Darius walked into the Alpha's Chambers totally ignoring the greetings from the guards who were positioned at different stations. He seemed very worried and kept on muttering words that only himself could hear. His feet stumped heavily as he moved displaying malignity in his posture.
He was the ferocious Beta of the Lycan Pack. The terror that everyone dreaded. The fact that he was brother to the Alpha surprised most people who saw opposite reflections in the two.
"Ah Brother, you are here. Welcome; come sit with me.", William upon sighting Darius said, then drawing out a chair from underneath the hall table he signaled to the Beta to come sit with him. Next he pours out wine into two goblets and offers him one. "Drink brother, the days of change and festivity are upon us.", he said.
William was old, his weak body leaned on the walking stick which he held to support his limping leg. He used to be a powerful Alpha; one of the strongest in the Pinewood lands. Mentioning his name alone sent trepidation to the heart of the other Alphas. He dismantled a lot of Packs, killing their Alphas and taking captive their Pups.
"Brother….", Darius clears his throat, takes a sip from the goblet and continues; "I am here to know if you have reconsidered your decision regarding Bruce becoming Alpha in the next few days.".
"No I have not. I have no reasons to; no intentions to do so too.", William replied his brother almost immediately.
Darius feeling rather disappointed with what his brother said instantly tried to persuade him to change his mind, struggling as much as possible to conceal the anger which was building up inside of him.
"But he is too young to be Alpha brother.", he said and not being in the drinking mood again, he dropped the goblet on the table, then he continued;
"There is a lot he needs to learn about being an Alpha and putting him in that position would weaken the Pack and give our enemy Packs the impression that it would be easy to infiltrate our castle.", he stops for a while, takes a careful look at William to be sure he was listening then he continues; "You don't want another war! do you?".
Not long after Darius said those words, Ramon the Gamma who was the third in command and in charge of training the warriors walked in to see the Alpha. Catching a glimpse of him, the Alpha invited him to join them.
"Come my friend, join us. We have a lot to be happy about.", William said pouring wine into another goblet which he offered to Ramon.
Ramon sat close to Darius, he adjusted his bloated belly as though it was about to leave his body. Ramon greeted the Alpha and the Beta and gulped down the goblet of wine which the Alpha offered him.
Darius stared at him in disgust but then, he remembered that he was on a mission and tapping the Gamma on his shoulder he dragged him into the discussion.
"Ramon, don't you see that Bruce is not yet ready to be Alpha. He is just 20.", Darius said turning to the Gamma.
"Well, if the Alpha considers him eligible, then why not?", Ramon stops, pours more wine into his goblet and then continues.
"Bruce has shown tremendous strength, he fought the last two wars with us and his performance was excellent.", he takes another sip from his goblet and resumes his speech; "Bruce is a strong Werewolf…he is the Delta remember; a position he acquired through a duel at the age of fifteen. I think he is ready.". He concludes and then continues quaffing his wine.
Darius was very disappointed that Ramon had spoken contrary to his expectation, he gave him a stern look totally ignoring his gesture of cheers.
"I know that Bruce is just 20 but he has the heart of a sage; he is my son and I raised him well.", William said. He took a brief look at his brother whose countenance expressed deep disgruntled bearing.
"He has us to guide him, the elders too will offer him good counsel and I am certain that the moon goddess shall bestow her blessings upon him.", William said, raised his goblet and declared;
"We feast in a few days.", turning towards Darius he instructed; "Please see that all preparations are in order.", then he got up and left.
Darius stared at his brother's eyes as he stood up to leave; his mind was totally made up. He was certain that he meant every word of his utterance and this could only mean one thing; that his desires were not going to come to accomplishment. Darius was so deep in thought that he paid no attention to the question Ramon had directed to him, the Gamma tapped him on his shoulder to draw his attention.
"You look more worried than you should Beta.", Ramon said
"And so should you; I wonder why you are as calm as the wind.", Darius leans over to Ramon and then Whispers; "Have you considered that the young lad may disregard us when he is made Alpha?".
Those words awakened intense musing in Ramon's mind and he tried as much as possible to shut off the feeling of animosity that started growing in his mind. All of a sudden, he lost appetite for the sweet wine in the goblet.
Darius sensing that he had aroused ardent reflection in him, left him to his thoughts. He got up, took a last sip from his goblet and left the Hall smiling mischievously in satisfaction.
That evening, Tala walked into the Alpha's chambers to speak to him about his decision.
"My heart has been burdened with discomfort ever since you declared that our son would be taking over.", Tala said. She took William's right hand in hers; caressing it, then she continued;
"Your declaration has sparked a lot of reactions; I am certain your brother disputes this.", she concluded.
"Dearest; you worry too much; I am sure that Darius is just looking out for the Park he will come around.", William takes a deep breath then adds; "Each day draws me closer to my last strength; we have enjoyed five years of long lasting peace since the last war.", William stops, then clears his throat. "I don't see any course for Alarm right now. The Elders have given their consent and I know that my brother will come around; I am certain of this.."
Tala knew that there was nothing else she could say to convince the Alpha to recount his decision. She sighed heavily and left the old Alpha who turned the other way to get some sleep.
Bruce was with Ethan his best friend in their usual spot at the Tower; he registered his worries regarding his father's decision.
"Do you think I will make a good Alpha? What if the moon goddess doesn't approve of me?", Bruce asked his best friend.
"I completely have faith in you Bruce; I believe that you would make a great Alpha and it doesn't matter at what age you become Alpha, what matters is how good you would be able to handle the position.", Ethan said.
Ethan was a strong warrior but not as powerful as Bruce who possessed extraordinary skills, Ethan lost his parents during one of the many wars that their pack encountered; his father was the Gamma of the pack and was close to the Alpha, this made William to take him in as a pup then he became very close to Bruce.
"Cheer up my friend; the throne awaits you.", Ethan said encouraging his friend who seemed very troubled. "Alpha Bruce!", Ethan said teasing Bruce. They both laughed and made their way down the tower.
"I will have to go now my friend; Elma and I are going on a night out today.", Ethan said full of excitement.
"I am sure you have to get ready for the coronation ceremony.", Ethan concluded still smiling.
"Very well my friend; I wish you well.", Bruce responded to his friend.
They both parted ways few meters away from the Courtyard. Bruce headed for his chambers but he took a few steps then suddenly he perceived a sweet sensation; the smell had gracious aroma and felt like his mate, but it seemed as though there was something barricading it, and it disappeared almost as soon as it came.
Quickly he made a move to find out where the scent came from.
"Delta Bruce, here you are; what a delight.", Elma said appearing from nowhere.
"Oh Elma; it's you; Ethan left. He says you are meeting up later tonight.", Bruce replied still glancing through the corners of the courtyard to know where the scent had come from.
"Well, I am not here for Ethan; of course we are meeting later tonight.", Elma said and then taking Bruce by the hand, she gave him a beguiling stare. Bruce who wasn't certain of what Elma wanted to achieve with her coquettish gesture gently pulled off his hand from her grip and headed for his chamber while she stood there biting on her lips in a flirtatious manner.
Meanwhile, Elena had dropped the basket she was using to collect flowers from the Castle garden and hurried away the moment she saw Bruce approaching. She made sure to keep out of his sight till the ceremony was over and she was asked to leave. The sight of him also abhorred her and she hoped to someday be able to accomplish the feelings that emerged from her vendetta.