The pack’s training grounds were a sprawling stretch of forest and cleared land, dotted with wooden dummies and makeshift obstacles. Liam had been coming here for years, first to watch his father train the warriors and later to begin his lessons. Today, though, felt different. Today, Theo was here.
“Why am I doing this again?” Theo muttered as he trailed behind Liam. His black hair was still slightly damp from the morning dew, and his borrowed shirt hung awkwardly on his thin frame.
“Because it’s what we do,” Liam said, trying to sound confident. “If you’re going to stay here, you need to learn. Besides…” He glanced at Theo, smirking. “It’ll be fun.”
Theo didn’t look convinced.
The Alpha stood at the edge of the clearing, watching as the younger wolves assembled. His sharp gaze swept over them, and Liam felt a familiar twinge of nerves. His father always expected the best, especially from him.
“Today,” the Alpha began, his voice carrying across the clearing, “we’re working on agility and instincts. Wolves who can’t adapt to their surroundings won’t survive long in the wild.”
Liam stood straighter, his heart pounding as his father continued. He could feel Theo’s presence beside him, a quiet but steady comfort.
“Liam,” the Alpha said, his gaze locking onto his son. “You’re leading today.”
Liam froze for half a second before nodding. “Yes, sir.”
He felt Theo’s curious stare but ignored it, stepping forward as his father gestured to the obstacle course that wound through the trees. It was a series of jumps, tunnels, and tight spaces designed to test the wolves’ speed and coordination.
“Pair up,” the Alpha ordered. “Liam, take Theo.”
There was a murmur of surprise from the group, but Liam didn’t look back. He felt Theo hesitate before stepping up beside him.
“This should be interesting,” someone whispered, and Liam’s wolf bristled.
The first round of the course was a disaster.
Theo struggled with the jumps, his legs barely clearing the wooden bars. He tripped going through the tunnels and nearly got stuck trying to squeeze through a narrow gap. Liam did his best to guide him, offering quiet encouragement, but he could feel the weight of his father’s stare.
“Again,” the Alpha said sharply when they finished the round. “Until you get it right.”
Theo wiped the sweat from his brow, his expression tight with frustration. “I’m holding you back,” he muttered.
“No, you’re not,” Liam said firmly. “You’re just not used to this. Come on, we’ll do it together.”
The second attempt went a little better. Liam slowed his pace, matching Theo’s speed and showing him how to approach each obstacle. Theo still stumbled, but by the end, he was breathing harder from exertion than frustration.
By the fifth round, Theo was keeping up.
“Good,” the Alpha said, his tone grudging. “Liam, you’ve got the instincts of a leader, but you need to learn patience. Theo’s not useless—he just doesn’t know our ways yet.”
Liam bristled at the faint insult, but Theo didn’t seem to notice. He was staring at the course, his expression determined.
“Let’s do it again,” Theo said suddenly, surprising Liam.
“What?”
“I want to try again,” Theo said, his green eyes flashing. “I’m not stopping until I get it right.”
Liam smiled faintly. “Okay. Let’s go.”
The pack’s murmurs grew quieter as Theo improved. By the tenth round, he was clearing jumps with ease and slipping through the narrow gaps without hesitation. When he and Liam crossed the finish line together, panting but triumphant, there was a flicker of respect in the Alpha’s eyes.
“Good,” he said. “That’s enough for today.”
As the younger wolves began dispersing, Theo turned to Liam with a grin. “Not bad for a stray, huh?”
Liam snorted. “You’re not a stray. You’re… Theo.”
Theo raised an eyebrow. “That’s all I am? Just Theo?”
Liam paused, considering his words. “You’re part of the pack now.”
Theo’s grin softened into something more genuine. “Thanks.”
That night, as they sat outside the packhouse, Liam couldn’t help but notice how Theo’s scent had changed. It was still warm and earthy, but there was a faint hint of something else—something that made Liam’s wolf stir.
“You’ll get used to this,” Liam said, breaking the silence.
Theo glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. “You think?”
“I know,” Liam said firmly. “You’re not just some stray. You’re here for a reason.”
Theo smiled, leaning back against the wall. “You’re a weird Alpha, you know that?”
Liam shrugged. “Maybe. But I’m your Alpha.”
Theo didn’t respond right away. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. “Yeah. You are.”
YOU ARE READING
The Alpha's Bond
Werewolf(This book is already complete. I will publish 5 episodes a day until it's finished, this is a long book.) Liam has always known his destiny: to become the King of Werewolves, unite the packs, and secure peace for the kingdoms. But when a strange pr...
