Queen Maddie- Part 6 by Sedillo-Kennels on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

The air had a feeling to it... something stifling and thick though there was no heat. In fact, the return to the Dunkle Hideout had been plagued with heavy rains and mists as the monsoons settled into the northern reaches of the city where the red bricks announced their territory. Perhaps it was the somber mood that settled in between everyone as they walked, the buildings rising high around them as they made their way through a series of alleyways and long forgotten streets. The pack had the longest journey to make back home and it showed as Madison looked over each of the dogs in her pack. So many old faces and so many new; it was incredible to the husky just how much the Dunkle pack had evolved over the years. They were worn, injured, and some close to faint from exhaustion and she knew that they were going to need extra care after the battle. They couldn't keep going on like this.

Each dog passed Madison, some glancing her way questioningly. Where had she been for the battle? How was she going to react to the death of Kyoto? What would they all do now? The future wasn't clear. She could see the questions building in all of their eyes as she did her best to keep her expression stoic. Her throat felt tight as she fought back the tears... None of this felt real. Like this was some drawn-out nightmare that just didn't want to end. But she knew better. She knew the pain and fear in her heart was all too real as she looked down at her paws and winced. The loss that all of them felt couldn't be replaced with the gaping hole that Kyoto left and Madison looked back up to the sky. Something became apparent fairly quickly:

This was her fault.

She was the one who incited the need for action. She knew the consequences and she understood there would be casualties from all sides but this hit too close to home. She wanted to crumble there in the alley as the last few pack members passed her, but she remained still. This female knew pain; knew pain like none other. From the very moment she had entered the pack as a naive house pet, she had worked her hardest to prove herself. She'd given the pack her all and in that moment, Madison vowed she would not fail her pack in their time of need. She would set things right as Kyoto's chosen Beta. Nail's clicking on the pavement sounded out behid her as she became more alert, her head turning to see Rex. Her intense blue gaze softened at the sight of her mate as she let out a wistful sigh.

"Are you okay, Maddie? You're still good to keep traveling?" His deep voice asked as he brushed against her. He was the last of the dogs at the end of the pack, making sure no one feel behind.

"Yes, of course... But Rex?" Madison asked, a look of conflict crossing over her face. "Why didn't you let me fight? No one will respect me, they'll think of me as a coward! And because of me- If I could have... if we would have..."

"That's enough. You already knew I couldn't let you or the children face that monster again. After what he had done to you last time I could have ripped his throat but I never got the chance. You being safe is what mattered the most. You being there wouldn't have changed the outcome and you dwelling on the past will only make you weak." Rex spoke firmly, rounding behind her once more. "Madison, you know that Kyoto wanted to protect her pack more than anything and she died for that cause... so what matters now is what you do and what you choose. She trusted you more out of anyone else and you are not the only one suffering."

Madison blinked in surprise, her ears perking up a bit more as her gaze met Rex's. It seemed like he always knew what to say when she needed to hear it most. She took a breath again and nodded at the German Shepherd; there would be no time to sulk. Not at the moment. She nodded at him and Rex lead Madison back into the abandoned apparent complex, walking up the steps and to the center of the floor. All dogs head's looked her way as she held her head up higher, looking at each one of them in the eye before speaking. Everyone was exhausted and tending to their wounds but she needed them to know they weren't alone. None of them were alone and they all had each other during this bleak time.

"Dunkle Pack!" Madison's voice boomed out, echoing through the empty rooms and halls. "Thank you all... Every single one of you for fighting for us and doing your part to ensure the future of this family. We've... We have all taken a major loss with the fall of our alpha and my mentor. Kyoto entrusted this pack onto me should her downfall ever come to be. As per her wishes, I want to respect her and take the position of Alpha. I will do everything in my power to help all of you through these difficult times and lead us."

Madison took a moment, unsure of how the other's would react but she couldn't let it get to her.

"I won't let any of you down. Please take time to rest and mourn those we have lost. It will not be easy; but we will get through this. I will announce the new Betas soon... Thank you all."