"Alright everyone up, up, up, we've got a big day ahead of us," Tiberius spoke loud enough to wake the sleeping male pups while Felix did the same with the females. The sun was just barely over the horizon, practically just past dawn, and none of them had even been awoken so early. Not even Hutch had been awoken this early or frantically.
Once awake the pups were rushed outside and formed into two columns, with no particular order to their position. Hutch managed to snag a spot beside Sadie, the young female who had sparked his interest the previous day. Behind the two were the twins who, for the most part, were still asleep, and in front of them was Candu and another pup. Of course, being the showoff that he wanted to be, Jason took a spot near the front of the line.
"Everyone enjoy the sunrise?" Felix asked rhetorically "Good because this is how early alphas are expected to be awake for duties. Now to build our stamina and speed, as well as work up a healthy appetite, we're going to go on a little run to the feeding grounds for breakfast. I want to stress that this isn't a race, it is merely a bit of morning excersice. I won't stop you from sprinting, but keep in mind that if you make yourself sick and do not eat, you will not have another opportunity until noon when we go to lunch. Any questions?"
"What happens if we can't run the whole way," someone reluctantly called out.
"That's fine. I'll be running in the front to lead the way, but if you feel you can't keep up, Tiberius will be bringing up the rear to keep pace with any stragglers, ain't that right old man," Felix chuckled at Tiberius who scowled playfully.
"Oh please, I could keep up with you any day," Tiberius chuckled.
"In your dreams," Felix smirked before darting off at a moderate sprint. The pups instinctually followed behind. As they reached the edge of the field they got onto a wide path which had clearly been frequently used. The grass had been worn down and there was no thick brush or shrubbery in the way.
"My uncle says it's a good idea to run with someone, so you can talk and keep your mind off what you're doing," Sadie finally broke the silence between the two of them.
"I guess that means we'll be running together every day," Hutch smiled at her which caused her to blush.
"You'd want to run with me every day? But what if I can't keep up," she asked shyly.
"Well then I'll have to fall back with you until you can," he replied jumping over a tree root.
"Looks like "Mr. Future Beta couldn't keep pace," Alex laughed from behind them. Hutch looked up to see Jason on the side of the trail, panting heavily and retching heavily.
"And that's why you don't sprint as hard as you can on stuff like this," Percy sighed in disapointment. Jason looked like he was about to make some sort of smart remark, but couldn't stop panting long enough to do so before they had long passed him.
"I feel kinda bad for him. Maybe if he wasn't so cocky he could do better," Hutch said as his friends began to cluster together.
"I don't know if I can feel bad for him, especially after knowing he's nothing but a bully," Candu remarked with a shake of his head.
"I can understand wanting to be confident in yourself, but he doesn't have to be a dick about it," Percy added, siding with Candu.
"Yeah, but it kinda is depressing watching him nearly work himself to death," this time Alex was taking his side in the matter. Before anyone else could add their own input, the group came to a staggering halt as they reached the feeding grounds .
"Alright good job guys, made it here no problem," Felix complimented as more pups began to pile in, but not nearly as many had started the run.
"Eat up guys, once the last pup gets here we'll have 10 minutes before we head back for the rest of the days training. Hutch and his group immediately heeded Felix's words.
Before Tiberius even arrived with the slower pups, the five had already eaten as much as they wanted. Despite being the largest pup, Hutch surprisingly ate the least caribou.
"What's the matter Hutch, aren't you hungry," Percy asked, having ate the most.
"No it's not that, it's just my mom always told me to eat only what I needed to be less wasteful," he said modestly causing Percy to rethink his next bite, feeling slightly gulty for having eaten so much.
"But don't let me put you off eating as much as you want," Hutch laughed with a nervous smile, not wanting to make Percy feel bad.
"That's right, there's plenty to eat. Hutch is just being modest," Felix smilled giving Percy a pat on the back.
By the time the slower pups arrived, most of the first ones to arrive were now done and were at a nearby creek getting water to quench their thirsts. Tiberius was at a very slow trotting pace with about ten pups behind him, panting away trying to keep up with him. At the very back, was Jason who was now limping.
"Alright here we are, you've got 10 minutes to eat as much as you like," Tiberius panted as he walked over to sit with Felix and eat his own breakfast. Hutch watched as Jason limped helplessly towards the creek, desperate for something to drink. With a sigh, Hutch decided to forget what had happened the previous day and decided to go help him.
"I'll be right back," he said to his friends before stepping away and towards Jason who was so out of it that he didn't even notice Hutch approach him.
"Here, let me help you," Hutch said as leaned up against Jason to help take weight off of his side. Hutch expected a violent response of disgust, but Jason remained silent. As the two reached the creek, Jason practically fell to the ground and began to lap up water as fast as he could. When he was done, he stood back up with Hutch's help. Once again Hutch helped him over to a fresh caribou which he then quickly began to devour.
"Why," Jason demanded as he stopped eating to catch his breath.
"Why what," Hutch asked.
"Why did you help me," Jason wouldn't even look in Hutch's direction in his own shame.
"Because you looked like you needed it. I wasn't going to let you suffer just because of what happened yesterday," Hutch admitted sitting down next to him. Jason sighed and sat up.
"I hate to break it to you Hutch, but that's the way that the world works. The weak die so that the strong may survive. No matter how hard you try to changeit," Jason said grimly before turning to walk away.
"It doesn't have to be that way Jason. Just because someone is weak, doesn't mean they're doomed to death. Just, that they have a differen't purpose in life than being a protector. Look at the omegas. Sure they can't hunt or defend the pack in a war, but they're not suppose to. They keep us entertained and prevent conflict with their light heartedness," Hutch said trying to follow Jason.
"Yeah? And what happens when we do go to war. The omegas will die helplessly while we alphas struggle to protect them. You can fight it sure, but it's a losing battle. Just because you saved them this time, doesn't mean you'll do it the next time, or the time after that," Jason's voice began to quiver.
"J-Jason, are you okay," Hutch asked in concern, causing Jason to chuckle.
"There you go again, worrying about me. What would it matter if I wasn't huh? You would still be alive, your life would still go on. All caring about others causes is pain. If they're strong, you don't need to worry because they're strong, and if they're weak then you shuoldn't care because they're just going to die in pain," Jason growled beginning to grow more frustrated.
"But what's the point in living if you have no one to care for but yourself," Hutch jumped in front of Jason to make him look his way. Jason glared at Hutch in offense.
"Alright let's get going back to the training grounds," Felix called as Tiberius began to herd the pups back onto the trail.
"Why don't you ask my dad," Jason scoffed before tunring and limping away.
Hutch was in complete shock at what Jason had just said. Dozens of questions began rushing through his mind. Who was Jason's dad? What had it done to make Jason so bitter? Was he a bad wolf?
"You alright Hutch," Tiberius asked walking over to Hutch who was staring blankly at the trail. Hutch shook his head as he snapped back to reality.
:I-I don't know. T-Tiberius, who is Jasons dad? He was talking to me and he said some pretty weird stuff about the weak deserving to die, then made some remark about his dad," Hutch asked looking up to his instructor. Tiberius shifted uneasily and looked around to see if anyone was listening.
"Well Hutch, you see, Jason isn't from here. A while back, we rescued him from a lone wolf, a very demented and sadistic lone wolf. A wold who was abusive to his family, more so than I am willing to tell you about at your age. Tell you what, why don't you take my place at the back of the line, I need to go discuss something with Winston. Think of it as your first alpha duty," Hutch's face practically gleamed with anticipation.
"Of course I'll do it, I'll get right on it," Hutch said before rushing off to catch up with the group. As the young pup vanished into the wilderness, the elder sighed to himself and shook his head.
'I knew the kid was going to have problems, but I didn't think it would be this bad,' he thought to himself as he made his way to Winstons den.
"Tiberius, what are you doing here, is something wrong," Eve asked as he approached the den.
"I'm afraid so, it seems as though Jason's condition is getting worse," Tiberius sat down before the alpha female who's expression grimmed.
"Oh dear. So he has been mentally scarred. This isn't good, I think he may have to be removed from the other pups until we know for certain that he isn't going to become hostile," Eve said as Winston began to approach the two.
"When we found him, I never imagined it would be this severe,"
*One year earlier*
"Woah hold up, I got the scent," the black furred wolf said lowering his nose and sniffing out the path it led off in. His mane like fur fell down by his cheeks as his companion stepped up beside him.
"I smell it too Dex, this guy is close," Felix said as he sniffed around the area as well.
"Any luck," a much younger Tiberius asked the two as he rushed up to them.
"Yeah, we've got the scent now," Felix replied as Dexter quickly darted off through the bushes. Tiberius sat back and let out a long howl, signaling his position to the other members of their scouting party.
"Guys get ready, I smell blood," Dexter shouted back at his colleagues who nodded. It didn't take long for the three to finally zero in on the den which the scent was eminating from. From the den, whimpers of pain and fear could be heard, as well as growls of anger and agression. The three began to slow down to make more precise and silent movements as they crept up on the den.
"I'll go in first, make him expose his flank, I want you two in right after me," Dexter whispered as softly as he could. Both Tiberius and Felix nodded in understanding of the plan before the young beta crept up to the entrance of the den. Without even second guessing, he rushed forwards. As he did so, he assesed the situation at hand. The immediate threat was the male, blood staining his white fur. Felix was certain it was fresh. In front of him lay a female with great and black spotted fur, blood rolling from her entire face. Behind her, a cowering pup, also covered in blood.
"Felix grab the pup," Dexter shouted as he ran head on at the crazed male who was only now begining to notice him.
"You son of a bitch," the male growled and began to charge back. The two rushed at top speed until they were feet apart.
It happened in a flash.
Dexter smirker and quickly bounded to the right, using his sheer speed to run along the den wall. Once he was beside his opponent, he pushed himself outward with every ounce of strength in his body. He rammed into the crazed attackers flank with his claws, raking through the maniacs soft flesh to cause as much damage as possible. But his foe didn't take this sitting down.
"RRRRRRAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH," he shouted in pain before forcing himself against the cave wall, ramming Dexter into the rocks. Dexter winced, but rolled out of the way before a follow up attack could be launched. By this point Tiberius had joined the fray, and took advantage of the enemies focus on Dexter.
Tiberius snapped his jaws down on the white furred males back right leg and yanked his head backwards to pull him to the ground. The male howled as he hit the ground and blood poured from his leg. The wounded male kicked with his other leg to try and catch Tiberius' face but instead got a paw full of claws raking up his other rear leg.
"You little bitch, I'll crush you!"
"Shut your mouth already," Dexter demanded, slamming the pinned wolfs head to the gound, knocking him out cold. Tiberius let go of the wolfs leg and spat the blood from his mouth, retching in disgust.
"I've tasted some narly shit in my time, but that takes the fucking cake," Tiberius grimmaced. Dexter chucled before rushing over to check on the female.
"She's dead," he sighed sadly, shaking his head. Tibeiurs nodded reluctnatly and began to search around the den.
"What kind of sicko would do this," Tiberius asked, looking into what appeared to be a small watering hole in the den.
"Oh god," he whispered softly, taking a step back before turning pale.
"What is it Tiberius," Dexter asked stepping up beside him. He felt as though his stomach would turn inside out.
Instead of water, there was nothing but blood inside the hole. In the center, was a pile of dead and decaying bodies, all of them pups less than a year old. Their bodies were in different states of being mangled, missing limbs and other body parts. The sight was enough to make the two of them vomit.
"What is it guys," Felix asked stepping towards the two.
"Don't," Dexter shouted in fear as is friend approached them.
"Just stay back," Tiberius added as he managed to pull himself away from the horrible sight.
"Wake that son of a bitch up so I can see the white's of his eyes when I kill him," Dexter growled stepping over the unconcious body. After a few minutes of violent shaking, the three managed to wake up the unconcious monster. Tiberius and Felix kept him pinned while Dexter starred him down. Dexters glare was the stuff of nightmares, his golden eyes seemed to stare straight into your soul making you want to confess your darkest sins.
"What the fuck is wrong with you," he growled so low they could feel the boom of his voice in their chests.
"They were omegas, nothing more than useless mouths to feed. Even the little runt of an alpha was a detrement to me. I was about to kill him when that stupid bitch got in my way. She couldn't stop me from killing the others and she couldn't stop me from killing him either. The useless brat would've been gone too if it hadn't been for you lot showing up," he snarled and struggled to free himself.
"My mother was an omega you piece of shit," Dexter growled and raked his claws against the captives face, sending him recoiling in pain.
"And I would've killed her just the same," he managed to laugh through his suffering.
"You really are fucked up in the head aren't you," Tiberius grouled and twisted his leg to make him stop struggling.
"See, that's the thing about insanity. To you, I'm the insane one, but in my eyes you're all crazy," he began to chuckle and shake violently.
"What do we do with him," Felix asked looking up to his superior.
"He's too dangerous to be kept alive, and after the things he's done he doesn't deserve to live. Kill him," Dexter ordered.
"You can kill me, but you can't stop my legacy," he smirked staring back at the surviving pup who was sitting at the entrance of the den. Dexter walked to the pup and picked him, carrying him away so he wouldn't see the execution of his father. Dexter heard the stuggle and snap of bones from inside as the two alphas brought down justice upon the murderer.
"It's okay little guy, you're safe now," Dexter nuzzled the pup to comfort him. The pup was stuck with a thousand yard stare, barely even moving when he breathed.
"Do you have a name little guy," Dexter asked trying to get his attention.
"J-Jason," the pup finally managed.
