Winter was fast approaching, and that meant most lone wolves would attempt to get into a pack before the cruel cold truly set in. That was why he had patrolled the borders more frequently, especially since there was a prince and princess in the pack. He would do anything to keep the lifeline of the Slayers and Pitch Pine Trail alive. They had no mother, and their father was dead.

Padding at a slow pace, Ace marked the borderline every twenty feet or so, to make sure that any lone wolves that came across the border, there would be no way of them not noticing that a pack lived in the area. The Pitch Pine Leader pricked his ears as a howl from Anastasia asking for him, Silver and Lachesis broke the deafening silence. Almost as if Anastasia had spoken to him in his mind, he knew immediately what is was about.

His long legs carried him quickly over the pine-covered, marsh-like ground as he made his way over to his leading partner. When he came upon Anastasia, Silver and Lachesis, the Pitch Pine Leader slowed down to a stop, coming to stand next to his Silver Angel. Nuzzling her shoulder gently with his creamy muzzle, Ace looked towards Anastasia, and Lachesis who was standing next to her.

Dipping his head an inch, he twitched his ears to show that he acknowledged their presence. “Anastasia, Lachesis.” He said softly. It would be a shame to see them go, as they would lose a good leader and a healer-in-training. But it was their choice, and he wouldn’t try to change it, no matter what he felt.

The Pitch Pine Leader stood silently and listened attentively to Anastasia’s speech. A saddened expression attempted to force itself onto his face, but he managed to change it into a weak smile. Yes, death of Shade was very hard, and he could mostly understand what his leading partner was talking about. She had always been a fill-in, the job of being the mother to the prince and princess even though they weren’t hers was strange, and being the alpha had only been temporary, as Spectre had challenged her for it.

Staring thoughtfully at Anastasia, he was shocked to hear her next words, but at the same time was pleased. His Silver Angel would finally get the chance to have the rank he knew that she wanted, and now they could lead together. But it was at the cost of losing a friend. His silver gaze looked towards Silver, whom he could see a shocked look upon her face, just like he did.

A soft nudge of his muzzle against hers and the soft purr of a rumble in his chest was all that was given. His thick tail twitched to the side as Silver spoke of accepting Anastasia’s offer before bowing down to her, presumably for the last time. She nudged him softly and wagged her tail, before he could see her golden eyes look back towards his once-leading partner, but was now just a friend.

His silver eyes glanced thoughtfully towards Lachesis momentarily as he had stayed silent the whole time. Either he was nervous to speak, or he just had nothing to say. Smiling uncertainly, the Pitch Pine Leader looked at Anastasia for a few moments. He had long lowered his stance, as they didn’t need the constant reminder that he was the Alpha and had power over them. They were all friends, and it wasn’t as if they were strangers.
“But where will you go?”