4.

Sophia pov.

Life went on as usual, and things settled down in the house.

My dad was still trying to stay alive for as long as he could. It was quite obvious that he was using all his strength to push his life further, but he was getting weaker.

I was outside with Sam and Sunny, weeding our garden when Aunt Kathy ran up to us, and even without her saying anything, I knew what her facial expression meant.

“Your dad is calling everyone. It's time."

I immediately dropped everything I was doing and ran into my house to see my father.

I rushed to his room and held his hand. He smiled when he saw it was me and my brothers. Aunt Kathy, Uncle Tim and Uncle Fred were already there.

He pulled me down and whispered in my ear.

“Its up to you now. I believe in you. Watch out for your brothers. I and your mum will always be there for you."

“Dad, what's your last wish?” I wanted to give this chance to him.

My dad smiled and said,

“I wish I could transform into my wolf, one last time. I would like to die in my wolf form, and not in this weak body, lying on the bed. But I don't think I'm strong enough."

“Yes you are dad. The poison would only hold you down if you let it. We would help you." Sam said.

We all helped him off the bed and took him to the car. We drove to the field and we took my dad out of the car.

“Dad, the poison would hold you down, only if you let it. Try to focus. You can do this." I tried to encourage him.

We let go of him, and he used all the strength he had in him, even though he was staggering. We gave a lot of space, since being the Alpha of the White Wolf Pack, his wolf was very big.

He is the biggest wolf in all the 5 packs.

My dad closed his eyes, trying to focus on his inner wolf. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and looked back at us.

“I don't think I can do this. I'm sorry."

I knew I had to do something to help him. I Informed Uncle Tim of my plan and I started running.

When I was little, my dad always loved running with me, but he would give me a headstart so I would win.

When I was some distance away from him, I called out to him and he looked at me.

He knew exactly what I was doing, so he stood up again and started walking to me.

Earlier on, I told Uncle Tim to transform to his wolf, and run towards me like he was going to attack.

I guess this is what my father saw, that made him start shouting me name.

He felt the wolf would get to me first, so he started running and this made his wolf want to appear, which it did.

When I saw this, I was so happy. Even Uncle Tim stopped running to respect his Alpha.

I started running towards dad, and I changed into my wolf, so I could communicate through telepathy.

“Dad! It's fine! It's just Uncle Tim."

When he heard this, he stopped running and everyone in the family gathered around him. They had already changed into their wolf.

He fell to the floor and telepathed to all of us,

“It was an honor to serve you all. To be your father and Alpha. Thank you so much. I love you all."

He laid on his hoofs and closed his eyes. As the Alpha that was next in line, I was expected to howl.

It wasn't just any other howl. It was the loudest howl, one that was able to inform all 5 kingdoms that a tragedy had befallen the Alpha of a particular kingdom. Only the Alphas were able to do this.

We all fell down, to bow to our Alpha.

I tried to hold it together, till I got to the house. Just to make sure I didn't cry, in front of my people.

We returned to the house, the elders bringing dad's body behind us.

We all knew he wanted to be buried in his wolf form, because he felt stronger in it.

I changed back to my human form and ran to my room, closing the door and falling on the floor.

I couldn't believe my dad was gone.

He indeed was my strength. The only man I found comfort in. I thought I had more time with him. I lost both parents in the span of a week.

Sam, Sunny and Seth all came into the room, to hold me.

“Dad.... Dad is gone."

We all sat on the floor and Seth held my head, while I cried. For the first time ever, I saw Sam and Sunny cry.

But Seth, Seth never cried. For anything.

I guess I was really worn out from crying and over thinking, because I didn't even know when I fell asleep.

I woke up later in the evening and looked outside the window.

The people had gathered outside the house, In respect of their Alpha.

I didn't feel like crying. I felt numb. I just wanted to see my dad one more time.

A knock came through my door and Aunt Kathy came in.

“Sophia, I know you're grieving. But, you need to come out and address your people. They need you now. You need to prove to them, that you're capable of handling situations."

“Aunt Kathy, I can't do this. Please, I can't face them like this. I need time alone." I begged Aunt Kathy.

“They need you now, Sophia. They need their Alpha."

She left me to tidy myself and come down.

I cleaned my eyes and washed my face. I put on my bravest face and walked downstairs.

Everyone was already waiting for me, and they made way for me to walk out the door.

I looked at the faces of all the people and took a gulp.

“Wolves of White Wolf Pack, it is with great sadness in my heart that I inform you that Your Alpha.... Alpha Simon White, has passed away. He was a great man, one who believed in justice, impartiality, freedom and equality. He was loved by all, and he will forever remain, the greatest Alpha we know."

“Who's going to take over from him now?" A voice from the back shouted.

“Well, I will be taking over from my father as per-"

There were murmurs in the crowd and another voice came through.

“We don't want that. We can't be ruled by a female Alpha. You can't tell us what to do."

“It was not my doing. My father, your Alpha, insisted on this and I have to follow instructions."

A man came forward and faced the people.

“Are you all going to stand here and spit this nonsense? We can't let a woman take over and rule us. She's weak. Women are weak, easily moved by emotions. More so, she's a child."

I was trying to control my emotions, but this man wasn't helping.

“I am not a child. My father, in his wisdom, entrusted me with this position. He knew that I would be the only one that will be fit for-"

“Nonsense, child!" He shouted at me, “Shut up! We will not agree to this. How are you going to let her stomp over you and take over." He said, looking at Seth.

Seth opened his mouth to speak to the man, but I placed a hand in his chest.

“I'll handle this."

I slowly walked up to the man and stood in front of him. He stared me back in the eye.

I'm pretty sure he didn't expect my next move. I don't know how I did this, but I held his neck ij a strong grip and the man fell to the ground.

“Your opinion does not matter in this issue. My father, the Alpha, made this decree. And neither you, nor I, or anyone else would disagree or prove to stand against this. If anyone has an issue with this, he is free to leave my pack and never return, cause the moment I see you, I will take you as a threat." I let go of his throat.

“Now, does anyone have anything to say, or we will respect our dead Alpha and his wishes?"

No one said anything so I continued,

“Return home. The burial is tomorrow."

I walked back into my house and went straight to my dad's office.

I stared at his chair and remembered how he used to sit in the chair and I'd come and sit in his lap, pretending to sign papers.

As I sat in the chair, I felt my dad's presence all over me.

A picture sat on one side of the table. It was a picture of all of us. On the day of Seth's birthday, we took this picture.

I closed my eyes, trying to recapture my dad's face in my head.

Then I saw him.

“He was still in his wolf form. Standing in the field. He was smiling. Not that feeble smile he had for the past few days.

But his real full smile. Just then, another wolf came and stood beside him. It was my mum.

They stood side by side.

“We're happy now. Take care of your people. The Moon Goddess is with you."

I opened my eyes and smiled for the first time today.

At least, even though he was no longer with us, he was with mum and the both of them were happy.

My family walked into the office and stood at the door.

“I hope you're not moved by what happened tonight. The people were just shook with the news. They'll warm up to you, eventually." Sam tried to console me.

“Yeah, we've already accepted you as our Alpha. We're here for you, Soph." Sunny joined in.

“Alpha Sophia." Seth said and everyone repeated after him.

Seeing my family like this gave me new found strength.

I promised myself, that I would do everything in my power, to keep us strong and together.

I will make sure to find the people that took my parents away.

I make them pay, drain their blood and disgrace them in front of the people.

The next day, all the people we're gathered together outside our house and my dad was placed on top a pile of wood. He was to be cremated.

“He will remain in our hearts forever. He was a good man to all. It's a shame he had to leave us too early. He will be missed." An elder said.

The torch was handed to me to set the pile on fire, as the incoming Alpha.

I gathered every courage I had left, and with some last words said, I set him ablaze.

I watched the fire grow and soon enough, I couldn't see my dad anymore. I stared into the fire, with hopes that somehow, he would jump out, saying it was all a joke.

I didn't know how long I stood there, but Sam came to hold me saying,

“Let's go home, sis. You're the only one left."

Truly, I turned back to see that he and I were the only ones still outside.

I let him lead me back into the house and we sat on the chair. Aunt Kathy brought water.

She sat beside me and put her hands on my shoulder.

”Everything's going to be okay. We have each other now. We will be strong, stronger even."

I gave her a small smile. I believed everything will be fine. I just didn't know when, how, but I knew that at the end of the day, there will be peace.

My people, my brothers, my family were my priority now. Nothing else mattered.

I will lead my people, just as my father expects from me.