Régnar
Beta Appretice || Male || Mentions: Wisteria
Indirectly Mentions: Alari, Sikúnguak
Régnar stood upon the sand, his eyes fixed on the bustling activity within the camp. The morning of the ceremony for the Alpha and Beta was finally here. It was a significant day, not just for the pack but for the entire bloodline of the Druids. Today, Alari, the first druid female of the alpha bloodline, would officially take her place in the pack. The decision was different, that much was certain. It displeased many, but not Régnar. He couldn't be more thrilled for her.
The crisp morning air, a refreshing temperature, carried the scent of the ocean on the westward wind. It was invigorating, a reminder of the natural world that surrounded them and the history they were about to honor. Régnar took a deep breath, letting the salty tang fill his lungs, sharpening his senses.
He glanced at the beach where most of the wolves were busy. Some were out hunting, ensuring that the feast for the ceremony would be plentiful. Others were decorating the beach, setting up for the formalities and celebrations that would mark the new authority of their leaders. The sun was rising, promising a warm day. The sky was clear, and Régnar knew the heat would bring a golden glow to the festivities.
As the Beta apprentice, Régnar had a unique perspective on the day's events. He felt a mixture of pride and responsibility. He knew that Alari's leadership would usher in a new era for the Druids; he believed that it would strengthen their bloodline. He admired her strength and wisdom, qualities that were essential for the position she was about to assume. Régnar believed deeply in her destiny to lead. How could he not? She had been there for him since he was a pup, a close friend to his mother, Valdís. Alari was more than just the alpha to him. She was family, and he would stand by her no matter the consequences. And Sikúnguak? He was perfect for the beta role. Truly, there was no better individual to fill it.
His plan for the day was to move among the wolves, offering help where needed, ensuring that everything went well for the ceremony. It must go perfectly. Alari and Sikúnguak, his mentor, deserved it. Tonight would be a night to remember, a night of celebration and unity. He would make sure of it! So confident he was, that he paraded around with his chest puffed out, eyes narrow as if on duty.
It had to go well. Especially since.. Well.. What he knew..
The guilt suddenly weighed heavily on Régnar, and the fear of what might happen if the truth came out gnawed at his conscience, clawing at his insides like a relentless beast. Every time he thought of Alari, a pang of sorrow and dread gripped his heart. How could he face her, knowing the terrible secret he carried?
How could he look into her eyes without feeling like a traitor?
He glanced around him, shaking his head slightly to clear the dark thoughts. Nearly stumbling, Régnar knew he had to maintain his composure, at least for today. He couldn't afford to let his turmoil show, especially not now. Alari deserved a perfect ceremony, free of any shadows. As did Sikúnguak.
Glancing at Wisteria, he cleared his throat, plastering a cheerful expression on his face. He met her gaze with as much lightheartedness as he could muster. "Clumsy paws," he chirped, offering her an expressive grin, hoping it masked the turmoil within. The two had been up early, hoping to get to the beach and begin decorating. They had a lot to do, and Régnar was determined to throw himself into the work, hoping it would distract him from the guilt gnawing at his soul.
At the current moment, Régnar carried a pile of kelp upon his back, its weight a small but welcome burden, grounding him. The kelp was to be draped around the ceremonial area, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to the proceedings. He moved with purpose, his strides confident, though inside he felt anything but. His mind was a whirlpool of fear, guilt, and anticipation.
"Next, we need to gather seashells and coral. What do you think?" He said, his eyes scanning the shoreline for suitable decorations. He needed to keep talking, keep moving. The steady rhythm of work was his only solace.
Suddenly, something gleamed in his peripheral vision, catching the sunlight and casting a shimmer on the sand. He turned his head, curiosity piqued. His sharp eyes recognized the object immediately—an abalone shell, its iridescent surface reflecting a rainbow of colors. For a moment, all his worries seemed to fade, replaced by a childlike excitement.
Practically diving, Régnar buried his nose in the sand, tossing it around with an enthusiasm that belied his inner turmoil. He dug carefully, his teeth wrapping delicately around the abalone shell. It was a perfect specimen, smooth and shining, a treasure from the ocean. The kelp on his back flopped onto the sand, forgotten in his moment of discovery, but Régnar didn't care. Not when he had found such a pretty, iridescent shell.
He straightened up, the abalone shell held triumphantly in his mouth. Turning to Wisteria, he let the shell drop gently into the sand at her feet. "Look at this," he said, his voice tinged with genuine excitement. "Isn't it beautiful? Here, you have it." Bumping his shoulder against hers, he began to trot around, collecting the kelp that he had lost.
It was a small victory, a brief moment of light in an otherwise dark day. For a few minutes, he allowed himself to bask in the simplicity of the task at hand and the beauty of the shell.
But even as he moved to gather the kelp, the shadow of his secret loomed large in the back of his mind. He could only hope that by focusing on making the ceremony perfect, he could at least for a while, push the darkness away and honour Alari and Sikúnguak as they deserved.