It was time. It had been coming for quite a while, but the Princess of the Plains was aware that the winds were shifting. The bitter cold touch of Winter was becoming less harsh and violent. No longer did she feel its icy claws tear and dig through her charcoal grey thick fur. The snow was slowly starting to melt away and within the early weeks of Spring it would begin to melt at a faster rate. However, that wasn’t the only thing that was changing. Provider constantly reminded her that weakness needed to be destroyed, it was unacceptable, and it would not be tolerated. Weakness was something she had never before seen in Provider, and yet it was there. Provider was moving slower, no longer able to move across a vast amount of distance. Provider wasn’t hearing well, it had taken multiple times to communicate with the older she-wolf. Provider wasn’t seeing well, incapable of performing the same dodges she used to be able to do with ease when they practiced fighting together. Provider was weak, but how could she eliminate the weakness? Provider was important, always would be important, but weakness couldn’t be tolerated. She didn’t know what to do. Brother and Pretty Rhett explained to her, as best as they could, that Provider wasn’t weak because she wanted to be. It had something to do with age, but she could barely understand the concept of time. Provider needed to die, but before she could execute the plan Pretty Rhett and Brother gave her another solution. Provider did not need to die, Provider could live, but no longer be in charge.

It was time. Nevermore could feel the change coming long before she understood what that change would be. No longer would she continue to be the cursed offspring of the Monster and Death. She would continue what Provider had instilled in her. The pack was to be protected and cared for, everyone. All wolves be they flesh eaters like her, or not, were to be accepted and allowed to live here in harmony. The pack was her family, the plains were her home, and she would lead them well. She went to Provider and firmly told her that she would be in charge, and Provider accepted this new fate. Protector would always be the Protector, there was no point telling him he would no longer be in charge, he would be, always, until he too died. Protector and Provider were everything to her, including Pretty Rhett and Brother. The others. The others must know. Yes. Yes. Soon. Soon. They must know. Without hesitation the young she-wolf proudly moved out of Provider and Protector’s den climbing up the swollen peek that was the highest point in all of Asteraia. Standing at the edge she lifted her ebony crown, throwing it back and releasing such a haunting tone, similar to her Mother’s, but it held a far more deepen tone. They would all know that change had come. The monsters of Asteraia were being replaced with one of their own demented creations.