JOHNThe crowd roared like wild animals, their chants echoing across the clearing. Everyone was on their feet, cheering, shouting, stomping the ground with excitement and right there in the middle of it all was my dad who was my hero.I did not even hesitate as jumped into the chaos, shouting at the top of my tiny lungs, "Dad! Beat his ass! Get up, Dad! You've got this!"My father's name is Jason, and he's not just my hero but he's the Alpha of our clan. He is the big wolf and also the one everyone respects or maybe fears. Today, he is fighting Pete, an Omega who for some strange reason only his ego could understand, had challenged my father in a public duel.The rules of our kind are simple; you challenge the Alpha, you face him in front of the whole pack. Win and you rise, lose and try waking up with a dislocated jaw.At first, Dad was doing great, He moved like he owned the ground beneath his feet but then, I noticed something wasn't right. His movements slowed down, His breathing

Ukaria I was furious and confused about everything happening around me. The kind of confusion that sat heavy in my chest and made my head spin. Once again, my father had said no after pleading with him for a long time. I was not allowed to go hunting with him and my brothers but this time, I wanted answers for the usual refusal.Romeo and Leo were my older twin brothers, they were born three years before me. They were always included in every outdoor activity, they were always out there doing the real stuff while I was stuck at home.Over time, I decided to interpret the message myself. I was not one of them besides , I did not have a twin so maybe that was it, that was the difference.I tried to make sense of it making me list every excuse I could think of be it age, skill and rules but none of them felt right.Eventually, the frustration took over and I did the only thing that gave me peace. I locked myself inside the old barn and sat there in silence hugging my knees and trying

JasonWhen John knocked on my door that night, something stirred inside me, it was something warm and heavy at the same time. I was happy to see him of course but the timing made me uneasy because it was really late besides, was not the type to come knocking unless something had gone truly wrong.Still, I did not rush him with questions because I didn't need to rather, I made him feel as if I was pleased by seeing him.I opened the door then I stepped aside and let my son in like it was the most natural thing in the world."Make yourself at home," I said as I was already settling to play the role I knew he needed me to play at the moment.I didn't play the role as the clan's elder neither did I play the role as a warrior rather I played that of a father.He stood for a moment before sitting. It was as if he was caught somewhere between trying to be strong and not falling apart. He looked like someone who was carrying a storm inside him so, I did what any father would do, I went ahea

AaronThat night, I did not get much sleep. My mind wouldn't stop racing even though my body was motionless. My father's words played in loops, his pain, his regrets and the betrayal that broke our family. I kept playing back everything he said, imagining it as if I had experienced it firsthand. My dreams were troubled when I eventually fell asleep. In slow motion, I witnessed my grandfather's fall with blood in his throat. Once strong and proud, I saw my father kneeling in shame and and Jason untouchable, crowned by betrayal, standing above it all and My jaw was clenched when I woke up. The sun had barely risen, but I got to work; cleaning the cabin, preparing food and boiling herbs for Dad's pain. Instinctively, my hands moved but my thoughts were elsewhere.After finishing, I grabbed my bow and went into the forest. Hunting for food and possibly gathering herbs for Dad's medication was the original plan but I had a storm in my head. I wasn't paying attention and I had no idea whe

Ukaria I kept grinning as memory of yesterday continued to dance in my mind like fireflies even after I had woken up, stretched, and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. It was a crazy and exciting day of a lifetime. I felt as though I should have heard this story from someone else. However, I was present, I witnessed it and I inhaled it. The sound of drums reverberated throughout the clearing, the smell of smoke from the roasted meat, and the excited shouts of boys who now walked like warriors. And we were all taken aback by John.To tell the truth, I still didn't think it was real. The John I knew was cliched, cunning and always talking big while doing little. A boy who relied on his sister to organize activities for him and his friends to execute, and who required assistance tying his hunting belt. John is lazy, he is funny and definitely not a leader. Nevertheless, in some way, he had entered the forest and emerged triumphant. The warthog was seen by all and everyone applauded him.