My reunion with Max had triggered a thought in my mind that I hadn't really thought of before. My family saved me. Being banished had hardened my heart and turned me into a cynical and hateful wolf. Meeting Max had helped a lot, but once he was gone I thought I'd be a bitter and brooding wolf the rest of my life.
If I had never found my way back here by accident who knows what would have happened. I'd probably still be all alone in the middle if nowhere, and everyone I know here would probably be dead. But luckily fate brought me back here and I was able to save my friends and family. And after I saved them from physical harm, they saved me from myself.
I'd be lying if I said everything was a hundred percent perfect after I got back. The first couple days I was back I kept having this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that none of this would last, that everyone would turn on me again and I'd be forced into exile once again. I tried my hardest to push that out of my head but it kept growing and growing. Then everything with Alex happened and before I knew it I woke up and was suddenly a father. After that all my worries seemed to wash away. All I cared for anymore was to protect these pups from anything and everything for as long as I lived. My hatred and all My grudges I had for everyone just seemed to vanish and I think that was for the best.
And that's not even mentioning those who I consider to be my family but aren't bound to me by blood. David, Andy, and Smitty found me when I was at my lowest and taught me how to survive on my own.
Then finally there's Max. Had I never found him I don't k ow what would have happened to me during that time. My thoughts had been getting progressively more and more dark before I had found him and if I hadn't I fear I would have spiraled into insanity. But he pulled me back from that dangerous path.
And then of course there the love of my life, Kate. It had felt as though a bullet went straight through my heart when she decided to not defend me when I was first banished and I had tried my damndest to hate her, to despise everything about her. However, every time I thought of her it still gave me such a warm feeling, even if it was mixed in with the gut wrenching feeling of betrayal. Still, it was there and never let me fully hate her. And once I got back and found out it was her who had cleared my name, a weight was from me and I no longer felt like an idiot for still loving her. Then finding out we were going to start a family together shattered that rough exterior I had grown while in exile. My four pups are one of the greatest things that happened in my life. Now I'm about to add one more member to this family.
Kate, Max, and I are currently on our way to her parents, the head alphas, den to get their permission for max to stay in the pack. I doubt that they'd say no, but it's still the rule and just because Kate is their daughter doesn't make us exempt from those rules.
It was somewhat early in the morning, so I was carrying Max on my back since he was still tired and wanted to continue sleeping. Considering how early we were up, I couldn't blame the poor little guy. Out of the corner of my eye I couldn't help but notice Kate smirking at me.
"What?" I asked awfully as I looked over at her.
"You carrying him like that just looks adorable!" she giggled.
"I'd always do this for him when it was just the two of us. He really loved it. Though he's gotten a little bit bigger since we last did this," I chuckled, not that I really minded it anyways.
Just then we heard a small yawn and I could feel Max moving around d on my back. "Well good morning sleepy head." I said looked back at him.
"Good Morning dad," he said smiling at me, still appearing to be half asleep.
"So, you excited to become a member of this pack?" I asked him.
Max perked up and his smile widened as his tail began wagging a mile a minute. "Yup! I can't wait to meet all the new wolves here, and having a new family makes me so happy!" he explained excitedly.
It warmed my heart seeing him like this, being so happy and excited despite all that he's through. Not many wolves could go through what he has and keep such an upbeat attitude.
We were just passing by the healers den when I felt Max fidget around a bit on my back. I turned around to see him snagging the air with a puzzled looked on his face.
"What is it, Max?" I questioned, catching Kate's attention as she too looked back at Max.
"I…" he paused, taking another big sniff of something. "I smell someone familiar. Someone I haven't seen in forever." With a big smile on his face he jumped off my back and ran straight into the healers den.
"Hey, Max!" I exclaimed. But he just ignored me and continued on. I sighed, looking back at Kate. She just shrugged and we both ran after him.
We got to the entrance of the den and Kate decided to wait outside. I walked in and the first thing I saw was Earl looking quizzically at something. I followed his gaze and found Max talking with that one wolf I brought here earlier. I did not expect to see Max hugging him though and talking so casually to him. I could only assume how they knew each other.
"So, it seems the two of you know each other," I said walking over to them. Max looked back at me and nodded hid head with a wide grin.
"Yup, he was one of my only friends when we were back in Alex's pack," Max stated. I could see that even mentioning the name made both wolves uncomfortable which I couldn't blame them. Living under that wolves rule just seems like hell.
"Well, I'm happy you too got to see each other again, and I'm sorry to cut the reunion short but we really do need to get going," I told them.
Max looked a little upset, but nodded his head. "okay dad, I'm coming," he said. "Goodbye Nikolai" Max waved before trotting back over to me.
"Goodbye, Max," he said smiling and waiving back.
Max and I walked out to where Kate was waiting for us, looking expectantly at me. "I guess Max here knew Nikolai from there time in Alex's pack. So when he caught his scent he wanted to go say hi," I explained to her.
Kat nodded her hear in understanding, "Well I'm happy you were able to see him again,, Kate smiled. That smile quickly turned into a scowl though and I knew exactly what was coming. "However, I never want you running off like that again. You make sure either your father or I are with you or know where you are going," she chastised the pup. "Understand?"
Max, at this point, had his ears pressed on his head. "Yes mommy, I understand."
"Good, now let's get going again," Kate smiled before walking off.
Max and I lagged behind her a bit and I could tell Max was upset. It didn't take a genius to guess why, but I still needed to make sure.
"What's wrong bud?" I questioned.
He seemed to hesitate for a second, but I gave him a reassuring smile. "Does mommy not like me anymore?" he asked. Now I knew he was upset because of Kate, but I didn't think he take it that seriously.
"No of course not. She still loves you very much," I assured him. But he didn't look convinced.
"Then why did she talk to me like that. She seemed very angry with me," he sounded like he was about to cry. I could oy assume he felt this way because the only other time wolves talked to him like that was when he was in Alex's pack, and they for sure did not hold any strong feeling of love towards him. So he probably assumed that all wolves who talk like that just don't like you.
"That's just what parents do when their pups misbehave. She was just worried about you more than anything. I promise that she still loves you very much."
"oh, okay." That seemed to cheer him up as he perked up a bit.
I then told him we should catch up to his mom and we got to her side right as we got to the entrance of her parents den. We all loved at each other , before Kate and I looked down at Max with a smile, and I motioned for us to go in. We all walked in and found Garth and Lilly in there talking with Eve and Winston. Winston noticed us walk in and smiled.
"Well, hello you two," He greeted. Kate and I returned the greeting before Kate turned her attention to her sister.
"So what brings you two here?" Kate asked Lilly and Garth. They both grinned happily at each other and then at Kate and I.
"Well you two being here makes this easier," Lilly giggled. "I'm pregnant!"
That got everyone in the den to congratulate the two, as all of Lilly's family came and gave her a hug. After all the excitement died down, Winston looked back over at Kate and I.
"So, why did you two come here?" Winston questioned.
I smiled, "Obviously, I'm sure your all aware of my time away from the pack," I said, causing all of them to looked slightly uncomfortable and shameful as they nodded their heads. "Well, there was quite a few things that happened to me there, most bad but there were a few bright lights in that darkness," I stated, side stepping and showing everyone Max, who looked shyly at them all.
"Wait, you found him all alone in the woods?" Eve asked. "and why are we just learning about this now?" They all looked pretty confused about the while thing.
"I didn't actually find him alone," I said solemnly. "Alex and a couple of his wolves killed his parents and threw them into a river. I found Max floating between the two of them." I heard Lilly choke on a sob as she exclaimed how terrible that is. "Fortunately I was there to save him and tried raising him by myself. Unfortunately, Alex came around again and took Max away. I honestly thought he was dead until yesterday. But that's a whole other story, we're not here because of that."
"Then why are you here?" Winston asked.
"Well, you know the rules. Any new wolf must be accepted by the head wolves, that being you two of course," Kate said pointing at Winston and Eve.
That got the two to smirk at each other. "Well, not anymore." Eve stated, getting everyone else, save for Winston, to looked quizzically at them.
"What do you mean?" Garth asked.
"Eve and I have been the pack leaders for a very long. With the death of my parents coming so early in my life it forced this responsibility on me much sooner than was the usual. I've decided that because of this I find it only natural that I take an early retirement. Luckily, I know two very capable wolves who can take over for us." Winston said, looking over at Kate and myself.
"Wait, you mean…"Kate began.
"Yes. Your mother and I have talked over it a lot lately and we think you and Humphrey are ready to take over our responsibilities."
To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. I kind of expected that this would happen eventually, but not this soon. Usually, the head alphas retired when they were basically on deaths doorstep. So this was for sure a shocker to both Kate and I.
"I, I don't know what to say," I stammered. Kate wasn't fairing any better. I felt that both of us were excited, confused and nervous all at the same time. This was a major responsibility, and while Kate has been being prepared for this her whole life, I hardly know anything about leading a pack.
"Well, you could say yes," Winston chuckled. I mean, obviously I would have to say yes. It would be an insult to Winston and Eve to refuse such a thing. Still, like I said, I haven't been prepared for anything like this. Sure, I used to be the leader of the omega but that only amounted to me making sure all of us were getting along well enough. My thoughts began to get away from me as I filled with anxiety. I would have been stuck there has I not felt a paw land on my shoulder.
I looked over and saw Kate giving me a reassuring smile. Almost instantly my nerves settled and I felt much better. Yes, I may not know much about being a leader to an entire pack, but with Kate by my side, I'm sure I'll do just fine.
"Of course we'll accept," Kate said.
"Perfect!" Eve exclaimed.
"It'll be nice to be able to relax after so long. Running this pack these last few years has definitely given me my fair share of headaches," Winston chuckled. Yah, with everything that's gone on in just the past 4 years alone I can see why anyone would want to retire.
"So, shall we call for everyone," Winston motioned towards the exit of the den. We all agreed and made our way out of the den and to the ledge where meetings were help. Upon getting there, Winston let out a summoning howl, signaling that a meeting was to be held and anyone that heard the howl was required to attend.
As wolves began arriving, my thoughts began wandering again. This was going to be a major leap forward in my life. I've never held such responsibility, and I'd be lying if I said I was terrified that I would make for a good leader. However, I'm sure with Kate by my side she would help point me in the right direction if I ever needed guidance.
Soon enough, nearly every wolf was in attendance, all wondering why they were called here. Tony had arrived as well and took a seat next to Garth. I could tell that he knew exactly what this was going to be as he seemed content and relaxed.
As the last of the wolves trickled in, Winston stood up and all conversation stopped as they gave all their attention to their leader. Their soon-to-be former leader.
"Wolves of the United pack, I'm sure you are all wondering why it is I called you here. I will make the explanation as simple and quick as I can, because I'm sure the aftermath of this announcement will lead to much conversation. So to put it bluntly, My mate, Eve, and I are stepping down as the head alphas over this pack." As Winston said that, their were gasps and murmurs among the pack. Obviously this cams as a surprise to everyone. Talking began to get louder and more abundant until Winston held up a paw, silencing them all once again.
"I know to do so this early in my life is strange. However, I feel that I have served my purpose as your leader, and that I need to step down and let the next generation take over. And I believe the two wolves I have picked to take our spot are more then qualified to lead this pack." Winston looked back at Kate and I and motioned for us to step forward.
"my daughter Kate, and son-in-law Humphrey have proved to this pack time and time again that they are more than worthy of taking on the responsibility of leading this pack." All remained silent, as the ceremony for the transfer of power had officially started.
Winston and Eve stood opposite of Kate and I. Kate and I dipped our heads in respect for our leader for the last time. This was followed by Winston and Eve doing the same. After a few seconds of staying like this Winston said, "We relinquish our power as head alphas and give the responsibility to you, Kate and Humphrey." After that Kate and I picked up our head while Winston and Eve kept theirs down, now signifying that we are their superiors.
With the end of the transfer of power the pack erupted in to cheering. Whooping and hollering echoed across the pack as they showed their support for Kate and I being their new leaders. I was a little taken back by all they positive support, but it put a big smile on my face none the less.
After awhile of cheering, I heard the crowd start changing "speech, speech, speech." I looked at Kate who looked back at me and shrugged. "Guess we should give them what they want," she said, raising a paw into the air and getting the uproarious crowd to immediately fall silent.
"Wolves of the United Pack, the responsibility my father and mother has granted to my mate Humphrey and me is a great honor. The wolves of this pack are among the great wolves academy could ask for. Strong, smart, and loyal. This pack has been more than just my pack, they have been my family. I hope that I can fill the paw prints my father has left for me and continue to be a good leader for every wolf in this pack and help keep our pack prospering for a long, long time." Kate finished, gaining a round of applause and cheers from the pack.
I guess its my turn to try out my new authority. I raised my paw into the air and got the pack to go silent. I laughed a little, never expecting to hold such power. "Wolves of the United Pack, I won't lie to you, being given this position frightens me. Most of you know I was born an omega, and responsibility like this was never apart of the deal," I chuckled, getting a few laughs from the crowd. "However, this does not mean I won't try my hardest to be the best leader I can for this pack. I only hope that I can meet the expectations placed upon me a d do what is best for this pack." I finisher and again the pack erupted into cheers.
I looked into the crowd and spotted my parents in tears as they were overwhelmed with joy with my accomplishments. Andy, Smitty, and David were also there with our pups, all looking up and smiling at us.
The next few hours just seemed to fly by as Kate and I were showered with congratulation after congratulations. The entire day went on like that as a pack wide celebration was being held for us. The alphas went out and caught 3 2 caribou, 3 deer and a moose. That night everyone feasted on the catch for the celebration. We ate, drank and celebrated away into the late night until the moon was far over head. I assume Winston and Eve specifically planned to hand over their power today as it coincided with the full moon and the moonlight howl.
That night Kate and I howled our souls out to the heavens above. It seemed like it had been forever since we had howled with each other and it was amazing. A moment I am sure I will not forget anytime soon.
My life may have had some ups and down recently, but I can say happily and with confident that this is nearly the happiest I have ever been. It seemed like my nice happy life was stating to all come back!