Eventually Hazel fell asleep, leaning into Shadow.

Shadow stayed awake and watched her sleep. She looked so peacefull now.

Hazel slowly lay down and curled up, not used to sleeping upright.

Shadow stayed awake and licked Hazel from time to time.

The next morning, Tyson woke first. He saw everyone else asleep, and he wondered if anything had happened last night.

Shadow was still up and was looking up into the sky. He wondered if this would be his last sun rise and if everything would be okay when he left.

Tyson went over. "Um, Shadow? You ok?" He wondered who Hazel had chosen as her mate.

Shadow looked at Tyson and made himself smile. "yeah, fine." he said softly

Tyson narrowed his eyes. Shadow never talked like that unless he was worried. "Something happened last night, what happened?"

Shadow looked at Tyson, "nothing, just life." he said, his eyes looking very old right now. He hoped that Tyson would do a good job at protecting his sisters and the others. He would be a fine Alpha and he was proud to have raised him.

Tyson flicked his ears in disbelief. "Something happened. you look really old and tired, tell me."

Shadow just shook his head and walked over to tyson. "You will find out in due time but right now it isn't important." he said softly

Tyson still didn't believe him, but he let it drop. He felt something bad was going to happen soon, and he didn't want it to happen.

Shadow smiled at Tyson when he finally let it drop. "now then I am going ot go and see if I can find any good game around, you keep a watch over everyone." he said and slowly made his way into the forst.

"Wait, don't you want someone to come with you?" He asked. Shadow was old, he could get stuck somewhere and not get out.

Shadow shook his head, "no, I want to be alone for this and please take care of the others." he said and dissappeared into the forest.

Tyson knew something was up. "Hazel!" he shook her awake. "Shadow just went into the forest without anyone, and I think something is wrong!" She jumped up immediately. "I'll go after him." she said and not waiting for him to reply dashed after him.

Shadow only managed to get to the cave that they entered from before he calapsed. He was tired and worn out, he had lived a good life and it was his time he though. But as he layed there a shadow fell across him and he felt himself being lifted up and being taken.

Hazel followed the scent trail and went to the cave. "Shadow?" she called, nervous. She rushed to his side. "No, don't leave yet, you have to say goodbye to the daughters!" she started to cry.

Shadow managed to open his eyes a little bit. "dont cry" he managed to say, he was to tired to get up but he was going to try to hang on as long that Hazel was by his side.

"I can't tell them by myself." She said, lying down by his side. "They'll be to confused."

Shadow nodded weakly, "I will try to hang on." he managed to say and licked her.

"No, if you think you should go, you can. I was just thinking about myself." she sighed and started to groom his ears.

Shadow smiled and leand agenst her. "thank you, Hazel." he managed to say softly and closed his eyes.

"No problem." she said, licking his ears.