Chapter 4

"Our future Alpha's nascency is fast approaching, her new beginning will start at sunrise today, the alpha, Queen Casia and the next alpha of Pthalo Shadows will be coming at sunset to meet all of you!" Delta Arthur in all cheerfulness brought such exciting news.

Rafael heard other werewolves clasped in amusement while others did not bother showing emotions. Like him, they were also trained hard each day after another for physical,mental, emotional endurance that will greatly help keeping the family safe. Yes, the pack Pthalo Shadows of the Orient has always been the family they treasure. The alpha Dark Lucian Romeo Howell, was more likely a father to young werewolves in the pack, the feeling of belongingness ,dependence to his leadership. Pthalo Shadows of the Orient has won over unnumbered battles against vampires and other werewolves in the continent.

"Good-looking and attractive young guy", He could hear Queen Cassia's compliment. He knew it was about him they're talking as the power of hearing distant conversations was the first among all other werewolf traits he'd learned,that was a year ago.

They both laughed hard. Raf sought for them and bowed. Only then he finally stared at her sweet charming hazel brown eyes,curly long hair,and cute thin lips beside twinning cute little dimples. Her eyes widened a bit and he thought she had realized Raf’s capability of hearing voices from afar.

Her face turned hot and red when she turned her sight to the right and saw her mother was giggling.He smiled as his heartbeat went faster. “Isn't it mutual? Does she admire me too, like how I feel that made me stalk her weeks ago,from the day I've seen her?” He smirked at his thoughts.

Before leaving, she turned her face to Raf, he waved his hand and smiled. Her face lifted up and smiled back, waved her hand too in response before she turned her back.

Time flew fast as werewolves evolved and ruled the supernatural world. Raf thought it was all good that werewolves reigning the Oriental territories would bring peace to the tribe. Of course, it is! And soon, not too soon, He dreamed to be one of the best betas in the orient, vowing my life and whole existence to protect the Alpha.

"Raf, how's your day?"His dad's authoritative voice lingered in his ears. He had just arrived from a series of fights against hybrids of the East where some of my allies got badly wounded. Despite not being the strongest nor the fastest of the pack, he fortunately got some luck. "It's tiring, but fine dad!" He’d rather not tell him how tough the fight he went through,what for? He doesn't care at all.

"Can I have a minute with you?" His voice was soft, His sure, his father’s ought to something from him, he’s not his usual temper, though. He looked back at him, yeah sure dad."

"You're 24 now,but how's bachelor life going? "his questions got him off-guard. "I wasn't able to give time on it by now dad, I was too occupied with my studies,I paused, and the training as well!" I answered him but looking down as I couldn't contain his deadly stares."Maybe, you're mateless."I heard him chuckle.

"Maybe, I am" without contradiction, He affirmed.”I don't mind having a mate by now, it's still too premature.”

“Well, if your worthlessness has even caused you to be mateless by now, it's never a surprise.” His dad smirked. "I'm sorry dad, but it's not my priority by now,I'm learning the ways werewolves live. I shifted twice already but still it's so painful that I can't even walk after shapeshifting back to human form." He said a half-lie, though he was able to get through a series of shapeshifts.

Emulating him as Beta Gregory was never his dream.He had seen him turning himself into a monstrous devil werewolf,but still forgiven by the merciful alpha. I know he had plans and that's something he wouldn't let happen. “I would never do the same things as him.” Raf’s thoughts.

"Son, the alpha's sick. It's now my duty to convene the pack members and offer my leadership hence the alpha's never getting well. " He smiled,despite the bad news. He blinked, and didn't have the courage to believe him.His father was known for his peculiar denial of the reigning Alpha.

"He stole everything from me! He did succeed in stomping my whole existence, my life, my honor, my pride.” There goes his real thing-his envious ego.

“I was thrown as trash away by his father whom I trusted much! No, I devoted my whole life and respect. It's Romeo who did all the misery I had been suffering for decades. "His long utterance seemed like wanting sympathy from his abandoned son. Raf smirked. “I was also abandoned, I was also rejected beyond what he knew,I suffered as much as he does because all those memories in my childhood have been longing for a father.” He was retorting his father’s persuasion, only by his thought.

He could not barely see sincerity in his words towards the alpha's sickness but what's on his words lies beyond concern but Raf could feel something isn’t right.

"Son, look at me." He pleaded. Raf looked straight at him, straightening his slouchy posture. “All those years, I know have been bitter and distant to you, it was because I was scared you might disobey me for I'm a loser beta. I was never the best werewolf in the entire continent because I was willfully denied the chance to show the best of me. I am nothing but a worthless servant of the alpha.”

"Dad!"Raf was frowned at his words, he never expected him to turn tables afterall, they both had the same misery all along.

"I'm sorry I forgot about you son." His tears flowed upon his eyes. "Please know how much I care for you and your mother, your mother was my life, my happiness but she left me, rejected me as the world does,I'm a loser!"He sounded so certain.

Raf’s mother Xenna was a hybrid, so rare among werewolves that she was destined to lead other packs of female hybrids of the Atlanta. Raf was with her until her last days. Being a hybrid doesn't guarantee mortality when she had a rough fight against wolves of the West, unfortunately her heroic sacrifice brought her pack to claim the territory. If only she's alive,Young Raf would never beg for his father's affection.

"Like the alpha, I too have sensed my weakening. Hadn't you noticed it?" The way his eyes held Raf,he could see sincerity, despite the pain of rejections he suffered. He sighed, They might deserve to start over,but his doubt never left his head… He still took his hand showing his sympathy, at least could unload the pain they both carried for long"

Despite numerous punishments and rejections he endured since he came to this werewolf world, He didn't ever see it coming, the day that this aged werewolf from which he sprouted will ever realize the hollowness he tends to despise for insisting on the fate of his dreams. “This could be untrue.”Atticus, his lupine, whispered.

"Don't worry dad, we werewolves are immortals and our capability of healing puts us in an advantage, never shall anything or anyone can ever destroy our existence. Raf heard him sigh, "yeah, indeed.!"

"Can you forgive me then?" Raf, still unsure, eyes widened as his heart thuds with those words. Impossible. Could I forgive him though? He asked himself in a second, “Am I ready?” Ready to forget all those why's, what if's and if only in mind while longing for his affection all those days.

Raf looked at him."I'm actually out of words."I said. His face turned pale, maybe wasn't expecting Raf’s confusion.

"I'm looking forward to building memories with you from now.I'm sorry dad,I also caused you pain,I should have understood your sentiments,after all you're my dad. "He honestly spoke.Gregory smiled and walked towards Raf. " I should have seen you as my greatest masterpiece" he said and hugged Raf.

With shut eyes, he covered emotion that ought to transpire while he's near,not being ridiculous though, but it’s the instinct and emotional endurance were critical to werewolves like how prevailing emotions ought to be secured against anyone, even him .

"You don't believe me then!" His voice was merely inflamed with disappointment. “I could feel your fluctuating heartbeat. I shouldn't have trusted you!” Gregory’s angry rushed through his eyes.

Raf was stunned, speechless. "You have just grown wiser huh! It's bullshit! He shouted with a voice that got fiercer. "You! worthless, powerless as your mother will never win over my plans! Your loyalty to the alpha showed me how stupid you are, truly a son of a foolish worthless breed!"Should I tell you how I killed her?"

Raf’s eyes widened as he realized his father, Beta Gregory, was the killer he'd been looking for. The one he solely intends to reap each of his sacrifices, the lonesome, heartaches and mourning of the loss. He suddenly felt Atticus urged to take over, he was trembling inside his body looking forward to ripping the neck of the demon in front of him. His hands got wet, but burning hot with unusual body shaking.

He was torn between calming himself while figuring out his plan or attacking this demon and beheading him right at the moment. His mind screamed and anguished, crying but tears were nowhere, anger all over his senses took his sanity to its peak.

Raf could barely feel the pang of excruciating pain urging Atticus to come out, the call of shapeshift like never before, he growled strongly like collecting all strength he gained from painful experiences of rejections and years of training. His entire body got an almost unbearable burning sensation, urged ferociously smashing clothes all over, He could even hear his bones cracking, muscles extending, furs slowly getting thicker, claws and teeth growing. Atticus growled within and finally took over his whole sanity.