Chapter 35
Chapter 35
The Alpha's Transcendence
DAMIAN
I knew Nathalia wasn't happy with how I treated her
"what would she think of me as?"
I was just doing all these to protect her if she would understand. "No! What am I thinking?" I said as I tapped myself. "she is just a slave and that is how I am supposed to treat her. I don't need to feel bad about that," I said to convince myself. I decided I needed to stop thinking about her and the only way to stop doing that was to bury myself in work.
I was about to get ready to go, just then, the sound of the feet of one of the messengers alerted me of the surroundings. the door buzzed open and
it was Kyle.
"Alpha!!" he said kneeling with a look of worry on his face.
"what's the problem?" I asked with a tingle of worried look in me too.
"it's your father, sir..."
I couldn't wait to hear more about what happened to my father.
he wasn't feeling well but the feeling I felt at that moment showed something, I knew something was wrong but then, he looked a bit strong this morning when I saw him last.
As I hurried through the palace corridors, the sense of panic intensified. The guards guided me towards my father's chamber, their faces etched with worry. I burst through the doors, my heart heavy with fear, only to find my two younger brothers standing by our father's side.
The doctors and nurses were busy running around trying to do one thing or the other but I could see the calm on my father's face. Anyone who knew him could see he was very relaxed, even though he was supposed to be in pain, his calm face was filled with the vicissitude of life
"What's going on?" I asked even though I knew fully well what was going on but I was not ready to face the reality of it.
"I said what is going on?" I roared, grabbing the doctor next to me who turned out to be my father's attending doctor.
"He has been poisoned," he said his voice shaking.
"Poisoned? How is the security of this place," I roared. "You have been the one taking care of my father and no one else comes close to him, everyone that did is seriously scrutinized, so how can you tell me he is poisoned? how do you do your job,"
"It's not our fault Alpha," he said trying to shirk responsibility.
"Are you trying to shirk responsibility?" I asked.
"No sir, the poison is not something that can be seen easily, and it also has to be taken slowly, maybe through food or drink. That was why it was not detected. It is not very harmful if taken but once it is mixed with something else, it is very fatal," he said.
"Then what are you suspecting?"
"I'm suspecting that his meal was missed with the trigger," he said. I just dismissed whatever he said as him trying to make excuses for himself although I couldn't stop the nagging feeling.
"That doesn't matter, can you save him?" I asked holding him tightly like a kid who had lost his favorite toy.
"I can only try my best," he said.
"Try? You have to save him,"
"Son, it's okay, my time is almost up either way," he said then coughed so hard that tears fell from his eyes.
As I witnessed my father's fragile state, my heart ached with a mix of sadness and fear. This was a moment I had always known would come, but I wasn't prepared for the overwhelming emotions that washed over me when faced with his impending departure.
My brothers arrived shortly after, and their stunned expressions mirrored my own. I looked at them and I knew they had probably been indulging in pleasures before they came here but I decided to let it slide. they would probably be too sad to think of anything pleasure for a while. The realization that our father, the alpha, was on the brink of passing was a heavy blow that knocked the wind out of us. Not even the strongest wolf could survive the pain of losing a loved one.
the smell of death filled the room and it was choking.
I looked at Leo and Luke their faces mirrored my concern and desperation. The room was heavy with tension as we watched our father, the alpha wolf, weak and fading, a shadow
Gathered around his sickbed, we formed a circle, each of us struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the situation. My father's weakened eyes met ours, urging our attention. It took all his strength to speak, and his voice carried a weight of wisdom and urgency.
"Father," I called out, my voice thick with emotion.
"What has happened to you?"
"How can we save you?"
Our father's gaze met mine, his eyes filled with wisdom and love. With a weak voice, he spoke,
"My sons, the time has come for me to pass on the mantle of leadership. You all have worked hard and I can see it. I'm sure that the pack members and the Elders can see it too so I am satisfied with leaving the Pack in your hands. I am sure you would do a good job heading it. But before I leave this world, there is something important I need to tell you."
We gathered around him, our ears perked to catch his every word. I could sense the heaviness of his words before they even left his lips.
"You must stick together," our father began. "United, you will be stronger than any force that comes against you. The pack's survival depends on your unity and cooperation."
My brothers and I exchanged uneasy glances. We had always been competitive with one another, constantly striving to prove our worthiness. But now, as our father's words sunk in, the realization of our impending responsibilities weighed heavily upon us.
"I know that each of you desires to become the next alpha," our father continued.
"But only one can take my place. Promise me this: despite your differences, you will not let this divide you. Promise me that you will not let your ambition cloud your bond as brothers. You all have different points where you are strong and that would work to your advantage, you are each other's strengths and weaknesses, you can't allow the enemies to find your weak points,"
Silence gripped the room as we stood absorbing his words. Each of us was left to our thoughts. The weight of his expectations was almost suffocating, and I could see the storm brewing in my brothers' eyes.
But before any of us could respond, our father's voice grew even weaker. "Swear to me, my sons," he pleaded. "Swear that you will preserve the unity of our pack. You are brothers and the blood is your bond,"
Gathering our resolve, my brothers and I nodded in agreement, our voices echoing as we made our solemn oath to the moon goddess yet I knew each of us had our aspirations, my brothers are not so different from me in some aspects.
"We swear to the moon goddess to honor your wishes, Father," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "We will put the pack first and set aside our desires."
With tear-filled eyes, I spoke up, my voice trembling, "Father, I will try my best to honor your wish. We will strive to unite ourselves and lead the pack with strength and compassion."
His weakened smile was filled with pride and gratitude. He seized each of our gazes, imparting his final message.
"Remember, my sons, your strength comes not from tearing each other down, but from lifting each other. The pack thrives when its members work together, united under a common purpose."
Our father's face relaxed into a peaceful expression as he nodded in approval. With a weak smile, he closed his eyes, morphed into his wolf, and took his final breath.
I was dumbfounded for a moment. Unsure of what to do next.
All I could do was just stare at him.
As reality sank in, grief washed over us, mingling with the tension that still hung in the air. But now, instead of estrangement, a new determination settled deep within us. We understood that our success as future alphas would not lie in our strengths but in our ability to work together as a united front.
However, as time passed, minutes turned to hours and the reality of our father's death settled upon us, the weight of power began to stir jealousy and resentment within my brothers. Our conversations, once filled with laughter and camaraderie, were now poisoned by the intoxicating desire to be chosen as the alpha.
The death of our father struck our pack like a wild thunderstorm, leaving the once powerful and united wolves feeling lost and vulnerable. As the eldest of the triplets, I felt the weight of responsibility crushing my spirit. For the next few days, the howls of my pack members resounded in the wilderness and the whole pack was shrouded in darkness.
A leader was gone. everyone could feel the connection cut off.
Father had always believed in us and had prepared us for this moment. But the burden of deciding who among us should become the next alpha weighed heavily on my heart. We could all just lead the pack but I could feel that the desire to wield power choked and I could feel the attitude my brothers show get colder subtly but they were still very civil on the surface. I knew it was only a matter of time before they showed and I was right.