3. THE HORRID APPEARANCE

Stefanos was a bright child now that he was growing up well thanks to his step mother Sofia, who did everything she could to make her little pup happy.

Yes, Sofia has now claimed Stefanos as her own pup, although he was born from a different mother, nothing could compare to the way Sofia adored and cherished him.

The pup was now 5 years old and he still had those adorable features as a little child, he often played with the other pups from their neighbouring houses, and sometimes practised swordsmanship with his father, as his father claimed that all Alphas are born to be strong, and dominant. He was the future Alpha or Duke in line and had the right to protect his pack and future mate.  Stefanos always did what his father wanted so he didn’t protest on anything.

However, sometimes Stefanos had a different interest which for other Alphas would be too feminine or Omega-ish.  He had a certain interest in flowers, and loved seeing how the flowers in his garden often bloomed, various colours, various beauties, the scent. Everything in his garden felt like a dream to him whenever he visited there, the smell of the flowers calmed him when he was in a bad mood, or something he didn’t like. Let’s just say it was his safe zone.

Stefanos finished reading a ridiculous book on dominant Alphas, and he didn’t like it one bit, he felt it was such a funny thing that Alphas should rule on Betas and Omegas. He always thought everyone should be treated equally. With that in thought, Stefanos sauntered his way to his favourite place, the garden. He took his time as he sat in one of those swings and rocked back and forth, with different thoughts swirling in his head. For a five year old he surely was a big thinker.

Time passed quickly for Stefanos, when he heard his step mother calling out for him.

‘’Stefanos?’’

‘’Stefa—oh there you are! I’ve been searching the entire manor for you! Should have thought you would be here.’’ Sofia said, hands in her hips as she judged her son with a condescending look.

‘’I apologize in making you worry.’’ He said, playing with his fingers as he stared down at his lap, not willing to stare at those watchful eyes of his mother.

‘’Stefanos, how many times have I and your father made it clear to you that, Alphas aren’t supposed to fancy flowers, It’s not what a typical Alpha would do you know that right?’’

‘’Well, I’m not a typical Alpha, and these flowers…they calm me.’’  He gestured the many beautiful flowers surrounding him, as he still refused to meet his mother’s eyes.

Sofia gave a long exasperated sigh, she kneeled down to her son’s level and spoke as calmly as she could, ‘’Look Stefanos, I get it these flowers calm you or whatever, but you should also be aware that you are the next Alpha heir to this pack, and this pack is going to need someone strong to lead, not a fragile Alpha who loves flowers. I’m saying this for your own good, flowers won’t get you anywhere in the near future. So stop with this irresponsible activities Stefanos, and start manning up like a tough Alpha that you should be.’’ With that Sofia completed her sentence and left her pup in utter sadness.

It was a joy for Sofia and Mikhael that Stefanos soon stopped going to the garden. He was frustrated with his parents that they did not like him to do something which he loved or craved. Anytime he wanted something which didn’t match a typical Alphas perspective, his parents would throw hands.

Sad to say that this was the type of ignorant household that Stefanos was growing up in.

As soon as Stefanos reached the age of 7, there were some different changes occurring in him. Of course every child has their growth as they grow up with changes but the change in Stefanos was definitely not what everyone saw coming.

Stefanos was growing ugly.

In ugly means, his appearance was horrid. A face that didn’t match with the handsome and gorgeous Alphas those were of his age. He looked nothing like his handsome alpha father. Everyone at his neighbourhood or the few friends that he mingled with made fun of him or talked behind his back about how terribly ugly he was.

Above everything, Stefanos also became something he’s step mother once told him, he was fragile and weak and could not defend himself against all the harsh comments and actions thrown on him. He would cry often in his bedroom, would stare at his reflection and sometimes even curse himself on why he was born.

His parents, well they did see the changes in him but did not say anything on the matter, except Sofia, who above everyone else cared so dearly for her son, could not even spare him a glance. When serving food, she would place food on everyone’s plate preferably her two blood sons, who were alphas as well, but did not even care to glimpse at her other son even once.  Mikhael noticed the change in his wife and tried speaking to her about it but as always she turned the conversation down whenever he started on it.

Stefanos was getting very much depressed and unloved whenever he watched his step brothers getting all the love from his parents and even outsiders, he felt like a loner and detested by the world. Sometimes he loathed himself so much that he often thought of killing himself as the self-hatred was getting intense in him.

When he tuned nine, he was hardly even noticed as the Alpha of the house, his presence felt like a shadow being stepped upon by people, his step-brothers hated him and made fun of his appearance and then there was his Step mother whom he loved so dearly, hated him from the core of her heart. The only one who appreciated or acknowledged his presence in the house was his father, who did everything he could to keep his son happy, but no matter how much he tries Stefanos always stayed unhappy, his ill-favoured looking face always having a gloomy and emotionless look. During those times, Stefanos has taken back his old hobby and that was, staying alone at the place which calmed him the most.

The garden.

Sadly, this time there was no one to stop him in going there just like he thought, no one cared anymore. No one had any intention in mingling their business with an ugly weak looking alpha. Somehow, this was one thing that Stefanos liked. Not being told about what he should do or not do.

As another year passed, Sofia was agitated. She was getting restless over the matter that who would be the next alpha, considering she had three of her own blood alphas now, not considering the first one. She talked with her husband on this matter, that he should probably change his mind on claiming Stefanos as the next duke and consider choosing one of hers. Sadly for her, Mikhael never changed his mind and always stuck to idea of keeping Stefanos as the next heir.

This angered Sofia, and she hated the idea of making an ugly breed of a wolf as the successor when there were 3 others who were more suitable for the title. No matter how much she tried changing her husband’s mind he would never listen. It was ironic that how the women who named the boy and always supported and cherished him could not even spare a glance even at his hair. She acted like he was never born and she never saw him.

Taking matters into her own hands, Sofia decided it’s time she does something before her alpha carries on with his decision.

She organized a plan to kill Stefanos. The extremely cruel lady couldn’t take it anymore. What little humanity she had was taken over by her angered wolf.

At first she tried to poison he’s food, but it failed when the container the food was in toppled and crashed on the floor. Then she tried to add some poisonous flowers in the garden so that he would smell them and die, but that too failed, when her younger son Kiekie went in there instead of him. Countless plans that she intended went in vein. Almost like the moon goddess was protecting the poor boy from the wretched lady.

Sofia thought her plans were all going unwatched, but little did she know that her husband who was always there to protect his son, watching every little detail. His wife never stopped and neither did he try to stop her, instead he protected his son through unsaid ways so that no one could know that what his wife was planning. Mikhael loved both his son and wife. He could not say or do anything to her because she was there for him in the worst of his times and to not tarnish the Vesilios name, although he was saddened by the thought of what his wife had become.

So the Duke decided, he had to do something before either of them gets harmed. He wanted to protect his son from his wife and he also didn’t want Stefanos to know that what his mother was doing against him.

One beautiful evening, Mikhael called his son to his chambers. The 10 year old looked tensed with the way he was fidgeting with his fingers, which Mikhael noticed was a habit he picked up from Imelda.

‘’W-what is it f-father?’’ the boy stuttered, looking scared as if his father would scold him.

‘’Come here son.’’ The man gestured towards his opened arms, stretching out for a hug. When the young boy compiled to his wishes, the alpha spoke again.

‘’You know I love you right?’’ He asked. Stefanos nodded his head meekly.

‘’Than I need you to do this one thing for me. Will you do that?’’ The duke said, his tears taking over his face, when the boy nodded again.

‘’I’m sending you away. Some place far away from here. It’s beautiful just like this manor; there is even a garden in there. Which I know you would love so much.’’  The alpha said, as he smiled sadly at his son, he didn’t want to do this but he had no more choice. This was the only way he could protect his son from the cruelties of the world. “You can do whatever you want there, whatever you like! No one will stop you from loving flowers or reading books you are not allowed. No one will say you what to do and what not to. You will be your  own judge, just like you always wanted.”

‘’D-do you not want me anymore father? Do you hate me just like the others?’’ The alpha said, his scent which was a mixture of apple cinnamon turning sour as his words got bitter.

‘’Of course not son! I could never ever hate you! I love you so so much! That this is your old father can do for you. I’m so sorry son.’’ Mikhael cried as he dived in for a quick hug to soothe his son and spread out comforting pheromones.

I’m so sorry.

Just like that Stefanos was packing his bags as he was scheduled for an early departure. Without the notice of his brothers and step mother.

He did not hug back when his father was bidding his goodbyes, or when he cried over so many countless sorry, which went unheard of. As he mindlessly got into the carriage, never returning the I love you’s that his father kept saying. Because he knew, that you don’t abandon someone you love saying you care for them, you hold them to you heart, and protect them with all you’ve got.

That day, something changed within Stefanos. His heart which always carried a soft spot for everything, turned hard as the ice, like the river freezing on a winter day, which could never melt.

He knew he was someone who was undeserving of love and so the lonely wolf made his peace with it.

-Aysha