Darkness was already upon the earth but the dimly light of the moon shun brightly as the crickets in the forest chirped noisily. Through the paths close to the gigantic wall of the Lycan castle, Darius stood patiently awaiting the arrival of Alpha Owen of the Red Moon pack. The guards stood at a distance away from Darius watching closely in anticipation of the arrival of the Alpha.
Moments later, the guard by Darius' right turned and signaled to him. Smiling, Darius waved at him and he went towards another direction quickly.
"Alpha Darius, what was so important that you send for me at this time?"
"Apologizes Alpha Owen, it was rather a matter of urgency. I see how close you were to my brother and I have decided to seek your council on a matter that bothers me."
Alpha Owen looked at Darius for a while, not sure if he was really saying the Ruth. Turning around, he observed the area to be sure that there was no other person around but he saw no one as the guards had hidden away from sight.
"What is this that bothers you?" Owen asked, his heart still not at rest with the thought of every possibility.
"Walk with me Alpha Owen. We shall best have a better conversation as we walk through the paths, the moon Goddess has bestowed the light of the moon upon us."
"Very well Alpha Darius. Let's hear what troubles you."
Owen walked side by side with Darius through the paths very close to the walk of the Lycan castle so eager to hear what he heard to say.
"I hear that the lower ranks have refused to oblige to my the new decree we made."
"Not everyone is pleased with your ascension to the throne as Lycan Alpha Darius, they best felt at rest with your brother as Lycan King."
"But my brother is no more, killed by his own son. I sit on the throne and my word should stand!"
Owen paused for a while, not very sure of what to say. He knew that Darius was stubborn and wasn't willing to get into any arguments regarding the lower ranks with him.
The lower ranks were about five Packs that weren't part of the twelve Council Packs. They were werewolves that were either turned by werewolf bites or those who didn't have enough establishment as weaponry, enough soldiers or strength and were considered lower ranks. They had always been supplying the council with supplies in exchange for protection against rogue packs and possible annihilation. They were mostly farmers and lived in small towns or villages.
Darius demanded that they paid twice of what they used to supply and even added gold to what he ordered them to be giving. This didn't go so well with them as they revolted against Darius' decree.
"Alpha Darius, the lower ranks can barely take care of themselves. Don't you think that tasking them for more supplies and gold would be too much?"
"Well if we're to offer them protection against rogues and other assailants they might as well pay enough to be worthy of it."
"If they should be so inclined to defying my orders then that would be a disregard to the throne and I wouldn't fail to send the royal troops to wipe them out." Darius glared in in-depth annoyance, his body shaking furiously as he bellowed.
They continued to walk through the path amidst the darkness that surrounded them, seeing with the little dimly light the moonlight provided. Silence stood in between them for a while. Suddenly, Owen stops and turns towards Darius.
"Do you really wish to kill your nephew?"
Darius paused for a while, offended by the words of the old Alpha. With a deliberate smile he placed his right hand on his chest and held on to his breath before he exhaled sharply.
"Bruce chose a side when he stabbed my brother with a silver stake. He must face the penalty for his actions."
"Even if it means killing him? He should stand trial in front of the council. Why do you wish so well for him to be killed?"
Darius was angry at Owen's utterances, he was furious that the Alpha didn't fear him and this gave him so much trouble.
"Alpha Owen. Is there anything you would like to say to me?"
"I should be asking you Alpha Darius. Is there more to what we heard happened to the Lycan King and his father?"
"I am the Lycan King!!" Darius barked, his teeth showing as he growled in anger but Owen stood his ground not eager to back off from questioning Darius even though he knew how vicious and cruel he could be.
"True you may be Lycan King, but this stands until we are certain of what really happened to the young Alpha and his father. You are not afraid of the truth. Are you?"
There was great silence, Darius knew that saying more words could implicate him but he was determined to carry out his plans.
"Apologies for my outburst Alpha Owen, I just want to do right by my brother, he didn't deserve to die in such a manner." Feigning regret, Drake turned towards Owen with a said face trying to convince him otherwise of his true intentions.
"Very well Alpha Darius. I suggest we instruct the troops to capture the young Alpha and get him to face the council in trial before we can take any decision. There could be more to what we know."
"Yes Alpha Owen, there could really be more."
"I shall take my leave now Alpha Darius."
Owen bowed slightly with his two hands holding each other, then he turned towards the path away from the walls of the Lycan castle to head home.
"Alpha Owen, you seem rather in a hurry to leave. You must stay for I have something to show you."
Darius walked closer to Owen and stood right in front of him glaring slowly at him. Owen's heartbeat increased with the sight of the vicious Werewolf before him, his eyes blinking in anxiety of what really was about to happen.
"My brother grew very weak. He really did deserve to be killed and I took so much pleasure in doing so. Sad enough I didn't get to finish off his son."
"You treacherous!… how could you?"
"Now you know, it's a pity you have to join my brother. He seems to be in need of your council in the underworld."
Owen's heartbeat increased banging on his ribs. He took three steps backwards as Darius approached him with a dangerous grin.
"You won't go free for this. You will pay for it!"
Owen tried to move away swiftly but Darius was faster. Removing his cloak slowly, Darius kept it ok the floor and extended his hands, raising them upwards as though he was invoking the moonlight spirits.
"The power! The authority! So much more that can be achieved. No one shall stand in my way. Not even you!" Darius started to shift, his bones crackling to the sound of the chirping of the crickets in the forest, his furs slowly covering up his body as he grew taller and bigger growling slowly as his canines and claws grew.
"I shall give you the honor of fighting to your death!" Darius bellowed as he fully transformed to his wolf.
Owen was very old but he was willing to fight Darius. Removing his robe, he transformed into his own wolf revealing a big red wolf with lovely furs.
Darius rushed at Owen growling loudly as he pounced on him with furry and great force. They struggled for a while trying to wrestle each other down but Owen couldn't stand the strength of the vicious Darius as he struggled to keep up with the wrestle.
With a force, Darius wrestled Owen down and sank his canines into his neck making him to whimper in pain. Owen lay on the ground panting as blood flowed from his neck. Darius stood on top of him slitting his body with his claws in fierce manner allowing more blood to flow out.
Tears flowed from Owen's eyes as he lay bleeding on the floor with Darius slashing his body with his claws. With a heavy breath and little strength, Owen turned back to his human form.
"You won't sit on that throne for a long time." He said softly as he took his last breath and died, his eyes still wide open and his mouth revealing part of his teeth.
Seeing that he was truly dead after sniffing him, Darius turned back to his human form and walked towards the wall of the Lycan castle. Then he bent over, picked up his cloak and put it back on.
"Dispose of his body and make sure no one sees you while you are at it."
The two guards who were with him appeared from the two sides and dragged Owen's lifeless body into the forest. Darius smiled victoriously as he looked at the guards drag Owen's body away. He stuck out his tongue and licked off the blood on his lips. Turning around, he walked into the castle through the gate, the two guards standing guard bowed to him as he walked in with a smile.