Orphan Wolf

24 The Alpha Banquet*

Tonight is the night.

After today, the whole of the werewolf community will know what I am.

Nervous would be an understatement. These are Alphas... powerful men who could easily turn on me. I'm Beta born they won't like that... and having someone in power over them won't sit well either.

"You ready, Alpha?" Dad asks, and I let out a long sigh.

"As I'll ever be." I say, standing up.

"Alpha Aaron wants you in his office... something about your appearance." Dad says, and I nod. As I pass him to leave, he hugs me. "I'm proud of you, and I know you will be a great king... if they can't see that they are blind... more will accept you than you think." I give him a forced smile.

"Thanks, Dad." I leave quickly and go straight to the pack house.

"Stop stressing we are the King, and they will submit." My wolf puffs his chest. He is more prideful now that we are King.

"I don't want it to be like I'm taking over the world... I don't even know what to do as King." I tell him.

"You will rule... you will make decisions for all of our kind." He says.

"Well, duh! But what will we change? I mean, a lot of things are messed up. How can we fix it all?"

"One problem at a time... first, we have to make them respect and accept our authority."

"Yeah... because that will be easy!" I sarcastically shoot at him, then tune him out as I reach the office.

"Hello, Alpha Alic." Aaron greets me.

"Aaron. Dad said you wanted me." I say.

"Yes. Your suit for tonight is over there. You must look the part." Aaron smiles as I look at the clothes.

It is an expensive looking charcoal grey suit with a red tie. What catches my eye is that in the suit is embroidered, the same symbol that is branded on my chest. I run my fingers on the fabric and then on my chest.

"It's the mark of the king." Aaron says, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I thought it was appropriate."

"Thank you... it's amazing." I say... honestly it it beautiful... but it will make me stand out even more than I already do... Well, I guess nobody will know what it means. If a seer hasn't told them, that is.

"Take a run, shower, and you can get ready in here. We need you mentally ready for this... be dressed and ready by 6 pm." Aaron tells me. I nod.

"Yeah... I haven't  run today, so that's probably a good idea." I mumble, turning to leave.

I go outside to run... and I mean run! It's like I'm trying to outrun my nerves... they're faster. Or to outrun my fear... still faster. Maybe I'm trying to outrun my future... yeah, that's not going to work. After about three hours, I collapse in the dining room soaked in sweat.

"Here, Alpha King... you look like you need it!" A young omega girl gives me a bottle of water and a plate of food. I smile at her.

"Thank you, miss." I say then chug the water. "Would you mind getting me another?"

"Of course!" She runs off to the kitchen. Half the plate is empty before she returns. "I can get you more!" She exclaims, seeing my plate.

"I'm good, thank you." I smile as I take the new bottle. "I need to get ready anyway." She smiles and leaves.

I shovel in the rest of the food and head to the shower. After I'm clean I go to the office to get ready.

"Lookin' good Alic." Ruby says as I button my shirt. "My little brother all grown up... and a king! I'm not sure how to take this!"