Chapter I

“For being shunned gives birth to pain, and pain alone morphs into damnation.”

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“My throat...”

The discomfort was painted all over his face as he massaged it.

“What about your throat?” Keilo asked.

“Nothing.”

Ceberus replied as he turned his back from his high rank.

Clearing his throat he started to walk in a clear area where his pack lay waiting. He could hear footsteps following him as he stood in front of his people. He greeted them.

Feeling slightly nervous that he could hardly breathe, he started.

“My people, listen well and listen carefully. I am standing before you as not your leader but your comrade and family. In the recent tragedies that have come, I am well aware of the sorrows, doubt, and fear that pierces through your heart, but let your wolf hunt tonight for this has been the day we have persevered and reclaimed our land. For evil is not far...” he cleared his throat as dread started settling in deep within him.

He was having a hard time breathing.

“And we have shown time and time again that we are immovable.”

He was getting dizzy. Faint murmurs started to dance through his ears. He had to finish quickly.

“For this coming night, we shall hunt and roam the lands not only to show freedom but our pride as well!”

People started clapping.

“We begin the feast!”

Then the people started half cheering and some started to roam around interacting.

He knew what they were thinking. As such recent events, time and time again, a battle between lands would start, people were starting to doubt him. He could sense as much. He walked towards his house.

Keilo started following him, nodding at his fellow high ranks.

“Ceber-”

“Don’t.”

He growled. As he walks towards his office, he hears Keilo close the door.

“They’re starting to question you.”

“I don’t wanna hear it.”

Keilo eyed him.

He saw how Ceberus started avoiding any eye contact with his officials during his speech and how he let his dark hair slightly cover his eyes. Brown eyes that held such knowledge and strategy. He sniffed.

“You have to do something about this.” He stated.

“Don’t you think I’m not!” Ceberus exclaimed. As he chugged water down his throat, sitting down with his head between his hands.

Keilo could see it. The sweat was trickling down his skin, the way he was heaving slightly.

He sneered.

Unbeknownst to Ceberus he couldn’t sense such malice being emitted by Keilo.

He was too busy trying to figure out what was wrong with his body. What had he eaten? Nothing. So why was his body like this?

“Keilo I-”

“You haven’t stepped up to the plate.”

His head snapped towards his high rank. He could see his battle scar running across his face, a part of his jawline mauled, left by the slaughter he did to their enemies. His hair was a golden buzz cut from being mended by his Sages. He could see the sneer he tried to hide.

He felt challenged. Slowly rising up from his seat. His feet were forcing him to steady.

“I’ve served and taken care of our people, Keilo.” He growled.

“But you have not led us into victory.” Keilo stepped forward and yelled.

“If I had not made that call we would have been damn!”

“It was not a gamble I was willing to take!” Ceberus snapped.

“Well I took it and looked where it brought us!” Keilo moved closer.

“To fucking victory.” As he got into Ceberus' face.

Ceberus roared as he threw Keilo off and ended up landing towards the shelf.

“It was not your fucking call to make. Our people were dying!” His claws started to emerge and yet sweat and dizziness were clouding his eyes, his anger only fueling it more.

“Your plan was to call for a stand still, and you think they would let us heal, rest up and gather more of our men in time?”

Keilo started to shake in anger, his fist closed and blood was flowing down on his palms as his claws started to emerge as well.

“He was offering a truce!” Ceberus growled as he slowly started to shift.

“And I ripped him apart just like I would do to you.” Keilo pounced.

Before Ceberus could shift Keilo had knocked him towards the window as glass fell on them.

Roaring Ceberus tried to free himself from the chokehold but he couldn’t.

His symptoms were getting worse. He tried to claw him but Keilo managed to grab his arm.

Snapped.

He screamed, and for a moment he couldn’t register what had happened.

“You are unfit to be the Alpha. It had been decided that you are unworthy.” Keilo whispered in his ear as he let Ceberus go, his head hitting the shards of glass. He was cradling his arm as he tried to sit up.

“The pack needs me.” He panted “If I had left and assigned someone to take care of them do you think they would manage the chaos.” He spat.