Darrian

Darrian

Darrian sat in the luxurious leather seat of his private jet, staring out the window as the plane soared above the clouds. He had been away for four long years, travelling the world in search of a perfect mate, one that would replace the numbness in his chest, but he had yet to find her. As he looked out at the endless expanse of blue sky and white clouds, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment and a hint of regret and wondered if perhaps he had been too rash in rejecting the one meant for him, however, if he was to replace Eutychus, he had to be the best. He had been so sure that he would find a suitable mate on this trip, but now he was returning home, to try once more. 

The plane began to descend and the familiar outline of his hometown came into view, Darian couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and pride that he was no longer just the son of a Beta. He was now part of the elite society that basically made rules for the pack, he had money and with that everything else followed, everything being power and influence. He was coming home, and although he had not yet found his mate, he knew that she was out there somewhere.

He watched as the plane landed smoothly on the runway, and as the door opened, he took a deep breath, savoring the familiar smell of home. He was greeted by guards sent by Alpha Finnian. He smiled at them, flashing his wolfish grin at the omegas that had been sent to accompany him. Over the years he had acted as an ambassador to the Nightfall Pack, making alliances with other Packs that would come in handy once his plan began. In return, the Alpha had been too overjoyed to hear that they had acquired the best allies money could buy, and with that, they had also expanded their trade territories.

As he looked around at the familiar faces and places, he couldn't help but remember that day. The day he rejected his mate and how the breaking bond had almost crippled him. The pain had subsided to a dull ache over the years and with time, it had evaporated into thin air. Now that he was back, his heart was beginning to come alive, and he hoped that maybe, just maybe, his perfect mate was closer than he thought, maybe she was right here, in his hometown. He smiled to himself as he thought of the possibility and walked with his convoy, feeling grateful to be back home. He would continue his search but this time, with renewed hope and determination. 

At the Alpha's residence, he was greeted by Finnian who generously showed his gratitude. As jetlagged as he was, he still played his part of loyal Beta and bowed in respect, internally cursing the family to hell.

“Darrian! Welcome back home!” Finnian greeted with joy. The wolf before him had done what his wimpish son couldn't manage his whole lifetime. Alpha Finnian wasnt stupid, he could see the ambition in Darian's eyes whenever they met. He was the kind of wolf that would do anything to get what they wanted, and he knew what he wanted. 

“Alpha, I am happy to be back home, east or west, Nightfall is the best. ” Darian said, his smile never reaching his eyes as he finally lifted his head. Finnian just flashed his own toothy grin. 

“Indeed it is,” Finian replied. 

Darian filled in the Alpha details about his trip that he couldn't exactly say over the phone. The debrief didn't take long before his arch-enemy barged into the meeting room. 

“Look what the dog dragged in, get it Dog? ”Eutycus said bursting into laughter and Darian miraculously held back his retort as the Alpha's son barged in, looking as annoying as always, Darian thought. 

“Glad you could join us, how did your date go?” Finnian cut in, sensing the friction between the two. 

“Awesome, you didn't tell me she was such a hottie. Darian, whatever possessed you that day? ” Eutychus said, clearly looking to stir up trouble. 

“What? What are you -” Darrian was a bit confused, he was too jetlagged to care about what the pompous snob thought. 

“Alpha, may I be excused? ” Darian bit out, wanting to be nowhere near Eutychus. He hated the wolf with a burning passion. 

“Right, you are excused. Eutychus, sit.” Finian said his joyous mood from earlier evaporating. 

Darrian left the father and child and walked out to his waiting car. He wanted to go home and rest a while before his plan commenced. He got in the waiting car and sat in silence. Looking out the rearview mirror, he mentally noted all the things he would change about the Alpha’s Villa once he moved in. 

“Did do what is asked?” Darrian mentioned as the car drove off the residence’s main gates. 

“Yes sir, we have an appointment tomorrow. ” the driver replied. 

“And the other thing? ” He asked again. 

“That too.” The driver replied, their eyes meeting in the rearview mirror. 

“Good… ”Darian said. 

His first plan of replacing the Brown family would start in a few days at a party he was holding. He needed all the important people he could get on his side and nothing brought people together like free food and entertainment. 

Darrian arrived in his family home, memories from four years ago crashing into him. Why was it so hard to just forget? Darian wondered as the gates were opened and his very happy father greeted him. 

“Welcome home Darry…” His dad said, calling him by his childhood name. He hadn't aged a minute since he last saw him, perks of being a wolf, he thought. At 50, Callum was a bulking mass of a man that oozed dominance with every breath he took. He was the second in command after all. 

“Hi, Dad. ” Darian greeted, giving his father a brief hug and receiving sharp taps on his back. They went back in, his father filling him in with all he thought he should know. 

“The rogues are at again and you won’t believe who their leader is- ” Darrian’s dad said but Darian had muted him out, his mind travelling back to that time at the Alpha’s Office. 

“What was the old fool on about? ” Darian thought as his dad spoke went on and on about the rogues having a ‘leader.’

After the greetings and briefing, he went to his old room and fell on the freshly made bed. Alone with his thoughts, he gazed up at the marble ceiling, watching with envy at the wolf couple embedded in the shiny stone. The two wolves are in a loving embrace, the full moon shining down on them. His first order of the day would be having his room renovated, there was no such thing as fate, that much he knew. 

“I wonder how she is doing. ” Darian thought, once again wishing that things would have been different back then. He tried to push away the longing feeling, to say that the four years away had helped heal his self-inflicted heart-ache would be lying. 

He reminded himself why he did what he did and who he was supposed to be, there was no space for ‘what ifs. Eventually, Sleep won, taking over and plunging him into darkness the one and only time his thoughts were muted. 

It would only be a matter of time before Darian finds himself in a battle for respect and honour, as well as for the heart of a Mate, he once rejected. Will he be able to win back Isadora's love and gain the respect and honour he craves?

Only time would tell.