Faster, faster. Don't stop Vestige, don't look back. You've got nothing to live for, everyone's against you. You've got NOTHING.

Tears streamed down the alpha's face, his usual warm eyes alight with an inferno of hate, rage, hurt, pain. Endless emotions churning inside his mind that was no longer normal. He'd been through too much for that.

First, the death of Sauda. He'd only been the pack's alpha a short while and already he'd called them into combat where one of them had been killed. The pack had taken a heavy blow when she had passed, his mate more so than him. Liseli took it the hardest as her sister.

Then his mate, Lady, and his pups, Damaged, Jagged, Krypt, Tresse, Fe and Angel had also disappeared. Only the three boys had returned, but knew nothing of their mother. Various pack members began to disappear, it was only him and Liseli until he managed to persuade Aylen and Absolute to come along. Then a whole load of wolves seemed to want to be in the Aspen Grove pack.

Then, Moonpaw entered Shadow Haunter terratory. The alphess being Risen, whom Vestige had almost killed in a previous fight in which Sauda lost her life. The only wolf to ever make Risen feel weak. Him. So she had branded him her nemisis, and set out to slaughter him, which she very nearly did. Half his neck was missing, his battered body probably wouldn't stand another attack just yet.

Not only Risen, but his own son Krypt was now against him. That was what really hurt.

Damaged had been slaughtered by the Haunters too, as he went with Vestige to save Moonpaw. His only living son who was still with his father was Jagged.

Camarin betrayed him by giving away Toxin and two fo his and his mates pups to Risen in exchange for everyone, except his (Vestige's) life.

The alpha's world was crashing around him, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The wolf skidded to a halt at the edge of a tall cliff. The bottom looked so inviting, an end to all the suffering that would come. Vestige felt like he was about to implode. The shame of asking enemies to help him take out Risen because his own allies weren't around to aid him.

Panting heavily, the wolf saw images flashing through his mind, vivid images. If he had pressed a little tighter on Risen, she could have died, he could still have his life, his love, his children, his pack....

But no. He couldn't. Vestige just stood looking down at the cliff, his tears slipping from his blazing eyes and falling down the cliff face to the hard floor below....

Dove was the first to reach the canyon after she ran after the Alpha. "Excuse me...Sir? Could we help you somehow?" She asked, walking closer. His tears brought her pain, too, for she had lost everything except her life and her father.

"Dove!" Scolded Glider. He knew that angry wolves could be dangerous.

Canis Rex watched from a distance.

The soft-eyed white lady came trotting after her friend, tears in her eyes that matched Vestige's. She was the only one left who remembered the war, who remembered what they had fought for, and all they had lost. But her voice was soft, kind, and sad, and she came up beside the kind-hearted Dove, speaking gently. Here. Let me see what I can do. A moment?

And she came forward to Vestige, brushing up against his fur with the reassuring touch of a friend. With so much betrayal and pain, she knew from experience that what Vestige wanted most right at this moment was the assurance that everything would turn out alright, but Liseli could not say that, knowing that it was not true. So instead she leaned against him a little, voice soft, right in his ear, for him alone.

Vestige... I am not without friends in the valley. At my call, four separate packs will rise to our defense. Apart from that, there are many whom I could call upon. And she nuzzled him, a sort of friend's hug as she felt her heart break inside her, voice becoming a little shattered and whispered. Vestige... if there is aught that I have learned... through Sauda's death, through my mate's betrayal, through losing Malai... if I have learned anything, it is this: while there is yet life in your body, there is hope. There are always... possibilities.

She sighed, shifting her weight a little before speaking again. Love does hurt at times like this, or when someone that you love is lost. Your pain, like mine, has all come in one foul swoop. But if you ever cease to grow, to reach out in love... then some part of you, however healthy the body may be... some part of you is dying. We accepted you as our alphen because you were Lady's love, and her chosen consort. We respected you because you were a great leader. But... Vestige... we loved you because you were kind, and gentle, and understood that whatever the cost, love is what keeps us alive.

She paused, gathering her strength to go on, for she knew very well, from living it herself, that Vestige was wondering if the crash at the bottom of the canyon might hurt as bad as his heart did now. Finally, she gulped a bit, and continued. I cannot make your decision for you, Vestige. It is your life, your fate, and I could not take it from you even if I wanted to. But if you die, if you give up without a fight... then both your son and my sister rest eternally in vain. Because they died for one purpose. They died protecting someone they loved. You.

Malicious trudged up the canyon to where Vestige's trail lead. She found him, and a bunch of other wolves near the edge.

"Vestige!" she called "Get away from the edge! The pack needs you! Risen has lead an attack and the pack is suffering greatly from the lack of leaders!"

Malicious used her acting skills to pup panic in her voice and posture. This was a total lie, Risen was off somewhere pulling the lgs off a helpless rabbit most likely, but she kept her panic on, hopefully convincing Vestige to step from the edge.

The shaking wolf seemed almost oblivious to the presence of Dove, Glider and Canis Rex, until one ear swivelled round to listen. His head dropped even further. The three newest packmates were coming to try and help their daranged alpha. I..I've f-failed. He stuttered, trying to squeeze out words amidst the sobs. Everyone dead or had left because of me... Dove's encouraging words semed to fall on deaf ears, but the thought of someone actually coming to try and help him made Vestige begin to reconsider what he was about to do. He lifted a paw as if he was about to jump off, but placed it behind the other as he took one step back from the edge. However the bottom was so inviting...

That was until Liseli arrived. Vestige didn't even know she was there until she brushed up next to him. The ear that had been on Dove, changed course to listen to his friend. Every word that came out of her was true. Her speech almost seemed to straighten him up. His head lifted, and a small smile cracked when she spoke about the pack's thoughts of him as an alpha. He couldn't help it. Then she said something that made him back away from the Canyon, that seemed to make him realise what there was to live for, why he was still alive today. "But if you die, if you give up without a fight... then both your son and my sister rest eternally in vain. Because they died for one purpose. They died protecting someone they loved. You." The flow of tears that had stopped came gushing back. He began to move away from the Canyon edge. T-thank you Liseli, Dove. Were the only words that he could croak, not really knowing what to say. I..well...Thanks for... but he didn't get very far.

The rather frantic looking Malicious interupted the alpha's speech. Her words jolted the alpha and he spun round to face her with wide eyes. What! I..We've got to get there! However before he charged after Malicious to Aspen Grove, he turned back to look at Dove, Glider and Canis Rex.Follow Malicious, if Risen's attacking we're going to need all the help we can get. Whether they left or not, Vestige padded back towards Liseli and nuzzled her. Thank you....for everything. He said, jerking his muzzle towards the edge of the Canyon. As much as I hate to say it, we've got another fight...to win. No one's taking the pack that Sauda and Damaged died for away from us! Are you coming my friend?

Malicious padded down the canyon, rolling in her pride. She was an awesome actress.

Canis Rex raced after Malicious, grinning. "I've always wanted to participate in a war..." He laughed.

Dove and Glider ran ahead of Canis Rex.

Liseli brushed away Vestige's thanks, but Malicious' words caused her to look up. She nodded, bracing herself, and dashed away behind everyone.

Turning with Liseli, the alpha departed.