His Highness's Little Ruby

It all started when our kind began to go extinct. We would always be hunted and killed, then used for clothes and food. We would also be taken away and sold off as slaves...but I won't let that happen to my pack. The Blood Moon pack must live on, no matter what comes in our way. I may be just a pup now. but I won't be forever. I know all I need to survive on my own, and if that day ever comes, I will surely be prepared.

"Father! How have you been, you look a bit ill...?" I said with a concerned face.

"I'm alright, I think I used the wrong plant and poisoned myself, but I made some medicine, so I will be alright in a few days." He said with a smile.

"Ruby, I wanted to talk to you, I believe you are old enough to learn the truth... Yes, you still may be a cub, but you have shown me how independent you can be, and you have made me very proud, she is also proud as well."

"Do you mean my mother?"

"Yes, she was beautiful, and you resemble her a lot. She was also brave and independent, and always ready to stay strong for her pack. Many years ago, she passed away after giving birth to you. But while you were in her womb, there was an attack by hunters, and they were trying to kill our pack, so even though she was weak from being pregnant, she still had the courage to help fight for the pack. But, before she passed away, she told me to give you this when you become responsible enough, and now is that time." He explained while placing a necklace with a ruby ring made of pure gold over my head.

"I want to be just like my mother, I am glad she didn't die in vain, if only she could be here now..." I said with a tear rolling down my face.

"Don't cry dear, you are already just like your mother, this necklace has been passed down for many generations, so we decided to name you Ruby after it. Your name means pure love, good fortune, and loyalty. I believe that this name suites you very well." he said while wiping away my tears.

"Thank you for telling me father, I am truly happy now. After all this time, I thought I would never know who my mother was or who she was like, I hope that one day, If I do die, I will be reunited with her, and we will live happily in the sky together."

"I know you will, I will too, but I know that your destiny will be something great, even if it does not start off great, you will have great fortune and find true love."

"Thanks father, it is almost time for dinner, I have to go check on the chicken stew, I cooked enough to last a whole week."

"Wow, your cooking skills have improved drastically, I can't wait!"

"Ha, okay!" I laughed and walked to the kitchen.

I was so happy and went all out, I cooked even extra, I did not only make chicken stew, but I made some boiled potatoes with gravy and veggies. I set the table and served all of the food.

"Father, how does it taste?" I said while waiting.

"It's the best I have ever had! You may have out done your mother!" he said as he gobbled up the potatoes.

I smiled as he began eating the stew. Until this loud booming sound filled my ears.

"What was that!? It sounded like a gunshot. Father, should we go check it out?" I said worried.

"No, you need to stay here, it is safer!" He said with a determined face.

I nodded and went to my room worrying about what was going on and what was going to happen next. I began to hear screaming and the cries of children. I got even more worried... I couldn't just sit here and let something bad happen to the pack. If I want to be a great alpha female like my mother someday, I can't be weak. I must do something. I ran out of my room, then to the front door clenching the necklace in my hand.

"I can do this... there is nothing to be afraid of." I said knowing deep down that I was scared.

I ran out the front door and to the campfire where I seen nothing but terror. Our pack was being shot down by hunters. I had to make a move and I had to do it fast, I can't let anyone else die!

"Hey! Stop shooting!" I said with the loudest voice I could force out.

"Let's make a deal! How about you take me in exchange for my whole pack!"

"You gotta be kidding right, a little cub in exchange for a whole pack?" hunter number 1 said.

"Yeah! If you think you can fool us little girl, well then your messin' with the wrong people!" Hunter 2 said.

"I have no intentions of doing so, I only want to peacefully negotiate. I beg you to please let them go and take me instead."

"How can you benefit us? You are just a worthless little cub." Hunter 1 said.

"Oh is that so, I am the next alpha female, meaning I will hold great power and will rule my pack! Also, I can cook, clean, and am good with medicine!"

"Maybe we could sell her for a lotta cash, don't ya think boss?" hunter 2 whispered to hunter 1.

"Well fine, it's a deal! We are gonna sell ya for a great fortune!" Hunter 1 said with a greedy smirk.

"Ruby! What do you think you are doing, you can't sell yourself!" My father said in tears.

"I will be alright father, just promise me that you'll look after the pack?" I said while forcing a smile.

"No! you can't leave me too, don't leave like your mother! I can't live on like this!" He said while hugging me in tears.

"I have to, to save everyone, I will find a way to come back someday...I promise."

He wiped his tears and gave me one last hug and a kiss on the forehead and told me that he will be alright. I assumed he had a thought in mind, or something that made him feel somewhat more calm, at least I don't have to see him cry, seeing him cry made me cry too. I love you father, I'll miss you.

"Goodbye father, I will never forget you or the pack, I love you all." I said while holding back my tears.

I waved as tears that I couldn't hold back began falling down my face as I sat on the back of the wagon and road away not knowing where I was going any longer. The amount of sadness that filled my heart was too much to hold in, I just could not stop my tears. The sight of the pack slowly began to drift away as the wagon rolled on, I hope that we will me again, my dearest family, I said to myself. Everything happened so fast, I was just enjoying a meal with my father, then all of a sudden, these hunters made havoc. I hope everything will be okay.