It's over, isn't it?

The alphaess said she liked to believe others were trustworthy. Ashmedai dipped his head sheepishly, "That sounds like a dangerous stance to take." On any other day, he could have easily been that untrustworthy wolf.

"Besides, I'm small, but I bet I could take you," Faite said. Ashmedai chuckled softly, "I bet you could." He was serious, who knew what this woman could do.

He followed the woman as she led him through her pack. His gaze meandered around almost lazily. It was a little awkward. He didn't get the secrecy in most packs, and he had been in this area before, but somehow it felt a little different now that it was marred by other wolves' scents.

They were there. Ashemdai recognized the place. Faite asked if he wanted wanted a moment, and Ash nodded softly, "Please. I'll tell you when I'm done."

Ashmedai walked up to the place his mother had been buried. He suddenly wasn't sure what to do. His mouth became a little dry. No one was even around, so why was he even nervous?

"Hey- uh- so I guess you probably aren't listening, but what's new?" He started with a coarse joke, laughing breathlessly to himself. "I guess I just kind of ended up here and thought about you. I'd say nothing's changed, but everything had. There's no more pack, but you knew that. I haven't found one yet. I thought about starting my own, but- I mean- I'm not Dad."

Ashmedai glanced around. He still didn't know what to say or what he was expecting. Did he even need to talk to himself out loud? He rolled back on his haunches as he spoke.

"I mean, this is a pack now and their leader let me in, which was nice. You'd probably be angry that I even asked to be let in instead of just coming in, but you always thought this place was your kingdom anyway."

That reminded him of something, "By the way, did you know if dad was a god by chance? I met some strange wolves, and it kind of makes sense, as crazy as it seems."

This was terribly awkward, but it felt good to talk to someone familiar, even if that someone was dead. He imagined she was listening more now than she did when she was alive. It was kind of ironic that way.

"I wish I could find Angel, or Eva, or Chaos... or anyone- well, except Rhythm or her pups. I'd rather never see them again. You felt the same way, didn't you?"

Ashmedai waited a while before continuing, "Well, either way, I was just kind of here. I feel pretty lost without Imperium or you or Dad, but I also feel kind of free. I don't think I want to join any of these packs, but I wonder if maybe some of them would enlist my help like we did for Abaven that time."

The man shrugged. He should ask Faite if they needed help, he decided.

"Well, I'm sure you're quite done with me interrupting your sleep, so I'll leave now. Besides, I don't like the way being in an unfamiliar pack feels. I- uh- guess I'll visit you again or you'll be watching me or something. Sorry I ran away and sorry you died alone. I hope you didn't miss me. I hope you were- like- experiencing life and having fun before you got sick. But also... I kind of hope you thought about me just for a moment before... you know. I don't think we said it a lot, but... I really do- did?- do love you."

Ash felt all sad now. That didn't make him feel better at all! Ashmedai stood and shook his fur, turning from the place, "Bye Mom. Rest well, okay? One of us needs to."

Coming back to Faine, Ashemdai did his best to throw on a loose smirk, "She didn't have much to say- which is kind of a relief," he joked, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Anyways, thanks for everything. I owe you. If there anything I could do for you or your pack to- uh- pay you back? Just as a little thanks?"