Everything Ends

Cascade lifted her head to another sunrise, and she ached.

It had been so long now since the disease that ravaged their pack had caused Valentine's mind to crumble under the hallucinations. Since he left. Since her oldest son, the pack's heir, had left to follow him. She'd pushed herself to keep the pack together, to keep going through the numbness and exhaustion, despite being alone and lonely, despite the illness that even now held two of her children in its grip. She didn't know where everyone was anymore. She couldn't patrol the borders, and hunt, and take care of her children, and do all the thousands of other things that all the pack members should have been doing. She wasn't an alpha. She'd never be an alpha. She had no claim over Imperium or the loyalty of its members. Hell she wasn't even Valen's mate. She was just... whatever she was.

It was time to admit defeat.

Imperium was dead.

She was surprised at the swell of bitter grief and abandonment she felt in that moment. She, who had always prided herself on her independence. She, who didn't need anyone. And yet, at that moment, she would have given up everything to have Valen back.

Just one moment, as her chest ached and her eyes burned, her throat catching on a keen she wouldn't utter.

Then she took a deep breath, and moved on. She was still alive. Her children were still alive. They would move on, and they would continue to survive. She had been fine before Valentine. She would be fine now. If Valentine ever came back, well, she would cross that bridge when she came to it. Losing her best friend did not mean the end of her life.

Heaving herself to her slender legs she peered over at her sons. Phim had been steadily improving and was probably well enough for what she had in mind, though Chaos was only just now on the mend. She gave a soft woof to call Vana's attention from where she was tiredly making up a new batch of herbs for Chaos, then lifted her head in a howl to call together what remained of the pack. It was time to end this.

OOC: all former Imperium members are welcome to post here, or not, if so inclined, or whoever else has an interest in Imperium or whatever. Cas is breaking the bad news.