your good ambitions."

"Thank you Justin."

"Autumn. Take care of Henry. Make sure his choices are well thought through."

"Oh, I will," she assured, eyeing her boyfriend.

"Hannah. I know you'll be a great Omega. I hear you're enrolling to the faculty of Omega School. That's awesome."

"Thanks Justin."

"Arthur. Don't be afraid to try new things. I know you're really smart."

"I'll look into it," said Arthur.

"And Martini. How is your boyfriend?"

"Andrew? He's fine in the Northern Pack," she answered.

"Good. Tell him that his girlfriend is an exceptional Alpha who is good at fulfilling his duties."

"I sure will." She smiled.

"Now... Stormfast and Terra... I need you to do an important favor for me."

"What is it that you want us to do?" Terra asked. "Whatever it is, we'll do it as your final wish." Her mate nodded in agreement

"I need you two to go to the Pack of Honesty and tell them of my passing. It will make me feel better if they know."

"We will do it," Stormfast assured.

"Wait. How will we find them?" Terra asked.

"Himm... Let me retrace my steps... From the Pack of Honesty, I had headed north, following your scent. I had crossed two creeks and climbed over several mountains. The northernmost mountains were the tallest and they were a part of the mountain range that surrounds this region. In fact..." Justin then dragged his body outside. Stormfast and Terra moved out of his way. Afterwards, Justin slowly lifted his right front paw and pointed at the mountain directly souh of the den in the distance. "I believe that's the last mountain I crossed until I made it here in the valley.'

"I see," said Stormfast. "So... to get to the Pack of Honesty we have to reverse everything you just said. We have to head south and pass that tall mountain with several smaller mountains, cross two creeks, then shortly after that we'll make it."

"Correct."

"Whoa. That's a long journey," said Terra.

"Oh, wait. I forgot to mention something important," said Justin. "After you pass the creeks, you must go around the pack in front of the Pack of Honesty.'

"The Northern River Pack?"

"Correct Terra. I'm glad you rememeber. That pack isn't very fond of us so be careful."

"What if we get lost?" Stormfast asked.

"You won't. On my way here, I had set down scent marks along the way so if you get lost, you can smell your way back on track." Justin soon began coughing uncontrollably. He dropped to his back and laid on the grass. Stormfast and Terra helped him walk back to the den and lay down.

"We'll really miss you," said Henry.

"I know you will. Always remember me. I know... you all will do... what's right for each other..." He slowly closed his eyes and smiled. It was over... The cycle of life had taken its course. Terra finally broke loose and cried on Stormfast's shoulder.

"See you later Dad," he heard her whisper. He patted her back.

"There, there, my mate. It's okay. I know it hurts." Henry, Hannah, Arthur, and Martini had never seen their father talk this way before. They knew he loved their mother dearly. He would do anything good for her.

As she cried on his shoulder, Terra was feeling thankful. Thankful that she had Stormfast, her mate, her partner in this universal type of social connection called love.

"Thank you," she responded.

"No problem," Stormfast replied. He lifted his muzzle into the sky and howled.

(Howling)

All I see

Is you in the stars

It's where I'll be

No matter how far

I know you're sad

Oh, so am I

But it isn't so bad

As long as your mine

We have our lives

So stick with me tonight

We'll light up the park

We'll make our own mark

We have our voice

And we have our choice

The world at our paws

As long as we give it our all

On that night

We stared at each other

It was gonna be alright

We were meant to be together

Even know we now are grown

We haven't came apart

None of us will be alone

We are one with the stars

Oh, you are so daring

So extraordinary and caring

I would be a fool not to love you

But cool if I touched you

The words by the stars

Inspires who we are

So please don't forget me

You're all that I need

I know...

You've been through it all

Oh my gosh, you glow...

You wouldn't let yourself fall

I feel...

Your pain inside

I know it's real

But soon it'll be just fine

Please... Please... I get the notion

But it won't kill our motivation

All I see

Is us in the stars

It's where we'll always be

No matter how far

(Howling stops)

"That was beautiful," said Terra

"Where did you learn that?" Autumn asked.

"Let's just say my great-grandfather left a lot behind," Stormfast replied.

Next: Chapter 5: New Beginnings