Golden dawn trickled its delicate rays through the leaves. The swirling bright flickers of light splashed in between the branches and cascaded the forest floor in a brilliant pattern.

The joyous weather didn't mesh well with the depressed Flame Woods wolves. Even seeing the hopeful shining sun couldn't brighten any of their moods.

Misty ignored the wary stares coming from the Stone Hollow wolves as she padded across to her temporary den at the far side of the clearing.

Her thoughts wandered, causing her heart to sink. Memories of the previous days putting down her mood. She couldn't believe Mystique had been able to drive them away so easily. The whole deal...it had been a trap. Having Tyrant away was the little opening Red Fang needed to attack Flame Woods without their leader. Striking them at their weakest had been planned all along. Even killing Archie to make sure their message was understood. But what would they do with the flooded territory? It was nearly impossible to hunt. Why would they want it? To give the two legendary Packs the impression that they weren't as strong?

The thought made Misty's lip curl. Her injured leg thumped against a stone, jerking her mind back to the present. She snarled and kicked the stone away with an uninjured leg. It clattered and bumped into Twilight. The she-wolf didn't notice. She trembled and curled into herself, staring down at something.

Misty peered over Twilight's shoulder, stifling a gasp.

A tiny brown body was at Twilight's paws: Mountain. The she-pup wasn't breathing. Her eyes peacefully closed as if she had passed in her sleep.

Twilight shuddered again. She pressed her snout to her daughter's silky pup fur, before drawing back up, holding in a sob.

Misty rested her tail in a comforting gesture on Twilight's shaking shoulders. The grieving mother didn't notice Misty's touch.

"My poor puppy," Twilight sobbed. "She had to suffer so much."

By now, more of their Packmates had gathered around. They murmured words of reassurance or cried beside Twilight. Even a few Stone Hollow wolves paused to share their grief.

"What's going on?"

Misty recognized River's voice. She turned around to see her four little ones staring at her, wide-eyed. She moved in front of them to block their view of Mountain's lifeless body and Twilight's sorrowful face.

"I'll explain later." Misty swept them away with her tail to guide them to their den. Rascal was yawning when they entered. His eyes were bleary like he'd just woken up.

"W-why is Twilight crying?" Ash's ears were flat as if he could sense the grief.

Rascal glanced at her curiously.

"Nevermind that now." Misty chided. "You four stay put. I'm going out to talk to your father."

Rascal noticed the urgency in her tone and followed without question. They sat on the far side of the clearing so they could talk in peace.

Rascal's ears perked at Twilight's cries of distress. "What is going on?"

"Mountain is dead," Misty whispered.

Rascal's eyes were wide but soft. He gazed sympathetically after Twilight. "That must be hard."

Misty wondered if Rascal was feeling the same way she was: realizing how painfully agonizing it must be to lose your puppies. She knew she was lucky that so far, Red Fang Pack hasn't killed one of her offspring. Surely they wouldn't be savage enough to torture innocent, helpless puppies?

She let out a breath. "Everything's falling apart."

Rascal touched his nose to his mate's. "Misty–"

"Stop," Misty interrupted. She looked at Rascal weakly. "There's nothing you can say that will comfort me."

"Bad things don't last forever." He whispered.

Misty pulled away, her bright eyes flashing as angry tears threatened to spill. "You know that Red Fang will go for Stone Hollow next! They're too powerful! No matter how hard we try, we won't be able to stop them!" She tried to keep her voice low. But her pitch became higher as she said those final words. A few wolves turned to look at her curiously, but Rascal flicked his tail, silently telling them that it wasn't their business.

When everyone was once again occupied, Rascal faced Misty. His demeanor shifted...

Fear... Misty could tell by the flicker in his eyes. He was scared. Just as frightened. He looked hopeless, and that's what made Misty's heart thump as despair drained the last of her energy.

Rascal closed his eyes. His ears drooped, tail slumping to the ground. He clenched his teeth, fighting back emotion.

Guilt climbed into Misty's heart. Seeing her mate look so tense and exhausted squeezed her throat shut. She nosed her head under his chin, allowing him to rest it on her head. They sat quietly, neither spoke a word, for the anxiety they carried in their hearts loaded their shoulders down as if they were carrying boulders.

Sunlight rained down on the forest as if telling the weakened wolves that everything will be okay.

~~~

Wolves of Flame Woods and Stone Hollow gathered around to share a proper memorial for Archie and Mountain. Sorrow held everyone in a foggy grip.

"Archie was my best friend." Baron was whispering. "I am full of grief to see him go. At least he no longer has to suffer down here. I know he watches over all of us." When he sat down, wolves murmured in agreement with his words.

Finally, Alusia stood. She scanned the circle of wolves, her eyes red and swollen from crying through the night. She lifted her head bravely. Misty admired her courage to stand and speak when obviously she was hurting quite badly.

"He–" Alusia inhaled sharply. She shook her head, quickly gathering herself before facing the crowd again.

"Archie...was the only one I ever wanted to be with. I never dreamed of sharing my life with someone until I realized I loved him. We grew up together, hunt and fought beside each other. This whole time, I only thought of him as a friend, but when he confessed his feelings to me, I noticed I'd felt the same all along, even if I was too stubborn to admit it on my own." Alusia looked up at the sky, searching for her mate in the night. "I will raise these pups in his honor. I will always tell them stories of their father, and make sure they never forget him. Farewell, my sweet Archie. I hope you've found your place in the skies."

Alusia lowered her chin. Tears sparkled in her amber depths. One escaped, leaving a trail down her cheek, pattering softly to the forest floor.

Misty watched the dark gray she-wolf sit among her Packmates. Twilight rose, her son pressed beside her, brown eyes rounded in grief.

"I named my daughter Mountain because I wanted her to be strong and tall, like a mountain. Even though she was born sickly, she was strong. Hardly ever complained, never stopped fighting until..." She trailed off. Her expression was a heart-breaker. Pained to have lost her young. "I know she will lead a much better life up there than down here. Now she's running, pain-free, no illness, no worries. She will always hold a special place in my heart."

Misty exchanged a glance with Rascal. The two of them felt close to those words. If anything ever happened to their pups, they would be feeling the same way.

F.I.N.A.L.L.Y.

Writer's block is kicking my butt because I have been wanting to post this part for a long time, just haven't had the motivation to write.

When I finish this book (there are about five chapters left) I'm gonna leave Wattpad for a while because I want to find inspiration for a new book. I also want to be able to hang with my friends as much as I can before school and sports begin.

Thanks for reading!

-15thSoccerGirl