ALERIC.

I close my eyes, the fire witch’s anguish cries. filling my ears. It’s not a melody… but a stabbing noise that is making me restless.

He was a casualty just like Quade…

The number of dead is rising and I’m losing

count.

But he was a necessity… the plan is in

motion and the blame needs to be focused

on Royce. 1

Who killed Chris and how?

Even though I don’t know the answer to

those questions, something makes me

wonder if Apophis has got someone else working for him…

I don’t know who he has but if he has

someone doing his bidding, then it is a cold reminder that if I fail, he can and will easily

replace me. 7

He won’t need me and will cast me aside

with ease.

What am I doing anyway?

What is the purpose of it all?

To be powerful…

I don’t feel it. I feel as if I’m destroying everything I worked for in life. 4

The agonising pain in my neck ever since she marked me has numbed my mind and

senses. It’s not healing, and I can feel my link to Apophis ebbing away. 7

His words the moment she marked me ring in my head.

‘No! It cannot be! Fool! Stop!’ 6

Something about her marking me hit him and since then I am alone, with only his

command, telling me what I need to carry

out.

Foolish…

I am indeed foolish… 1

I scoff quietly, resting my head back as I stare at the ceiling of the room I am held in.

The commotion is ongoing, but my mind is a

storm of thoughts.

Royce’s rage… the look in his eyes… the

hatred…

I’ve always been jealous of him, the way he

doesn’t care what others think of him, the

way he is always better at things without trying. I would practice for hours to perfect something, whether that be a subject or something in training, but he wouldn’t even

try, and he’d nail it.

How do you compete with that?

I saw the way Dad’s interest shifted to him when he realised he was a born protégée, but

it wasn’t jealousy back then… it was fear…

Fear that Dad will start to hurt him how he

hurt me. I was still his big brother, even if he

was stronger. It was my duty to protect him

… and so I used to tell him I’m better, that I

am the future Alpha, that he can relax and enjoy life. 13

Whilst at the same time I’d try harder to be better, to keep Dad’s attention on me… it

didn’t fully work… but when he realised that

Royce lacked the drive and passion for

power and learning, he then started

extracting his blood and began

experimenting on me with it. 2

They hurt… It hurt… but I would lie and say it didn’t, so he thought he was succeeding… because if he realised he’s failing… he’d hurt him again… 3

1

**

***

(FLASHBACK – TWELVE YEARS AGO)

Dad snarls, and I remain

connected to my body.

stronger already,” I lie. How do I tell him that my body is rejecting Royce’s

twins but clearly not

he spins around and grabs me by the jaw. “Then let’s try something. Last week I checked something on Royce… I want to see what you can tolerate

need to work on…”

I say quickly,

beginning to eat

glint in his eyes makes me wonder when he

he says, motioning

to follow.

won’t be able to take it, where I am able to tolerate

electricity….

can simply go retrieve

at all, Father; as

dealing

the future of this pack in the hands of

nods

are a

up to the machines and I

Preparing for the pain I know

becomes too much, let me know,” he shakes his head as if disappointed in me. “I’ll try Royce

least let one

didn’t like how he pitched us against one. another, we’re

one another, be there for one another and protect one another… but Dad sees things

to

one of

breath, focusing

place.

down by the lake with Mom,

and Charlotte…

voice…

laughing.

clench my jaw as the first voltage of electricity stabs

pain rushes through my entire body as

steady my breathing, but

one hits me,

another and-

7/18

Fuck!

body screams for reprieve, but I stay

want Royce going through

Do this for Royce.

Do this for…

It hurts…

to get rid of the pain I’m feeling, but I’m bound to the

board behind me.

Is it worth it?

I want to die!

Blood.

blood in my

to

I can’t… because then

better than this… but if I

will feel it.

suffer the way I

can’t do that

someone will protect me too …

think I blacked out because when I

is beating irregularly and the taste of

Royce’s

around the dark room until I spot

of

I ask, but my

hoarse.

you were tired after training but come on, let’s sneak out. I want to go to the movies,” he

go. I don’t

obviously disappointed. “We need to live Aleric…

as I cut him off. “Yeah, go live Royce!

focus on like training to be

have the freedom you

such a bloody buzzkill,”

moody reply comes.

hear him jump down

burned skin.

survived…”

this when Mother wasn’t

there unmoving, my body in too

agony to do anything.

It’ll get easier…

Someday…

(END OF FLASHBACK)

and the love I

resentment and jealousy. 2

I won’t deny that.

wanted the life he had, but… I

worth it… only to realise that

2

the end, he

He didn’t need protecting…

was a fool to put

is why I

that. 1

wanted in with the Lycan King. I would make his daughter fall for

makes it a

even

around for

her eyes… it’s obvious she resents me… and that only

wrath is hanging over

I may

eyes and stare at

are watching me.

the likes of Magdalene, Janaina, and Raihana have powered the barrier. I mean, unless I portal out

Schurke Wolf, paid me a visit, but I ignored

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