A New Ruler || WODV Writing Competition Entry

Instructions

The night air was cool as ice, stabbing through even the thickest of pelts. Overhead, the moon shone bright as ever, a sphere of milky-white light beaming down on the small silhouettes dotted around a large clearing. The dappled moonlight obscured the wolves' dark pelts as they lazed outside of their dens. Among them was a group of three - two adults and a young pup... The pup was listening intently as the older wolves shared tales of a great ancestor. They were about halfway through the story when the young she-wolf interrupted. "But why did she attack them? I thought Cruella was good!" She complained. "Be patient, Kira. We're about the get there." One of the older wolves hushed. It was obvious now to any onlooker that this older she-wolf was the pup's mother. "Just a moon after the battle, Cruella had a realization. Her actions had never been her own, they were those of a second wolf occupying her mind. See, the Cruella who attacked Leafpack was not the Cruella we know today. After the death of her mother, her mind had split into two - one side more reckless than the other. She named this other half 'Tear.'" Kira's mother explained, allowing for a moment to process the information - when she had heard it from her own mother, it was impossible to believe. How could a wolf's mind split into two? It was a concept not even the most knowledgeable wolves understood... Cruella's story was one that stuck with Kira. So much so that she'd insist on telling the younger pups the tale along with the eldest members. Her parents were surprised - intrigued, even - by her interest in their distant ancestor. As Kira grew up and advanced in ranks, she made sure to model her life around Cruella's own. If she was to be the great leader her parents expected her to be someday, why not strive to be as great as the most highly praised wolf in the pack? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had been nearly 30 moons since her parents first told her that story, and they were about to deliver some important news. The sun poured into the clearing, heating the surface of the ground to an almost unbearable degree. The air was stiff, as if it was holding its own breath waiting for the news. Kira lazed under the shade of a tall pine, twirling a fallen needle between her paws. The she-wolf's head snapped upward and her ears swiveled as her name sounded from further into the camp. She sprung to life, leaping to her paws with excitement. Eager to hear what her parents had to say, and slightly hoping it was finally time for her to take over the pack like they'd promised, she rushed over to the largest of the dens. A tall gray wolf waited for her at the entrance and dipped his head to her before padding away. "Yes?" Kira called into the darkness of the den, poking her head in. Laying there were two much older wolves, one flicking his tail anxiously as he waited to share the news. "We have decided it is time for us to take a step back and enjoy the luxury of retirement." Her father started. Taking notice of his serious tone, Kira took a seat about a tail-length in front of them. "So you're letting me take over?" The two nodded almost in unison. The young she-wolf did her best to contain her excitement, to not howl in pure joy or prance around the den. She'd been waiting for this moment ever since she'd heard the inspiring story of Cruella. To be the descendant of a wolf once opposed to packs and lead one of her own was a bit of irony she loved. From there on, Kira vowed to honor Cruella's legacy and has lead the pack toward a prosperous life. Though she has begun to hear voices that aren't her own, ones that feel awfully familiar yet distant...