Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 17: We're Subs (10 years, 2 months)

"Archer! Archer, wait up." Saigon staggered to a halt and grabbed his knees.

The brown werewolf popped out of the trees. "Come on."

"Give me a minute." He sat down on the trail and took in ragged breaths.

Archer sat on his legs in front of his friend. "Are you tried?"

"Shut up."

"Poor little Saige can't keep up."

Saigon shoved the laughing boy away. "I just ran up a mountain. I'm not part mountain goat like you."

The brown pup smiled. "I don't see the problem." He shrugged. "We got a dominant dad and a sub dad. It's not like you have any kind of disadvantage."

Saigon lunged at him, but Archer darted away. The black and red pup grinned. "Scared?"

The other boy narrowed his eyes. "No."

"Liar." Saigon stood and dusted off his fur. "I'm even younger."

"Shut up," muttered Archer, frowning. "I'm not scared.

Lifting his muzzle into the air, Saigon peered down his nose. "I'm stronger."

"No, you're not!"

"Taller too."

"Shut up!" Archer stomped his foot. "I haven't had my growth spurt yet. I'll catch up. Just you wait, and then I'll be taller and faster." He gave his friend a smug look before racing off into the bushes.

Rolling his eyes, Saigon jogged after him. Archer was a quarter way up to the cliff by the time he arrived at the steep rock wall that led to an upper ledge. He started the climb and quickly caught up.

He passed the other boy. "Don't slip."

"Get away from me." Archer kicked at him.

Saigon laughed and continued on, beating Archer to the top. Sitting on the edge, he dangled his feet over the side and peered out over the valley.

The brown werewolf pulled himself up and laid there for a moment. "I shouldn't have waited. I would have beaten you."

"Doubt it." Saigon's tail wrapped around the other pup's.

"Knock it off." Archer batted it away.

With a cheesy grin, Saigon faced forward. The forest was a deep shade of green. Northern Ridge had to be the most beautiful territory around. He doubted anywhere else could be as good.

Archer sat up and leaned back on his arms. "What do you think Daven and Jagger are up to?"

"Don't care." His eyes remained forward. "All they want to do is fight. I get tired of it."

The other boy scoffed. "You get tired of it. At least you're closer to their size." He leaned forward and rest his head in his hand.

Pressing his lips together, Saigon nodded. "One of these days, we'll take them."

Archer gazed off in the other direction. "I can beat them in a race at least."

"Are you saying I can't?" He pointed down the mountain. "I'm the one having to chase you around all day."

"Yet you're still stinking slow."

"I am not." His ears bent backward. "I keep up just fine."

"Whatever," breathed Archer.

A howl echoed through the valley.

"I think that's the beta's call." Archer ran his tongue across his teeth. "Time for little Saige to go home."