Chapter 2: Hate And Fear

The smell filled Kendrick's nostrils before he could open his eyes. Snapping out of his slumber he sat up as his wolf struggled to come out.

He sat still for a while trying to calm his wolf. "It's not here."

His wolf quieted down, letting out sad whimpers as he rushed to wear his clothes. He stepped out of his house and squinted, the sun shone very brightly, and he could almost feel his skin sizzling. 

A glance at his wristwatch revealed it was still early in the morning, the road was bustling with people all around. 

Has there been another death?

He stood in front of his house as he tried to pick where the smell came from. It was the river, it was close to his house so he walked hurriedly to the direction. 

The smell became stronger as he picked a familiar scent. Was that someone he knew?

His wolf peeped, channelling its energy into his legs as he burst into a run. He arrived at the river and gasped at the number of people looking at the body. He growled deeply, registering his presence. 

The wolves at the river all bared their necks in submission as they created a path for him to pass through. He walked through the path they had made and gasped as he saw the body. She lay stark naked with cuts all over her. 

The gory sight made him belch as his stomach contents threatened to spill out. He moved closer and saw her face. 

"Steph," he whispered.

She was a maid at the pack house. What was she doing by the river? 

He touched her hands trying to read her earlier memories. Kendrick closed his eyes as an image of her rustling through the bushes appeared in his head. 

He grimaced as he saw her view of the hidden wolf, the wolf was about to reveal itself when his father's voice echoed as his mind link popped open.

"You're not permitted to use your powers!" 

Kendrick groaned, clearly pissed at the interruption. 

A warm hand covered his hand on the lady's hand and he glanced up to look at his brother Collon. 

"You should get out of here," he warned coldly.

Kendrick yanked his hands away from his brother's hands as he walked away from the river. 

His dad had some explaining to do. He hurried home, hopped into his black BMW and drove to the pack house.

The doors were wide open, and releasing curse words he barged in, attracting the attention of the wolves in the house.

"Where's my father?" Kendrick demanded 

"I'm right here!" A voice thundered and he turned to face his dad. He watched as his father adjusted his robe and walked gently down the stairs. 

The packhouse was a very huge mansion which had enough rooms to contain thousands of wolves. It always bustled with activities before his father became the Alpha, and since he became the Alpha, he had moved everyone out, saying he needed privacy to rule effectively.

Though he didn't move members of his family, Kendrick had left in anger. He couldn't bear to live with a man as wicked as his father.

"Alpha Elton, Good morning!" He greeted his father when he finally got to the last step. His blood boiled as an image of the dead maid crossed his mind again.

She wasn't supposed to be dead if the Alpha had been considerate and allowed the Pack members to stay in the packhouse. The deaths could also have been avoided if he made peace with the other packs. His father ignored his greeting and sat on his huge oak chair.

He waved his hands and the wolves present filed out after bowing their heads to him. 

Kendrick turned to face him as his wolf growled, wanting to come out. 

His wolf's hatred was as deep as his own, he glared at the man who killed his mate, Kendrick's mother and sighed. 

Fighting his father would probably end his life. His mum, Luna Katarina, had been one of the best female fighters in their pack but his father had killed her mercilessly and in one slash of the throat. Kendrick detested his father so much.

"Why were you at the scene?" His father asked, surprising Kendrick. Was he insinuating that he should have ignored the smell of the blood and not done anything?

"I was representing you," he replied after a while. 

"I didn't ask to be represented!" His father yelled at him. The yelling had no effect as Kendrick moved closer to his father. 

"You should have thought twice before making me your beta," he yelled back, making sure to raise his voice louder. 

"You must have a death wish!" A cold voice snapped as his brother Collon walked in, leaving an aura in his wake. Kendrick hissed through his teeth.

His brother was as bad as his father when it came to the welfare of the pack members, his heart ached as he recalled the deaths in the previous months.

"It's been six months… We've been losing pack members for months!" Kendrick muttered, completely ignoring his brother.

"She disobeyed the order. Why go swimming in the middle of the night?" His father retorted and Kendrick couldn't help but shake his head. 

"It's a wolf city. She's supposed to be safe regardless of the time, she works as a pack maid, why wasn't she at the packhouse?" 

"She had her own accommodation."

"It's not safe, how long are you going to allow them to stay at danger's length?" 

Kendrick was becoming infuriated. His father had broken the bond that existed among the packs. Killing his mate, enthroning another Luna. 

The pack members had grown to hate and fear him. If something wasn't done, the strong warriors would all be dead leaving the weak and young ones. 

He decided that arguing with his Dad was a complete waste of his time. He turned to leave but paused and looked back... 

"Will you at least investigate the perpetrator?" He asked, hoping it would be looked into.

"No!" His father replied, slamming his heart into pieces as usual. "They disobeyed an order, death's the punishment," his father continued. 

Kendrick resisted the urge to fling a vase at him as he walked out of the packhouse. 

They were all going to die!