A
Challenge for Leadership
The
forest is quiet as we paw through the snow. I look over at the bulky
figure of my closest friend, Krum. He's bigger and stronger than
me, his heavy coat of grey fur sleeker. But I am brighter. He always
beats me in fights but none are better than me at reading a herd.
When my suggestions are followed we always bring down a kill and he
knows that. It's a pity our glorious leader, Mara, doesn't.
My
stomach grumbles. I'm so hungry! It's been days since we have
eaten. I glance up at Mara limping along ahead of us, leading us back
to the den. I growl and then nudge Krum.
"She's
getting weaker and it was her fault again, that calf got away."
He
glances back at the rest of the pack and then glowers at me.
"Keep
your voice down, Runt. You'll end up challenging her, and that won't
go well for you."
His
words sting. I hate being reminded of my size, even from him. Since
we were pups Krum has always stood up for me, but sometimes he sneers
at me and that hurts even more.
I
nip at him and spring back before his jaws close on my ear. I crouch
down in the snow with my ears back as he rushes me and then stands
over me growling.
"Get
up, Runt. Stop clowning around. I'm not in the mood."
I
jump up and trot alongside, pressing in close to him. "You
ought to challenge her Krum."
He
drops his pace and looks at me. "Are you nuts?"
"I
know you would win, especially now. You saw how she was kicked by
that Bull Moose. I can tell she's really hurt."
Krum
walks in silence. Then he shakes his head.
"I'm
not ready for that, Runt."
"It
would be better for the pack if you did. You'd listen to me and we'd
finally get to eat."
Krum's
lips curled back from his teeth. "Why don't you
challenge her? Like you said she's weak and now she's hurt. I bet
even
you
could beat her."
His
jab touches a nerve. I'd love to beat Mara just to watch that grimace
fall from his muzzle. I shut up then and just stare ahead watching
Mara. She stumbles once, gets up and then stumbles again. I hear her
whimper as she slowly pulls herself up. Eventually, she leads us into
the clearing in front of our den and collapses, panting.
I
poke Krum with my muzzle. "Maybe I will
challenge her. You got my back?"
He
stops short and stares at me no longer panting. He pricks his ears
forward and begins to slowly pant. Then he resumes walking. "I
won't let anyone else challenge you."
I
feel a surge of gratitude for my friend. Confident he has my back, I
slowly walk up to Mara, growling, my fur bristling.
"You're
finished Mara. You can't lead this pack anymore. I'll be able to get
us food now. Step aside."
Mara
raises herself up on all fours, the skin on her muzzle wrinkles up as
she bares her teeth. A deep rumble fills her throat. Her amber eyes
blaze as she moves towards me.
"So
the runt wants to challenge me," she growls as we start to
circle each other.
I
gulp as I stare up at her. This would not be as easy as I thought. I
could feel the rest of the pack gather around us. Mara launches
herself at me, her jaws tearing into the scruff of my neck. Before
she can wrench me in her powerful jaws I push against her with all my
strength forcing her weight onto her injured leg. She yelps and
collapses. In an instant, I tear at her throat and am rewarded with
the warm spray of blood as her life drains away.
She
shudders with her last breath. I step back waiting for the rest of
the pack to accept me as their leader. Standing tall, I try to
suppress a whimper as my shoulder begins to throb. The pack are
silent, staring at me. Why don't they acknowledge me?
I'm
relieved when Krum steps forward. He circles around me and then faces
me. His lips curl back from his teeth, a deep throated growl emerges
from his throat.
"Time
to move on, Runt. I'm the leader now."
"No!
You said you would back me."
He
pounces on me in a flash and grabs me where Mara had already torn my
flesh. I howl as he shakes me. I had never felt ferocity like this
before. I'm stunned by the fury of each jerk and I hear a loud snap
in my neck. The clearing, the pack, the trees whirl before my eyes; I
can no longer feel or control my legs as I drop to the ground.
I
gasp for air and whimper. "I thought you were my friend."
"I
had to do what's best for the pack, Runt."
The
last thing I hear is Krum howling and then the rest of the pack
joining him in song.
|