Silver Creek Changes, changes

Spring found herself stressed out recently after Casmir and some other wolf went against her howl for leadership.  She wondered if they had left, but hadn't checked yet.  She wasn't entirely sure why the unknown wolf didn't agree, but she kinda understood why Casmir didn't agree... or at least had an idea.  He had been a follower of Saena dating back to the Maplewood.  Of course it would be hard for him to follow a new leader.  If Spring was in his position she probably would've thought the same thing.  So for a long while she thought of how to coprimise this and make her leadership more agreeable for her followers.  She didn't want to seem like a dictator... although this pack wasn't a democracy.  No matter though, Spring wanted to come up with somethig to benefit those who wanted Saena instead of her.  After much thought, Spring came up with a compromise.

She didn't know whether Casmir was still hear or not, but if he was, at least he could just maybe consider this, if not then Spring would come up with something else.  The female didn't call the pack to her, but she would be fine if one of the members of Silver Creek came to talk to her about this.  So she began her howl.  She told the portion of the pack that remained that if Saena came back that she would resign as Alpha and go back to being Beta, but until then, if that ever happened she would remain as Alpha... until Saena came back (if she came back).  Then her howl ended and Spring stared silently at the territory of Silver Creek, hoping that the decision that she had just made was a good one.

As the summer trundled on, old Shreya began to realise that her long-lasting decision to stay out of politics was not one that could last forever. The pack she gave her loyalty to was no longer big enough for that kind of thing. She could not simply stay out of it and linger in the middle of the territory, wise and aged as ever: she had to be more proactive. For Saena had had a turn and was gone, leaving behind one dead pup and two growing babes who now lacked either parent.

Shreya was a common enough visitor in Saena's den, but since the lost girl had become truly lost, she had fully moved in with her great grandchildren, @Laurel and @Indra. They would be raised by the pack, it was decided, but the more hours passed the more Shreya had distant thoughts of @Reek — their father. Her grandson.

Ah, there went another howl. Shreya, who'd had a fun few minutes of just letting the kids do what they wanted, got to her paws and nudged them along. Come on, pups, let's go and see Auntie Spring. We can have a play while we're there, she promised. Yep, Shreya was a grandparent, not a parent. She got love by giving them fun and candy.

When they reached their scarred leader, Shreya dipped her head to her, having accepted her as such. Confidence, Alpha, she advised quietly. For Spring had been very careful in her howl, covering herself and perhaps even backtracking in her claim to the title. She did not see Spring as standing strong just yet. But that would come.

So sorry for the wait!

As soon as Spring saw Shreya approaching her she was almost frozen in place as thoughts began to swarm through her mind.  Although she made sure to keep a straight face, not wanting to give to much away.  She found herself wondering what if Shreya didn’t approve of her to?  After all Saena had been Shreya’s Granddaughter in law, so Shreya had a stronger reason to disapprove of Spring moving into the Alpha position.  Yet the newly appointed Alpha found herself relieved when Shreya told her to have confidence and seemed okay with Spring becoming Alpha.  Grattitude began to fill the female's eyes, glad that someone that she liked still seemed to be okay with her and her taking over the title as Alpha.

"Hello Shreya."  Spring told her subordinate, then glanced down at the puppies glad and slightly surprised to see them.  "And hello sweethearts.  How are you both doing?"  Spring asked them, then listened quietly for their answers, before glancing up at Shreya once more.  "How are you Shreya?"  Spring asked the elder.  Although there were more questions behind that how are you... do you really approve?

No problem! :) @Indra @Laurel feel free to jump in or cameo if you fancy~ ^__^

The echoes of the howl still lingered in her ears, but not in a literal sense. She could hear it no more, but she could feel the resonant meaning. Spring was unsure of herself, and too eager to please everyone. When Spring had been a Beta, Shreya had bid she have confidence — a lesson that perhaps would take a while to settle in now that she stood as Alpha.

We're as fine as can be hoped, she said brightly. Then, only when the pups were out of earshot or otherwise distracted, she sat aside with Spring and asked: do you want to talk about this?

Shreya's response about being as fine as can be hoped was one that Spring took gratefully, but that was not all that the older graying female wanted to talk about as soon after the pups were out of earshot or distracted with something else, Shreya asked her if she wanted to talk about this.  Spring was hesitant for a few moments, but then she nodded.  It would be good for her to talk about this afterall.

"I would."  Spring then clairified to Shreya verbally.  "Do you really approve of me for one?"  Spring then asked, a little bit of a hopeful spark in her eyes.  She hoped that Shreya said yes, but if Shreya did say no Spring would understand and just try her best to win her friend's approval.

As they watched the little ones, the two adults stepped aside and spoke among themselves. Primarily of what had just happened — the sudden change in leadership, the outlying challenge, and Spring's hesitation. Mhm, she replied, returning her eyes from the girls to the Alpha. But the important question is — do you?

Shreya approved and Spring felt so grateful to have a verbal comformation.  Grattitude swimmed in her eyes, but then she froze when Shreya asked her if she approved of herself.  Did she?  So much had happened lately and Spring still wasn't entirely sure if she would ever get over this matter, but could she approve of herself as a leader of Silver Creek?  She had been so quick to take over, maybe she should have given it a little more time, maybe she should've been faster, maybe she took over at the right time.  Maybe their was no right time.  Some approved of her some didn't.  Yet Spring was Spring and would remain herself, so did she approve of herself?  Yes.

"Yes."  Spring replied quietly, with a quick glance at the pups to make sure that they were not listening in on the conversation.  Then the Alpha was quiet for a while, thinking about the rest of the pack here in Silver Creek.  "Not everyone approves though."  Spring then remarked to her friend.

Although Spring stood and spoke with relative strength, her faltering in confidence was evident to the old wolf. And, in fact, it was understandable. Shreya had advised confidence in the past, and she would advise it again: Spring needed to make her heart tougher in order to lead effectively with it.

Of course they don't, she responded, ever willing to give out sheer honesty. This pack initially pledged their loyalty to Saena, not to you. Those who don't know you like I do are sure to find this a difficult transition. But if it makes you feel any better, when I first became Alpha there were many who didn't accept me. And remember Luke? Few accepted him. I suspect Saena, too, provoked some dubious opinions from her subordinates when she first took the crown.

Spring was grateful when Shreya began to tell her that this happened to many leaders holding honesty in her voice.  A small grateful warm tear slide down Spring's face and she gave her friend a soft smile.  "Thank you for being such a good friend Shreya.  I know I can trust you."  She told the elder with mix emotions swimming in her voice.  

In a way Shreya seemed like Spring's own Mother or reminded her of her own Mother Shima.  They were both so caring, sweet, accepting and nice to be around.  It was a true comfort and honor to get to met someone with such a good rare personality like this.

Although not normally one for such brazen displays of affection, especially from one to whom she'd advised strength and certainty, Shreya found herself moved by Spring's words. She paused, and then smiled. You can, she assured her. Shreya would always be here for Spring.

Let's just watch the kids play for a while, she suggested simply, moving down from a seated position into the stance of a sphinx.

Spring felt comforted by Shreya's words and then sat to watch the puppies as Shreya suggested.  She watched them for a few minutes with an adoring gaze.  Sometimes she secretly wished that Laurel and Indra were her pups... yet she knew that that probably would not be.  She would take on the role of someone that they could truelly trust though, if they would allow her.

Spring stayed for a few more minutes before finally standing to make her leave.  She would go mark the borders to refreshen the markers.  "I'll see you around Shreya.  Thank you again."  Spring told the elder and her friend, before disapearing into the trees as she walked towards the border, thinking about Saena and how she was now the Alpha of Silver Creek.

Shreya offered her a final smile, then went to curl herself round the nearest pup and watch Spring go. She trusted her, but the future was uncertain. There was no knowing what lay round the next corner...

But Shreya had learned that unpredictability was not always a bad thing.