24 The Alpha Banquet

Tonight is the night.

After today all 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 alot 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."

"Yea... 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 then on my chest.

"Its 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 6PM." Aaron tells me. I nod.

"Yea... I haven't  ran 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... yea 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!"

"Me either... I'm already the King but tonight kinda makes it..." I trait off

"Real?... Offical?" Ruby finishes for me.

"Yea... both." I say.

"You'll do great little brother!" She hugs me. "But you suck at that! Let go!" She smacks my hands away that were fumbling with my tie and expertly wraps it up in a double windsor knot. "Much better!" She says smoothing out the tie.

"Thanks Ruby." I mumble.

"I don't know what's wrong with you boys! I just did Malaki's before I got here." She says chuckling. "Let's go... its almost time... I'll walk with you." Ruby wraps her arm in mine and we walk out heading to the banquet hall.

We are the first to arrive. Slowly the room fills with Alphas from around the world. I stick close to Aaron. After all he is still my Alpha and it's his show until he announces me as King and his heir. I don't think I'm ready for this!

Once the hall is full Aaron stands up and clears his throat gaining him the attention of the room.

"Welcom fellow Alphas. I know this year's banquet is a bit different from the past but I'm glad you all came." He begins but is cut off by another Alpha.

"You said you have the King! I brought my seer to confirm this. Show him to us!" The man yells. His accent tells me he is likely not a North American Alpha. I think every Alpha across the world is here! I gulp.

"Yes... I see many of you brought your own seers...Alaric." he gestures to me and I stand.

All eyes shift to me as I make my way towards Aaron. I hear a low roar of voices as they discuss me. I take a breath and feel my wolf like hes right under my skin steeling my nerves. My shakey hands steady as I reach the stage. My wolf is ready for this even if I'm not.

"Your King." Aaron announces bowing to me.

"Proof!" An Alpha yells.

"Yes! Why should we believe You?!" Another adds.

Maybe my wolf being so close to the surface was not such a good idea because he took their comments as a challenge letting out a growl that shook the walls and silenced the room. I can feel my claws digging into my palms as my fists clench.

"Breath son." Aaron whispers so low only I can hear him. I close my eyes and take a breath releasing my fists.

"May I approach?" An older man asks. He is not a wolf. His appearance and the general creepy vibe I get from him tells me he is a seer. I give him a nod and he steps up to me keeping his eyes from meeting mine, afraid I'd take it as a challenge. His eyes move up and down as he examines me circling me untill they lock onto the embroidery on my suit. He touches it and my jaw clenches. I push his hand away.

"This symbol... where did you see it?" He asks.

"When I became an Alpha. The King. This brand appeared on my chest." I tell him. He nods.

"What is your Father's rank?" He asks.

"Beta." I respond.

"Just a Beta?" Hus eyebrows raise.

"True Beta." I correct.

"Your Mother?"

"Daughter of Alpha Simon Andersen."

"An Alpha's child mated to a Beta!? From a different pack? Rare!" He grins. Its true... Alpha's daughter's tend to be mated to Alphas or to a member of their own pack. It insures their safety. Could you imagine a warior taking an Alpha's daughter away from him. He would flip knowing he can't protect her. If it's an Alpha she is paired to it creates an alliance. If he is a member of the same pack she stays close to home. It makes sence. "Show us the mark." The seer breaks my train of thought.

I look to Aaron who nods. I mean I guess this is the best proof I have. You know aside from the fact I frickin' became an Alpha over night! I loosen the tie and slide it over my head knowing I can't retie it on my own. I remove the jacket laying it across a chair. I unbutton the shirt while staring at the man. He still makes me uneasy. I remove the shirt and pull of my undershirt placing them atop the jacket.

Once again the man's hand reaches towards me. He touches the brand then jumps back as if he were burned.

"My King!" He gasps dropping to a knee bowing his head. The seers all follow suit but the Alphas stand tall.

"Anyone can brand themselves! This proves nothing! I am an Alpha! I bow to no man!" One yells.

My anger spikes and I jump off the stage picking the larg man up by his throat with one hand. Well crap! I really don't know my own strength! I let loose a growl and can feel the Alpha shake as his face reddens slowly shifting to purple. I compose myself just before he passes out and I drop him.

"I am the King. Not because I asked for it. Not because I forced it. It's not a lie or a grab for power. I Have power over you. I don't intend to take your packs. You are all Alphas. Strong and proud leaders I won't change that. The Rouges are attacking at alarming rates. We have all felt the pain of loss." I begin a speech not entirely sure what will come out of my mouth next but they all nod in agreement.

"They are not normal. They have been modified. I believe the Hunters are behind this. They feel no pain. They attack until you kill them. They have no soul in them. They can't be reasoned with. We need to band together to fight them and I will make that happen to save my kind, our kind. Stand with me or get out of the way! I will rule. You are with me or against me choose now!" I finish.

The Alphas remain silent for a moment... a long moment that feels like an eternity.

"My King." The Alpha I choked says followed by

"We're with you!"

"Hail the King!"

"Let's give em' hell!"

And many other comments that I couldn't make out.

"Ya' did it boy." Aaron whispers in my ear and I smile... I am the King.

[The next book is Raised by Wolves]