A black she-wolf stood watching over the pack that she led. It wasn't really a pack. They didn't have a name, and the wolves had no ties to any pack. It was more often than not seen as a group of traveling rouges. They weren't rouges though, rouges didn't care for anyone but themselves. Not the black she-wolf's group, they cared for each other and would help one another no matter what happened.
The black-she wolf held the name Raven, her coat as black as a raven's feathers. She was what was called a mela wolf, which just made all her fur black. She wasn't old, but she knew her time was nearing. It was that feeling... the feeling that so many elder wolves that had passed within the group had discribed. She hadn't been able to imagine the feeling until now. There was a peace, but also it seemed like a conflict.
Raven fell asleep one night and woke in her dream. The place that she woke in was a wonderful forest with a large pond. She could see some of the wolves that had passed on from the group. She was silent though as a wolf she did not know approached her. She could see the wolves she had once known's eyes widen and they bowed to the strange wolf. Raven did not however. She did not know this wolf, but it seemed to have an aura of power around it, but she wouldn't yeild to the wolf without reason.
The wolf stopped in front of Raven and spoke in a clear calm tone. "I have chosen you. You will do my job once I return. You will guide the group you serve as leader to and shape them into a pack. You will not be with them though. You will watch them through the pond and keep them from going a wrong path. My time is almost up, as my pack is ready for me to return. When I return... you will take my place as you are more dedicated to your group than any alpha of any pack. This includes the one that I will be returning to soon. You are Raven, Goddess Wolf and Protector of the Dead. My title as God Wolf and Protector of the Dead will soon be gone."
Raven was confused with what the strange wolf had said. What did it mean? What did Return mean? She didn't understand. "Wh-What do you mean? I don't get it..." She said after a moment of reflection.
The strange wolf only smiled. "You will understand soon. You have a few days to tell your group that you will return when they are ready to have you back, but that 'ready' doesn't mean that they want you back, but that the next Protector of the Dead has been chosen... Choosing a Protector of the Dead can not be taken lightly and is not something that everyone is qualified for. If you just try to give away the power to an unworthy wolf, the power will stay with you and you will be away from your group, soon to be pack longer. I have waited for you... a long time... maybe fifty years? My orginal pack and most of their children are here... you can see your old group members can't you? All the dead reside here, but the ones you know will always be closest and are consultible about what you should do to help your pack and if you should help them. Everything can be brought to those close to you here."
Raven wanted to say something but the wolf kept going. "You have until tomorrow at midnight to tell your group. They will give themselves a name and their own naming system. Do not worry about that. The sun is rising where you have left your group. They will be awake soon and you must tell them. Make them a promise that you will return... make sure they know that you care. It will be your greatest regret if you don't. Close your eyes, and when you open them again, you will be back in your world, with your group."
Raven closed her eyes and then opened them once more. Like the wolf had said, she was now back with her group. She looked around sadly as the wolves of her group began to wake. They seemed to notice her sadness and asked what was wrong. She explained what was happening and said she would make them a promise later... once they found a nice play for them to live. The group then traveled most of the day before finding a small valley, or a hollow that was rich in prey and had a small stream that ran through it.
About an hour before midnight Raven spoke to her group for one last time, giving them her promise of return. "My group... my pack... I care for each and every one of you as if you were my own pups. Life long lives and you will reside with me once you have lived... have tasted prey and have run with the pack. I make my promise to you now. I promise to all within this pack that I will watch over and guide you as best I can and that I will return one day when you are ready and I have chosen the next Protector of the Dead. I give my word as Raven, Goddess Wolf and Protector of the Dead that I will uphold my promise to my pack no matter the cost." With those words her pack let out a sorrowful howl and they settled for the night.
Raven slept that night and found herself in the place she had before. She smiled ready to take on her new role. The strange wolf now appraoched her and spoke in a soft tone. "That you Raven... I can't wait to see my own pack once more... to run with the pack as you said. It is time for me to fufil my promise to my pack, just as you will some day. Take care... this will be the last time you speak to me here until I pass on once more and become one of the wolves close to you. Goodbye." The wolf closed its eyes then faded out of view.
Raven walked over to the pond and watched as the sun rose as it always did and her group gathered. They spoke amongst themselves before coming up with a name that shocked and made Raven feel proud. Raven's Hollow the pack was named after her and the place she had made her promise. The naming system was that Hollow had to be added to any name. She watched as all of her wolves took up new names and had never felt prouder. She then blessed the wolves chosen as alpha. The two were strong and smart and the first to be honored by Raven. Very few wolves have ever been bless and many that have been are displayed in the section of the hollow known simply as The Garden. Among them Moonlit Hollow, or Moony, son of the first alphas. Crystal Hollow, or Crisy, daughter of a pack that did not want her and Arzu, daughter of a kind pack that could no longer take care of her. There are sure to be many more blessed before Raven returns. Blessing can be given to any wolf... it doesn't matter where they came from, as long as they are loyal to the pack and will serve the pack to their very best... they may be blessed and join the ranks of Raven's Blessed.
Winter 
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