Malus

Malus wasn't meant to be a leader of anything, much less his own pack. He was a loner from birth, arrogant, impossible to get along with. Even in his father's pack, he never felt that he belonged. So he left, to live and die alone, until Highland saved his life.



When Highland found Malus, the infection had set in almost to the bone. Highland was sure the wolf before him was long dead, until the corpse opened an eye, bared its teeth in a pathetic snarl. He wasn't phased — the wolf bleeding out in the dirt didn't have enough fight in him to do much, couldn't stop Highland from treating his wound and sticking around to make sure it healed.

By the time Malus was healed enough to move on, now walking with a permanent limp, he'd grown soft to Highland, considered him a friend. They went together from that point, and slowly began collecting strays. Autumn was among the first, left behind by her previous pack due to a hunting injury that left her without her right eye. Highland did the same for her as he did Malus, though she was much more gracious, and Malus never left her side.

So many of the wolves that joined the pack were exiles, loners, so many of them disabled and needing protection. Malus had been shaped by Highland's kindness, and in turn began to shape the world around him.

Malus slowed much sooner than expected. At Highland's request, the pack moved to the taiga, and the cold helped with the pain in his joints; here, the pack stayed longer than they had in any other place.

Already old by the time he met Malus, Highland began to prepare for the inevitable, training Rhythm as his apprentice so the pack would be cared for. His death left a legacy Malus swore to uphold until his own death.

When Autumn died, Malus knew he wouldn't be far behind; he makes preparations for what comes after, and designated a wolf he'd considered an adopted daughter to lead in his place. He dies, at peace, finally knowing this is what he was always destined to do.