Beta Cinis stood next to the buck carcasses between the two ceremonial packs with Sakara standing behind his with his pack just a few feet behind him, while Xavier sat beside his with his pack off to the side.
Beta Cinis looked about the forest for a moment hoping Sabina would arrive soon as the sun had already begun to change the color of the sky. Beta Cinis took a deep breath before sighing only to realize he was being stared at.
Beta Cinis looked to Renmar and mind linked as he asked Where is Sabina?
Renmar glanced around the young wolves playing as his voice filled Beta Cinis's mind I don't know. She was still scouting last I had seen.
"Go look for her if you will. I will wait till your return" ordered Beta Cinis as he closed his eyes momentarily before glancing at Renmar to see he had not moved to look for Sabina.
Renmar sighed as he said "Beta Cinis have you chosen yet?"
Renmar's golden eyes seemed to gleam as said in Beta Cinis's mind "You haven't yet. Are you just going to always wait for Sabina to choose for you? If that's the case you might as well hand the title of Alpha to Sabina."
Beta Cinis's ear twitched as he growled out loud "What?"
Renmar smirked as he said "Unless you have chosen there is no need to be angry at my words. Is there?Besides I am pretty sure the best choice is pretty obviou."
"Oh and who would that be?" asked Beta Cinis sat up ready to attack the old wolf when the old wolf's presence entered his own as Renmar said.
"You know. So why should I say?" Renmar smiled but Beta Cinis glared as he replied "Just go find Sabina. I will wait."
"Yes, Beta Cinis." Renmar cheeky attitude did a spiral down hill as he in a business like manner nodded and disappeared into the forest. The young wolves all glanced at one another until Sakara asked "Where's Sabina?"
Beta Cinis glanced at the black wolf before turning his gaze to the young wolves as a whole "Sabina might still be scouting. As such we shall wait till Renmar and Sabina return before I announce the results."
Sakara glanced at his siblings who in turn look to the forest for any sign of Sabina, Beta Cinis sighed and laid down in the cold snow to wait for the two older wolves to return.
The silence gripped the young wolves until they slowly dispersed to talk amongst themselves without bothering Beta Cinis. Beta Cinis sighed as he moved away from the mouth water smell of raw meat to lay beneath a tree near the forest almost out of sight of the young wolves.
Beta Cinis felt the air change when he noticed that Xavier and his lacky Wenvar had remained next to the buck carcasses along with Sakara and his brother Omaris. Beta Cinis narrowed his eyes as Xavier smiled to Wenvar who walked up to Sakara's buck, and sneered "I see Sakara's pack won't be getting to the lead the ceremony."
Sakara's buck was smaller than Xavier's, and though Sakara's pack was more coordinated than Xavier's it was still small. Omaris growled but Sakara twitched his tail and Omaris went silent.
"The objective was to get the better kill so in truth you are right Wenvar." Stated Sakara and Wenvar smiled.
"Maybe you should learn a few things from your brother Omaris." Stated Wenvar as he leaned over the kill sneering at the brothers.
"However…" Sakara said calmly as Wenvar looked up to see Sakara's golden yellow eyes baring down on him "I wasn't trying to get the biggest buck to lead the ceremony, I was aiming for something better."
Wenvar looked confused but quickly changed his sneering tone to be condescending "Oh what? To be a better leader?"
"Team work, Wenvar. My pack was at a disadvantage compared to yours in weight. I had lighter wolves compared to yours so why would I attempt to attack a buck bigger than my pack could handle?" Asked Sakara.
Beta Cinis watched from a distance as the two wolves bickered, and to be honest Beta Cinis couldn't help but notice that Sakara never raised his voice or sneered but in fact remained calm and collected. Beta Cinis glanced at Xavier who was watching the two wolves argue as well but Beta Cinis could tell he wasn't going to intervene as he was enjoying the argument between the two wolves.
It was then Sabina's words came back to him "I will never tell you to do anything, for you are my Alpha and as Alpha your Beta is your choice. Remember the choices you make shall influence your command as an Alpha, and as they are your choices they only fall upon your shoulders."
Beta Cinis could feel the tension between the two wolves yet for some odd reason he knew Sakara would handle it. Beta Cinis smiled to himself as snow slowly began to descend above him. It was his choice to choose a Beta, but it would only be a choice that benefited the clan.
He had to have faith in Sabina's words as she had in him, after all she had been alive longer than he was old. He glanced at the two wolves to see the bickering had quieted and Wenvar had stomped away to Xavier's side who was glaring at Sakara. Beta Cinis than looked to Sakara who was quietly berating Omaris for trying to pick a fight with Wenvar.
Beta Cinis sighed when suddenly Sabina's voice came within his head "Have you seen what you wish to see young Alpha?"
Beta Cinis smirked as he realized Sabina and Renmar had been hiding in the forest watching the show too. He linked with them both and said "Yes. You can come out now."
Both Renmar and Sabina appeared from the forest just behind Beta Cinis who slowly stood and walked to the carcasses. He slowly sat down in the snow in front of the carcasses as the two older wolves sat down on either side of him.
"Young wolves it is time to announce the selection" Beta Cinis announced to the murmuring young wolves.
All the young wolves gathered before him once more as though Sabina had not been missing and Renmar hadn't left, Beta Cinis looked at the kills and nodded "As I said earlier the best kill will be the deciding factor of which pack will lead the ceremony."
All the young wolves nodded but Beta Cinis could see the lack of hope in Sakara's eyes and he felt a pang of guilt in his heart.
"The leading wolf of the ceremony will be…" Beta Cinis paused for a moment allowing all the young wolves to look at him with eager and dreading gazes awaiting the answer.
"Sakara's pack" Stated Beta Cinis.
Xavier had been over confidence written all over his face since the beginning of the announcement, so when he interjected a "Thank you" no one was surprised.
"What!? We have the bigger buck!" objected Wenvar as he took a step forward coming to stand next to Xavier, who's eyes had grown wide in shock.
Renmar growled but Sabina silenced him with a flick of her ear and Beta Cinis felt a lump in his throat. Sabina mind linked him making him feel as though if she was before him once again as she said "Remember. You are the Alpha of the Petra clan, and this is a wolf of your pack. Deal with him accordingly to your choice."
As Sabina's presence left Beta Cinis he truly felt he was on his own now. Sabina had said this was his choice whether to choose either Xavier or Sakara, he was sure his grandfather would be the most shocked by his choice.
"Size would have determined this selection if it was not for the fact that only one pack worked as a team. As such their buck regardless of size determined the outcome of this hunt." Stated Beta Cinis calmly noting Xavier's tail was swishing back and forth.
"But you said-" whined Wenvar but he was cut short.
"Are you questioning my decision, young Wenvar?" Asked Beta Cinis as he looked at Wenvar with his glowing blue eyes.
Wenvar began to cower as his voice caught in his throat "N-no, Beta Cinis"
Beta Cinis watched as Sakara glanced between Sabina and him as though if Sakara was trying to know without asking what changed his tune.
Beta Cinis nodded to the young wolves "It has been decide, so gather your kill and we will return home."
Beta Cinis walked a few feet away to watch the young wolves get better grips on their kill, when he noticed Sakara was still staring dumbfounded at Sabina. Sabina noticed the young wolf's gaze and smiled at him before she walked away with Renmar. Beta Cinis sighed trying to calm the butterflies spinning circles within his stomach as he stood and walked beside Sakara.
"Sakara." said Beta Cinis calmly.
Sakara jumped and quickly looked at him surprised by his sudden arrival "Beta Cinis?"
Beta Cinis nodded "I wish to speak to you after the Ceremony."
Sakara's eyes went wide "You what?"
Beta Cinis felt like whacking Sakara for making him repeat himself when he was already trying not to express how nervous he was.
"After the ceremony come find me. There are future plans I wish to discuss with you." after he stated this Beta Cinis turned away and walked to Sabina's side.
Sabina smiled as she whispered "Young Alpha"
Beta Cinis nodded "Beta Nix"
Renmar smiled at them both as he said "So you have chosen, young Alpha."
Beta Cinis nodded "Yes."
Sabina stuck her nose to his chest and bumped him "Congratulations, you are now truly an Alpha in the making."
Renmar nodded approvingly and Beta Cinis felt as though his heart would burst from the pride and joy of the two wolves surrounding him.
By the time they returned from the hunt the sun had begun to set behind the mountains allowing the silhouettes of the twelve wolves of the pack to settle upon the snow. Beta Cinis gulped as he saw his grandfather sitting in the middle of the half circle the wolves had made.
"So young Beta Cinis who is the victorious in leading this ceremony?" Asked the Alpha loudly catching all eyes between the two wolves in amprehention.
Beta Cinis's voice caught in his throat but Sabina's voice filled his mind "You are the Alpha to be Beta Cinis, We will stand beside you till the end."
He glanced at Renmar who nodded encouragingly before Beta Cinis looked back at Alpha Fumus as he said "Yes. Sakara's pack was the definition of what a pack should be, they shall lead the ceremony."
The silence in the forest was defening as Alpha Fumus said "What?"
Beta Cinis wanted to quiver but he refused to do so before the next generation of wolves behind him, he breathed for a moment before he said "Sakara."
Sakara took a moment of glancing between the two wolves when he realized Beta Cinis had called for him. Sakara slowly moved forward as he said "Yes, Beta Cinis?"
Beta Cinis did not turn his eyes to the young wolf as he said "Your pack mates will be leading the ceremony, so go to the tents and prepare. We will start the ceremony just before the moon settles at midnight."
Sakara looked at the gray wolf for a long moment when Beta Cinis looked at Sakara "Do you have a question?"
Sakara shook his head as he turned to his pack mates "You heard Beta Cinis, its time to prepare."
The young wolves nodded and followed Sakara as he led them away. After the last of the young wolves left Sabina's voice filled Beta Cinis's mind "Young Alpha you already have the hearts of the young wolves, now it is time to make your first stand as Alpha."
Beta Cinis sighed when suddenly Alpha Fumus growled "What have you done?"
Beta Cinis stiffened at his grandfather's tone as he said "Chosen the best ceremonial pack."
Alpha Fumus stepped forward as he looked at the small buck where Sakara's pack had left it for the ceremony "That is the best choice?"
Beta Cinis sat down behind the small buck and looked Alpha Fumus in the eye "Yes."
Alpha Fumus turned his golden steel-like gaze to Sabina "You did this! You corrupted his mind!"
Renmar who sat next to Sabina glanced around the older wolves behind Alpha Fumus who did not look at the young Beta or Alpha with anger, he sighed to himself as he realized they did not support either side but were there to watch the show.
Alpha Fumus stepped forward again but in Sabina's direction "I knew it was a mistake to take in those rogue pups. Now I know your deception! You wish to replace my grandson with that mud of a pup as the Alpha!"
Sabina cocked her head but said nothing and Alpha Fumus growled "All of you leave. I am going to teach this rogue once and for all who is Alpha."
The eleven wolves behind Alpha Fumus left all save Renmar who stayed where he was. Beta Cinis looked at Renmar as he said "Go help the young wolves prepare."
Renmar nodded but Sabina did not move to follow Renmar who glanced over his shoulder a few times before disappearing into the cave where they could hear the excited chatter of the young wolves.
There was a long silence but once Beta Cinis no longer saw Renmar he looked at his grandfather "Alpha Fumus, You told me to choose the best wolf for the ceremony. Yet now that I have, you accuse Sabina of manipulating me, when it was my observations that led me to choose Sakara's pack."
"Yes but what led you to think that Sakara was even an option?" growled Alpha Fumus.
Beta Cinis felt his heart catch a beat as he realized he was never even given an option as to who would lead the ceremony, it was always his grandfather who was determining who he would be around. Ever since he had been a pup all he was ever taught was hate the rogues, the vampires and most of all hate Sakara and his siblings. He hated them so much so that he had even tried to drown Abby, starve Omaris and beat Sakara.
Beta CInis looked at the glowing yellow eyes and wondered if that was how he looked in Sabina's eyes earlier that morning. He looked away from his grandfather to Sabina to see peace only written upon her face, when suddenly her voice filled his mind.
"Young Alpha, this rage you have felt is not yours but of another wolf. This choice was yours to make and a right given to you. Have courage to do what you believe, Young Alpha."
Beta Cinis nodded as he realized his wisdom was clouded by the insecurities of his own judgements because of his grandfather but no more. He would no more cower before his grandfather and his clouded judgments, he would make the decisions from now on and this would be his first step.
Beta Cinis took a deep breath making Alpha Fumus look at him as he said in a steady voice "I will lead the ceremony tonight. You do not seem well."
Alpha Fumus's eyes went wide as he growled "Are you trying to undermine my authority as Alpha, pup?!"
Alpha Fumus's hackles rose and Beta Cinis began to feel the fear in his heart chase away his courage as he realized his grandfather was going to attack him. Suddenly with a rush of white fur Sabina was standing between him and his grandfather.
"Alpha Fumus!" Her voice was suddenly like thunder striking Beta Cinis in his heart with the sudden urge to cower where he stood and when he looked up he saw he wasn't the only one feeling this.
Alpha Fumus's hackles immediately fell and his tail went between his back legs as he lowered his head beneath Sabina's where his ears were plastered submissively upon his head as he avoided Sabina's gaze
Sabina sighed and Beta Cinis felt the pressure on his heart released making him gasp in relief, as the two wolf stood there gasping for breath Sabina said softly "Return to your den Alpha Fumus. The moon is affecting your ailed mind, we shall see you tomorrow with eight new members of this pack."
Sabina closed her eyes and bowed her head but it was not below Alpha Fumus's as she usually did in respect, yet Alpha Fumus did not seem to notice as he turned tail and walked back to his den. Beta Cinis finally caught his breath only to see Sabina was still watching the cave, upon noticing his gaze she slowly turned her green eyes upon him as she said "The moon has that effect upon the old of our race, young Alpha."
Beta Cinis nodded slowly as he tried to get over the fact the air had become so heavy causing not only him but also the Alpha to cower before her submissively, and then upon her command the Alpha returned to his den. Beta Cinis cleared his throat "So can you teach me to do that?"
Sabina looked at Beta Cinis confused "Do what?"
Beta Cinis stretched out his neck and pointed his nose at the Alpha's den "What you just did."
Sabina seemed to think for a moment as she looked at him when she said "Ask the Alpha to return to his den?"
Beta Cinis scoffed "You call that asking? It was more like you commanded him to."
Sabina shook her head "Is that what you call it?" Sabina paused for a moment when she said "I am pretty sure I asked."
Beta Cinis sighed but continued as he said "Well could you?"
Sabina looked him for a moment "Could I what?"
"Teach me." Smiled Beta Cinis.
Sabina smiled as she looked at the Alpha den "I don't think you have the patience."
"I could if it was for the right thing." Said Beta Cinis softly as he looked at Sabina. Beta Cinis smelt the air for a moment and instantly her soft fragrance filled his senses, he wanted to stuff his nose into her fur right this moment but after witnessing the situation moments before he stopped himself.
Sabina glanced at Beta Cinis as she said "The closer to the full moon we are, the more likely the minds of our human side become weak. That is why you're more susceptible to your animal instincts."
Beta Cinis felt his ears become hot as he realized she must have known his thoughts moments ago as it was probably written all over his face. He cleared his throat as he said "That's why my grandfather is the way he is right now?"
"Yes." Sabina raised an eyebrow as though if to say "And you as well."
"So will you someday be like….that?" asked Beta Cinis trying to change the subject.
Sabina did not smirk as she always did while looking at the young Alpha before turning her gaze back to the Alpha's den where Alpha Fumus had disappeared moments before "I cannot tell the future."
Beta Cinis felt his body relax when he came to a realization as he voiced his concern "Is it almost his time?"
Sabina sighed "Someday soon."
Beta Cinis nodded as Sabina looked at him for a long moment and even though her green eyes gazed upon him he felt she was not looking at him but something else, Sabina blinked and her eyes focused back on him as she said "You will make a very good Alpha, Beta Cinis."
"I hope so." Said Beta Cinis as he looked between the two bucks.
Sabina nodded when the wind blew her scent in his direction almost drowning him in the aroma, he felt his head spin as she said "You will be."
Sabina moved away till she was downwind from Beta CInis and his head once more became still. She smiled as she said "It's time for the ceremony young Alpha, as presiding Alpha you must choose an older wolf to help you perform the ceremony."
Beta Cinis looked at her for a long moment as he said "Would you be willing to help me perform the ceremony?"
Sabina shook her head as she turned and walked away as she said "Renmar would be a better choice, young Alpha."
Beta Cinis blinked several times "Why Renmar?"
Sabina turned back and raised an eyebrow smiling, Beta Cinis felt the heat rise to his cheeks as he said "Right. Renmar."
Sabina chuckled as she turned away leaving the young wolf beside the bucks when she looked over her shoulder and flicked her tail "Come young Alpha."
Beta Cinis blinked several times when he realized he too must get ready "Coming."
He motioned to the darkness where two of the eleven wolves, who had disappeared earlier came into the light of the full moon and he said "Prepared the bucks and the ceremony."
"Yes, Beta Cinis" said the two wolves as Beta Cinis passed them. He truly was going to perform the ceremony. He would be the Alpha for one night, and he was determined to do it flawlessly.