Many hours have passed since Ryan's latest arrival at my home. Night has come to the lands once more. After I got done cleaning my face at the watering hole, I was having all four of my paws hurry me along under the pale moonlight. I was rushing myself a bit cause I was a bit late getting home again. I was out on my first lone hunt after I totally recovered from my injuries, and make me feel less of a cub now. I did hear my dad roar earlier, telling me to come back, knowing that I was probably the only one in his pride that's out here. But I was just done having my kill and then started eating it when he did. 

I would've been done with my hunt sooner, but at first it was thanks to all the laying around at home that I did feel rusty at it. I've had a few failed attempts at catching prey tonight, and that hardly happened to me, and frustrated me a little. I wasn't quick enough to finish my hunt compared to the night before I was attacked by the rogue that put me in that position. I was kinda afraid my limbs had totally forgotten how to hunt and I'd have to rely on my mom to teach me how again! Honestly it took me a while to get the feel for it, and thankfully, I managed to grasp it like the food I'd finally got tonight. I didn't feel so dumb anymore.

My mind showed my father's worried face. Because of it, I huffed as I hurried myself a bit. I knew my dad would send out his search party for me if I didn't get home already, and I'd probably get chastised a bit for making him worried, considering what's been going on today. Words of my father after he came back from his urgent time for his kingdom earlier today echoed in my head. It was not too long after he had come back after Ryan went back to his home is when he had gathered the whole pride and told everyone the serious news. 

A bunch of antelope were slaughtered, and then just left alone and not be eaten. 

I knew what got him worked up. I knew what it was all about. I certainly know what killed them. I've heard stories about it from Makena when I was a cub. It wasn't new to me. Everybody in the pride knows about it. 

It was something not to ignore. It was something everyone in the pride had to ABSOLUTELY look out for, and come and holler if anyone has seen any sign of it...Or has fought it.

A serious frown appeared on my face when I was now thinking about it. I darted my gaze back and forth while my furred form moved along the grass, making sure nothing threatening lurked in the shadows. I had thought about it more than once while I was alone out here. Heck, during all my time out here, I was also extra cautious other than excited and frustrated to get back to doing my lone hunts without something holding me back. I didn't wanna get injured like that again. I was ready for a fight. To fight whatever worked up my father, or that lone rogue a few nights ago, in case he came back for me again. My limbs may have sorta forgotten how to hunt, but that didn't mean I couldn't take a swipe at someone.

Luckily for me, I didn't run into any of that kind of trouble. Other than the few times I screwed up, my hunt hadn't run into any problems. Things were just normal. But...That probably didn't stop my dad from worrying about me now.

He'll forgive me for being late...Maybe.

I slowed down a little and calmly sighed. Glad I'm not hurt again like the other night...First I've got hurt by a freakin zebra, then by a rogue...I've had enough of getting injured for a lifetime! Then I thought of Ryan, and my muzzle formed a smile. I still can't thank him enough for helping me with my injuries for the past few days...And I guess I can't thank mom, and dad, more for letting him stay in the lands and be with me. And even have him look out for me when he does show up.

I didn't mind the idea. Maybe that was a good idea...Mom did have a point earlier...I KINDA have been running into trouble lately. Maybe it's a good idea for Ryan to be with me. With that gun of his, he can probably take out whatever's a threat to me so easily. I'm sure he can do it...He has to anyways to protect me.

Not that I don't know how to protect myself, but a little more protection thanks to him, that's fine by me.

Oh heck, I can't wait to see him tomorrow and finally get to really know him! All that curiosity I had about him has really been ITCHING away at my body...And those kind of itches are WORSE than the ones I've suffered for days, and I can't scratch them away! I giggled deeply with a playful growl. He'd better tell me...Or I'll slap it out of him!

Finally I arrived back home without still running into trouble. Like I expected my father was waiting for my arrival at the mouth of the cave outside the wall of rock. He had a stern look on his face when those eyes had found me approaching. Yeah...I knew he'd have a look like that. I sighed, then announced myself with a huge smirk, "I'm home, daddy! No need to send help!"

Dad warned, "I was about to."

When I stopped right in front of him, I stretched out my muzzle a bit and made a bit of a joke to him, "Buuut, you don't have to now. No need to make a bunch of cranky lionesses search for the princess that likes to disappear again."

He didn't take it. He didn't change his expression one bit.

I said as I put on a tiny guilty expression, "I know...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you wait. Just my hunt took me longer than I expected."

He melted that seriousness away finally with a small grin. He asked, "Been trying to get used to your hunting skills again?"

I admitted with a nod and my tail flicking, "More or less..." I raised one forepaw in bit of embarassment, "I was kinda afraid I was gonna have mom teach me how again like a first timer!"

He let out a slight chuckle, "Guess that's to be expected when you were stuck at home for days."

I laid my paw down and remarked, "Well it makes me glad you didn't have me grounded here for the rest of my life...Until you died or something. Who knows if I'd remember how to hunt by then?"

He made a witty remark, "You'd probably do in great strides. It'll be just like first time walking on your feet."

I rolled my eyes, "Right..." 

Dad stated, "And it sounds like you did good."

I shrugged in agreement, "Yeah...Just needed a bit of practice. I did fine at the end." Thank goodness.

Shortly, he pressed, his face holding some insistence, "So...Did you actually RUN into any trouble? Anything I need to know about?"

I sorta knew what he was asking me, given my history. I let out a playful statement, "I knew you were gonna say that."

He said, "Well, with all the stuff you kept from me and everyone before, I think it's a good idea to pry for info when you come home at night from your hunts." He pointed out when he made a quick glance at the night sky, "You did take a long time tonight..."

I replied to that, "Seriously? That's not the first time I'm late to get home. Besides that, with everything that has happened lately, you think I would lie straight to your face now?"

He remarked a bit seriously, "Well that wouldn't be the first time you did that either, daughter."

Wonderful. He's gotten paranoid about that now! Then I assured, "Hey it's like I told you, trying to get used to hunting again and took me a bit longer than I planned. Just had some bad luck with my prey." I shook my muzzle a bit as I was telling him what he wanted to hear, "And speaking of bad luck, nope, daddy, there were no crazy rogues...No kickin' zebras...No trouble at all. Everything was like normal."

Some form of relief was evident in his eyes when father firmly nodded,  "I'm glad...Least you weren't captured by two leggers again."

I waved him off, shaking my head, "Oh, stop worrying about humans, dad. I don't think that's gonna happen to me again." My eyes shot up to my forehead, "I'm mentally prepared for that."

He warned in a serious tone, "We're not all the time, Sayde."

Oh give me a break. I shot back, "You worry too much."

Then he brought up, his voice carrying wariness, "Well, if it wasn't that...Then it would've been Zaire." 

The name brought back the word of warning he gave me and the pride. The name was like a bunch of rolling dark clouds ready to start a storm over the lands...A bad one. That storm was here earlier today. It was the name that has caused some serious death in these lands. I didn't show it on my face, but it did put my mind back on track about it...Even though I shouldn't be thinking about it now since I'm home. 

Father added cautiously, "I'm willing to believe that he does know you are my daughter by now. Who knows what he's thinking...And planning."

Scary thought...But I ain't afraid to fight back if he plans on doing something to me. Course I never said THAT to his face. All I did was have a frown and report once again, "Well I haven't seen anything strange out there. Like I said, everything was like normal."

He stated, glancing towards the dark savannah, "Don't mean it was."

Then I placed a thought out onto him after thinking about it a bit, "...Maybe he and his pride are not stalking in your lands right now. Maybe they're all still at where they belong. Maybe Zaire's just placing an idle threat out of spite. I mean...He and his pride haven't tried to take over your kingdom, they haven't done that for a long time." I formed a huge confident smile, "Don't think they ever will cause we'll win."

Dad placed his gaze back on me and shook his head, "I wouldn't trust that as idle...And I wouldn't believe he wouldn't try anything serious. You don't KNOW him like I do...He doesn't ever give up...No matter how many times our pride would beat his. He could try anything to get what he wants. With that message...We shouldn't totally let our guard down."

I tried to give him hope with this, "Well with Ryan's help, maybe we probably won't have to. Now what's so great with having a human on our side now? Huh? Huh?" He'd given me a look of resentment then turned it away. I narrowed my eyes. Hey, I think that's a great idea! Don't say I didn't try! I let out a huff, my form padding towards the cave, "Whatever...I'm tired and I'm going to bed."

Then he stopped me with his paw, "Hey wait a minute." I shot my confused look at him. He was smiling now. He said, "I do have something important to tell you too."

I tilted my head curiously, "What is it?"

"Well...It's about me choosing which of my daughters...To be queen." My face showed bit of excitement, and my heart also skipped a beat. Wait...Has he come to his decision? He went on, "We've talked about it some more for the past few days...And I think the decision has been made between me and your mother. I'm going to pick tomorrow...Maybe a bit after morning."

I was trying not to show too much excitement in my voice when I asked, "Really?"

He firmly nodded, "Yep. And I already told Dahlia this. So...Till then, you get a good night's rest."

That's going to be hard. I immediately nuzzled into his mane. I said despite what I thought while rubbing against him, "I SURE will." He chuckled while I kept at it, purring evident in my throat. When I pulled away, I said after I now held a determined look, "Well c'mon. I'm home and I want my rest!"

Dad laughed a bit, then turned his body to the cave entrance, "Alright, let's go." With that, we both went inside the tunnel. My chest beated away from anticipation that's already built up. 

It's happening...It'll happen tomorrow! FINALLY! Oh I can't wait!

But I don't wanna wait! I want to know who's going to be future queen now!

I let out a quiet breath to calm my excited nerves as we both strode side by side. But...It'll come, Sayde. The time will soon come tomorrow.

You'll see who's future queen and who's not.

*****

Alone in the house with no one around, I was sitting on the couch in the living room, focusing on putting my shoes on. The hot afternoon weather was going on outside, and I was getting ready to head out the door and experience it once again like I've done several days in a row. Sayde was on my mind again while I was busy tying up a knot for one of my footwear with a furrowed brow.

My parents were at Gabe's house doing whatever over there, and I thought this was the best time for me to leave. I guess I didn't have to bother asking if I can go for a walk to any of them. They know I have been taking walks lately, even though I've been doing much more than that, with a rifle in my hand, so it's to be expected with them. But even if I wanted to go over and ask for permission, I certainly didn't feel like it. Like the past several days, I was eager and ready to leave after having my breakfast and staying in my room a bit.

Oh geez, I was MORE ready to be Sayde's bodyguard. I cracked an amused smile when I finished tying up one shoe and then onto the other. Mom and dad and Gabe REALLY have no idea what went on with me yesterday. I'm now a lioness's bodyguard. I almost wanted to tell one of them that I had that title...But obviously cause of my secretive nature I did not. As silly as that sounded, especially towards anyone, I didn't care. This was still cool. Heck yesterday after I got back here after visiting with Sayde and got inside this house again, an idea crossed my mind, and THAT was having me grin a bit. 

I remember thinking that, since I'm now someone's bodyguard, I think I was just gonna watch The Bodyguard when I got to my room. I have thought it was a good thing I brought that movie with me from home. The movie is pretty good and I always enjoyed watching it, but other than to kill some time for the impending day, which was today, to come, I was merely watching it as a funny way of teaching myself. How to be a bodyguard. I kinda thought maybe I'd learn something from it. The film wasn't educational by any means, but...I didn't have anything else to teach me. 

Sure Sayde was just a lioness and I wasn't, quote, 'hired', to protect some famous person who had garnered praise and fame...But it did feel just the same...Probably would feel the same no matter who you're trying to look after. And in my crazy mind...In a maybe, kinda boring kind of way...It'd probably feel just as thrilling as protecting a famous person. Of course I never was a bodyguard in my entire life and would never exactly KNOW how that felt, but I'd imagine it'd be kind of thrilling.

I certainly feel some thrill from thinking about it.

I giggled a bit after finishing up my other shoe. I waltzed into my room to grab my gun laying against a wall. Then I went for the window to stare outside, see if there was anything out there within sight. There was nothing but the savannah and steaming hot air. Then I was thinking back to what I did in here yesterday. Other than anticipated to see my new lioness friend again, a few times yesterday I was stuck in my room without chatting much with anyone really, watching that certain movie over and over. As if I couldn't get enough of watching and learning. My mom did check on me one time in my room making sure I was doing ok, which I was. I was surprised she didn't ask any more questions after that.

Glad she didn't.

My thoughts were on Sayde again. They were making me wrinkle my brow, trying to have me decide what to do today. I know I thought before, about just visiting with Sayde for a short period of time without rousing suspicion from my family...But then I pretty much thought of just hanging out with her for just a little longer than I planned before. I was a little tired of leaving the princess abruptly to herself. I can tell from yesterday that she didn't want me to leave her early. It kinda hurt me a little. Even I didn't want to keep leaving her like that, without at least getting to know more about her. We BOTH still hardly know each other. I wanted to start changing that. I was willing to take that chance. 

Maybe I'll just hand out the excuse that I was hanging out with a tourist and that's what took me so long to get back here today if my parents ask. Gabe gave them that sort of excuse before and they believed it...I bet it'd work just the same. Or, if they didn't ask questions at all when I do get back here, then that's fine with me too. Doesn't matter. Long as they don't think I was talking to animals and then think I'm going crazy again, I'm swell.

I hummed to myself. Frankly I was more in line of knowing what Sayde's deal was at her home life. That's what making me have the idea. If she had some problems at home, I was willing to listen to them. I hope she was doing ok. I smirked a bit. She probably was...Probably wondering what's taking me so long.

I'm on my way, Sayde.

I whirled around, pacing out of my bedroom and quickly out the front door. Right when I did I saw dad was coming over all by himself. I stopped in my tracks waiting for him to meet me. He waved from a distance. I can tell he wanted to talk to me too. Dad stopped in front of me and asked with a grin, "Hey, Ryan...Going out for another walk?"

I replied with a smile of my own, "Yep, dad. Another day for more exercise."

Dad said with amusement, "Dang, kid, you've been making lots of it lately. Sooner or later you'll probably lose like twenty pounds in two weeks."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Nope, but just watch yourself when you're out in this weather." He looked up at the sun, shielding his eyes with his arm, "Jesus...Even I wonder how Gabe and anybody who lives in this country deals with this all the time."

I think I sometimes do too, dad. I shrugged, "Who knows?"

He dropped his limb to look at me again, "Maybe I should give this whole exercise thing a try sometime. I could lose some weight. I am on vacation." He motioned his hand toward me, "Plus you're the one with the gun, least you can protect me from the likes of carnivores."

I kinda had no intention of ever bringing him out for a walk. But I did play along with it with a joke, "I guess...Isn't the dad supposed to be protecting the child?"

Dad let out a laugh and pointed out, "I don't know how to use that gun!"

I told him, lifting the barrel of my long gun a bit just to make a point, "It isn't that hard. It's actually kind of easy. It's just the recoil that might get to you."

"Well, I'm a LITTLE afraid to use it. I'm scared I'll shoot myself in the foot."

"Maybe cause you might be a bit clumsy."

"I ain't too clumsy...Least that's what your mother says." I giggled deeply at that. Whatever you say, pop. Then Dad shook his head a bit with a grin still on his face, "Anyway I wouldn't mind the minor turnaround. You're getting old and so am I. I deserve to have a break from parenting, you know what I mean?"

I just smirked when I said, "Ok. When we're out and about...I'll make sure not to accidentally pop a cap in your butt."

He pointed his finger at me with a knowing look, "Hey, don't go there, Ryan. That's far worse than having one in the foot."

I let out a few chuckles after that. Then, despite my plans, I asked anyways, "You, uh...Wanna come with me?"

Dad shook his head, "No. Actually I was going to tell you that your mom and I are going out with Gabe somewhere. He's gonna head to the town we went to where we got our groceries and talk to some friends. I was gonna ask if you wanted to come with us. We can wait for a while for you to come back and then we'll all go. Whaddya say, pal?"

Without hesitating, I quickly declined with a shake of my head, "No thanks. You guys go ahead and leave without me."

Dad shrugged with his hands and nodded, "Ok then." He turned himself around and raised his hand to wave, "You have fun with your daily walk. Just watch out for the sun and critters."

Don't really have to, dad...Since they mostly watch out for wandering two leggers like me and run away. I nodded, heading off in my direction, "Sure. See you later." I waved too then focused on pacing away from him and the two houses stationed here. My gaze focused on the savannah. Alright...Sounds like I get to have some more time to myself with Sayde today without worrying bout my parents being suspicious of me after all.

Lucky me.

*****

Inside the cave in the wall of rock, the sunlit cracks in the ceiling showed my mother and my sister laying on their stomachs on the cave floor, while I was pacing back and forth in front of them. This certain exciting day has now arrived, the day either me or my sister were to be chosen as future queen, and I couldn't be more excited. My nerves were getting to me so much that I couldn't even lay around like they were. How can anybody lay around for something like this? Neither of them were complaining that I was moving back and forth all that time, but I sorta thought either would get annoyed at my movements soon. But I didn't exactly care. I was pretty anxious to see who'd become queen...Wondering if my father would pick me.

My anxious thoughts were swirling around in my head when I spun to make a few steps ahead. I hope he picks me...He's gotta pick me.

Then another thought popped up, a reassuring one. He'll pick you, Sayde, calm down. He'll pick you over your stuck-up sister.

I let out a slight impatient sigh when I whirled around again, my eyes drawn to the ground as I tried to push it down. The day has come, but as you can see, that decision hasn't been given quite yet. Me and my sister were waiting for this day to come, but we were now waiting for something else. The time for the announcement was being prolonged by the absence of our father. He was off doing his duties for a bit, but he was supposed to pick one of us after morning, and it was already after morning. All this waiting was really getting to me. I kinda thought this was some kind of sick joke my father was putting on me and Dahlia. But I figured through all that impatience that it wasn't. Daddy wouldn't joke about something like this. If he did...I'd be furious. 

During this wait, hope was burning bright in my heart about the whole thing. He'll pick you...I KNOW he will. Just calm down. Honestly even that wasn't calming me down. In fact it was making me even more nervous every time my mind said so. I also sorta figured that I shouldn't be giving out so much of that hope, considering that my father might pick the wrong person...And I'd end up disappointed. I can remember how much disappointment I had felt when it came to Aren, look how that turned out. But then I also told myself mentally to shut the hell up. I didn't care if I was handing out so much hope. This wouldn't be like with Aren. This was different. I was not going to lose this battle. I know I'd be the best queen father would choose. I'll win this. Dahlia wouldn't be picked as queen...I would. 

Then I momentarily thought about Ryan. Through all that excitement since last night, I had totally forgotten about him. He hasn't came to my home yet either. He said he would today. But then again it probably wouldn't be the best time for him to show up. This was a VERY important time for me. I didn't want anything else to divert my dad's decision. Not Ryan, not even Aren, which I'm glad he never showed up today either considering he and Dahlia are 'together'. I didn't want to see those two rubbing against each other in here. And if Ryan did make his way here and wants to hang out and talk with me, then he'll just have to wait. No matter what happens...I was going to hear who dad picks.

Even if it kills me.

Of course, thinking about it now, I couldn't wait to tell him either in excitement after I become future queen. He gets to be my protector that watches over me whenever he's here, and I get to be future queen till it was time that I really am queen of this pride. I think it's great that both of us earned something great!

I just hope that'll happen to me...

Dahlia nearby has finally fed up with what I was doing and whined about it, "Sayde, will you sit down already?" I grunted in response. Fuck off, you bitch...You're probably just as excited as I am so don't even deny it.

Besides...I'm gonna be queen. I KNOW I will.

When I rotated again, mother joined in too, "Sayde...Please relax. You're making us nervous. You're acting like something terrible is going to happen."

I spat out, "Yeah...Like if this decision is EVER going to come." I froze myself finally and snapped my gaze towards her, "I don't get it, mom, why don't YOU pick which of us as queen?"

Dahlia actually accepted the idea and suggested as well with excitement in her eyes, "Yeah! You know who's going to be future queen, right? You and dad talked about it, why don't you do it?"

Mom replied factly after turning her attention to my sis, "Because your father is the one who is supposed to do that. He wanted to tell you himself. Sure I am queen, but it's much more meaningful if HE says it, and ALL of us were here together."

I tossed down my muzzle and groaned. I complained as it barely touched the ground, "Ah, this sucks!"

Mom gave me a glare, "Watch your tongue, Sayde...Or I'll tell your father to cancel this announcement when he shows up."

I made a apologetic look despite my impatience and showed it to her with a tiny smile, "Sorry...I can't help it."

She returned it with her own. She giggled deeply when she mentioned, "I don't think I was ever THAT excited to become queen. Come to think of it when I was your ages, I never expected to be one. It just happened."

Dahlia playfully rolled up her eyes, "We already know the story, mother."

Mom said, "It's funny to see one of my daughters so excited about it. I can't remember ever being that way. I recall being nervous when I started it out. You, Sayde, on the other paw, are just ecstatic about it."

I told her with bit of smug, "I don't think being queen is something to be afraid of. I KNOW I can do it without a problem." I admit, I do feel kinda nervous about becoming queen once it happens, but in my heart, I FEEL that I CAN do it.

She frowned at me in a serious manner, "Are you SURE about that, Sayde?" I wrinkled my brow as well as a pause was met after she asked the question and we stared at each other. Why was she asking me that question like that? Does she think I cannot do it? I think I can! Why wouldn't I?!

Then I declared proudly, "Of course I'm sure, mom! I can feel it in my bones!"

That's when Dahlia scoffed, "...You seriously think you'll be queen?"

I placed my gaze upon her now, "Yeah. So?"

"Nothing." She went on, "It's just given how you are personally with everyone, I don't really see how everyone would support you as queen. You hadn't exactly won everyone over."

I remarked, turning my whole body to face her while my tail swished behind me, "I don't give a crap what anybody would think of me as queen. I'll just prove them wrong if they think I wouldn't be great."

Dahlia narrowed her eyes and flat out told me, "Well, I think I'm much more qualified than you are."

I called her out in a growl covered with annoyance, "You saying I'm not capable?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Are you trying to tell me it's because I'm lazy in the mornings? Well let me tell you this, sis, I'm not."

"Well you do get up late after all of us."

I kinda walked right into that one. Then I retorted, "And in case you forgot as of late, it's because I've gotten hurt badly and been recovering. You wanna try getting up feeling that way?"

She replied with irritant anger in her eyes, "Don't worry I don't get into fights with males like you are. I'm already with one."

Oh now she's RUBBING THAT IN! I let out a bit of a snarl when I said, "Fuck you guys."

Dahlia stood up sharply on her feet with a furious glare on her face, "What?"

Mother finally put an end to this bicker with a sharp tone, "Alright girls, stop. All this is completely unnecessary. No more fighting." Dahlia and I shared angry looks for a long time before she settled back down on the floor again. I just went back with my pacing, trying so hard to ignore this conversation and trying not to LITERALLY fight with my sister. Bitter thoughts swarmed in my head after everything fell silent. I don't care if you have Aren or not, Dahlia. I don't care anymore! You two can do whatever you want! In the meantime you'd better be prepared to say hello to the new future queen of the pride...Cause I'M going to be!

I DEFINITELY hoped now that dad will pick me...Cause I was seriously getting tired of being in my sister's fucking shadow. 

We'll see who's the queen.

Finally, several moments later, dad has arrived in the cave with us. We all beamed at his appearance, acting like nothing bitter happened before he showed up. Finally! Now we get to finally know! Mom got up on her fours and nuzzled and purred with him lovingly. She complimented while she was rubbing against him, "Glad you have arrived."

Dad chuckled, pulling away from her and telling us all, "Sorry it took me so long. I was trying to hurry."

Dahlia was standing her own feet when she asked, "There was no harm in waiting for you, dad." She tossed me a glare, "Honestly SHE was the only one getting impatient in here." I glared right back. Butt out, bitch!

Dad smiled at me. His words brought my attention back on him, "Well I'm here now, and that's what matters."

I put on another smile. I nodded in agreement and then asked this urgent question, "That's right. So...Who is it?"

Dahlia pressed as well, feeling her form stand right beside mine, "Yeah, who's the future queen? Mom wouldn't say anything and I'm already getting more anxious."

Dad sat down on his butt and so did mom. He insisted, giggling a bit, "Alright settle down, young ladies, settle down. Ready to get straight to the point, eh? I'm getting to it." Us two sisters settled on our haunches as well as we waited for our answer. Then one of his forepaws rose, with only a single claw sprouting out of it and pointing to the ceiling as he told us both this with a serious expression in his eyes, "But first, I want to remind the two of you...Your mother and I have talked about this a lot, and we have settled with this decision. This is one time and one time only. Once it's done, it's done. Our minds are already set, and no changes will be made after it. And like I already told the both of you...No fighting, no matter who I choose. Understand?"

Me and Dahlia both nodded firmly and said in unison, "Yes."

Father smiled, then nodded, "Ok." He lowered his paw back down on the ground, his eyes concentrating on both of us. I was waiting eagerly, and almost impatiently for his answer, shifting a bit on the ground. Excited, anticipating thoughts were rampant all throughout inside my skull.

Is it me? Oh, it's me. It's gotta be me!!

PLEASE be me!