"Nope. I guess you could say I'm somewhere in between."

"So how do we address you? We can't say 'him' or 'her', right? Or can we?" Alex narrowed his eyes.

"Just call me 'they' or 'them'. That'll do the trick."

"Hmm," was Alex's only response, as he looked rather neutral on the whole ordeal.

Libby studied Red Spirit. It was as if something in her mind clicked, though she didn't exactly know what. Either way, she was glad to have met Red Spirit. They were a kind wolf, and made her feel the most at home in this strange Pack.

Libby couldn't repress a yawn. She was growing too tired.

"I think that’s your cue to go to your nest," Red Spirit said.

"But we still have to see the appointment of the new Second!" Alex burst out.

"You'll be woken. The entire Pack has to be there for that. Even guests," the white-black wolf added quickly as they saw that the gray wolf pup was about to protest.

"Okay, fine." Alex didn't sound particularly happy, but he went inside the cave. Libby looked at Red Spirit for a moment longer. They smiled and closed their eyes. Finally, the sandy brown wolf pup followed her brother. She plopped down on the first soft patch of ground she could find and fell asleep.

***

"Wake up, you two!" Umium stood over the two siblings, poking them awake in turn with her left front paw.

"What?" Libby snapped awake, heart beating. She hadn't slept well. Nightmares about her parents had haunted her.

"It's okay, " Umium soothed, "Brighten's joined the Spirits. It's time for the ceremony where Dreven chooses a new Second."

"Oh! Of course!" Alex was instantly on his paws. Libby thought it looked like he hadn't been asleep at all from how quickly he got up and rushed out the cave.

Umium gently grabbed Libby by the scruff and lifted her until she was on four legs. Libby said a swift thanks to the older trainee before heading out.

The wolves were gathered in a half-circle formation. Only Dreven was standing opposite of the rest of the Pack behind a dark gray pile that was smoking and wet. Libby presumed that this was the "ash" Red Spirit had spoken of. That was all that remained of Brighten. It felt weird to her. That pile of ash had once been a full wolf. A living and breathing wolf.

She quietly between Umium and her brother in the half-circle formation while pondering if her family would be burned as well. They'd have to be burned, right? Otherwise their Spirits couldn't move on.

"Wolves of the Pack of Dark Stones. Guests Alex and Libby. Our former Second Brighten has joined with the Spirits, and with that comes the time to appoint a new one."

The wolves in the Pack looked amongst themselves. Libby studied them and noticed that most of them were looking expectantly at Snow-white. Snow-white is even older than Elder Willow, and ten times as grouchy! Why would Dreven make her Second?

After looking closer, she noted that two other wolves were glancing at Red Spirit. Libby smiled. That would be a choice she could agree with.

"I don't make this choice lightly. I ask that you all support it ."

"As if I ever would," Libby heard Snow-white mutter to her daughter Ktea, too soft for Dreven to hear.

"The new Second of the Pack of Dark Stones is..." Dreven looked around the gathered wolves for a moment, making eye contact with all of them before continuing.

"Kotan!" His gaze settled on a young-adult Dark Stones member that couldn't be older than one and a half years. Kotan had a reddish-brown coat with cream markings and pale green eyes.

He looked flabbergasted. "Me?"

"Him?" Snow-white and Ktea snapped at the same time.

Dreven nodded. "Like I said, I don't make this choice lightly. Kotan, Brighten was your mentor. You may be young..."

"Young is an understatement! You might as well have made one of the pups our Second!" Snow-white barked.

"...but I've studied you and I know that you are just and wise like him. That is why I choose you. Do you accept this position?"

The reddish-brown wolf looked around for a moment, his gaze uncertain. Snow-white and Ktea looked displeased. A golden-brown she-wolf Umium's age stood near Kotan, wagging her tail in encouragement. Diamond nodded approvingly, while Red Spirit let out an accepting "whuff".

Kotan met Dreven's gaze again. "Er, yes. I accept. I'll be your Second from now on."

Dreven's expression, before somber from the funeral, now lit up. "You do?" He quickly corrected himself. "I mean, Pack of Dark Stones, I now present to you your new Second. Listen to him. He will no doubt do great things and go far, like Brighten before him."

Snow-white bristled. "If I can just voice my opinion for a mome--" .

"Dismissed!" Dreven barked. "To your caves or positions, everyone. It's already dawn. Kotan, your first assignment will be to organize a patrol of wolves. Have them check out the western part of the woods, where we found those Army vermin. They need to make sure it'll be safe for us to return the pups later today."

Kotan's uncertain expression turned into a more determined frown. "Yes, Dreven." He padded up to Red Spirit and Ktea. Libby wanted to listen in, but was taken aside by the Leader.

"You don't happen to be weaned yet?"

"Kinda..." Libby muttered.

"We-we're only six weeks old," Alex stuttered.

"But you've tasted meat before?"

"Only regurgitated stuff," Alex answered.

"Right, right. We'll do that now, then, too. You pups need to eat. Hold on."

He walked off in the direction of one of the wolf-built caves. It was on the side of the large stone pile. Libby wanted follow Dreven, but Alex gestured for her to stay in her spot.

A moment later, Dreven came back, smelling of prey. Blood coated his muzzle. "I'll regurgitate this for you in a moment."

"Dreven! I need to speak with you!" Snow-white's shrill voice sounded from the side of the clearing.

"What about?" He raised an eyebrow.

"About your choice in second-in-command! You really expect me to bow to the will of a pup?"

"I thought we all agreed there would be no complaining about this new Second?"

"Boo for you! I'm gonna do it anyways! You know I am the wolf deserving most of that position! In fact, I'm worthy enough to be Leader! You bloody well know that!"

"My choice is still Kotan. Now sod off, Snow-white! I'm not in the mood for your nonsense!"

"What? And let this Pack go to waste? You’re bringing in wolf after wolf that wasn't even born here!"

"Which is very normal for modern wolf Packs," Dreven remarked dryly.

"I'm the oldest and wisest in this Pack! I've been fighting me whole life to become Leader alongsi--"

"Do not bring that up!" Dreven let go of his sarcastic and annoyed posture. He made himself look as tall as possible, his tail high, ears erect and neck fur bristling. His eyes flashed. He looked like he was only a moment away from baring his teeth.

Snow-white's bright red eyes narrowed and she revealed her own fangs. "I won't let you boss my around forever."

"I won't put up with your obnoxious attitude forever. Now--" Dreven made a gesture with a front paw that made Kotan look up from his conversation with Red Spirit and Ktea. "Kotan, I have another volunteer for the patrol. Snow-white's joining her offspring."

"Volunteer's a bit of an overstatement, don't you think?" Libby heard Diamond mutter under his breath.

"If ya think that I'm going out there, you’re mistaken, Dreven."

"I don't think I am." Dreven said.

Red Spirit walked up to the old she-wolf and gave her a nudge. "Mum, you’re overreacting. Let's go. With possibly more Army wolves near, we can use all the strong fighters we have."

Snow-white shot her pup a nasty glance, but relaxed more when the last part was spoken. "You will need me for protection, yes. But-- fine, I'll go with you and Ktea! But not to please that dungface!" She bared her teeth again in a snarl before walking off with Red Spirit.

Libby, Alex and the rest of the Dark Stones Pack watched them leave.

Maybe they'll run into our parents! I hope so! We could be reunited soon! No, we will be reunited soon.

"Here you go, pups," Dreven said and belched up some meat. Libby licked her lips before walking over to the small pile of pre-chewed flesh with her brother and digging in. Mom, Dad, please wait for me!