Chapter Thirteen

Yet another eternity passed before Garth's eyes before the time for the reception had finally come. Once the time had come, however, Garth wasn't really sure where he should go or what he should do. He casually strolled around the area as other wolves gathered into the previously decorated grounds. Garth decided to find his parents and see what they wanted him to do.

Tony and Mary were both very busy lining the future alphas up in a line. They were also giving them instructions. Garth politely interrupted.

"Dad," he began.

"Not now Garth. I'll get to you in a second," Tony said without even glancing at his son.

"Mom," Garth tried.

"Garth, I'm a little busy now," Mary responded. She also did not glance at her son. "Is it important?"

"I just wanted to know if there was anywhere specific that I am supposed to be. I don't know where to go," Garth informed his mom.

"I don't care," Mary replied in a frantic and overly busy voice. "Go find some friend to sit with or something."

Garth had really never seen his parents acting like this so he was a little upset. "Okay," he mumbled to himself.

Scanning the growing crowd, Garth looked for a place to sit. Both of his friends, Christina and Alex, were in the ceremony anyway so Garth really would not have anyone to sit with. When he was tired of looking and wandering aimlessly, Garth sat down towards the front of the gathering and faced the previously decorated rock that the students would most likely be assembling on. Garth sighed. Gee, I better get used to this, Garth thought to himself. Alex and Christina will both be gone. Seriously, why didn't I take that stupid test? I might have passed and I'd be going off with them both. But no! When I finally get my chance, there won't be anyone there I know. It will just be me, myself, and… and I. Garth thought about all this and let out another sigh.

Finally the time had come for the ceremony to start. Tony ran up onto the rock, or stage as it was being used now, and gave a welcome speech. He also introduced the first student and invited him to take the stage and say a thing or two. This procedure was repeated for seven or eight wolves before it was Alex's turn. After him and last in the show, Christina took the stage.

"Um, hi everyone," Christina nervously began. "I guess I'm the last one, so I had better think of something good to say." The crowd laughed at this line. "Anyway, I want to thank Tony and Mary and all the other wolves that chipped a paw in to help make this event possible. It really does mean a lot to us future alphas and we will definitely remember this for a very long time if not forever. I really am excited about going to Alpha School and returning as a fully trained alpha and wish that everyone here was able to pass the test at some point in their life. I really don't know what to say… Well, thank you, I guess, to my parents. They did help me get ready for this day. My dad even taught me a few basic techniques and maneuvers all of which I did need to pass the physical test. My mom, well, she taught me just about everything I know about hunting and how other animals think. I used all that stuff on the knowledge test. But there is one other wolf who really has not been getting as much credit as he should have. He is an awesome person and is so kind to me, my family, and everyone he knows. That wolf is Garth, my boyfriend. Come on up here Garth."

As the crowd watched him, Garth slowly walked onto the stage. He strolled up to Christina and sat down right next to her. With a large, nervous smile on his face, he waved at the audience.

"If any of you out there don't know Garth," Christina began, "you are missing out on knowing one of the best wolves in this entire pack. Scratch that: the world! Thanks Garth for being my friend, for supporting me, and thanks most of all, for being able to let me go on into Alpha School even though you're not ready yet and can't come with me."

Garth's inner emotions dropped when Christina reminded him that he wasn't going. He could not bear to think of Christina going off without him while he stayed behind with nothing to do but chase his tail, eat and sleep. At the same time, however, he did feel loved. All of this was beginning to pile up on him. Glancing out into the audience, Garth tried to keep himself composed until Christina finished her little impromptu speech. He was losing it, however. His heart felt like it was about to shut down and die.

"The fact that you will let me go really means a lot to me. I know that while I am gone, you will fill in for me with whatever it is that I contribute to this pack. Thanks everyone, and I love you, Garth."

Garth tried to look out and smile back at the audience. After three seconds however, he could no longer bear it. He found his head in buried in Christina's shoulder fur as the lukewarm tears began to slide out of his eyes and down his dry cheeks. Christina looked mildly embarrassed, but she turned towards Garth and hugged him back. Garth's sniffling was just beginning to reach audible levels when Christina kindly told Garth to compose himself because he was on stage. Painfully, Garth stopped the tears and sniffles and smiled back at the audience with a somewhat wet face. The crowd let out a large "Awwww" when they saw this scene. Garth and Christina exited the stage and walked over to the side where they sat down alone.

"Garth," Christina said, "I have to go finish this. Meet me out by the stream in ten minutes." Christina walked over to be with the other wolf students of Alpha School.

"Okay," Garth whispered as she walked away. "H-H-Have fun," he barely managed to choke out."

Christina turned her head back to look at Garth. She smiled.

Author's Note: Okay guys, here's the deal. I know more people are reading this besides Victory 4.0.3 and AaOWaSaCD4ever and now SilentOmegaWolf (Big smiley face for you! Thanks for joining!) but from the reviews that is not obvious. So those of you who have been reading from the beginning but not reviewing, would you please start leaving a review? You don't have to every time I update, just maybe a comment on something that stood out once and a while. I am still new to this site and it would be nice to know how I'm doing from more of the frequent users. Thanks, and I hope you understand what I am attempting to say.