Ryder ~ Wolf Dominion

Chapter 23

"Today, Ryder, you'll be training with Xrat by your side," Jawkin had announced this morning – and I had been rather joyous about it.

There was a crowd gathering and even Skye had come to see us train.

All the eyes upon us were judgemental and a heavy distraction to be honest. I was not allowed to Transcend into Xrat today either, rather we had to run the obstacles together. I was surprised the bond was now being asserted publically, and I wish Alpha Skye gave me some warning beforehand. Of course, he didn't share any details willingly. It was just sprung on me in the moment.

For the training, when certain warnings echoed, mimicking dangers in the Genesis landscape you simply had to stop before crossing the fake terrain. Then, you had to decide when it was safe to cross. Avoiding hazards; it was simple but necessary. Xrat was already aware this was the game after we crossed the first stage, where I told him to stay and he looked at me with a low look of annoyance, but quickly figured the rest out.

The second obstacle, Xrat snapped at my hand when I tried to pat him into keeping still, and that got a laugh out of the crowd watching on.

"Stay calm, Ryder, or you might get mauled by your Beast," Jawkin's only advice from the side lines, as a viewing platform ran around the whole training centre, so she could follow my movements along with the public.

I'm annoyed after Jawkin suggests I might get mauled – ridiculous. Xrat was like a baby to me, or at least, he acted like I was his mother.

"I'm fine!" I call back, ignoring Skye's obvious stare from the other walk way, watching my left while Jawkin watches my right. Xrat barks at me not to move into the next obstacle, but we've waited more than enough. I shoot him a glare and take a step forward, only to have Xrat nip my training suit at my ankle and hold me back, jerking me backward so hard I almost fall flat on my ass. I pull my leg from the cheeky blue and yellow eyed pup, and I yell at him, "I decide when we run, Xrat! Listen to me!"

Jawkin chokes on her snack bar, while she tries to advise me, "Ryder – you must not order your Beast."

In the meantime, Xrat is simply watching me like I'm a lunatic, one paw raised and his head tilted.

"I thought we were training together," I hiss at the assertive pup, while Xrat snoots through his nose and prances forward, barking at me to follow.

I grit my teeth and move. We run through the obstacles as fast as possible, which was the aim. You had to be fast.

While running side by side, we both hear falling, crumbling rocks from the echoes, so we halt together at the same time, on the same foot and paw. I grin at the perfect dance we've executed together – but Xrat takes the opportunity to snarl at me, quite viciously.

Oh, what did I do now?

"Stay a step behind him," Jawkin suggests, politely, with a laugh in her tone.

I hear everyone else laughing too under their breaths.

Except Skye.

However, Xrat is eyeing my hand again, and I feel my gut tighten.

No.

I wouldn't fucking step back for him, or anyone.

I challenge Xrat with my defiant gaze, and he starts to bare his teeth, wanting me back further, so I am following him.

I would not follow an animal, a baby one at that.

"Together," I try to tell Xrat. I refuse to step forward or behind, we could do this as one unit, equally. Xrat shakes his head and lopes ahead when he's ready, barking for me once more, while I stay where I am and cross my arms over my chest. "If you ignore me I'm not following," I call out to Xrat, "I decide when we move."