Wolf pack

King Chrome

Chrome wandered about aimlessly, thinking to himself. He had hoped to be part of something bigger. As it was, his position was only to be a confidant. Cleo was kind enough to continue helping him speak, yet he had believed he would have some greater role than a student.
Freedom was as much of a blessing and anything else, so for that, he admitted he was grateful.
He gently sniffed the air. It was a sweet smell he couldn't help but enjoy. He tried not to think too much of it as he sensed the familiar alpha come forward.
Chrome pretended not to notice as Cleo appeared at his side.
"Hello Chrome."
He immediately turned and bowed low. "My queen."
She laughed sweetly and returned a graceful bow. "You such a gentleman." She straightened her posture quickly. "You are also humble, kind, trustworthy and loyal."
Chrome stood back, surprised at the compliments and unsure how to react.
"You put others before yourself and strive to do what is best for others. I feel I can rely on you Chrome."
The maroon striped wolf was unsure how to react, so bowed his head humbly.
"I see great potential for you, and that is why I need your help."
He stood taller and looked her right in the eyes. "What will you need?"
"I need you to stand in for High Alpha."
He nearly fell over, shook his head and looked at her with confusion. "High Alpha? I'm not qualified, I'm not even an alpha let alone purebred-"
Cleo surprised him by cutting him off with a kiss on the cheek. "You are everything you need to be. You will make a great leader."
Chrome just nodded, trying not to blush harder than he was. Then a thought occurred to him. "Why do you need me to lead? Is something wrong?"
Cleo shook her head quickly. "No, I am perfectly fine. I am simply going away for a while. Anu is creating a pack and I will be joining him for a time."
He felt his heart sink, but the feeling on his cheek and new promotion kept it afloat. "When will you be back?"
She turned her head to look back towards her place with Anu. He was waiting for her. "I am not sure. May be a week. May be a year. I will return as I will. I trust you to handle the tribe in my absence."
He nodded again respectfully. "When will you leave?"
Cleo tilted her head and walked for him to follow, heading up to the High Alpha's rock. "Soon."

Anu caught the scent of Cleo and Chrome accenting to the rock, so stepped out of the shade and let his eyes adjust. He caught sight of Cleo, and as if feeling his glance she turned immediately to look at him and nodded. He took that as invitation to follow.
Anu, Cleo and Chrome headed straight though the parting crowds and leapt up onto the Alpha's rock. Almost as if it had been rehearsed, Cleo took position in front by the ledge, Anu stood close at her right side and Chrome stood back on the left. They looked out over the bustling tribe.
"I have an announcement!" Cleo spoke loudly. A good ten haleras turned to pay attention, others looked but their attention did not hold. Cleo was not very loud.
"There is something very important, for the whole tribe!" She tried a little louder. This caught the attention of nearly ten more but that still left the other nine-ninety or more.
Anu was not as sweet or patient as Cleo, he stepped up quickly on the rock, took a deep breath and let a sky-shaking roar echo across the entire canyon.
All conversations immediately stopped as wolves folded their ears back and turned to the massive red werewolf on the rocks. Having their attention, Anu stepped back into place, rumbling loudly in his chest. "Hear my queen."
Cleo nodded gracefully and stepped closer to the ledge. "I have an important announcement! For the next period of time, Chrome will act as High Alpha-"
Chrome stepped sheepishly forward and looked out at the dizzyingly large tribe. The view from the ledge allowed him to see every single wolf, besiding the ones directly below in the shade. It was a lot further up than it looked from below, large enough of a leap he would never dare jump it for fear of breaking his legs. He felt so dizzy with the view he nearly lost focus on Cleo's words. He had missed almost everything she had said.
"-this change will only be temporary, I expect you all to show the same amount of respect you have shown me."
Anu then stepped forward. "I will also be returning after this span of time is over. As executioner I am not afraid to confront any wolf who fails to accept Chrome as leader. I know each of you, do not give him a hard time." He scanned his green eyes across the crowds, who nodded rapidly in agreement. They could not and would never forget how easily he tore through the alphas on the battlefield.
Cleo gently asked Anu to relax with her eyes as she stepped forward again, nearly leaning over the edge. "That is all. Please respect your new acting leader."
With that she allowed Chrome to stand fully on her place at the edge. He could still barely comprehend the sensation of standing there. If you had ever told him when he was younger he could someday stand as acting Alpha, he would have first panicked at being talked to at all, and then wandered away sadly at the absurdity of the thought. He was not even able to speak a majority of his life, let alone lead. He was grateful Cleo gave him the chance to learn, and glad Anu took the time teaching him to hunt. He was truly a new and better wolf.
Standing there, with thousands of eyes watching him with admiration and respect, Chrome felt his posture change from a shy slouch to a tall and noble stance. He didn't need to fear the shadows anymore.
"I am your leader!" He spoke loud and clear. "I will sserve you all to the best of my ability under the name of queen Cleo. Let uss never forget how great a change has happened to let me, a cit, sstand here." He looked back gratefully at Anu and Cleo, yellow eyes starting to grow moist. "Thank you both."
Anu wrapped his arm tight around Cleo's shoulders and pulled her in, whispering gently into her ear. "You did a wonderful thing, my queen."