Brayden

09 Clean up*

Have you ever had to clean up water damage? It sucks! Insanely loud vacuums were used to void the school of water. It's killing my head... that may be because I've been up since three and am a werewolf with heightened senses. At any rate, this is the worst punishment ever!

It took three days to vac out all of the water! Three days! Tomorrow I'll be helping move new furniture into the offices and Friday I'll set up the computer system. I am practically dead on my feet only able to get 4 hours of sleep each night if I'm lucky.

"As much as I hate to admit it... you're doing well pup." Mr. Jackson tells me. "You're bright and strong... why do you feel the need to cause chaos?" I shrug.

"I don't... I just... I'm bored... and no one takes me seriously. You all want me to be a kid... I can't do that. I just want to be treated like a grown wolf! It's what I am. I take care of myself, I train harder than anyone else, and no offense but I don't need to be in school." I rant. Mr. Jackson and I have been working closely. I actually kinda like him not that I'd say that out loud.

"None taken... I know you don't need to be in school. I know that you could have graduated at ten. Everyone knows your strong kid and that you're self-sufficient... it's hard when you feel like an adult trapped in a child's body... but you are a pup... try to enjoy that while it lasts." He sighs and stands up from the bench we were sitting on. "You wanna run home or do you want a ride?"

"I'll take the ride... Alpha's been running me to death over this!" I groan and he laughs patting me on the back.

"It will be over soon, pup." He says as we get in the car.

"After we finish the school I still got three weeks of morning runs! I don't think I'll last Jackson!" I slump in my seat as he begins to drive.

"You know that the runs are part of your Alpha training more than punishment, right?" He asks. I shake my head. "You ever wonder why he runs every morning? Alpha wolves are hard to control... this will help you, Brayden."

"Thanks, Mr. Jackson," I say. I never thought of that... I guess Ari is taking me seriously if he's starting my Alpha training at 13.

When we get to the pack house Mr. Jackson drops me off and drives away. It's dinner time so I go straight for the dining room. I fill my plate and take my seat next to Ari.

"Hey, Bray." He says as soon as I sit down. "I hear you're working hard. I'm glad to hear you're manning up to it. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Ari." I smile as I eat. He sees me as a man! Maybe he'll let me help more! If he thinks I'm grown maybe he'll let me take up a patrol shift!

°•°•°•°•°•°

When Friday finally comes around I'm incredibly excited. I had the computers done by lunch. The morning runs are more fun and we even go in wolf form sometimes which makes it easier. Ari is giving me more freedom.

I decide to take a run. Shifting I run towards the border. I mean I can patrol the border by Red Rivers pack, right? I mean it's relatively safe and I'm I good fighter.

I take my time running the border when I smell him. A rogue is on the territory. If I had a pack link I'd call for backup but it's just one. I can run him off without a fight. I find the wolf and let out a growl. My Alpha genes make me look older than I am in wolf form so he seems somewhat frightened. He growls back at me. The fight was quick and I took care of him. As soon as I snap the rogue's neck six more jump out at me and I know there's no way I can beat 'em.

I try to fight them but one slashes me with his claws as his buddy bites down on my hip. I growl in pain as I kick him off. I lunge at one of the wolves biting his shoulder. He bites my front leg in return as we go rolling. When we detach from each other I see an opening and run as fast as my legs will carry me. Soon I smell wolves that aren't rogue as they lack the pungent odor. I don't recognize them but they've got to help!

I run into a clearing. On the other side, I see two wolves. One wolf is male the other female. I run to them and collapse due to blood loss.

I see the duo step between me and the rogues. They are protecting me. I feel my eyes close. I hear them fight as I hold on to consciousness. A frightening howl rings through the clearing. I hear running wolves as I lose consciousness shifting back to my human form.