Dire Reach: Outer Exile

Chapter 12

"Roark! Roark! Wake up! It's Laru!" shouted a voice as Roark sprung from his sleep his eyes shooting right open. He sprinted forward knocking away whoever was in front of him as hurried to the Alpha's Den. The other pack wolves began rising from their sleep as they exited the Pack Wolves Den. Kantu and Oros ran behind Roark as they all went into the den. Garmuk and Erevar were already there as Roark moved in front of them all.

"Roark..you've made it, good.." Laru said letting out a faint whimper. "I'm glad you are here, to be with me during my final breaths.. I didn't expect it to be this soon. However, I am ready to finally be with my Pack, to be with...my family."

"But we are your family Father, you can't just leave us!" Kantu and Oros cried as they buried their heads in their Father's fur.

"If you'd please, everyone, leave except Roark." Laru ordered as he coughed again. The wolves obeyed and left the den one at a time. Once they were finally alone Laru let out a sigh of relief.

"This is how I wanted it to be my Beta, in my final moments I wanted to go out with you by my side just like you've always been." Laru called to him as the two sat in silence for a while. Suddenly Laru collapsed in a wave of spasms. Roark barked in alarm as he watched the older wolf jerk and tear at the ground. Although as Laru's life began to fade he saw a smile on the white wolf's face. Soon the spasms stopped, the pain stopped. All of it was gone.

"Forgive her Roark, Save the Reach..." Laru said strongly one last breath as his eyes turned from their natural brown to a faded grey. Roark looked at his body before neatly pushing his body back onto his tattered nest.

With a great breath, Roark let out a howl. It was a mighty howl, filled with raw emotion, grief and happiness. Soon after he had stopped the others had begun to howl as well from the outside of the den. Soon Roark was joined by Ullok, Garmak, Erevar and Kantu. They began to pick up Laru's light body as they carried him outside and placed him in the middle of camp.

All the wolves began crowding around their Alpha's body, one by one the wolves began saying their goodbyes.

"I didn't know you well enough, but I wish I had. You were a great leader and a good wolf, I'm glad you invited me here to be with your pack." Cloud said as he slowly went forward to touch the nose of the dead Alpha.

He walked away as Narrock took his place, then Waru, then Tarla and Malu. Everyone had gone except, Roark, Kantu, and Oros as well as Hailia who had been let out for this one moment.

"Father, you have gone to rest with the Eternal Pack now. Give me the strength to carry on without you to guide me...I will forever miss you and honor your legacy." Oros whispered to him as she pushing her muzzle into his fur letting out cries and barks of grief as she finally let him.

Kantu stood in front of his father, fear in his eyes as was face to face with his fallen parent.

"I-I didn't think you'd actually die..Why did you leave us? Why did she have to hurt you? Why did she have to hurt any of us?!?" howled Kantu in pure rage as slammed the ground with his paws. "No, I won't leave him! I won't do it! Get off of me!" he growled as Balduk and Tarla slowly pulled the young wolf off of the fallen Alpha. The two shook their heads as they comforted the weeping male.

Both Hailia and Roark stepped forward as they stood over Laru's body. Hailia had tears in her eyes as she moved closer to Roark, he moved closer as well as he struggled to find the words to speak.

"I can never be more grateful..F-F-For what you have done for me. You lead the pack when I couldn't. Brought Order to my chaos, helped me see that violence wasn't always the way. It was never the way, all it causes is death.." Roark whimpered as he touched noses with Laru before standing next to his mate.

"I know Laru, this all my fault. I will do what I must to make this right..You were right to be suspicious of me, but in the end, I promise you I will faithfully serve this pack. I give my life on it, and I will not let my mother destroy what you have built. I'm sorry for all the pain and suffering I have caused you. Forgive me Laru, for I have learned my lesson." Hailia asked as she as well touched noses with Laru.

With done, Roark led a patrol, Kantu, Oros, Erevar, and Garmak all had carried Laru as they took him to a cliffside, Erevar and Garmak began digging with Roark as Kantu and Oros watched over the former Alpha. Soon the hole was ready as they all lowered Laru slowly into the ground. They all then push the dirt back over the white wolf carefully. Finally, Roark put the finishing touches, applying rocks in a circle around his grave.

The wolves looked at it for a short time before collecting themselves and heading back to camp.... As Roark was the last to follow he caught a faint whisper in the wind..

"Save the Reach..."

Roark looked around before padding off to join his pack. His fur blowing in the wind as snow began to fall. Roark had finally caught up with them, and he slowed his pace to walk with them. Winter had finally arrived, but this time Roark was ready for the challenge. This time, Roark wasn't going to run away, and this time Roark would win.