𝕆𝕡𝕖𝕟 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕕

🦡| The pup before him was certainty, off. Her glowing blue-green eyes and oddly long claws for a pup wasn't the norm, but the pack took her in anyway. Aspen was the one to suggest the name Auburn for her. And the one to take care of her. This time was rough for Aspen, his mate, Dinar favored another male wolf over him enough to have puppies with him. Even after Aspen felt they had a strong connection, after he told her he'd do anything for her, she went and did that nonsense. Cedar was the name of the pup Dinar had with that wolf. And it wasn't long until she even abandoned her son for that wolf. Open Mind would take in Cedar, treating him nothing less of a dear son.
🦡| Aspen would oppose to the pairing of Auburn and Apex. He knew Apex would treat her fine, they were good friends, but they didn't love each other. It wasn't fair for either of them. He would protest further when the pair's puppies were taken away from them. Auburn's snap was inevitable, she attacked the leader and was chased from the pack. And instead of going on with his birth-pack, Aspen followed the tracks of his dear daughter with Cedar. Even Apex came along. The three searched for Auburn for a long while, until they found her in the swamp region. Open Mind could tell she was relieved to see the three. They all promised to stick together.
🦡| Thee four would create a pack, Auburn would come up with virtue names and discard their old names. Aspen would become Open Mind for his understanding. Cedar would be called Curiosity for his endless wonder. Apex, Auburn's dear loyal friend to the end, would be named just that, Loyalty. Auburn would name herself Honor Bound, bound to protect and accept those in need. The main virtue of their pack, Sense of Honor.
🦡| In Open Mind's new pack life, he became a Chaser of Honor for Honor's Hunt. So would Curiosity! And Loyalty would become a Stalker of Honor. They found the rest of their hunting group, Irio a new Chaser of Honor who would be named Valor and Finexx their first Finisher of Honor who they had named Vitality.
🦡| Life was good, it was calm, and Open Mind was starting to develop feelings- feelings? Vitality was hard not to like, she was helpful, strong, and getting to know more about her they both had near the same experiences. Open Mind never thought he'd find himself trying to impress someone again. First, he took on more work than needed for the pack. Then he'd often try to eat with Vitality, catching her favorite prey and sharing with her. And when Open Mind told Vitality he loved her, he presented her an Arnica flower earpiece to wear. Vitality would accept his feelings, expressing that she felt the same way.
🦡| The two spent their lives together, they even had a pup of their own, a blind pup they named Equity. Loved by them endlessly.

🦡| Open Mind wasn't expecting a new face in the secluded swamp, but life was full of surprises. The badger faced wolf stepped in front of Vitality, sniffing the air in the new wolf's direction. "Who are you?" Open Mind asked without hostility, so far. "Credence, I am a traveler. Would your pack happen to have room for an old wolf for a little while?" The wolf responded, staying put so he didn't provoke the two. Open Mind's face softened in relief. "Of course! We have a special den for travelers like yourself. I'm Vitality, and this is my dearest, Open Mind." Vitality spoke up. Open Mind had stopped his protective stance and stepped up to Credence. "Welcome to Sense of Honor, Credence. We'll show you around." He spoke, gently nudging Credence with his nose to beckon him to walk with him. Vitality padded in front of the two while Open Mind stayed next to Credence.
🦡| Once Credence made it do the travelers den with Vitality and Open Mind's help, he plopped down on a mossy area. Open Mind stayed standing while Vitality also laid down, her joints weren't what they used to be, but she managed to lay down safely. For a long while the three elderly wolves told each other stories, shared meals, and took naps together.
🦡| Then one day, Open Mind came to visit Credence alone. He looked troubled, his gaze to the floor as he sat down in front of Credence. "I'm sorry. It's just going to be me today." Open Mind spoke quietly, sinking to the ground in defeat. "What's happened? Are you alright? Is Vitality-?" Credence started to say, before Open Mind interrupted. "Dead." He replied directly, sniffling just once. Open Mind tried to stay strong, but it was hard. "Her death, it was peaceful. Old age." He added, trying to comfort himself with that fact. "It's okay to cry Open Mind. It's good to cry." Credence spoke, putting a paw on his in support.
🦡| Credence was supposed to leave the day Vitality died. But he stayed a few more to grieve. And on his journey home, as wisps, Open Mind and Vitality would visit Credence.