The drought had relented for a few days and Aquene had worked so hard but in the end it hadn't been enough. Aleister had passed quietly in his sleep succumbing from the injuries that he'd sustained. Oksana was glad to have been there with him as he took his last breath. After Oksana was both devastated that she'd lost the man that she loved but relieved. For weeks he'd languished with his wounds from the mountain lion. She knew he'd tried so hard to recover for her, the children, and the pack.
The crow wanted to ba angry with him for leaving her but she couldn't. How could she be when he was only doing what a good father would do. He was protecting his children from harm by fighting that mountain lion. It had never mattered to her what Aleister had thought she knew the truth. His last actions had proved how good of a father he truly was to his children. She would make sure everyday they knew how much he loved them.
Even though he'd had to he taken from them so soon she was grateful that he'd been with them long enough to meet his newest litter. That they'd had the chance to meet their father and know him and she hoped that his memory would live long in their hearts.
Oksana stayed with her husband for a long time after his passing. She spoke quietly to him even though he could no longer hear her. She assured him that she would take care of the pack. Make sure the children would grow up to be strong and healthy amd that she wouldn't let them forget him. She promised to look after Leo, Stella, and Lynx.
Then finally as the first rays of light came over the trees she left his side. Solemnly the crow made her way to the birthing den where she quietly woken her children and beckoned them to come with her. Her dark figure led them to the fallen tree where she would raise her muzzle into the air and call the pack, her family to her with a sorrowful song.
This was going to be hard on all of them. Aleister was well loved among everyone, the grief would be deep. Oksana knew as their leader she had to be strong for them amd for the pups.