Chapter 9 : A Night To Remember

'So that's how I left my pack and arrived here. I'm pretty sure all of my pride and trust of the Northern pack are gone.' Rex sobbed as he cried when he ended his sad story.

All wolves that attended to Moonlight Howl has returned to their den as it was already late, except for them who sat in a circle under the moonlight. They were completely silent when Rex ended his once beautiful life and watched as he cried with his head facing the ground. Finally, Kate placed a paw on his shoulder and he looked at her.

'I'm sorry for your loss, Rex.' She said.

'It's-It's fine. It's in the past anyway, but I couldn't let go of her.' He replied, looking back down at the ground and wiped his tears.

'So, you swore to her that you will never be an omega anymore? That's why you lied to us?' Humphrey asked.

'And you told us that you were banished.' Garth added and received a nod from Rex.

'Yes. I'm sorry to ruin your romantic time guys, for howling that loud.' He said, looking up at the silver moon.

'It's okay, Rex. Do you feel any better now that you let it out?' Lilly asked as she wore a faint smile after knowing his past.

'Yeah, felt the burden's lighter now.'

He placed his paw on his chest and managed to smile back at her. It was a really hard thing to do; digging back his old and painful memories and telling them about it. But he felt relieved that he did as these wolves are friendly and trustworthy, proven that they understand his current condition as a murderer on the run who no one except for the four wolves know that he fulfilled his mate's wish. There was an event tomorrow that he always remembered, and decided to let them know.

'Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary.'

'Really?' Humphrey said.

'Yeah. But I won't be celebrating it during the day, but at night, since I can't sleep anyway.'

'Do you need a hand in anything?' Garth asked.

'Well, I do need some help in grooming my fur.'

Rex looked at his coat and found dust and sand attached to it, and looked back at them with a frown.

'I'll help.' Humphrey said as he raised his paw happily.

'Me too.' Garth said and followed what Humphrey did.

'We can help too.' Kate said and Lilly nodded.

'Are you sure? You don't wanna get dazed by his handsomeness when he's done.' Humphrey said and he stood stiffly with his mouth wide open and they laughed, except for Rex who made it softly.

'I'm pretty sure we won't 'cause we already have our own handsome mates.' Kate said and leaned close to Humphrey, so as Lilly to Garth.

'I'm happy to hear that.' Humphrey said as his muzzle touched with hers.

'Well, time for bed. It's really late.' Garth said after yawning and looking at his mate.

'Yeah. Let's go.'

Kate has been sitting in the cool water when Rex was in the middle of his story to continue in cooling her body and they got up and began to walk back to their den until Humphrey turned around and found out that Rex was heading towards a different direction with a rose gripped in his mouth.

'Where are you going, Rex?' Humphrey asked and the others turned around to look at him.

Rex turned his head slightly to the side and made a faint smile.

'I'm going to the Howling Rock. You guys can head back and sleep. Don't worry about me.'

Understanding the he needs some time alone after digging back his painful memories, they looked at each other and nodded before looking back at Rex.

'Okay, but don't fall asleep, okay?' Humphrey joked, knowing the he never sleeps.

'Don't worry, I won't.' He replied after making a soft laugh and they went their separate ways.

Rex walked out of the shadows of the woods and infront of him lies the large rock that wolves always howl with their love ones. He headed towards the peak and sat under the moonlight with the rose on his paw. He missed her badly, he couldn't let her go because she was everything to him, and he'll left nothing if he did. He looked up at the moon and began to sing their favourite song.

''Say something, I'm giving up on you

I'll be the one, if you want me to

Anywhere I would've followed you

Say something, I'm giving up on you

And I am feeling so small

It was over my head

I know nothing at all''

Surprisingly, nothing came out of his mouth when he continued as he realized something, or someone, was missing from the mix of the song, and it was Rose. He faced towards the ground and tears continuously dripped out of his eyes as the love of his life is dead, and she will never return back to him. He tried to kill himself before due to the painful life without his mate, but her beautiful voice echoed in his head, reminding him of her last wish. He looked back up at the moon with watery eyes.

'My life is painful without you, Rose.' He said softly.

Meanwhile, Humphrey and Kate have already entered their den and they had a small chat before going to bed.

'I'm so sorry for him, Humphrey.' Kate said in disappointment.

'We all are, Kate.' Humphrey replied, and noticed her eyes began to tear up and he hugged her to give her comfort.

'Don't cry, Kate. It hurts me by just looking at it.'

Their eyes met and he was surprised by what came out of her mouth.

'Humphrey… what if that happens to me?'

His whole body froze and kept his stare at her. His brain was actually painting a picture of the future if she didn't make it, he would be a lone wolf and suffer the same pain as Rex. But he managed to shake it off of his mind and focus his attention back at her.

'No it won't, Kate. Rex is here, so am I. We'll cure you.'

'How are you that I'll be cured?'

'Because I'm not giving up on you. I will do anything to cure you, 'cause you're the only thing in this world that I cared most.'

She finally smiled and they kissed passionately, and her smile remains when they broke apart.

'Thank you, Humphrey.'

'No problem. I'm your fun-loving omega and handsome mate, remember?'

He winked at her and she giggled.

'Yeah, as always.'

'Come on, let's make bed. It's really late now.'

She nodded and as usual, they curled into a ball and Humphrey placed his paw on Kate's to let her know of his presence which comforts her, and they drifted into sleep.

The morning sun rises from behind the mountains after the moon sets, its powerful light flowing up the green land like waves of water. It hits the tail of a golden female wolf and she began to open her eyes as the day calls her. She got up slowly and stretched her muscle, followed by a yawn, and turned towards her mate who was still asleep. He giggled softly as his sleeping posture was like a pig, and decided to wake him up. She took one step forward and nudged him.

'Wake up honey.' She said in a gentle tone.

His eye lids began to scroll up, revealing the deep blue eyes that charms her. He looked up at her and smiled.

'Morning Kate.' He said sleepily.

'Come on, sleepy head. Let's head towards the waterfall.'

'But the pond's clean now.'

'Really?'

'Yep. No sign of Alex's body or scent.'

She smiled and felt anger deep in her heart at the same time as she recalled what he tried to do to her, and she was glad that Rex came on time to save her or she would be a dead wolf with that much heat produced and she would eventually ended up getting a mental disorder. She was also glad that he will be her doctor temporarily till the drug is cured, unless her dad wants to welcome him to the pack. She killed the flames and looked back at her mate with a smile.

'Sure, but we'll have to let Rex, Lilly and Garth know about this change in places.'

'Okay.'

He stood beside the exit of the den and look at her, raising his paw in a gentleman gesture.

'Ladies first.' He said.

She giggled and licked his cheek before leaving the den along with him. The sunlight shone at their face as they stepped out into the cool wind, brushing through their fur like invisible and soft pinecones. They stood at the overhang and smiled at this beautiful day and as they looked down, they caught sight of two wolves, one female with a white snow coat and the other brown inferno, walking towards their den. They looked at each other and sat down to wait for their visitors. When they arrived, they ended their conversation and turned towards them with a smile.

'Morning sis.' Lilly said and hugged her sister.

'Morning, coyote.' Garth said.

'Morning, Barf.' Humphrey said and bropaw'ed with him.

'We were just about to look for you two to tell you something.' Kate said happily.

'Me too. I had an idea in mind, but let's talk about it after breakfast.' Lilly said and turned towards Garth who smiled back at her.

'By the way, have you seen Rex?'

'No, I haven't seen him around. He might still be at the Howling Rock, but let's go and eat up first.'

They all nodded and began to walk down the steep road beside Humphrey and Kate's den and headed towards the feeding ground. They had a pleasant conversation on the way, discussing about what they're going to do at the pond until Lilly and Kate widened their eyes at what's infront of them when they arrived. Rex sat doing push-ups with his sweaty coat and sweat dripping from his chin and Lilly began to fan herself and Kate blushed which made Garth and Humphrey rolled his eyes. As they walked closer, Rex noticed and looked up from the ground which no sign of tiredness even though his coat and mane's dripping sweats.

'Morning.' He said and they greeted the same way back.

'So, how long have you been working out? It must've been long since we rarely see you sweat this much.' Humphrey asked as he sat beside him.

'Probably since almost sunrise. I've been to Winston and Eve's den before coming here.' He replied and continued his workout and their eyes widened.

'Wow. I can't even do workouts for that long. My muscles would sore.' Garth said with a frown.

'Just keep doing it till that pain's gone.'

'What were you doing in my parent's den?' Kate asked curiously.

'Just normal chats and report about your progress.'

He made one last push and performed a back-spin and landed perfectly on his legs. He walked towards them with a smile.

'I'm done.'

'Good, 'cause looking at your muscles makes me imagine of having a muscular body. Kate would be drooling over me.' Humphrey joked and Kate leaned closer to him.

'I've been drooling over you ever since we've married.' She said in a charming tone which made a grin spread across Humphrey's face.

'Well, glad that I don't have to go through all those workouts to impress you.'

'You always impress me, handsome.'

'Um, Rex. Could you hunt for us for today?' Lilly asked, breaking the romantic conversation of Humphrey and Kate.

'Sure, these workouts make my body energetic anyway. Be right back.'

They watched as he walked into the woods and turned towards Lilly.

'So, what were you going to tell us?' Humphrey asked curiously.

'Garth and I have discussed about my idea, well, of howling as Rose with Rex tonight.' Lilly said and it made Kate and Humphrey's jaw drop.

'This is one of your jokes, right sis?' Kate said with an eyebrow raised.

'No it's not. As you know, Rose has the same coat as mine, so maybe if I dressed myself like her, maybe he'll feel better.'

'But you don't know how Rose really looks like, only Rex does.'

'I'll be asking him later.'

'And you allow her to do this, Garth?' Humphrey asked, turning towards Garth who was sitting beside Lilly.

'Well, if that's what she wanted to do to help Rex, then I see no point for me to stop her. I'll always support her in every decision that she makes, except for dangerous situations. I'll have to think about that.' Garth replied and rubbed his muzzle with Lilly's.

'Thanks Garth.' Lilly said after giving him a lick on the cheek.

'But we're not sure if he's gonna-' The sound of drag from the woods halted Humphrey's sentence and they turned towards the approaching Rex with a dead Caribou.

Rex dropped it infront of them and looked up with a smile.

'Hope that wasn't long for your growling tummies.' He said.

'Don't worry. It isn't.' Garth said, returning a smile.

He sat down and they began to share his hunt. As Lilly took one bite of the Caribou's leg and swallowed it after mincing it into tiny crumps with her canines, she looked at Rex with a curious expression.

'So, Rex. I'm sorry to ask this if it hurts you but, do I look like… Rose?'

Every wolf stopped including Rex as he was mincing the fresh meat in his mouth and he made a deep swallow before looking back at her.

'Hmm. She has the same coat as yours, and your hair is almost a match, just have to hang your forelock up, but she has yellow eyes and a bit muscular. Why do you ask?'

'Oh, curiosity just overwhelmed me. That's all.'

Silence descended upon them as they continued their meal, and Humphrey grew tired of it.

'So, Rex. You're gonna teach me some advanced skills later?' He said.

'Humphrey, you haven't even master the basics.' Kate argued looking at him.

'Oh, right. Good point.'

'But you're progressing well, Humphrey, so as Lilly. Just keep practicing, and you'll be in the advance session in no time.' Rex said.

'Glad to hear that.'

Their conversation had turned from general to comedy as Humphrey and Lilly tell their best jokes which made the alphas laugh. Rex was still behaving like an alpha, even though the omega blood runs in his veins, due to what he sweared to his mate. They did went to the pond after their meal and played hide and seek again with Kate watching as she can only sit in the pond and do nothing. Eventually, the sun began to set, its dying light faded and the moon rose and shone its sliver light. Lilly began to bath herself in cool water in the pond with her sister helping her while Humphrey and Garth was helping Rex in grooming his fur at the waterfall. He got out of the river formed and shook himself dry, and sat infront of the two wolves.

'Got any pinecones?' He asked.

Humphrey nodded and picked up a pinecone that he found a few minutes ago beside him and walked towards the back of him and began to groom his fur. Garth on the other paw grooms his mane with another pinecone also found by Humphrey. A few minutes later, Humphrey and Garth stepped back and examined the handsome and well-groomed Rex. Rex looked at them and smiled.

'Thanks guys.' He said.

'Don't mention it.' Garth said.

'Have fun. We're going to check on Lilly and Kate, see if they're still chatting at the pond.' Humphrey lied as the surprise for Lilly dressing up as Rose is a secret.

'Okay. See you guys tomorrow.'

Rex watched as the two wolves walked away into the darkness and he began to head towards the Howling Rock for his wedding anniversary with Rose. Meanwhile, when Humphrey and Garth arrived at the pond, Kate was already grooming Lilly's coat and finished her job when they walked closer towards them.

'Wow. You look beautiful, Lilly.' Garth said with his mouth drop open.

Lilly turned towards him and noticed his amazed expression and giggled.

'Thanks Garth.' She said and licked his cheek.

Humphrey had a rose held in his mouth when they were on the way to the pond and he placed it on the ground and turned towards Garth.

'Would you do the honour?' He said.

Garth looked from him to the rose and smiled. He picked up the rose and placed it in Lilly's fur as she lower her head. Their eyes met as she raise her head back up.

'Only for tonight, okay?' He said.

Lilly giggled and shared a quick kiss with him before pulling away.

'Of course, my macho alpha.' She said and it made a grin on his face.

'I'll be waiting in the den.'

'Okay.'

They watched as she left for the Howling Rock and they began to head their separate ways after saying their goodbyes. When Lilly arrived, she caught sight of Rex sitting at the peak and as she got closer, she saw his well-groomed coat and mane which made him look different than before. She stopped when he turned his head slightly to the side.

'I knew you would be coming, Lilly.' He said.

Her body froze when those words entered her ears. She already knew that he's expecting her appearance; Rex is a highly-skilled and smart wolf. How can he not know this? She manage to move her body and sat beside him.

'I just wanted you to feel like… Rose is always with you… it might make you feel better.' She said.

'I know she's always with me, watching me from above in a special and beautiful world that we dreamed to be.'

He looked up at the night sky with stars sparkling around them. She lowered her head and expressed a frown.

'So… you're going to send me back?'

'Why should I?'

She raise her head in surprise and turned towards him who was still staring at the beautiful night sky.

'Really?'

'Yeah. You're well-groomed and I must say that you look really beautiful, and almost looks like Rose.'

She blushed at such words and realized that he was really calm tonight when she repeated the word 'Rose' a few times.

'You're really calm tonight, not like the usual days.'

'Of course. Today is my anniversary with Rose, where the memories of me and Rose changed from pain to happiness.'

Silent descended upon them for a few seconds before Rex spoke up.

'Would you like to learn my favourite song?'

Her eyes widened at such offer and accepted it immediately. He taught her how the beat sounds like and the lyrics and surprisingly, she learned it in approximately two minutes.

'Wow. You're a quick learner.' Rex congratulated.

'Thank you.' She replied with a smile at her achievement.

'Would you like to try to sing with me?'

She looked at him and thought about it for a few seconds before making her final decision.

'Sure.'

'Okay. On my lead, okay?' He said and received a nod.

He let out a breath to release his nervousness and began to sing.

''Say something, I'm giving up on you

I'll be the one, if you want me to

Anywhere I would've followed you

Say something, I'm giving up on you''

Surprisingly, when she sang the next part, his eyes widened as he never heard her beautiful voice and he continued to sing.

''And I am feeling so small

It was over my head

I know nothing at all

And I will stumble and fall

I'm still learning to love

Just starting to crawl

Say something, I'm giving up on you

I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you

Anywhere I would've followed you

Say something, I'm giving up on you

And I will swallow my pride

You're the one that I love

And I'm saying goodbye

Say something, I'm giving up on you

And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you

And anywhere I would've followed you, oh-oh-oh-oh

Say something, I'm giving up on you

Say something, I'm giving up on you

Say something...''

They looked at each other and smiled as they sang the song beautifully. Rex was glad that she came to help him feel better and she did sang the song perfectly, but it was not better than Rose as her voice matches his perfectly.

'Thank you Lilly.' He said.

'No problem.' She replied.

They had a pleasant chat for a few minutes before Rex realized how late it was and decided that it was time for Lilly to go to bed.

'It's late now. You better head back to your den. I want to spend some time alone now.'

'I understand. Here's the rose that your mate loved. Goodnight Rex.' She said and removed the rose in her fur and placed it on the ground and began to walk away.

'Thank you again.' He said and she stopped for a moment and looked back with a smile.

'No problem.' She replied and walked down the rocky road back to her den.

He sat and watched as she walked into the shadows and looked up at the night sky.

'I know you're here for the whole time, Garth.' He said.

A few seconds later, Garth stepped out of his hiding place and walked towards him. He never returned to his den, and has been hiding close to them for the whole time.

'I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, she's your mate, and I won't take her away from you.'

Garth was surprised as he knows what he's thinking, and lets out a breath of relief.

'You better head back before she gets worried.'

'Okay. Thanks man.'

Garth turned away and walked down the rocky road back to his den while Rex picked up the rose that Lilly left and continued to enjoy the beauty of the moon.

'Even though she sang with me and made me felt a little better, but it still hurts, feeling that you're not beside me and you know that my heart will never change for any other wolves, Rose. I love you…' He whispered as he looked at the silver moon, imagining of the how she's living in the beautiful world that he and Rose talked about when they were married a few days after…

Finally, an update! I'm terribly sorry for keeping you waiting so long 'cause, well you know how busy a student can be; homeworks here, projects there. But I tried my best to find and use some spare time for this. So, I hope you like this chapter and thank you for the supports so far. I enjoyed reading your reviews and as usual, leave a review/follow/favourite. I really appreciate it and have a pleasant day. Peace out. -LoverWolfs1121