"So what's our plan, Alpha?" Nightfall asked.

Shadewalker sighed. "We're going to honor our late Alpha, Fading, and Spirit," he said. "And we'll remember them everyday. But, I don't think this is the right thing for me."

There was a ripple of confusion. "What do you mean, Alpha?" One of the wolves barked.

"Look, I'm honored that Alpha had chose me to be Alpha, I really am. But tonight, proved that I'm not ready to lead you. Not without being reckless," Shadewalker said, solemnly. "When I had barked out commands, I wasn't thinking. I didn't take a moment to observe the werewolves. I sent Spirit to attack, but I might as well plunged my teeth in her neck myself. She didn't stand a chance against him, I should of sent her to hide with the others, she was too young to die. If I can't fight while thinking about the safety of the younger ones, then I'm not worthy of being Alpha. And truthfully? I've lost my love of becoming Alpha."

This time, there was only shocked silence.

"I don't deserve to be Alpha," Shadewalker continued. "Daybreak? She deserves to be Alpha, and she should be."

"But, Alpha! I can't!" Daybreak protested. "Fading chose you."

"As Alpha," Shadewalker said, jokingly. "I command you to be Alpha, and I'm stepping down. And you're not allowed to say no, because I will give it back to you, so just accept it instead of wasting both of our time."

Daybreak sighed. "Okay, fine," she relented. "But only because I don't want to spend the next hour arguing with you,"

"True, and also because we both know that I would win at the end, Alpha." Shadewalker said.

"I can't take you seriously anymore." Daybreak sighed.

"Spirit Wolves!" Shadewalker announced. "Behold your new Alpha, Daybreak!"

The little ones bounced as round in excitement, while the more relaxed ones bowed, their tails wagging.

Raiden put his hand on Mizuki's shoulder and the two smiled happily.

 While the wolves were celebrating, Mizuki walked up to Moonlark. "Hey, Moon? I'm sorry about what happened the night before."

Moonlark paused for a moment before smiling. "It's okay, Mizuki. We've all done things we're not proud of," she said. "Some of us want to change for the better, but we don't know how. You should tell Ryū that."

Mizuki snorted. "I'll make sure to tell him." She said as Sundancer playfully tackled Moonlark and the two young wolves rolled away.

Mizuki took a moment to watch the Spirit Wolves, before turning and walking back to her friends.

"I'm going to miss this place," Mizuki said, as the nine of them sat down in a circle.

"Same, they've been really nice while we stayed, well most of them." Akinori agreed.

Raiden paused and looked at Moonlark. "Moonlark said that they'll try to help us when they can," he said. "They're hoping to help us after they give Fading and Spirit the proper burial rights."

"Are they going to hunt down, Blackout?" Ayame asked.

"No, Blackout knows he's outnumbered in both numbers and strength. If he's smart enough, he won't be returning." Raiden answered.

"Do you think he's that smart?" Ryū asked in disbelief.

"Nope, not at all." Natsume replied. 

 "I hope they'll be able to help us soon," Keisuke said. "It'd be nice to have an army."

"We are your army." Raiden said.

"So, what's the quickest way to wherever Shadousutōkā lives?" Shika asked, then suggested. "How about we jump off a cliff and hope for the best."

"You want us to commit suicide?" Ryū asked. "That's morbid, little sister."

"Okay! Okay! That wasn't the greatest idea, but I'll think of a better one." Shika said.

Raiden and Ryū exchanged glances.

"I'd hate to leave this place, but if we're going to wake up the rest of Springdale, we can't just sit around doing nothing." Touma said. 

"I hope my grandmother is okay," Akinori said.

"If I know Mitsue, she's more than okay," Ryū said. "She sure knows how to kick butt."

Akinori grinned at that.

"Hey, what about that other lady who could see Yokai?" Natsume asked. "You know the woman that Junior knew?"

Touma, Akinori and Keisuke nodded, while the rest of the group looked at each other in confusion.

"And Haruya," Ayame said, slowly. "I hope he's fine, even after those awkward meetings."

Mizuki glanced at the sunset. "We'll leave tomorrow. We'll say goodbye to our friends, then we head out."