March 20th, 2010
Five wolves, Alphas-in-training, stand side-by-side, shoulder-by-shoulder, flank-by-flank. This was a race, a race to let the athletic Alpha School instructor know who was the fastest runner.
"Five... four... three... two... one... zero, go!"
They ran as fast as they could, daring themselves not to pant. Of course, there could only be one winner, and that winner was none other than Stormfast, a wolf practically built for speed.
"Ha! Beatcha!"
"How do you do that?" asked Stormfast's cousin, a reddish-orange wolf named Garth. "Are you even panting?"
"No, I just have a gift," the black wolf answered. Aside from black, Stormfast also had white fur on the tips of his paws and tail. He was considered pretty handsome by wolf standards.
"You were probably born that way. I wish I was gifted like you," said Stone, Stormfast's adopted brother. He and the black wolf were inseparable. Stormfast often eyed Stone's white fur, which was dotted with light brown patches.
"Who cares if Storm won the race? That dang wolf gets too much praise," a wolf named Scar muttered.
"Tony cares," said the instructor, approaching them. His brown fur was enough for some wolves to mistake him for a tree. "'Cause now he's gonna know who's the best on a hunt."
"Thank you, Smokey," Stormfast replied while grinning.
"Now, all of you listen," the instructor continued, "Tony will now give y'all various tasks. It is your duty to listen to him carefully and do exactly what he says."
"Wait!" said a female named Claws. "What do you mean? The chieftain is giving us tasks now? We're not Alphas yet."
"Ah, not exactly." Smokey then made a huge smile. "Since today is the first day of spring, you all are now officially promoted to Alphas!" The entire group cheered.
"Whoo-hoo! Not a Beta anymore!" Garth exclaimed.
"Glad that's over!" said Stormfast.
"Glad winter's over too," Stone added. "So who's ready for the Moonlight Howl?"
The Moonlight Howl was a celebration held only on the first day of spring every year to unite young wolves of opposite genders to howl together, signaling the start of the mating season.
"I know I am," said Stormfast. "I've been working on my howls lately."
"So have I," said Garth.
"You howl?" Claws replied, tilting her head.
"Of course I do. Maybe not as good as y'all, but I do try."
"Whatever." Stormfast didn't believe Garth had practiced anything.
"Well," Garth continued, "I feel good about this night. You should know that I got a date with the Western chieftain's daughter, Kate." The group became confused and baffled.
"I thought Easterns couldn't howl with Westerns just like how Alphas can't howl with Omegas?" said Stone.
"We can't howl with Westerns, but my dad, Tony, has made me an exception for a special purpose."
"Aye, and what might that be, Garth?" said Scar.
"Do you guys not remember the big speech the Western chieftain made back in autumn? He decreed that his Alpha daughter would marry me in the future, and that would finally allow the East and West to reunite after generations of rivalry."
"Why do we need to reunite the packs so bad?" Stormfast asked.
"Because," said the instructor, "caribou is disappearing in the East."
"Oh, I guess that's why I haven't seen a caribou track in a while. I assume our reserves aren't going to last much longer."
"I hear the Westerns are stealing all our caribou," Scar grumbled.
"No, they wouldn't do that. The Westerns are known for their nobility," said Garth.
Just then, Garth's father, Tony, appeared out of nowhere and walked up to the group.
"Are these the new Alphas, Smokey?" he asked.
"Yes, sir." The chieftain suddenly turned to the young ones.
"Well, congrats! I hope you all had a great winter! So... Smokey, who won the race?"
"The legend, of course," he answered. "He beat my speed record."
"Stormfast broke another record again? Wow!" Scar rolled his eyes. "Well, guys, I hope you all are ready for the life ahead of you, especially you Garth. You will be following in my pawsteps in becoming pack chieftain. Ahh... I remember when my dad, Bronx, said those exact words. We will have a ceremony in three days! Stormfast, Stone, Claws, Scar, and my son, Garth, I remember my time in Alpha School over five years ago. The memory is so distant now. We had a race too, but I didn't win it. My brother, Owen, rest in peace, won that race. Stormfast, your father was a great wolf. The winter we went through took too many good souls away. But let's not dwell on that. This is a happy time! We have the Moonlight Howl soon, so I insist all my new Alphas to go out and have fun just for today. We need it." The group happily dispersed.
"Still think I can't get a date?" said Stormfast before running off.
"Heh, I doubt it!" Claws replied. She was about to head for her parents' den with her friend, Scar, before Tony stopped them.
"Wait, you two. I have a special secret, and I mean secret, task for you both."
"We're listening," said Claws.
"Since there are no more caribou in the Eastern territory, I want you two to go quietly hunt in the Western territory. Get some kills and drag them here. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir. It will be done," said Scar.