It was early in the morning of the third day of the passing of the red moon. The pack was finally allowed out of the pack house for the festival.
The red moon festival.
Dylan walked out of the house, stretching his back. Young kids ran past his legs towards the play area laughing in glee.
"They look like they're having fun. Where are the warriors? Have they started to train yet?" he glanced back.
His young beta stood there scratching his black hair with a bored look on his face. He had dark circles under his slanted eyes and he was constantly yawning out loud.
Just one year ago this young man had taken over his father's position surprisingly he was very good at his work. Everything went so smoothly after having him by his side.
'He lived up to his name…' Dylan thought with a proud look on his face.
Nine hundred years ago he had a beta named Killian. he was his right hand, his trusted best friend who stood behind him while he took control of the world. it was only thanks to his efforts that he was able to stabilize the situation between humans and werewolves.
it has been so many years and that best friend had long passed. But just twenty years ago a Declan child was born with the same raven hair and squinted eyes.
He immediately named him Killian.
Years passed and the child grew up to look just like his best friend. It gave him a sense of comfort and nostalgia.
"Come on, Killian it's early in the morning. Be cheerful a bit,"
"I feel no happiness when you are overworking me to my bone," mumbling Killian walked past him. "It's a mystery why did my family even accept to be your assistant hundreds of years ago..."
"It's because your family is very very strong and capable to handle anything," Dylan chuckled. The arctic wolf betas always came from the Declan family. Years after year their children took over the duties of governing and assisting in managing the lands.
To be honest, they were the best friends Dylan had ever had in his life.
He peered at the young man's slouched back. "Killian~ let's spar,"
Gasping, he gave him a look of distrust. "Nope, I don't wish to break any bones today. I have tons of fucking paperwork to do...."
"Paperwork be darned. You have to work out your body my friend," Dylan patted his back.
Unlike his peers, young Killian was very thin, and he hated outdoor activities. Even his wolf was so lazy and hates the wild.
"Come on..." Dylan removed his shirt and swiftly changed into his wolf form.
A huge three-foot-talk golden wolf stood in front of him.
"Killian~ I can't wait all day..." he stood in attack position.
The young man just pouted. "Alpha king, has anyone told you you're annoying,"
"I get that every time, your great-great-grandfather used to say the same thing. Such a sassy guy.. ha-ha"
"Which is why you named me after him? was he also annoyed with this work?" reluctantly, Killian shifted into his wolf form. A small black wolf stood in front of him.
"Constantly. He used to bitch and whine all the time… shift into your wolf form," he spoke to his wolf.
Like a bolt of lightning, the black wolf charged at him. His small figure made it very easy for him to move super fast.
Even Dylan had a hard time catching up to his movements. he went for his scuff.
Killian, as usual, easily wiggled away and took a chomp out of his back.
Blond and black fur flew around in the air.
"oh you're playing dirty." He turned around and gently grabbed him by his tail.
Killian grunted and like a slimy fish he escaped out of his clutches. "You're the one playing dirty alpha king. You had thousand years of practice yet you torture me every day. Why not anyone else?"
"No one else can match your speed."
"I don't take that as a compliment.." Killian rushed at him once again this time he went to take a bite out of his underbelly.
As they were sparing, Dylan felt an abnormal rush of happiness. It felt exhilarating.
A loud heartbeat echoed in his ears.
It was strong and healthy.... and fast...
It sounded so beautiful
Dylan pushed Killian off of him. "Wait a bit. I need a time off,
"Of course not, you asked for this spar old man!" Killian jumped onto his back kicking him with his back leg.
The heartbeat started to get louder and louder.
There was a weird ache in his heart.
"Killian stop..." he whispered.
But his beta was too into the fight to listen to his pleas.
Suddenly the heatbeat slowed down... little by little he could feel it slip away.
His own heart pounded loudly.
"Stop!" panting he knelt on the ground. his hands were trembling.
"Alpha... hey... what's wrong..."
Dylan could not see anything properly. Everything was a blur...
That beautiful heartbeat... was dying...
"Alpha king! Anyone! Call the doctor!!" he heard Killian's vague shout.
"It's kay.... I'm.... good..." Dylan tried to reassure him. he changed from and tried to stand up. his knees were weak. He fell to the ground..
Grasping onto the dry leaves, Dylan peered up at the blue sky... he felt his whole soul tremble...
"Alpha!!!!"
That heartbeat stopped.
He immediately came back to his senses. Sitting on the ground he looked at Killian's worried face.
Dylan panted.... "What... what was that... why..."
"Are you okay? You were hyperventilating! It must be the effect of the red moon. We have to get you in. you need a doctor..." Killian reached for him.
Dylan pushed him away. "no.. It's not me... someone is dying... someone is dead Killian...."
"What? You're making no sense. Everyone in the pack is healthy and alive. Don't you feel it through your connection?"
Dylan shook his head. as the alpha king, he could hear everyone's heart beast. he could talk to them through their minds. It was how the pack worked. But his pack link was healthy and well. Everyone was doing good as Killian said. This heartbeat was someone else's.
"no.. Someone's heartbeat stopped. I.. I need to go check."
"You need a doctor! Dylan!" Killian shouted.
His beta had never shouted before.
Dylan just blinked.
"Just... please go in. The pack doctor's on his way." He guided him back into the pack house.
Dylan suddenly heard a small gasp.
"Did you hear that.... it's from the woods,"
"I didn't hear anything?" Killian worriedly glanced at him. "Alpha, I'll have warriors check on it. Please..."
Dylan heard it again. It was a small sniffle. "Someone is in the woods!" he ran.
"not again! You... warriors, get ready." As his beta, he had to be there for him. Killian immediately shifted into his wolf form and rushed after him.
Dylan was running towards the old ruins.
This had him worried. Alpha king always got mentally sick whenever he visited that place. It was common information passed through his family.
AND just three days ago a vampire attacked him in broad day light!
Killian cursed under his breath. {'alpha king! you better slow your ass down!'}
Dylan was disregarding everything. He was like a loose bullet charging right ahead. But suddenly he froze in front of the ruins. He changed into his human forms..
"Fuck, you run fast for an old man." Panting he changed into his human form as well. "it's better we get out of here.. You usually get sick..."
His eyes fell on the person lying face down on the muddy shores.
"There really is a person here.." he glanced at Dylan who stood there frozen. "I'll check on him,"
Just as a walked close, a bullet shot next to his foot.
Killian immediately pushed Dylan safely behind his back. "Who's there! You know this is the alpha king's territory..."
A dark-clothed figure jumped down from the trees. His face was well hidden, but nothing can hide his bloody stench.
It was a vampire.
His dark eyes peered his way.
The vampire dragged the unconscious person and jumped into the water.
Dylan collapsed to the ground holding his head. Wolfie was screaming on top of his lungs.
{'I WANT MY MATE!!!!!!'}
"s-stop it… stop. Your mate is dead!"
{'LIAR!!!!!'}