Chapter 2: Training Camp?!

It took several minutes of driving before our truck turned left into a rocky road heading towards a forest. I eagerly wanted to ask why we are here but I cannot bring myself to. When I had a couple of glances at my father, that was when he spoke, maybe noticing it. “We’re going to the camp I built when I was younger.” He simply told me.

A camp he built when he was younger? I tried to remember my mother’s bedtime stories and I don’t recall her mentioning a camp once. But what is a camp by the way? Is it a house?

After asking several questions like that inside my head, I suddenly remembered one story that Lucas- our neighbour- told me last summer break. He once boasted to me that he and his father often go to the mountains to camp whenever it’s his birthday or celebrate yearly occasions.

[Wait! Didn’t Lucas also mention that camping is fun? That his father and he bonded during it?]

An idea lit up inside my head. And then I turned to my father in genuine surprise. Father is trying to bond with me! I concluded.

The thought of this bonding with Father made me happy in an instant. All this time, I only wanted him to smile at me. To pat my head and tell me he’s proud of me. So, I am happy that he is trying to mend his absence during my birthday by bringing me into a “camp”.

I looked outside when our truck finally stopped. A narrow road was right in front. “Get the clothes you brought and hop out.”

Father told me before hopping out of the truck himself. I grabbed the door handle and opened it. I had a hard time hopping down since I am a bit short and the truck is too high for me. When I did successfully jump out, my father was in front watching my every move. He looked annoyed, so I got nervous. Did I do something bad?

“Follow me.”

But then he just coldly ordered me after and turned away walking towards that narrow road. I followed him running as his steps were wide and fast. It took us several minutes before father halted his steps.

I ran past him to see what was in front and saw a small house and a huge space surrounding it. As I looked around, I noticed a couple of sandbags hanging on a tree and several wooden dolls lined up near it. I got confused. Is this what a “camping” place looks like?

“What is this place, father? And what are we doing here? Are we perhaps having that “camping” that Lucas had with his father last year?” I innocently asked, totally clueless.

My father’s expression did not change after. It was still blank and cold before he answered. “This is the camp, Duke. And I do not know about that “camping” you’re talking about, but we are not doing that here.”

Hearing those clear words, my excitement and joy broke.

“This place is part of our territory. It was I who built this years ago in an effort to become worthy of bearing the blood of an Alpha. And this here- is the place will you do the same. You’re training here starting today. A training camp is what I meant.”

“Train… ning?” I confusedly asked in a small, broken voice.

“Yes.” My father simply replied. “Now, hand me your clothes and start running.”

Due to my confusion and disappointment with this opposite turn of my earlier expectation, I remained standing in place and just stared at my father even after he ordered that. Got annoyed, he spoke again and more firmly this time, “You knew that saying things twice is something I detest, Duke.”

After hearing those words, my body moved on its own and ran as I was told. Even if I am already close to crying for my broken silent wish.

--

It had been five hours since then.

I thought I would only have to run for a minute or so, but my father made me run for five straight hours, with no allowed water breaks or stopovers. My throat is dry and I am thirsty, but the water bottle that could quench it is in my father’s hand.

“Take this from me if you want to drink.”

A simple rule yet hard to obtain. How can I when my legs are already giving up on me? Losing hope, tears slowly began to form in my eyes. My father saw it, and his expression quickly darkened. “Is that all you could do, Duke? To give up and whine?”

I wanted to cry more hearing that, but I wiped my forming tears away instead. “N-no.” In a small voice, I replied.

“Good, then.” My father commented. Then he strides towards me and looked down. “Remember this Duke. You’re an Alpha’s son. And as an Alpha, you should not be on the receiving end. You, on the other hand, have to provide. So, if trying to get yourself water is hard, how much more if you need to get enough for our entire pack?” My father squatted down and looked me in the eyes.

“Make yourself strong, Duke. That way, we will be able to protect not just your mother, but also your brothers.”

Amongst everything that my father said, protecting my siblings was the only thing I understood. Though, I do not know exactly what he meant by what he just said. But if Father says so, then it’s probably something I needed to do. After all, protecting my younger siblings is a promise I made to myself.

Hence, clenching both of my hands, I slowly pulled myself away from the ground and stood. Father also took a few steps away from me to create some distance. Right now, my eyes are only darted at the water bottle in my father’s right hand.

How am I going to take it? I tried to figure out a way.

My legs are shaking yet my hands still have a little ounce of strength left. So, I squatted down and placed my hand on the ground resembling that of a shifted werewolf. I saw my father’s surprised expression as if he was seeing something unbelievable, but I couldn’t care less.

That water bottle in his hands.

I am currently seeing it as my lifeline and so as Toby’s and Koby’s. So, using my palm, I gathered the last strength I had in me and pushed myself out aiming to snatch the water bottle away. My movement was quick and precise, and I was confident that I could make it. However, my father only did a small jump to the side, evading my attack completely.

As a result, I rolled on the ground several times causing my shoulders to break. But despite the pain I felt, I didn’t cry. Instead, my lips were so wide in a smile as I raised the water bottle above me while still lying on the ground.

“I DID IT!!!” I yelled proudly.