Rylee's Pov
"What time did you get home last night?" Cameron asked as he caught up with me on the stairs on our way to school.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, I threw a couple of stones at your window, but how could you hear it when Monica was screaming so loud?"
Cam's face turned tomato pink at my statement; he bumped into me with his shoulders, so I was right even though I made that up, "You came back that late; when did you get to sleep?"
"Oh, I don't need much sleeping," I replied, smacking my lips. "I'm pretty good without much sleep."
"Yeah, because you sleep away in class," he rolled his eyes, but before I could respond, three of the worst girls I had ever known in Blue Moon Pack walked up to us, and he hissed.
"Hey Rylee, what's good?" A blonde-haired girl that was leading the other two asked with a stupid smile that I wanted to slap off so badly.
"What do you think, Natasha, don't I look okay?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, crossing my arms on my chest.
"Oh, you know, I just want to know, you know, with the blood moon coming soon and the fact it's going to be your fourth mating ceremony. I don't know, do you think you would find him this time or is it going to be another 'aww, better luck next time' kind of day?" She said she was trying to sound funny while her stupid minions laughed hysterically at what they thought was savage.
"But anyways, just know that I will be praying for you that you will find him, you know. After all, the fate of the Blue Moon pack depends on it. Oh, I forgot," she covered her mouth for a second and then smiled, "if you don't have a mate and your father dies, the high howlers would just appoint another Alpha, and that would be the end of the Alpha power in your bloodline."
"Wow, thank you for teaching us the history we already know," I clapped, "but too bad, no matter who would be chosen, it won't be your Mate nor your brother; how sad." I shot back, pouting my lips and rubbing my eyes as I made a fake sad face.
"You don't know for sure," Natasha said. "Eric is the best wolf in the pack for now, and no one is going to take his place anytime soon," she bragged with a smile. "I know it must hurt that I ended up being his mate when everyone rumored it would be you, plus the fact that he is your ex, how sad," she said, trying to make her own sad face.
I scoffed, rolling my eyes, "Well, too bad that you haven't seen through this; no matter how good you think you are, you will always be my copycat. Picking up the things I dumped."
Natasha growled furiously. I knew that would hurt her ego. Too bad it was true. Furs started appearing on her face in her quest to transform. "Girls," a voice called, and they all turned to the man standing by the tree. "It's school premises," he warned.
"We are sorry, Beta Aton," they apologized immediately.
Aton pointed towards the school at them, and they turned to leave. "Not you, Cameron," he added, and Cameron stopped, winking at me as I glanced at him, giving him the "go ahead sign."
**
"Dad," Cameron greeted, walking up to him.
"Did Rylee leave the clan last night?"
Cameron felt his heart miss a beat, but he reined his fear in immediately, "No."
Aton sighed and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Son, I know that you care about her, but as the future Beta of this clan, the betterment of the pack should be your first priority. There is a reason going out at night is forbidden; don't forget your role, son, in order to make your friend happy. You know the consequences if the alpha is to find out."
Cameron didn't say anything, and Aton sighed, turned, and left. He watched his father's back as he left; ever since he was a boy, he had been surrounded with the praises of how good his father is at his job and how he was the best Beta Blue Moon pack had ever had. He could still remember how he had wished to be like him, and he still does, but if his father should remind him of his duties, it means he is not doing it well. He blew out a deep breath while running his fingers through his deep brown hair. Another sigh left his lips, and he stumped his foot before going after Rylee.
***
"What are these things?" Kieran asked, glancing around at his well-furnished living room.
"Oh," Jacob smiled, "with each passing century, the humans develop new things, new gadgets. Like this, this is a television," he took the remote and turned it on.
"There are tiny humans in it; is it an easier way to find someone to feed on?" Kieran asked.
Jacob laughed, "No, your highness, if you break that screen now, you will see nothing but wires. It's a faster way for humans to communicate with the world at large. It's a transmitter; it transmits visual images and sound, and they use it to broadcast programs like entertainment, information, and education. Here," he brought out his phone from his pocket, "this is called a cell phone; it is just like the television but more portable. But this one comes with a plus: I can pass messages to you no matter the distance, and you will receive them in seconds. I can even call you, and no matter where you are, we can talk and hear each other's voices."
Kieran listened with less interest. "I see," he replied, glancing away from the gadgets and taking in the differences in his house. "It's strange but okay. I guess I can leave with it."
Jacob smiled, "Let me show you around your highness. Wait till you see their mode of transportation," he chuckled and went to a drawer to get the car key of a Maybach and turned to show the key to Kieran with a proud smile. "I had acquired it in your name. I stumbled upon your treasure room and changed a few gold bars into cash. It was how I was able to get all these things," he glanced around the whole living room. "Two or three gold bars are a lot of money now. I hope you don't mind me touching your treasures without your consent, your highness."
Kieran waved him off, "I have no use for those gold bars anyway. Your forefather and his mates helped me to acquire them back when we were still in action. We just store them since we have no use for them," he shrugged. "Let's go; I'm interested to see this 'transportation' of yours," he stood up.
Jacob smiled, "Of course, my prince, please follow me." He did a curt bow and then led the way outside. Kieran squinted his eyes when he came in contact with the sun, but right after he had gotten used to the light, he took a good look at the scenery surrounding him. He had built his castle on a mountain, but everything has changed now. It was still on the mountain, no doubt, but the scenery had changed, and he had no doubt it had to do with Jacob; the man was making him like him more with each passing second. He turned behind him to talk to him only to see that the man was still standing in the shadows of the house. "What is the problem?"
"This is the one thing we envy the originals for—the ability to walk in bright sunlight. Only the direct descendant of the originals can walk in the sun, but even they would be wary of walking in such a bright sun," Jacob explained.
"I know of the decrease in power with each new birth, but I didn't think it would stop you from going into the sun at all. We naturally prefer moving at night because our senses are heightened by then; I guess that's why I never took notice of the changes in the newer generations," Kieran said.
"You have been asleep for a long time, my prince. A lot of new discoveries have been made about us, but it all points to the fact that we can never be like you, 'the original'. Your senses are sharper than ours, and you are ten times stronger than we can ever be. Without you in the picture, the strongest of our kind are the direct descendants, because your blood is stronger in them than the rest of us that comes after. They are the rulers of our kind now; they are known as the high council, and they govern over every Night Walker council in the whole world."
Kieran nodded. "I see, a lot of changes have been made."
"Indeed, my prince," Jacob concurred, "in my quest to show you the new world, I have forgotten the time. If my Prince could be patient enough for a few more hours to go by, as the third generation, I can walk under the evening sun without the fear of being burned; I can show my Prince around by then."
"Very well, Jacob, but I would like to take a little run; my powers haven't fully returned, but I have missed running in these woods."
"Of course, my Prince, while you are away, I will take the time to send news to the high council that you have awakened."
"Not now, Jacob, not now," Kieran said.
"But my Prince..." Jacob was saying when the whooshing of the wind stopped him, telling him that the man was long gone. He sighed, staring at the spot he was standing only a second ago before he turned and went into the house.