RONAN'S POV:
I opened my eyes only to close them against the assault of the lights that peered through my window.
'Stupid sun.'
I'm not a morning person and maybe like half of the Earth's population probably aren't either. Why would you ever want to wake up so early and leave the comfort of your bed? But I do have a healthy respect for those people who have the strength and manage to wake up before their alarms blare their eras off.
I was about to return to my slumber when I smelled bacon.
'Hm~' Zannicus must be done cooking. I gotta say, his food are the best, second to my mom of course.
Of course, I'd never tell him that or anyone. I hate the guy and I don't even know why. I bullied him since we were children because of what my dad said to me; "He's filthy, an omega and gay! So don't you dare try and befriend him or associate with him in anyway as he is beneath you! Put him in his place whenever he speaks or do things out of turn."
And that's what I did. My friends and I would torment him daily yet he always put up a fight and I guess that's one thing I admire about him.
But if Zannicus openly shows defiance in front of my father, my father would hurt hi to the extent that he almost bled to death until my mom stopped him while I just stood and watched.
He was only 12 at that time and I felt really bad for him but it was also the time that fear for my father developed within me. I wanted to help, but my father saw that and would challenge me with his eyes. I think he's been noticing how different I've been treating Zannicus lately.
Mom and dad began sleeping in separate rooms when I turned 13.
Until now, I sometimes take part in beating him, only when Dad is present but most of the times, I leave him be. These past several years, I've been having mixed feelings about Zannicus. I just don't know what to think of him anymore. Though, I think I might have an idea why I 'hate' him but I refuse to come to terms with it, I don't want to accept it since I personally witnessed the consequences had I made it known.
I tipped my chin up higher to smell more of that delicious aroma but it was ruined by a certain she-wolf, who has an unhealthy addiction to strong colognes, that passed by my room. You'd think her perfume was sprayed on by a bunch of skunks.
'Ugh, Stacy,' I hate that she was given a room up here by my father. I wanted to be the first to wake up before her as I couldn't stand that clingy girl and her annoying voice that has the ability to no doubt shatter all the windows here in the house if she tried to sing.
She's like a damn koala, no, a leech is more befitting and she keeps coming to me for sex.
'What am I? A booty call?'
Of course I refused her advances after the second time we had sex. She just gets some from another poor, unfortunate soul somewhere from our pack.
I want to smack her into oblivion but I can't do that. She keeps mentioning about the topic of being Luna. What she will do, how everyone will live her, how we will rule together, blah, blah, blah. Bitch, everyone hates you!! Except for my father which is questioning.
She even wanted me to mark her!
'Huh! As if!' I rather bite into a poison apple rather than place my lips anywhere near her. Good Goddess, good thing I didn't kiss her. At least I'll share my first kiss with my mate. If they want anything to do with me, that is.
I will never mark her, I'll only do that to my mate. I know what you're thinking, if I'm so disgusted of her, then why be with her? Why defend her?
It's not like I want to. And it's because, ladies and gentlemen, my father wants me to. He's the only one who wants Stacy to be Luna. The rest of us? Hell. No.
My father's crazy. I'd rather pitch myself off of the roof of our house but if I don't make her my Luna, he'll never give me the title. I sighed, rubbing my face at the fact I'm already stressed this early in the morning.
I mean, what the heck dad?! What does he even see in her? All I see is an annoying, broken scissor that slept with half of my pack yet had the audacity to come back to me.
Of all the wolves in my pack, I had the unfortunate luck to sleep with Stacy for my first time. I'm sure I was the 1, 234th man she slept with. I feel sorry for whoever my mate is, I wanted my first to be special but Stacy-.....
I regret everything.
After debating whether I should get up or not, I rolled out of bed and stretched. I did my business, 'I'll shower after breakfast.'
I was tempted to jump out of my window to escape the dreaded breakfast time with my dad and that cake-faced skunk but my dad would scold me for missing breakfast. I huffed, rubbing the back of my neck.
I was preparing myself, slowly walking into the kitchen in time to hear Stacy, "Show some respect dog."
"Hmph! You don't deserve respect." My wolf agreed with a nod as he crosses his legs. Zannicus' snarky reply had me smiling on the inside as I watched from the archway of the kitchen.
I was about to let it be and just ignore whatever Stacy would say when I sensed my dad, mom and pack members coming down the stairs. I sighed before easily slipping on my usual expression, "Watch the way you speak to her omega!"
He jumped and turned, his eyes immediately locking with my own. Another thing I noticed is whenever he looks at me with those striking orange eyes of his, I get lost and sometimes I hate that feeling because I couldn't control it but other times, I don't really mind. But his effect on me is seriously concerning and completely baffling.
Especially when that strange feeling become more prominent over the years. We continued to stare at each other until Stacy spoke. Internally groaning, I looked away and instead gave her a fake smile as I tried not to grimace at her make-up.
"Hi sweetie~! Glad you're here. Can you teach this filthy dog a lesson~? He hasn't shown respect to me since I arrived and my head hurts."
I was looking down at my feet but both of our- Zannicus and mine -heads whipped towards her. I don't know why but what she said sparked anger within me.
"Filthy?! Speak for yourself dog in heat," Logan, my wolf, growled in my head.
I was going to let it go because a headache has made its appearance but then my dad appeared in my peripheral vision and I know he's heard everything. I turned to find Zannicus glaring venomously at Stacy.
I sighed, frowning when my head throbbed, 'Showtime, yay.'
I strode towards Zannicus still glaring at Stacy who flinched but smirked happily when I hit him. I guess he was too busy glaring, he failed to notice my dad walking in. The sudden sight of blood from his lips had me wincing inwardly.
'Shit! I hit him too hard. There's that feeling of regret again.'
I said what I needed, what I'm expected to say and to our surprise, he stared back at me and once again, I'm lost in those fiery eyes of his. I wonder, what if there was something else in his eyes aside from anger, looking up at me maybe? What about when he's lying under me and-.......
'Wait.' My thoughts skidded to a halt, 'WHOA! WHOA! Where did that come from?!'
I quickly regained my composure and levelled his glare. I'm not sure how long we stared at each other because it felt like years when in reality it must only be a few minutes.
My father brought us out of it. Even if I'm an alpha myself, I don't have the full power yet. Not until either I turn eighteen, the current Alpha passes the title or the current Alpha dies. So I still flinched a bit and slightly bowed my head along with everyone else except for one.
Zannicus responded, unfazed as always that had us look at him in disbelief, including my father. Maybe I imagined it, or maybe I'm still sleepy but did my dad just flinch at Zannicus' tone?
'No,' I shook my head because that's impossible.
"Never. He's not my Alpha nor will I ever treat him as such." Again, maybe I imagined it but there was something about the way he emphasized on 'my alpha'.
I could feel the air change and my dad almost exploded if my mom hadn't cut in, "Enough Ryder! You too Ronan! Zannicus darling, calm down."
'What?! I already backed down!'
"Yes Luna."
"Now all of you sit down and eat. One more word and I'll rip your voiceboxes out through your noses." I saw Stacy wince and hold her nose.
Another feeling soared within me upon seeing mom's hand on Zannicus' shoulder but this, I recognize, "Mom?"
"Zip it!" I pursed my lips as she sent me a look.
As soon as they left, I moved towards the table. I guess I'm a bit jealous as my mom treats him like her own. But do I blame Zannicus? No.
I sat down and dug in but peered up from my food to see my father glaring at the direction to where my mom and Zannicus disappeared to. The fork he was holding was bent in half, 'Poor fork'.
I don't get why he hates him so much. I mean, he did tell me that omegas were the lowest of the low and to put them in their place if they ever so much as look at you wrong. Yet, out of all our omegas, Zannicus is the only exception, the one he truly hates and inflicts so much pain on. Be it emotional or physical. The other omegas are treated far better. The only thing I know, what we all know, Zannicus was found in within the borders of our pack when he was just a baby.
After everything that happened this morning, I was glad the room was empty when I came back downstairs. Usually there would be a few stragglers or some skipping their morning runs for an extra hour of rest.'Huh. They must've gone training then.'I was on my way to the living room to start cleaning after finishing in the kitchen only to find Alpha Ryder standing in the middle.Gritting my teeth, I bowed slightly while clenching my fists to stop myself from hurling a fire spear at him. He was strangely quiet so I chanced a glance but jerked back in surprise upon seeing him standing right in front of me.But in one swift movement, too fast even for me, he grabbed me by the neck and hoisted me up. I gasped, scratching at his hand as I couldn't breathe in hopes to release me or even loosen his grip but to no avail. I was on the verge of passing out when he finally decided to let go.I landed with a harsh thud while I coughed and greedily sucked in the air, 'I'm sure a bruise will form in a
The sound of ringing filled my ears as I slowly rouse awake. I blink, a bit disoriented just as different sounds popped back into my ears. I moved to stand but the searing pain that shot through my body caused me to yelp. Memories of what happened filtered quickly into my head.'Dylan and his band of pachyderms.'I groaned and made another attempt to stand by holding on to the armrest of the couch and succeeded after my third try. I sighed, blinking away the dark spots scattered in my vision and upon glancing down, I saw something, dark red on the carpet. It was blood. My blood.Grunting, I limped all the way to my room, taking a bit longer as I gently trudge down the stairs, taking extra care on my right angle, 'I think one of them deliberately stepped on it.'I pushed the door open and close it behind me, silent Lee grateful that Theo and the others were sent to a nearby town to purchase something alpha ordered him to. I limped towards my bathroom, using the sink as my leverage to
ZANNICUS' POV:I woke up right before my alarm went off. I'd set it yesterday to 4:30 because, well, since it's Ronan's birthday and I have a lot to do.The Luna has entrusted me with everything: decorations, food, venue and the like. I rolled out of bed, stretching with a few winces here and there before dashing to my bathroom. I was right when I said that the pain will subside the next day.I managed to catch a glimpse of my bruises and was pleased that majority have healed, just the ones on my sides were left but they are fading.I was busy rubbing a towel on my hair when a knock reverberated through my room. With a small whiff, I knew it who it was as I crossed the room in four strides and smiled upon seeing Seth.'Looks like he's about to go jogging.'He greeted me with one of his sweet smiles, "Morning Zannicus!""Good morning to you too Beta," Seth pouted which made my lips twitch."Aww, come on Zannie. It's just Seth when we're alone."I chuckled, shaking my head as he grinned,
RONAN'S POV: Groaning and mentally cursing at my wolf as I woke up for the fifth time from his incessant whimpering and whining about something. I tried to get some sleep but it's no use. With a frustrated groan, I sat up reached for my phone to look at time, "3:58?! Are you serious?!" Great. I only slept for 3 hours, I sighed, "Might as well go for a run." Slowly, I rolled off the bed and headed to my bathroom at the pace of a snail and did my business. After brushing my teeth and splashing water in my face, I dried myself off and went back to my bedroom and then I changed into black shorts and white shirt. After tying the laces of my black Nike shoes. I opened the door and peeled out into the hallway, glancing both left and right then as carefully and quietly as I coul, closed the door and tiptoed down the stairs. While walking through the living room, a faint smell of blood invaded my senses. I searched the source of the smell only to end up in the living room from yesterday
RONAN'S POV:I had no idea how long I've been running but when I returned, the sun was already setting. I spent the whole day in the forest. After my run rage, I rested by a river and I guess I fell asleep. Just before entering the house, I ran behind a tree and changed into the clothes already left there.While I was walking towards the house, I noticed that there was almost no one here. Aside from the pack members that were doing some last minute training on the left side of the house and the omegas in the living room and kitchen, everything was quiet but the houses outside though were lit up."Hello Alpha," The omegas greeted to which I returned with a nod. I walked past the living room heading straight for the stairs when I remembered something. I walked back to the living room and found the carpet cleaned and there were no signs of blood nor lingering scent.'That's good. I wonder how he is. Wait, no.' I released a frustrated sigh before resuming my journey to my room. As soon as
A wave of pain passed through me slowly, as if it was grating on my skin and the inside of my body. I made sure my face was void of any emotion as Ronan spoke once more, "I can't believe the Moon Goddess paired me with someone like you. I would never have you as my mate, someone who couldn't even protect himself I CAN'T TRUST to protect a pack. You're NOTHING." He spat while I remained unfazed by his words and I guess my silence irritated him, "Speak Omega! Or have you lost your tongue?" He smirked. 'That's it? I expected more.' I smacked my lips, sighing as I placed the glass down on the table, "Finally." Roman frowned, startled, "What do you mean 'finally'?" I grinned happily and spoke with clarity, "I, Zannicus Zer Zor-ester, ACCEPT your rejection as your mate and Luna of this pack." Not only did I feel a huge weight has been lifted off my chest, power coursed easily through me and laced every word I spoke. Smiling, I returned to my task of pouring drinks as if nothing happene
SETH: I arrived at the party the same time Ronan entered. Instead of greeting him, I went and stood under a tree. I'm still mad at him for talking about Zannicus that way. I just don't get it. Zannicus was discovered inside the borders by a patrol when he was a baby. The patrol was shocked but immediately brought newborn Zannicus to Alpha Ryder. However, the moment And Alpha saw the baby, something flashed in our Alpha's eyes but the patrol couldn't decipher what look it was. When Zannie was 7, he was immediately put to work. No one was allowed to converse with him, go near him, look at him or anything at all! Except Theo and the other resident omegas. Why does everyone hate him? Because if Alpha hates him, everyone should too? Because an Alpha's word is to be obeyed and whoever dare question him, they'll be punished? Ryder hates Zannie a lot. He avoided him like a plague or it's as if Zannie killed his cat or something. As a kid, Zannie was often subjected to verbal abuse, Ryd
While he was talking, I pulled out the kit, foregoing my slippers, we rushed upstairs and led me to the living room where human Seth was settled on the couch, his whole body doused in blood. I watched, horror-struck, as blood trickled down the couch and onto the floor. I rushed towards him dropping to my knees and checked for a pulse, sighing in relief when I sensed one but it was faint. I rid him of his shirt and winced at the long, deep claw marks littered all over his torso, back and face. I began to work and called one of the guys to help me. Once I was able to stop the bleeding, I wiped off the remaining blood using a clean, white towel with Francis and Isaac aiding me in washing Seth's wounds. Afterwards, I began stitching him up. I looked up from the silence to find them watching me, "Are any of you hurt?" I noted Francis looked torn up despite having no visible signs of physical injuries. "No, we're fine," They answered in unison. I nodded and directed my attention back to