CHAPTER 1
DEREK
"You know you don't have to do this, dad" I said with worry, looking at my dad's side profile. Kyros, my dad who is turning seventy this summer looked to be a man in his early fifties, having a full black hair with some streaks of gray hair, and a body of a retired bodybuilder — he was looking outside through the open french window of his office but his shoulders turned stiff when he heard what I just said.
Heaving a heavy sigh his shoulder slumped, "You know the pack rules, I must fight Achilles."
Standing there staring at the window, my dad Kyros seemed to have aged a decade more in an instant. Not able to hold myself back I rebutted."But—" I was cut off by my now angry dad.
His friality a moment ago gone without a trace, turned to face me, his forest green eyes seemed to deepen in color almost turning black both pupil and sclera, " Am going to fight Achilles, no matter what, even if I can't best him at least I still have my dignity to maintain", he said with an air of finality.
Not convinced I wanted to reply, but the look in his eyes begged to differ. Taking a deep breath then releasing it with a heave, my dad took out a pack of cigarettes from his tuxedo breast pocket then put one in his mouth.
Touching his pocket in search of a lighter, I took one from my pocket then, lighted the cigarette for him.
He took a long drag of the cigarette then released a puff of smoke as his eyes turned their normal forest green color he looked at me, "I didn't mean it to come out that way, Derek" he said, looking apologetic.
"I know, dad. But still you could just step down as the alpha, and nobody would look down on you, they respect you dad" I said, pleadingly.
Kyros didn't say anything for about five minutes as the tension kept rising reaching a palpitating level he broke it with the noise of his footsteps as he moved closer to me stopping a meter before me, "You won't understand, no alpha would give up his position willingly to a non blood relative without a fight even if it's just for show, but a fight must take place that's the custom."
"But —", as I was about to retort he passed me, stopping a step behind me he said offhandedly. "It's no use Derek, if you care about your old man just come to the pack square and cheer for him ."
With that, he passed me as I heard the sound of opening and closing of the door which signified his exit.
Feeling stiffled inside, I know my dad, he is always old fashioned and too much of a Methodist. As I wasn't able to convince him to forfeit the fight I might as well cheer for him.
I rushed after him slamming the door of the office and raced towards him. Catching up to him mid hall as he was some meters to exit the building, I looked at his expressionless face, "You can still forfeit the match, you know how sinister Achilles is, he may cripple or even kill you."
Kyros face hardened as his lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes darkened both pupil and sclera. My heart gave a sudden thump as I know I have pressed the wrong button.
The side of his lip moved up, his chest vibrated as he gave a dark chuckle, "He can try." As he ate up the rest of the meters with his long and purposeful strides, he loosened the tie of his tuxedo.
Looking as his broad back, which seemed to block the pale moonlight that spilled from the exit, he looked like a soldier who is about to face thousands of enemies alone. He exited to the loud cheers of the pack members.
Looking at the now empty doorway and listening to the cheers of the pack members, for a second I believe my dad can pull a miracle like he always does. Waking up from the brief reverie, I jogged out of the building.
Looking around the pack square, a plot of land — at the center stood a platform about twenty feet radius. The platform is surrounded by hundreds of pack members that parted in the center to grant my dad access to the platform.
My heart sank as I knew there's no going back, the ball has been set rolling. I just have to hope that my dad will pull something of a miracle which likely won't be happening today.
Looking behind him to see me a few meters away from him, my flashed me a crazy grin as he started removing his clothes one after the other as he acended the stage.
The fervor of the cheers increased when he set his foot right on the stage while removing the last piece of cloth on his upper revealing a well sculpted physique.
I looked from my position at the fervor of the crowd, my dad's excitement. That's when I understood the amount of respect he has garnered in his tenure as the pack Alpha — . I don't know who started it but the cheers and screams changed to the chant of my dad's name —
"Kyros! Kyros! Kyros!" this chant sent my dad's blood pumping, which could be seen on his face as his whole demeanor changed—. His eyes turn deep green both pupils and sclare, his massive muscles seemed to inflate as his skin stretch taut on his muscles.
As the hype was at its highest, suddenly, everywhere lapsed to silence. All their eyes were directed in a certain direction. Following their gaze I could see a set of men moving close to us from the building which we exited earlier.
As they came closer, the group of men became clear —. The man in their lead was a huge man, I know I said my dad has the body of a retired bodybuilder but this man is a literal giant stand at a height of seven feet with broad shoulders.
He's just a mass of muscle.