Delilah

Around the time when Delilah was born, strange things were happening. Mysterious creatures appeared, puppies acted weirdly different and uncommon sounds were around. The whole pack had a rather tough time and some of the hunters even tried to avoid going out and hunt, because they feared parts of the woods now. But the night where Delilah and many other pups were born, there was a huge happiness in the den. The new mothers were full of love and Apollo, who was the father of most of them, welcomed all of them eagerly in the pack. These litters seemed more special than some others. Two of the pups - Delilah and Dieter - had inherited special fur colors. They looked stunning, but so did Minnie. When growing up, these three and an older pup named Frost - who had a spooky appearance - became very good friends.

Time went by and the whole situation around the pack's territory seemed to cool down. But one day, when Delilah was a few months old, her eyes started to... change. Her beautiful colored eyes first started to loose all color and then turned deeply purple-red-ish. As if that weren't unsettling enough, she suddenly had some kind of scar on her forehead, growing from day to day, until it took the shape of an eye socket. The herbalist Nocturna had no clue what was going on and the leader Apollo felt like he was too old to deal with that stuff anymore while being very worried for his child. Shortly after, a glossy ball with the same color as her eyes appeared in the socket. The pack was stunned. A few of the adults - Snoot,
Nebula, Grey and her son Damascus - came closer and saw themselves in the small pup. She had also gotten a third eye with the same color as theirs, just like the ancestor Flint, who was the first wolf to be the wearer of such an anomaly. As the former breeding male before Apollo, he inherited these mysterious eyes to many pups, Grey is one of them, and also a few wolves joining the pack, also had these kind of eyes - but it was always a mystery where they got them from. There have also been very few encounters with stranger wolves from other packs who had three eyes.

Anyways, the others got used to the change, and because that triple eye wasn't very uncommon in the Noname Pack, it wasn't such a big deal.

Time went past and Delilah became an adolescent. Apollo had also become very old now and would defenitely not live for much longer, so he had to decide for an heir. She felt that she and her father Apollo had grown rather close. He really trusted her instincts and he felt that she has something about her that is special.
Even though she was very young, he announced her to be the new leader which required her to grow up fast.

A few nights after he told everyone, the great - but short timed - leader passed away.

The start was a little stressful for the young Delilah, but she was greatly supported by her pack.

----

Time had been going well for the Noname Pack. One day during a get-together, Delilah watched her family cuddle, talk and enjoy their time. That evening, everyone was freed of their duties and could just enjoy the company and the warm evening. That was until one of the recently joined members Terrent got up. She walked straight towards Delilah - or rather the pride rock she was standing on. The leader watched in curiousity as she came closer. Some of the wolves raised their voice a little when Terrent set one foot on the rock. She climbed up and placed herself next to Delilah who asked:"What exactly are you doing here?"

Instead of an answer, Delilah got pushed away - that's when the other wolves barked and growled towards Terrent. It was not allowed to climb that rock for new members. Usually, only the leader was allowed up there. The leader huffed at Terrent to move down and she would get away with a warning. She did not listen but started to speak:"I am the carrier of the news regarding your future. Your pack shall suffer war and pain of many years to come..." After that she howled with an eerie deep voice.

From all entrances, shadows of wolves appeared, storming into the den site. Delilah realized what was happening and jumped at Terrents throat, killing her with a clean bite. She screamed:"We are under attack! Protect the pups, mothers and elders! FIGHT for our family!" and jumped in herself.

The fight was long and took some lives but the Noname Pack managed to chase the intruders away. After that incident, everything changed.

----

After that incident, the whole pack changed. They adapted to the war that was now raging.
Leading became much harder: Delilah had to be more careful when sending out scouts, hunts or her herbalist. Also had to make sure, that wolves were accompanied by skilled warriors when going outside.

There were many worrysome nights but the pack managed to live on - The Noname Pack was adaptable after all.

As time went by with many fights and problems caused by the cultists, Delilah felt herself aging. She had to think about a new heir soon...

It was always crucial to pick a fitting heir for a pack but this time it was even more important as the war was calling for someone who could handle suddenly leading a giant pack through such a hard situation. Delilah could (and had to) adjust to it over time but not everyone could continue what she had started...
Balder was no option. He was loved by everyone but he couldn't act with violence if needed.
Many of the hunters were skilled with what they did and also fighting, but they would not be fitting for the role of the leader.
There was also nobody that seemed fitting withhin the warriors.
But... About a year ago there was a litter born with someone interesting: Viktoria
Yes, she was absolutely arrogant and full of herself. But she was born in the war so she knew it well enough. She had also been exceptionly good at training and was currently helping Balder to scout the area. As an apprentice, she had already been attacked and did quite well - got a scar to remember it. And she had been listening carefully every time Delilah had announced new things about the war. Not to mention that she was overall intelligent - not only fitting for war. Her attitude might be a problem, though...
Delilah decided to think it through.

When the leader's deadline got closer, she knew she had to decide. It was gonna be Viktoria. Since Delilah's first time thinking about picking an heir, Viktoria had proven herself to be the right fit - even though she might be a little rough.

Delilah walked up to the now adult wolf and greeted her, asking her to follow. She bowed her head and moved after Delilah, they went to the leader's cave. When she announced the news, Viktorias firey eyes lit up, making it hard to hide her joy about the news. She agreed with a voice as calm as possible, thanked the leader and went outside. Delilah followed and got up to the pride rock. Howling very loudly, she called all wolves to the middle of the den site - except for a few of the guards posted outside.

"As some of you might have noticed, I am not the youngest anymore. Even though, I would love to stay with you all and lead this amazing pack for all eternity, my body won't allow that. It was a great pleasure to lead you, my family - even though the peace was interrupted about one and a half years ago. But, even if I will be gone, the Noname Pack must still stand and defeat the Cultists once and for all! Therefore, I couldn't think of anyone fitting better than Viktoria as my heir. Please, come up."
Viktoria did as she was asked. "In your very young age, you managed to prove yourself multiple times. With your intellect, strength, strong will and knowledge of the war, you will stand up to what is asked of you. If anyone is against my choice, speak now." Silence. Viktoria couldn't hold back a smile.
"Wonderful. So, Viktoria. Do you promise to protect the Noname Pack until your death with your life?" "Yes, I do." "Do you, Viktoria, promise to be an anchor for the pack - your pack - to hold on to?" "Yes, I do." "And do you, Viktoria, promise to destroy the Cultists and everything that belongs to them?" Viktoria paused for a second:"YES, I DO!" Cheerful howling set in.
Delilah raised her voice again:"So now, my beloved family, let's take today as a day of rest. Let us all gather here and enjoy the warmth of the family. Guards will work in shifts so that everyone can have the pleasure to enjoy the evening."

The Noname Pack gathered that evening, spending great quality time together, until wolves started to go to bed. Everyone that left, went to Delilah and said their last goodbye to their leader. When the party had ended, Delilah went to the lake near the den site, sat down and looked in the water. "Did I do everything right?" In the reflection, she saw a shooting star go right over her head - she had to smile and sighed relieved. Then she laid down and closed her eyes...