Chapter 1

Prologue

I am Zaika Baranov, the adopted son of Ivan Baranov, a royal Dire wolf and Earl of King Vossler. Ivan is a brutish Russian man with a very strict disposition that had presented itself once he realized that I carried a natural-born Alpha. My wolf is named Einar and is unique as it is an Epicyon. An Epicyon is a supposedly extinct wolf species and much larger than the mere Dire wolf Ivan possessed. I also carried hellfire which was blue electrical energy that flowed around my body with only a thought. Presumably inherited from my real parents, I've never known the full meaning of its use. I was found orphaned in the forest of Ivan's lands and don't remember my parents at all. Needless to say, Ivan raised me and his daughter Sasha with a stern paw. We both have welt scars to prove his firm discipline from whippings. Still, at the young age of 20, I remained with my adopted family. Not because I wished to but because I was in love with my adopted sister Sasha. She was the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen. Her yellow eyes and white hair were captivating. Sasha was also kind and compassionate. Unfortunately, I was not the only male to think that of her. My best friend Gallum Roderick admired her as well and was a fuck boy prince of the Southern province. The entire human world was separated into territories that were run by wolf Kings for each. Disputes were fought and challenges were made yearly for titles and rights to become Alpha in the territories. I was without a title but carried the pedigree. Winning a challenge or being mated into a pack would be the only way for me to become a true Alpha. The bureaucracy of it was completely annoying. I just wished to be my own Alpha with a pack. This is the story of how I along with Sasha accomplished my goal and discovered my true destiny.

Zaika pov

Living in a grand chateau that my adopted father resides in was fantastic growing up. My sister and I would play hide and seek in every one of the large rooms. I was given a large suite that had its own balcony and sitting room area.

Opening my light blue eyes to my bedroom door opening in the middle of the night, I narrowed my vision to see Gallum peeking inside.

"Why are you here in the middle of the night?" I asked him tiredly. His glowing yellow eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned.

"Hush, I was searching for that delicate flower you call your sister," he growled softly. Making an annoyed sound I sat up in my bed.

"Leave Sasha alone you pervert, she is off limits to your debauchery," I responded while tossing a pillow at his head. Gallum, in turn, jumped on top of me and wrestled trying to get me in a headlock. Chuckling, I pinned him to the mattress. He pulled on a handful of my black hair.

"If you would cut this mop I wouldn't be able to do this," he laughed as he yanked my head down and laid his calf across my neck. Rolling my eyes, I called on my hellfire and jolted him up off of myself.

Rubbing his lower leg, Gallum snapped, "You bastard! That hurts you know!"

"Of course, I know. Why do you think I did it?" I laughed heartily. Shoving me over to the edge of my large bed, Gallum yawned.

"Scoot your big ass over so I can sleep," Gallum said firmly. Eyeing him strangely I huffed.

"You never told me why you are here? Also, this chateau has lots of unoccupied rooms," I said sullenly. Turning his head, Gallum chuckled.

"I know there are empty rooms but yours is the only one Sasha comes into in the morning and I want to see how lovely she is at dawn," he answered with an evil smirk. Shaking my head at the asshole I narrowed my eyes at him.

"She doesn't like you and thinks you are the scum of the earth," I mumbled sourly. Gallum pretended that he had been wounded and fell back in agony holding his hand to his chest. Shaking my head at his theatrics I laid my head down.

"Go to sleep fool. I have chores in the morning," I yawned.

The following morning like clockwork, Sasha entered my bedroom carrying a tray with my breakfast. When I noticed she was keeping her head lowered, my curiosity peaked. Normally Sasha greeted me with a chipper smile. I studied her more closely.

"Why are you acting strangely?" I inquired. Sasha glanced over at me with a bruised eye. Jumping from my bed in concern, I rushed over to her.

"Father has gone too far if he is marking your face," I growled roughly. Raising her chin to examine her injury, her eyes darted to my bed as she winced.

"Father didn't hit me," she replied sadly and rushed from my room. Turning toward my bed my brow furrowed seeing Gallum peeking over the blanket. Gritting my teeth I headed toward him.

"Did you go to my sister's room last night?" I seethed at him. I could see him swallowing uncomfortably.

"No Zaika, I swear I came straight up to your room," he mumbled in a panic. Not believing him for a second I told him to get up and leave. Pointing my finger at him, I stated firmly, "Stay away from my sister!" Gallum nodded and gave me an okay sign. My door suddenly opened up to my adopted father standing in the doorway with a frown. His eyes scanned the inside of my room and stopped when he saw the prince.

"Gallum, your father called and asked if you were here. I told him that I'd check and get back to him. Why are you here?" Ivan asked curiously. Standing and brushing out his wrinkled clothing, Gallum chuckled.

"I chased a few rogue wolves onto your lands and since it was late figured I could rest for the remainder of the evening," he said firmly. Nodding, Ivan thanked him and invited him to join him at the dining table.

"Zaika, finish up your meal and head down to the barn to feed the livestock. You could learn a lot from your royal friend on how to protect your pack. Ah well, it doesn't matter in your situation does it little packless Alpha," he said condescendingly. With a furrowed brow, I nodded.

"No it doesn't, father, sir," I mumbled sourly. Feeling Gallum pat my back I glared at the humor shining in his eyes.

"Pompous ass," I huffed. Gallum pretended not to hear me and waved his fingers at me.

"Guess I get to break my fast with Sasha," he teased me before shutting the door behind himself. Not a moment later I glanced at my door opening. Sasha came quickly inside with her index finger to her pink lips. Raising my brow at her she scurried to my side and looked down in embarrassment.

"Who hit you? Was it Gallum?" I asked. Looking at me with fear in her eyes, she nodded. Fury filled me as I clenched my fist. I was ready to pound him into the ground.

"I caused it, it was an accident. He surprised me last night in the hall and when I got startled I bumped my face against the marble table when I stumbled," she explained. Narrowing my eyes at her, I asked my wolf if he sensed a lie. Einar growled roughly, "No." Grinning in my relief, I nudged her side.

"You must be more careful and not hurt yourself," I said softly. She nodded and asked me if I was finished with my food. Gesturing toward it, I offered it to her.

"You can have it and eat it here since Gallum is eating with Ivan," I offered as I made a comfortable place for her to sit. Moving her gently to the spot, Sasha grinned slightly as she gazed up at me.

"King Vossler is coming for a visit this afternoon to announce his granddaughter's wedding, are you excited to meet the Dire wolf king?" She asked as she lifted the fork. Shrugging I shook my head. The last thing I needed was more royal wolves to eye me like a freak of nature.

"I am not welcomed by the Dires," I said briskly. Sasha giggled and eyed me.

"It is because you are more worthy than they are without even holding a royal title. It is a shame that you don't have a pack to rule over. I feel that you would be fair Alpha and not one of the odd weird ones," she mumbled honestly. The royals were rather strange and did things not socially acceptable, I thought to myself. Now that she mentioned it, I decided to question it.

"Is there going to be another bukkake for the bride? Because the last one we were forced to attend was horrid. I saw Ivan's dick along with several others. I am tormented by the vision of that poor semen-covered woman," I muttered in disgust. Raising her brow, Sasha giggled at me.

"The men's ejaculation is to ensure a fertile union between the couple and has been a practice of the royal Dire wolves for hundreds of years," she replied. Squeezing her shoulders, I neared her cheek and frowned.

"I didn't participate and thankfully won't ever have to. I'm very glad that I'm not a Dire wolf!" I said firmly before pecking her smooth cheek.

"Not even for my wedding?" She inquired softly.

"Certainly not!" I huffed in revulsion. Sasha glanced away from me and continued eating my breakfast. I studied her profile and didn't want to think about her getting wed and a horde of men ejaculating all over her.