True Love
By: Gabriella Balcom
"You have the brightest eyes," Oliver told Tonya. "You're smart and sleek, and you move faster through the water than any other otter I know. But I love everything about you."
"You're so sweet," she chittered, eyes glowing. They nuzzled each other. "I love you, too."
Her father refused to let them become mates, saying the younger male wasn't the best choice for his daughter. He'd made his intentions clear long ago; he intended to partner her with an older otter, who was the son of a close friend.
Tonya and Oliver routinely sneaked away, however, stealing precious moments together.
As she floated on the waves, eyes closed, he dove nearby. He surfaced behind her and pounced, shoving her under the water. She surfaced, sputtering, and he fled. Catching him, she retaliated with a vengeance and drenched him soundly, giggling at his surprised expression. Darting back and forth through the sea, they chased each other, laughing and having the time of their lives.
But an over-sized gar shot toward them without a sound, and grabbed her foot in its mouth. She squealed and struggled, trying to get loose, but couldn't.
Oliver, without any regard for his own safety, attacked the creature. He bit and scratched it repeatedly, and it finally released her, swimming away.
Later, Tonya's mother examined her injured foot and tended it gently.
Her father looked on, expression stern, before turning to the young male otter, who'd risked his life for her. "I always wanted her to have true love," he said, and placed her paw in Oliver's.
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