Mated To The Pack’s Doom

Damien

I threw on my combat suit and attached my silver sword. "Let's go!" I barked at Raymond.

Six army officials waited outside the door. As soon as I got out of the room, they matched my stride on either side of me like a cage. "Brief the war council, we are having an urgent meeting now, Raymond."

"The war council has already gathered; you are the last person to join my lord."

I slowed down, and without warning, I grabbed Raymond's neck.

"You found out father was in trouble, but you told the war council first? Why do I come second?" I growled.

"You know— protocol says that! I'm just following the right process—" he grunted with wide eyes.

I left his throat and growled. "Next time, tell me first!"

"Yes, Damien—" He bowed his head.

"It's My Lord, to you— I'm the alpha now."

"Yes, my Lord," he replied.

The door to the war council room was pushed open. I stormed inside and went straight to the head of the table.

"Let's skip formalities and go straight to the point." I held the edge of the table and looked around. "What's the situation at the Eastern border village?"

"Alpha Damien, the situation is being dealt with. There are reports of rogues attacking other villages near us, but it is being handled," Nico, the armed forces commander, spoke.

"And my father?"

"Last we heard of him; he was conducting an exchange between the officials there. His forces are fighting back the rogue, he hasn't been abducted or harmed."

A part of me felt relief that he was doing fine but it wasn't over yet.

"I suggest we attack immediately with brute force. Reports say that they are small and that they are probably mercenaries and rebels who joined hands. We are strong and better than them. Finishing them shouldn't be a problem," Raymond suggested.

"No, I disagree with that. If these rogues had the guts to attack our land, knowing my father would be there, they shouldn't be underestimated. Attacking them with our main forces would play in their plans," I countered.

Niko's head nodded in approval. "Very well, my lord. I admit we will be playing in their cards. Any strategist among them, genius or not knows what's coming after that."

I sighed and stared at the table. The territory map was displayed as far as the sea in the north. "Niko, send a force for backup. That should help push them."

"Yes, Alpha. Consider it done." Niko moved to the corner as he began to relay the order.

"Raymond, I want you to bring Bailey and the healers; to set up a clinic. The injured from nearby villages will come there for treatment and I want them well received. I'm going to move behind the backup forces to pick up my father." I stood up. "Niko, you should come with me."

"Yes, Alpha." Niko bowed before moving to my side

"If there's nothing left, this meeting is concluded."

I left the palace, with ten of my best men including Niko, the commander of the forces.

We rode to the eastern village which wasn't very far away. The signs of war were already evident as people ran in the opposite direction. Houses were on fire and the sound of mourning was in the air.

"Swords ready!" I ordered the men.

"Yes, Alpha!" They replied in unison.

A horde of rogues appeared right before us. They were eager to cause harm to us— just as we were to them.

"On me!" I roared.

The men chorused my roar as we partially transformed into wolves and jumped from our horses. We rolled on the ground at the same time.

The rogues came by the numbers, but just like the reports said, they were weak and no match for us.

We cut them down like vegetables and soon the area was cleaned with their blood.

"Forward!" I ordered and we charged on, killing whatever menace stood in our path.

We caught up with my father's team near the river where the fighting was fierce. But as we joined the fight, I couldn't see a sign of him.

I cut through the rogues, tearing through their skin till I was with one of our lieutenants.

"Where is my father?" I asked, above the cries of war.

He pointed in the distance and my eyes followed his movement to the building at the far side of the river. "Forgive me, Alpha Damien but your father sustained an injury, he is currently in that building."

I tapped his shoulders and signaled to the men with me. "Join them. I'll be back!"

I swiftly carved my way to the building and as my eyes fell on him, my heart calmed itself instantly.

"It's good to see that you are safe, father," I said from the door. The sounds of swords clashing continued outside, but we weren't fazed.

"It was so sudden. I was collecting taxes when a silver arrow struck my arm. It missed my heart by five inches, I'm so lucky," he said, with his eyes burning with something I had never seen in him before… fear?

"They wanted to take you out first because they know of how strong you are." I frowned. "They are getting really bold. I'm guessing they have a new mastermind."\

I moved to the window and studied the fight. It was too easy.

They were probably here for an easy target or something else— My eyes immediately caught sight of something and my thoughts stopped.

Within the men fighting, there was a hooded figure who stood at a distance watching…

They were surrounded by at least two men from the enemy side. They noticed me and pointed their finger at me, gesturing for me to come.

My frown deepened at the audacity.

I looked back at my father who hadn't noticed. "Father, I will be right back. I must discuss something with Niko."

Father wanted to stop me. "Damien, wait—" But I started running before I completed my sentence.

I jumped out of the building, between the fighting men, and leaped away from the battlefield in the direction of the hooded figure. They were now under the tree by the river.

There was something different about this person. It was a level above all the rogues. Possibly the one leading them…

As I rounded the trees standing between us, my frown deepened once more. The space was empty.

The hooded figure was long gone.

My insides tightened with rage, and I was about to start scanning the area for where the coward would have ran to when I saw it.

A note at the root of the tree and I picked it up. I held it up and read the contents aloud.

"Your reign is over. The true king is coming…"