"Why are you doing this boy, I thought this is what you wanted, Carson comes from a good family, he's respectful and everything you wanted and more." Alpha Hunt argued looking at his heir, Renallo was now adamant in wanting a mate, it seemed his son had changed, become less of the wolf he knew into a shell he couldn't recognize.

"Father I'm not doing anything, I appreciate Carson for all he does but I don't think I'm ready for a mate, I haven't even grasped being alpha yet father." Renallo spoke his argument but a snicker in the corner had both alphas turning to look at its source. "Jonathan keep your silent comments to yourself." Renallo hissed looking at his younger brother who was too smart for his own good, the boy raised his hands in surrender and remained silent. "I don't care about what you want now, a few months ago you were pining for this, be grateful you have it and do good with it." Alpha Hunt all but commanded but his son was still defensive. "I said no father, I can't handle anything right now!" The younger alpha growled toward his father, a clear challenge which alpha Hunt didn't take well, he knew something was wrong with his son but he was still to respect him.

"Boy, watch yourself-" It was too late, Renallo's eyes had turned to maddened crimson and he lunged for his father like a rabid beast, once he pounced the alpha maneuvered his body to avoid the claws aimed at him but not the body, the two shattered the large windows behind the alpha's desk and plummeted to the ground from the fourth floor, the alpha having a bit of experience with the situation maneuvered his body so that he could grab onto a branch then slide down the tree, his son fell straight onto a parked car which was flattened the moment of impact.

Screams tore through the air once the wolves noticed. "Renallo!" The alpha yelled with more emotion than he ever displayed, a pack member was already there assessing the young alpha's state. "Renallo, wake up, Renallo!" Alpha Hunt begged as his son's body snapped bones back into place slowly. "He'll live, but his broken body will take time to heal." The pack member asserted as attendants from the infirmary took the young alpha Hunt away on a stretcher. Alpha Hunt wondered what was wrong with his son, what could've cause his sudden aggression and those blood thirsty rabid eyes.

Back in the alpha's office Jonathan stood by the shattered window with an amused face, he knew what this was, he knew what caused it, and he knew that this was the

~∆~∆~∆~

Renallo Hunt.

Apples, generous hint of vanilla and a bit of cinnamon to add just a little kick, those scents reminded me of his skin, he was all I should've cherished but I couldn't and now it seemed the past was haunting me in more ways than one, reminding me that it couldn't be erased, the goddess didn't forget our sins, she instructed karma to wait patiently, strike true and strike deep, but it seemed even though once would've been enough, I get punished everyday, as long as I breathe, a stray purple ribbon floated in the air past my office window, it reminded me the days that passed, the memorial of the Drake family, all of them were mutilated by rogues except one survivor who wasn't home, their daughter.

I like to believe this story more than the truth I know, what truly happened to that family and the magnitude of betrayal their daughter scaled, how pitiful it must be for all of us to live with it, she now realizes what she did hence the memorial but can it bathe her in the light of innocence, remove the layers of treacherous betrayal beneath the skin and in her soul, I for one till now cannot forget my actions, hence why its a struggle to wake up in the morning, to face another day knowing of all the wrongs I've down and swept under the rug.

Wouldn't it be easier to kill myself, turn myself in or confess so that my punishment can be placed, and in as much as I want to do that, I cannot, I have friends, family, I would be leading them to the slaughter, for my wrongdoings, how pitiful we are indeed. I hope they forgive me for my sins, I suffer each day because of them. A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I ready myself for what was coming, the Niari pack were hosting this years New Moon festival, it had to be perfect and it had to be well executioned, we very well couldn't beat Heathen at hosting a great week of fun but we can do our best with what we have to offer, the Bay had much to offer.

"Papa I'm home!" Oh no, it can't be, I didn't know he was coming, much less to the festival, or rather home, when the door opened he stood there, all 6'5 of him, broad shouldered, chiselled jaw menace, I could already feel a headache coming on. "Jonathan." I tried to sound enthusiastic but he saw through it easily. "Older brother, nice to see you, its been so long." He replied with that smug smile. "Yes it has, what are you doing here Jonathan?" I hissed and he looked at me sceptically. "Have you gone off the deep end that much or you're just drunk again, in case you don't remember, I'm your brother." He wittily replied challenging me to say something to indulge his little twisted mind. It wasn't that I hated Jonathan, I just envied him, he didn't have dark skeletons to hide, he was carefree, he never shouldered the burden I had since birth and most of all he was looking forward to having his mate, I destroyed mine, so he gets my envy hidden in anger and hate, but he was Jonathan, and he got under my skin, every chance he can.

"What, no alpha come back." He taunted and I just sighed ignoring him. "Oh well, its good to be back home, I'm looking forward to spending time with you and the family plus enjoying the festival, maybe I just might meet him, my mate." His last statement came out more emotional, something deeply rooted in his soul, something he wanted badly, I felt sorry for him but I couldn't let myself be vulnerable with him or anyone, it was better that way.

"Yeah let's hope so, is there any business you have here, I have a meeting to attend." I stated trying to leave my brother's company, being around him wasn't good for my mental health. "Oh look the alpha is running from little defenceless me." The jerk was back, and far from it, if Jonathan wanted to challenge me and take the mantle of alpha I would have a hard time putting him down, he was a strong opponent. "Let's hope your mate likes jerks." I mumbled walking out of the office as he yelled his protests.

Driving toward a favourite spot of mine by the beach I was rather elated and relieved, I would get a break from the obvious hurricane heading my way, plus Jonathan being back home, the festival was supposed to be a happy time, I just knew it would turn into a shit show at some point and I had to brace for it but right now, food was therapy much needed. Parking by one of the only open spots I got out of my car and noticed my friends already inside, these wolves had risked their lives for me, and we kept dark secrets, all of us had something dark that should never come to light, but what held us together was what happened to the Drake family, like it or not, it made us stick together.

"Afternoon gents!" I greeted with a bit more enthusiasm and they replied in the same manner. "How goes the plans for our celebrations?" I asked after waving down a waiter to take my order. "Great, the guest list was tricky but its finalized, Alpha Cornell is the only alpha coming, the rest have personal matters to deal with, Heathen said he will send his wolves and an emissary, so will the Everlins, the Dante's confirmed they are coming, they have business here so they will just join the two." Jacob one of my closest friends relayed the information and after mentioning the Dante's I knew for sure trouble was headed our way.

"Found anything?" Edwards asked Leeland as he settled back in his seat, the man shook his head in refusal. "There was nothing to find, they are painfully clean." He replied making me groan, I was sure the resource centre being unveiled by the Dante's under my mate's name wasn't just a hoax, there was something there but I couldn't find it. "What will we do?" Necmi my silent friend asked as he looked at me, I had no idea what we were going to do except hope for the best. "No idea currently, until we know more all we can do is wait and watch." I replied with a deflated stance, we were powerless without knowledge, and if it were the Dante's we were truly up against, even the goddess wouldn't spare us.

"The festival has to go on as planned, if anything happens we deal with it then, otherwise like the alpha said we wait." Edwards reaffirmed and we all nodded as we finalized the plans for the festival,