Broken Wolf

20

"I thought we had an understanding! You were doing so well! Why can't you stay where you're safe?! Do you realize how reckless it is for you to go off alone!?" Bane rants as soon as I am through the door. I didn't beat him home. I roll my eyes.

"You act like this is the first time I've gone out on my own. Well, news flash big brother I go out Every. Day. I don't need you lording over me all the time!" I yell back.

"You. Are. A. Child! A reckless little pup! You can't do everything you used to, Libby. I'm sorry,  but it's true! You need to stay where people can help you. What would you do if the pack were attacked while you're out by yourself? Do you really think you can defend yourself? You can't! You should focus on your studies. Indoor, safe things. Please, Lib." He looks so sad. I know he feels bad for what happened. I know he is trying to keep me safe, but he is wrong! I can do anything I want, and right now, I want to be a warrior!

"Bet?" I ask, confusing him.

"What?" He responds.

"You say I can't defend myself. I say I can. So, let's make a bet. If I win you back off. If you win, I'll shift my focus solely to academics. I'm nearly 12 now. That's basically a teenager. Most pups are training by now. Let me go up against them, and I'll prove to you that I can take care of myself." I suggest.

"No." He responds. "I'm not going to let you get yourself hurt."

"I won't." I argue.

"I said no!" He yells before taking a breath. "Just go to your room, pup. We'll discuss this tomorrow."

I decided that going to my room is the best choice. He won't listen to me. I need to show him. He won't see me as a strong wolf until I prove it to him.

*'*'*'*'*'*

"I'm heading to work." Bane tells me in a quiet voice. I ignore him. "Talk to me midget." He begs as he enters my room.

"I don't want to." I say, turning away from him.

"I know... I shouldn't have yelled... I'm just scared. I'm so scared and I don't know what to do. After what happened to our pack... I can't lose you too... I just can't." I hear him start to cry and face him.

"It wasn't your fault." I tell him.

"You say that, Hannah says that, the king says that... but I was the Alpha. Who else am I meant to blame. They were my people, and I... I hope you never know everything that happened in Ice Winters... just... please, please don't leave me, please. You're the only family I have left. I can't start a new life here with Hannah and the pups without my favorite little sister." He gives a little grin, and I smile at that.

"I won't leave you. I'm strong, Bane." I inform him, and he sighs.

"I know... you're the strongest person ever... but that doesn't make you invincible." He looks at the missing lower part of my leg and winces. He blames himself for it. "I have to go to work. We can talk more after. Maybe have a game night?"

"Sure." I agree, and Bane smiles before leaving.

"Ember?" I link to see where he is.

"South of the playground." He responds like he normally would, giving me the location of today's training.

"Not today. Meet me at my place. I need your help."

*'*'*'*'*'*

"I'll hang back. I will step in if you need me." Ember nods as we approach the training grounds.

I move along the side, watching the warriors doing their daily training. When I get to where the under 18s are, I see Gamma Asher rallying them for their training.

"Alright, pups!" He calls out. "We're going to do a little tournament today. We'll start in the usual age groups. The winners of each group will compete next. Winner gets to lead the next pack run with Alpha King Alic!" I hear excited whispers everywhere at this news. Everyone loves the king. "Beta Malak and Delta Bane will help keep order, so no cheating and try your best."

"I'd like to compete!" I yell out. I couldn't have chosen a better day.

"Libby!" I hear the yell before I see the angry Delta, formerly Alpha, storm over. "Absolutely not!"

"Delta." Gamma Asher starts, but Bane ignores him.

"Go home, Libby."

"Delta, let's discuss this." Gamma Asher whispers, trying to calm him. "Perhaps she could stay and watch?"

"No, Gamma, I want to fight. I can fight." I insist.

"You haven't been trained, pup. I can't let you participate against those with training." The Gamma dismisses me.

"But I have." I argue. "I've been training. I can fight." His look says he doesn't believe me.

"It's true." Ember says, making himself known. The Gamma looks at him a moment or two before responding.

"Are you sure, Anhur?... I mean Charlie." He asks and Ember nods.

"Okay." The Gamma agrees.

"No!" Bane argues.

"Calm yourself, Delta." Gamma Asher orders. "There is no reason to exclude her if she has been trained."

"I'm her guardian!"

"You're acting like dad!" I yell and he stops in his tracks looking wounded.

"I... I'm not..." Bane steps away from me.

"He wouldn't let me play hockey because he thought I was weak. Now, you won't let me fight because you think I'm an invalid. What's next? Punishments?"

"I would never... I wouldn't do that... to anyone... I... I'm not him." He looks at me and then to the ground. "Just do what you're gonna do." He says then turns to the Gamma. "I'll watch the older ones... I can't watch this."

It hurts when he walks away. I want my big brother to support me. I shouldn't have mentioned dad but I was angry.

"You got this, pup." Ember says patting my shoulder. "Come on the first fight starts soon."