We left nothing, but our paw prints in the snow

Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

I was too young to become an alpha female. This also happened to ruin my plans about becoming Pineneedles-Snow-Earth's mate. He was too young too. I would probably have to choose a mate that was old enough. This was the only reason the alpha male had accepted my acceptance. It wasn't maybe so much because he was nice, as I had thought, but more because he knew he was going to die. Okay, he probably noticed that I wasn't super mother material, but probably the best shot he had at keeping his pack running, even after he was gone. Now I also knew why the alpha female hated me. I was going to take her place. At least, if all the other wolves have any common sense at all, they would probably all know it was best for especially the younger ones, and no wolf thinks anything more important, than the youngest wolves in the pack.

The alpha female was the nice one. I had probably misinterpreted her looks. She didn't think I would challenge her, but knew I would have to take her place without wanting to and without the right age, meaning I lacked the feel for being alpha that, according to my mum, came with age and love. I wanted her so badly to lead the pack away, and then die when most of us were prepared for what we were about to face. But somehow I knew she wouldn't live so long. If I didn't take over and choose a mate, most of us would die. Not only that, but if the younger ones did survive, they would have had no experience with raising young.

The alpha female looked at me, asking why I had stopped howling.

“Other thoughts had started to cross my mind, and I forgot about howling,” I told her, using my body and eyes instead of my mouth. That was honest enough, I had had other thoughts cross my mind.

She looked at me odd, but didn't start howling again. Other wolves slowly stopped as well, sensing what was going to happen.

I got the feeling that I was meant to do something, but I didn't know what. Was I meant to say something?

The alpha female did a mixture of yips and yowls, but I wasn't listening.

Suddenly, all the male wolves, in turn, presented themselves to me, from the oldest, to the youngest.

So I did have a choice. I could have picked even the youngest pup if there had been one to pick, but as it was, the youngest wolf was only 2 litters younger than me.

I smelt them all. They all smelt different, though all of them had at least a hint of pine-needles, and of course, snow, because of the season.

When Pineneedles-Snow-Earth was standing in front of me, he lingered a bit longer, and we nuzzled each other. I couldn't help really wanting to pick him.

But finally, after what felt like a lot of sensing the other wolves stare and hope, I moved my head, showing he can move on.

I could sense that the pack was disappointed, but no way was I going to become the alpha of a pack that wasn't mine.

They showed me the rest of their males, but none of them were as impressing as the one I had already chosen, but I was going to pretend I hadn't in order to not have to become alpha.

The alpha female was clearly disappointed that I hadn't chosen a mate. She then addressed the males, asking them who would want me. I think they were with me. I didn't want them, so even if they wanted me, it was a no because a wolf relationship had to be a two way thing.

I had an idea, that would make everyone happy enough. I caught the alpha female's eye, but in a polite manner, because now I was really trying to point out that I was beneath her. We held each other in check with our gaze, and I somehow managed to get her to agree to go and walk with me.

We set off. My plan was to suggest the idea, making it sound as little like mine as possible, and to come across as slightly irresponsible, as well as if my idea was great though. I somehow doubted that I would succeed.