Prologue

It was all dark and cool in the Andromeda. Star light in the night sky shone brightly, sending life to all in Eptomaniac. The three year old wolf camp had just had the honor once again to have a change of rulership, at the death of the former Djhord- an Alpha named Lucian Kian, the Alpha wolf of light, as he was so named. Wolf howling in the distance resounded over the wide surrounding slopes, crowning the night ceremony as the newly made Djhord- Lothaire, an Alpha wolf was led to the grand palace, shouting, hooting and howling of various wolves followed him homewards.

Not so far off, at the Keitonial hill, in a hideout which was only known to him, Ziegler, brother to the newly crowned Alpha wolf sat on a stone in the deep woods in the company of idlers planning an attack to usurp the throne of the newly made Alpha before he could be sworn in. News of the crowning at Borshire reaches the jealous elder brother from a young spy, forcing him to pace up and down, trampling on the wet grass below his feet.

The rivalry between the twins Alpha brothers started from the womb. The rivalry had become so intense that no one would not expect anarchy at the crowning day, and more so at the crowning of the younger, calmer Lothaire over the arrogant Ziegler. The death of the good old Alpha Djhord meant an end to the life of peace in Eptomanic.

“What the hell do I do to prevent this crook from taking over my place as Crowned Djhord?!”

“My Alpha, we have done everything you have asked us to do…”

“Shut up, scoundrel! If you do not complete this work to my satisfaction you will be the one who will get these claws of mine. Go off quickly to Jamura and ask him to be ready to implement the plan. Go now!”

"Certainly, Sire, but what will happen if your brother changes his mind and comes to kill you?" asked a wolf.

"Yes, you know, Sire, the killing of a rival according to the the rules of the Alpha Lords is totally accepted. What if he finds out our plan before we strike."

"Let me let you all know, in case there be a traitor among you, no one will ever be able to take away my place. As for the fool, Lothaire, he trust me so much, there is nothing to fear."

The wolf who had acted as spy took on his wolf form and left the company, headed towards the palace.

“Is it by the rules anywhere, brethren" continued the Alpha, "that the younger beats the older?”

“No Sire.” Many of the men chorused.

“Will young Lothaire keep the throne why I am stuck as next in line? But with one small accident, I will take my rightful place on the throne.”

“But Sire…your father and the Alpha Lords have agreed to have him rule Eptomaniac. Why do you want to go against the covenant rules of the Alpha Lords?”

“To hell with the damn rules. I must rule Eptomaniac, whether anyone likes it or not. I don’t care. Why do they themselves not set rules and live by them. The older of a pair takes the crown. How dare them appoint Lothaire? Has it been done anywhere at anytime, ever since we left our place on earth? To hell with the Alpha Lords!”

"Sire, please for your life, lower your voice. They hear and see everything now. Especially as the Alpha Supreme has made himself immortal, and he is now a God, our God, Sire."

"Shut up! What in hell do you know, Farugi? The Alpha Supreme was not even born a wolf. He uses such ideology to blur your senses and keep you under his powers."

The other wolves present shut their ears not to get involved in the blasphemy coming out of the mouth of the Alpha. But Ziegler wasn't done yet.

"Why do you shut your ears, scoundrels?" he asked in annoyance, "I challenge the Alpha Supreme."

Suddenly, as he spoke those words a mist enveloped him. When it cleared, all was dark. Ziegler tried to get in control of the situation, his emotions driving him into a frenzy, finding himself in an empty room, when he heard his father’s voice.

“He is your brother, Ziegler.” said Lord Lucian in a deep rumble of an ancient, lifeless voice that shook the dark empty room in its echo. “Your respect for me as your Lord and the respect you owe him as the new Crown Djhord should motivate you to serve him as you should, otherwise, you incur the wrath of the Alpha Lords. And besides, contrary to all expectations and the custom we had been keeping, Lothaire let you live. You should be grateful for that, for honestly speaking, you don’t deserve it.”

“But, Lord Lucian…”

“Enough! Now, leave my presence at once.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Remember, Ziegler, that even if you are a Djhord yourself, you are not permitted to go against the chosen of the Alpha Lords, even in the least matter or else you face the consequence. Understand?”

“Yes, father.”

“Call me Lord Lucian.”

“Yes of course. I forgot for a moment.”

“Go and join the coronation at once.”

******

Wine was spilled all over the reception hall. The dance floor was filled all over with males and females wolves who were swirling, twisting and turning to the high rock music, intoxicated with the joy that radiated from a happy atmosphere. Music and wine was the way they lived in Eptomaniac, and they lived up to their identity. 

At the entrances, several guard wolves in their wolf forms took their positions to guard the place, while the rest of the people took on their human form. War cries were often heard in the distance as knight wolves battled for dominance, for the prized opportunity to become the Djhord's personal bodyguard.

Food was generally neglected in Eptomaniac, for the strange werewolves did not live on food. However, at such grand occasions as this one, eating for the pleasure was the way the werewolves deemed necessary to have a great time.

Sheikh Jamura, looked about him awaiting the signal from the Alpha brother of the Crowned Djhord. Standing with the foremost attendant to the newly crowned Djhord at the head of the table, he prayed hard that the plan will work and that Alpha Lothaire would have a sip of the poisoned wine before taking the blessings of the Alpha Lords.

Djhords were said to have powers to sense danger after the ceremony of inauguration and the blessing of the Alpha Lords. The staff of the Djhords  were said to give them mystical powers, which made it difficult to kill a Djhord. Djhords who complied with the rules and won the heart of the Alpha Lords were given the crown of life, and a place in Borshire.

Strange too to faithful Jamura, Alpha Ziegler, who was not supposed to be present at the coronation according to the plan, showed up and sat close to the accursed brother in friendly discussion. How evil can Ziegler be? Sitting close to his prey and making him feel at home.

The priest ascended to the throne. Jamura followed him, griping tight to the dagger he held on his loin. The priest was an elderly Beta who had lived on earth before the forming of Wolf camp. Holding the golden goblet in hand, he presented it to the Crowned Alpha who took in the whole from the cup without feeling a thing. Sheikh Jamura was stunned! How could it be? He wondered what would happen to him if the Alpha’s brother finds out that the wine had done nothing to claim the prize. He glanced for a moment at Ziegler, who seemed to be enjoying the moment more than any other.

So strange! Why was there no look of annoyance, no sign of frustration, and no look of disappointment? The Ziegler he knew was very different from the one sitting at the head of the table beside his brother, in utmost joy. Ziegler must be the coldest murderer among humankind to watch his plan fail and still keep his good humour. But, whatever it was, he should be ready with the second plan. Relying heavily on the dagger he held in hand he moved towards the Alpha.

“With this wine, and with the foremost permission of the Alpha Lords, I hereby hand over to the new Djhord the Staff of the Gods. May the Alpha Supreme bless..."

It was but for a moment, but that precious moment could not be over estimated. The Sheikh exploded from the corner and struck the Alpha Lothaire, just as he stretched out his hand to receive the Staff. Chaos broke out as the Alpha’s brother, Ziegler, strikes Jamura to prove his innocence of the accusation.

Unfortunately for the Alpha brother, he had not seen the Sheikh all through the ceremony, and had prepared himself to defend his brother by standing by him throughout the entire ceremony. No one saw the Sheikh appear from behind and strike the unsuspecting Alpha. But there was the dead Alpha werewolf with the smile of the happiness of the occasion still on his dead face, and the totally baffled brother standing beside his body and that of the formally respected statesman.

“I can prove my innocence before the crowds, but what can I do before the invisible force of darkness, brought about by the continuous power of the Alpha Lords?"