The Hybrid's fate

TYS' POV- A grave decision

It was a cool evening, I walked through the bushes at the back of my home, my destination was the lake where I always swam in since I was a child. I always came here when I wanted to be away from my family and alone with my thoughts.

I got to the lake, stripped off and jumped in. I swam for an hour and came out, and then sat on a log at the bank of the lake, throwing rocks at the water. Doing this helps me process my thoughts. The swim had done nothing to calm my frayed nerves.

I was not in the right state of mind. In fact I was quite angry and very unhappy.

Early in the afternoon, I had come back on an errand my father sent me on. I had been sent to the next town to broker an alliance between my father and the alpha of the nighttime pack. My father is the most powerful alpha in the tricities, he wants to merge the packs under the tricities together against another powerful werewolf force from another country who was threatening to wage war.

The alpha I had gone to meet to broker the alliance had agreed about the merge, and had promised to provide strong werewolves for the oncoming war.

I had happily rushed back home to tell my father of my success with the assignment, when I had overheard a conversation between my father and my mother, Nymeria, which almost made me run mad.

".... Beowulf, he is your son, you can't treat him like a common messanger in his home" my mother had been saying when I got to the door of my father's study

"Darling, the boy isn't useful in ways that I need him to... he doesn't have any werewolf abilities, so I let him do what he is obviously good at. What else do you want from me? Make him commander of my army?" my father had replied

"it is not his fault that he was born that way Beo, and you know it. At least, give him a chance to prove himself. He has been training since he was two, you said yourself that he is strong and very intelligent for a...human"

"A human?" my father had laughed out "Nymeria, we don't even know what he is. we both know why the moon goddess did not bless him with our powers. He has no place in my army and that is that."

I had turned back and left without delivering the message, I didn't want to hear anymore.

Since I was a child, I have always felt the need to prove to my father that I was capable of protecting the pack just like my three elder brothers even though I had no special powers.

I was not born with were wolf abilities because my mother gave birth to me on a night without a full moon.

The moon goddess was present at the birth of my siblings. But, she went to sleep on the night I was born, my mother had told me that the night was darker than normal, and the moon goddess didn't give her the power to birth me, so she almost died of my birth.

I have always felt guilty for causing my mother that much pain, my father did not make it easy for me, he would always remind me that I wasn't recognized by the moon goddess, and that I was never special to him.

I won't lie that this did not hurt me in anyway but I have grown used to the constant taunts and hurt. I have channeled my hurt, guilt and anger against the goddess, towards working twice as much as any werewolf just to be the son I thought my father wanted me to be -a strong protector for his pack- but it is now obvious that no matter how much I wake up by dawn to train with the others and continue even when the others have stopped, use my superb intellect to help in diplomatic matters in the pack, put my life on the line countless times when sent on dangerous meetings with other packs, I will never be enough for my father. I am not a werewolf, so I don't matter.

Coming to this conclusion hurt me more than I can put into words but it has also made me gain clarity.

I envy my siblings who do not have the same problems I have, I have three elder brothers who are powerful werewolves already. The first one, Thane was the commander of my father's army and the next alpha of the pack, Ghost was the second in command, the third is Rudolph. Rudolph has always shown me scorn, he was always finding ways to hurt me with words and would always laugh out loud when father criticizes me.

It hurt and angered me when he shouts "oh Tys, I think you should sit the hunting games out, you wouldn't be able to see an elephant even if it is standing right at your front, would you" to the hearing of my father's men, in a voice intended to hurt.

Of course he was alluding to the werewolf's ability to see very clearly, even in the dark. I do not have that ability but I do have a keenness to track animals very well, but he doesn't care about this either, just like my father.

My other siblings were more amiable to me especially my older and younger sister, Akela and Akira and Thane's mate, Cassidy.

Although I've always felt that Thane and Ghost tolerated me at best, but at least they were not cruel like Rudolph.

I was now in my twentieth year, and I am tired of the constant discrimination from my father, Rudolph's constant taunts, and the others' pity, I cant take them anymore, I have to leave the suffocating walls of my family's home.

I decided to talk with my father.

I stood on my feet and threw one last rock at the river, then started walking back towards the house. I wanted to let my father know my decision immediately.

Fortunately, it was one of those evenings when my father, free from duties, sat in the family sitting room reading the evening papers.

I approached him with nervousness, I knew cruel words would be exchanged due to what I was about to say, but I do not give a fuck about that.

"Father, I have something to say to you," I said in a very strong voice laced with determination.

my father looked up from his paper and fastened steely eyes on me "you didn't come to report to me about the meeting with the nighttime alpha...did you want me to send emmisaries to you to get the information or what?" he asked, drawing his eyebrows together in a frown and grinding his teeth together as he was wont to do when he was vexed.

"I want to leave"

"leave?...leave where?"

"leave here, I want to travel...I want to go and make my way"

He looked at me without understanding "your way is with your family, Tys, you can't leave!" this was said in a dangerously low voice, it did not move me though

"Why can't I leave? you can't tell me what and not to do, father... I'm only telling you because it is the right thing to do, I am not asking for permission to leave"

"the hell you are not asking for permission!" he shouted, slapping his paper on the table and standing up. "I am the leader of this pack, boy, I have the final say here! You don't."

"I am useless here father, you have never lost the opportunity to drill this into my head, how does my leaving affect anyone?" I shouted back, standing my ground.

"You are right! You are fucking useless to me, but no son of mine will leave the pack to go gallivanting across the -"

"that is enough, Beowulf!" screamed a voice I recognized as my mother's. I looked back and saw her sweeping into the room with barely contained anger pulsing in her veins "Let the boy do whatever he wants, there is no use bullying him to stay"

my father was speechless, he stared long at his wife, sat down slowly, then finally directed his gaze back to me "go then" he said "but, don't ever come back"

I wasn't shocked at this command, I expected it. My father was a very proud man, he couldn't tolerate any disrespect.

I glanced at my mother to see her reaction, she was white in the face. "You can't banish him, Beowulf....." she protested with a weak voice.

"I'm sorry Nymeria, he was never part of this family anyway"

"No!!" mother cried, shifted into wolf form, then ran out.

I wanted to run after her, to console her, but I knew it was no use anyway, I could not catch up with her no matter how fast I ran. Perhaps, it's best to allow her to vent her anger in the way she chose to. I sighed, nodded at my father, and walked away leaving my father staring at my back angrily.

I went to my room to pack my things.

As I entered I felt the presence of another "who is here?" I asked

"it's me, brother" whispered a voice from the shadows of the dim room. I relaxed, it was my beloved younger sister.

"Akira-"

"I heard you were leaving " she was in my front now, staring at me with luminous blue eyes, her wild mane of blond hair tied back in a ponytail, I looked at her with fondness and knew I would miss her terribly

"yes...I wish to travel"

"to where?"

"I do not know yet, darling sis"

"I wish u wouldn't go, Tys...this would break mother's heart...she would feel more guilty about..."

"she has nothing to feel guilty for, she didn't make me this way, the moon goddess did. I need to find myself, Akira I am tired of being redundant in this family, tired of the constant hurt, I love mother, but this is about me, my life"

"I know...well, I will miss you Tys, and it's so sad that we might not see you again" she began to cry.

"hush, angel, you will...I promise you, I will make sure of that" I drew her close and wiped her tears. When she stopped crying, she joined me to pack. That's Akira for you, she never dwelt long on sadness. She was a happy go lucky person, but she was a wonder in her wolf moment, a ferocious fighter.

My mother walked in some moments later, Akira left to give us some privacy.

"I wish you wouldn't go, son...but...but I understand your desire to leave here. I have wired some money into your bank account-"

"Mother, I do not want his money, I will send it back to you!" I vehemently replied, does she think I can not survive on my own without their help? I thought angrily.

"It's not your Father's money, it's mine! I know you don't need it, you are a strong man, I'm sure you can survive on your own without it, but please it would do me some good to know that I have helped in a way"

"mother... please don't feel guilty for my situation, it's not your fault. thank you for the money, anyway" I replied, knowing that it was the only way to allay her fears for me.

she hugged me very tightly, then walked away still weeping silently.

I carried my light suitcase, took a cursory look at my room for the last time, then walked out of it.

I met my brothers in the hallway, they were arguing playfully, and when they saw me, they stopped.

"Tys, what is this I hear about you leaving? asked Thane, eyeing my luggage

"it is true, I'm leaving"

"Well, well, well, if that ain't the best news I've heard in years" growled Rudolph

"shut up Rudolph!" commanded Thane with menace. Rudolph gave a low growl in answer but kept his mouth shut while keeping his hateful eyes on me

"Did father banish you because of this?" Ghost wanted to know

"yes....he did"

"you would write mother or call from time to time to keep her sane then?" Thane asked gruffly, though I knew this wasn't a question but a command. it didn't offend me, I knew my brother's gruffness was out of concern for our mother.

"yes I will" I replied to reassured him, though I am not sure I will, at least until I am no more the pathetic loser they all know.

We all kept silent after this. The silence was broken by the entrance of Akela, Akira and Cassidy

Akela came to me, held my hands, and whispered "I wish you good tidings on your journey Tys, I will miss you" she said, it's obvious she had been crying, her green eyes were laced with worry, I hope she was not reading my aura, Akela is a sage, so she was mostly pessimistic in nature. She was the complete opposite of Akira in more ways than one.

"thank you Akela, please take care of mother" I replied, pulling her red hair loose from the tight bun she had packed it in, in a playful way like I have always done.

Cassidy held her arms forward, I went into them and hugged her tightly. "Take care of yourself little one, I wish you good speed" she whispered into my ears. I nodded "thank you, Cass" and kissed her goodbye on her cheeks.

I went to Akira who was looking like she missed me already,hugged her tightly, kissed her goodbye, nodded to the others, and took my leave to search for my destiny.

HERA'S POV - A family affair

I stood impatiIently waiting at the entrance of the tunnel for my twin brother, Lucian and his lover to finish whatever it is they were doing.

I was worried for my twin. I have been watching him for weeks now, and I knew he would soon be in deep shit, what the shit would be, I do not know yet.

Lucian has been sneaking out of the castle for a dangerous meeting with the daughter of our father's oldest enemy, Maugrim at her father's castle.

While I was not one to discourage a tryst, as I was a believer in dangerous excitements myself, I wouldn't encourage one with the daughter of the feared Maugrim.

I have no idea why Lucian would choose to play with his life like this.

I fear for him, I could see that he was falling in love with her, and I knew that it could not end well.

I would have told my mother if not for the fact that Lucian made me swear on my life that I would not breathe a word of it out to anyone.

And what choice do I have? I was the keeper of his secrets, and he, mine.

We never kept anything away from each other.

our bond has been strong since birth, yet we still compete with each other.

When we were younger, we would climb trees to see who could climb faster, swim rivers to know who can swim faster, and test whose vampire abilities are defter.

Lucian's power of shapeshifting is more powerful, but my senses are sharper than his, I could hear words from miles away on a silent night, and smell things faster than him, I also inherited the gift of healing from my mother.

My mother said Lucian came to the world first, but I had held one of his legs in my struggle to come out first. That was when our competitiveness started.

He had been the first to know when I started my blood flow and when I lost my virginity to a gorgeous castle guard, he had wanted to rip the vampire apart if not that I threatened to never speak to him if he did. Safe to say, I never told him about all the other guys I fucked after that. I will not be responsible for severed heads on pikes.

He had told me about his love for Kimi, Maugrim's daughter even before I could find out myself, and I had pleaded with him that nothing could come out of it, my plea had fallen on deaf ears, of course.

This night, he had told me to follow him to their secret place of meeting, I had first refused to have anything to do with it, but I had later conceded finally.

We had met her at one of the secret tunnels my brother had discovered. Seeing her, I understood the reason my brother was so smitten with her and was willing to damn the consequences.

Kimi was very beautiful. She had beautiful blonde hair, blue eyes, pert nose and full pink lips. She was petite with beautiful curves and full breasts. She was soft-spoken, and gentle.

On seeing her, she had hugged me like a long lost sister. I liked her, but I wished their love wasn't so doomed.

I was to guard the entrance of the tunnel in case any of my father's guards decides to come in.

I would distract him and alert the lovers. Nobody had come to disturb but I was tired of standing guard for hours. I called out.

"Lucian" I got no answer, so I entered into the tunnel. I met them fucking! ohmygod!!

I ran out in embarrassment and decided to wait a little longer and hoped they would finish fast. Moments later, they were out. "Thank you Hera, for keeping watch" Kimi said, gave me a light kiss on my cheek and disappeared into thin air.

"You could have warned me that you would be balls deep in her tonight, I would have been saved that disgusting sight" I said to my brother hotly.

his cheeks got red "were you spying on us, Herr?" he asked jokingly

I rolled my eyes "you wish" I scoffed.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this, sis" he said in mellowed tones.

"don't worry, it's okay" I soothed him.

We walked towards home, both of us in deep thoughts, we got back home and heaved a sigh a relief, nobody had noticed we were gone.

The next night was one of the nights when my father hosted council meetings with some vampire lords in the state.

They usually sit in the great Hall presiding over matters of the realm.

My three elder brothers, Arrax, Fyr, and Theo sat on the council meetings with my father. Lucian was expected to sit too, but he was nowhere to be found. I was not allowed to sit though because I was a woman.

I am very bitter about this, I mean, I'm just as skilled a strategist and a fighter as my brothers but I'm not allowed to do certain things just because my dad insists on seeing me as his weak beautiful baby girl.

Before leaving for the meeting an hour ago, my father, Amarog had badgered me about Lucian's whereabouts, I had told him I had no idea of where he was... I couldn't of course tell him that he was chilling with the daughter of his greatest enemy, he would have a fit or worse, order that Lucian be punished severely.

He had left with my brothers, and I was now in my room, worried sick.

My mother regally swept into my room, then proceeded to put things in order as she normally did when she visited my room

"Mother, please leave my shoes exactly where they are" I entreated

"Hera, you live in a pig sty, why don't you clean up once in a while" my mother replied sarcastically, being already tired of my aversion to tidiness.

I rolled my beautiful green eyes to heaven. Mothers! will they never give it a rest?

"you can roll your eyes all you want honey, but I will always tell you the truth, you know that"

"I know mum" I sighed

"what is it, baby? you seem worried"

"nothing"

"that's not true, something is obviously wrong with you, have you fed tonight?" my mother was referring to the blood satchel she usually keeps for me in the kitchen.

I had drunk it earlier, it had tasted like the blood of a rodent, I would have preferred that of a human, but my mum and Lucian have a strict policy against that so I had managed to drink it and it had filled me. I wasn't hungry.

"yes mum, I've fed...I'm just worried about Lucian" I said

"Stop worrying about that, he's probably with one of the kitchen maids, on her bed precisely" my mother laughed

I nodded non-committally.

A moment later, we felt Lucian's presence in the room. He probably transformed into an inanimate object in the room and overheard our conversation. what a bastard! I thought fondly

"where the fuck have you been?" I asked him

"calm down sis, I was with a buxom maid and she was a hard one to leave, that Linda was" he said, winking at me for the benefit of our mother, but I noticed his voice was laced with worry. my fears had just been confirmed.

"I told you darling" my mother laughed "do not let your brother's silly antics turn your hair grey"

Saying this, she left, shaking her head, probably thinking that her son had gone on a stupid sexual escapade and her daughter was being unnecessarily worried for nothing.

I wished it was so, if my mother had known the 'maid' whose bed Lucian was on, she would have fainted.

"where the fuck were you, Lucian? Father has asked of your whereabouts more times than I could count"

"I'm sorry, Herr, I had to stay a little bit longer, Kimi was in a distraught state"

"What happened?'"

"she told me that her father has discovered our secret"

"what! how come?"

"her guard was told to tail her, and he reported to her father. Hera, I need to tell father. Kimi told me that her father plans to invade the castle in a fortnight"

"How was she able to tell you this?"

"she said she made her maid take her place in her room, everyone thinks she was sleeping"

"fuck! you need to tell father about this right away, Lu"

"I know...I will tell him after the council meeting"

"No! you need to tell him now, he needs the support of the other lords if he is going to defeat Maugrim, and you know another council meeting will not hold until next moon"

"that's true...You are a good strategist, Hera. Father needs you on his council seats" Lucian said with admiration

"well, it's a pity I'm a girl then, that would be too manly for his little princess now, wouldn't it" I sarcastically replied, drawing a chuckle from Lucian.

I was really pained about my father's aversion to treat me like a capable and competent person. I was his beautiful little baby girl and nothing more. And here was Lucian throwing away his chance which was my own dream. I sighed with discontent.

Remembering the matter at hand, we both sobered up. we knew telling our father won't be easy and we feared his judgment.

"well, then....let's go" I broke the silence

we both hurried to the direction of the great hall, and on reaching there, we saw that the entrance had been blocked, not by a physical door, but by a supernatural obstruction.

It was done by our mother, one of her powers is being able to magically block access to an entrance.

That's why our castle has never been breached by an external force.

I cast a spell by waving my palms in the air and saying some words of magic, the entrance was breached. Yes, I also inherited my mother's sorcery power. Tough luck!

We hurried into the Hall.

The meeting was still in process. When we were noticed, all talk ceased.

"Lucian, what is the meaning of this?" boomed my father

"father we have something important to discuss with you" replied Lucian

"Can it not wait? you know better than to barge into the meeting like this."

"no it can't" I replied with growing impatience, disregarding the law that states that a woman must not talk in the council, except one that has achieved very high vampire status, like my mother. My father casted a steely gaze upon my disrespect.

"Hera, you can't be here, I've told you this several times" my father said in vexation.

"yes father, but it's very important" I replied determinedly.

He sighed "okay" he said and ordered us to take our seats.

we both did and then Lucian narrated his ordeal. He told them of his love for Kimi, his secret meetings with her, and her father's intentions.

I could feel maddening anger emanating from my father, his eyes were blazing red. My elder brothers stared in shocking disbelief at us. I could see they were also angered by this news.

"Hera, since when have you known about this?" asked Arrax.

I felt my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment, I knew the right thing to have done was report my brother after finding out instead of putting the realm in danger like I did, but how could I have? Lucian was my twin and he would have done the same for me, I thought.

"Since the beginning of the affair" I whispered weakly, ashamed of myself.

"what the fuck, Hera, you could have prevented this" shouted Fyr

"I could not betray Lucian's trust, I swore I wouldn't" I replied hotly, angry that they were putting the entire blame on me.

"Do not blame her, she has nothing to do with this" Lucian replied more hotly.

"of course she hadn't, you manipulated her to keep silent,you coward" Arrax hissed ferociously.

"Silence!" our father commanded. Everyone stopped talking at once.

"I will not tolerate any insolence in this hall! Theo, get your mother" Theo left at once.

"my Lords" he turned to the Lords seated, "what do you think we should do about this?" he asked them

Lord Petyr, my father's best friend suggested that spies should be planted to infiltrate Maugrim's army, so they can know what to expect of his strength and weakness.

The other lords agreed that this was a smart plan.

"Arrax, go and start preparing your men" my father ordered Arrax, who was the commander of our army. Arrax left promptly.

"my Lords, should I be expecting your support in the coming war?" my father asked

"yes, Amarog, we are solely behind you" they all echoed.

Amarog nodded his thanks and called the meeting to an end. Immediately, the servants of the Lords appeared from the shadows to help their Masters leave.

As the last person left, my mother came in with Theo. From her looks, it was obvious that she had heard the news. She looked distraught. She and Theo took their seat

" Lucian" Amarog began "you have soiled the name of the family and put the family at risk. You have dragged my name in the mud for your selfish interest. Maugrim and I have had our differences over the years..." I thought that was an understatement, everyone knows the hard wars that have been fought between the two for reasons that were still a mystery. "...with this stupid escapade of yours, you have given Maugrim cause to wage war, and I can't blame him, I would do the same if some fucking guy defiles my daughter too" Amarog said angrily, his eyes were red now.

"I did not defile her, father. I love her and intend to marry her" Lucian replied

"you will hold your tongue while I still speak, boy, or I will cut it out for you"

I knew what was coming next even before my father said it. my father was not one to forgive disrespect easily. Lucian had made a grave mistake!

my father said in a soft voice that betrayed the anger he felt "At dawn, you will leave the castle and never come back" We all gasped in shock.

"Amarog!" my mother shouted. Her hands were shaking, her face was whiter than normal, she stood up, and almost fell but she was caught by Fyr. "you can not banish your son...our son...just...just because he loved, you cannot" she pleaded brokenly.

"I can, Kasla and I will...what he did was treason and it's punishable by death. You know it, I'm being lenient"

"No! you are not! you are being selfish and your ego is blinding your judgment" she countered harshly, fueled by anger.

"I'm sorry, darling, but I have no choice" he replied regretfully.

Kasla furiously left the hall.

"I'm sorry father, for causing so much trouble for everyone but I am not sorry for being in love with Kimi. I will leave by dawn" Lucian said and then took his leave.

Fyr and Theo followed.

I was heartbroken by this turn of events, I looked at my father and felt sorry for him, he must be under a lot of strain "heavy lies the head that wears the crown" I thought. I also felt furious with him for not being a bit more lenient with my twin. The punishment was too harsh for such an offense.

I wanted to go to my father and comfort him and probably punch him too.

"Father... I'm-" I began

"not now, Hera. I want to be left alone"

"Okay..." I nodded and went to my room.

I was bone tired from all the back and forth and couldn't sleep. I thought about Lucian. I wondered about how he must be feeling at the moment. He was probably already packing his bag. I wanted to go and see him, but I just couldn't find the strength to.

I wasn't sure he could survive in the outside world on his own.

He was too romantic and soft for the harsh realities of life. Maybe I could follow him, I thought. After all, I would never be happy without him in this castle.

I wouldn't be able to train with the warriors now, the only reason my father allowed me to train was because he thought I was just doing it to compete with Lucian.

He didn't know I was serious about joining the ranks. He would not hear of his precious daughter doing something as gruesome as fighting.

He wanted me to marry one of the sons of the Lords of the vampire realm. In fact two weeks ago, I had heard from a servant that, plans were being made to marry me to Lord Petyr's stupid son.

I wanted more than just being the wife of some man.

I had met several of these sons of Lords and I had hated their dumbness and their arrogance and the way they treated me like a china plate that must be handled with care.

If I don't leave, my fate will be marrying one of them and I would rather die!

All I need to do is to convince Lucian. it would be hard convincing him but he would have no choice.

I wasn't going to take no for an answer

I stood up and went to knock on the door of his room. He opened the door and I went in.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"I don't know...angry I guess. Father made me a pawn in whatever game he is playing with Maugrim, and I hate him for that" he answered bitterly.

I nodded understandingly.

"I am going with you"

He was so shocked into speechlessness that his mouth hung open for some seconds.

"Lucian, I won't take no for an answer...I am going with you and that's that, you were the one who dragged me into this in the first place, now you have to do what I want" I said trying to send him on a guilt trip. I am manipulative, I know.

"I'm sorry" he replied, pushing his hands into wavy brown hair "I take it no matter what I say to persuade you not to come with me would sway you"

"it won't work" I agreed

He sighed.

"why do you want to leave Hera? you think I can't survive on my own?" he asked me, frowning seriously.

"of course not! what's the point of staying here if I have to end up the wife of one of those stupid men? I want to see the world, Lu. I want the promise of adventure this brings. I am too liberal for a place like this, you know this" I explained passionately

"you should let mother know, she won't like it...it will break her, losing one of her twins is one thing, losing both is another"

"I can't tell her, Lu, she would make sure I don't go!"

"That's true, she would probably cast a spell on you to forget me" he chuckled

"She might, you know" I replied, trying to sway him further.

"Okay, let's meet at the grove at dawn," he said

My heart skipped a beat with delirious happiness

"see you at dawn" I said happily and went

back to my room to prepare for my journey to my destiny.

TYS' POV - An unwelcome visit

I have been traveling for two days now, avoiding crowded places, because I know word would have passed around that the Alpha's misfit son has been banished.

Definitely, members of other werewolf packs might consider me easy picking, especially rogue werewolves who might want to attack me for fun. There is a particular rogue werewolf who I expect to come looking for trouble, his name is Brutus.

He was a member of my father's pack ten years ago but he was banished after it was revealed that he was murdering innocent humans for fun. Since then, he has borne a keen hatred for my father and anything that has to do with him, me especially.

when he had been a member of our pack, he had hated me and found ways to be cruel to me.

He once bit me during a full moon and blamed it on the effect of the change. My father had turned a blind eye to that.

Now that he was no longer under any alpha, he was free to do as he please, including killing me if he so wishes.

Not that I was afraid of him, I am a very strong fighter, and fights with Rudolph has taught me invaluable lessons about fighting with werewolves, but I am a firm believer in not engaging in avoidable fights.

I haven't touched the money my mother gave to me, partly because I didn't need it yet and also because I was reluctant to. I felt uncomfortable spending it as I considered it part of my father, but I know that it will make my mother feel better about my leaving.

I would probably make a withdrawal when I get to New York.

The city posed a bigger challenge, so I am very eager to get there.

I hadn't known my destination earlier, until this morning.

I had wanted to leave as much distance between myself and my home, so much that I walked for hours, till night came and was very tired, then I had to rest in an abandoned shack till this morning.

I guess the shack was a farmer's.

I had overheard two girls this morning, talking outside the shack that there were many opportunities in New York City for young men who were willing to work.

One of them, had said her brother had left to work on the site of one of the tall buildings that were been built. I guessed the girl was the daughter of the farmer who owns the shack

I had left the shack to continue on my journey while they were still talking. When they had seen me, they had been shocked with mouth hung open, and when I had greeted them and apologized for using the shack, they had both smiled at me and shook their heads.

"you can stay as much as you like" said one, playfully touching her hair and batting her lashes

"you can come stay at my house, we have three empty rooms,mr..." the other had stylishly asked for my name. I had had no desire to tell them my name or stay a moment longer with them

"oh, I do not need to, I'm in a hurry. Thanks anyway for the invitation" I had replied firmly, while walking away.

"I'm Abigail, she's Mary... what's your name?" the first girl called to me

"nice meeting you" I had said in a tone that discouraged further conversation and continued walking away to the girls' disappointment.

I have always had that kind of reaction from women. For some reason, women always found me attractive.

Cass, my brother's mate used to say I have the face of an archangel, whatever that means, I do not know.

I guess I should be extremely grateful to the moon goddess for seeing fit to give me beauty that I never asked for.

Though beauty is not a rare thing in my family. My mother is a very beautiful woman, my sisters are the envy of the other girls in the pack for their beauty, and my brothers were cause for several fights among the women in the pack because of their strength, virility, power and physical beauty.

I have never been to New York City, my father did not encourage leaving the pack except for special occasions.

Our pack was located deep in the woods of Newark, Texas.

Werewolves tend to stay far away from humans, partly because it was a law to keep the humans safe from werewolves and because werewolves do not deem the humans worthy of their association.

I had liked going into the town where the humans lived, with Cassie, Thane's mate and Akira my little sister on weekends.

I was the only one who they dragged on their shopping sprees in the town, I would wait patiently in departmental stores for them while they bought clothes, shoes and bags, then they would drag me to an automobile workshop because they knew that is the only place I am most comfortable.

I've always loved cars since I was a child, I loved the smell of grease and the sheer hardwork involved in fixing the cars.

I would spend hours with the men, proffering solutions to car problems and then watching them fix the cars.

Those outings to the town were the happiest moments of my life. Cassie and my little sister had given me that, and I am most grateful to them. They had made my life bearable at home.

I walked for three hours before I finally got to the roadside.

I hoped to see a vehicle going my way. Not long after, I saw one and flagged it down, the driver of the truck stuck his head out of the window and hollered at me

"hey big guy, how'ya doing?" he was a very fat man, who wore loose fitted dungarees, a massive dreadlock and had plenty tattoos and piercings.

"I'm headed to New York city" I replied

"hmm, New York, I see. I'm headed there meself, hop in" he said jovially. I hopped in.

"I'm Kevin" he offered, I smiled at his introduction but did not offer back my name, I want to keep as low a profile as possible and I think Kevin is a man who if given an inch may demand a whole, he also liked the sound of his own voice a little too much.

I don't mind the man's talkativeness, it was the sort that didn't need any input from the hearer, so I turned him off and fell asleep.

Few hours later, we got to New York City. I was very amazed at the city. It was a city that was very much alive with sounds.

Having lived my whole life in a little town and even still secluded from the general population of not more than two thousand people, I felt electrified with joy, I felt assured that this was the city where I was going to find himself and reinvent myself.

"where in the part of the city are we?" I asked, Kelvin the driver

"Brooklyn, big guy"

"thank you" I said and gave him the fare.

I jumped out of the truck and bade the driver farewell. "Goodbye, big guy, and welcome to New York City" he said, all smiles.

I went looking for a serviceable hotel. I saw one far down a street. it was a disreputable looking building with tattered floors and rusting roofs . It didn't look like a place that could give you comfort, but I walked in and booked a room nonetheless.

The waitress at the entrance was busy painting her toenails when I came in, and didn't bother to look up when I greeted her.

I waited for her to acknowledge my presence, and when she didn't, I had to knock loudly on the countertop till she eventually gave a loud yawn to communicate how bored she was and then looked up.

"yes? how's can I help you?" she asked looking at me with interest, now that she had got a good look at me.

"I would like to book a room please" I told her

"how long is you gonna stay for?" she asked

"two days"

"seven dollars, thirty cents for each day"

I gave her twenty dollars.

She pocketed it "um... you want a blowie?, I is very good with that, I will give it to you for ten dollars" she said enticingly, batting her non-existent eye lashes.

I guessed blowie means blowjob, she wanted to give me a blow job for ten dollars, I almost laughed out loud.

I looked at her pinched face smeared with some kind of powder, and her smudged lipsticked lips.

I felt repulsed by her, she was the first female who made me feel revulsion.

I had been propositioned by females all my life and they had all aroused in me different feelings ranging from indifference to mild attraction and once, a short-lived obsession for the daughter of one of my father's friends, Karen.

She had given me one of the best fucks of my life at one of the grand hotels in the town and then ghosted me after that, probably because she did not want her father to know that she was having an affair with the Alpha's misfit son.

I sighed, all that had happened a long time ago. Now, what I felt for this lady was very far from obsession.

I looked at the lady and said very firmly "No, I do not pay for sex"

This surprised her, she fixed me with a very deadly stare "good night then" she said rudely throwing the keys of the room at me.

I turned and went in search of my room. I opened the door and almost ran out again.The room consisted of a bed which was surely full of bedbugs, a threadbare floor and an old black and white television.

My spirits plummeted, I laid on the bed self conciously.

I felt very tired and weary, and not bothering to shower, within minutes, I slept off.

I woke up the next day, energized, despite having slept badly due to the sounds of rats waking me up every damn minute.

I took a bath in the dingy bathroom, dressed up and left.

I planned to tour the city, to find job at a mechanic workshop. I had always loved getting my hands greasy and dirty in cars, now I would be able to do that without any restrictions, I smiled to myself and walked to the entrance of the hotel gingerly.

I saw the receptionist that propositioned me last night, at her desk, filing her nails this time.

"good morning" I greeted her, not really expecting an answer.

She gave me the stink eye and continued filing her nails. I shook my head and thought how true it was that 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'

I walked out into the pleasant morning Sunshine.

I noticed people didn't give me any special attention like they did in my home town, they didn't look at me with curiosity like the human people in my town, or look at me with disgust like some of the werewolves in the pack or even look at me with admiration and lust like the womenfolk do.

They didn't even look at me at all, they were all rushing to wherever they were going to, not meeting anyone in the eyes.

It was a breath of fresh air for me who had always felt conspicuous.

I was going to reinvent himself here, to take control of my life as from now, and take this city by storm. I have come to my destiny, I thought with determination.

I found a workshop after some hours of touring the city by asking a man I had seen at a park, playing with two kids I assumed were his children. The man had directed me to an establishment called Taylor and sons.

I had found myself at the front of a building filled with various types of cars.

Men were busy working on them. I approached one of the men, the one that looked like the boss.

"can I help you?" the man asked.

"yes, I want a job...I can fix cars" I replied

He raised one eyebrow and asked " Is that so? what do you know about cars?"

"well, I know enough to know that that guy is repairing the cylinder head gasket the wrong way" I said, pointing to a guy whose hands are busy working on a car.

The boss looked me in the eyes, I kept my eyes on him and never took my eyes off him. He averted his gaze first

"ok, smart pants, why don't you do it, if you are so sure about that" he said, directing me towards the car in question "hey, Jay, this guy says he would make this baby purr in five minutes, let's see him do that" he told the guy working on the car

"oh yeah?" Jay asked, lifting one brow in disbelief, he lifted his body away from the car and waved me towards it.

I bent, and started working on the car. In precisely four minutes, I went to start the car and it powered up with life.

I looked up and saw that all the guys at the garage had gathered and were all staring at me in disbelief.

Jay was the first to break the silence by coming forward and taking my hand in a firm handshake " I think you have got the job, mate. Is that right, boss?" he called out

The boss walked towards me grinning wildly "welcome to Tyler and sons, I'm Tyler...what's your name?" he asked, offering a handshake

"I'm Tys" I said accepting the handshake firmly, very happy to begin work.

The rest of the crew all introduced themselves to me. I shook all their hands and followed Tyler to his office to conclude the employment process.

Tyler told me to start immediately. He said the payment wasn't that great, but I can complement my finance by giving home services.

I didn't care about the payment plan, since I had enough money to keep me comfortable for a very long time.

So I just told him that there will not be need for that, all I wanted to do was just work on cars.

I started work immediately and worked till ten in the night.

It was a very demanding job, but I loved it. My coworkers were all great, none asked stupid questions about where I am coming from or whatever silly questions some people are fond of asking new faces.

Being at work for hours removed my thoughts from my family and made me feel very competent and almost complete.

I was the only employee left with the boss by the time I was done, the others had already left.

I bade my boss good night and left for my hotel.

Due to my tiredness, I didn't quickly notice that the receptionist was not at her post.

If I had noticed I would have known that all was not well and that I might be in deep trouble.

I opened the door to my room and immediately picked up the scent of a stranger in the room. I was about to switch on the light when I was hit with a very heavy object. I tasted my own blood and then descended into darkness.