Chapter Nine

BACK IN LIGHTCREST PACK

The palace of the lightcrest pack was swarming with guests and elders from different packs. The palace walls, usually green and dull, was fully covered in fresh paint. Servants and maids could be seen running around to get things in place for the ceremony—the crowning of a new Alpha.

Marcus, the soon to be Alpha inspected the hallways every minute, his eyes pointing out everything that wasn’t perfect. After all, it was his big day. The day he would be made the Alpha of the pack.

The ceremony was slated to start by noon and it was only quarter past ten but Marcus was shivering with nervousness in his room. It was not easy to lead a pack, of course, but it was far harder when the previous Alpha was still alive.

“You know you don’t have to be scared of him.” His mate, Lilian told him as she wrapped her arms around him. He pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her lips.

“I know.” He ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. “It’s just that this is the first time that something like this is happening. You know Alexander is a very spiteful soul when he’s angered. I fear that his jealousy may cause him to do something dangerous.”

Lilian sighed and plopped herself down the bed. “So what do you want to do? You can’t step down, can you? I don’t care about the title of Luna. I just want you to be safe.”

“But I want to be the Alpha.” Marcus admitted. “I want to be better than Alexander. I know I can lead this pack the best way if I’m given a chance.”

Marcus, three years younger than Alexander, was dedicated to the pack. They had grown up as friends, each born into royalty. They attended the same high school, drank in clubs together, and sometimes even shared the same women. That was all before Marcus found Lilian and Alexander was made the Alpha.

“Just be careful around him. He might act like he’s unbothered about your new position but you have to keep an eye on him.” Lilian advised. “Now, let me calm your nerves.”

She inched closer to him and pressed her lips to his. Marcus shut his eyes, convincing himself that she was all he needed. That if he stayed close to her, plundering her wet lips, that everything would be okay.

Determined to push all the negative thoughts out of his mind completely, Marcus lifted Lilian to the bed and began to deepen their kiss. The wind was blowing gently outside but he was far lost in her.

He let his fingers wander under her dress and they grazed the lines of her panties, causing her to squirm. “Take them off.” He whispered in her ears.

“But you have only an hour before the ceremony. Don’t you think we should do this after?” She gave him an awkward smile, while still running her fingers down his chest.

“The ceremony can wait.” He breathed, kissing down her neck. “Right now, I just want to bury myself in you and forget about everything.”

She giggled and parted her legs to welcome him. Marcus quickly began to unfasten the belt around his trousers. He lowered himself to kiss her, his fingers circling her clit.

“Hold on..” Lilian gently pushed him off when a knock sounded on the door. It was a faint sound, barely audible and they both paused to listen. The knock came again, still faint like a toddler was playing at the door.

“Shhhhh.” Marcus motioned to Lilian with a hand on his lips. “Who is there?” He called out, grabbing a hammer on top of the wardrobe.

There was an initial silence from the other end before the knock came again. Lilian’s heart was thumping in her chest, afraid that they might be under attack.

“I’m not going to ask again. Who’s there?” Marcus positioned himself at the edge of the door, holding the hammer firmly. He was ready to strike anybody who came through the door down.

But then, he heard a chuckle, a familiar voice he could always detect. “Seriously? I know you guys are in there. Stop fucking each other and let me in. I have something to discuss with you.”

Marcus exhaled and shook his head. “You really know how to spook me.” He said, opening the door to welcome Alexander.

Alexander walked in, a maid following him gently with a tray. On the tray was Marcus’s favorite wine and three glass cups. “I’m sorry for interrupting anything.” He winked at Marcus. “I know you two are like rabbits. But I’ve come to celebrate you before the main ceremony.”

“That is so thoughtful, Alex.” Marcus replied, hugging him briefly. “Today has really been suffocating for me. I think a glass of wine is what I truly needed.”

Lilian faked a smile, shifting uncomfortably because of the negative energy she could detect from Alexander. Although he had a convincing smile, she could tell that something wasn’t quite right with him.

“You’ve got to be careful.” She whispered to Marcus through their mind link. “I can sense negative energy from him.”

But Marcus was too excited that Alexander had even paid him a visit. Convinced that he was angry about his new position, a visit from Alexander seemed like a positive way to declare that peace still existed between them.

“Don’t worry about it.” He told Lilian. “You’re just tensed.” He dismissed her warning casually, neglecting the discomfort their wolves shared.

Marcus dismissed the maid and poured the wine into the three glass cups. He handed Marcus and Lilian their glasses and held one back. With a smile on his face, he patted Marcus’ back.

“Let’s toast to the new Alpha of this pack.” Alexander announced. “You’ve been my friend right from basic school. If there’s anyone I can entrust this pack to, it’s definitely you. Let’s toast to Marcus!”

“Toast.” They all chorused. Alexander was the first to take a large gulp of his wine, convincing Marcus that there was nothing to worry about. That Lilian was merely suspicious.

After downing the first glass, Alexander poured them a second which they sipped down as well. “You know, when we were in high school, I could swear that you were jealous of me. You dressed the way I did and even hung out with the girls who were only interested in talking to me.” Alexander chuckled as he spoke but Marcus didn’t find his statement quite funny.

“That was a long time ago. We were both childish and immature.” Marcus replied, taking a sip of his wine.

“No!” Alexander’s voice became deeper. “You were immature. You wanted everything I had even up till now.” He laughed, then continued. “You think you can be made Alpha of this pack, huh? I doubt that.”

“Alexander, what are you say—” Lilian rose to her feet but fuzzily fell back to the bed. She looked down at her hands which were trembling as she held the glass. Each passing second, it felt like the glass was suddenly heavier than her hand. Shaking with tears in her eyes, she glanced up at Alexander. “What did you do?”

Marcus rushed to her and held her up before she collapsed on the bed. He lifted her head to meet his face and gasped when he realized what was happening to her.

Blood seeped through Lilian’s nose and eyes slowly. Her body was burning like hot charcoal and blood was threatening to explode from the tip of her fingers.

Shaking, Marcus turned to Alexander who had an evil smile on his face. “What did you do to her?” He gulped, suddenly experiencing difficulty in speaking.

“You should start to feel the same symptoms in about 30 seconds.” Alexander replied, his eyes cold as stone. “I suggest you save your energy or you’ll die quickly.”

“You poi–poisoned us.” He breathed, then coughed, blood splatting from his mouth. “I trusted you.”

“Trust exists between friends. You, on the other hand, tried to steal my title from me.”

Marcus shook Lilian slightly, tears and blood streaming slowly from his eyes. “Please, stay with me.” He tried to lift her but his legs wobbled under the effect of the poison.

“It’s no use, Marcus.” Alexander admitted. “You took a good amount of wolfsbane. There’s nothing you can do for her or yourself.”

Lilian reached out to touch Marcus’ face. “Mar–cus. I love–” her hands fell back to the bed and she lost her pulse.

“No. No.” Marcus begged weakly, crying with the last strength in him. “Don’t leave me.” He hugged Lilian tightly, her blood stained face smearing his clothes.

“Don’t worry, you’ll join her soon enough.” Alexander sneered, then watched as Marcus took his last breath. He touched his chest to confirm he was dead and smiled in satisfaction. “No one will take this pack from me. Not even you, Marcus.” He spat on their dead bodies.