Throne and Revenge

JOHN

The 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 changed and He was tiring.

 I could feel it in my bones and I couldn't just stand there. Without thinking, I charged forward,  I didn't care that I was just a kid, I was just a boy about to turn fourteen in three days.

 My instincts screamed louder than my fear but before I could throw myself into the fight, a strong hand grabbed me by the collar. 

"Whoa there, warrior, you trying to get both of us skinned?" came the deep voice of my uncle Josh, he was Dad's younger brother and the second-in-command of our pack.

He held me back firmly, dragging me away from the scene as I struggled but before I could break free, I heard the crack.

It was the sickening snap of a bone clear as thunder, echoing through the crowd.

The fear inside me shattered like glass because He did it, He won.

I ran forward, dodging limbs and bodies, pushing through the crowd until I reached him.

His chest was heaving, his arms were scratched, and there was sweat glistening on his face but he was standing victorious.

I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Dad, when I grow up, I want to be just like you!" I beamed

He looked down at me and replied with a crooked smile, "Son, you've got three days to grow."

I blinked like what did he mean by grow up in three days. I didn't understand it but I nodded like I did grinning like a fool. My dad being alive and victorious as well was enough for me.

As soon as we got home, I sprinted to my mother's room eager to tell her everything. "Mom! You should've seen how Dad lifted Pete and cracked his bones like breadsticks!" I yelled as I ran down the hallway.

I didn't wait as I ran full speed into her door only that it didn't open. My forehead smacked hard against the locked door and I bounced off like a cartoon character.

I landed on my butt, rubbing my head but I didn't cry because I was too excited to feel pain.

I got up and headed straight for the kitchen which was the only other place my mom could be hiding and sure enough she was there standing near the stove, stirring something.

Her eyes a little glassy and I knew that something was off but before I could speak, my dad entered from the other end of the hallway. Mom turned and looked at him with her smile small and sad.

She glanced at me and tried to brighten up then patted my shoulder softly. My dad nodded once and they both walked away together saying nothing to me. I tilted my head because that was weird but I was too pumped to overthink it. The world had to know how amazing my dad was and that is starting with my friends.

I darted off to the usual spot where me and the gang hung out, it was a little clearing near the woods, full of logs and tree stumps, where we argued about werewolf legends and swapped snacks. When I walked in, I puffed out my chest, lifted my chin, and strutted like a warrior back from war.

Ramsey, my right-hand man and best friend since forever, spotted me first. "Yo! John! What happened? Did your dad crush him or what?!"

I cleared my throat, deepened my voice, and launched into my tale like a bard at a bonfire.

"Let me educate y'all," I began, raising a finger dramatically. "My dad is the strongest being on this earth. Pete?He didn't last five minutes. My dad didn't just beat him but he embarrassed him."

Ramsey clapped and hailed me. "Talk that talk!"

Ukaria, the ever annoying rival of my existence, rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right, You were shaking like a leaf. Everyone saw you run to your daddy like a baby when Pete grabbed him."

My nose flared. "That's a lie! I was brave. I was the only kid allowed there Everyone else was at home sucking their thumbs." I argued 

Ukaria crossed her arms proving me wrong "I was there."

I grinned wickedly. "Oh! You were there? I guess I'll just tell my dad that you were sneaking around during a restricted clan duel so we can see how he reacts." I threatened her.

Her eyes widened and she denied"I was... I was just joking."

The rest of the gang cheered, and just like that, I was king of the moment. Ukaria was my personal assistant for the week because I made her carry my bag, clean my boots, and do half my chores; It was glorious.

By the time the sun started to set, I felt invincible. On my way home, I kept my warrior strut strong, shoulders high, steps heavy, chin up. People should know I'm the son of the Alpha, the future of the pack.

But when I reached home, something wasn't right. There were too many people in the house. Some were whispering, others stood silently, staring at the ground. Their faces were long and their expressions unreadable.

I didn't ask questions because I didn't want to ruin my vibe, I was a champion today.

Still in full swagger mode, I made my way toward my room. On the way, I ran into Uncle Josh again. 

Normally, this would be the part where he slaps the sense out of me for no reason so I braced myself.

But instead, he smiled, smiled and handed me a small box. "Take this to the front porch, kid." He said to me.

I blinked. "Sure!" I said quickly, grabbing the box and walking off.

I couldn't help it, I looked up at the sky and whispered, "Three wins for me!"

As I turned the corner to head back, I nearly collided with the last person I wanted to see who was Grandma.

My grandmother is a whole other level of scary. If Uncle Josh is a lion, she's a dragon with high blood pressure. 

She snatched me by the collar and narrowed her eyes. "Are you just getting home, John?!"

I gulped. "No-no, ma'am! I'm just running errands for Uncle Josh!"

She stared me down like a wolf sizing up her prey. Then with a grunt she let go and walked off.

I exhaled like I had just escaped death. "Four wins," I whispered.

I marched to my room with my nose in the air. Whatever was going on in the house didn't matter. Maybe they were jealous, maybe they could sense that greatness ran in my blood or maybe the stars were lining up for me.

I pushed open my door, kicked off my shoes, and threw myself on the bed like royalty. Arms stretched wide, legs relaxed, I grinned up at the ceiling.

 "Four wins," I repeated. Whatever tomorrow held, it had big shoes to fill.