Ox Ear

Hello, you must be new here. Welcome to the afterlife, or as those of us who are here call it, The Serene Daydream. I've been here since the pack started. I was taken from the living world much too soon. My sister is down there in the living world. She's all grown up now. And has had kids of her own too. They died, unfortunately, but they were forgotten. She'll have new pups soon. Seems like I have two new brothers as well. My mother, whom you knew as the alpha, gave birth to Darmon and Jeremiah, and I think they'll make it to adulthood. I've watched this pack grow and am so proud of my mother. I wish I could be down there with my sister, but I've seen her grow into who she has become. I'm worried about Noire though. She's getting older and I think soon she may join us. You'll meet the other pups here soon enough. I'm sorry you died the way you did, but I'm happy to have you join us here.


Well, Noire is here. Lovely to see you again. Not sure if I've officially met Noire yet. She may remember me. I've dream-visited her a couple of times.


This has grown so much. I am both happy and sad about this fact. Noire has been here, Golden Glow has come, Clover has joined us, along with Marshmallow, and Midnight Olive, my protector, and Sage as well.
"Ox?" I turn and see Clover standing above me.
"Yes sir?" I return, being polite as possible.
"Someone wants to see you," he replied. I cocked my head, but then shook it off and followed him. Who would request my presence specifically? I wondered. Then I figured out why. We locked eyes for a moment, and then tears flowed down my fur onto the ground. I choked. I didn't know what to say, so I only said one thing.
"Dad?" And then I was running towards him like two lovers who have not seen each other in months. My tail was wagging viciously by the time I got to him. He immediately lowered himself so I could see him better, which made it easier for me to pounce on him.
"Hello, my son," Silver Moon replied, choking on his words. "I thought I'd never see you again. I remember Midnight waking us up in the morning saying that you were gone. I was so angry. I-" He broke down once again. I looked over to Midnight Olive, who was standing a ways away, still looking like a cnidarian wolf. She dipped her head, indicating that what my father said was true.
"Dad," I said to him, regaining my composure. He looked at me eye-to-eye, as if we were on the same level. "Now is your chance to apologize." Silver nodded, his gaze flickering between me and Midnight Olive. He got up and walked to her, and she immediately gained a submissive composure.
"I apologize for what I said to you when..when I found out about him," he apologized, glancing at me. I nodded and flicked my gaze to Midnight, giving her a hopeful stare.
"It's alright, my beta. I should've kept a closer eye," she replied, not looking up from the ground. I walked over to her and put my paw on her own.
"It was my own curiosity, Olive. Don't blame yourself." She sighed and regained her confident composure. The two adults nodded and smiled, and then Dad and I were left alone. He turned to me, his blue eyes wide.
"Have you been watching over us? Your family, I mean," he asked me suddenly. I licked his nose and replied,
"Of course I have Dad, why wouldn't I? Y'all are my family. I answered every one of your howls. All of the family, Darmon, and Jeremiah included" He pulled me close to him, and I felt him sigh, but it wasn't one of pure relief. I gently wiggled away and looked at him once more. "You alright?"
"Yes, I am. I'm just..."
"Missing mom?" I finished for him. He nodded.
"She's slowing down you know. I'm worried she won't be alpha much longer."
"She won't," I said matter-of-factly. "However, she won't be alone when she does go, that I know. I have chosen Darmon to be the next alpha. What do you think?" I asked my father. He nodded in agreement as we watched the pack go about their duties. Suddenly, I remembered what his job was. "There are hunting grounds over yonder," I said to him, and I watched his eyes light up.
"Do you- Can I-?" he stuttered, trying to find the words. I couldn't help but gently shove him.
"Yes, you may teach me to hunt, Silver Moon, my father, and beta."