The early morning air was sharp as Liam stepped into the training grounds. His father stood near the edge, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. The warriors sparred in pairs behind him, their movements deliberate and powerful. Liam swallowed hard, his feet crunching on the frost-covered grass as he approached.
“You’re late,” the Alpha said, his voice low but carrying an edge that made Liam flinch.
“Sorry,” Liam muttered. He stood straighter, his hands tightening at his sides. He was used to his father’s sternness, but that didn’t make it any easier to face.
The Alpha studied him for a moment before speaking again. “You’ve been doing well in the group exercises. Corin says you’ve got potential.”
Liam blinked, surprised. “Thank you.”
“But potential means nothing without discipline,” his father continued, his tone sharp. “You’re the future Alpha. You don’t get to make mistakes.”
Liam’s chest tightened, the weight of his father’s words settling over him like a stone. “I understand.”
“Do you?” The Alpha’s gaze bore into him. “Because I see you spending all your time with that rogue pup.”
“He’s not a rogue,” Liam said before he could stop himself. His voice came out louder than he intended, and his father’s expression darkened.
“He’s not one of us,” the Alpha said. “And until he proves otherwise, that’s how the pack will see him. You need to think about what message you’re sending by staying so close to him.”
Liam clenched his fists, his wolf stirring restlessly. “Theo’s part of the pack now. He’s proven himself in training.”
“To you, maybe,” his father said coldly. “But respect isn’t earned overnight. And if you’re going to lead this pack, you need to put the pack first. Always.”
Liam opened his mouth to argue, but the Alpha raised a hand, cutting him off. “You have your priorities. Keep them in line.”
Liam left the training grounds with his chest tight and his mind racing. His father’s words echoed in his head, clashing with everything he felt about Theo. How could he lead the pack if he couldn’t even stand up for the one person he trusted most?
He found Theo near the edge of the forest, sitting on a fallen log and tossing rocks at a nearby tree. His shoulders were hunched, his black hair hanging in his face.
“Hey,” Liam said, sitting down beside him.
Theo glanced at him, his expression guarded. “What did your dad want?”
Liam hesitated. “He thinks I’m spending too much time with you.”
Theo snorted, shaking his head. “Figures.”
“He’s wrong,” Liam said quickly. “You’ve done nothing but prove yourself since you got here.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter what I do,” Theo muttered, his voice bitter. “I’ll always be the outsider to him.”
Liam stared at him, his chest tightening. He wanted to tell Theo he was wrong, that the Alpha would come around eventually, but he didn’t know if that was true. All he could do was stand by him.
“You’re not an outsider to me,” Liam said quietly. “And I don’t care what my father thinks. You belong here.”
Theo looked at him, his hazel-green eyes searching Liam’s face. For a moment, the bitterness faded, replaced by something softer. “Thanks,” he said, his voice low. “That means more than you know.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Training was grueling, the warriors pushing the younger wolves harder than usual. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Liam and Theo were both exhausted, their muscles aching as they trudged back to the packhouse.
“Think we’ll ever catch a break?” Theo asked, his voice tinged with humor.
“Not if my father has anything to say about it,” Liam muttered, earning a laugh from Theo.
The dining hall was quieter than usual when they arrived, most of the pack having already eaten. Liam grabbed two plates and handed one to Theo, who accepted it with a grateful nod. They sat near the back, away from the few remaining wolves.
“Do you ever get tired of it?” Theo asked suddenly, his voice quiet.
Liam looked at him, confused. “Of what?”
“Of all the expectations,” Theo said, gesturing vaguely. “Being the Alpha’s son, having to live up to... whatever it is he wants from you.”
Liam hesitated, his gaze dropping to his plate. “Sometimes,” he admitted. “But it’s what I’m supposed to do. I don’t really have a choice.”
Theo tilted his head, studying him. “You could still be great without doing things his way, you know.”
Liam frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re already a good leader,” Theo said. “You don’t have to be like him to prove it.”
Liam didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just nodded. Theo didn’t push him, instead turning his attention back to his food. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but it left Liam with a lot to think about.
That night, as Liam lay in bed, his father’s words played over and over in his mind. Put the pack first. Always.
But when Liam thought about the pack, he didn’t think about the wolves who judged Theo or questioned his place. He thought about the moments when they worked together, when they proved themselves stronger as a team. He thought about Theo, who had been by his side since the day they met.
For now, that was enough.
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...
