six

Alpha Jayden

"The Alpha would be here soon."

Hendrix informed Alpha Jayden and his escorts before exiting with a bow.

Alpha Jayden and his men sat in the luxurious waiting room of the Crystal Moon Pack's palace. Alpha Jayden scanned the waiting room, seeming awestruck. He was truly impressed, he thought the old fool(Alpha Heartman) had never been fashionable all through the time he knew him. It was surprising that he suddenly was now.

He got to his feet to take a better look at all the paintings and artifacts on the wall. He thumbed his beard and cocked his eyebrows, nodding at the grand decorations, not missing the beautiful chandeliers that hung from the ceiling.

The place was indeed glorious.

It spoke of royalty and strength which were not characteristics of the Alpha he knew.

"Alpha Jayden." His thoughts were cut off guard by the powerful voice that called out to him.

Jayden knitted his brows into a frown.

'That's weird, I didn't hear him come in.' Alpha Jayden thought to himself.

He turned towards where the voice had come from, and they all did.

"How wonderful of you to pay us a visit after all these years," The owner of the voice spoke.

Alpha Jayden stared in awe at the man making his way toward them. He was Alexander. He would never have recognized him if it wasn't for his eyes. They were green just like emeralds but they had a touch of red in them. They were different–unique.

Alpha Jayden narrowed his eyes; impressed at the man Alex had grown to become.

"Alexander, you're grown." He pointed out in amazement; a smile gracing his lips. He was no longer the little boy he knew who used to run around in nothing at all.

Alex awarded him with a slight nod, so slight he almost didn't notice it.

The man before Jayden radiated power. That much was obvious and Alpha Jayden felt its overwhelming force. He had to fight to even stay standing and he had to resist the urge to cower in his presence. His men however didn't possess such resistance as he did. They all had their heads bowed.

Who in the world was this boy?

"To what do I owe this visit?" Alex couldn't help but be cliché about the whole encounter. He never had to make many of them for which he was grateful–until now, that is.

The young man's face was void of emotions but strong and bold. Alpha Jayden had to wonder what he could be thinking.

The boy, scratch that, the man was nothing like his cowardly father.

"I'd like to speak to the Alpha."

He announced in a bid to dismiss his alluring presence. He didn't come all the way to gawk at how much Alexander had grown.

"He's right before you," Alex stated visibly getting impatient.

"You are the Alpha?" Alpha Jayden couldn't hide his surprise and confusion. He hadn't heard of Heartman's demise. News like that would have spread far across every country.

"Yes. Now, let's get to it, shall we?" Alex replied simply not explaining whatsoever why he was now the Alpha.

He made his way to his study, briskly. They had to shuffle quickly to keep up. Alex didn't bother turning to make sure they were following. They had to, they had no choice. Even their Alpha didn't have a choice in this case.

They arrived at his study and Jayden was pissed that he had been reduced by the young Alpha who paid him no attention while he tried to match his pace, scurrying behind him like a beggar.

Alex took his seat at his table and motioned for them to do the same in front of him. They all did except Alpha Jayden who stood glaring daggers at him.

"Why are five of my people dead, Alex?!" He yelled angrily trying to hold his ground. He wouldn't for long though.

"That would be Alpha to you." Alex corrected sternly. "And I don't see why I'm being questioned about your internal affairs."

Alex was surprised to know they'd also lost five people in their pack as well but he didn't show any emotions.

Alpha Jayden stood dumbfounded by his audacity.

"You-"

Alex cut him short, saying, "I have also lost five of my people."

He watched as emotions danced on the alpha's face. First confusion, and then surprise, and then understanding.

"Are you saying you didn't kill my people and I was misguided?" Alpha Jayden pushed up a questioning brow at Alex.

"What am I to gain from killing your people?" Alex replied with a question, already bored with the conversation.

Alpha Jayden stared at the space between them, thinking it through. He was certain Alex wouldn't lie and if he was lying then he was very good at it.

"And if I were as blinded by enmity just as you were, I would have charged at you as well," Alex stated.

They locked gazes for a minute before Alpha Jayden averted his gaze.

"Then who did?" Alpha Jayden thoughtfully

"Something you should be trying to find out in your Kingdom, Jayden." Alex shrugged.

Alpha Jayden felt like he was being scolded by his father for a minute before he quickly recovered. He was slowly becoming a quivering mess around this boy and decided he had to take his leave quickly before news spread of how feeble he was around this godlike man.

"Since you had nothing to do with the deaths, it'd be better if I take my leave." Alpha Jayden stated.

Jumping to his feet, he made his way briskly to the door and his escorts scurried behind him.

"Wait," Alex commanded, and against their will, they did.

"Let's have a meeting with the Great council tomorrow."

The authority in his voice was almost tangible and his words were law.

Alpha Jayden nodded and quickly walked out of his suffocating presence. The Alpha had always been a quiet man and charging at the young Alpha had taken all his willpower.

As they traveled back home, Alpha Jayden couldn't for the life of him wrap his head around what power the boy possessed. Could it be his wolf?

He didn't know wolves could emit a force so powerful.

There was a darkness that he could sense around the young Alpha. Staying around his daughter's bright aura was probably what had sharpened his mind to take note of the darkness, the malevolence that hovered over the young Alpha's aura or maybe it was simply the pain of losing five of his people that was clouding his judgment and causing him to imagine unreal things.

                        •••••••••

Alex Heartman

Alex was quick to get ready for the meeting with the council.

He had had little sleep, having stayed awake pondering what could have been happening.

He was however grateful he didn't, at least, he didn't have any nightmares.

He went with about six men. However, he didn't see the necessity to and Hendrix didn't either, but it was protocol.

As they traveled through the woods, he saw something moving with his peripheral vision and before he could react, an arrow came flying his way.

With the speed of light, a speed too fast for even a wolf, he dodged it and it pierced through the tree behind him instead.

His men all shifted swiftly to protect him. He almost scoffed at them. They could barely even protect themselves.

Another arrow came flying at him and he caught it, piercing his gaze at it to examine it for a bit.

'It was poisoned,' he thought.

He let his eyes trace the angle from where the arrow had come and saw a man in a green cape with its hood covering his face, only his eery amber eyes were in the show. The man had another arrow pointed at Alex. When they locked gazes, the man widened his eyes in surprise to see that Alex had seen him as he was safely hidden very far behind a tree. No person or wolves should have spotted or even been able to smell him.

He took off into the woods in fear and Alex followed with a thumping heart; desperate for his blood. Alex was enraged by the amateurish attempt to take his life. He raced in his human form and easily caught up to him.

The man seemed to be mumbling some words of a language Alex have never heard. Alex extended his hand; about to grab him, but the man vanished into thin air leaving Alex in utter confusion.