Star Crossed

Stay with me

Kaoru carried the dead prime’s body back to the meeting house. His eyes stayed straight ahead. The Shindo alpha’s paws slapped the pavement not too far away. Kojiro kept his dark wolf form between his mate and his frenemy. The silent funeral procession moved at the pace of the walking men. Reki was still held in his managers arms.
The man kept glancing down at the boy. His body was super hot. Beads of sweat wetted his brow and drained into his red hair. The man was worried. No one had ever been changed in his lifetime. This kid was under the age of maturity, even if not by much. Would he come out a werewolf? Would he become a shifter? Who would be responsible to kill him? That person would be outlasted. Killing the mate of the prime. Would their new prime be able to handle such a loss?
Oka didn’t know the answers to any of this. He adjusted the boys weight. Surprisingly, Reki wasn’t that heavy. He had always liked the slightly off boy. Oka, himself had been only slightly younger than Reki was now when he first came to the island. His own parents deciding to send him to live with the clan. Reki was just a toddler then. Oka even recalled the first time he meet the young boy.
Well, not exactly met him. First time he saw him was in the grocery story. Reki walked with one hand holding his mothers. She was pushing the cart that held his baby sister. Reki was playing with his lip, like he wanted to suck his thumb, but something was preventing him. He had looked up to the baby, then lowered his hand looking upset.
Later, maybe twenty minutes or so, Oka had seen the boy alone in another isle. He held a small baby toy. He was looking around, the teen assumed for his mother. Reki wasn’t crying just looked worried.
“Hey, did your mommy get lost?” Oka had asked him. Reki had nodded. Oka had told him his name and held out his hand. Together they went to find the lost mother. She was frantically searching for her son near the front of the story. Oka watched as Reki had run up to her. He slipped away before anyone could see he had been the one to show the boy home. He had a reputation to uphold after all.
Yet, something about that boy had made the teen keep am eye on him. Over the spanning years, Oka would see him from time to time. Sometimes with family or friends, but more often, alone. Seeing the boy alone always sent spikes of fear inside the older man. A lone wolf never lived long. He had felt a need, even then, to protect the redheaded child. Something about this human had reminded him of himself.
When Reki got into skateboarding, Oka was thrilled. Yet, not even he could see the talent the young boy would have. The day Reki Kyan walked into his store looking for a job, was a day Oka would never forget. Ainosuke Shindo was there demanding a certain board type. Oka had been in the middle of arguing with the Shindo aloha that it wasn’t possible to get, make or build a board like he wanted. Reki had taken the plans. He looked up to Oka with those golden eyes of his.
“If I build this, will you give me a job?” He had asked.
“Defiantly, kid.” Oka told him. They had shaken hands. The Shindo alpha barely looked at the kid.
“Have it done in a week.” He demanded tossing money on the counter. Reki had selected all the hardware he needed from the store. He then scooped up the money paid for the parts, took out enough for the deck and was about to leave after handing the rest of the money to Oka.
“It ain’t my money kid. You build that board, you keep the money. You paid for the parts.” Reki smiled. He had waved saying he would see him in a week. One week later the kid had returned. Under a cloth he held a long board. He refused to even unwrap it until the Shindo alpha appeared. Reki opened his gift. The talent was evident. This kid was a master with his hands. The alpha had skated a few tricks on the board. Deemed it just what he ordered, tossed some more money at the boy and left.
Oka wondered if the Shindo alpha, so bent on killing the teen in his arms, even knew he was the one who built his death board. How many people had Adam put in the hospital or morgue because of that board? Oka didn’t know. Nor would he ever tell Reki just what his talent was being used for. Reki had a delicate emotional balance. Oka refused to tip it, even slightly, to the darker side.
“Oka?” a soft voice called his name. The night was chilly. The boy in his arms was so warm. The beta lifted his eyes to his clan leaders mate. “How is he?” Kaoru asked.
“Really warm. He is sweating and seems to be in pain.” He answered honestly.
“The transformation is never easy.” Kaoru spoke in his soft manner. Oka had always thought the beta was meek, to mild to lead their clan. One day he had seen him stand up to the alpha who was to be his mate. He had ordered him to care for his pack no matter what, of the big dumb ape could go screw himself. The strength it had take to say that, well he had admired the man ever since.
The white wolf paced back and forth before the door. He could sense the discomfort of his mate. Something was wrong with Reki. Other Alphas had returned. None were letting the white wolf leave the meeting house. They would bow to him, but the door was barred from his escaping. He was prime! He roared his frustrations. His alphas flinched at his pain, but they were loyal. They held their ground to keep him safe.
After what felt like weeks to the white wolf, those doors opened. He sensed Reki close by, but something was off with his mates scent. He rose up on his hind legs. Transforming he met Oka just inside the doors.
“He is fevered from the change.” Kaoru stated. Langa didn’t care. He took the whimpering boy into his arms. Spinning he ordered the guards to take his grandfather’s body to be prepared.
“It was his last act. To give you your mate.” Kaoru spoke from his side. Langa said nothing as he carried the twitching, sweating form to his healer. Lila sat looking up to her new prime. The boy knelt.
“Can you help him?” Langa asked. She shook her head.
“I am sorry, prime, but he must go through this. He is changing. There is nothing that can stop it.” She stated.
“Can you ease the effects?” Langa asked.
“No. Anything I do could change the outcome. We can only wait. I can look over him, that is all.” She stated. Langa nodded mopping the sweat from the boys brow.
“Undress him. Wrap him in blankets and don’t take your eyes off of him. He is to stay in this room with me, until the end.” Langa ordered.
“Yes, prime.” She bowed then turned to take care of her most recent patient. Langa watched for a moment.
“I will not accept a child to lead the clans!” The Shindo alpha stated as he returned fully dressed. The others came back. Langa had twenty alphas under his command. The second largest clan known in the world. He strolled to the front of the assembled group.
“Take the count, mother.” He stated. Before anyone could do anything, Reki rose up.
“LANGA THE TWINS!” He screamed. Fever bright eyes watched him, pale hands reached for the alpha. “SAVE THE TWINS, LANGA!” Reki screamed. Langa frowned. The boy had fallen back to the mat he rested on. It could just be a fever dream, but…
“Kaoru, did you check on his family?” he asked the beta.
“No, sir. The house was secure and safe. We took only the prime and the boy.” He stated. Langa turned to Kojiro.
“Vote.” He demanded of the huge man. Kojiro bowed.
“My allegiance is with my prime. I will follow you Langa, as will my clans.” He stated.
“Go, take your mate and as many of your clan as you feel the need. Check on the twins, I beg you.” Langa bowed his young head to the alpha.
“As you command.” Kojiro stated. He drew his mate to his side, calling out the names of over a dozen others, he rushed out the door. The wolf pack faded away into the darkening night.
“Was that wise? Sending away your most loyal of servants?” the Shindo alpha demanded. Langa turned to the man.
“I have more here this night. The fight you want will not happen until my mate is well.” The prime stated. His light blue eyes flicked out over the assembled crowd. It was large, nearly filling half of the room. All of the Alphas were here, aside from Kojiro. It appeared as most of the beta’s as well, were in attendance. Langa doubted anyone brought their omegas with them.
“Vote. Who chooses to follow a boy? I know I am young. I know you have your doubts on that. I also know I was not raised with your clan. My mother chose to take me from this land to that of my fathers. Neither have ever changed.” Langa strolled forward. Winding into the crowd he passed each alpha looking them in the eye as he did so.
“I cannot ease your fears in one night. I refuse to. These are your fears. If you vote for me, than I will listen to them. I will do my best to assure you that I will be the best prime I can. Every prime was young once.” He continued.
“Yes, but they had a lifetime to be taught by the outgoing prime.” A female alpha called out.
“That is true.” Langa acknowledged. “Even though I didn’t grow at my grandfather’s side, that didn’t mean I didn’t have my lessons with him. We visited often, spoke on the phone in video calls. I learned your ways. I was raised with your knowledge. I will uphold your traditions. But, every prime puts their mark on a clan. Allow me to place mine.
There will be change. What that may be is for us all to see. I ask only that you think about the life you wish to hold. Do you want the clan in constant war? Should we fight each other? Do you really want to fight your cousins, family that are bound to another Alpha?” Langa took his place before the crowd.
“Do not vote this night. Tonight I need to tend to my mate. Please go back to your clans. Check on your sleeping children, look in on your parents. Recall their lessons. Come back here tomorrow. I will call for the official vote then. You are dismissed.” Langa bowed to them. He heard the whispering start, the shuffling of feet, but no one left.
Turning away, the young prime carefully pulled his mate into his arms. He stood, carrying the shivering, sweaty boy out of the lime light. He led a small procession of his mother, his healer and his  bodyguards down to the primes living quarters. As gently as he could he placed Reki in the bed he himself spent his time when he was here visiting his grandfather.
“Please fight for me, my love.” He whispered pushing the wet matted hair off of the boys forehead. Langa kissed his head, nose, eyes, then finally his cracked heated lips. “I am here waiting for you.” He told him.
“Langa, the twins are changing!” Kojiro carried one small girl in each arm. Kaoru led in the sister and mother. Langa turned his head. He smiled softly at the small bodies.
“See, Reki, you won’t be alone.” Langa took one child from the alpha. He placed her beside her brother. Kojiro looked confused, but set the other child down with her siblings.
 “This is going to be a long night.” Langa stated. The vigil was set up around the three siblings. Tonight would make or break the young prime. While holding his mates hand, Langa turned to look out at the moon, glowing above the boy.
“Please, give him to me, grandfather.” He whispered to the wind. The night didn’t answer. They sat and waited.