Jason and Reyna: The Praetor's of New Rome - Truth

A wolf kicks me out

"Keep up young one."
Lupa ran ahead. The sun just beginning to rise above the mountains. Turning the sky almost blood red. She was leading the pack through the forest, as we raced to catch our prey. I was falling behind from the pack, not really trying. Not quite slow enough to fall behind, but definitely not fast enough to be in line with the wolves. Our prey was a giant deer. Common in Northern California. For an animal of its size it was quite agile, managing to keep a good distance from the wolves.

The pack formed a loose circle, ensuring the animal had no exit route besides forward.

"Jason," Lupa spoke from ahead of the pack. She did not speak, since she was a wolf, but I could hear her in my head. "Do not force me to catch our prey for you. This test is for you, do not disappoint me."

"Lupa, I would never disappoint you." I picked up speed, racing past the others in the pack. I maneuvered around trees and obstacles, until I was side by side with Lupa. I studied the deer as it ran through the forest. Desperately trying to stay ahead of us.

"What will you do, now that you are ahead of the pack?" Lupa said by my side.

I ignored her. All my focus on the deer ahead of me. I saw the other wolves, the fastest in the pack, running almost side by side with the animal. I could give them the signal to charge from both sides, causing the animal to panic and give the rest of the pack a chance to catch it. But I thought against it. This is my test, so I should be the one to take it down.

Eventually, I saw an opportunity. The deer attempted to leap over a small log on the floor. I used this chance and summoned the winds to propel it forward, sending the deer air borne. The animal landed on its back, desperately trying to stand up in time. I raced ahead of the pack and rammed a small knife I had carved from stone into its neck. Pushing it down to the ground with my momentum. Once the pack had arrived, Lupa immediately snapped at the other wolves to stop them from tearing apart the deer.

"See? Told you I wouldn't let you down." I said.

"Secure the kill. Finish it." Lupa ordered.

I struggled against the deer. The deer took shallow breaths, its large eyes staring right at me. I took my makeshift knife and raised it above my head. I struck downward, hitting the dirt next to the deer. I couldn't do it. I did not even bother looking at Lupa, I had failed. I got up and walked off. The wolves rushing in for the kill.

Lupa didn't join them, instead making her way over to me. I did my best to ignore the wolves ripping apart the deer, instead focusing on the ground.

"So, how did I do?" I asked.

Lupa sat down in front of me. Even sitting she still looked down at me. Her fur was as dark as the rock I was sitting on. She licked her teeth, as if considering me for her next meal.

"You have shown great ability and focus. Your senses are as sharp as mine. Yet your sureness in yourself continues to be your greatest weakness. You wasted time by attempting to show off. Also, if you had commanded the pack to assist you, you could have avoided causing any harm to yourself and expend less energy. And then you would be useless to us."

I wanted to protest, but I knew better. Lupa, at the end of the day, is a wolf. Her teachings prioritize one thing, survive or perish.

"And above all else, you failed to secure the kill."

"Yes I know, I just couldn't-" I put my hands over my face, ashamed. "I'll try again next time."

Lupa gave me a wolffish grin, which is pretty terrifying to look at, but was the closest to a grin a wolf can make.