CHAPTER 2: THE LOST HEIR

CHAPTER 2

DAMIAN’S POV

I have been in the training ground since the early hours of the morning, and dare I say I am nowhere  near satisfied.

I am training with Rowan my step brother. We use to hate each other but now he is someone I am willing to tolerate. I won’t say I love him, but I don’t mind his company.

My father married Rowan’s mom after my beloved mom died when I was six. A few months later, he remarried—telling me, or maybe himself, that I needed a mom.

But I don’t need a mom. I have never seen Ophelia has my mom, and I will never see her has one.

No one can replace my mom. Her memories may be a bit hazy now, but I still love her.

Rowan knows I dislike his mother and only respect her for his sake. But he also hates my dad. I mean we both hate my dad.

Rowan trains with me so he can get better in hand to hand combat, but right now, he his willing to be by punching bag.

I have been in disarray since last night news.

I wasn’t going to be the next alpha.

How is that possible? It shouldn’t be. I have been preparing for this position as long as I can remember.

At first, I thought, Rowan’s name was going to be called. If it were to be Rowan, I wouldn’t be bothered, because I know that during the trial by combat, I could claim back my rights.

At the gathering of the elder council, Spiritfang—the revered leader—announced that my uncle had an heir. My uncle had been  dead a long time ago and during his reign, when married to his beautiful Luna, they had two kids which we believed to be dead.

So I don’t understand who this heir his and where he’s coming from. 

I am pushing so much anger unto Rowan, but he is not complaining.

My body, though, is already exhausted,and I know I need to stop— for my sake and also to let Rowan breath. 

He wants to talk. His face has been hinting at that for a while, but he doesn’t want to because he knows better than to talk to me  until I am calm. But I don’t know when I’ll be calm.

Rowan is exhausted.

The sun hung low,showing that we had been at it for long time.

My strike came fast, raw and hard—filled with every bit of anger I was feeling. Rowan blocked, his forearms already bruising from the last exchange.

“Easy” Rowan grunted. 

Taking my hand, twisting it behind my back, hooking my other arm around his neck, and flipping him over.

“Fuck, you are going to have to stop eventually,” he said, getting to his feet.

I didn’t respond to him. I only hit harder, ready to throw another punch, but he dodged  and landed a blow on my face, bruising  my lip.

“Shit, man, you are going to have to tell me what’s going on.”

I ignored him, ready to hit him again but my steps faltered—my body hinting that I should stop.

Then I fell on my back.

“You done?”Rowan asked.

I laughed, half breath,half sob.” Yeah…I’m done.”

Rowan sat on the ground next to me, saying nothing for a while.

“I’m not next in line, some lost kid my uncle has is going to lead,” I said.

“Hmmm…., who is this kid?” Rowan asked.

“Some kid named Raven,” I replied.  He is in the human world. They are sending Orion after him. It’s going to take sometime to locate him.

But he will come. He can’t stay a werewolf in the human world. He will kill a lot of people that way. He  probably already has.

“You know—“

Whatever Rowan was going to say was cut short by the arrival of Vera, our little sister—the only being we truly  love.

“It’s time for dinner!” she came in shouting at the top of her lungs.

She ran towards me, her stuffed bear in one hand, and I sat up, lifting her in my lap.

“Wow, who knew a seven year old could scream so loud,” I said, tickling her.

“Stop! Stop!” she said laughing and screaming.

“Mima said you both didn’t have breakfast, so I came to get you for dinner. You are both going to need a shower first, though, before sitting at the table,” She said, getting up. “You both stink.”

“Really? Do you want to smell me” Rowan said lifting her above his head.

“Ewwww! Put me down!” She shrieked and kicked.

“And how many times have I told you not to come in here? It’s not safe you could get hit.” I scolded.

“You have been here for so long and I was getting bored. Sorry,” she said pouting.

Rowan set her down, and both of them turned to leave the training ground.

“You coming?” Rowan asked, looking over his shoulder.

“Yeah, just a minute,” I replied.

I sat there a while after they left.

The anger no less subsided, I can’t to see the bastard they bring.

I got up and left the training ground.

The training grounds weren’t far from the palace kitchen. Entering  into the kitchen from the back door.

The scent of baking bread roasted meat filled my nose and my stomach grumbled— reminding me of the fact that I hadn’t eaten since this morning.

Mima looked up from the stove, where she mixing something that seems like her special apple sauce in a pot.

“Come here and have a bun, you must be starving,” she said, getting up to fetch one. She passed by Rowanwho was perched against the counter with Vera at his side.

I have lived in this palace since the last alpha—my uncle—died amd  father took over.

But this place has never felt like home.Except the kitchen though.

Mima has always been the closetest thing  to my mom. She tended to my wounds—both from my father’s punishment and the from the fights I started just to get my father and Ophelia infuriated.

I stepped further into the kitchen, the maids looking from whatever they are doing at Rowan and me.

Maybe for the fact we were shirtless or because of how filthy we looked.

“Don’t bother sitting in my kitchen. You are both too dirty to be here—I cook in this place,” Mima says pushing a bun into my hands and nudging us out of the kitchen.