ALPHA'S DARKEST SECRET: Rise Of The Ultima

The wind blows slowly radiating a serene feel as the morning hours begins to drift into the afternoon. Children sit outside the royal castle of the pack playing happily showing their powers to one another. The castle exudes power with its several round towers piercing the sky as the first structure one will see of it. It is connected by reinforced, vast, solid walls made of very rare and expensive golden stones. Refined windows are scattered here and there across the walls in a seemingly random pattern, along with overhanging crenelations for archers and for other ideal defense mechanisms.

A regular gate with massive metal doors, a regular bridge and strong defenses of well trained and skilled castle guards stand at alert all around its perimeter.

Though, it is still some thirty minutes before noon, the sun is beginning to get harsher on the skin. Yet, the children and people outdoors never care as they enjoy every feel nature shower upon them.

Since the playing children are still considered youngsters, they are barely clothed in anything, neither is it seen to be a ridiculous act. They consider it to be a normal action among themselves until they become marked into the pack on their eighteenth birthday.

The most well-known and popular White Fur Pack among the werewolves is situated in the northern part of Alacia, a kingdom said to be founded by two different couples who were deeply in love with their respective partners and loved one another as friends.

Everyone residing in the kingdom of Alacia looks peaceful as everyone go on with their own businesses. One won't have to guess what is behind the unity among them. That's just because of the love the founders and ancestors of the pack rooted in the kingdom before their demise.

However, despite the unity the members generally share among the people of Alacia, there is a great internal strife that has been going on for years within the White Fur Pack. This is not something known by all members of the pack, but only few of them. Importantly, any royal member of the pack is greatly aware of the strife as they are being taught and informed from childhood.

One of the first causes of the strife in Alacia is the fact that Alacia can only be ruled by the werewolves. After Alacia was founded, the couples helped different people and beings to live with them as they believed that no being is mightier than the other and every being needs to be accorded the same respect, whether human or not. They organized the order in which the different creatures live with each other and for easy adaptation, creatures of the same kind were granted their own space to enhance their growth and sociality.

Not caring about the other species living in Alacia, the werewolves of the packs wanted ultimate control after the demise of the founders. The few werewolf packs in Alacia went to war for the throne and for the title as the 'Alpha King', which led to a long time of bloodshed before the position fell into the hands of the White Fur Pack royals. They finally got what they wanted after every creature agreed to let them rule as long as they follow the founders' rule of love and peace despite being different.

This did not serve as a solution to other strife, but solving that particular one let the new found peace be maintained within the inhabitants of Alacia and no one complained about the rulings of the wolves until........

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"Yay! look over there, look at the loser." one of the playing children yells very loudly attracting the attention of others to a teenage boy who sits alone on a piled-up mount of stones, staring into space. He is the only fully clothed one among them. His fair skin and mildly long black hair complimented his looks as he is so handsome and his beauty stands out among his peers.

"Oh, he's there? No one ever noticed." another kid says out aloud while the others giggle, all focusing their attention on the boy who pretends not to hear them.

They move closer to him and encircle him on the spot with the girls crossing their arms on their chests. Still, he ignores them and focuses his sight into space.

They move closer to him again, shrinking the circumference around him and the little boy have no choice than to pay them a forced attention.

"What do you guys want?" his masculine voice asks sounding calm and aggressive at the same time.

"Ohoo, future Alpha is getting angry already." they mock him.

"If only he could show us his powers with all those angers of his." another kid comments, and the girls within the circle laugh.

The boy can no longer bear the mocks anymore, and stands up immediately. He pushes them aside, breaking their formed circle, and runs straight into the royal castle, then into his room.

Entering the castle, his father sees him but neither of them cares about the other. He locks his room door behind him and squats slowly, leaning his back on the door and bursts into tears.

Sixteen-years-old Emal is a tall, young and handsome teenage werewolf. He is the last pup of the ruling Alpha Marcus of the White Fur Pack, who is also the Alpha King of Alacia, a man known far and wide for his ruling abilities and great achievements.

Unlike every other growing pup in the pack, Emal has been unable to show any powers since birth aside from his great sense of smell which only himself knows about. Alpha Marcus tried all he could to make sure that he comes out of his shell and show some powers, all proved abortive.

Yet, he crowned Emal as the next Alpha of the pack. Not that Emal is the only male pup of the Alpha. In fact, he's the fourth son with four older siblings preceding him. Three boys and a girl.

Darius, the first and oldest pup of the Alpha has grown into a strong wolf and very respected in the pack. He's very known to be hardworking, but the quality he has that stopped him from becoming the prospective Alpha is his rudeness and lifestyle with girls.

Darius can be very rude to anyone no matter who you are or what you are. All he cares about is his sexual satisfaction and drinking rampage. He spends his leisure period in the popular clubs and bars in Alacia where he gets to get laid by so many girls, some of which are human. Nothing in skirt passes him by without him getting into it as long as it catches his fancy. Somehow, he knows how to control his strength while getting intimate with a human female.

Just like him, Shawl, who is the second pup of the Alpha also likes flirting with girls. Though, not as much as that of his brother. What disqualifies his chance of being the Alpha is his selfishness. One quality a leader, an Alpha of a pack must not have. He never cares about whatever happens to anyone or the result of his actions as long as he's not affected by it.

The third pup, Xander, is gifted with a gentle soul, but he's not so much brilliant for an Alpha and could be easily used as a puppet by the pack enemies.

And Matilda, the only princess of the Alpha, is very strong and sensible, caring and elegantly beautiful. Everything an Alpha need is all in her, but the fact that she's a girl scares the Alpha.

If he pronounces her as the next Alpha, she would no longer be safe from the clutches of the enemies within and outside the pack thereby giving other royal families the privilege to take the throne. Something the Alpha didn't want is the throne eligibility moving from his family to another.

*

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A sudden hit on the door sends Emal on his knees far away to his bedside. He raises his face to look at his father and he faces the ground in shame. He does not like showing anyone the weak side of him but suddenly, he bursts into more tears and moves closer to his father.

"What's wrong with you?" the Alpha queries with a dominant tone. The tone which exudes his aura and how powerful he is. There is no need for Emal to say anything because his father knows well what has happened.

His lack of powers has made him the subject of bully by the pack youngsters, most especially the pups of the other royal families.

"What can I do father? What else can I do?" he sobs.

"I tried all I can to be like everyone else. Still, nothing. If I can't be more than everyone, at least I can just be like them and I'll be fine. But why can't I?" he laments painfully.

His words anger his father and that earns him a thunderous slap on his cheek. Emal looks up slowly. It isn't because he is shocked, but he is in pain. This is not the first time he'll receive such from his father.

"You are the next Alpha; you can't be a weakling. You've got to try harder and push those silly thoughts aside. Who says you can't be more than everyone else? You're going to be the Alpha and you have to be stronger than everyone else. In fact, you must be and you will be the Alpha of the pack, and Alpha King of Alacia!" the Alpha roars.

"But, till when? Till when will I have to endure all this?"

"Till the moon goddess wants!"

With that, his father turns around to leave his room.

"I'm going back to school tomorrow." Emal announces.

"Are you sure?" the Alpha asks and he nods affirmatively.

"Fine! If you think you can handle it."

Immediately the Alpha left, Shawl enters too, seeing the way Emal sits dejectedly. He walks up to him, mocking his looks.

"Oh boy, you've become such a crybaby." He sneers at the young boy.

"When would you deem it fit to act like an elder brother to me? Have I ever hurt you in any way? Why are you always so harsh on me?" Emal cries the more, his heart becoming so heavy.

"Why? Is that even a question you should ask? Well, you don't have to obey what father has said because you won't be able to be the next Alpha King." Shawl's eyes change color to a scary red, trying to intimidate Emal.

"I never wanted it in the first place!" Emal yells at him, standing on his feet.

"Better, you ungrateful brat. Bastard of the pack!" Shawl said amidst gritted teeth and Emal staggered back, slumping on his bed. That was not the first time he would be called that way, though other members say it behind closed doors. However, the rumors sadden him so much.

"Am I really a bastard? What the hell is going on with me? Who the hell am I?" Several questions ran through his mind and he shouted frustratingly as tears rolled down his cheeks consistently.

The large metal ball in the centre of the castle yard seems to have been hit by the guards on early morning patrol. I stand up sluggishly from my bed and walk my way into the bathroom to freshen up.

I enter the bathroom and turn on the shower staying still under it for a while and letting the cold soothing water get to me.

"You will be more than others; in fact, you must be!" my father's words ring in my ears. I hate the fact that I have to be bullied by everyone in the pack. It hurts like hell.

'If only I could do something to stop them. If only I could gain some powers. Do I even have a wolf? Others feel their wolves and communicate with them, while mine never showed up for once. Not even once. It hurts so much and I don't have an idea what I am to do. All I can pray for is not to be pushed into desperation.'

Well, today is another day and I am ready to go to school. What awaits me, I don't know. The previous week, my father never allowed me to leave the pack because the last time I went to school, I was severely injured by my mates. It was a disgrace to my father as the Alpha of the pack, but there was nothing he could do.

A while later, I exited the bathroom and put on some clean clothes on myself after drying up. All is being done slowly. I am not at all eager to get things done since it will all end up in me getting abused or talked down at.

Everyone in the pack does not like talking or associating with me, most especially my mates. Any slight chance they get is used to mock me. I don't even know why Father pronounced me as his heir, it just makes things worse for me.

I check the silver-coloured clock on the wall of my room and it reads a few minutes past eight. Still, I haven't left home and by now, I should have gotten to school or be on the way. However, the enthusiasm is not just there.

Trying to make my way out of my room, someone calls out to me.

"Emal, come down for breakfast." that is Matilda, my sister and my father's favourite. She's the only one who doesn't look down on me in the whole pack, but she has to limit her association with me to avoid being targeted by the pack members who take any little opportunity to make trouble.

She opens my door swiftly before I respond to her and says, Jack.

"Good morning sis," I greet her and she hugs me tightly like she is scared of losing me. So much affection she shows me and I really appreciate it. But that's not the only thing I need.

It's not that I'm greedy, but being cast out by a hundred of people and liked by one who can't even show affection towards you in public is still so bad.

"Mum made breakfast already. I heard you're going back to school today. Let's go get something in our bellies before we leave." she urges me, dragging my hands and leading us out towards the stairs that lead to the dining room.

Each royal family that resides in the castle have their dining room which is regularly a large one. Ours is the biggest since my dad is the current Alpha of the Pack and Alpha King of Alacia.

"My baby," Mum walks up to me caressing my cheeks in her palm. As the last pup of the family, she hardly calls me by my name. The emotion she shows me is something I can't figure out yet and I don't think I can anytime soon.

Whether it's love, pity, remorse or pain of me not being capable, I don't know what it is and I don't care anymore. It was back in the days that I used to think she loved me but couldn't show it because of her role as the Luna of the pack.

As time passed by, I thought against it for some reason, but I can't be so sure.

"Mum, let him alone. He needs to eat and get ready for school." Matilda says hurriedly, pushing me to sit on a chair and serving me my food before my mother can do so. That's just how she is and I so much like her for her personality.

Ten minutes later, I am done eating my breakfast, though Matilda first me to finish. That's one of her typical characteristics, always fast with everything as if she's being chased. I guess that's one of her powers and abilities.

We bid Mum goodbye and leave the castle. Others are so busy that they don't make it to the table, making it only three of us at the table instead of seven. I guess Darius would be busy screwing a pussy and heaven knows what the rest are busy with, probably doing the same......except my dad, of course.

*

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LORD FORLOCK COLLEGE

I and Matilda begin our journey and in no time, we get to school. Instead of going into the school, I stand outside its big gate looking at the name carved on the arc above the gate which was joined to the two big pillars holding the gate.

It reads: "LORD FORLOCK COLLEGE" written in a big cursive calligraphy. The school is the very biggest school in Alacia with a high standard. Any other school in the country are considered starters and unstandardized. Of course, except for the pack's school which I would start anytime soon.

The school is rumored to have gotten its name from the founders of the country who were also the founders of the school. Due to its long-time establishment, the current management of the school somehow made it so that only the elites could attend the school. I mean, only the wealthy or a bit wealthy family can.

Several beings attend the school, both werewolves, humans and probably the unknown. But werewolves like me are the dominating creatures of the school.

"Aren't you getting in?" my sister asks, tapping me on the shoulder.

"I will...."

"I understand." a smile crinkles on her face. "Trust me, I'm always here for you and I bet you will overcome it all," she says and we bump fists together. She goes her way; I go my way too.

Stepping my feet into the school compound, people are staring at me. They have just concluded the morning roll call of present students. It isn't a new thing to me, but I still feel awkward.

Quickly, I walk fast to my class and head straight to my seat which is at the far end of the class to avoid me being the center of attraction of the class.

"Oh, the future Alpha finally deems it fit to attend school." Blake, the most loved boy in my class mocks and others direct their attention towards me, while the girls giggle. That is the only thing they are good at. They always want to be on the good side of Blake and would never want to offend him.

I ignore them and open my locker to bring out a book to read before the teacher comes in for the first class. Silently, I hoped they would just stop and mind their business but they didn't.

Blake moves to my seat and takes my book away from me. He throws it to the ground and stomps on it. I pretend not to be aware of what he's doing and try not to get angry. Not because I can't retaliate, but because I am only trying to avoid trouble.

Firstly, his body is the fusion of a human body and a wolf, a strong one at that and also from one of the five royal families of the pack. If I should act and things go wrong, it would affect my father.

Other royal families that have been eyeing the throne would have more reasons to go against ours and it might not end well. Such never ended well according to not too long past events.

Still in school, Blake tilts my head up forcefully and asks me to stand up. I resisted with the hope that the teacher would come in soon.

Though the presence of a teacher would mean nothing, it's better as it will serve as a distraction to the whole class entirely. I raise my hand glancing at my wristwatch and sigh inwardly.

"It's time for the teacher to be in class already. What's taking him or her so long?"

"Are you waiting for someone? The teacher?" Blake asks mockingly.

"I think someone should tell the absentee that the teacher will not be coming anytime soon," Blake says while still holding my face and facing the class. Another giggle and round of laughter resounds in the class.

"What was I waiting for in the first place?" I ask no one but myself.

"Can you please go back to your seat? This is my territory and I didn't cross the line." I say hoping he would just desist from his evil plans and leave me to myself. Well, it turned out to be just hope.

"What did you say? Your territory? Who owns this place you're sitting? I'm in control of this whole class and I can do whatever I like with it and to the people in it." he punches my shoulder continuously in an unpainful but irritating way.

"Now stand up," he orders, expecting me to obey him like a tamed dog. Well, you can say I am one because I immediately stand up for fear of getting on his bad side.

"Good, that's how you do it. I give orders and you obey without a second thought." he almost spits on my face making me begin to get impatient and angry. Yet, I didn't do a thing.

Everyone in the class laughs and makes fun of me making me feel sad. Blake sees this and holds my fist, punching himself in the chest with my hand.

"Wow, you can get angry too? Then hit me, hit me, hit me if you dare, hit me!"

Still, I didn't do anything and just stood there full of embarrassment in front of my classmates. Both the human and the wolves among them make jest of me greatly.

"You see, you can't do anything and you're nothing but a coward. Coward! What future Alpha are you? Your dad must be silly for thinking you could be the next Alpha. What a dreamy family."

And that is it, his words anger me to the core and that turns the point of no return for me. I raise my face glaring at him. I can feel my eyes change because everyone gasps at the current sight of me but I don't care.

I ball my fist and punch Blake in the face. How dare he call my father just anyhow? Saying my father is silly got me mad and I feel like tearing him apart. If only I can do so.

"What audacity?" he wants to intimidate me but I'm angrier than he ever expects. He punches my lips and my lips begin to bleed after feeling a slight pain.

The sight of my blood only angers me the more and I can't stand it again. I rush several blows at him and he also rushes blows at me. We roll on the floor, stand up, hit each other, and send several continuous blows at each other.

The whole class is turned upside down as everyone moves far away from us, cheering Blake on. Then, I began to feel tired. Blake isn't anywhere near tired as he's got the strength.

Given that we are in class, Blake didn't change into his wolf which saves me from getting injured by his strongest form. Else, I have no idea what would become of me

"What's going on here?" a thick voice yells and everything goes silent. With that, I feel relieved. Though I can't tell whose voice it is since I wasn't paying attention to it, I can tell it is someone with authority.

"What's going on here?." the question is repeated and immediately, Luke, one of Blake's friends begins to speak saying I started it first and I'm at fault. To back it up, they show the authorities a video of what happened.

Truth to be told, I punched Blake first but I am not at fault in any way. If he hadn't provoked me, I wouldn't have laid a finger on him. I didn't defend myself as the authority stared at me due to the great pain that seeped through my body. I stare back instead.

Apparently, I know what's next. I will have to go to the detention room for the whole day to serve as punishment and I simply go ahead without complaint or being told.

Silently, I pray for a miracle. I imagine myself suddenly getting strong and getting back at Blake, defeating him in public, and showing him that I'm more than capable of being the next Alpha.

I attempt to feel my powers and see if I can make use of it but I feel nothing. Dejectedly, I sit in a corner of the room and curl myself up, leaning my back on the wall.

*

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UNKNOWN POV

Lord Forlock College has always been my dream school and I have always wished to attend the school but never had the chance not until I received a sponsorship from one of the philanthropists in Alacia.

I'm currently sixteen and I live with my grandma. We're poor and sometimes find it difficult to fill our bellies. After I luckily met the philanthropist who helped me with my educational dreams, he also helped me and my grandma settle down in an environment better than where we lived but I never let my grandma know how I got help.

Instead, I told her I got the money from the petty job I did before gaining admission into my dream college. Today is my first day at school and I am very anxious.

For the first time in my entire life, I will be meeting so many people whom I know nothing of and nothing of their character. Never have I associated with so many people as I've always been refrained from mingling with others. As far as I can remember, it should be right from when I was a baby.

I dressed early for school and boarded the first-morning bus for school students. Luckily, I wasn't late. I got to the gate of the big school and looked up at the sky. Silently, I muttered a short prayer hoping for a good day.

I entered the school and was directed by the security at the gate to where my class would be. As smart as I am, I had no difficulty in finding it. To my advantage, no one noticed me and I was grateful for that.

I took a vacant seat on the right side of the class and silently observed what others were doing. They seemed to be nice people at first until a boy came in. From the way he looks, he should be my age mate.

He's tall and handsome with no expression on his face.

"What an angel!" I screamed in my mind at the sight of his beauty.

He didn't even take a look at anyone and bounced to another vacant seat at the rear of the class.

"So arrogant." I hiss lightly. How could he not speak to them since they were classmates? Not long after he sat down, another boy marches toward him and I focus my attention on them. He says something to the handsome boy which I didn't hear. Suddenly, everyone in the class starts laughing.

"What's funny?" I want to ask but keep mute.

"Hit me, hit me......" I hear the words clearly this time and it dawns on me that the boy is being bullied.

"What's wrong with him? Is he a fool? Can't he fight back?" I blame the handsome boy until I see him punch the other boy in the face.

"Yes, that's the spirit." I cheer him inaudibly. It seems like I am the only one who is cheering him on. Strange! But I don't care. I'm not a fan of fights, neither am I an advocate of bullies and injustice. I want to assist the boy when the fight between them intensifies, however, I stop myself.

"For heaven's sake, I'm still new in the school and I can't meddle in the matter just anyhow."

No one is doing anything and the boy seems to be in pain as he can't stand the blows of the other. I stand up and leave the class for what seems like a staff room and I report the incident hoping for them to save the boy.

When the teacher finally enters, the surprising thing is that the handsome boy gets sent out of the class and the bully himself remains in class. What injustice!

I couldn't say anything and remained in my seat.

"After all, Lord Forlock might not be how I thought it was."