Sparkle sat there, growling quietly while she listened to some guy's crap. He kept going on and on. She closed her eyes and cried out as if being tortured. "ENOUGH!" The wolf shut his mouth and his eyes were nearly bulging. She was so glad he was from another clan so she wouldn't have to see him everyday. The light gray and black wolf stood still facing him, her expression was annoyed. "Let's get something straight. I don't like you." Sparkle swished her tail centimeters from his nose and strolled away. Her head held high as she passed through her father's pack, ignoring whistles from the males.
"Dad why can't I just be Alpha Female without a guy?" Sparkle asked her father as she hopped onto the ridge he was sitting on.
Her father sighed and looked at her with concerned eyes. "Because that is not our customs." He spoke a little harsh. Sparkle laid her ears back with a sigh. She joined her father and looked out over the sea. Her father nuzzled her softly. "I can tell the boys have been annoying you again." He chuckled as she scowled.
"Of course." She growled and her father chuckled again.
"Just give them a chance." He spoke and Sparkle gave him a werid look.
"It's kinda of hard when they don't like me for who I am but for what I am!" Sparkle snapped before getting up and walking away with her head low. Her dad didn't understand, no one understood her situation. As she hopped down from the rock ledge, her father watched his daughter walk away with a sad face.
***
Sparkle was standing in paw high water. She looked to the sunset and was hoping it would take her troubles with it but it didn't. "Hey Sparkle." Sparkle looked to see her uncle, Kip. Sparkle smiled and ran to the Beta male. Kip chuckled as Sparkle nuzzled him warmly. "Found a guy yet?" He asked and Sparkle growled.
"Stop putting pressure on her!" Her aunt, Trill said as she approached.
"Do what she says!" Sparkle spoke and the older wolves laughed.
"If only that was true." Trill said and Sparkle giggled while Kip grinned sheepishly. Trill sat herself down on the dry sand. "I can understand a little of your problem Sparkle. It may seem as if you father doesn't know but he realizes your troubles."
Sparkle gave a snort. "Then why isn't he trying to help me?" Sparkle asked. Trill sighed.
Kip looked a little uneasy. Trill sighed, "You may go Kip." Sparkle and Kip nuzzled goodbye before the brown wolf started walking away. The two females faced each other again. "Your father isn't helping because he feels helpless in this situation. He feels as if it was his fault you were stuck in this situtation."
"Then why can't we change the customs?" Sparkle asked. Trill gave her a hard look.
"That would lead to fights!" Trill spoke. Sparkle put her ears back in shame she asked as she knew chaos would rise.
***
Sparkle was on the beach talking with her friends. It was mid afternoon and for some reason Sparkle felt something was wrong. While her friends were speaking, Sparkle was quiet.
"Why are you so quiet Sparkle?" May asked. May probably had to be the best friend that Sparkle had. May was never jealous of Sparkle and was a true friend.
Sparkle raised her head. "I don't know. But something seems wrong." Some whispering rose before a shout drew their attention to Red. Sparkle sighed. "What does he want?"
"Lady Sparkle! Your father seems to be crab bait! Come quick!" Her friends giggled at his odd accent but Sparkle wasn't laughing.
"See you guys later!" Sparkle took off toward Red. Red led her to the den where the whole pack shared. But the pack wasn't inside, they were waiting outside. Everyone went quiet and a path was cleared for Sparkle. Sparkle walked into the cave. Kip, Trill, and the healing wolf, Saffaron were sitting in a circle aorund her father. As Sparkle came closer, thoughts were running through her mind. When she was close enough, her father's eyes were closed and his breathing was raspy. Tears began to swell in her cyan blue eyes. "What's wrong?" She asked not facing Saffaron.
"His spirit is leaving him young one. His path is coming to an end." Saffaron answered. Sparkle tried t ochoke back on her tears. She dropped to her belly and cired into her father's thick coat.
"Don't leave me Dad..you can't go yet..." Sparkle whispered during her tears. That night she slept with her head on her father's neck as he breathed. If it was his time, it was her time to take up Alpha. But she couldn't without a mate.
Early in the morning, Sparkle made up her mind. "Father..." No responce. "Father?" There was a groan and her dad's eyes slowly opened.
"Hello dear..." He spoke so softly.
"I'm going to find someone. It may be for a while before I get back but I just want to let you know that I love you and you will always have a place in my heart." Sparkle smiled and her father managed a small smile.
"Then good luck my sweet Sparkle and I to love you." Sparkle nuzzled her father warmly.
"Goodbye father." Sparkle said as she left his side. She made her way to Kip and Trill. The two were sleeping. "Kip?" Sparkle nudged his shoulder. Kip gave a sound between a snore and a snort before his eyes opened.
"What is it Sparkle?" Sparkle's eyes were yet again with tears. Kip rose to his feet.
"I"m going on a quest to find love. I want you and Aunt Trill to be Alphas until I get back. It may be a while." Kip nodded and they nuzzled.
"Take care Sparkle." Kip said.
Before Sparkle left she added, "If I'm not back by next spring, you will be the Alphas for real." Kip gulped and Sparkle took off, looking at each of her pack mates. She hoped they would understand.
To be continued...
All characters- Mine