Not That Bad

Chapter 1

7 years go by...

I lean on the door frame to Zieks room, staring at his empty bed.

"Coming!" I walk down the hallway, glancing back at zieks room one last time before heading downstairs.

"Hes outside" mom dries her hands on a dishrag.

I nod and walk out the door. As soon as i step outside, dad throws a backpack to me.

"Whats this for?" I put it on my back.

"We're gonna go for a run then youre gonna come with me and serin while we go scouting" He points to the trail leading to the forest.

"Oh ok" i follow close behind him. As we walk to the trail a few people from the clan wave to and thank my father. He begins to jog lightly as we leave the border of our town. I keep a good pace behind him, making sure not to fall behind.

"When you become the head alpha you need to learn to endure the stress and pressure of things around you" dad glances back at me, my face is a little pink from the cold air.

I nod. "Endure" After a little while my legs grow tired, i can feel myself falling behind.

"You need to run more Kaizen. Youre slacking" dad glances back at me. I place my hands on my head and try to catch up.

"Im trying my best" i pant slightly, watching him speed up as we loop back around back to the town.

"Dad- I need a break" I slow down drastically, panting hard. I watch dad stop running.

I lean over and push my hands into my sore legs. As i stand back up, i put my hand over my chest. My lungs feel cold from breathing hard.

He grips my shirt, "You are the future of this clan Kaizen. Im not accepting the bare minimum. Do better" He gives me a stern look.

I nod and look down to the floor, still panting. "Im sorry- I'll try harder"
"Sprint home" he points to the town. Its a good mile away. My eyes widen slightly. ...Thats too far for a sprint.

"Youre an alpha. Grow up and start acting like one" he glares.

I glance back to the town and take a deep breath. As harsh as he's being. I know he wants the best for me. I need to step up. I run as fast as i can towards the town.

I hear dad jogging lightly behind me, feeling my heart racing from the exertion on my body.

After i make it within the boundaries of the town i let my body collapse to the floor, my legs are on fire. I let my head fall to the grass as i pant.

"Up" Dad grabs the backpack, pulling me to my feet once more. I slug my body forward, following him as he looks for Serin. I begin to wonder....Was he this tough on Ziek? Is this rough training really gonna make me better? What if i don't want to be the leader?

Serin waves at me, snapping me from my train of thought. Hes my father's Beta's son. Which maybe makes him my beta? Im not too sure how it works. Either way, hes 19, and goes on missions with my father every now and then.

"What about you Kai? Are you excited for school to start back tomorrow?" Serin glances at me after speaking with my father for a while.

"School? No..." i shake my head, and watch him laugh in response. "Im glad im done with it. You only have like 4 more months though. Im sure itll be fine" Serin smiles softly before facing back forward.

I follow behind the two of them silently, feeling extremely bored by the patrol. Time goes by...eventually, but still feels like an eternity

After dad and i get home, i lie in my bed for a little while. Theres a gentle knock on my door. "Come in" Mom opens the door slowly and gives me a small smile, "just checking on you...howd it go?"