Killing On Command

Chapter 19

Zach

The wedding was horrific.

I thought it was bad seeing the war approaching fast, but I was wrong. This was the equivalent of hell on earth. Although I tried my best not to even look at Serena throughout the service, she kept catching my eye, and no matter how hard I tried to pull my shirt away from my throat to keep myself from choking; the thought of having to spend the rest of my life with this girl was making me feel as though I was permanently suffocating. Alex wasn't here, but she was trapped in that place with our enemies. I had failed. My plan had gone terribly wrong, and I was going to be bound to this woman - a woman I didn't love in any way - by law for the rest of my days.

Of course, this meant that I had to change my name. I had the choice to change my name in order to make myself sound like a more threatening leader when I had to take over from Serena's Father, Stout. This was only so it could send 'shivers down the Mortal's spines.' My Father had been very supportive of my choices, although he knew what I really wanted. He knew that I wasn't happy, and that I dearly missed Alex with every bone in my body. Even thinking about her name caused me some form of pain when I thought back to where I was as I stood at the Alter with Serena.

She did look beautiful though. Her small frame was covered in a long white dress which showed basically none of her bare skin. She wanted a traditional Lupine wedding, and I didn't blame her. It was a nice service, some said. I didn't. I was too focused on how I was meant to live with her for the rest of my natural life. After that, I'd be free from her. She had been extremely understanding of my situation, however. That was what left me torn between declining my vows or going ahead with the wedding.

Of course, three hours later, we were officially man and wife. The words were still bitter on my tongue, and as I stood later on to take my new name and agree to protect the Lupines at all costs. It felt right to finally be true to my own tribe. Stout approached the stone stairs, carefully padding his way to the large oak tree which we -as Lupines - worshipped. He took out a book and stood it on a podium in front of me, waiting for me to kneel to him. I paced forwards slowly, still dressed in my shirt and waistcoat from the wedding.

"Zachary. We are all present today to witness your passing from boy to a man. This is an important event for us all, as you will be our next leader once I had passed on to the other side and left the role of Alpha in your hands." He began. I knelt down in front of the podium and looked up at the man I had known all of my life. "Zachary, do you understand that this ceremony will mean that your previous responsibilities will become your past and your future will be for the good of the tribe?"

"I understand." I said, faking my confidence and feeling a tear form in my left eye.

"Will you protect your new family with your life, and speak true about all that you see and hear?" He asked again. I hesitated.

"I will." I replied.

"Are you prepared to risk your life for the cause of winning the Sacred War for years to come, for the honour of Lupine glory?"

"I am." My voice quivered as Stout brought the small bowl down to my level. Inside was a red paste which was made up of berries from around the Great Oak. He dipped his finger in the paste and lifted my hair from my forehead. I closed my eyes.

"I, Sandalio Stout, welcome you to the tribe. May your name strike fear through the hearts of Blood soldiers and the souls of Mortal children." He finished, drawing a traditional warrior symbol on my head. I tried to smile, but I couldn't. There was a distinct murmuring coming from the crowd who had gathered behind me. I didn't know why until I stood and turned to face them. "You will be their leader one day, " Stout told me, kneeling in great difficulty. I stopped him and placed his arm over my shoulder to help him up again.