Five years ago,
"Are you ready, sir?" Darian asked.
Dirgan nodded, adjusting his tie, and exited the Lunox Hotel penthouse for Lunox Villa.
Dirgan and his aide wore mourning attire, paying respects to the deceased Wolf King, Orion. Lunox Corporation, a conglomerate masking the werewolf pack's presence, had summoned its leaders. Each deputy leader oversaw a subsidiary company.
Upon arriving at Lexus Villa, the deputies bowed to Dirgan. He took his seat beside the late King's throne.
Their seats reflected the deputy leaders' hierarchical strength. Dirgan occupied the third chair, while Cristian, Ziya's father and Dirgan's future father-in-law, filled the second. Ziya stood discreetly behind her father, her assistant role belied by her poised demeanor. Dirgan stole loving glances at her, veiling his affection beneath his aristocratic facade to maintain his authority among the deputies.
"The Orion seat must be filled immediately," Cristian declared.
"Yes, the situation is critical," another deputy leader chimed in. "Darkfang has already begun mobilizing, exploiting Orion's demise."
Darkfang, a centuries-old rival clan, posed an existential threat to Lunox, fueling the urgency to appoint Orion's successor.
The Fifth Orion fell to the Darkfang clan's surprise attack this morning, pushing the clans to the brink of war.
"What if Dirgan assumes the Orion seat?" another deputy suggested.
Dirgan, caught off guard while gazing at Ziya, maintained his composure, his eyes locking onto the representatives now pointing to him.
Cristian, having lost an arm irreparably, remained powerful yet ineligible for kingship. Thus, he backed Dirgan's ascension, paving the way for his daughter Ziya's future union.
"Dirgan is too inexperienced for the Orion seat," an opponent argued.
Cristian countered, "Do you have a worthier candidate? Dirgan's union with my daughter will forge unparalleled strength."
"Alex is the obvious choice," a deputy countered.
Just then, Dirgan's father, Alex, appeared at the villa entrance. As Orion's confidant, he had been calming the Queen. Alex had abandoned Dirgan in childhood, deeming him the weakest among his kin. Brian, Dirgan's adoptive father, had nurtured him into the Lunox clan's top representative.
"Orion's succession requires careful consideration," Alex said. "By the Queen's decree, I'll assume the seat until a worthy successor emerges."
Alex's gaze locked onto Dirgan, whose eyes blazed fiercely. The room tensed, aware of the Dirgantara family's turbulent past. Dirgan's claws extended, poised for confrontation.
"I'm ready anytime," Dirgan growled.
"Really? Do you know how to run Lunox besides developing your small hotel?" Dirgan was about to get up and fight his father. Although he immediately sat back down when both of his shoulders were pressed.
"There should be no fighting at Orion's funeral, son," said a soft voice that made Nathan calm down behind him.
"Brian, you're late," said Cristian.
"I have work to do. But I was quite surprised, because I thought my son would be immediately elected as Orion. Apparently, there was someone else running besides him."
Alex explained, "This isn't a vote, but a matter of eligibility."
"I don't deny that," Brian added. "However, Dirgan's future wife, Ziya, is Cristian's daughter and the strongest representative in the Lunox clan. Although Dirgan lacks leadership experience, Ziya's extensive work with Orion makes them a worthy duo."
Alex countered, "I will marry the Fifth Queen Orion. Ziya and Dirgan are unworthy compared to us."
Everyone was surprised, including Dirgan, who stared at Ziya. Her disappointed expression prompted her to quickly exit the room, sealing Dirgan's defeat.
Alex's impending marriage to the Queen solidified his position. The representatives concurred, appointing Alex the next Orion.
The gathering concluded after prolonged discussions. Brian reassured Dirgan, who graciously accepted his defeat. The Queen's swift agreement to marry Alex, mere hours after her husband's passing, caught everyone off guard.
Dirgan entered the room of the Lunox Hotel's second-highest-ranking owner, where Ziya awaited him. He recalled their prior agreement: if Orion passed and Dirgan ascended to the throne, he would marry Ziya, a condition Ziya had set for their union.
"Hey, no need to rush becoming King, right?" Dirgantara asked.
"Father won't approve our marriage until you're King," Ziya replied.
"It won't take long, Ziya," Dirgan assured. "Alex, Orion's former confidant, will struggle against Darkfang. He'll be overthrown soon."
"Dirgan, enough!" Ziya exclaimed, sighing in frustration. "I'm tired. Let's end this."
"What?" Dirgan asked, startled.
"I'll be too old for a superior heir if I wait too long," Ziya explained.
"Ziya, we—" Dirgan began.
"Sorry, Dirgan. Let's end this. I won't wait, and you're not worthy of my family."
Ziya departed, ignoring Dirgan's desperate pleas to salvage their crumbling relationship. His failed bid for the throne had sealed their fate.
***
The current year.
A battered werewolf from the Darkfang Clan cowered before Dirgan, begging forgiveness after a week of brutal torture. Darian, witnessing the scene, reflected on Dirgan's drastic transformation over the past five years.
His once-noble heart had hardened, forgiving none.
"Sir, it's time to meet Mr. Brian," Darian interrupted, breaking the tense atmosphere.
Dirgan snorted, annoyed, and swiftly exited the basement. He entered the house, where Brian stood amidst a lineup of women, meticulously counting them.
"What are you doing, Dad?" Dirgan asked, eyeing the lineup.
"Selecting your future wives," Brian replied, his tone icy.
The tension between them was palpable, a residue of Dirgan's lingering resentment. Five years ago, Brian had restrained Dirgan from confronting Alex and pursuing Ziya. This frustration fueled Dirgan's estrangement.
The selected women hailed from Nefaria, the weakest wolf clan – an outcast clan born from Lenox and Darkfang lineage. Infamous for their lack of fighting prowess.
Even though Dirgan often blames Brian for his situation these past five years, failing to become king and losing his beloved woman, Brian still puts on a cheerful face, trying to reduce the distance between them so they can be as close as before.
"Not all of them; you can choose one," Brian said.
"Is that so? After making me break up with Ziya, you're trying to make me marry these trash?" Dirgan replied.
"Pay attention to what you say. They are women. In a week, there will be a Blood Red Moon Eclipse. You will get married then, so choose the right one."
Dirgan clicked his tongue; his father picked up his bag after bringing six women to Dirgan's house.
"Ahh, don't get anyone hurt, or I'll bite you," he threatened.
Despite his resentment, Dirgan struggled to hate his father. Brian's stoic demeanor concealed his emotions.
Dirgan examined the lineup, his gaze halting at a frightened child. The woman beside her tugged the child's clothing, shielding her.
"What is this? Father chose children?" Dirgan exclaimed.
The woman's companion, relatively composed, replied tremulously, "We were chosen by the Nefaria Clan."
Dirgan's disdain deepened. "Nefaria proposes children as my brides?"
The woman hesitated before speaking. "We... have no home, sir."
Dirgan sneered. "Outcasts, discarded even by Nefaria? You're beneath contempt."
"Truly a lowly creature..." Dirgan muttered.
"Your name?" he asked harshly.
"Harin, Sir," Harin replied tremulously.
"Clean this place. No one is allowed to sleep. I'll strangle you if there's any dust left," Dirgan commanded.
"Yes, Sir," everyone replied in unison.
Dirgan immediately went up to his room. The six women sighed in relief after the future king left. They began searching for cleaning supplies.
After showering and changing clothes at 11 o'clock at night, Dirgan prepared to hunt, seeking prey for his twisted torture.
Dirgantara took a sip of his wine and casually watched the women tidying up his house. He saw that Harin who protected the child was consistently helping.
Harin looked around and directed the child to sleep in a corner of the floor that was not visible. She then covered her with a large bucket and started working again.
Dirgantara clicked his tongue. He was indeed evil, but Dirgan only did that to his enemies.
He immediately went down, surprising all the women. Dirgan approached the child, who had just closed her eyes. He kicked the bucket lightly and intended to tell her to go to the servant's room.
"Oi!"
"It was my fault, sir!" Harin exclaimed.
Dirgan's gaze fell upon the same person who had caught his attention earlier. The child looked shocked as Dirgan beside her.
"I forced her to sleep there; she refused. Forgive me, sir! Forgive me!" Harin begged.
Dirgan stepped forward.
"No! Wait! Don't hurt my sister!" She heard.
The child grasped the glass, spilling wine onto Dirgan's shirt. "Eihhsss!"
Dirgan jerked his arm, knocking the child and shattered glass to the floor. His patience worn thin, Dirgan grasped the child's leg, his anger boiling.
"I'll clean it up, sir!" She begged, grasping Dirgan's hand.
Dirgan's grip tightened on Harin's jaw. "Who dares touch my hand?!"
The child sobbed, "S-sir... Forgive us."
Harin knelt before Dirgan, her jaw clenched. "Forgive sister, it's all my fault," she whined.
Dirgan released Harin. As he reached for the child, Harin hugged her protectively, fearlessly blocking Dirgan's grasp.
"Please punish me, sir," Harin pleaded firmly, embracing the sobbing child.
Dirgan's thoughts flashed back to his own childhood tears. His emotions churned.
Wine dripped from his newly changed clothes. His father's haunting words resurfaced: "You're weak... That's why your mother died."
"SHUT UP!!!" Dirgan bellowed, silencing the demons of his past.
Harin swiftly covered the child's mouth. Dirgan's eyes turned fierce red.
They locked gazes until Dirgan grasped Harin's shirt, dragging her upright. Dirgan silently warned the child to remain quiet.
Harin obediently followed Dirgantara, who shoved her into the room. Dirgantara's memories flooded back: his mother suffering similarly at his father's hands, helpless and silent.
Dirgan's fury dissipated. His eyes returned to black. Harin knelt, head bowed submissively.
"Prepare my night attire. You're now responsible for all tasks. One misstep will seal the child's fate."
To Be Continued…