The Alpha of Mountains

[Anvil]

The wolf walked along the mountain path as the bitter cold bit the skin under her gray fur. She looked high above, observing the fine details of the rocks and cracks of the mountain walls. Even from so down low, the determined wolf could see the cave above her. She knew that soon she would get there. It only took the bravery within herself. She also knew that when she got there she would find more wolves. The gray wolf would not leave the mountains until she did find them.
The wolf began walking again along the path. Even as the rocks scratched her paws, she continued her movement. She knew that Paradise was not there in the mountains, but she needed a pack first. That would take up a lot of time. She was still proud, though. Having a pack was essential for her to have before finding Paradise. The moon was slowly moving higher in the air. The female had to hurry to a flat surface. She wanted to howl high on the mountains when the moon did come up.

[Tumainii]

Silver light poured down from the skies and onto the forest floor. Tumainii looked up to the moon which was almost all the way up. 'A full moon already.' she huffed inside her head. The mountains made her feel at home, although the air was thin and cold, it was a comfort. The ground was always cold, and hard, littered with rocks that could either help you or cut your pads open. And the bears around here were never anything to sneeze about. Yet, somehow the young she-wolf always gravitated to the mountains despite all these.
"I suppose I should find a place to sleep." she commented to herself. She started to sniff around rocks and sage brush looking for an area to rest for the night. After a moment she did find some rocks that formed somewhat of a cradle with dirt to lay on and sage brush that blocked the wind. Her tail wagged a little, this was perfect for tonight, perhaps a bit drafty but it would do.
Climbing over the sage brush she spun herself into a ball and laid down. She took a moment to take in all the scents around her, sage brush, dirt, grass, pine and aspen. But there was one in particular that had caught her attention. Wolf.
Her ears perked as she listened for any paw steps but figured this wolf must be sleeping as well. Still it put her on edge and she slept very lightly in case she had a late night visitor.

[Anvil]

Lyall was walking briskly along the mountain path. She was fully determined to get to the top of the mountains. As she was moving her way up, she began to smell a familiar scent: a wolf. It motivated her to move even faster. This could be a wolf who was injured or sick. She ran as fast as she could, but keep a wide look at for any wolf. Soon, the smell came nearer. Lyall began slowing down so that she did not run into the wolf. Finally, she found the wolf lying down on the ground. "Are you okay?" Lyall spoke softly to the wolf.

[Tumainii]

Tumainii's silver ears started to twitch as they picked up the sound of paw steps. The inside of her nose tickled as the sent of the wolf grew stronger. Instantly waking up she raised her head in time to hear a female voice ask if she was alright. The wolf kept it's distance which was just fine with her, still she felt vulnerable laying down and forced her tired limbs to set herself up.
"Yes, I am fine, just sleeping." she answered back in a drowsy voice. She looked the wolf up and down, obviously a timber wolf by the coat of her fur. Perhaps she lived around here then? She looked up at the night time sky, the moon was still very high in the air. Looking back down she commented "Shouldn't you be as well?"

[Anvil]

Lyall gave a small laugh. "No, I'm not." She paused for a brief moment. "Actually, to be quite honest, I am waiting for the moon to rise at its fullest. Waiting for its glow to be bright enough to light up the world. I want to to howl my heart out." She paused again. "Before I ask you something, I want to introduce myself My name is Lyall. I'm searching for Paradise."

[Tumainii]

Tumainii wrapped her tail around her paws and let her eyes soften a little. The wolf seemed kind enough to her, but that had never been enough to let her guard down in the past. 'Waiting to howl?' she thought to herself. She scented the air quietly, she didn't smell any others in the area, surely she was alone. She couldn't help but feel a lone wolf howling wasn't the brightest idea as it could bring other big predators around looking for a fight. Ever since Tumainii had gone out on her own she hasn't howled once.
She smiled a little when the new comer introduced herself as "Lyall" but then frowned at the next part of her introduction. Paradise?
Still, not wanting to be rude she gave her name as well "I'm Tumainii. 'Before you ask me something?' " she repeated "There is something you wish to ask?"

[Anvil]

Lyall nodded slightly. "Yes, there is something that I would like to ask you. I said that I was wanting to howl at the moon and go to Paradise. In my old pack, I was the alpha. I led all of the wolves to Paradise. I was wondering if you would like to come along. It seems that you are not here with any other wolf. You are not doing anything, but sleeping--and the ground will still be here when you decide to rest. So, I am asking you to come along. If you wish not to, I will be on my way. I'm just here to help."

[Tumainii]

Shock spiked through her system, this wolf, this stranger, wanted to lead her to Paradise? Why? She looked at the wolf for a moment. She said that she had already lead her pack to Paradise, so why was she still here? Her father, the mind controlling wolf that was her parent, had always told her that any wolf who believed in Paradise was either a trickster or had gone mad at some point.
Perhaps she had lost her whole pack to hunters, and her mind had lead her to believe that they left to paradise? It would make sense, but what if she had never had a pack at all, and was a trickster? Somehow, Tumainii found that one hard to believe, after all why trick her? She had nothing to offer her, unless perhaps she knew more then she was leading on. Did she know who she was? The daughter of a large wolf pack in the neighboring mountains? And even though female, had been next in line for alpha? Still, that was behind her, she would never return to that pack, no matter what the cost.
After a moment of silence she sighed "I do not know much of Paradise." she admitted. The things her father had told her was all, that wolves who lived in a fantasy believed in it.
"But more over that, I can not help but wonder, if your pack is in Paradise, why are you not there with them?" She asked looking into the she-wolf's eyes.

[Anvil]

Lyall gasped and, then, sighed. "I guess I said that wrong. I tried to lead my pack to Paradise. I was on my way to. Then, they were all killed. I'm sorry if I confused you. They are not in Paradise. If they are they will never come back, because I saw every single one of them die." She paused for a moment. "I've been waiting for a new pack. I've been searching and searching. Now, you are here. I finally have the chance to start a new pack. I can start all over. If you do not want to come, I'm okay with that. I'm sure there are plenty of wolves out there who are ready to come with me to Paradise. Now, I'm going to the top of this mountain. So, if you want to stay, stay. If you don't, I'm ready to lead."

[Tumainii]

Tumainii's ears twitched "I'm sorry to hear about your former pack..." she commented silently. While Tumainii didn't believe in Paradise she didn't have to tell Lyall that. After all, she didn't have anything better to do, might has well have some sort of purpose, even if that purpose was as simple as following a former leader.
"Alright then, I'll bite." She decided after a short moment. She stood up "I will follow you." She informed and turned around heading up the mountain like Lyall has said she was going.
"I suppose this makes me second in command then, since after all we only have two wolves. " she commented her tail streaming out behind her.
"Now, tell me again, why we must scale to the top of the mountain?"

[Anvil]

Lyall smiled and half way laughed. "That's a good question again. The top is where we can the see the moon at a full glance. It will be the brightest. I'm not sure if that makes since to you, but it makes perfect sense, and all I'm asking you to do is trust me about this. That's all I'm asking. I guess I need to tell you everything if you are going to be part of my pack. Well, I guess it's our pack." She paused, getting ready for the whole story. "My name is Lyall. My parents were the alphas of the pack. Yes, they both were. They each cared for every wolf. They took of us all very well. They loved what they did. I guess I was the oldest of them. That made me next in line for alpha. I always watched them carefully. I guess I never was a real alpha. Being alone, I guess I was my own alpha. I have met new wolves. I have tried making a new pack. I have tried to be their alpha as well. However, every single time I have restarted, all of the wolves die. Some of sickness, some of thirst, and some because they believed that the trip was pointless so they ended their lives. Still, I have searched for more wolves. I have made more packs. And I have became different wolves their alpha countless times. Now, I am just asking if you are ready for this. Do not get me wrong. I consider myself as a very nice wolf. I care for humans and wolves. I do not try to brag about myself, but have had experience. I can promise you that. I would be more than happy to guide you to Paradise. And the very least, I would also be more than happy to guide you to the top of these mountains." Lyall smiled at the other wolf. "Are you ready?"

[Tumainii]

As Tumainii listened to the other she-wolf she could relate to some of it. Such as being the alpha's daughter and having experience. She half heartedly chuckled "I can assure you, I will not get in the way, and I will not need watched every second." She couldn't help but feel that this wolf was pushing her leadership on to her, and while Tumainii was a calm wolf, she didn't take to these types of personalities well. Maybe it was her own alpha blood running through her that caused her to want to challenge such leadership or maybe she just simply didn't like to be ordered. As she continued to tell her story, she couldn't help but question her leadership skills. What kind of leader allows another pack member to die of thirst or starvation? Even worse, suicide. She narrowed her eyes a little, it was a little odd...
When asked if ready Tumainii nodded and climbed up. Scaling mountains was something that came very easy to her. She felt that perhaps she should share her story, after all Lyall shared hers...
"I have a bit of experience under my belt as well." she started "The neighboring mountains, over there," she said pointing west "Is where my former pack lives. It's a large pack, some have heard of them, some have not. My mother and father, also, both alpha's, were strict but disciplined." she sighed "I was not the oldest of my brothers and sisters, however I was still next in line to be the alpha of that pack. I am unsure of the laws in your pack, but for them, there must be a male. I had a suspicion that I was to mate with the pack next to us." Tumainii grew quiet for a split second "Anyway, I suppose what I am getting at, is that you don't need to feel like a leader around me. I can take care of myself." she commented her tail twitching "I'd much rather have a friend. Then a leader."

[Anvil]

Lyall sighed. "I am truly sorry. I did not try to sound so demanding. It is only a matter of instinct. We can both lead ourselves to Paradise. There does not have to be a single leader." She smiled. "Yes, I would love to have a friend. Leadership is not all there is in life. So, every time I say the word "Paradise", you kind of start twitching. Do you believe in Paradise?"

[Tumainii]

Tumainii's ears lowered slightly, she hadn't wanted this conversation to pop up, but she wasn't going to lie to her. She turned her head and stated simply "No." She looked back up to watch where she was placing her paws "But it doesn't really matter. If we find it that's wonderful, if not then I wont be disappointed." she explained calmly "I have nothing else to do anyway."

[Anvil]

Lyall looked at Tumainii. "How does it feel?" She paused. "I won't judge you. But how does it feel not having something to look forward. Not thinking about the future that your dreams want. How does it feel not having that one thing to believe in. I know it's not my business, but I am curious. Were you raised that way? How does it feel? I don't get it. My whole life was about me looking forward to the future. You don't feel the same way?"