8

~Brady~

I’m going to kill these two idiots.

We come in the gym at 5 to see our dads and Alex, one of our head warriors, standing at the front. They rarely all show up at the same shifter training. Usually they divide up between the early session and the late session, which starts at 8pm. No need for all the leaders in the pack to be in one place at one time.

“Welcome to training!” Dad shouts over the assembled wolves. “This afternoon I think we’ll mix it up. Let’s do some sparring. We’ve come up with some fair matches that should challenge everyone. Once you find your opponent, find an area in the gym or courtyard to spare. Remember, no cheap shots. We don’t need anyone with serious injuries.”

He starts calling off names. One by one they shifted and got to work. I noticed Grant, Colton, and I weren’t being chosen.

“Maybe they forgot about it. We got off the hook!” Grant chirped through the mind link.

“Don’t bet your sweet ass on it.” I’m staring at my dad. He’s got a half smirk on his face, and nothing is funny so far.

He calls the last of the pack members, leaving us three, head warrior Alex, and our dads. Shit.

“Alright. Last three pairs. Grant and Gamma Thomas, Colton and Beta David, and you’re stuck with me, Bray.” There’s the reason for the smirk. Man are we in for it now.

I look over at Grant and Colton, who just turned a few shades paler. Realization must have finally kicked in. If I can move after this practice, I’m kicking both of their asses.

“Make sure I get a piece of the action. Kane and Ragnor need to learn to control their impulses.” Knight angrily remarks in my head.

“You got it bud. But first, we’ve got to deal with Dad.”

We all shift and find areas to spar. Dad and I end up heading outside to have some more room. Two large alpha wolves in one room is a bit much. Knight and Erik, my dad’s wolf, face each other on the front lawn of the gym. Dad mindlinks me the countdown, and we’re off.

I charge first, hoping the element of surprise is on my side. Big shock: it’s not. One benefit of sparring your dad is that you know his weak spots, but then again he knows yours too. I try to aim for his back left leg, but it doesn’t work. He’s spent years fighting and knows a strong defense is just as important as any blow you make on your opponent.

He goes for my ribs, but I manage to move enough that he hits my shoulder instead. I recover quickly even though it hurts like a bitch.

We keep at it for what feels like hours but actually was only about 30 minutes. I got a few licks in, but Dad is still the winner for sure. I’m left in pain, exhausted, and panting for air.

“Follow me. We need to talk.” I hear Dad through the mindlink after we’ve let our wolves rest for a bit.

He walks to the edge of the woods with me in tow. I notice he’s got a slight limp in his back left leg. A part of me feels guilty for hurting my dad; I know he probably feels the same. Thank the goddess we heal fast and should both be mostly recovered by dinner.

“Brady, I realize you didn’t have a hand in the incident last week, but you need to understand something. As alpha, everything those under you do reflects on you, good or bad. If you let the two people closest to you hit on other people’s mates and mistreat other pack members without reprimanding them yourself, people will doubt your character. You’re still a kid, but it’s time to grow up and be a man. In a few short years you’re expected to take over this pack, but if you don’t start earning their respect now, you won’t have it then. I believe you will be an excellent leader in this pack, but it’s time to let go of childish things.”

His words hit deep. I haven’t ever really thought about how I don’t hold Grant and Colton to higher standards; they’re going to be my right hands in a few years. We all have to start stepping up. No more fucking around.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I guess I never thought about that. I can’t promise it’ll be solved tomorrow, but I promise it will be better. I’ll talk to them about it. We have to continue the legacy and make it stronger.”

“I’m not saying you can’t live a little. Have fun while you still can, but the three of you definitely need to treat the single she wolves with more respect. They aren’t just notches in your bedpost, and they sure as hell aren’t toys to be played with. They’re living creatures that deserve to be treated with dignity. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes Dad. We will do better. And we will earn the respect of the pack. I saw that girl’s mate at school today and apologized. He was still pissed, but I think it will pass with time.”

Dad’s wolf lets out a huff that almost sounds like a laugh. “Just wait, son. One day you’ll have a mate, and you’ll want to rip out someone’s throat just for looking at her, much less touching her. Then you’ll understand why he was ready to go to war.”

Something inside me shifts when he says that. It feels possessive, almost like a madness waiting to be released. Mates? I’ve never worried about mates before. So why is my stomach in knots?