The night comes sooner than tomorrow,
In a large room, Stark and Cain were seen. Stark who was standing before a mirror watching himself get dressed up, preserved a straight face as he did. Cain was only inches away with a glass of wine in his right hand– He looked ready for whatever occasion it was and his eyes lasted on his ally.
"Big night," Cain said as he walked over to where Stark stood, he gulped down his last swallow and placed the empty glass to lay on the dressing table, obstructing Stark's gaze.
Looking up to his face with a grin, he could see Stark remained unmoved. He sighed and then stood upright while taking a few steps to get behind him.
"It's the moment we've been waiting for," Cain added,
"And I'm ready for it," Stark responded.
"Once the marriage is successful, you get to be king of both clans, your vengeance will be smooth," Cain added.
"The marriage will be successful," Stark told him as he turned away from the mirror.
"You seem bothered." Cain insisted, trailing him with his eyes.
"I'm not," Stark said, moving towards the open window. His eyes smooched the moon. He could see the dark clouds had not made it exclusively apparent yet.
"I understand the pain that comes with this," Cain said,
"There is no pain." Stark retorted.
"They took from you what you valued the most. It's been long enough, now you get to take it back, I should smell joy and zeal and fulfilment." Cain told him.
"And what do you smell now?" Stark turned his face towards him. There was silence, Cain rolled his eyes like one too scared to speak.
"You are the Alpha," Cain admitted.
"You remember?" Stark asked.
"I only care for you," Cain said,
"I do not need you to do that. Just do your job as my Beta." Stark said,
"It includes you being my priority," Cain said almost immediately.
"Then I ease you of that duty," Stark said, moving away from the window and heading for the bedside drawer.
"What do you want exactly?" Cain inquired.
"Your loyalty," Stark said,
"But you already have that in a very high dose," Cain replied.
Stark stood upright, leaving what he had intended to do and then turned fully towards Cain while he dipped his hands in his trouser pockets.
"You look–desperate," Stark said,
"What are you insinuating?" Cain inquired.
"It's been so many years and your loyalty grows even stronger," Stark said to him.
"I owe you my life," Cain responded.
SILENCE…
"Yea and you've proven it in so many instances but now it is something even more," Stark said, walking towards him steadily. Cain blinked and turned his face away.
"You think this is because–" he said,
"I see you trying so hard to stay proper and still it's been hard for you. I'm your Alpha, you–serve me. Whatever happened between us was a one-time thing and should never have happened plus will never happen again. Wallow with your whores as much as you want but with me, know your place." Stark said and then walked away towards the wardrobe which was behind Cain.
Cain maintained his position. He had brought his eyes to feed on the space before him and they flickered uncontrollably.
"You don't have to be so mean," Cain said,
"I will be however I need to be towards you to keep you on track. This is big Cain, I won't let your emotions ruin it." Stark said, pulling the knobs open. "It's almost time, get the car ready." He added.
Cain shut his eyes, tightened his fists and then swiftly turned around with a fierce look on his face. He exited the room slamming the door behind him.
At the Peterson's, the atmosphere was glowing with excitement. Tara remained in her room like a princess awaiting her call. She stood before a mirror looking elegant in a red prom dress. Her make-up was just complimenting and so was her lovely hair.
"Honey.." Mrs Peterson called from behind the door. Tara turned her head halfway, she could perceive the glee in her voice.
"I'm ready." Tara voiced.
Immediately, she heard the knob turn open and the clicking of heels on the tiled floor.
"You are beautiful," Mrs Peterson said. She was also dressed like a queen in white and gold and had her hair braided in a kind of way.
Tara turned her body towards her with an uncertain look on her face.
"Confidence, Alicia." Mrs Peterson ordered at once.
Tara pushed her chest upwards and her chin as well.
"Elegant." Mrs Peterson praised. She smiled and then walked toward Tara. "You would do just fine." She added.
"Where is Dad?" Tara inquired.
"Oh, he is almost ready. Will be down in a minute or two." Mrs Peterson responded. She was now standing face to face with Tara. Gently, she placed her right palm on her face while peering into her eyes. "Tonight, I am proud. You will unite both clans, fulfil your destiny as foretold and save our people from their oppressors and I am alive to witness it, and so is your father. This is an extraordinary night. Everything is about to change." She added.
Back at Stark's, he was ready now. He looked like a fine prince dressed in blue. His hair was neatly gelled to the back of his head, revealing his beautiful face and his outfit – tight enough to accentuate his bodybuilt.
"Everything is about to change." He said, looking in his mirror. Not too long after, he returned to the bedside drawer. He paused his steps and then exhaled. He sat on the bed just beside it, slowly pulling out the middle drawer. In it was a small brown box, not looking like anything modern.
He held it up to his face as he carefully flipped it open. It was a watch with a little crack on the glass cover. He caressed it softly with his fingertips while looking lost in it.
"It is time, father.." He said,
His face remained still and his heartbeat could virtually be heard.
Almost immediately, Cain came rushing in.
"There is a problem," He said,
Prompting Stark to turn towards him. "A big one." He added.
–––––
Mr Peterson barged into Tara's room desperately. His countenance was far from encouraging. The two ladies had turned towards him without delay.
"What is it?" Mrs Peterson inquired at once.
"I just got word. The Od'hawks have gotten intel about tonight. They will attack." Mr Peterson responded.
"What? How?" Mrs Peterson seemed to be losing it.
"I don't know. There has got to be a rat amongst us." Mr Peterson said,
"But, that doesn't make any sense. We have been as discrete about this, only a handful of us know about this." Mrs Peterson said,
"Stark maybe?" Mr Peterson speculated.
"He wouldn't." Mrs Peterson stated confidently.
"What is going on?" Tara panicked.
"Honey, just stay here, everything will be fine okay?" Mr Peterson tried to be comforting.
"What do you mean Stay here? She is not safe. Here will be the first place to attack. They seek to make this union impossible. They already know of our plans, don't be stupid." Mrs Peterson fired at her husband.
"Well, what do we do?" Mr Peterson inquired.
"Yeah as always, my brain works better." She responded.
"Can someone please tell me what is going on?" Tara vented.
"What is going on sweetheart is that you just became a target. We must leave at once." Mrs Peterson said, having turned towards her. She dragged her by the hand towards the door.
"What? Target? Where are you taking me?" Tara was confused,
"Somewhere safe!" Mrs Peterson replied. They were out of the room now and Mr Peterson followed quickly behind them. As worried as it all made her, Tara still could tell that this had to be the first time she perceived fear in her mother. She felt her grip so tight on her hand – she wasn't willing to let go. As they ran down the corridor, they got to the end of it– a wall. Mrs Peterson placed her right palm on it drawing an invisible S-shape. Tara's eyes opened brighter as she watched the wall open up and create a path in its middle. She felt her mother's grip once more pulling her inside, it was dark at first, she could only hear the wall close up behind them but once they were all in and took a turn, she could see something like a portal just standing there. It was like the wind whirled in it.
"Hell no, I am not going in there." Tara pulled her hand from her mom's.
"You have no choice!" Mrs Peterson yelled.
"Yes, I do!" Tara fired.
"You must be safe! If you go back, they will kill you!" Me Peterson cautioned
"Well, that thing looks like it will kill me first plus I'm so tired of this. I thought you had this all figured out. Why do I have to hide in that thing?" Tara inquired rather upset,
"It is not a thing–" Mr Peterson tried to explain.
–"There is no time for this Alicia!" Mrs Peterson said in one breath as she landed a slap on Tara's face. "I'm not losing another child, now you get in that portal right this minute or I will do it the very hard way!" She threatened.