Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 16: Transition of Power (9 years 3 months)

Jagger waited outside the cave, searching the treeline. He spotted something brown moving through the forest. Racing across the clearing, he leaped into his grandfather's arms.

"Grandpa!"

"Hello, hello." He hugged the boy. "You've grown."

Jagger stood up straight and smiled. "I'm the same height as Daven."

"That's good. Don't let that boy get too far ahead." The old alpha put his arm around his grandson's shoulders, and they wandered on down the path to the river.

They sat down on a rock along the bank.

"So how have things been here? Have you been behaving?"

Jagger nodded.

"I'm sorry about missing your birthday. I tried to come, but some things happened."

"That's okay." The black werewolf forced a smile. "We went to Aunt Karen's and celebrated. Humans have some really fun holidays. I always get to go with them for Thanksgiving and Christmas, stuff like that."

"Well, that's nice of them." He patted the boy's leg. "You're nine now, right?"

Jagger nodded.

"You're getting so old. You'll be given a rank before you know it."

"Yeah." The boy smiled to himself. "Daven says we'll both be dominants."

Oscar arched a brow. "Well of course. You are my grandson." He ran a hand through the boy's head fur. "Are you ready for school? That'll be starting up soon I suppose. What grade are you in again?"

"4th, I'm in Daven's class this year."

"Oh, I better not be getting any phone calls." He eyed the boy.

"You won't." He wrapped his arms around his legs. "Grandpa when can I came back to Bloodhound with you?"

"Hmm..." he peered down at the boy, "do you not like it here?"

"I do, but I want to visit." He picked at the dirt under his claws. "Did my mom come back?"

With a deep breath, Oscar turned forward and stared into the woods. "No. She's left with some of the others. I'm afraid she's not going to come back."

Jagger bowed his head. "It's because of my dad, right? It was because he was a bad man."

"No, Jagger." Oscar hugged his grandson to his side. "Your father wasn't a bad man. Never think that. He fell in love, that's all. Unfortunately, that person was already mated."

"Uncle Aden," muttered Jagger. "Uncle Titus didn't really like me for a long time. Sometimes he looks at me weird. I think it because I remind him of my dad."

Oscar rubbed the pup's back. "The way your father handle things wasn't right. It could have been done better. He fought hard for Aden and lost. It was an honorable death. One we shouldn't hold against him." He smiled at the boy. "If my son was alive, he'd be very proud of you. You're already turning into a better man than either of us."

Jagger shook his head. "I don't listen when the other kids talk bad about Bloodhound. You're a good alpha. It's not your fault that people choose to leave."

Oscar tucked the boy's head under his chin. "When you get older whatever is left of Bloodhound, please protect it. Promise me, you'll protect our pack."

"I promise."

***

(10 years 1 month)

"Daven wait!" Raven ran out of the cave after the group of boys. "Wait for me!"