Chapter 2

"The missive requesting your presence at the upcoming mating ball was delivered to you some time ago, esteemed Alpha. Do you have any plans to attend?" The Beta told Alpha Nero Aimillios Astadel.

The Alpha towered at six feet and two inches, his commanding presence accentuated by the piercing cool orbs that were his eyes, as black as the night sky. The gaze of a prominent Greek deity.

His lips were a deep shade of red, full and inviting, as if begging to be kissed. His nose, long and pointed, had a captivating quality that drew you in, leaving you unable to look away.

At first glance, he presents himself as an angelic figure, but upon closer look, his true nature is revealed as that of a devilish being.

The Alpha let out a derisive snort, dismissing the words of his Beta. Without a second thought, he extended his razor-sharp claws and lunged forward, striking the criminal who dared to threaten the safety of his city.

His reputation preceded him, for he was known to be a man of unyielding cruelty and an icy demeanor that sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to cross his path.

The city he resided in was renowned for its impeccable safety and orderliness, surpassing all other cities in the country.

In the realm of law and order, transgressors were met with a stern hand of justice. The magnitude of their wrongdoing was the key factor in determining the gravity of their punishment.

In the land of Alpha Astadel, justice is meted out with a strict adherence to the ancient law of retribution - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Retribution shall befall the criminal in kind for his transgressions. The law of retribution was clear: any creature that dared to steal would face the sharp edge of the blade, and any that dared to take a life would meet the same fate.

As the Alpha of the largest city, Nero knew that he had to lead with an iron fist in order to protect his people.

The principle of the strong prevailing over the weak is deeply ingrained in his psyche. It is for this reason that the Alpha finds himself seething with anger whenever he receives an invitation to attend the annual mating ball for humans and lycans.

For him, sifting through the ranks of feeble lycans and mere humans to find a suitable mate was a fruitless endeavor. Preferring to inflict agony upon the malefactors within his jurisdiction, he found himself disinclined to attend the frivolous ball.

"The council awaits your arrival, Alpha," spoke his Beta.

Alpha Nero ceased the whipping of the mortal and fixed his gaze upon his Beta.

"Rett, tell them to f*ck-off," Alpha Nero replied seriously to his Beta.

Beta Rett Redwoods let out a deep sigh and cast a solemn gaze towards his Alpha. "As much as I want to say those words to them, Alpha, you know I can't." Beta let out a deep sigh, the weight of the world seeming to press down on their shoulders.

Nero's fury consumed him, and without a second thought, he lashed out with a swift kick at the criminal's prone form. Tension rippled through his body as his jaw clenched tightly. Once more, the incessant meddling of the Lycans and Humans Council had managed to ruffle his feathers.

The weight of expectation bore down heavily upon him, urging him to embark upon the quest for a suitable mate. Yet, he found himself at a loss, for none among the humans and lycans he was destined to encounter caught his eye.

In his assessment of the situation they were all lacking in strength and fortitude.

At the ripe old age of one hundred and twenty-five, he had lost track of the countless occasions he had attended that tedious gathering. A lycan in Nero's day would be around the age of thirty or so in today's society.

He was keenly aware of the rumors that were circulating from various sources. Certain claims held veracity, while others lacked it. His city was all that mattered to him, and he didn't mind.

"D*mn," he muttered once more, his frustration palpable.

Without so much as a word to Rett, he turned his attention back to the criminal and resumed the torture with a fierce determination.  "Where will it be held?" Alpha Nero grumbled.

The Beta pondered for a moment, scratching its head before finally responding.

In Rett's experience, Alpha only makes a brief appearance before disappearing again. It will put the city before choosing a mate.

"In South East City, Alpha. The council has drawn lots, so there is nothing for us to worry about," replied the Beta.

"That is perfectly acceptable," he uttered. The metropolis under his jurisdiction lies in the region of the North West.

Alpha Nero had a strong aversion towards visitors who dared to disturb the tranquility and harmony of his domain. He cast a disdainful glance, contemplating the possibility of inflicting severe physical harm upon them should the situation escalate any further.

He had toiled relentlessly to build his reputation, and the mere thought of someone else tarnishing it was unbearable. He remained indifferent to the opinions of others, for his heart was consumed with a deep reverence for the city that had been entrusted to his forefathers and had remained under their watchful eye for generations.

"Convey to the council that my presence shall be there," spoke Alpha Nero to his Beta. Beta Rett gave a nod of relief. At the very least, the council would refrain from incessantly calling upon him to inquire about his Alpha.

"Now, go out, Rett. I am not done here. Go back to your duties," he snarled, dismissing his Beta. Rett bowed in submission.

"Noted, Alpha," he said, shaking his head, his voice heavy with disappointment.

Alpha Nero found himself confined within the walls of a dimly lit room, situated deep within the confines of the city jail. It was here that he was tasked with carrying out the punishment of those who had been found guilty of their transgressions.

The lycan, with its supernatural abilities, boasts a lifespan that far surpasses that of mere mortals. At times, they are known to live up to six hundred years. Hence, the yearning for an extended existence is a universal human aspiration.

In the case of lycans, the desire is even more pronounced, for when a lycan imprints upon its chosen mate, it gains the ability to age at a decelerated pace, in sync with its beloved.

Nero was resolute in his determination to select a mate who possessed strength, adherence to law, and unwavering certainty. He was determined to select a mate who was dependable and trustworthy, unwilling to settle for anything less than a partner who could be counted on through thick and thin.

He yearned for a mate who embodied both trustworthiness and strength, one who possessed the ability to defend herself when necessary. He yearns for a partner who possesses the fortitude to stand by his side in times of conflict and defend themselves when necessary, eschewing any inclination towards fragility or helplessness.

"F*ck!" Alpha Nero seethed with annoyance.

He longed to avert his gaze from the frenzied spectacle of the mating ball, yet the watchful eyes of the council's elders held him captive.

The Alpha, with a cruel demeanor, unleashed his wrath upon the hapless criminal. The criminal killed his wife and had even fled from the clutches of law enforcement, a fact that served only to further incense Nero.

Every person who worked in every metropolis was under the direct employ of their respective Alpha. The Alpha, with a firm grip on the reins of power, oversees every aspect of their people's affairs, from the very foundations to the ripest fruits of their needs and concerns.

The Alpha's voice was low and menacing as he whispered into the criminal's ear, "Your life will come to an end if you dare to commit another murder."

A shiver ran down the criminal's spine. With his tongue severed, the unfortunate person found himself unable to let out even a single scream.

The culprit stood frozen, his body drenched in perspiration brought on by an overwhelming sense of dread. His body trembled uncontrollably, and each breath was a struggle.

Alpha Nero had shed his fear of getting blood on his hands, recognizing the harsh reality that not every lycan was destined for sainthood.

With a menacing growl, the Alpha traced his razor-sharp claws down the criminal's shoulder and along his back. The agonizing sensation relentlessly gnaws at the criminal's flesh.

Only a handful of criminals are incarcerated. Among the incarcerated were those with minor charges, forced to bear witness to the daily executions of their fellow inmates, all of whom had been convicted of heinous crimes.

"You are well aware of my fairness," he stated. "Criminals, be they human or lycan, must face the consequences of their actions," His voice reverberated through the prison walls as he let out a deafening yell.

The criminals within sought refuge from the watchful eye of the Alpha. The haunting scenes they have beheld will undoubtedly plague their dreams.

The Alpha's sharp claws repeatedly raked across the criminal's flesh. The man exerted more pressure with his sharp claws, intensifying the pain. Alpha had even taken its eyes.

The crimson liquid trickled from the creature's eyes, tracing a path down its cheeks and pooling at the base of its neck. Silent it remained, yet its mournful cries and desperate pleas echoed through the air.

Alpha Nero let out a derisive snort before swiftly severing the criminal's neck with his bare hands. The Alpha strode away with purpose, not once glancing back at the confines of the jail.

He stepped out into the open air, feeling the cool breeze brush against his skin as he made his way to the washroom. After cleansing his hands, he made his way back to his office, where he knew his trusted Beta awaited his return.

The piercing gaze emanating from his eyes was so frigid that his subordinates dared not meet his stare.

Inside the grandeur of his mansion, his office was meticulously arranged. As he stepped into the room, he made his way towards the chair and sank into it, his gaze averted from his Beta.

His annoyance with Rett was noticeable, and he found himself struggling to divert his attention away from the Beta. Despite his efforts, he couldn't help but notice how skilled this individual was at getting under his skin and provoking him.

"Are you sure you're not going to pick a mate in this ball, Alpha?"