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Description
Koa watched the sunrise quietly. His brown eyes traced the golden orb as it slowly rose from its gentle slumber, illuminating the dark Earth with brilliant rays of yellow and orange. A soft sigh fell from his lips. It had been two months since Valor's passing, and they had been the hardest weeks of his life. He had struggled with even the simplest of tasks. Eating. Drinking. Sleeping. It was all too difficult, and it showed. His fur felt rough and unkempt and his body felt weaker than he'd ever remembered feeling. Even now, the Vryheid leader could feel the weakened rise and fall of his chest as he shakily drew in the salty air.

However, today didn't feel nearly as bad as days past. Koa wasn't quite sure what had caused it. It might have been the gentle warmth of the sun against his face, or perhaps time had finally begun to heal his broken heart. For the first time in a long time, the Vryheid Alpha felt the tiniest sliver of peace. Koa closed his eyes as a gusty sea breeze rushed past him. Inhaling, he soaked in the salty air that hinted of coming snow. He was unsure what this Winter would hold for his pack. They had suffered heavy losses in the battle, and had operated with nearly no leadership. But still, the Vryheid persisted and their numbers remained steady.

Eyes opening, Koa stood and released another heavy sigh before turning away from the cliff side and heading towards the hideout. It was time the Vryheid had leadership once more. He owed them that much.

It took him longer than usual to cross the sandy fields that separated the ocean from the office buildings they lived in. It felt further away, though he knew that was impossible. God damn, he needed a good meal. Eventually, he found himself standing atop a rickety pile of wooden pallets, his usual place for pack meetings. He watched as several dogs, surprise, confusion, and mistrust laced in their gazes, began to gather beneath him. However, the air from his lungs didn't seem to be there. Was he really ready to do this? Could he do this? He blinked, and a pair of ruby red eyes greeted his mind. A lump formed in his throat. Maybe this was a mistake.

"Vryheid," his deep voice echoed, hiding the hammering of his heart in his chest. "I have an announcement." He allowed a minute or so to pass as more dogs filtered into the room. The Akita did his best to maintain his stony exterior as he caught the harsh gazes of dogs who were undoubtedly upset with him. Tough shit, he thought.

"As we go into this Winter, I have some new ranks to announce." He cleared his throat as he began, "Jigsaw is now a Subbie. Poker is now a Trader. Incubus is now a Warrior. Apollo is now a Guard." Another pause. "Lucas is now Lead Guard." Koa held his breath as the battle-worn male fought with the words that wrestled on the tip of his tongue. "Cody will be the new Beta." He finished, his words stronger than he felt inside. Without any further hesitation, he stepped away from his wooden throne and towards his room. He had pushed himself far enough today.

I'm sorry, Valor.

---------------------------

Congratulations to everyone who ranked up! I know it's been ages since I've posted, and I apologize for that! School keeps me busy and then some, but I'm taking four weeks for winter vacation and should be able to catch up during this time. C: I don't really have the motivation for artwork, so have some interesting scribbles hehe. I hope you all enjoy!

Koa, art, writing (c) me
Cody (c) ArtsyCanine17
Poker (c) DragonWolfDream
Jigsaw (c) Mixaven
Incubus (c) ChimDooly
Lucas (c) Syberhusky

Description
Koa watched the sunrise quietly. His brown eyes traced the golden orb as it slowly rose from its gentle slumber, illuminating the dark Earth with brilliant rays of yellow and orange. A soft sigh fell from his lips. It had been two months since Valor's passing, and they had been the hardest weeks of his life. He had struggled with even the simplest of tasks. Eating. Drinking. Sleeping. It was all too difficult, and it showed. His fur felt rough and unkempt and his body felt weaker than he'd ever remembered feeling. Even now, the Vryheid leader could feel the weakened rise and fall of his chest as he shakily drew in the salty air.

However, today didn't feel nearly as bad as days past. Koa wasn't quite sure what had caused it. It might have been the gentle warmth of the sun against his face, or perhaps time had finally begun to heal his broken heart. For the first time in a long time, the Vryheid Alpha felt the tiniest sliver of peace. Koa closed his eyes as a gusty sea breeze rushed past him. Inhaling, he soaked in the salty air that hinted of coming snow. He was unsure what this Winter would hold for his pack. They had suffered heavy losses in the battle, and had operated with nearly no leadership. But still, the Vryheid persisted and their numbers remained steady.

Eyes opening, Koa stood and released another heavy sigh before turning away from the cliff side and heading towards the hideout. It was time the Vryheid had leadership once more. He owed them that much.

It took him longer than usual to cross the sandy fields that separated the ocean from the office buildings they lived in. It felt further away, though he knew that was impossible. God damn, he needed a good meal. Eventually, he found himself standing atop a rickety pile of wooden pallets, his usual place for pack meetings. He watched as several dogs, surprise, confusion, and mistrust laced in their gazes, began to gather beneath him. However, the air from his lungs didn't seem to be there. Was he really ready to do this? Could he do this? He blinked, and a pair of ruby red eyes greeted his mind. A lump formed in his throat. Maybe this was a mistake.

"Vryheid," his deep voice echoed, hiding the hammering of his heart in his chest. "I have an announcement." He allowed a minute or so to pass as more dogs filtered into the room. The Akita did his best to maintain his stony exterior as he caught the harsh gazes of dogs who were undoubtedly upset with him. Tough shit, he thought.

"As we go into this Winter, I have some new ranks to announce." He cleared his throat as he began, "Jigsaw is now a Subbie. Poker is now a Trader. Incubus is now a Warrior. Apollo is now a Guard." Another pause. "Lucas is now Lead Guard." Koa held his breath as the battle-worn male fought with the words that wrestled on the tip of his tongue. "Cody will be the new Beta." He finished, his words stronger than he felt inside. Without any further hesitation, he stepped away from his wooden throne and towards his room. He had pushed himself far enough today.

I'm sorry, Valor.

---------------------------

Congratulations to everyone who ranked up! I know it's been ages since I've posted, and I apologize for that! School keeps me busy and then some, but I'm taking four weeks for winter vacation and should be able to catch up during this time. C: I don't really have the motivation for artwork, so have some interesting scribbles hehe. I hope you all enjoy!

Koa, art, writing (c) me
Cody (c) ArtsyCanine17
Poker (c) DragonWolfDream
Jigsaw (c) Mixaven
Incubus (c) ChimDooly
Lucas (c) Syberhusky