Anointing Alphas

Chapter One:
Liza quietly pulled the alpha stone out of her staff. “I love you dearly, child.” she noted to a much younger panda at her feet. “You have proven yourself worthy, and I hereby declare you alpha!

The crowd cheered with these words, and the young panda took the oath.

“I, Meadowlark, pledge to execute my orders to the liking of Mira and Zios, and to do all I can to protect Jamma and its residents.” She said sadly.

Liza looked concerned, and the young panda was officially alpha. Meadowlark received her stone. She and her preceding alpha were escorted off the town square.

“What’s wrong, dear?” Liza asked.

“I don’t really want to be alpha, Mom, I just want to know more about the world!” she responded.

Liza smiled. “When Mira made me alpha,  I didn’t want to do it either.”

“But…”

“It’ll be alright dear. Just trust me, okay?” Liza finished.

Meadowlark hadn’t really gotten a chance to speak. She wanted to explore, and learn to defend Jamaa, not sit around all day and do public appearances.

Being an alpha changed Liza too. She had longed for the day her skills would’ve gone into practice. Liza sighed and plopped onto the mattress, when an idea came to mind.

“A trip!” she exclaimed. Liza had known her fellow alphas for years before she was anointed. Meadowlark hadn’t seen her alpha generation yet.

Meadowlark had been longing to get back to nature, and this would be a perfect opportunity to not only explore, but to meet her other alphas. It was genius!

She promptly checked with the other alpha’s guardians, and they all agreed, although some more reluctantly. They then decided to go to Abyss stream, a river that wound through almost all Jamaa. It would take the entire day to complete the trip, but Liza felt the lost time would be worth it.

Chapter Two:
“A…Are you sure it’s safe?” the young wolf said, quivering in his shoes.

“I’ve already assured you twenty times!” said Greely, snarling.

Inferno slid behind a tree to hide. Greely’s face softened slightly.

“I promise you, nothing bad will happen.” Greely said, his voice still a bit stern. Inferno gave a small nod, his thin legs still shaking. Everything about him was small and nimble.

Graham fawned over the wooden raft he had made for them. His daughter,  Julia, gave him a hug and helped place the raft in the water. Her hair was long, straight, and jet black. Graham explained how the drain worked, where the lifejackets were located, and what to do if it crashed.

Sir Gilbert and Benjamin were next to show up. Ben leaped into the raft with a small roar.

“Now, remember to be careful, Ben.” He added.

“I will, dad!” Benjamin replied, slightly annoyed.

Peck’s daughter, Annie, hopped in the front seat with Meadowlark. Her fur was a lilac color, and controlled purple hair stretched down her back.

“Wow! Everything here is so inspiring; I could take a picture!” she noted.

“Or draw it!” Peck added. Annie sighed softly.

Cosmo’s son, Olive, whose name well reflected his eyes, sat in the backseat with Julia. He was more non-verbal and didn’t sweat the small talk. He just sat there and read. Julia attempted to make a conversation, but he mainly responded in “Okay.”

Liza counted heads, and Sir Gilbert pushed them off.

“Wait…” Inferno started, “You guys aren’t coming with us!?!” He began to shake again, and Ben placed a firm paw on his shoulder.

“You guys have a guide.” Liza replied as a dorsal fin cut out of the water.

“SHARK!” Annie cried.