"I cant believe you're really doing this." Hayes huffed, he watched his human counterpart running laps around the pack borders.
The snow was pouring down, grey clouds blanketed the sky but that didn't stop Kairo. If anything, it made it easier. Whenever his body temperature would rise because of the exercise, the snow would cool him right back down. His nose was bright red, so were his ears but he powered through the workout.
For the past few days, Kairo had been working out nonstop and eating as healthy as he could. Even though he was already stronger than the average wolf, he wanted to make sure that there was no chance that he failed his assessment. Failure wasn't an option.
"You know you don't need to exercise. You've been killing Alphas and Betas with ease for the past six years, you can handle the assessment." Hayes huffed, even though the exercise didn't affect him, it was particularly boring.
"Stop complaining and let me finish this final lap." Kairo argued, his breathing was loud and deep. His joints and muscles hurt, sweat and melted snow mixed as they both trickled down his face.
He was embarrassingly unfit compared to back when his pack was still alive.
"It's your turn, Hayes. Shift and do your laps." He said as he stopped running, his hands were on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath.
Concentrating on Hayes' energy and their bond, Kairo quickly shifted into a Lycan. The human rested as he watched Hayes do his share of laps around the pack borders. Soon enough the melted snow seeped through his fur and reached his skin. Making the workout even more difficult since his fur was now damp.
Hayes was just as unfit, if not worse.
"You have become weak." Kairo joked, Hayes limped towards the pack house. His muscles were already sore, of course he did runs weekly but not this amount. He was huffing and puffing with his long tongue out by the time he reached the pack house.
"So have you." Hayes snarled, he hated being weak but did enjoy the fact that he wasn't powerful just because of his genetics. It was partly because of his hard work and dedication.
Shifting back to Kairo, Hayes said goodnight and fell asleep. Kairo walked inside, showered and went to sleep that night with sore thighs, biceps and so on. His feelings were all over the place for some reason but he was prepared for what was to come. Or at least he thought so.
This went on for 3 weeks until both the human and lycan were confident enough in their physical endurance and stability. They had also worked on their plan and backstory, everything was set.
[...]
Marcellus sat on his throne impatiently. He was currently doing his monthly meeting with his pack and being updated on everything that was needed and happening. It wasn't that he didn't care about his pack or anything, but Marcellus couldn't help but dwell on the bubbling excitement he felt whenever he thought of Kairo becoming an Immortal.
Such an amazing wolf wanted to join his pack. It was a shame that he would only be around to see it for a couple of months since he was turning thirty soon. At least Marcellus could die knowing that his pack was protected by a Lycan, a powerful one at that.
"Alpha King, we have heard that Kairo Keres will be assessed and that he wants to be an Immortal. Is that true?" One of the pack members asked, pulling the King away from his daytime fantasy.
"Yes, that is true." Marcellus replied, he sat up properly on his chair.
They were all in the throne room. The King was sitting in the middle seat and there were two other thrones beside him for his mate and first born(as they would inherit the throne). His failure to sire an heir or even find a mate was something many people talked about, daily even, but they knew better than to bring it up in front of him.
"My King, this man is a murderer." One of the members spoke, his words caused an eruption of smaller discussions and voices of agreement.
"Whoever said that, come stand before your King." Marcellus stood up, his dominance surging through the room.
A single man stepped in front of the whole crowd, he looked elderly and now his confidence had decreased as he stood unprotected.
"What proof do you have that Mr Keres has committed murder?"
Glancing around, although not daring to look into the eyes of the now fuming King, the man replied quietly, "Well...well he's K.O."
A snarl escaped the King's lips, which wasn't common at all, that was because it wasn't his, it was Kristian's.
"Mr.Abel, I believe that I am King and Alpha here. So what I say is what..?" Kristian spoke, his tone laced with a harsh threat and dripping with anger.
"...final." Mr Abel muttered so low that even he could barely hear himself, let alone the whole throne room.
"We can't bloody hear you, speak up sir."
"What you say is final, Your Majesty." He spoke up, people muttered to each other as they watched the scene before their eyes.
Marcellus and Kristian were fair Kings. They made sure that their people lived their lives without any problems, however, one thing they couldn't take was disrespect. How can you disrespect someone who does so much for you and only wants the best for you? It wasn't rare for the Kings to be harsh but lately it was becoming a habit for an unbeknownst reason.
It was unknown to the people but Marcellus and Kristian both knew why.
"All right, I shall look over all your proposals and have them done by next week. You may leave." Marcellus announced before the whole group of people bowed and hurriedly left the throne room.
Slumping back down into the chair, he groaned as he felt a horrible migraine begin. His health was deteriorating more and more with every passing day. These migraines were a normal thing now and Kristian's fur was thinning. By the next two months, the wolf wouldn't have any fur and not to mention the fact that Marcellus had to take a heavy dose of anti-depressants everyday just so he wouldn't commit suicide.
"Your Majesty, he's here." Theo walked into the throne room, behind him followed Kairo Keres.
Theo was struggling to hide the huge grin on his face as he bowed before the King and announced who the man standing beside him is.
Kairo's dark, emotionless eyes met the King's and immediately sparks flew between the two. Marcellus' eyes widened to the brim when he realised what was happening, tears shone in his eyes as he continued to stare at Kairo, who was also coming to his own realisation.
"I'll leave you to it." Theo cleared his throat before quickly leaving the throne room.
Ignoring everything in his being, Kairo walked towards Marcellus. He climbed the stairs onto the throne and came face to face with him. Marcellus' black eyes felt as if they were staring right into Kairo's soul. Lifting his hand, Kairo placed his hand on the King's cheek and it was confirmed as soon as the sparks flowed into his body. He recognised this feeling.
The King was his second chance mate.
With awe clouding his features, The King also placed his hand on Kairo's warm, soft cheek and felt the almost euphoric sparks travel from the point of contact to his whole body. The feeling was overwhelming, comforting and dangerously addictive.
"I've finally found you." Marcellus whimpered, the tears ran down his cheeks as he stared into his mate's blank eyes.
Grabbing Marcellus's tan hand and pulling it away from his cheek, Kairo ran his hand through his thick mop of hair and sighed.
"I can't. I just can't do this." He muttered to himself before he ran out of the throne room, leaving his awe-struck mate alone.