Brayden

04 Training*

After breakfast, Ari told me to go play while he got some work done. I don't know the kids and they all look at me like I'm an outsider... which I kinda am.

Before long I am making my way to Ari's office. I push open the door and slip in, trying not to bother him just yet. When I look into the room I stop immediately as three sets of eyes lock onto me.

"Brayden, what's wrong, pup?" Ari asks standing up from his desk.

"I... umm..." I try to speak but fail.

"This pup distracting you again!... Aaron, we don't have time for this!" Beta James growls.

"Dad, please." The third man says.

"Clayton, you know he can't have distractions right now!" The Beta responds.

"I'm sorry Alpha, Beta... I'll just leave," I say looking at the floor.

"No! Brayden you're fine, buddy. Beta James, I've told you he is fine. He is my responsibility. I will take care of him even if you consider it a distraction. I am as prepared as I can be for what's to come so stand down!" Ari orders.

"Yes, Alpha." The Beta growls. "Perhaps I should step down, and give Clayton my title, considering you don't value my council."

"It's not that James... you've helped me more than you know... but why can't you accept that I can do this? That I am ready? I can't do anything else regarding the war, but I can help this pup. He's mine now. Wouldn't you take the time for Clay? I know he's not my blood, but I don't care. He's mine until he's 20 and takes his pack back. I can't ignore him." Ari says... he claimed me... as his son! He wants me!

"I'm sorry Alpha... come Along Clayton. Let's let Aaron deal with his pup." Beta James says leaving.

"Nice to meet you, little guy," Clay says patting my head as he leaves.

"What's up, Bray?" Ari asks once the men are gone.

"Ari... I don't want to be weak." I tell him.

"You aren't." He says.

"I am! My sister! My Mother! They died and I didn't stop it! I'm an Alpha and I let them die!" I feel myself start to cry.

"You are an Alpha PUP Brayden. You couldn't stop it." He tells me.

"So teach me... I want to be strong! Teach me to fight!" I command standing tall. Ari chuckles.

"Our youngest training group has 6-8 year old's and it's only self-defense... you're too young Brayden... be a pup just a little bit longer would ya? We don't teach you to fight until you are at least twelve and it doesn't become mandatory until you are 16... don't grow up too fast pup." He says.

"I want to fight Ari... please... I don't want to lose anyone else." I beg him. He sighs.

"One lesson." He says coming over to me. "Punch me." He says.

I pull my fist back by my ear and fling it at him with all my might. He just laughs.

"Alright pup." He grabs my hand. "Thumb on the outside of your fist." He says moving my thumb. He kicks my foot moving it. "You use your whole body to throw a punch." He continues alternating my stance. "Keep your hands up protecting your face." He moves my hands into the appropriate position. He holds his hands up and throws punches in the air. "Like this." He says "Now punch me." I throw the punch rotating my body as Ari did. "Much better... now hit with these knuckles, not these ones." He says pointing to my fist. "Give me a few more. Remember to always protect yourself." I begin punching him. After the third one, he bops me on the side of the head. It didn't hurt but I wasn't expecting it. "Keep your guard up Bray." I nod. "Alright. Lesson over...you can practice in the gym if you want but I need to talk to Beta James... when the battle starts I want you in the safe house. Don't argue. Don't try to fight. Do you understand me, Brayden?"

"Yes, Alpha... but..."

"No buts! No matter how much you train you are not in this fight. Promise me you will stay safe." He cuts me off. I sigh.

"I promise," I mumble.

"Good... now get out of here. I'll see you at dinner." Ari says.

He saved me once why can't I help? I'll show him. I'm a big boy! An Alpha! I'll train and be ready!

"Umm excuse me, sir." I say tapping the first person I see to get his attention. He turns around and it is the Beta's son.

"Sup pup?" He grins.

"Ari said I could use the gym... can you show me where it is?" I ask.

"Sure can. Come on, Brayden." He says walking off.

"Thanks, Clay." I respond following him.

"You remember my name? Hmmm... it will be Beta Clay soon. Once Aaron proves himself my father will step down." He tells me.

"Oh," I respond.

"Listen pup. Aaron cares about you. Don't hurt yourself alright?" He says.

"I won't... Ari already told me I can't fight." I mumble.

"Give it a few years... in the meantime practice can't hurt. Try to have a little fun tho. Be a kid, it only happens once." He tells me as we reach the gym.

"Yeah thanks," I say slipping in the door.

No one is in here. I've seen my dad training in a room like this back home. I walk up to one of the bags and take my stance. Ok... hands up. Feet set. Use your whole body. I begin to punch. And punch. And punch. Some adults come in and do their training but I ignore them.

"Water." A man says handing me a bottle.

"Thanks," I say, taking it and drinking.

"You the Alpha's Ward?" He asks

"Ward?"

"He took you in." He says.

"Yeah... I'm Brayden." I tell him.

"Nice to meet ya, Rex." He says offering his hand. I shake it. "I'll let you get back to it then... stay hydrated, pup."

Just like back home, every adult looks out for you. It's nice that they adopted me into the pack so quickly. I'm not alone.

I continue my assault on the bag until my body won't move anymore. I guess I fell asleep because I woke up to Ari carrying me. I open my eyes with a yawn.

"It's dinner time, pup... did you eat lunch?" He asks. My stomach grumbles. "I guess not... am I gonna have to hound you to make sure you eat?"

"No sir," I say.

"Good." He says setting me down and taking my hand. "Let's eat."

Wolf pups are rather self-sufficient once we can walk really. The pack looks out for us but daddy always told me that we are more "mentally capable" than a human child. I don't know if it's true because I don't know any human kids. Don't all four year old's think like me?