An Empty Promise

Across the valley far off from where the battle raged Lilly paced anxiously back and forth inside of Astrid's den
"Stop that Lilly your making me nervous." Astrid said sternly. Stopping to look at Astrid Lilly pushed any apprehensive thoughts out of her head and focused on the task at hand. Winston had ordered her and Astrid to watch over the pups while their parents dealt with the Reapers. Now the little balls of fur were all asleep, except for one who was sitting at the mouth of the cave. Lilly padded over and sat down beside the her.
"Your going to catch a cold out here." Lilly said rubbing the little wolf's back.
"I can't sleep." The pup replied timidly. "I want my mom and dad."
"What's your name little one?" Lilly asked politely.
"Daisy." she replied shyly.
"Well Daisy, I'm sure as soon as your parents get back they'll come find you." Lilly reassured with a forced smile, she knew well off that there was a good chance they wouldn't return from the fight.
"Come on let's get you to bed." Astrid said softly beckoning to Daisy. They retreated into the den leaving Lilly alone. In the distance she could hear the snarling and howls of her fellow clan mates fighting for their lives. She was worried about her dad who wasn't exactly the youngest wolf out there.
His guards will protect him, he'll be fine. She said to herself trying to calm her restless mind. Now having put all the pups to bed Astrid sat beside Lilly at the entrance to the den.
"Whatcha thinking Lil?" She asked studying the Omega's face. It took a moment for Lilly to Collect her thoughts. "I'm just thinking about my dad. I wish he didn't have to fight."
"That would be ideal but the reapers are more of a threat than we thought so every wolf in our pack is out there fighting. Even Humphrey was called out." Lilly's expression changed to one of absolute horror.
"What?" She yelled in disbelief. "He shouldn't be out there!"
"Lilly I'm sure your father paired him with an experienced Alpha, He'll be fine." Astrid tried to calm her down.
"But. . . He has no training. What if something happens to him?" Lilly bit her lip. Astrid put her paw on Lilly's.
"There's no need to worry. Okay?" Lilly sighed and gazed thoughtfully out into the night wishing with all her might that her father would return safely.
"And besides since when have you been so worried about him?" Astrid inquired. Lilly blushed under her fur.
"H-he's my just my friend okay? I don't want to see him hurt." Lilly stammered.
"Oh just a "friend" you say?" Astrid asked while chuckling to herself. Lilly was about to tell Astrid it was none of her business when a sudden rustle in the bushes just outside caught her attention.
"W-who's there?" she asked meekly. The only response she received was grunting and more rustling. By now Astrid had already begun to back away from the door, Lilly would have done the same but she was frozen with fear. A dark figure emerged from the bushes and began moving towards her, slowly. It came closer and closer, while the frightened omega stayed rooted to the spot.
"Lilly." a horse voice called out. Lilly cocked her head to the side.
"Humphrey!" she shouted into the darkness. "Is that you?" Sure enough a bloody Humphrey staggered from the bushes carrying a body on his back. Lilly's heart stopped as Humphrey slid the body onto the stone floor and revealing the face. "Connor." she whispered holding back tears. Astrid rushed to Connor's lifeless body and began to check his vitals.
"It's no use he's dead." Humphrey said with no emotion in his voice or on his face. "I saw it myself." His voice echoed hollowly. Lilly didn't even have time to respond before voices could be heard outside. Lilly could hear Lexy's voice.
"Where is he?" she demanded, panic clawing at the edges of her voice. Lilly's father must have been there too because she could hear his deep rumbling voice.
"Lexy, you're not going to like what you see." he said trying to keep a calm composure.
"I don't care!" she screamed. "Let me see him!" Lilly jumped with surprise as Lexy burst into the den followed promptly by Winston and Hutch. Lexy stopped dead in her tracks as she spotted the body. "Connor, no." Lexy choked back sobs. "You can't be gone." Tears streamed down her muzzle and dripped onto Connors cold body. "Please, I need you." Lexy whimpered, as she laid down beside her brother and nuzzled him for the last time. Quickly Lilly snuck a glance at Humphrey his face was expressionless and blank. She wanted more than anything to comfort him but her father had other plans. He gave a soft tug and motioned for Lilly to follow him. Lilly's gaze lingered for a moment on Humphrey and their eyes locked before she exited into the cool night air. Winston excused himself and hurried off into the trees claiming he had important matters to attend too. Not knowing what else to do Lilly trudged down to the river and stretched out on it's banks. Her mind was elsewhere trying to escape this dark world, she didn't feel the light breeze whistling through trees nor did she her the crickets chirping in the tall grass. Connor was gone, that fact had jut begun to sink in, Lilly would never see him again.
"Why does everything have to change?" she asked to no one in particular.
"Because that's the way the world works, you don't realize what you got till it's gone." Humphrey said coldly as he stepped from the shadows.
"Humphrey!" Lilly cried with relief as she turned and flung her arms around him. He returned the hug and held her close to his chest and beating heart.
"I screwed up Lilly." he whimpered. "I could have saved him." Lilly didn't say anything she just held tighter and nuzzled him. After pulling away she could feel wetness on her cheek. Looking up now Lilly could see tears running silently down Humphrey's muzzle. Lilly leaned in close and kissed his cheek ever so lightly.
"It's going to be okay." she comforted Humphrey trying not to cry herself. "I promise you that."