Tails and Fangs

A Fallen Father (Zarya)

It's been 9 years since Xavier gave me this ring, meaning it's been 9 whole years since we last saw each other. I was twisting the ring around on my finger as I sat on the top of my family's den. I spent almost every night like this when I got old enough to climb the rock formation. I heard someone behind me, but I didn't bother to turn around.

"Nothing, huh? You know daughter of mine, if I were a vampire, I could've killed you easily." I heard my father say as he placed a hand on my head, ruffling my hair. I didn't respond, instead I kept staring out into the woods.

"I'm guessing you're still upset about the late patrol last night." he inquired, taking a seat next to me.

"3 wolves out of 12 were attacked and almost killed. I told them not to send a group into vampire territory and they did it anyway. I knew exactly what would happen, but no one wanted to listen." I growled at him as I bawled up my fists.

"I talked to that whole group and they're all being upheld for their reckless actions," he commented.

"That doesn't mean anything, dad and you know it. Nobody believes in me to lead this pack. I'm 16 now, and I'm a lot stronger than when I was younger and taller, but no matter what I do, they all resent me." I argued as I looked over at the wolves working about the area.

"Nobody resents you, Zarya. They're just cautious, trust me when I had to take over for my father, nobody treated me like royalty either." he reasoned as he tried to put a hand on my shoulder but I flinched away.

"Not the shoulder, dad." I sighed as I relaxed again.

"Still sore?" he asked me and all I did was nod.

"You and your brother need to stop all this bickering and fighting." he said as he shook his head. Zane and I haven't been on the best terms for a long time. He always would scold me about things I did that day and rant on about how evil vampires were. I never wanted to hear it, since I hate any comments on the war. I get criticized by everyone for not having killed a vampire, which may explain the resentment. But don't get me wrong, I still fight vampires, just not to the death. I refuse to have blood on my hands, especially since I wear Xavier's ring everywhere I go. There have been times that it glows for no reason and I end up having to hide it. But after 9 years, I still never understood why it glowed randomly, day or night.

"You know why we fight. He wants my position, since I haven't and won't kill vampires." I scowled as I thought of the many times, he's beaten me up as a kid for it. There was a time, he even cut my hair, saying, "You don't deserve to be the next alpha." Dad had gotten so mad at him for doing that, he made him train all throughout the day and night and do a patrol.

"Yes, I do know why. I never understood why you took a stand to not kill." my dad sighed.

"I just can't dad. I don't understand why we fight to begin with. We all have enough land and resources to sustain ourselves. Why must we push into each other's lands and steal resources? Humans live peacefully amongst themselves, why can't we?" I ranted as I stood up, while he also.

"There's so much that goes into why, Zarya. Walk with me." he replies as he jumps down. I follow him and we both start walking into the woods, disappearing into the night.

We walked a great distance, into the woods, neither of us said a thing to each other as we walked. Soon we get to a clearing and we stop and look up towards the moon.

"Zarya, I'll be honest with you, especially since you are older than you were before." he says not looking away from the moon. I don't respond, instead I wait for him to continue.