The Gift The Moon Gave

CHAPTER FOUR

A ferocious howl was what could be heard for miles within the thickly splayed area of trees and shrubs. It was a howl that spoke of the victory of another successful hunt, one that proclaimed and spoke power using the mere decibels of its range as proof and nature its witness. It was the cry of a beast trap within the confines that were forced upon him, by his kinsmen.

To ensure their protection and self preservation, the fear he invoked was of a superficial level some thought. If they had known the beast before the man would they have thought the same? Then again is the man not every much the beast, has the beast is the man, they were two of the same yet worlds apart one could say.

Underneath the sharpened canines, lengthen claws, bulging muscle mass, distorted features and fur lays a man. One that has almost completed surrender to his beast, inside was a man constantly plagued by the anguish that is fate, the never quelling longing that dwell within, the envy he felt, the despair he drank.

Over Six Centuries Prior

Malice rolled off him in waves, a suffocating aura he exhumed. Sitting by the stairwell as relaxed as ever, his gaze calculating and cynical. Cyrus knew that the men and female before them were doomed. His alpha and long time friend if he can say so, was far beyond feral now.

What remained was just a shell of the once quiet and dominating man that he was. It was a shame to see him suffering the way he was, his beast almost always at the forefront of his consciousness these days. The few times the human within had triumph over the beast were rare and in those moments he could see the sorrow within the man that remained.

Cyrus could not help but feel dejected, not for himself but for the brute that is now his alpha. Even with the present situation in front of him his only care was towards his alpha.

"Alpha I swear I had no idea how they got onto our lands. No access was granted on our end a-and all c-communications seize after our last meeting a month ago." Staring at the shaking figures Cyrus all too well understood how they felt. After all he has also been on the receiving end.

Raising both eyebrow giving off a lazy kind of look, the man tilted his head side ways, carrying his arms forward he rested his elbows on his knee. Looking on for a few seconds, which felt like an eternity to those before him he finally spoke.

"Now that's the thing Jeff, from what your saying I am left with the impression that pack lands are not safe. And that in itself just can not do. Which brings me question if not you then who else would be so thick skinned to defy orders." His tone was made to sound sweet, alluring if you may say so, however it was anything but.

"I, A-Alpha upon the serenity the moon offers, I swear that I have never gone against your will." Chuckling .... deep baritone laughter was what could have been heard. With his head now downcast the man laughed.

"Oh...not a doubt in my mind. However the thing that makes you an incompetent leader is the fact that you can not see through deception. Wallowing in self greed and self-sustenance will only get you so far." Rising to his feet he took slow steps toward the man he was acknowledging.

"M-my l-l-lord I don't-" Cutting off his blabbering, the alpha turned to the lanky man with sunken eyes to the far right.

"Do you not agree with me Richard." At the mention of his name the man became as stiff as a board. " And your thoughts Josef, Veronica." These weren't questions that were being ask and by the way Josef broke out in cold sweat he knew that HE knew. Everyone within the room with the exception of Sebastian the youngest of the group had not an inkling about what was about to occur.

"My lord I perceive not to deceive yo-" Josef plea was cut short as his trachea was completely removed from his throat. With such swift movements the man saw what had been done to him before he felt. Blood now painting the floor like a blank canvas all those around watched, including the beast of a man who's artwork now laid sprawled out on the floor. Witnessing the extent of their alpha unforgiving temperament the guilty parties sought to escape.

But before any succeeded they were struck down. Richard was the second to go having his head completely removed from his body. As for Veronica she was taunted like a prey before being devoured. There was no need to question them on their motives, for there would have been no repentance for their sins. With that final thought, the alpha completely shoved his entire fist down the woman's throat returning with her tongue.

Death was not sometime new to their kind nor was it an occasional sport they took part in. No, it was as routine as their every breath. But being accustomed to the act, its gruesomeness was solely dependent of the one committing the act, who in this case was the alpha.

Jeff the older of the two men remaining and the head of the mundane council stood petrified at the mere cruelty that had been displayed. Was he next? He thought. along with about another hundred or so thoughts. Turning to the pale face men, the alpha known to be a beast smiled at them both. A smile so crazed, so manic and lethal, it spoke in-depth of what the outcome would be and without a doubt it would not end in their favor.

"Can you fathom the hurt I felt to find out that a few of my people, my family MY PACK, was willing to sell themselves short for a few coins. Mere trickling compared to what they have been supplied with their entire lives. And to whom, FUCKING HUMANS. Not another pack but to a species so beneath us." All the concealed rage he had harboring within was now released and with it his unwavering dominance and authority. One so strong it had every member of his pack falling to their knees in submission.

"And to think that you were granted favor of rank above other, yet you're among those who betrayed me speaks so much about you." The alpha was now full on snarling his contempt for the man. But before he could get a word out in defense, he was killed just like those before him.

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It was now a week after the killings and order was once again restored, but remorse dwell within the hearts of the pack member. Not remorse for the traitors but for their Alpha and King who once again cried to the moon, calling forth the other half of his soul. It was always a sad song to hear, for it was filled with so much sadness and suffering. Their only wish was to ease the heartache of their King.

And while they dreamed of the bliss the king would feel once his mate came forth. On the other side of the ocean the high council convened. This was the Council of Twelve, a group of lycans and werewolves. They were the elders of their species,filled with understanding, knowledge and great strength. Each being hand picked by the king himself to keep order to their kind. However on this day, they had regrouped to discuss the capabilities of their king who was on the verge of becoming a rabid dog.

So far they had all but come to one conclusion, which was to have him pick a choice mate. A choice mate is one in which an individual chooses a life partner, given the unavailability of their mate. In the King's case his choice mate would be hand picked by those on the council, has he is seen as unfit to do so himself. This female would be one of stature and power an equal for the king. But there was only one problem with this solution, neither the man nor beast would accept a puppet for an equal. In a situation such as this the chosen would be forced upon the lycan through a forced bond.....by blood.

As they deliberated on the prospect of a suitable match, concerns were brought forward. Such as the king's acceptance of the decision being made on his behalf, his reaction and countermeasures for his reluctance to the idea. But finally after two days of discussion, a decision was made and plans executed. All of which were thought of with the sole intention of bringing back stability to their species. And though this was the end goal, could one play match making when souls are bonded by fate and a King that is adamant on finding his other half. But as they say don't poke a sleeping bear or in this case a lycan.