Phoenix let out a weak groan, his eyelids fluttering open as he struggled to focus on the faces around him. His breathing was shallow and ragged, and his side throbbed with pain. "Cedar?" he croaked, his voice barely audible above the sound of his own labored breathing. Cedar's ears perked up at the weak voice of his close friend and pack mate.

"J-Jett, can you put me down?" Phoenix asked weakly, his golden eyes pleading with the powerful beta. Jett hesitated for a moment before slowly lowering Phoenix to the ground, carefully arranging his body to make him as comfortable as possible. Cedar and Talvi moved in close on either side of their injured friend, their bodies forming a protective barrier around him. The weakening wolf shivered in the cool night air, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "C-Cedar, I need...I need you to take over." His voice was barely above a whisper, but there was an unmistakable determination in his eyes.

Cedar nodded numbly, his heart aching at the sight of Phoenix's pain-filled expression. "I'll do what I can," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves in the trees. He glanced around at the other wolves, their faces etched with worry and determination. "But we're going to patch you up first, all right?" Phoenix managed a weak nod, his eyes fluttering closed as he struggled to breathe.

"P-Phoenix, Phoenix, please don't give up. You just can't." Cedar pleads with him. He then turned to Jett and Talvi. "You two go ahead and tend to his wounds. I'll stay here and make sure he doesn't slip away." They nodded understandingly and went to work on Phoenix's injuries. Cedar moved closer to Phoenix's head and gently stroked his fur. "I won't let you go, I promise."

"At least I am going to win this bet, remember? before the battle started?" Phoenix Teased, his voice barely above a whisper, a faint ghost of his usual self. His eyes opened and he locked his gaze with Cedar's; his red hoodie was torn and bloody. "I didn't think it would come to this." He trailed off, his breath coming in shallow rasps.

"no. no. no. Stay with us! Stay with me!" Cedar insisted, his voice cracking as he fought back tears. "You're strong, Phoenix. You can fight through this. You have to." He leaned closer, their foreheads almost touching. "We need you. Our pack needs you. Please don't leave us." Phoenix's breath hitched in his chest, his eyes flickering shut again as the pain consumed him.

"I'm sorry, Cedar," Phoenix gasped out between ragged breaths. "I don't know if I can..." His eyes fluttered open again, and the amber depths were clouded with pain. "I can't stop feeling this." Talvi and Jett worked frantically to staunch the flow of blood and tend to Phoenix's many wounds, their movements quick and efficient despite their obvious distress. Cedar remained by Phoenix's side, his gaze never leaving his friend's face as he fought to stay conscious. The night air was thick with the scent of blood and fear, and the howls of the other wolves in the distance seemed to echo through Phoenix's head like a haunting chorus.

"I can hear Artemis calling me..." Phoenix whispered, his voice barely audible over. He knew it was his time to go, but he had a good run with his dear friends, whom he had only known for a short time; it was enough for him. "I'm sorry, Cedar... Jett... Talvi... I love you all... Please remember m and take care of our pack."His breath hitched in his chest, his eyes flickering shut one time for the last time as the pain finally began to ease, replaced by a sense of peace and serenity.

"Phoenix..." Cedar's voice cracked as he tried to speak. "Phoenix, please..." But it was already too late. The light faded from Phoenix's eyes, and his head fell to the side, his body going limp in their arms. Jett and Talvi exchanged a grim glance, their own hearts heavy with loss. The rest of the pack had gathered around them, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

Cedar's eyes widened in disbelief as the light faded from Phoenix's eyes. He felt as though his own heart had been torn from his chest. The other wolves in the pack let out a collective howl of anguish, their cries echoing through the trees. Jett and Talvi were both weeping openly, their shoulders shaking as they struggled to hold onto Phoenix's limp form.

"no. no. no..." Talvi trailed off, her voice raw from grief. "He can't be gone..." Cedar buried his face in Phoenix's fur, his own body shaking with sobs as he fought to hold onto the warmth that still remained in his friend's body. Jett leaned in, his voice barely audible above their own distress. "We have to tell them." The others nodded grimly, understanding the weight of their words. They took a step forward, their faces etched with sadness and anger.

"He didn't make it." Jett announced, his voice barely audible above the sounds of the other wolves. The pack fell silent, their eyes filling with disbelief and anger. "Phoenix was brave, and he fought until the very end. But in the end, his injuries were too great. He is gone." The news spread through the pack like wildfire, with each wolf taking a moment to process the loss of their friend and ally. Some cried openly, their bodies shaking with sobs as they struggled to comprehend the magnitude of their loss. Others growled in anger, their eyes filled with a fierce determination to avenge Phoenix's death.

"We should take him back to the shadow clan for a proper burial." Talvi suggested, her voice still shaking with grief. "He would have wanted that." The other wolves nodded in agreement, and they began to make their way back through the forest, their pace solemn and somber. As they walked, Cedar could only hope that Phoenix was no longer in pain and at peace. He looked down at his friend's body, feeling a sense of loss and emptiness he had never experienced before.

"Why him?" he muttered to himself as they walked. "Why did it have to be him?" He looked at Jett and Talvi; their grief was palpable. He felt guilty for surviving when Phoenix hadn't. He wished there was something he could do to take away their pain and bring Phoenix back. But he knew there was nothing anyone could do.