A/N: I have good news and bad news. I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but I tried to make up for it with a long chapter, and I even started The Successors: Kate and Humphrey. And I know you don't deserve bad news after the wait, but here it is: this is the last chapter. And you might want some paper and a pen. You'll see why towards the middle.
The wolves on the mountaintop all traveled down the mountain like one big wolf. They were all going to travel to Western territory to discuss what to do now that Seth was dead. News had spread that his mother was too. The Southern and Northern packs were leaderless.
Garth led the way, with Lilly by his side. She didn't look at her mate. She just kept her head bowed and her tail was limp between her legs. It was easy to tell she wanted to take back the argument from earlier more than anything else that happened tonight.
Suddenly, a heart-broken wail burst from the back of the group. A dark brown shape raced out of the crowd. It was Janice, whimpering like one of her squirrel friends had died. Except this was worse. Janice collapsed into sobs beside her dead son.
Janice pushed the side of Luke's face with her nose. He didn't respond, his light brown eyes glazed with no life.
"He was my pup! My only pup!" Janice gasped. The packs didn't move. They had never seen the vegetarian wolf cry so hard. Not even the one spring when barely any berries had grown.
Another wolf had walked up to Janice. It was Humphrey. He sat next to the heart-broken mother and tried to think of something comforting to tell her.
Kate walked up too. She knew what it was like to see her pup dead. She knew how Janice felt. Nothing would cheer Janice up right now.
Lilly remembered watching Troy fall off the mountain. But she couldn't bring herself to join them. She couldn't bring herself to move from her spot beside Garth.
Humphrey stretched out a paw and closed the lifeless eyes. There was nothing this pup needed to see anymore. Humphrey grabbed the young wolf's scruff in his teeth and began to drag him in the direction of home. He might've been working for two packs, but he was born in one. He should be buried in that territory Humphrey thought.
Kate walked behind them. She noticed Shakey was having trouble trying to look interested in anything other than his son. Other wolves saw this too, but no one said anything. Enough words had been said already.
Janice pressed her muzzle against the mud that silhouetted where her pup had been and sniffled. Garth flicked his tail and started walking, a signal to let her stay and grieve. Janice could find her way home on her own.
The group of wolves passed a few more mountains and finally came up to Luna, who was lying down next to a large boulder. She looked up at her parents, an apologetic look on her face. Lilly didn't acknowledge her daughter. Garth looked at her without expression. He simply lifted a paw and pointed to the spot between him and Lilly. Luna stood up and scrambled there quickly, tail between her legs, ears flattened, and belly only a few inches off the ground. Garth didn't start walking until she stood up to her full height. Lilly still focused on the ground in front of her.
Finally, the wolves started to trek into Western territory. As they grew closer to where everyone's dens were, the wolves stopped and looked with shock and wide-eyes.
Luna finally spoke up. "What the-?"
"Luna! Lilly!" Winston interrupted happily. He and Eve ran up to their packmates.
Kate nosed her way to the front, quickly followed by Hayden. "What happened here?" she demanded, looking at her home.
"The storm caused a fire," Winston answered. "The humans put the last of it out a few minutes ago."
"Fire?" Hayden pricked her ears. "Is everyone alright?"
"They're fine," Winston assured. "Everyone sheltered here, in Western territory. Most of our dens are made from caves, so they were safe while the humans did their job."
The group of wolves broke up. The land was covered in ashes, dust, and fallen trees dotting the land here and there. Everything was black, dark brown, and smoky grey. The young Alphas Hayden had left in charge were walking around, trying to get some of the rubble out of the way. Even the Omegas were helping them. Most of the wolves that had broken off the group were padding over to check on their kids. The Northerners whispered to each other, fretting over their allies in Southern territory. Sweets came running up and rubbed noses with Salty. "Thank goodness you're in one piece!" she breathed.
Humphrey, Kate, and the rest of their gang walked off, giving the couple some time to talk by themselves. Luna bounded the opposite way, to help her friends move a fallen tree from the entrance to one of their dens.
Winston and Eve exchanged a nervous glance before trotting after Humphrey's group. Winston was walking the slowest. "Garth?" he asked. "May I speak to you alone?"
"Oh…uh, sure sir," Garth followed Winston a few feet away from the others.
"How was the fire?" Garth asked once they were out of earshot. "Did we lose anyone?"
Winston sighed, suddenly looking twice as old as he was. "Actually Garth, that's what I wanted to talk about."
Garth pricked his ears. "What did you have to say that the others shouldn't hear?"
Winston avoided his emerald gaze. "We lost a few of the Southerners. Nobody you or I knew. Seth's mother finally passed away. Now the Southern and Northern wolves have no leader."
"That's terrible!"
"It is. But…one of our wolves gave up his life there tonight too…" Winston trailed off.
Garth tensed. "Who was it? Was it Oscar—he was the pups' favorite Alpha school teacher."
"It was your father," Winston blurted, unable to handle the guilt anymore.
Garth froze, as if he hadn't heard.
"Garth…I know it's easy to blame Seth, but this would've happened tonight whether tonight's battles happened or not. You see…he was very old. He didn't die in the flames like I thought. Eve recognized it as a heart attack."
"Where is he now?" Garth finally said.
"The fire spread fast, but Hutch and I managed to bring him to Eastern territory. He's laying with his mate now."
Garth was expressionless. He felt too numb too think of how to react. He didn't know if he should deny it, yell at someone, run away, or at least scream. "…well, at least he's happy now. He and mom were very close you know."
"I do. Er…" Winston didn't know if he should say more. What could be said to make Garth feel better? "…what about Northern territory? Did anyone pass away there?"
"A lot," the young adult wolf was reluctant to answer.
"That's terrible," Winston replied softly. "We probably shouldn't say out in the open. Fetch my daughters and Humphrey and meet me and Eve in our den. But tell Luna to get there first. Eve and I need to speak with her…" Winston trailed off gravely.
Garth nodded and walked away. He didn't have the energy to run anymore.
It took him a while to find someone, but he eventually found Kate, who was twirling around in circles, searching for someone.
"Kate!" he called, trotting up to her. "How busy are you?"
His sister-in-law jumped at the sound of his voice. She looked at him, her eyes mixed with worry and annoyance.
"What's happened now?"
"Your daughter and my sister! You turn your back on them for two seconds and they just disappear!"
Garth felt more annoyed than worried. With Seth dead, and the Southerners mainly focused on their dead territory, Luna had to have run off by free will, and Lilly would've followed her. Perhaps they had just gone somewhere to clear the air between them.
"Garth, are you just going to stand there?" Kate demanded. "We need to look for them, they could get in trouble!"
She's right Garth decided in his head. There aren't just wolves in Jasper Park. There could be more bears or mountain lions or humans around (which Kate must be most worried about, considering her last encounter with them).
Without warning Kate, Garth ran past her and into the forest to find Luna and Lilly.
The Southern pack's territory was worse than the United pack's. True, everything had the same color, but here it was a darker shade. Almost every tree was black, or fallen over. A breeze blew, sending a few leftover sparks rolling on the ground.
A white wolf walked through the bare ground. She observed it, feeling pity for the pack that lived here. She let out small 'arf' noises, pricking her ears after each one. She was waiting for someone to respond.
"You shouldn't be here."
The young wolf inhaled and exhaled loudly before turning to face the other white wolf that watched her from a few feet away.
"You have your own pack that needs help clearing the rubble," Lilly continued, stepping closer.
Luna bit back an 'are you sure?' The last thing she needed was to upset her mother with a rude retort. "Mom, I don't want to speak through riddles," Luna dipped her head truthfully. "Let's skip to the real reason you followed me." Luna swallowed the knot of guilt wedged in her throat before going on. "I really am sorry I was so rude. You were right, I was betraying my pack-and I don't deserve to become Head-Alpha."
"No, your father was right," Lilly held up a paw in protest. "I shouldn't have been making rash decisions when I was in shock."
"Are you and dad going to break up?" Luna whimpered, tucking her tail between her legs.
Lilly didn't answer right away. She didn't know the answer. But she decided to tell Luna something for the time being. "No. Not over a little argument. Everyone's going to settle down, and then things will go back to the way they were." Lilly wasn't sure if this was the truth, but she felt convinced by her words.
Luna twitched an ear uncomfortably. She wanted to talk about something else now, but she didn't know how to bring it up. Lilly recognized her daughter's shifting on her paws as body language for 'I don't know how to say this.'
"Luna, is there something else you would like to ask?" Lilly pressed gently.
Luna flexed her claws, impatient with herself. "Well…I just wanted to know-I mean!-um…" Luna thought hard. "…if…if we're going to try to forget the little…'mountain argument' episode, does that mean I'm…you know…allowed to see Lo-other packs' wolves?" Luna chickened out.
Lilly knew what she meant. She didn't know what to say that would benefit both of them. "Luna, you know I don't trust him after-"
"Oh, tonight wasn't his fault-it was mine!" Luna broke in. "I-I should've listened to you. If I hadn't seen him…he would've…Mom, if you just met him! I knew you would like him. He's very polite, and thoughtful, and I can tell he respects you. If you just…if you just ignored who his family is, you'd want this for me."
Lilly sighed, sitting down to scratch behind her ear (which is what she did when she was uncomfortable). Luna's tail flicked back and forth anxiously.
"I think," Lilly said at last, "that we should get your father, aunt, and uncle's opinion. Especially your father's," Lilly added too quietly for Luna to hear. She knew if Luna heard the last part, she'd suspect that things might not clear up so easily with Garth and Lilly.
Now Luna sat down, wrapping her tail around her paws. "Okay. But can I stay here and look for Logan? So that someone can speak on his behalf besides me."
"I'm afraid not. As I was following you, I overheard my father and your father talking. Winston wants to speak to you in private before the rest of us."
"Just dad and granddad?" Luna felt nervous again. "Did you hear what they were saying that they didn't want anyone else to hear?"
"Relax, it wasn't about what you did," Lilly assured. "They wanted Garth to know Tony passed away before everyone else."
"Grandpa Tony…" Luna's heart sank to the tip of her tail. "…he…oh, it's my fault! If I hadn't been taken to Southern territory, he wouldn't have had to rescue me and get caught in the fire-!"
"Oh no, it wasn't the fire!" Lilly sprang to her paws, feeling guilty for her pup's guilt. "Eve said he would've had the heart attack either way."
Luna whimpered. "I still know that others were killed for my sake. I'll do anything to make it up to their loved ones," Luna promised, feeling teary eyed. An image of Luke filled her mind. He didn't know where his loyalties lied because she didn't give him a chance. Now he was killed. Practically at her paws.
Lilly stepped closer, and nuzzled her daughter. "Who are you thinking about?"
"Luke. Did you see him?"
Lilly nodded.
"It was my fault he betrayed us. He was upset I wouldn't give him a chance to date me. And I wouldn't date him because I was disobeying you."
"Luna. Lucas had a hard time with bullying for quite a while. And Seth was very persuasive. You only played a small part in his betrayal."
Luna sniffled, looking sadly up at her mother. She was very lucky Lilly was handling this as calmly as she was. At the moment anyway. "I want to go home mom," she whined, feeling pathetic.
"What about your secret date?" Lilly tilted her head.
Luna looked around. "He probably died too. And I don't want to see that."
Even though Lilly didn't like her daughter's secret lover, she felt sorry for them. She wanted to say something like 'maybe he's not dead' or 'well, you don't want to just leave him here do you?'
But Lilly didn't want to say anything. She simply nodded to prove she understood her pup's feelings and led the way home. Luna followed quietly, looking at the ground in front of her, and her tail and ears drooping.
They walked a couple of miles before reaching the Eastern border. There, they found a shady, grey place with a small stream forming a secluded corner. The only color that wasn't light gray light or pale blue water was a small pink blossom tucked in the middle of four green leaves. They were sprouting on a small place near the middle of the stream, but the biggest was in the very center of the small clearing. Sitting beside the largest blossom was a red and white wolf, his shoulders hunched, and his head hanging low.
"Garth?" Lilly's ears pricked.
Garth didn't turn around. He just waited for Luna and Lilly to come and sit next to him. Instinctively, Luna sniffed the little pink blossom. Lilly choked on tears as she saw what her mate was staring at.
Tony. His dark brown form curled in a ball. His darker brown eyes closed from the world. His flanks not moving with breath. The fur on parts of his tail was burnt off.
He was dead. Lifeless. Spiritually gone.
Lilly looked at Garth. He was standing up. "His mate is underneath that blossom. But I want him to be in the Hunting Valley. Ever since she died, he worked too hard just to call it his. So that he could hunt and feed me and my brother without her help. It seems hard to separate them again, but he'll be beside his youngest son."
"The one he lost in a fight for the valley?" Lilly cocked her head, her fur looking bright white in the small light.
"I think it's a good idea," Luna piped in.
Garth nodded in agreement. He walked around Tony and picked up his scruff. He began to drag him in the direction of Western territory.
"May I help carry him?" Lilly offered softly.
Garth put Tony down to reply. "Of course. Believe it or not, he really liked you."
Lilly tried not to make it obvious how relieved she was at his tone. She had feared he was still mad at her for yelling at Luna. Lilly easily stepped over the stream and picked up Tony by the hind legs. Garth took his scruff and they walked towards the Hunting Valley, Luna following close behind, with one thing on her mind.
Will I get to help bury Troy?
The funerals were quick. Luke and those who died in Northern territory all had theirs at once. But only Luke's body was displayed in the center of the clearing. No one wanted to retrieve the other bodies from Northern territory. A loved one spoke up for each of them, which took some time. Luke was last. Janice had returned. She didn't cry again until now. Shakey didn't want to speak for his son. He didn't know what he wanted to say to someone who betrayed two united packs.
So everyone was surprised when Kate stepped forward. She was silent, looking at Luke as she came up with her speech on the spot. Finally, she exhaled shakily and started to speak. "This past winter, I taught young pups in Alpha School. There, I lost my pup Leah in a hunting incident."
Hayden sniffed loudly, closing her eyes and crying hard at the memory. Luna sat beside her and put a paw over her cousin's.
Kate didn't acknowledge it. "And believe me, the hardest part of parenthood is when your pup dies before you do. And as a united pack, he should've been a pup to all of us. After all, that's what we wolves symbolize, right? Family. Because of how successful our lives in our packs work. Well the pup at my paws right now felt like he had no family. And to me, that's a very harsh blow. Because…well, are we really a pack if we made this pup feel like a loner among us? With our cruel treatment to Omegas like this one, we should've expected him to feel bitter. A broken heart can blind a wolf, and can even completely change them. Now, a pack mate's death is the worst way to learn a lesson. But I feel as though the death of this young wolf can really educate us on what can happen if we don't start thinking about each other." Kate swallowed hard, deciding to wrap it up already before she bawled in front of everyone. "He was too young to be taken from his family. From his friends. And we need to avoid reliving last night. Seth's death won't do that. Treating each other like you treat us Head-Alphas will prevent something like this. Respect your pack. It's your family. And for all you know, someone here doesn't feel like it is."
Kate walked back to her spot between Humphrey and Winston. She watched as the other wolves took in her words, and some cried over the guilt and sympathy they felt for Lucas. Kate looked at her paws, feeling suddenly very tired.
Next, the pack howled in mourning before they buried Luke near the Northern and Western border. Then, Tony's funeral began. They buried him in the Hunting Valley before Winston began to speak for him. Winston said things like how Tony was a close friend and what a legend he'd be as far as Head-Alphas go. Then he complimented Tony's strength, explaining how he braved his mate's death when the two pups were very young. Then how he raised the two pups, and put up with the burden of having his youngest son die in a battle Tony had volunteered him for. Then the other wolves howled for Tony, and slowly left, one by one.
By the end, only Luna stayed last. She walked over to her grandfather's grave and placed a small green leaf bundle on top. Inside, was a little pink blossom.
Eve walked up to her den, waiting anxiously for her meeting with Luna and the others to start. She sat where Kate and Winston usually sat when they were deep in thought or watching the pack. Below her, the young wolves were clearing away debris so that the adult wolves could get to their own dens and treat each other's wounds. Eve usually enjoyed watching the sun rise, but now she just watched her pack, feeling depressed. A wind blew, whipping her fur backwards. Eve tipped her head backward a little and welcomed the scent of flowers and berries. But instead she got smoky, smoke, and barbequed trees. Overwhelmed, Eve sneezed.
"Bless you," said a timid voice from behind.
Eve turned and saw a small brown and caramel-colored wolf walking up to her, her head bowed with respect and lavender eyes blinking innocently.
"Selena," Eve stood up. "Did you find your sister?"
"Yes ma'am. But we came here because we scented most of our pack mates heading in this direction. We don't have a Head-Alpha now, you know."
"I do know, and it's terrible." Eve hesitated. She hadn't retired yet, so she could still make Head-Alpha decisions. "…Selena? You are a very sweet dear. Would you like to stay with my pack until yours has settled things down?"
Selena thought about Eve's offer. "I think it's a very lovely suggestion. But I'd appreciate it if my sister could stay too. And I'm not entirely sure how she'll feel but I'm positive she'd think it's very nice too. After all, she is 'close' to Troy. I think she'll enjoy visiting with him some more."
Eve's ears drooped. Winston had told her the news about Troy before Tony's funeral. If Selena was a friend of Luna, she must've been a friend of Troy's too. "Oh…Selena, I-I hate to tell be the one to break it to you…but Troy's gone."
"No he's not."
Eve sighed, assuming Selena was in denial. "Yes. Lilly and Garth saw him fall off-"
"The mountain with the flat top? It's not a fatal fall. It just looks like it because of all the fog. But I severely doubt it was his ghost following me here."
"Say that again," Eve looked shocked.
"What? That Troy was following me here? He was. He and Cheyenne stopped to rest a little way past the border when his injuries started to hurt."
That's when Jake came up behind Selena, dipping his head awkwardly (which meant he thought Selena was pretty) before clearing his throat for permission to interrupt. He obviously hadn't heard Selena's news.
"Er, Grandma Eve? My mom wanted to me to tell you that their going to get Troy's body for his funeral. Will-"
Eve lunged forward, giving her grandson a bone-crushing hug. She jumped backward, tail wagging wildly. "There will be no need! This lovely little one just gave the best news-!"
Suddenly, there was a loud howl of joy that echoed throughout the territory. Eve joined in, along with about three other howls. In less than five minutes, Lilly ran past Eve's den, chanting happily, "My pup is alive! He didn't leave me, he's alive!"
Eve bounced in celebration. "Oh, this is wonderful! Oh, what a miracle!"
Jake blinked, wide-eyed. "So, what does this mean?"
"It means that this is over!" Eve exclaimed. "Well, for us anyway," she added, looking at Selena. She cleared her throat, standing straight so she would look respectable again. "Ahem. Jake, I will have a meeting with your parents here very soon. For the time being, why don't you show Selena here a den where she and her sister can stay?"
"Oh, she's going to be staying here? Well isn't she a Northern wolf-I mean, there's nothing wrong with that! Just…aren't things tense with them—not that you look aggressive-you're actually really pretty—I mean! Well the sunrise makes a lot of females have pretty fur-I know my sister-"
"I'd love a tour of your den area," Selena saved him. "And the sunrise is very pretty here. There are a lot of mountains blocking our view in Northern territory."
"That's a shame. Well, there's an excellent place to watch it here, we call it Moonlight Howl Rock, but I think it looks better right now," Jake suggested.
"Neat," Selena pricked her ears with interest. She battered her eyelashes and followed Jake down the path from Eve's den. Eve suddenly felt apprehensive for leaving the two teenage wolves alone. But she noticed her mate, daughters, their mates, and Luna who had Troy limping next to her were walking for her.
Winston was a little way ahead, so he reached Eve first. He sighed before speaking. "We're going to have to decide the Northern and Southern packs' future for them. And Hayden's here to keep watch while we have the meeting. Luna and Lilly are expecting someone to join us."
Eve wanted to give Troy something for his battle wounds, but he stubbornly insisted that they needed to decide this right now. The Head-Alphas and their heirs sat in a circle in the low roofed den. Winston sat in his usual spot, with his back to the entrance. Garth sat to his right, Lilly sat next to Garth, Luna was next to her mother, Humphrey sitting next to them, Troy lying down to Humphrey's right, Kate sitting next to him, and Eve completed the circle, sitting between Winston and Kate.
Winston decided to speak first, turning his head to Luna. "Luna, I'm sure you're aware of how much trouble's been caused."
"She knows, dad," Lilly spoke up. "I've already had this conversation with her."
"Did you mention how we lost quite a few wolves last night?" Eve asked.
"Yes. And I swear, I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to those who lost their loved ones for me," Luna dipped her head shamefully.
Eve tilted her head, feeling as though she had just watched her granddaughter grow up into a real adult wolf.
"If we're going to talk about lost lives, we need to discuss the other packs more than anything," Kate said. "Seth's dead, thankfully, but so is his and Leo's mother."
"Logan," Luna corrected under her breath.
"They have no Head-Alpha now," Kate looked at her parents worriedly.
"Yeah, but what'll we do about it? We can't just pick their Head-Alpha for them," Humphrey put in. "They know each other better than us, and there's no doubt they're going to fight over the position."
"Humphrey's right," Lilly agreed.
"Since the old Head-Alpha of the Northern pack was mates with the Head-Alpha female of the Southern pack, they're a united pack," Garth pointed out. "And if a Southerner volunteers to be Head-Alpha, we could be dealing with another Seth situation."
"Or at least more fighting, and too much blood has been shed from both of our packs," Kate nodded gravely.
"I know, I know," Winston said. "I've been considering this ever since I found out about their Alphas' secret affair."
"Granddad?" Luna stood up shyly, feeling stage fright. "I know it was wrong to have seen Logan like I was, but I thought…well, what if we united the United packs? If Logan and I married, we'd be doing just that! And for the sake of the pack-"
"No! Winston, she is much too young for marriage!" Eve interrupted, looking horrified as Winston actually considered this.
"Well, we could wait until Luna is of age," Garth reasoned, thinking about him and Kate's first relationship. "And Troy has fallen in love with a Northern wolf as well. Maybe—"
"No. I apologize but no. If we let Luna wed, it'll send a message to the wolves younger than her, that we approve of sneaking around with wolves that their parents don't approve of, like lone wolves. And none of us wanted any of this bloodshed to happen. But I have considered how much trouble it would be to pick the new Head-Alpha. And if there is another United pack in Jasper Park, they will want to share territory like we do. That will be hard to do with our land in the way…the point I'm trying to make is if we did unite the United packs, things will be easier in many ways."
"But, sir, there'll be more mouths to feed and with fall coming up, and then winter, prey will shorten and with the Alpha pups going to Alpha School, things will get hectic," Humphrey fretted.
"If we be more accepting to lone wolves, some of them may have territory to donate," Winston argued. "And we'll be able to have all of Jasper Park to hunt in. Although we're born into certain packs, each individual wolf can hunt better in a certain terrain like the Southerner's bare land, the Northerner's mountains, our grassy areas, and the Eastern woods."
"But if we accept lone wolves, won't that say we can trust them when some of them we can't?" Kate wondered.
"I hear that some wolf packs are traveling here to find better territory," All heads turned to Hayden who spoke up from her position at the entrance. "If we have more wolves, we can protect Jasper Park better."
"Just guard the entrance sweetie," Kate ordered.
"Actually, she's right," Troy said. "Some wolves have seen a lot of wolves eyeing our park's territories because they're not satisfied with theirs."
"So do we lie to the pups?" Eve asked her mate. "If we accept lone wolves, do we say they're from the Northern or Southern packs?"
"We can't!" Lilly protested.
"But telling the truth will admit we tolerate lone wolves. And some of them are dangerous," Kate whimpered.
"There certainly isn't a win-win situation available here," Winston shook his head. "But you're all Head-Alphas-"
"You mean…we're going to be, right?" Garth said.
Winston sighed. He exchanged a look with Eve who nodded. "No, Garth. Tony's heart attack has made us realize how old we are."
Eve growled which was code for 'don't you dare give away my age.'
"It's time we officially retired," Winston went on, pretending not to be intimidated by his mate. "And that means the roles must be reversed. Luna, Troy, Hayden, and Jake need to start training to be Head-Alphas, and the rest of you need to start actually carrying out the Head-Alpha duties. I fear Eve and I have waited too long. And that could've been why Tony isn't with us now."
Garth was silent at the mention of Tony's death. Humphrey remained frozen, which signaled he was in shock. Lilly looked at her paws, not sure if she was ready for the responsibility. Kate just nodded, confident she was ready.
"So now we go to mom and dad for Head-Alpha questions?" Troy checked.
Winston and Eve nodded.
Luna turned to her parents. "So…what does that mean as far as Logan's concerned?"
Lilly and Garth looked at their daughter, than at each other, than at Kate and Humphrey.
"I think that if we're going to be a United Jasper Park Pack, there will be cross-pack romances all around," Kate decided. "Since Luna sees the error in what she did, she deserves to not be an exception."
Garth whispered something in Lilly's ear and she thought it over carefully.
"You're right," Lilly agreed with whatever he said. "I guess it was just his brother I was judging him by…and my sister makes a good point. But I still need to meet him, and if I don't approve of his personality…he's in trouble."
"Oh mother! That won't be a problem, I can assure you!" Luna's tail wagged madly.
Realizing she was at a meeting of former, current, and future Head-Alphas, Luna regained her composure and sat down again, wrapping her tail around her paws neatly. But a huge grin lingered.
"And Troy? Is there someone you would like our blessings for too?" Garth looked at his scarred son.
Troy blinked, feeling embarrassed. "Her name is Cheyenne…"
"She told me you could call her Cherry."
All heads turned to the entrance of the den. Hayden was standing next to a gray wolf, with a light gray mark that flowed up his muzzle, between his eyes.
Luna's ears and tail twitched, as she fought the urge to run up to him.
Logan stepped inside cautiously, his head bowed and ears flattened to his head. His tail was limp between his hind legs. It was clear he wasn't trying to kiss up. He really did respect the Head-Alphas.
"Oh, for pity's sake, you have your mother and father's blessing, go greet him!" Eve said to Luna.
Luna didn't need to be told twice. She ran up to him and pressed her muzzle to his cheek, nuzzling his neck and rubbing their ears together affectionately.
Troy shakily got to his paws, shook some dust out of his blood-stained fur and trotted past them. Walking up to him, about to enter the den was Cherry.
Troy had just seen her, but after his sister's sentimental greeting to Logan, he felt nervous. Did Cheyenne want something like that too? Had she even seen it?
"Heheh. Um…hi."
Cheyenne smiled as her heart swelled with memories. "…hi."
Winston and Eve smiled, feeling happy for their grandkids.
Humphrey and the other Head-Alphas gathered into a tighter circle. "Maybe this whole…one Jasper Park Pack thing will work out well," Humphrey thought aloud.
"I guess if we give it a chance, no one could get hurt," Kate shrugged.
"I think it'll be what's best," Garth nodded.
"I like it," Lilly said simply.
The four Alphas nodded in unison before walking outside. They were greeted by the sun, which was finally shedding a few rays on the burnt ground before them.
Kate grinned, remembering the last time the sun had hidden, and then returned so quickly. The other Head-Alphas tipped their heads back and howled, so that the Jasper Park wolves could gather and hear the news.
Over their howling, Kate leaned close to her daughter. "Have you seen your brother?"
Jake was sitting in his parents' favorite spot for moonlight howling. At the moment, the sun had just fully risen past the horizon, so they sat with their backs to it, so as not to go blind.
"You're dad's calling for a meeting," Selena noticed.
"Yeah, that's him alright."
"Do you think he's picked my pack's Head-Alpha?"
"Doesn't that mean you have to go back?" Jake fought the urge to let his ears droop in disappointment.
"I'm not sure. But would you like to sit next to me just in case?" Selena offered.
"I'd like that," Jake said a little too eagerly.
Together, the two wolves walked to Eve and Winston's den. Jake gave in to his instincts and nipped the spot where his sister was most ticklish: below the ear. Selena nearly squirmed out of her pelt and let out what Jake thought was the cutest laugh. She stopped walking and covered her mouth with her tail in embarrassment.
"Hey! I'm an Omega, I like everybody's laugh!" Jake said. "And yours is pretty cute."
Selena blushed at his compliment, and lowered her fluffy tail. She got to her paws and trotted forward to walk beside Jake again. She flattened her ears, looking away from him. "Thank you for calling it cute," she said, nuzzling his cheek.
Jake let her get ahead, feeling warm and fuzzy as she nuzzled him.
So what if she was a Northern wolf?
"Maybe this could work…" Jake wagged his tail.
Yes, Jake was supposed to be quoting Winston's line when he and Tony see Garth/Lilly and Kate/Humphrey together. And I also hope you guys get the symbolism in the sun on the burnt land. The land is the hardships Garth and Lilly and everyone else faced through this story, and the sunshine is the new beginning the Uniting the Packs deal has to offer.
And the pen and paper was so no one would get confused with the order the Head-Alphas were sitting in during the meeting.
And for anyone interested in reading Kate and Humphrey's Successors story, you might want to keep Kate's speech in mind. Her words play a crucial part. (Wink, wink.)
And I know I said that this was the last chapter, but the chapter after this is an epilogue if you want a hint at how life was for Troy and Luna after this (and if you're too rude to read, they'll be mentioned in the next Successors story too, because most of it takes place right after this one).