Chapter 5 5. CHAPTER FOUR

Ripp ran as far as he could into the dark forest. He could only see trees here, and nothing more. This made him relieved. At least, trees don't talk or mock people! Here, he would have some sort of peace.

He picked one of the broken shrubs to sit, then stretched his long legs out, staring glumly at the bruises on them. They were as a result of his blind run through the forest, and his weakness as a werewolf.

He plucked a leaf that nestled between his torn jeans and open wound off, biting his lips at the pain. How was it that he were weaker than a woman? His father had cursed him like he wasn't a part of the ancestors! What was his fault if he was a product of a covenant and not love? Why does it have to be the child's fault?

He got no response, but the slight tussle of leaves on its branches. His eyes stretched upward, misty with tears and belying the green of his eyes. He loved to think that he favoured his mother when he stared at a river or a mirror. No-one said a thing about his mother, or provided pictures. She was more or less dead!

"What a pathetic and unfortunate life I've been called to live! I'm nothing but an absurdity and a shame to my people! I do not deserve to be called an Alpha! I renounce it with everything that I have!" He screamed into the forest.

Taking shaky breaths, he dug his hands into the many pockets of his shirt, bringing out a wooden flute. He'd carved it himself, when he dined with the musicians of the pack. It was made to sooth his pain, and forget for a moment. Though, it never accomplished that to the fullest.

Now, he guided it to his full-red lips, moving it deftly across while it brought out a sad tune. His hands moved it like a man incensed, his eyes went closed like a man in trance. He sat there, playing and listening to the wild.

Then suddenly, tears shot out from his eyes, as something heavy slammed into his back. He gagged and dropped his flute in pain. His fingers, moving backwards as he tried in vain to sooth the pain.

"It's the weak Alpha!" Someone said.

"The redeemed one!" Another mocked.

"The one who was destined to mate in the full moon!" Yet, another said.

They all moved around him, surrounding him at all sides. Ripp tried to look up, overlooking the pain that threatened to be the end of him. He could see nothing, but leather masks.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?" Ripp queried, his voice quivering.

The men laughed, shaking their heads at him, like he was so foolish and a comedian. The one in front dragged him up, only to kick him back down.

"You're in no position to ask questions. What you need to do is beg us. Do you want us to spare your life?" The man queried.

Ripp swallowed hard. He wanted to go home. He wished it like he could actually make it happen. "I didn't do anything! Please, spare me. I would do whatever you say if this happens!" He cried.

They laughed once more. "He even pleads like a girl! Are you sure he is a man?" One of the men mocked.

"I'm a man!" He screamed at them.

The man in front hit him across the jaw, dislocating it. Another dragged him by his dark hair, forcing him to look up at the man in front. Ripp felt like his stomach was being ruptured at the pain and shame he was going through.

"You're a man, you say! You're worse than a pussy!" The man mocked, spitting on Ripp face. "You have this absurd dream to take over from Luna Ivory in the nearest future. That dream would never be a reality! You weakling can never rule over the wolf clan! The Blood-Moon pack is better off without you!" They screamed at his face.

Whimpering, he said, "I do not wish to take over. Please, spare my life!" He pleaded.

They hit him with sticks in response, no words being said. He tried to field the attacks, but couldn't. It was like his body was an instrument to be beaten on.

"Please, stop!" He cried.

They hit him harder. "Your death would be more memorable than your whole existence. Shut up!" They thundered.

Ripp felt like dying, his hand scraped the path in pain, and he succumbed to the beatings. It kept on like this for about four minutes. Until, he couldn't feel his bones and the beating dwindled into a halt.

He peaked one eyes open, and caught a red-haired girl fighting the men with another dark-haired. He couldn't make out how they looked like and didn't have the energy to find out too. All he wanted to do was flee.

He crawled out of there, for he could barely stand. Yet, he seemed quite fast as his fingers scraped green earth. Ripp felt like he might die, but half way through he turned backward. His eyes were cloudy as he met the redhead's. He quickly turned around, not liking the pity he assumed had been on her face.

He shouldn't have gone too far off like his sister has always told him. When would he learn to listen to his sister? The way he had spoken to her wasn't right. When he got home, he would plead for her forgiveness.

†

Luna Ivory walked dejectedly into her private coffers. Her mate, Alan, stood drinking a blue substance from a tumbler. She sighed moving towards him.

"You're back early," He said with a smile on his face.

She nodded moving deeply into the room. "Yes, I had no choice," She grumbled.

He touched her chin with his free hand. "Now, why do you make such a comment? Whatever is the matter?"

"Alpha Ripp," She said simply.

Alan moved quietly away from her to the window. His face a mask of rage. He hadn't agreed to mate Ivory for nothing. There was always a package there, something that made him hunger and thirst.

"What is wrong?" Luna Ivory asked confused.

He held the tumbler tightly, and it almost felt like he was about to break it against the window. "Your obsession with your brother is my problem," He shot out.

"What are you saying? Be clear!" She snapped.

He turned around to face her. "Did you assume I did all these so that your brother can ascend and rule the park one day?" He snapped. "No!"

She looked at him stunned. "It's his birthright Alan, you know that!"

He placed the tumbler on the shelf, pulling her to him. "All these while you've managed it all by yourself. You took the whole responsibility. Think, Ivory, do you want to lose it all just like that?"

Luna Ivory felt weak as he said that. She'd never thought about those sacrifices, but now she had to. She felt like her inside were turning into a jelly.

"I... He is my brother, Alan!" She managed weakly.

"Then, he should just be that. We both know what you've gone through. Do not throw it all away!" He said darkly.

Just then, the door flung open. "Luna, please come! Your brother is in trouble!"

She made a move to go, but Alan held her still. Quickly, she dismissed the omega, "Go, I will be there!"

"Remember all I've said," Alan said lowly, letting her go.