How Villains Are Born

"Damien, stop. Please! You're hurting yourself." Beta Mason begged me from the door of my room. But he couldn't take a step in. He shouldn't. Ignoring him, I continued throwing my fist to the mirror again and again until I could no longer raise my arm. Blood poured from the holes in my fist.

I was already getting tired, so I staggered into the bathroom to wash the blood off my hand. As I walked, I purposely stepped on the broken pieces of glass that lay shattered on the floor, causing my foot to bleed as well.

Getting into my bathroom, there was yet another mirror. Each time I saw him in the mirror staring at me, I felt a usual anger, this extreme hatred! The feeling always came back. So, I began to punch the mirror as well until I could no longer see him. Just the reflection of his pieces.

"Open up! Damien open the goddamn door!" I heard Beta Mason shout from the other end of the toilet door, banging it hard.

I was too weak to respond or even move, my hand felt paralyzed. I simply sat on the toilet seat and let the blood flow freely as my tears were also flowing without any resistance, bringing shame on the pure white tiles on the floor of my bathroom.

"What do you want, uncle? Just... just leave me alone!" I managed to speak. I had refused to eat dinner last night and breakfast this morning. My stomach churned inside me.

"Look, I know it hurts, Damien. But you can't keep killing yourself like this. You are the next Alpha of this pack. We need you to be strong Damien." Mason said.

I scoffed in anger. I hated the very word 'Alpha' as much as I detested my father, but couldn't show it. If I was made the Moon God, I would give everyone the freedom to live and be free from the rule of any Alpha. They, to me, were all devils and deserve to die.

"Damien, you're bleeding. You will lose a lot of blood. You know your father will kill me! Think of this, is this what Clara would want for you? Or grandma?" Beta asked, trying very hard to buy me out of the bathroom.

"Clara. Clara... is she.. is she here?" I quickly stood up and opened the door, my eyes red from too many tears pouring out, only to see Mason and Lily - the pack doctor, waiting in my room.

"Where is she? Where is my Clara?" I asked eagerly. I could kill and die to get to the love of my life.

Beta Mason sighed. "I know it's hard to accept, but you know she's already dead. It's been 3 weeks now. You have to move on Damien. You will be turning 18 in 2 days, you will definitely find your mate and love her. You just need to be..."

"Don't!. Don't you ever compare Clara to anyone, not even my mate! Fuck the Moon Goddess with the fucking mate thing." I roared.

Beta Mason was finally able to calm me down. At least for Lily to administer me treatment for my wound. Maybe he was right after all. Maybe grandma Nora wouldn't want me hurting myself like this.

As Lily bandaged my hands, I felt no pain. All I could see was the picture of Clara and me hanging beautifully on the wall. I never knew this was the last picture we would take together.

She looked beautiful that day. Her blue eyes, her curly hair. She loved rose flowers. Grandma Nora and her wolf were very fond of Clara. I had promised my love that we would get married and we would be Alpha and Luna, even if I eventually get mated, we vowed to reject our mates.

Her voice rang in my head over and over again as I watched my... My own girlfriend screamed for help as she was being killed, but I stood there, handcuffed and what could I do? Nothing! I watched my father order for her to be killed to secure his fucking secret.

"Damien" Mason called out to me suddenly. He had been staring at me for the past few minutes.

I turned to look at him, my eyes still swollen and red.

"I have news from your father. Trust me, I really do not want to say it, but I have to." He began and waited for me to give him the go-ahead to speak.

I simply stared at the document he was holding. I said nothing. My father's news was always a bad one. As bad as his marriage life.

"Your father will be travelling out of the city tomorrow, and he is leaving you in charge of the pack. So, practically, you are the next Alpha and will be observing a celebration party tonight. He has called on all pack members and other pack members as well."

Mason paused. He saw my eyes fuming with anger. I had warned him never to talk about me being an Alpha ever again.

"Thanks Lily. You can leave now. All the medicine he needs, please, let me know. And make sure Alpha Derek knows not a thing about this. Are we clear?" Mason forewarned Lily.

"Yes Beta. Not a word." She then turned to me "Take care of yourself Damien. The past is in the past. You can't change it. You can only make the future better!" She said consolingly. But again, I ignored her.

After Lily had left, Mason moved closer to me. Gently and cautiously, he put his arm around my shoulder. I was wearing a black shirt and plain black jeans. Same colour of clothes I had been wearing ever since my heart turned ice.

"You were the most loving person in the world. You loved people and always helped the pack members even at an early age. Everyone couldn't wait for you to be Alpha. They'd assume you would be like your father. Or even better."

Slowly, my rage began to cool off, but my eyes remained swollen. I began to feel the pain in my hand. Asides Clara and mamah Nora, Mason was the next person to my heart. He was the only man I saw as a human. He had always protected me at all costs. When Clara was being killed, he honestly did everything he could to stop his brother, but he failed. He loved her too. He knew the pain of losing a woman you love dearly. And so, he vowed to help me walk through the shadows.

"Your father and mother don't deserve any good thing life has to offer. They brought out the villain in you. But Damien, you can be different. You can be a different type of Alpha."

I raised my eyes up, my gaze fixed directly at Clara. "What's the point? I become Alpha and what makes you think I'd be any better?"

I stood up and exuded my pride and arrogance "Uncle. I don't care about the pack, and I don't care about anyone. If my dad's leaving, then I'm leaving too."

I got up and grabbed my black leather jacket from my bed and my car keys from my reading table which I had not used for 3 weeks now, and I began walking out of the room when Mason grabbed my hands.

"Don't Damien! You know the Alpha. He would kill me and you would be in trouble. The Moon Goddess will..."

"I'm sorry uncle. Fuck the Alpha. Nothing and no one can and will heal me! I need some time alone." I left the room and managed to sneak out, I got to the garage and drove to anywhere my tears would lead me.

Watching Damiens car fade, into the distance my heart filled with concern for him. The anguish in his eyes was difficult to witness. I understood the pain and darkness that had engulfed his soul. As his uncle and the packs Beta I had always been there for him. At times I couldn't help but feel powerless.

I pulled out my phone. Dialed Dylan's number. Dylan was our tracker within the pack who had a knack for navigating and without detection. It was crucial for me to ensure Damiens safety even if it meant keeping tabs on him.

"Dylan it's Mason " I said with a tone as he answered my call.

"What can I do for you Beta?" came Dylan's response, his voice serious and professional.

"I need you to do something for me, " I explained. "I want you to discreetly shadow Damien. Keep an eye on him without letting him know he's being observed. Stay close. Report back to me immediately if anything goes awry. He's heading north, from our pack house." My words conveyed concern as I gave Dylan instructions.

"Got it Beta. I'll make sure to keep an eye on him" Dylan responded, clearly showing his commitment to the pack by taking on the responsibility. He had been an asset in ways and he was prepared to gather intelligence on another pack as per the Alphas request.

After ending the call, I took a deep breath and made my way to the Alpha's room. I needed to tell him a tiny bit of information. Just a bit. If he found out from another source that his son left, he would be mad. Well, he's always mad. He was not a happy man. How can he be happy when his life, our lives, was full of dark secrets?

I knocked softly on the door.

"Come in. It's open." A female voice called out. It was Luna Olivia.

"What are you gonna do, Mason? She's alone, again." Jenny told me.

"Hello Luna. Is the Alpha here?" I asked professionally..

"He's in his office, he left a couple of minutes ago. Is there any problem?" She asked alluringly.

She began to walk closer to me. "Please shut the door," she said.

Not again!

Olivia has been facing a broken marriage with Derek, especially because of the dark secret that separated everyone in the pack house.

"I won't be staying long. I have to see Derek. So, I'll.. I'll be leaving now.." I stammered and turned to leave when she grabbed my hand.

As soon as she got close enough to me, I could smell her sweet perfume she always wore. It attracted me, honestly.

The Luna was a beautiful woman. She was curvy and busty too. Her hair was long. Her eyes were hazy and shone even in the dark.

Her wolf was even more beautiful. Light grey fur and a darker grey tail. Her whiskers were curly.

This was the sixth time. The sixth time Olivia was seducing me. I declined. Always. It was very hard though. Who would reject this beautiful woman?

"Look, Olivia, not again. Your son would be crowned Alpha tonight and the party is coming up. We should at least show some regard for him." I managed to say, and her wolf agreed.

But she grabbed my hands firmly. She was strong, actually, but I was stronger, so I gently pushed her hands away.

"Derek is my brother, Olivia. I can't do this to him. Come on!"

"Mason, please, I need your juice inside me. Derek has not given me any attention for months now. He doesn't even touch me. My life is a total mess. But you can fix that. You can give me what he can't. No one will ever know!" She pushed me to the wall and began to savour my mouth with a kiss, while her hand remained locked behind my head.

"I'm so horny right now. The bed is large enough! Fuck me Mason!" She moaned as my hands began to wander her body.

The room was dark, but the blue and red light that hung in each wall illuminated brilliantly, giving the room a more sexy vibe. It was like Olivia knew I was coming.

"What the heck are you doing Mason? Are you crazy? Snap out!" Jenny screamed in my head, but I was so engrossed that I gave him no attention. My hands were pressing so hard on Luna's butt that I began to feel my man stand erect.

She grabbed my man and began to massage it softly. My dopamine was getting higher. This was wrong. I shouldn't be doing this. I am a warrior and should be able to control myself.

Probably ignoring her wolf too, she continued savouring my mouth, she was literally eating it up. And I liked it, honestly. My tongue found its way to her neck, and I kissed it passionately, both hands behind her butt massaging it softly.

"Damien." Jenny immediately spat!

"Shit! Damien. Derek!" I immediately pushed Olivia away, and she dropped on the bed, then I quickly ran out of the room, not letting her say a word.

I felt like a fool and a traitor. I almost slept with my brother's wife. God! When will this sh|t stop?

Leaving the room, I quickly went to Derek's office. Alpha Derek was engrossed in signing some important documents, his authoritative presence filling the room. I approached him cautiously, trying hard not to think of what just happened. If he finds out I'm sleeping with his wife, he may curse and send me away.

"Derek," I began, my voice respectful. "May I have a moment?"

The Alpha looked up from his papers, his sharp eyes meeting mine. "What is it, Mason?"

I cleared my throat, gathering my thoughts. "It's about Damien, sir. He left the pack grounds in a distraught state. I believe he needed some time alone. I just wanted to inform you."

Alpha Derek's brows furrowed, concern evident in his expression. "He's been like this since Clara's death. I understand his pain, but he's the future Alpha. He needs to learn to shoulder his responsibilities. When will he be back? The party will begin in a few hours."

I paused. I didn't know when he would be back or where he went. I simply bit my lips. I tried hard not to think. If I did, Derek would mindlink me and that would be bad.

"He.. he went to the training ground. You know, it's a way to get over pain." I lied effectively.

Derek raised his eyes and looked at me suspiciously. I could have sworn he was trying to mindlink, but I didn't let him.

"There is no training today. All the pack members are getting ready for Damien's inauguration!"

"Well, I told you already. He said he needed to be alone. So, he probably went there alone, Mr. Anderson."

The Alpha sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Very well. Keep an eye on him, Mason. Make sure he's here before the event starts."

I nodded, "Of course, Alpha. I'll make sure he's here on time."

"And Derek!" I called out and turned back to look at him.

"Anything else, Beta?"

"Your son hates this life. These secrets are eating him up. They got his grandmother and his girlfriend killed. Do you think he would want to be Alpha?"

Derek stood up, seemingly angry. "What have you been feeding my son? Do you realise that we have a legacy to keep? Do you realise that these secrets, no matter how dark they are, are what keeps us as Alphas and Betas? And as the royal family? Things must remain this way. For the unity of this pack!" He roared.

"Look, Derek, you're the Alpha, but you're my brother as well. And I will tell you what I have to. You are doing your job as an Alpha, but you are not doing your job as a father! That secret is darker than any we have had to keep all these years!"

I walked out gently from Derek as he slammed his hands on the table. He needed to hear these things once in a while. I may not be able to change things, but I can make them better.

"Fuck! What did you do back there? You know that Alpha sticks to your words?" Jenny, my wolf said as soon as I left Anderson's office.

"Look, I know. But he can't boss me around. He's my brother. Besides I.."

"He's your Alpha."

"A heartless Alpha Jenny. He made Damien what he is today just to protect his name! Is that what Alphas do?"

Jenny remained silent. I won the conversation.

I stared at my wrist watch. It was 7:34 and the party was 9 pm tonight. I had to look for Damien as soon as I could. He shouldn't be far away, I suppose.

I hurriedly got into my car and started the engine.

'Br.. br...' my phone suddenly rang. It was Dylan. Finally, some news.

"Hey, found him yet?" I said as soon as I swiped the answer button.

"Uncle, I told you not to follow me or look for me. I warned you." A voice, different from Dylan's.

I was shocked. And scared. My wolf sensed that something was wrong. Something was wrong.

"Damien, where's Dylan? What did you do to him?" I asked fearfully. There was no response.

"Damien! Damien!!!!" I shouted as he ended the call from the other end.

"Fuckk!" I screamed and hit the steering of my car so hard that the horn beeped.

Derek was in there, waiting for me to get his son ready for the party. And Damien was out there, probably bloodstained from Dylan's... no! Damien wouldn't kill anyone.

I had to find him!

"Look, I swear, I won't say a word about where you are. Please, don't hurt me. Just let me go."

I enjoyed Dylan begging me. It was strange. A strange feeling. I was supposed to be a good kid. A good Alpha. But here I was torturing the packs' tracker, pointing a gun to his head. It felt.....I don't know.

His leg was bleeding seriously. I had shot his wolf earlier, before it grabbed me. What part of 'do not want to be an Alpha' does uncle Mason not understand.

"I don't believe you. I don't believe anyone." So, I held the pistol to his head and grabbed a rope and tied him to a tree, then I began to walk back to the car. My hand, still holding the pistol to his face.

"Why you doing this man? You should be fucking proud to be an Alpha. Imma grab that chance with one hand!" Dylan said, still moaning from the pain in his leg.

I turned to look at him. I didn't want to hurt him anymore. "You have to learn to look on the inside, friend. Things are not what they seem. There are many secrets, dark ones that all these people in control are hiding. But they won't show!" I spat lovingly and sarcastically.

"Wha.... Whatcha mean Damien?" He asked in confusion.

I simply smiled and went back to my car and started the engine.

**********

It was 11:40. I was alone. In the woods. I knew I had missed the party. That was the purpose. Missing the party. What was there to celebrate? Joy? Happiness? A new Alpha?

I quietly sat down on a log on wood. I didn't know what I was doing here, or why I was here. But somehow, I always come here if I intend on running away from home or meet with Clara's spirit.

But today felt different. There was no going back. It was me and the future. I may have the Alpha blood in me, but I will reject it!

I knew I was going to miss a lot. College and a few friends I managed to have, Uncle Mason, and a few other pack members who sincerely loved me.

Everyday, I was forced to smile, which I faked. Nothing was real. My own life was no longer real. I felt that was the best way to end it!

But, what next?

I sat there for a while. I could hear crickets chirping. Breeze was blowing softly, making the trees dance in unison. Some of the trees whistled beautifully.

As I looked at the moon, all I could think of was Clara and Mamah Nora. Their cries slept and woke up with me everyday. I was haunted by them every night. Was this what it pays to be an Alpha'?

My father never told me everything I needed to know. He kept hiding secrets from me telling me that the Moon Goddess requests for their sacrifices.

But I had enough. No explanation could fill in the void in my heart. This, I felt, was how Villains were born.

Suddenly, I began to feel my head ache seriously. I guess I was pretty tired from a rough day.

It worsened. My whole body hurt as well. Lily wasn't here to treat me. I was alone.

The weather must be cold, so I thought it best to sleep in the car tonight. I may be better by tomorrow.

As I attempted to rise, a sudden surge of pain surged through my body, seizing my muscles and causing my bones to feel engulfed in flames. It felt as though every part of me was protesting against any movement. I fell back onto the log, gritting my teeth against the agony that coursed through me.

Each breath I took seemed to ignite a wave of pain. My back, chest, even my arms felt as though they were being pulled apart from the inside. I clutched at my head, my fingers trembling as I struggled to make sense of what was unfolding.

The pain grew more intense almost like it was gathering towards something. I let out a groan, feeling utterly helpless and trapped within this torment. It was as if my body was undergoing a transformation beyond my control.

Then an unfamiliar sensation began to spread throughout me-unlike anything I had ever experienced before. It originated from the centre of my chest. Radiated outward. It was a blend of scorching heat and bone chilling coldness as if conflicting forces were waging a battle within me.

Involuntarily arching my back a guttural sound escaped from between my lips as overwhelming sensations flooded my senses.

"Arrrghh " I attempted to scream. Found that even the sound of my voice had become thicker than usual.

As my eyesight blurred I noticed the colours shifting and swirling before me. The sensation of my skin tightening as if it were being stretched to its limits became apparent.

As suddenly as it had started the pain began to fade away. Breathing heavily, I lay there trying to regain my composure after the experience. Gradually I cautiously moved my fingers, my arms until I was able to sit up.

It was, at that moment when I sensed something, a primal energy coursing through me. It felt like a current surging with life and vitality.

It seemed as though a powerful force of nature had taken hold of my being.

But I was only 17. I was supposed to turn 18 tomorrow. Was I an early bird?

And then, it hit me. I looked down at my hands, my fingers trembling. Fur. Dark fur was sprouting from my skin, covering my arms and hands. I felt a strange sensation around my face, and when I touched it, I realised that my nose was elongating.

My vision sharpened. I could see the details of the forest around me, the rustling leaves, the insects crawling on the ground. My senses were heightened, my hearing picking up even the faintest rustle of a leaf.

And then, I felt it again-a surge of power, of energy that I couldn't fully comprehend. It was as if a part of me had awakened, a part that was primal and fierce. It was my wolf, my other self.

I stood up on shaky legs, feeling the strength coursing through my muscles. I took a step, then another, and soon I was moving with a fluid grace I had never known before. I let out a howl, a sound that echoed through the woods, announcing my presence to the night.

I was a werewolf now, a creature of the moon and the night. The pain, the transformation-it had all led to this.

This was it. My wolf.