The day was clear and sunny. Much like the day River last saw his father. He looked down into the water at his reflection. He looked nothing like his father, taking more after his mother. Hs father was dark in color, almost black, while his mother was white with patches of brown. River’s brother was dark like his father. In truth, if anyone was qualified to be the new Alpha, it was River’s brother. He was older, stronger, and was always in the top of his duties. River sighed as he closed his eyes.“River, Ice, I need to speak with you.” River opened his eyes, annoyed. This was becoming a habit. He was the younger brother, so his father shouldn’t need him. “River, now. I need the both of you.”
Grunting, River got up from his spot in the sun and followed his brother and father into the den. Whatever was going on shouldn’t need him. He walked into the Alpha’s den where his father and brother were waiting.
“Oh good, you finally decided to show up, little brother,” Ice said, glancing over to River. River rolled his eyes.
“At any rate, I’m going to make this quick,” River’s father said, catching both River’s and Ice’s attention. “It has come to my attention that someone within the pack is plotting a take over. If something were to happen, River, I want you to take over the pack.”
“What?”
“I can’t take over the pack.”
“Listen, if this plot happens, then both myself and Ice are in danger. It makes since that River should take my place as the Alpha. He’s had the same training and I’m confident he can lead the pack.”
“But I’m not the eldest,” River argued. “Father, the pack is already looking to Ice as the net leader.”
“River is right,” Ice said quietly. “This is my birthright, father. I’ve trained my whole life for this!”
“And so has your brother.” The Alpha sighed as he began to walk around his sons. “You’ve both been trained in different areas, but each of you has what it takes to lead this pack. You are dismissed.”
“Sir!” both sons said in unison before turning and walking out of the den.
River hung back, letting Ice walk by him. He sighed a little. “Ice, before we walk out, lets act like you’re the successor. I have no desire to lead the pack.”
“Yeah, I can do that,” Ice said before he walked out of the den. “Hey guys! I’m the successor! Lets go on a hunt to celebrate!”
River just watched as his brother and a group of the pack ran off into the forest. River had no desire to be pack alpha. He did the right thing giving Ice what he wanted. He sat at the entrance, looking at the land he called home. No one would dare take this from his father.
That night, River laid in the den with the others. It was late and his brother still hadn’t returned with his group. River was getting a little worried. A future leader should be out at this hour of the night.
“The Alpha!” River heard someone scream. “The Alpha was killed! Where’s Ice?? Has he returned from his hunt?”
“No, I haven’t seen him!”
“Where’s River?”
River lifted his head when he heard his name. He didn’t want to be seen. He stayed in the shadows, even though it was harder with his light-colored fur. He was successful, however. He snuck into the Alpha’s den, where his father laid in the dirt. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His father wasn’t breathing. River took a step back, then another one. Before he knew it, he was running out of the den and away from the pack lands.
River opened his eyes. He didn’t like remembering what happened. He still didn’t know what happened to his brother. He looked over to Glory, a smile crossing his face. He liked being with her, talking to her, and traveling with her. She would make a great mate.
They were almost to pack lands by now. He would ask her once they were home and settled within the pack.
