Blacktail Deer Plateau If I die Young

Grayday could not see his son. He could see little but light and shadow, and the bright halo that was the mouth of the den. But he knew his son, and could imagine the agonizing fear and weariness that must have been writ across his handsome face.

"All creatures must accept their mortality," he said gently. "We are not meant to live forever. If it is your time, there's little to be done, and regretting it will do nothing but make your last moments miserable, and prevent you from healing, if you're meant to continue on."

He moved to lick his son's forhead. "Aditya believes that we will all meet again in another life - the same wolves you love now, you will love again. You have loved before." He did not know what else to say, but hoped that this would comfort his child. "Whatever happens, I will be with you. Unlike wolves, love is endless."