Alya ❀

"Welcome home!" The September pack cheered as Oakley entered the camp. As the first-ever scout The September Pack used to have died only two days ago, it was their job to cheer Oakley up after every scouting mission. Oakley, barely standing on his legs, exhausted from his mission, nudged a small, pearl pup in front of him. Gasps echoed around the camp.

"Where did you find her?" Quartz barked, silencing the pack. Oakley bowed to the Alpha before getting to his paws once more. He glanced at the pup again, looking slightly protective of her.
Oakley then began the story which would soon leave the pack in shocked silence. "I came across a kind wolf pack while scouting the Glacier. I could see the wolves were thin, their ribs jutting out of their fur. Though they still stood strong, I could see the visible pain in their eyes. They told me they could no longer keep this pup, as the mother was sickly and could no longer feed her. The other mothers in the pack did not have enough food to feed her themselves, as they were trying to raise their own pups. I could leave this pup to starve, but I chose not to. I just could not bear to see this pup depart into their pack to only die a day later, so I gently grabbed the pup by its scruff. I promised them I would take good care of her and departed on my way home. It was exhausting, carrying that pup. I am quite thankful I am even here."
The wolves stared at him, unable to find words of gratitude. Saving a pup from starvation! Oakley was truly a wonderful wolf to do such a thing.
Everyone turned to look at Quartz. Her eyes had gone blank, and she was starting to tremble slightly. She was staring directly at the pup, who had noticed the unusual silence and let out a small whimper of fear, backing into the protective warmth of Oakley and hiding under his legs. Quartz finally seemed to regain her sanity and looked up.
"Oakley, you are a blessing indeed. You have just found the next leader of our pack!"
Now that shocked the wolves. Some glanced nervously in Echo's direction, whose jaw had dropped open.
"B-but Alpha, I was promised to become the next Alpha of the pack!"
Quartz only glanced calmly at Echo, not seeming guilty at all. "Echo, you have served us well. And you will continue to serve as the Beta. Do not fret, your strength is needed to run this pack and I will assure you that I will always need your advice."
Echo finally seemed to accept this and lowered into a bow. Quartz then turned to look at the pup once more.
"I name her Alya, as she is indeed sent from heaven to lead this pack!"