The Alpha's Bloodline

"Not another day of torment," I thought as I lay awake on my back staring blankly at the ruined ceiling, I sighed and hauled to my feet wearily.

The image staring back at me was an eyesore, not that I had intentions of recreating the picture of a soigné look I had in my head all night but to get rid of the haphazard mess that stood unfazed before me in the mirror was a shot I was willing to take.

"Someone will have to clean this up," I said when my eyes met with the broken pieces of mirror on the floor, I picked a piece up and looked into it.

I noticed the bags that had formed under my eyes, my lashes were longer and would have been mesmerizingly beautiful if I had ever taken my time to groom them,

I poked at the bump on my left cheek, "tsssk..that hurt." I hissed as I retracted my finger slowly feeling the squishy substance between my fingers, I studied it indifferently before flicking.

walking lazily toward the bathroom I let the piece of glass fall to the floor making it shatter into a few more pieces.

The water was cold as the atmosphere outside, I stood frozen, head bowed as I let the water wash its way down my skin, this was the only form of relaxation I knew and in time my body had grown accustomed to staying under the shower for hours.

The shower knob made squeaky noises as I turned it anticlockwise, I took my towel, wrapped it around, and made for my closet.

"Much better.", I said as I stood before the mirror, not fancy enough but at least I don't look like a low-budget Halloween costume,

My wardrobe wasn't the kind you would describe as fashionable, Aunt veke does the shopping for everything including clothes, so I have to wear what she provides.

"Ugh, what a mess." I groaned because I had so much cleaning to do, wait I don't have to clean, I'll just use the necklace. I turned around and searched, "Not on the bed", "Not in my nest", "Not under the bed?!", it couldn't have gone missing, I'm sure I saw it yesterday.

"Ugh, now I have to clean and look for the necklace afterward."

I grimaced at the thought that I'd been getting myself into so many tasks lately and putting up with Aunt like was the last thing on my mind so I bent and started picking up the pieces carefully so as not to hurt myself with them.

I finished in time for dinner, after taking one look around I drew in a satisfactory breath and headed for the dining, hopefully, the chocolate bouquet I had envisaged would substitute for whatever meal awaited me downstairs.

"I can't please, let Gehal go instead, I still have stitches to do," I shouted from the corridor hoping that they heard.

"Phew" I heaved, the excuse to get away didn't seem logical to me either but I didn't want anyone to notice that my hair color had changed from its brown state to a deep Black color and furs were beginning to cover my skin.

I dashed into my room, shutting the doors loudly behind me, I dropped onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow.

I wasn't crying this time, not that I decided not to. I had cried Several times earlier today and my eyes were swollen and almost falling out of their socket.

A loud sigh escaped from my mouth and my hand that had already grown extremely long spikes within seconds found its way to my disheveled hair as I let myself be drifted into a world of nothingness.

My eyes opened to darkness and cricket noises in the distance, my throat was sore and whimpering from the dryness, I stood up to get water, lazily slipped into my bunny flops, and headed for the fridge.

"So many yummies, tsk tsk." I thought as I bowled over the numerous delicacies I didn't know existed in the fridge

"ugh" I frowned at the thought. "Weren't we supposed to be on a diet?." I thought to myself and a wide grin formed on my cheeks, it vanished the moment it appeared and I stared blankly before grabbing a bottle of water.

I took a sip, put the lid back on, and took the half-empty bottle to my room.

The night breeze was cool and soothed my nerves, it made swooshing sounds as it met with the trees.

The sky was almost empty, it was dark and silent except for the distant noises that kept growing louder, as I looked through my window at the outside world with my resting drowsily on my rested arm and drinking absent-mindedly with the other hand.

I noticed that the spikes on my hands were gone and my skin was smooth again, I felt a bit relieved being back to my former self.

I didn't know which was older, Aunt veke's house or the abandoned mortuary behind the house,

"Whatever.", I thought as I gulped down the bottle of water, the house was probably the older cause. Why would anyone want to buy a house with a cemetery behind it, aunt veke was no sane person, she wouldn't even mind sleeping next to a coffin. Well, I wouldn't mind too. haha.

The tick-tock sounds from our antique wall clock were getting louder as the night grew darker, the life I envisioned was not as easy as I thought, as I grew older the probability of my dreams coming true continued to dwindle and I could feel reality's harsh face staring at me with a wicked smirk.

Ever since that afternoon aunt veke and I returned from the doctor's office with the results held feebly between my hands, staring at them blankly I knew I would have to grow accustomed to the feelings I get towards people, strong love, strong hate, lustful desires.

I never even mentioned the voices in my head to the doctor because the voices told me not to, they controlled every area of my life, and I couldn't go against them because I AM THEM. and THEM IN ME.

The voices, yes, them, it took effort not

to shout back at them or hit on things.

I didn't know whether to let them control my affairs or fight back, I just remained in my cocooned State.

"Go, yes..., Yesss..., take her...I want... her..we want... her..."

"No! Are you crazy?! That's my relative, I can't take her, what will Gehal think when she finds out she's dead? You guys have got to be kidding, you think I would eat veke?.No..no,you can't do this!!"

The voices in my head were commanding me to take a life but not just anybody's, they wanted me to take Aunt veke's life,

I had imagined they would start demanding a soul and I couldn't fight against it even if it was Aunt veke's they wanted.

My eyes turned red with anger and lust toward her, my blood went ice cold and I could feel the strands of hair on my spine already standing.

I wished she would turn away and leave but she still sat there and rocked her chair gently, I started to trod towards her.

."Yesss...go for her..."

"No no please I could do something more reprobate, I .....could ...Uhm... I could besmirch her reputation instead, She's got something big coming up from the National orientation."

I pleaded with the voices in my head. She turned her head and faced me with a puzzled look.

"Hey sweetie what's wrong with your eyes, were you playing with fire again?!"

Her demeanor changed, and grabbing for her torch, the voices were becoming deafening as I clutched my neck and advanced towards her slowly,

The temperature condition in the room grew colder and I could feel my pulse building up and my heart thumped faster and faster.

I winced in pain as my canine elongated leisurely, the flesh around my fingers had begun to pierce open and I could see its insides, my veins were visible as my pale skin had become Pellucid, and I lost my reflection to the darkness encompassing us,

"r..run."

I tried to warn her to escape as they were now more demanding on the floor before me, she stood up and rushed at me as I coughed up more and more blood, clutching tightly at my throat.

The excruciating pain I was feeling made me drop to my knees as I couldn't stomach it anymore.

I tried to swallow then I realized...my canines were growing backward and had gotten to my throat, my body began to tremble as my clothes got ripped off from my body leaving me with scars and openings I didn't know came from.

"What was happening? Was it the necklace?"

The next thing I heard was a loud blast like an explosion. A blurred

Vision of Aunt Veke trying to shake me awake as she sprinkled some strange substance on my face was the last thing I saw as I gave into the forces of syncope that overpowered me.

"Hey weirdo, you coming?.", Gehal shouted from the car jolting me back to reality,

"I wouldn't take any chances, and don't call me that.", I replied with a stern look

"Yes your majesty.", she said, making little effort to hide the sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes back before picking up my bags and one last look at the ruined building brought memories I wished I could leave behind the same way I was leaving everything else behind.

I couldn't fight back the tears that were begging their way to ascendancy. My cheeks burned red as the hot tears streamed downward nonstop. A pair of soft hands gripped my shoulders, and I felt my tensed body ease without effort.

"Crying won't bring them back and it ain't gon' do you no good kid, I know you're hurting, and so am i. They were my parents too, and I'll miss them as much as you will." Gehal said calmly

I turned and flung my hands around her neck hugging her so tightly I heard her wince. I moistened Gehal's jacket with my tears as she combed her fingers through my hair gently.

She peeled my hands off gently and motioned toward the car. "Let's go, Ivy, it'll be alright," Gehal said reassuringly.

I've never seen Gehal so sympathetic towards me, not even to anyone, but I guess our parents' death had thawed her cold heart a bit.

The house in front of us was rather intriguing than horrifying, the paintings were off in so many corners, that it looked gray and gloomy. I could feel an eerie sensation just staring at it and it wasn't the appearance, something was out of place. I shrugged the thoughts off Since it was Aunt Veke who lived here, she was our closest relative and the only person who agreed to take us in.

We got separate rooms, while Gehal chose the one next to the basement, I chose the room upstairs. settling in was much of a task. The entire room was covered in dust and cobwebs, the air was clogged and I could barely breathe. The moist windows which were attached loosely to the walls were becoming almost invisible.

I tried separating the mush from the mash. The room was quite large so it took a lot of effort to clean everything up. Aunt Veke agreed to call in a Handyman to fix the worn-out furniture and someone to fumigate the room.

We took turns in helping each other put things in place. The mirror was placed on the nightstand next to the bed which was in the middle of the room that took out little space. The accessories in my room were small but big enough. I filled it with different kinds of art, photos, and bedding. On the wall was a black outlined photo frame with photos of Flowers and vegetation. The tall wardrobe by the corner of the room occupied arranged clothes and my artwork. I chose to leave the floor bare, not that I liked it that way, but the sound of objects scraping the carpet made my insides cringe. when I and Gehal had finished setting up my room, we went downstairs to hers. She insisted on replacing every item in the compartment, and I had no other option than to oblige her request. Not because I couldn't refuse her willingly but I didn't want to upset her, Gehal can be a handful sometimes.

My decor was a bit exquisite compared to hers which was rather drab. We treated ourselves to some desserts and iced tea after the day's work.

After the mini buffet we had, Aunt Veke let us wander away from the house, but not beyond the river that was far off, not quite a distance had we gotten when we saw bones that seemed to belong to human beings and human remains scattered all over the place. I wondered why she hadn't driven through this part on our way coming and I had the feeling Gehal must've been thinking the same thing.

I turned to catch Gehal's reaction, her hazel blue eyes were dilated and her mouth hung open, she was trying as much as possible to hold her breath as she took everything in.

"Have you seen this before now?" she said In a half-whisper.

"I just got here at the same time you did, and close your big mouth you look like you got struck by lightning." She looked on and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Sometimes you seem eccentric, weird ass"

"Is that news?" I turned away wearily.

I was used to Gehal telling me I acted weird most times, even mom told us I never made a sound at childbirth, only Gehal cried.

Gehal was the first to come forth before I did, the nurse that held me pinched my cheek so she could get me to cry, she got disappointed when she couldn't seek my tears. And I didn't start speaking until I was seven. My parents pinned me as the strange twin and I gave them little trouble. They took me to a specialist one time when they would come into our room and find me on the floor crying occasionally. At first, my mom thought it was just a phase but when these unusual occurrences persisted, they hoped for a solution to come by quickly.

Dark and cumulus clouds were starting to gather in the sky, the leaves on the nearby trees curled and they swayed in a rhythmic movement. I noticed My sister's smooth straight hair suddenly was a bit frizzy. There was a moist sensation in the air and I could tell the rains were coming.

"It's going to rain, we better get going"

"How can you tell?". she quizzed emphatically

"I just know it". I replied unfazed

She stared at me with a suspecting look in her eyes, I felt her hard glare upon me but I kept a straight face and looked ahead. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it.

"I want to explore some more, you can go on without me." I heard her say.

"Then I'm staying too."

"You'll get a cold."

"I can handle it.", my hair was damp, and the rain was drizzling already. A little sneeze escaped my nose, I sniffed and wiped the moist liquid from my canals with my forearm.

"Coward, can't handle a little rain." she spat at me.

"Sorry, it's not my fault I'm allergic to the Cold, can...can we go now"

She felt the tremble in my voice and took my arm as she dragged me all the way home amidst grunts and grumblings.

I drank the chocolate in silence while my aunt watched. The rain had begun before we left the place which gave the impression of a cemetery ground. Our clothes were drenched in the rain and I was physically trembling like a leaf in winter. Gehal was right, after all, I couldn't handle the rain.

Auntie made us change into something warm and cozy, she handed me hot chocolate from the boiling kettle.

I made slurping noises as I sipped from the cup taking my time to savor the flavor. The room was in total blackness as we'd had a power outage for days.

I couldn't quite make anything out of Gehal's face with the dim light that was produced from Auntie's antique lamp, but I could tell she was bluntly irritated by the noises I made. She couldn't reprimand me, Auntie was already mad at us for staying out late, and in the rain. One part of my lip curved up at the thought of the adventures we'd have and the troubles Gehal might cause for herself while we stayed here.

Deep down I knew my sister was resisting the urge not to bring up the scene that left her dumbfounded earlier.

She kept her body motionless in the darkness while I studied her, drinking abstractly. I shifted my gaze unto Aunt Veke.

The lines on her forehead were covered with beads of sweat despite the cold atmosphere, and at intervals, she bobbed her creased face vertically. Her aging skin was pale and shabby, but she still maintained a delicate appearance which made it obvious that she must have been extremely beautiful during her youthful days. Since she rarely visited us during our childhood, that speculation only left a feeble fuse to the imagination.

"I'm going to bed auntie," Gehal said standing up from the couch, I watched her drag her feet lazily across the floor as she made her way to her room, slamming the door loudly enough to make me cringe.

"Finish up with your drink and go to bed, it's late." Aunt Veke suddenly turned in my direction with a somber face.

I gulped down the whole content in an instant and let out a yawn, putting my hand across my mouth to thwart the sound.

It is the third month and I haven't seen it yet. Not even the slightest sign of its arrival. A sudden feeling of unease towered over me as I remembered the fling I had months before we came to stay at Aunt Veke's. I couldn't be pregnant, I thought to myself. A few months before the terrible incident that claimed the lives of both my parents, I had been attracted to this one guy who had been delivering pastries to momma for a long time.

"Hey...um...Eve."

"My name's Ivy." I interrupted

"Ohh, Sorry about that."

There was an awkward silence after he had said that. I was too dazed to speak. His chin, I noticed for the first time, had a slight cleft. I registered every single detail of his features as if seeing him for the first time. The whiteness of his evenly spaced teeth, the lock of straight black hair that fell over his forehead, obscuring his hazel eyes which were ringed with long dark lashes that resembled a woman's.

"Are you home alone?" he started

"I...no..." I stuttered, not finding the right words to use.

"Uhm what I meant was, Is your mother in?". He interrupted before I could embarrass myself over his first question.

If he used to think much of me before, the way I fidgeted before him like a shaky leaf in winter had definitely shattered that thought.

"Ev...Ivy, is your mother in?, I brought some pastries". He corrected himself as he took a step further, bridging the distance between us. He stood a few hairsbreadths taller than me.

"She just stepped out a while ago but she'll be back soon." I tried to conceal my nervousness, but the traces of it in my voice gave me away. I bit my lower lip in disgust.

"Can I bring these in then?" He dangled the paper bag before making his way into the house, debarring me the chance to oblige or refuse his request.

I gulped, trying to ease the lump that was rising in my gut.

He placed the item gently on the dining table. I waited for him to turn so he could gaze at me with those flaming hazels of his, but I was disappointed. He maintained his position, staring straight at the painting on the wall.

"Do you like it? I drew that, see." I said trying to get his attention back on me and show off at the same time. I thought I saw his eyes flicker for a moment or it was just me being delusional.

He turned his head, his eyes still fixated on the drawing, inspecting every inch of it.

"Where did you learn to draw like that?" his stare fell back on me, and I heaved before answering.

"People are born with different gifts, well this is mine." The words kept repeating themselves in my head. "should I have said something else? that seemed irrational." I contemplated within myself.

His shoulders drooped and then he finally brought his eyes downwards, gazing directly into mine.

His piercing stare had a blazing effect. Everything came to an abrupt standstill, The air around became murky making it difficult to breathe. I thought my heart missed two beats when his hands cupped my face.

"What are you doing?" I questioned skeptically, unsure if I should push him away or drag him closer to me and fulfill my heartfelt desires.

He responded by slipping a warm hand behind my head. Our bodies rested against each other. My delicate, goose-fleshed, and hairless skin against his coarse, hirsute torso.

"Won't you want to examine this work of art?" He gave a mischievous smile as he took my hand and positioned it on his chest. He really was a work of art, a stunning piece as a matter of fact, but I couldn't voice out my thoughts as I was too overwhelmed by it.

He brought his face down on mine. His peculiar scent now stronger up close, clouded my memory. My composure returned and I tried shoving him aside but he just won't budge.

"I don't know if we should..."

"Be here at your house doing this?" he cut me off in the middle of my course, his grin spreading wider. He had read my mind and that made me choke on my spit. His intense stare lingered, and couldn't bring my face to meet his. I let my hand slide down in resignation. My heart almost popped out of its place when my hand met with his...

... Oh My Goddd!!!, The words echoed in my head. I jerked my hand off in a split of a second.

"I think we shouldn't be doing this." I voiced out almost in a murmur against my yearning. Even though I had plainly reprimanded him, I hoped within me that he would urge me to place my hand back on his... No, what was I thinking?!.

Mom would be home anytime soon, Dad was away on a business trip, and Gehal was out fishing with her friends. I had declined the invitation to join them in the activity. Now I wished I had gone along with them instead of being stuck in this situation that seemed gratifying.

"We won't take long on this." he took my hand and lurched us forward toward the kitchen. His lips were warm on mine, and it drove a flaming sensation through me. His hands were all over me, rooting for a spot to feast on before delving his fingers up my skirt.

Usually, I could smell it when it was coming, but the past three months have been completely different. I didn't get the usual scent and every trail of it seemed vague. I sensed it tremendously a few months back and it flowed naturally. Why had it ceased, I pondered, allowing my mind to absorb unrest, "foreplay couldn't get one pregnant". I thought aloud The only logical explanation for its abrupt seizure was pregnancy. The mere thought of it plunged at my heart.

I wasn't exhibiting any signs of pregnancy nor did I put on weight, rather I had lost a few pounds in the last couple of months.

The suspense was chawing me down inside gradually and I needed to confirm if indeed I was pregnant. I hadn't gotten my way around this new environment, so I decided to get a pregnancy test kit on the internet.

The delivery took more than its speculated time. I was so engrossed in my drawing I forgot I was expecting a package today, my eyelids were heavy as I fought to stay awake and continue my work, but my body system had other plans as I drifted off to sleep.

Four knocks on the door were enough to make Gehal spring to her feet. She opened the door to a nosy-looking man with a sly smile on his face, making the chip in his tooth visible, his eyes were large and they looked tired. His customized orange T-shirt was tucked neatly into his brown pants, which were held solemnly by a worn-out belt. His appearance spoke much about his job making it easy for her to tell what he was here for.

He placed two fingers on the tip of his face cap before speaking.

"A delivery package for a Miss Stroman," he said shyly keeping the smile

"I'm Miss Stroman,'' Gehal responded dryly, fixing her eyes intriguingly on the small brown box in his left hand.

He took out the scrapbook from under his armpit, withdrawing a ballpen from his pocket, he held them out to her.

"Please sign here ma'am...and here..."

She stared at the content before collecting the pen and scribbling on its surface. "That'll do it, thank you so much, Have a wonderful day ahead," he said and turned to leave

"Sure."

She studied the inscription on the parcel with great concern wondering what Ivy could have ordered. She started ascending the stairs to Ivy's room. Stopping halfway, she raised the box to her face, tilted her head to the left, and squinted her eyes, and then something dawned on her.

If she took the package to Ivy herself, she wouldn't get to know what was inside. Her curiosity got the better part of her as she ran back down the stairs to the living room.

She grabbed a pair of scissors while still contemplating opening it. Lacing the scissors into it, she tore the box open recklessly.

Her jaw fell downwards in astonishment, it took a while for her to recover from the shock as she picked up the item that had fallen from her hand to the floor.

Gehal dashed into my room unannounced, slamming the door hard behind her. The noise frightened me, causing me to wake up from my deep slumber.

"You didn't tell me you had a lover."

"Where is it? Let me have it." I said ignoring her question.

She threw the kit on the floor and was not minding if it broke. I took it and placed it on the bed before helping myself up with the support of the bed stand.

"What do you need it for?." she started

She walked up to me and sat down on the bed beside me. I scooted over to the window, placing both arms on the rail with my fingers intertwined.

"You know you can tell me anything, I won't mind." she continued.

I turned around and watched her face, a concerned look resting all over it.

"I'm fine, I just need it for my art. Let me have it."

"Oh and I'm the duchess of France, nice to meet you." Her poor imitation of a French accent sounded as if it was an animal in labor, literally, and left a few particles on my face.

I sensed the wit in her voice, Typical Gehal, I cleaned the spit she had spattered on my forehead and wiped it stylishly on her dress.

Telling her the truth was no deal, I just didn't want Aunt Veke getting worked up unnecessarily, I had already done enough of that to my parents.

"Ivy..." she called out

"What do you need a pregnancy kit for?." her tone was tranquil.

" I haven't seen my period for three months." I blurted out.

"Tell me you're joking."

"Fine, I'll tell you. I'm joking." I replied with a straight face. Gehal's puffed cheeks flushed red with irritation. Realizing that I was trying to play games with her, she inhaled deeply and didn't allow herself to succumb to my tactics.

"Who's responsible?."

"Responsible for what?!" I inquired.

"The pregnancy of course." she pointed out.

"I'm not preg...uh... I don't know if I am yet. It'll be irrational if I was since I don't have a boyfriend."

A wide grin settled on her face. She got up in excitement."You can get pregnant from a one-night stand." She batted an eyelid at me.

"I'm not like you." I retorted.

"What is that supposed to mean, are you calling me a whore...."

"I came across a lube among your things." I cut her off. For a moment she stood there paralyzed on the spot as shock bridged her freckled face.

My lips spread in a guileful smile. "I...I... it's not...m..mi..mine." she stuttered and my grin only grew wider. Her face fell. Maybe this will teach her not to taunt me anymore. She turned her back on me and headed for the door. She paused in her footsteps as if she quickly remembered something.

"I'm telling Aunt Veke, you are going to the hospital tomorrow morning to get a clue on what's wrong with you,I don't think you might be pregnant." she paused and held her breath before continuing.

"And you should learn to mind your business, don't go around putting your nose in other people's property."

she chose her words carefully trying not to sound defeated. My eyeballs rolled into their sockets and gave her a sickening stare.