concluding her speech. After taking a deep breath, she stood proudly with her chest out and spoke the words that that she knew would change her life forever. “I am Aleu, the first-born wolf-like daughter of Balto and Jenna. My purpose is to help lead this clan to the caribou that lies on this new land across the water and to preserve the safety and well-being of the current generation . . .” She gave a look to the lighter gray female that was beside Riza, winking at her. She then noticed a dark brown she-wolf that was lying down near the front, her white belly was swollen, heavy with pup. The wolf’s kind eyes made Aleu smile and resume her finale with a sudden boost of confidence. “ . . . and for the future generations to come. By saying this, Scarlet,” She turned to him as she spoke his name. “I humbly accept my destiny of becoming the next alpha of the Kawa, the ‘Clan born of the River’.”

 

Scarlet, pleased by Aleu’s stirring words, spoke afterwards. “Our new leader has spoken, pledging her eternal allegiance to the Kawa. May Aniu be praised for sending this blessing to us.”

 

He turned to Aleu, hypnotized by her large yellow and blue eyes. To him, they began to shimmer like the stars that starting to appear in the sky above them. She felt his eyes gazing upon her and turned her head shyly as her cheeks turned a slight coat of pink. Scarlet’s nose moved closer and closer to hers for a quick kiss . . .

 

However, a sudden jolt spoiled the touching moment. Everyone instinctively released their claws into the ice, trying to hold their ground; unfortunately, most of the wolves still collapsed onto the stab of ice. Shouts and screams filled the air as the Clan recovered and realized what had happened.

 

“What happened?” Lorna spoke up first. “Is everyone okay?”

 

Riza was next. “I’ll be much better when you stop annoying me!” She groaned, looking up at her sister. “And when you get off of me too, Lorna!”

 

Aleu and Scarlet were only a bit shaken up. Aleu opened her eyes and tried to stand up, groaning as if a huge weight was placed on top of her . . . Someone was on her – it was Scarlet! Scarlet, realizing that he was laying on the Clan’s new alpha, quickly stood up, allowing the mousy-brown quarter-wolf to rise. Both of them had clearly red faces and were embarrassed to look each other straight in the eye, for when they did so, their faces were flushed and they looked away again.

 

“Ahem . . .” Scarlet cleared his throat, trying to forget the awkward situation. Aleu giggled silently, especially after seeing the coat of blush dusting his face.

 

“What was that? It felt like we struck something!” she said after her face returned to normal.

 

“I don’t know, Aleu, but I’ll find out what’s going on,” Scarlet suddenly lost the pink on his face and took complete charge of the situation. “Nuk, what’s the status report?”

 

The large form of wolf was near the edge of the contact area. He turned and gave the news with his deep voice. “Everyone’s okay, but it seems that we’ve hit land, Scarlet. The ice has crashed into a shoreline rock.”

 

Aleu let out a gasp. “We’re here! This must be the land across the water where the caribou are!” She was so glad that she let out a quick howl of joy.

 

Her sudden happiness sent a shockwave of praises through the pack as they began to prepare to go ashore to their new territory. However, Scarlet nudged Aleu and whispered in her sepia ear, “I think you should give thanks for our safe journey, Aleu.”

 

“All by myself?” she gasped quietly. “But you know so much! I . . . I . . . Are you sure I’m ready to go solo?”

 

“Aleu, you’re the Alpha now, not me, remember?” Scarlet reminded her. “My job is to help you, but your’s is to lead us. You just agreed to it a few moments ago.”

 

Aleu let out a sigh, remembering that her red companion was correct. She was the Alpha now – she had to do as the Alphas do, now that she was a part of a wolf Clan. He’s much better at talking to them than I am, though. But the Great Aniu did choose me and not Scarlet to lead the Kawa, so I might as well try my best.  “Okay.” She told him, gathering her courage. “I’ll do it myself.”

 

As she walked towards one edge of the iceberg, Scarlet watched her move and still the excited Clan, letting out a sigh. “Oh, may Aniu bless her.” He let out a slight chuckle. “I guess this is what Father meant when he told me about having something precious to protect.” He stepped into the crowd so he could have a good view for Aleu’s first order on her own.

 

Aleu, ready to make her first call of order as Alpha, quickly returned to a more mature attitude and began to hush her Clan with a calm tone. Although she was nervous, she tried her best to imitate Nava and Scarlet’s style of speech, but she made it her own, sounding like a true professional leader. “Now, my brothers and sisters, it is time that we celebrate and thank the spirits for our safe travels. May the Great Aniu bless this new land and our Clan, for this is now the new home of the Kawa.” She slowly blinked and looked about at her clan – her new family – and gave them all a smile of pride. “Let us sing into the heavens and give our praises to those that have granted us this privilege of a safe journey.”

 

Scarlet, with a powerful voice, spoke up from the crowd with a smile on his face. “May Aniu be praised! To our Alpha and to our Clan!”

 

The remainder of the Clan, even the spiteful Riza and her carefree twin, Lorna, joined in Scarlet’s cheer as they echoed the words in unison. “May Aniu be praised! To our Alpha and to our Clan!”

 

In gladness of hearing the success of her first order, Aleu couldn’t think of anything better to do but to howl. She began the song and the others followed, their voices harmonized to create such a wonderful sound. As she heard the Clan’s songs, she stopped her current howl of joy for a moment. Suddenly the melody of the song that she had begun when she was just an eight-week old pup faintly entered her ears. She closed her eyes and lifted her nose in the air and began to sing her own special tune, now finishing it underneath the cover of the starry sky and a view of the Northern Lights.

 

Here I am – this is me

 

I come into this world so wild and free

 

Here I am – so young and strong

 

Right here in the place where I belong  

 

It’s a new world – it’s a new start

 

It’s alive with the beating of a young heart

 

It’s a new day – in a new land

 

And it’s waiting for me – here I am

 

(Part one - finished 2/7/06)

 

 

 

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