Chapter 4

Honor. Loyalty. Control.

Those were the three words to live by in the Reverence Pack. Those three words were what he was taught since he was an infant.

"There are some amazing things that people have been able to do, Shiro," his grandfather told him. "The mind is the strongest weapon, no matter what being you are. If you can learn to control your mind, you gain control over your situation."

The man had taught him a lot. Even before he was able to shift. There wasn't a single lesson he taught that Shiro forgot. His words of wisdom were all that he had left of him.

"You look perfect, Master Shiro," his servant looked at him through the mirror that he stood in front of. The omega smiled kindly at him. "Elder Munni would have been proud."

"Thank you, Nikita," he smiled back. He was the best servant Shiro could ever ask for, and had been caring for him since he was too young to walk.

Today was going to be an important day. It was the first time that he would be officially introduced to the Alpha's of their allied packs. He had studied plenty about them to prepare himself for this moment. He remembered meeting two of them when he was a child. But now he would get to meet them as a man.

His grandfather had been a very traditional man, with a kind heart and a futuristic mindset. He had brought the Reverence Pack through a period of peace and prosperity. It was enough to make him one of the most well-known people, even after death. Shiro planned to follow his example when he became the leader of this pack.

Each pack in BlackCreek had their own culture. They were each unique. Sometimes it would even be as different as how they dress.

For example: their pack was the only one who wore kimonos to prominent events. Shiro wore a simple black one. There was no need to have intricate designs or artwork. That would distract them from the things he needed to say. His hair went to his lower back when it was down. He got it from his mother and grandfather. It was as black as night and as straight as the wooden boards on the ground. He had put it up in a simple ponytail, allowing it to lie on his neck and blend in with his dark outfit.

The only thing that stood out against his clothing was a necklace that his grandfather had given him. It was a red medallion that rested on his chest. He hoped it would bring him luck in his task for the day.

"Are you ready?" His father's voice came into his mind, interrupting his thoughts.

"Yes, Alpha," he replied. He knew that his father did not like the fact that Shiro was accompanying him to this meeting. He would have tried to postpone his official greeting from the neighbor Alphas if it weren't for the fact that they needed his input on what happened with the hunters.

It was mandatory for the Alphas of the neighboring packs to meet the next in line before or at his eighteenth birthday. It was a law put in place many years ago so that the leaders could keep relations with each other as the generations passed.

"I must go," he looked to Nikita. The light brown hair was easy to spot in their pack. All of them usually had dark hair. And almost none of them had blue eyes like he did. Shiro was sure that some others wouldn't like the fact that he looked different. He was glad that he was his servant rather than anyone else's.

The man nodded his head and stepped away from the door. But before he could leave, the servant stopped him.

"One more thing, if I may, Master Shiro," he bowed his head.

"What is it?"

"My daughter and I wanted to wish you a happy birthday," he pulled out a small box from his robes. "It's not much, but we worked hard on it."

Shiro opened the small box to find a candle inside. The wax shimmered blue in the sunlight that came through the windows. And the glass had an intricate design on it with the number 18 in the center.

"You two made this by hand?" he asked. He couldn't help but smile looking at it. Strong scents from candles and incents helped to relax him at the end of the day. He used them quite a lot when meditating as well.

"Well, not the glass," Nikita smiled again. "We made the wax from the wildflowers from the forest. I know you aren't going to celebrate it until the graduation party, but I figured you should have at least one present on the actual day you were born."

"Thank you," he put a hand on his shoulder. "Tell Ava that I will cherish your gift." It was the most thoughtful gift he had received in a long time.

"I will, Master Shiro," Nikita said. "I'm glad you like it."

He said his farewell to his servant before leaving his room. He left the candle on his night stand. If he brought it with then he would surely break it. And he couldn't let that happen to such a lovely gift.

His father wore a colorful kimono. It was black and blue, with intricate artwork all over it.

"One would think that you would be quicker at getting ready," he glared at him as they rushed down the halls of the house. "You've been wanting to go to these so badly."

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," he bowed his head low.

"You better be," the man grumbled. They rushed to the car where their driver would bring them into town. "I expect you to be on your best behavior at this meeting. The last thing I need is to have a son that embarrasses me."

"Yes, father," he watched the floor of the car as it moved. As much as the candle warmed his heart and brought him joy, his greatest gift was going to see the Alphas today. It was the only present that his father had ever given to him.