30 years later
After 20 years of peace and prosperity Michael had a son with Gemma, and this child was name Cain. With High hopes for his son Michael believed he would make a fine ruler one day. But the Gods had other plans, Cain was a soft hearted boy. He grew up to be more like his mother, caring, sweet and gentle. Cain would rather read books then learn basic defense, and when the child became old enough to find his mate his father questioned if he was fit enough to rule.
Michael was at the of 50 and need to get his son mated. He feared for his son's soft hearted ways. Cain was smart and her knew that, but if he lack in other areas people who would pick up the slack? He hopped that Cain would find a mate who would pick up the pieces of which he lacked.
Cain was mated 10 years later, to a women named Lila, from a small pack in the south. She was a beautiful women, with black hair, grey eyes, and beautiful caramel skin. They met at a pack gathering, Cain had joined Michael discuss distribution of resources with other packs to keep alliances, and he instantly knew she was his mate. Lila had been working as her fathers guard, she had been 1 of 7 children born into the family of a beta.
25 years later
Cain had taken to being his fathers Right hand man. With his new mate by his side Cain settled down in his father territory. Lila was currently 6 months pregnant with their first child, and Michael couldn't be more happier.
Michael was in his office with Brandon looking over going over the monthly report. "Brandon."
"Yes sir?"
"If something were to happen to me do you think my son would be a proper leader?" Michael rubbed his chin as he sat in his office chair. This thought had been running in his mind for years now. Michael was now 75, even though he may look 40 or so, he was getting older and succession was heavy in his mind.
"Do you want my honest opinion?" Brandon watch Michael careful over the stack of paper work on his desk, that sat next to Michael. The alpha nodded his head to continue. "I don't believe your son is ready. Not yet at least."
Michael sighed heavily, deep down he knew this answer himself, he just didn't want to dwell on it to much.
2 Months later
There was an attack on Michaels land. A large experienced pack of Rouges attacked the homes of his followers, hopping to separate the pack. But what they didn't know was Michael had one of the largest packs of all the shifters, holding strong with a total of 320 members Michaels pack was a force to be seconded with. But the pack did damage, killing off a total of 40 members including the child of Lila and Cain.
"Get the hose! Douse the houses quick!." Cain screamed orders over the cries of his fellow packs mates. Women and children were running all around him, as the men gather them to move further on to pack lands. Rogues were all around now setting fire to pack homes, causing chaos and destructions. Cain's own home sat further into the mess of burnt home, his wife and new born child were in their home and he tried to get to them.
Cain!! Her screams filled his mind as he tried to reach her. He had just stopped in front of their home, watch the flames lick up the side of the house. Through the windows he could see the fire had reached the bottom floor of the house engulfing the living room and kitchen, making its way up the second story. Lila sat hanging out the window of their second story home, a bundle of wet cloth in her arms, clutched tight to her chest. When Lila saw Cain she cried out to him.
"CAIN!" Her face was desperate, and in pain, Cain ran so he stood under her, his arms opened wide.
"Jump love, I'll catch you!" Her face was full of terror as she looked between what was behind her then to Cain below her. With 5 seconds of hesitation the flames drew closer to her, Cain could now see a faint glow in the room. "Lila Please!" He begged, she looked at the buddle in her arms and clutched it tight before turning her self and falling backwards, down from the second story and into Cain's waiting arms.
He caught her perfectly, with out much effort and began running in the direction of the safe camp. It was located 2 miles west from where they currently were, and across a river. Cain was the one who thought of this plan, the camp was located in the hill, within a cave system that wound through the hill side, and out the other end just incase the entrance was taken over. While running her quickly scanned over Lila, she had unshed tears in her eyes, he hair was a mess, and her face covered in dirt. She clutched the bundle to her chest, Cain could hear soft wheezing from inside the wet cloths.
"How is he?" He whispered weaving his way through trees keeping a swift pace. Lila looked up at him, then back down out their child in her arms, gently unwrapping him. The baby was pale, but alive. Cain's chest squeezed at the site of him.
"When I woke up the living room was completely engulfed in thick black smoke. I could hardly breath and our little Jacob," she softly stroked the baby's forehead, and looked up at Cain. "Cain, I...He can't breath." She broke down then, letting the floor gates open to her tears. She clutched the wheezing child to her chest, kissing him softly, hoping for the best. They both were, this was their first child and Cain prayed they didn't loose him.
Michael led the fight against the rogues, with Cain by his side later after dropping off his mate and child with the pack doctor and checking on his mother to see she was all right. Michael drove them off his land with little effort, but the damage to his property was immense. 80 acers of land had been burnt down, and 40 pack members had been lost, men, women and children alike. Later that night Cain's child passed due to lack of oxygen and smoke inhalation. It was a devastating blow to everyone in the pack, a new generation was lost. Cain grew distant and angry, but when anger subsided it was replace with quiet and no emotion at all.
A few days after the Attack when the pack had finally start to rebuild, Michael fell ill with a fever that would never break. His son Cain stood at his bed side along with his his wife Gemma. Brandon knelt at the foot of his bed, listening, and watching.
"Alpha..." Brandon spoke quietly. "Cain can take over, I can help him...He's of age, and has been for a while now. Surly he can-."
"No!" Michaels voice was weak and brittle, he coughed after he spoke, turning to look at Brandon. "My Son is in no shape to rule this pack. Look at him." All eyes turned to Cain who's body was now bones and skin. He had still no recovered from the loss of his child and who in the right mind would. It had only bee a few days since his passing. "The loss of his child has taken hold, look at him...a mess... I am not yet dead." He coughed again, covering his mouth with a cloth as he whipped the blood from his lips. "I am still fit to rule, until he comes to his senses."
Gemma watched from the corned of the bed and rubbed his leg. "Don't speak such things. Have heart, your grandchild just died and your son is in pain."
"We have lost our children too Gemma, and you don't see me fretting over it. I am an Alpha, no matter my state, the pack comes first." Cain was weak in Michael mind, weakness gives leverage to attacks. Michael coughed, looking at his mate, he knew he was dyeing he didn't tell anyone. Nor did the pack doctor who he ordered and threatened to kill if he breathed a word. He then turned to Cain.
"You need to man up boy." Using his Alpha voice. "If you're going to take my place soon and I don't need a weak pup like you breaking the empire I have built." He coughed again dry heaving this time.
His mate came to his side worried "Love?" She franticly rubbed his back.
Michael stopped coughing and took her hand, kissed her palms. "I'm ok my sweets, I'm ok."
Cain took a step closer kneeing by his father side. "I can do it dad. I can handle it."
Michael turned to him, made a thin line of his lips. "Leave us." He turned to his mate, and Cain. "Cain I will talk to you later. Brandon...I need a word."
Gemma kissed his hand before leaving, smiling softly to him, while Cain waited at the door for his mother. Both closed the door behind them, leaving Brandon and Michael completely alone in his room.
"Brandon?" Michael looked at him, tired and drained, he was lack luster now, exhausted from putting on a show for his wife.
"Yes Alpha?" (Alpha. Ha! look at how weak he is. Fragile like a new pup)
"What do you think of my son?"
"Do you want my honest opinion?"
Michaels sulken eyes, pierced threw Brandon. Brandon cleared his throat, "I doubt your son is ready to lead. If he leads it might mean the down fall of many. He might-"
"Give it to him." Michaels voice was a whisper now. He was tired and needed rest.
"Just kill the whole...wait what?" He was confused, didn't he just say Cain wasn't ready for the alpha title?
"Give my son the Title." Michael watched Brandon, before blinking and looking away.
Brandon shock his head in disbelief No, he couldn't have spoke correctly. "Alpha...I don-"
"You questioning me?" Michael stood up, his eyes were sharp, and his voice was horse. The man Brandon once new back again for a brief moment.
Brandon's body heated, feeling angry, he had stood back and watched as Michael slowly started to fall apart. The Alpha spot was suppose to be his now that Michael was sick, and Cain wasn't fit to rule.
Brandon sat at the edge of Michaels bed. "Alpha I...I strongly....disagree." But Michael wasn't hearing him, Exhaustion and took hold of his body. Brandon stood still and watched as Michael slowly drifted off. (This old man thinks.....wait....) Brandon looked around and saw pillows scattered everywhere on the bed....(maybe if I.....)
"Here Alpha...let me help you." Brandon grabbed a pillow stuck it under his head, he grabbed another and held it firmly. "How is that...do you want another one?"
Michael just nodded his head weakly. Brandon held the pillow firm in his hands and stood up. Then Let me help you Alpha. The word were like venom in his mouth as Brandon put the pillow down and held it firmly in place.
Michaels eyes jutted open, as he trashed in bed. Brandon had covered his face with the pillow blocking his oxygen path. He froze Michael wasn't as strong as he once been, currently in his stat, he wasn't even able to pick up a cup of water. Brandon had the upper hand. Michael gasped for breath and got none, slowly the light stared to leave his eyes. In Michael's last moments he instinctively grabbed the chain rom around his neck, it held the ring Destiny had given him. For the past 55 years he never took it off. He held onto it, and it started to glow bright...Michaels last thoughts went out to Cain his son.
The moment Michael died, a long agonizing howl was heard, the howl of a broken heart. Gemma was shattered and ripped to pieces by her mates passing, with in the hour she was dead her self from a broken heart. The Chapter of Michael was closed.
Brandon dropped the pillow from Michaels face, kicking it under the bed. What had he just done? He immediately called the pack doctor, To confirm that Michael had died in his sleep. Cain burst threw the doors tears in his eyes, he had not only lost his mother but now his father.
"What happened?" Cain screamed.
"He just died.....he...he died." Brandon broke down crying. (look the part they know nothing)
"What was his last words?" Cain asked breathing heavily, as he walked to his fathers side taking his hand.
"His...last words..." Brandon gasped (still playing the part) "I take over the pack, and you would be my second in command, my beta."