Naděje

As always, Naděje seems perfectly balanced. She hardly ever show strong emotions, which is calming in a way. Whenever you're overwhelmed, her presence brings a new perspective.

"Are you ready?" Pauk asked
"Will I ever be?" Naděje Replied
Pauk shook their head, "no. Not even our first alpha, Alpha Mable, was ready. But you will be one of the best leaders our pack has ever seen. I am sure of it."

"You need to stop this." The elderly herbalist, Ukumari, said as she patched up the deep wound along Naděje's nose. "I know you want to defend your pack, but it's no good if you are always injured like this."
"I can't give up a fight, they will all think I'm weak then!" Naděje growled at the wise herbalist, ignoring her warning for the hundredth time
"No! Don't you see? It doesn't make you stronger to stand and fight forever, even when you are about to die, you must know when to stop or you will lead this pack to destruction!" Ukumari snapped, loosing her patience with the young leader. She turned and stomped away, leaving before she could finish dressing the wound on the alpha's snout.

Naděje, though now old and weak, stood tall over her pack, watching them wander around the camp. She didnt want to be leader, but now she couldnt imagine not having her role, but she knew that soon, she would have to let it go. Next to her stood Pauk, her closest friend. Pauk had helped her learn and appreciate the role of Alpha and stayed by her side no mater what, but Pauk coud not come with her when she left the pack to the next leader. She would always be left behind to help the next leader. "I wish you could come, and yet, I am so proud that you are willing to stay." Pauk was confused, what Naděje said didnt make much sense. Noticing her confusion, Naděje sat down and looked at her eight-legged companion. "You could leave whenever you want, explore the entire world, yet you stay, and you help the pack. We wouldnt be here anymore if it were'nt for you."

"I'm going to miss you so much Stribet… I don't know if I'll even make it without you.." Naděje nuzzled against her littermate and one of the closest wolves to her in the entire pack. "I've watched so many go and yet I still will never be able to handle it…

"It's been a long time, and I still don't think I'm ready to let go." Naděje Sighed and she snuggled close to her mate Ombra. "I have so many friends and obligations, yet I am so old and weak that I can barely stand." She knew that her mate was passing away as she spoke, but she tried to fill her mind with other thoughts to hide her deep sadness. "Where do we even go when we die? Do we walk among a different world? Are we passed onto another life? Do we disappear into endless darkness?" Her efforts were clearly failing, "I just have to hope that soon I will see you again. I will see you and everyone I've loved and lost. And they will join me, and we can all live together forever." She nuzzled deeper into the dying mate's pelt to hide her tears. In a last effort to comfort his mate, Ombra weakly lifted his muzzle and placed it on top of the elder leader, wishing he could speak but knowing that his silent comfort was stronger than any work he could have ever said. He loved her, and he knew that she loved him.