CHAPTER 5

Damien's POV

"Lycan Apex? That… That wasn't possible. Is it true?" I asked Echo who was already running towards my dad.

Echo leaped onto my father's wolf, slashing his belly with his claws. Dad's wolf was sent flying, leaving marks on the floor as he landed at the other side of the room.

The power behind Echo's attack stunned me. He seemed weightless, like an empty jar. A surge of strength rushed through me, making me feel like a muscular, powerful male.

I felt like an Alpha!!

Everything in that room immediately seemed to obey me. Even as little as the books that lay on my father's table. Or was it just an illusion? Echo roared loudly, sending vibrations of anger and despair round the whole room.

My father slowly shifted to human, grabbing his clothes to cover himself. He looked pretty wounded. He was panting heavily.

I then shifted too. Slowly, I came to my human form. I walked slowly to my father. I felt a slight pang of guilt in me. But it didn't last long. I was never going to feel sorry for anyone, especially not a wicked Villain like me.

"Hahahaha… Damien! Look at you. All grown up. Ready to be an Alpha. What were you thinking? That you would run somewhere, away from your pack? Away from your responsibility? Tell me, who's the villain here? Haha"

I remained silent. All I could hear in my head was the truth that came out from his mouth.

"Listen up, kid," he wheezed, "you can't dodge these dark truths. Embrace them, live with 'em. Those sacrifices, all for you, Damien. Can't you see? Think your wolf's some Moon Goddess present?"

I stayed quiet, letting the room's dimness fill my thoughts. Was he right? Did those sacrifices lead to my Lycan Apex?

Nah, it didn't matter now. My life was already messed up, thanks to him. To all of them!

"That gift ain't for the worthy. Just a payoff for our sacrifices. In the end, you'll lose those you love the most!"

While I stood there watching him struggle to blurt those hurtful but seemingly true words from his mouth, he dipped his hand into the inner pocket of his suit and pulled out a pistol. The gun looked familiar. Yes! Silver bullet.

I began to step back as he raised the gun at me.

"Do you.. do you want to kill your own son now, Derek? Huh? Is this it?" Uncle Mason snarled in pain.

My father then took the gun from my direction and pointed it to the Beta. "I'm sorry man. There's no fucking point!"

Suddenly, like a storm tearing through the silence, I heard a gunshot twice. One bullet went straight to uncle Mason's abdomen and the other went to….

My father's head. He shot himself and his brother.

I felt my heart….. I felt nothing. I was supposed to cry and wail like I always did, or scream for help, but… I couldn't. My heart told me to remain still. That this was the right thing that was supposed to happen.

I quickly ran up to Uncle Mason who was still struggling with the blood pouring from his mouth and nose.

"Let… let me see him one more time!" He whispered in pain, then his wolf growled in agony.

Gradually, I shifted. Echo took over.

"It's… it's beautiful. But your eyes, your eyes are sad, wolf. You're in pain. You're in anguish. You…" he coughs again "you have to get freed!" Mason gently washed his hand down Echo's fur, then he placed his forehead on mine. Where…

Where he died.

As his body became helpless, I allowed him to fall freely into my arms as I gently shifted into human. I was strong enough to hold him. My muscles had added. I had more biceps now. My arms were bigger than usual.

As uncle Mason's body lay helpless on my arms, I could only think of one thing. "What next?"

First, I lost the love of my life, Clara. My… my love. Then, I lost my grandmother, mamah Nora. And now, here's my uncle, our Beta. Dead.

I turned my head left to stare at my father lying in his blood. Our Alpha, the Alpha of Ironclaw Pack, had died. Maybe my father was right. Maybe you really lost all the people dear to you, eventually, and you're left to live your life alone in this dark cruel world where everyone becomes a villain.

"What now, Damien? You can't run. You're the new Alpha. There are people waiting outside for you."

"I guess we'd have to take it then. What choice do we have?" I acknowledged.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The office was still dark. The lights had gone off. I couldn't tell what the time was, but I sensed it was sunrise. My vision in the dark was very clear. I could see many objects early. This happens to everyone when they get their wolves.

My shirt was torn. I had just my trousers on. It was time. Time for me to take responsibility as an Alpha.

"And what happens when we meet our mate? Would there be a space for her in your dead heart?" Echo asked inside my head as I headed towards the door.

I paused for a bit. This was one question I didn't think I'd ever get to answer, ever.

"I'll reject her! I promised Clara that no one would come between us. And it will be that way."

"But Clara is dead, Damien. You have to break your heart open. You need a Luna by your side!"

"Shut the fuck up Echo! You don't know what it feels like to lose someone you love. You're just a wolf. A strong Lycan Apex. You've never loved, have you? You were not there when Clara died. You never heard her cry. You think it'd be that easy to open my heart to any fucking mate?" I retorted in anger.

"Your life is darker than Halloween. You're the definition of wreck, Damien. Do not bring your misery to your pack. You may end up killing everyone and being worse than your father. And do not reject your mate. It's going to hurt me. You know that! But you're Alpha, do what you know is best!" Echo remarked calmly but coldly.

Everything he said was… true. A drop of tear left my eyes, but I quickly ended it!

I didn't say a word to him after this. I had no words to defend myself. He was right! I had to control my anger and not bring it on my park. I was going to turn my anger into care. Right there, I vowed to protect my pack from any threat.

I knew what it meant to lose the one I love. I wouldn't want any other person to feel what I was feeling. I would be the Alpha they needed. A heartless Alpha who would kill far and near to protect its pack.

But there was one question I never wanted to answer or think about.

Whether I like it or yes, I would be mated and given a Luna. How would I treat her? Would I open up my heart to her? I had thrown the key into the sea.

At this point in my life, I was a very strong werewolf. But I felt weak inside. I felt like a deer. But I wouldn't let it show.

I finally got to the door, walking backwards as I saw my father and his brother - once healthy alive men - lay helpless on the ground, covered in the blood of their pain.

I wasn't wearing a shirt. Just my black trouser that looked worn out. I noticed too that my hair had grown a little. It was longer than usual. My whole body felt new. New to rule.

I unbolted the door with the heavy wood I had earlier put, unconsciously, to block any other person from entering the office. The war zone.

As soon as I opened the door and the sunlight shone brightly into my beautiful eyes, there were people standing in front of the office leading to the sitting room of the house. I saw my mom crying. Did they know what had happened?

"Damien, stand down!" Someone said from the 7 armed men. It was Dylan. He looked pretty injured. Oh! I injured him. Ha. I scoffed.

"Damien! We repeat. Stand down or we'll shoot!" Dylan repeated but with a touch of fear as he saw my indifferent reaction to his threat. I grinned.

"What did you do to your father Damien? What did you do to your uncle?" My mom was crying. But she maintained a distance from me.

"Listen up, Ironclaw. It's time for a change. It's a time for strength. You all waited for me at the party to return home to be crowned an Alpha! Well, the real part happened. And it's over. Y'all missed it!" I spoke with so much confidence. I could smell fear in every damn soldier standing inside the apartment.

"You're all scared. There's no need to be! I'm your new Alpha. Your Alpha couldn't bear the pain of his consequences of his pain, and so he killed himself and his brother with him. You know what? Let's make this speech official."

I walked up to Zoe Foster, the pack's tech expert. "Gather your crew and recording equipment. I'll be going live." She was reluctant at first, she looked at Dylan. But her wolf knew it's Alpha, so it pressured her to obey.

"Chase Mitchel." I called our pack's enforcer. "You're doing a good job. Get as many people as possible to come to the pack house. I need to address everyone!" I commanded respectfully. After all, they were all older than I was.

"Yes. Alpha Damien." He answered and ran off.

I walked slowly to Dylan. He was shaking, but he kept firm hold of his gun and looked straight into my eyes.

"I won't be harsh. Maybe just a little!" I whispered into his ear and went away, leaving him in a state of confusion.

My mom ran into the room where her husband lay dead to mourn over them. She didn't know I had known. She was a playwoman. I scoffed.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

It was 10:14am in the morning. I felt a bit of uneasiness standing before the few crowds and a lot of cameras about to address my pack. Many streamed from their houses.

I wore a black white tuxedo shirt and a red tie that was barely visible due to the black suit that covered the shirt and some part of the tie, leaving the usual V shaped opening.

There was a story behind that dressing. Well, somewhere inside my heart was a white tuxedo shirt. It was once very visible until I used a black suit to cover it up. To lock my heart from any penetration. And if you force yourself to get into my heart, red blood had to be shed.

Well, I attended the best college in the pack until I stopped myself. I felt there was no point.

"Alpha Damien, you're up." One young voice called from behind. I looked back at him and nodded. He wore the same cloth I wore, which was surprising. Did he also have a story, or was be a coincidence.

"What's your name?" I asked him, I was interested in the dude.

"The name's Jordan. I'm 18 and will be getting my wolf tonight." He smiled.

I simply looked at his eyes. They were….

I walked up to the awaiting pack, finally. Some were wolves from birth and awaited their human bodies when they turn 18. But the majority were already full werewolves.

"Ironclaw. I'm sure you've heard that your Alpha is dead. Now I…"

I paused. My head began to ring. It rang loudly. I felt a call from one person in the crowd. The call felt louder. The call kept coming from one particular spot.

I began to perceive a pleasing aroma. It was the refreshing smell of the rain enhanced by the sweet smell of strawberry.

My body began to feel uneasy and drawn, bound, towards… someone? But I was stronger than my emotions, so I controlled myself, trying not to look suspicious.

While I kept searching the crowd, I saw a beautiful girl looking directly at me with a worried expression. She was extremely beautiful, I must admit, but not as beautiful as Clara though.

As soon as we locked our gaze, I heard a voice in my head. It was Echo.

"Mate Damien. Mate!"