CHAPTER 002

The sun is high up over the pack training grounds, Kieran stands at the edge, his arms crossed over his chest, his golden hair catching the sun while his eyes scan the dozen or so teenage wolves sparring in front of him. Dusts kick up as punches land, bodies slammed on the green field and their shouts echo from everywhere.

Kieran is watching them, at the same time he isn't—not really.

His jaw is clenched as his green eyes are hard, the weird dream replays over his mind like a broken CD. It clings to his skin like sweat, makes his skin crawl and his chest tight, every second builds more irritation under his skin that he wants to scratch it off.

Why him? Why that runt of all people? Claiming him? Ha. Kieran snorts at the ridiculousness. It's disgusting.

“Kieran!”

The voice of Elder Mora snaps him out of his thoughts. The old man stands across the field and motions the young alpha to get closer and Kieran does, hiding his irritation.

“Elder Mora,” he acknowledges with a straight face.

“Let’s see if you’re still worthy of becoming the next Alpha after your father. Your strength has been praised all over the pack and I want to see it for myself. So show me boy,”

Kieran resists the urge to roll his eyes but does as he’s told. “Alright. Let’s get this over with.” he murmurs under his breath and gets ready.

At this point, the kids have stopped sparring, they are all watching him now.

Kieran knows he's good at what he does, his strength, speed and agility doesn't just come because he's born an alpha, may that contributed but it's from years of practice and training. His father hasn't been so kind with his training as soon as he learnt how to walk, so running across the terrain, jumping over logs and dodging between standing stones are nothing.

The kids whoops and claps, impressed, Elder Mora gives a short nod but Kieran doesn't care. He doesn't break a single sweat as he completes whatever test Elder Mora has till the man eventually leaves the field.

Then from the corner of his eyes, he sees him.

A long figure with a hoodie over his head walking at the edge of the training field, arms wrapped tightly around a box and his head down, as if not wanting to be noticed but shame, Kieran just did.

Seth.

Kieran’s stomach twists and there goes the dream again, flashing in his mind—that bastard calling him ‘his’ so disgustingly. His breath hitches and then his anger finally explodes.

“You!” Kieran barks, pointing his finger and the lone figure halts but doesn't turn.

“I said you! Get over here!” Kieran shouts.

He doesn't move. He doesn't even lift his head. What the hell?

Kieran turns to the kids, his voice low and dark with rage as he says. “Fine. Bring him to me.”

Two of the bigger kids step forward eagerly. They run across the field and drag him over.

Seth doesn't fight. He doesn't speak as he only drops the box and lets himself be pulled. He doesn't lift his head as he finally stops before the young alpha.

Kieran tsks in annoyance as he realizes Seth is taller. He steps into his space, and as usual, there's no scent coming from him, just bland and dead.

“Well?” he says, voice sharp. “Too good to answer me now?” and just like that, Kieran anger reaches the high sky when he doesn't get a response, he yanks the hoodie off his head and grabs him by the collar and brings his fist his face but stopping just an inch away when a pair of crimson eyes meets his eyes. Fuck, just like this dream.

Kieran doesn't know why he's letting this wolf-less creature under his skin when he has ignored his existence in the pack for the past eighteen years. He used to be invisible, so why the hell is he everywhere now and even invaliding Kieran’s dreams?

Kieran shuts his eyes for a second, forcing himself to calm down. It's just a dream that doesn't mean anything. Taking a breather, he drops his fist and roughly lets go of Seth's shirt. He steps back.

“Hitting you would be the same as hitting a weak Omega,” he smirks at the idea in his head. He crosses his arms over his chest. “How about this, you beat one of the kids here in a fight and I will let you go, that's fair, isn't it?” Then he waves at one of the big kids over with a cocky grin. “Show me you are not totally useless. As the future alpha, I need to know the strength of my people,”

Seth blink, slowly but still doesn't respond.

The kids look up at Kieran with a pout. “But I don't want to hit him, he doesn't even have a wolf or the senses of a wolf, what if I accidentally break him?”

Kieran smirks. “Then break him,”

The teen gives an evil smile before facing Seth. “Don't come at me later,” he says to Seth and before anyone can blink, he hooks an arm under Seth's arms and flips him on the ground as if he weighs nothing. The rest of the kids cheer with loud claps while Kieran laughs.

He steps over the helpless form of Seth. He leans down, his voice taunting “That’s it? You’re this pathetic? How are you going to survive if there’s a rogue attack?” he lets out another laugh and straightens. “Now I know why your own parents didn't want you, they got rid of a worthless burden but shame, my father picked you up,”

“Enough!”

The voice hits Kieran like a slap. He turns and his older brother stands in front of him, arms crossed, eyes burning in anger.

Kieran’s jaw locks. “This doesn’t concern you, Sage. Stay out out of it,”

Sage takes a challenging step closer, his green eyes stabbing daggers into his younger brother. “He’s a member of this pack. That makes it my business.”

“He’s nothing!”

Sage doesn't hesitate, he smacks the back of Kieran’s head hard.

The gasps from the kids rings like bells.

“You wanna fight someone?” Sage snaps. “Fight me, asshole.”

Kieran stares at him, stunned for a moment, his fists clenched, but he doesn't move.

“You won’t, will you?” Sage sneers. “Because you’re a coward who only picks on those weaker than him.”

“I won't hit my omega brother.”

“Shame,” Sage hisses. “Because I will hit my alpha brother and give him a good beating.”

Kieran’s nostrils flares but he turns away, storming off without looking back.

Once he's gone, Sage knees beside Seth and gently helps him sit up. “You okay?”

Seth doesn't answer, he simply nods.

Sage sighs. What a prick he has for a younger brother.

~

Kieran storms into the living room, slamming the door behind him and Sage follows right after.

“Have you lost your damn mind!” Sage spats. “You think bullying some broken kid will make you more of an Alpha?”

Kieran turns on him. “You know nothing,” he grits through his teeth.

“I don't care what kind of sick superiority complex you are currently on, that doesn't give you the right to hurt anyone, especially someone like him, you should be ashamed of yourself, Kieran!”

Kieran growls low, the sound rumbling from his throat, his alpha pheromones spreading like wildfire in the space. “Don't speak to me like that!”

Sage shoves him on the chest, ignoring the way his omega feels like submitting but he might be a lowly omega but he isn't that weak and pathetic. “What are you gonna do, hit me? You wanna growl? Do it to someone who can take it, you stupid wolf.”

“Stop it!” a voice booms from the stairs.

Their father. Alpha Dagon descends slowly, his face tight with warning. “That’s enough. Both of you.”

Kieran steps back, breathing hard while Sage walks away.

“Your brother is an omega, speeding strong alpha pheromones like that affects him,” Alpha Dagon stares at Kieran with narrowed eyes.

“I will apologize to him later, I couldn't help it,” Kieran runs a hand through his blond hair.

Alpha Dagon places a hand over his shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “Your moods will be spiraling for days. It’s the shift. You will be angry, impulsive and act like a rabid wolf, it will be pulling at your soul but you need to get it under control, that's what makes you a true alpha.

“I know, I’m fine,” Kieran mutters. He has everything under control.