Chapter 3 A Warning

Alejandro," Jay added, "a ten year old servant boy killed the Alpha." Raven could hardly believe it. A ten year old child was able to. The amount of strength and skill he had to have just to reach such a feat. That shouldn't even be possible. She was certain Lord Grimm took note of his strength, he had to. The boy killed an Alpha.

"This angered Lord Grimm," Jay rose to his feet. "You see, to him. Alejandro was nothing. He had nothing to his name, no worth to anyone. He acted out of term for that he had to be punished." That had to be a mistake. Lord Grimm had no right to punish him. Even if he could punish him. There's no way he would-,"Alejandro was to be killed for protecting his mother." No, that can't be. He was just a-, "His parents begged Lord Grimm to reconsider. He was only a child. He didn't know the rules." He paused. "This request only brought more anger." Jay put his hands in his pockets. "Remember,"

"They were servants," Jayson added. "They had no right to ask anything of him. They didn't just ask him to spare their son. No," He shook his head. "After witnessing what their son was capable of at such a young age. They had to ask Lord Grimm to give their son a chance to prove himself. To give him... his dream." He stared into the intense flames. "They were willing to offer their lives just to give their son that chance."

"What happened next?" Claire asked.

"I guess you could say," Jay smirked. "Alejandro got his chance." He tossed a stick into fire, rekindling the flame. "Prince Lycan rose to his feet. He was the exact same age as Alejandro. He told his father that he wanted to be the one to punish the boy. Lord Grimm agreed," Raven and Claire exchanged glances at each other. "Lycan sought to fight Alejandro to the death. The son of a Lord against a servant boy." It would be an unfair fight, Lycan was being trained by his father. Even as skilled as Alejandro was. He didn't have the proper training to beat Lycan. "Alejandro beat him, sword to the throat, the fight was over."

"He beat Prince Lycan." Claire gasped. "I don't understand," She lowered her head. "If Alejandro could beat him then," She shook her head. "That doesn't make sense, if Alejandro is stronger than Lycan then. Shouldn't he outrank him? Lycan's our Alpha and He's our Beta, the roles should be reversed."

"I guess skill holds little mariet to blood." Raven's eyes shifted over to her sister. "Lycan is Lord Grimm's heir. He couldn't let his precious son be upstaged by a mere servant boy. So, he used his title as King to give his son the spot as Alpha. Instead of the one who rightfully earned it." She looked at the twins. "I'm right aren't I?"

"I'm not certain." Jay answered. "Nobody really knows why Alejandro was put in the Beta role. It could be a choice, could be that he was cheated, it could be anything." He stared up at the stars. "I do know, when Alejandro beat Lycan that day. Lord Grimm didn't take it well, in fact, he saw it as a threat." -A threat?!-

"The fight was to the death," Jayson reminded them. "If Alejandro followed through. He would have to kill Lycan. He didn't but even so, it was a threat on his son's life. Lord Grimm wanted to have him killed for treason." Alejandro was only trying to defend himself. Lycan asked for the fight. He put that loss on himself. He shouldn't have to pay for Lycan's decision.

"Alejandro's parents got on her hands and knees and pleaded for their son's life." Jay lowered his head. "They traded their lives for his, Lord Grimm accepted and Alejandro had to watch as his parents were killed in front of him." He finished. "You might think that none of that matters. But it does, You see, even after Alejandro was treated like scum for years and had his parents killed in front of him. He was still able to befriend Lycan."

"Why would Alejandro befriend the son of the guy who killed his family?" Raven questioned. "Seems to me if Alejandro could have killed Grimm's son, he should have. The Lord killed his family in front of him." She crossed her arms. "Nobody would blame him." Hell, if she were put in the same position as him. The temptation of killing Lycan would have been too great. She would have killed him and not think twice about it.

"He wouldn't have had a choice," Claire answered. "Think about it. If Alejandro killed Lycan. Lord Grimm would have retaliated and killed him. The only way he could have walked out of that situation alive. He had to become friends with Lycan." She leaned inward. "Is that really what happened between them?" It's true they couldn't just believe their side of the story. Alejandro has been their father figure for ten years.

"That's the story," Jay shrugged. "You can believe whichever side you want." He leaned against a tree. "To be honest," He tucked his hands into his pockets. "We weren't there to see the birth of our pack. Jayson and I," He voice softened. "We were still cubs. Our parents were," Jay saddened eyes gazed into the campfire. "They were still alive." He shut his eyes.

Raven's navy blue eyes began to burn with rage. The man that walked out of the dark forest. She couldn't stand him. She overheard him speaking harshly of both her and her sister. He told his father that mere half bloods like them didn't belong in his pack. He called them garbage and a waste of his time. He's their Alpha or in other words Leader. Lycan, Lord Grimm's adopted son.

Lycan kept his long thick brunette hair tied up, while his bangs draped over the left side of his face. His right ear had been outlined with gold piercings, his left ear pierced with a single gold skull piercing. The light of the night sky gleamed across his tanned skin. He remained loyal to the werewolf tradition. His shirtless body was like a testament to his formidable strength. His dark russet eyes were fixated on her for some reason. The entire pack gathered around placing their fearless leader in the center.

"The replacements have arrived." Lycan's eyes shifted to Raven. She remained in the far back next to her sister. "I'll just have to endure," He just couldn't stand having her in his pack. The poor guy must be throwing a temper tantrum. "Their unwanted presence." He shifted his focus back to the rest of the pack. "Alejandro, brother," He faced their Beta. He replied with a nod stepping forward. Lycan brought his lips to his ear.

"What was that about?" Claire asked.

"Well you see," Jay began to explain. "Alejandro as Beta, he likes to be the first to hear the orders." He whispered. "Lycan doesn't mind indulging him. They sort of run the pack together seeing as this pack is their greatest achievement." It made sense, it's just after the story they heard. How could Alejandro allow him to call him brother?

"Lord Grimm predicts that there will be a full moon tonight." The tone of the Alpha's voice became serious. His eyes continued to glare at Raven. Lycan's focus broke when....

"I knew it!" Claire blurted out. Lycan's eyes formed a menacing glare at her sister. He wasn't one to tolerate interruptions. Jay placed his hand on her shoulder. He slowly shook his head at her. She put her hands in her jacket pockets remaining silent.

"We have been ordered to report to our caves tonight." Lycan proceeded. "We are to remain here at camp tomorrow." Jay raised his hand, "Yes Tracker,"

"I don't understand." Jay narrowed his brow. "The full moon is and has always been our greatest asset. The war is almost over, if we take advantage and charge in. We could cut Lord Alexander's forces down by at least half." His eyes remained in eye contact with Lycan. "We would only be risking one or maybe two causalities." He let out a sigh. "Can we afford to sit still when the full moon is our strong point?"

"Excellent question," Lycan let a sigh as if he too were conflicted by this order. "The reason my father doesn't want us to take advantage. Is simple," He walked up to Jay. "The war is at a crucial point even the slightest mistake could mean our death. We have no way of knowing what those leeches have prepared for us. They have countered our every move using our weakness to silver. We can't afford to act recklessly. " He placed his hand on Jay's shoulder as a sign of sympathy.

"I understand," Lycan reasoned. "The vampire who killed your parents is among them." Jay lowered his head. "It has been taken into consideration. This is why," Lycan paused for a moment. His eyes wandered each and every member of his pack. "The order stands, report to your caves. I don't want to see a single werewolf out tonight." He ordered, Jay and Jayson left. Raven began to take her leave. The sooner she left the better.

"Omega," Lycan called out. Raven growled at him. He dared to call her by that degrading rank. "We need to talk." She walked up to her dreaded leader. Claire remained by her side. Raven knew her sister well enough to know. She wasn't going to leave her side. Not until she was sure that she wasn't in any form of danger.

"Medic," Lycan's eyes shifted over to her. "Leave us, this conversation doesn't concern you." Claire went to argue but Raven touched her arm and shook her head at her. She let out a defeated sigh and left.

"Alejandro," Lycan turned to face him. Alejandro kneeled before him like a loyal servant. "My dear brother," He urged him to stand. "You know as well as I do." He stared into his eyes. "If you don't report to your cave." He smiled. "We will all be in great danger." He replied with a nod and in less than a second. The Beta was gone.

"What do you want Lycan?" Raven crossed her arms. She was eager to be done with this conversation. He never had anything nice to-. She felt the power of the backside of his hand collide with her face. The impact was great enough to knock her to the ground. It happened so fast, she didn't even see his hand move. Raven fought to get back up, her lip busted.

"First of all, you will respect me." Lycan snatched her by her arm pulling her to her feet. He forced her to stand in front of him. Raven tried to jerk, his grip so tight, it felt like he intended to crush her arm. "Second," He growled at her. "You are to refer to me as Leader or Alpha, I will not have the werewolf code broken by some snobby bitch." He jerked her arm making her move closer. "Do you understand me Omega?" He gripped her arm tighter. She cringed as he tried to break it. "I asked you a question." Lycan raised his voice.

"I'm not," Raven pulled her arm free of his tight grip. "I refuse to answer to that name." She glared at him. "I don't care. You can beat the shit out of me all you want. I will never answer to that name." Her eyes stared deep into his in sheer anger. He sought to disrespect her and she would not stand for it. The others may be intimidated by him but she damn sure wasn't.

"Fine," Lycan breathed. "R-R-Raven," He forced slowly from his lips. It was like the mere thought of saying her name annoyed him. She was beginning to test his patience. Perhaps now, he'll start respecting her.

"Now tell me," Raven crossed her arms. "What is it you want from me?" Lycan began to draw his fist back to strike her again. "Leader Lycan," She added in a snobby tone. He withdrew his fist, accepting her progress. He took a deep breath.

"I'm glad you asked," Lycan's lips took the form of a lustful smirk. Raven began to take a few steps back at the mere sight. "My father and I," He crouched down picking up a handful of dirt. "We had a rather," He slowly put out the flames of the campfire with the dirt in his hand. "Interesting conversation about you." He rose to his feet.

"What about me?" Raven eyes formed a menacing glare. This couldn't be what she thought. Lycan has hated her since the day he laid his eyes on her. Their hatred for each other has always been mutual. It's absurd. She couldn't even begin to fathom him taking a romantic interest in her.

"The war will be at its end soon," Lycan stuck his hand in his pocket. "My father said that he would be more at ease if I were to," He paced around her. "Settle down with a woman. Every future king needs a bride and he seems to think that." His feet stopped. "You would make for a"befitting" wife." He chuckled. "It's absurd, like I'd ever want a woman like you for a bride." He laughed harder. "But then," He glanced over at her. "My father shared his wisdom with me and I began to understand his reasons."

"What reasons?" Raven glared at him. She struggled to grasp the concept. There is nothing special about her, she is just an ordinary werewolf. There are hundreds of female werewolves just like her. Let one of them be his bride. Hell, one of them might even be willing. He is a Prince even if he is a royal pain in the ass.

"You have this unshakable will about you." Lycan put his hands behind his back. "You demand respect. I admire that even if you are just a weak pathetic Omega." She growled at him in anger. He dared to insult her. "This quality is something that must be present in my Queen. I can't be with a woman who does not demand respect. She must be able to control the room and do so effortlessly. " He reasoned. "I would make for a strong King," He placed his hand on his chest. "But," He took her hand. "I need a powerful Queen to rule under me." He kissed her hand, she jerked it away before he could.

"Find yourself another Queen," Raven went to leave. She felt his hand grab her arm. "I'm not interested." She turned around. "Your father gives you some dating advice and I'm just supposed to go with it." She glared into his eyes. "Rule under you that's rich," She laughed. "I wouldn't even rule beside you." She started to leave but he grabbed her shoulder. He forced her to turn around and face him.

"It wasn't just my father's words." Lycan brought his smooth lips to her ear. "While I was on my way back to camp," He whispered. "I began to think about those amazing features you possess." Raven cringed as he ran his hands down her arms. "Those remarkable breasts, so nice, so supple." She refused to stand here and let him get stiff talking about her features. "Those tasty curves, so divine, sexy." He whispered. "It didn't take long for my mind to undress you." She tightened her hand into a fist.

"Don't be foolish," Lycan glared deep in her eyes. She felt chills run down her spine. Raven knew if she even dared to hit him. He wouldn't hesitate to kill her. "Come to my cave tonight," Lycan ran a finger along her lips. "I want you to be the first woman to bear my child." He brought his lips to her ear. "Consider your rank before you answer."

"Leader Lycan please," Raven felt powerless. The moment he pulled rank, it became law. Whatever strength she thought she had faded. "I'm only nineteen." She shook her head. "I'm nowhere near ready to bear any kids." She took a step back. "I'm still getting used to pack rules." Raven added. "I don't understand." She raised her voice. "Why are you pretending to be in love with me? You hate me." He didn't answer. "Now damn it, stop pretending and go back to hating my guts." Lycan began laughing at her as if she told some joke.

"I never said I was in love with you," Lycan kept his words blunt. "It is as you said." He walked up to her. "I hate you," He grinned. "It is only your body that I loathe. A mere half blood," He let out a light chuckle. "Doesn't interest me." Raven glared into his eyes. "So, you would like me to wait," He brought his lips close to hers. Raven knew better than anyone how slim his patience is. She had to convince him.

"If you wait," Raven stepped into his embrace. "I promise," She gazed deep into his eyes. "It'll be more fulfilling if you do." She ran her finger across his protruding collarbone. Lycan's eyes were eager to follow her action.

"Fine," Lycan allowed. "If you insist on the wait then you must promise me," His warm breath touched the side of her neck. "That," He brought his lips to her ear. "No other man is to touch you before me."

"I promise."

"A warning," Lycan's lips formed a devilish smirk. "If another man does touch you before me," Raven could feel the tightness of his grip sending sharp pains through her body. "Both of you will die," He threatened. "I'll see to it that," He brought his lips close to hers. "You keep that promise." He pressed his lips against hers. Lycan's dark presence faded into the shadows of the forest.

"We'll see about that." Raven wiped her lips off heading towards her cave.