CHAPTER NINE
GONE
Lucas's POV
"Alpha! Alpha!" I yelled out in pain but there was no response.
"Father!" I cried out again but this time, I was cradling my father's body in my arms. There was no response at all but only the echo of my voice ringing in my ears. Tears streamed down my face, my heart breaking at the sight of my father's lifeless form.
I took a moment to glance at the lifeless bodies of my pack members, laid alongside my father. "Fuck!" I screamed out in agony.
Then I turned my attention to my father once more, looking at him intently with so much longing. He had risked his life over a mere hunting and had failed to protect his pack, his family, and now they were all gone.
I felt lost, adrift in a sea of grief and pain.
"What happened?" I managed to ask, amidst the trickle of tears threatening to fall down my cheeks.
"We were attacked, Lucas," Xander replied, wincing in pain. I didn't realize he was injured critically. His left arm was almost off and would need immediate medical attention to avoid complications.
"By whom?" I questioned, arising from the floor where I knelt, cradling my father's cold body.
"Adrian. Alpha Adrain," he said.
"What?!" I exclaimed. I wasn't expecting to hear that from him. Not only did Alpha Adrian of the WhiteFangs pack take what belonged to me, he also ended the lives of my pack members and my beloved father. It was totally unacceptable!
"We were out in the hoods, hunting peacefully when they attacked us. They claimed we had crossed their territorial boundaries and insisted that we step back but Alpha Robert Thornton, your father, refused to take heed to their words. So, they ended up drawing their swords and fighting us," Xander said, gritting his teeth to substitute for the pains he was feeling.
I walked slowly towards the pillar in the room, hitting my leg against it heavily. "You are so stupid, Xander!" I yelled. I continued, "You had just one job to do. Just one job, Xander— protect my father at all costs! Instead you left him to die in the cold hands of that stupid Alpha Adrian! I shall strip you off your rank as my warrior and by the power vested upon me as the son of the late Alpha Robert Thornton, from today onwards, I, Lucas Thornton demote you to an omega, the lowest of the low ranks! So shall it be!" I declared, raising my hand to land it on the cheek but he stopped me in my tracks.
I stood over Xander, my eyes blazing with anger and grief. "You dare to raise a hand against me, your alpha's son?" I snarled, my voice quivering with rage. "You will pay for this, trust me,"
Xander fell to his knees, his body shaking with fear and humiliation.
"Please, Lucas," Xander begged, his voice raw with emotion. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to let things get this way. I was going to protect him with my life but along the line, I got brutalized, as you can see. It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. Please forgive me," he pleaded
But my eyes remained cold and hard, my face unmoved by Xander's pleading. "You have betrayed me, and for that, there is no forgiveness," I said, my voice like ice. "From this moment on, you are no longer a member of this pack. You are an omega, with no place among us. Begone, and do not show your face here again," I declared finally.
Xander's eyes filled with tears as he walked away shamelessly. I waved at the young wolves standing by the side, watching the whole scenario. They answered to me immediately without delay, "Yes?" They replied in unison.
"Prepare for their burial," I said, walking away.
Just like in our werewolf world, it is customary to bury the dead in the woods, beneath the shade of a tree. This is done to honor the departed, and to return them to the earth from which they came. It is also believed that the spirits of the dead are free to roam in the woods, watching over the living. As such, it is considered a sacred place, and a final resting spot of peace and tranquility.
It was time for the funeral and we all dressed in black and headed towards the oak tree at the village square. Sitting the dead ones, including my father, their bodies are wrapped in white cloth while being dragged with the help of what looked like a trolley to the shade of a tree.
On arrival, we said a final prayer and they were laid to rest. After the burial, I made sure that the pack held a feast in honor of the departed.
"Listen up, everyone!" My husky voice went off, drawing their attention to me.
"As you all know, the pack lacks a leader, ironically. It is time to assume the position of the Alpha which my father had left for me. There won't be tolerance for any objections. Feast on, for we have one more ceremony to mark," I concluded.
The pack members chanted in unison, even though they were supposed to be grieving. I couldn't wait to be an alpha anymore. I had always wanted that position and had always dreamt of how I would exercise my power once I ascend the throne. Now, it's the time, finally.
I sent out a few of my men to have the village square ready for the ceremony. They arrived in no time, telling me that everything had been set up.
"Lead the way," I commanded. They led the way I trailed behind them majestically. As soon as we got there, it occurred to me that I would need a mate in order to take over my father. Not that I totally forgot the tradition but it was just that I underestimated the importance of it. I might have to try to ascend the position and see if any one of them would try to oppose me but then I wouldn't want to try them.
I paced around the village square, darting my eyes around.
"Line up the females!" I commanded, my voice booming throughout the Moonstone village square. The female wolves, dressed in their finest clothes, stood before me, their heads bowed in respect. I paced back and forth, my gaze scanning each of them with scrutiny.
"No," l said, waving my hand at the first few in line. "No," I repeated, rejecting more and more as I moved down the line. The women trembled with fear, not knowing if they would be chosen. Finally, I stopped before one of the women, my eyes narrowing. "You," I said, my voice cold. "You will be my mate!" I commanded.
The crowd cheered while some murmured and fought their ways out of my sight. I had chosen her because of the strong scent and features she had. She didn't seem like the weak, stupid Aria that had run off to cohabit with my enemy. At least, this new mate of mine would be of use to me and my pack. By right, I was supposed to wait on the moon goddess to choose a mate for me but may the goddess forbid that I have to wait on her!
"What is your name?" I questioned.
"El… Eleen," she stammered, bowing her head so as not to meet my gaze.
"Eleen, from today onwards, you are mated to me!" I declared, making the crowd cheer.
Now, I was done choosing a mate and it was time to ascend the alpha position. The village square was silent as the eldest wolf stepped forward, holding a crown of gold in his hands. The wolf's face was lined with age, but his eyes were bright and full of wisdom. He turned to face me, bowing his head. "Your Highness, Alpha," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "It is an honor to crown you the next alpha of this pack,"
I felt the weight of the moment, the importance of what was about to happen. The crown was placed on my head, and the wolf said the words that would seal my fate. "From this moment on, you are our leader,"
The words echoed, and the pack members began to chant, their voices rising in unison. "All hail Alpha Lucas!" they cried, their eyes shining with pride.
I stood tall, my gaze sweeping over the crowd. I felt a surge of power course through me, a strength I had never known before. I was their leader, the one who would guide them through the trials and tribulations of the future. I was their protector, their savior. I was Alpha Lucas.
It was time to choose my men. I turned to my four beta wolves, who stood at attention beside me. "You four will be my right hand men," I said, my eyes gleaming. "You will carry out my orders, and ensure that my will is done. You are my most trusted advisors, and I trust you with my life,"
The beta wolves straightened their shoulders, pride shining in their eyes. "We are honored, Alpha," they replied in unison.
"A new dawn has begun!" I yelled out in satisfaction.