Evan had always been a fierce fighter, and he took after his father. Even older his step-brother, Sargus, who was a softer and upkind-hearted man (unlike his father), couldn't compete with the fact that Evan was fit to be the next leader of the pack. Sargus simply concurred with the decision of the elders to make his step-brother the next leader of the pack, moving to another country with his family after the decision was made.
However, after Sargus's disappearance, other wolves who eyed the throne of the previous leader waged a heavy war against Evan, who was twenty-six years old at the time. They tried to turn the town against him in the premise that he was the son of the former leader's mistress. However, the strong wolf survived it all, thus earning the position of the leader rather than actually inheriting it.
There was no doubt that the first enemy pack on the list were the bastards who killed his father. His father had killed the leader of the Colven pack, and had been consequently killed by Adam as revenge. Evan, deep inside of him was happy that his father was killed and he got to be the next leader, but he never showed it. Infact, if his brother, Sargus had been made leader instead, he would have killed him to take the position of power.
Although, Evan was inwardly grateful to the Colven pack that they killed his father, but that didn't rule out the fact that they were an enemy pack to him. Also, they Nicosia town shared the same border—Machiaras forest, with the Colven pack, who were situated in Larcana. Evan had always had his invidious eyes on the Larcana town, the abode of the Colven pack. It was in his plan to overthrow the leadership of the town and take over it.
His eyes went shut, showing the satisfaction he got from warming his lungs. He dropped his legs to the ground and wheeled his seat towards the table, killing the cigarette in a box of ash. He cleared his throat and turned his hazel eyes in the young man that was seated in front of him, Zen.
Zen was Evan's newly employed right hand man and informant. He was a lanky man—5'11, but had a precise build, even well lined out abdominal packs. He had dark green eyes and a natural eye lining, which gave him both an unique look and dark vibe at the same time. Zen could stand out easily in a crowd of thousands, as not being ordinary. He was extremely pretty, that even the women envied his looks all the time.
One of the reasons why Evan kept Zen by his side, was not only because he was very trustworthy, but because he was beautiful to look at. Even Evan admired him. He smiles at Evan, who didn't return the smile, but looked serious instead.
"Do you have something for me this time?" Evan queried, proceeding to light another stick.
"Yes."
"Then tell me. Isn't that why you're here? Have you been served some food by the way?"
"No. I'm full."
Evan chuckled scarily, taking a moment to take some waft of smoke.
"You're always full. Or are you wary of being poisoned in my mansion?"
Zen forced a smile. He hardly laughed.
"No. I'm just full."
"Whatever. Tell me what you've got."
"Adam has no Luna," Zen revealed.
Evan slouched on his seat with bemusement.
"In—teresting. So the bastard wasn't gifted a mate. Poor thing," he drawled with crystal clear indignity.
"He was," Zen corrected. "But she's dead," he added.
"Unfortunate scumbag," Evan cursed happily, knowing that was an advantage he could make use of. An alpha without a Luna was like a crevice in a volcano which could be very dangerous to both him and the people he leads.
"Are there any chances that he is going to get another Luna though?"
"From what I heard, no. Picking a new luna for an alpha is a long process. And if it's done in haste, it could ruin the lycan's chi," Zen informed him.
Evan smiled satisfactorily and nodded his head simultaneously.
"How do you know so much tho? I didn't even know about there was such a rule that existed for pick new Lunas. You know….that balderdash," Evan laughed.
Zen didn't react in any flustered way to Evan's complements, instead he stood to his feat to leave.
"Have some before you leave," Evan offered Zen some cigarettes. He was well aware that his right hand man never smoked, but Evan always offered Zen cigarettes anytime he was with him. He knew Zen would not take it, bit he found it fun whenever he heckled the young man with the offer.
*****
Zen ambulated slowly through the bushes till the path to his house appeared in front of him. The look on his face did not change, but he got apprehensive inside of him, knowing that his family members were going to have their questions as to why he failed to attend the family thanksgiving.
As the gates creaked open when be opened them, he knew he had alerted the residents of his arrival. As a bright torch flashed in his eyes, he raised his hand to cover his face while he continued walking towards the entrance.
"You went there again, didn't you?" His brother's husky voice chimed in his ears. The twenty year old dropped his gaze to the floor, ignoring his brother's voice. Fred was standing guard at the door post, aiming at getting a reactions from Zen, who was always so cold to everyone.
Zen tried to pass by his brother's side into the house, but was held back by the arm.
"Yes, I went there. So?" Zen quizzed frigidly, avoiding eye contact with Fred.
Fred let go of his arm and heaved a sigh of exhaustion and peeve. Fred felt sorry for his younger brother, knowing the kind of person Evan was. He hated the fact that his brother had to work for such a person, who only kept people by his side to use them as cover when he got into trouble.
"Why can't you just quit, huh? You know quite well that he's only using you. When he doesn't need you anymore, he's going to get rid of you. You've seen for yourself, haven't you? Ham, Jeph and even the informant he had before you...Festus. They all died within one year, working for him. He keeps them as cover so they end up taking the slashes for him when necessary.
You're just another pawn, Zen. Can't you reason? Mother is sick enough already that you keep leaving the house for that mansion. I can't keep telling her to get worried. Your nephews and nieces are all worried...your sisters…"
"Then don't worry about me. I never begged any of you to get anxious over me."
Fred hit zen hard across the face in fury, wheezing.
"Keep your filthy mouth shut!"
"Then why do you keep asking me questions? You keep talking to me when I don't want to talk to you. When I end up saying anything, you tell me to keep quiet. Leave me alone!" Zen shouted, still keeping his eyes glued to the floor. He obviously feared his brother.
Fred raised his neck up tiredly in frustration, then looked at his brother. He remembered Zen had always been a beautiful young obedient kid, but he has changed drastically over the past few months.
How did he get swayed by that bastard? Fred questioned himself.
Fred sat on the cold steps in front of the house.
"Sit," he ordered Zen. At first, Zen hesitated, but his brother's attitude was so obliging that he could not disobey. He still respected Fred despite.
"Are you hurt?" Came the first question from Fred while he watched his brother's innocent face staring at the darkness ahead. He hardly maintained eye contact with people, which mostly have him off as either being timid or dastardly.
"What sort of a question is that? I'm not hurt," Zen responded.
"You seem to be doing this because you want to prove yourself. You've always been a loving boy, so what went wrong?"
"Well isn't that called 'getting out of your shell'?" Zen argued.
"There's absolutely nothing wrong with getting out of you shell...as you have put it. It's a good thing to discover yourself and become a better adult. But don't you think you're pushing yourself a bit too much? Risking your life spying on other packs, trespassing borders because some coward asked you to... isn't that too much?"
"I like it. I'm okay with it and I e been fine up till now?"
"Is there a guarantee for tomorrow? What if you become a scape goat?"
"Are you tellinge to become a coward? Is that what you're saying? I should keep cowering on the fear of being killed and stay at home?"
Fred shook his head.
"You're so naive."
Zen gave no response.