vaya

She is running, free and careless.

Long green grass tickles her belly as she frolics, laughter bubbling from puppy lips as she loses her balance and begins to tumble. Her sister and brother are close behind her, nipping at each other as they run. As they catch up, her brother is the first to pounce on her, his heavier body pinning her to the ground as she laughs. That was the only advantage she had on her two siblings, sheer speed. Her brother was already twice her size at such a young age, her sister already more graceful and showing promising signs of beauty.

Her brother mock growls, chewing with puppy teeth on her ear as he asserts that he has well and truly pinned her. That is, until her sister barrels into him to knock him from the prime perch. Swiftly Vaya is back on her feet, chasing her siblings as they roll down the hill. Seeing her chance, she throws herself back into the scrum. Soon paws and teeth are flying everywhere, loud puppy growls filling the clearing as the three siblings tussle for position. For a sheer moment of joy Vaya finds herself on top. Pressing her advantage, she bears down on her siblings to try to maintain the advantage.

Suddenly rough teeth are grasping her scruff, none too gently. She is forcibly pulled from her siblings, small yips leaving her lips with the shock of it. A swift, hard paw to the side of her head silences her. She looks up to see her father’s looming figure separating her brother and sister. His gaze is fierce and anger radiates from him. Unsure what she did, she waits, beginning to shake. When he has all three pups before him, he speaks. “You have all seen half a year. I expect you to begin to take up responsibilities and quit with this foolish nonsense.” His gaze goes first to her sister. “You should know better. Future queens do not rough house. You may go.” Then her brother. “You too. Go.” Her siblings do not need to be told twice, they take off with tails between their legs. She knew they were a small pack and every member, even pups, needed to learn to contribute to survival but…

Then her father’s eyes fell upon her.

“I will not tolerate such insolence from you, pup. Your sister will be a queen of a neighboring pack. Your brother is to be the next alpha. You are no more than an omega, and would do well to remember your place. You were born to be an omega, that is what you will always be. Best get used to it and accept your place in life. Omegas do not play with alphas.” He turned and walked away, not waiting for a response. He had full faith that she would do exactly as he said. She always had.

With a start her body jerks and she awakens. Brown eyes, more mature than in her dream, quickly scan her surroundings for danger. Seeing nothing, she levers herself into a sit. It will be a while before she can sleep again. Leaving the cave she had temporarily claimed as her own, she sits instead just outside so she can watch the moon. All of that had happened a very long time ago. With a sigh, she tried to push it from her mind.

Perhaps the last truly happy time she could remember.