Chapter 2: Back To Pack 

(Ares POV)

I bade goodbye to my best friend Deren and my boyfriend, Ellen. Although Ellen asked me if he can accompany me but I refused his offer for two reasons. One, I wasn’t ready to introduce him to my family because I am not sure about their reaction. Secondly, I don’t want to accept him after his constant mistakes. I tried to brush them off by saying that It was just in my head or probably I am overthinking again but In reality, Deren's words stuck me on a deeper level this time. I really deserve someone better and someone loyal after all. I am not sure how my family will react after looking at me as a full-grown male. It's been four years since I came to NYC for study purposes. I completed the process and entered in the plane. After securing my belt I put my head on the backrest and started thinking about my family. 

*

*

*

(Four years ago)

*

*

*

“Dad! Please try to understand. It is not what you are thinking,” I tried to explain again but got a hard punch square in my jaws. 

“You are nothing but just an embarrassment to me. How could you do that? I am the alpha of this pack and as my son, Everyone knew about you very well. What would they think about me?” He said in an angry tone and my heart broke after hearing his harsh words. 

“What happened?” My mother came running towards me after hearing my father’s angry voice. 

“Nothing! I just found our that Ares is the curse of my life,” I looked towards him in disbelief and tears welled up in my eyes. His harsh words were hurting my heart. 

“Dad! Why are you scolding him again? Please spare my poor brother for a few minutes,” My brother and next in line alpha, Rowan Randopl came to my rescue as usual. 

“Oh please, young boy! I am not crazy yet, so no need to act like this. You always jumped to defend your brother when you didn't even know his mistake yet. 

Okay! Then tell me what he did now to deserve such treatment?” He asked in an annoyed tone while crossing his hands on his chest. 

“He was kissing a boy on the training grounds. I was checking on all the warriors when I caught this punk red-handed,” He said while pointing his finger toward me with pure disgust. 

“WHAT?? Is it true?” Rowan asked and I nodded slowly while guilt was cutting my heart open. I wanted to explain all this to my family but they were not looking ready to hear any of my explanations. 

“Huh? How could this be possible, Ares? You have feelings for a man. I think, It is not normal and you have to see a doctor or maybe a psychiatrist,” He said in a worried and concerned tone while raking his fingers in his hair. 

“No, brother! It is just…umm…My sexual orientation is slightly different from yours. There is nothing wrong with this at all. I am not ready to hide my identity because it is who am I. I don’t think, My sexual orientation will change my love towards you as a brother or make me a less son of my mother, Right?” I explained and he nodded hesitantly. It is all new for my mother as well but she didn’t refuse to accept me as his son but dad glared at me. 

“Dad, I know it is all new for you but…” I was about to explain myself to him when he slapped me hard on my face and startled everyone with his harsh reaction. 

“I will not accept a piece of sh*t like you as my son. I only have one son from now on. You… are not my son. I will not accept trash in the name of a son,” He said and spat beside me with disgust. My eyes stung with unshed tears but I refused to show my weakness in front of him and stood firmly on my ground. I was not wrong at all but his thinking was too conservative. 

“Ares! I think he is not ready to…” Mom tried to explain dad’s harsh reaction to me but I didn’t look at her and ran towards my room. I locked myself in my room for the next week and then dad dropped another bomb on my head. 

“I will not bear your filthy existence in this pack anymore. I already booked a ticket for you. I will tell everyone that you are going abroad for higher studies,” He announced while throwing the ticket, My passport, and the admission form of the university. I didn’t look at it twice. One thing was sure Rowan and My mother accepted me as I am but Dad was not ready to accept me and even denied my whole existence. Although, My heart was bleeding but I didn’t dare to show any kind of pain on my face. 

“Ares! Your father is a bit angry at this moment but I am sure that he will accept you with the passage of time,” My mother, Luna Athena, tried to console my pain but I know better that he will not be going to change even in the next ten or twenty years. He is just like that, His reputation is more important to him than the happiness of his own child.

*

*

*

“Please switch off your devices as we are ready to…” I opened my eyes as they started announcing that we are about to land. I blew out before rubbing my eyes to remove the remains of sleep. I didn’t realize that we reached the destination so fast. Al the memories of the past were still fresh in my mind. I hope, My father will not show any type of hatred in front of everyone. I take a deep breath before getting up from my seat and headed towards outside. As soon as I stepped out of the plane, A nostalgic feeling hit me hard and My gut feeling was telling me that this trip will change my life. I don’t know if It will be a good change or bad but I know, Something is going to happen soon…very soon.