The day he's been waiting had arrived, Dannick was both nervous and excited. So much was to happen that day that he might not even have time to celebrate his birthday1. He woke up at five in the morning to go for his daily seven mile run on the beach, it was the best way to clear his head each day. He loved to run, there was something about running at top speed while the wind whips past his body and through his coily shoulder length hair that felt empowering. Even the waves seemed excited to see him, he smiled thinking of this. It was a week since his last nightmare and he hoped to never have them again, of course his aunt's tea did all the work.
Dannick ran up the ten flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator to finish off his morning run, once he got inside the condo he went straight to the shower. He had to get to class at eight to take his final exams, he knew he was going to pass those with flying colors. After school, he had final matches in his Jiu Jitsu class for his black belt, he'd been waiting for a long time for that match. That black belt was good as his. Finally at six that evening, he had his boxing championship fight, that was the highlight of his day. Boxing was his favorite activity, apart from running of course. He really hoped his aunt didn't have big plans for that evening because he was going to be one big bruised lump by the end of the day. Without waking his aunt, Dannick rushed out the door excitedly to conquer his day.
In the bedroom across from the door, Tabia lie awake feeling distressed. She tossed and turned all week leading up to that day, even her tea didn't help. She heard every movement and excited chatter from the room across from hers, Dannick was planning his day as a carefree young man not realizing that after that day, nothing about his days would be carefree for a long while. She didn't want him to know she was awake because she wanted him to enjoy his day with no interruption from them.
Tabia got out of bed as soon as she was sure Dannick had left then went to the kitchen to make herself breakfast. She had a long day ahead of her, things had to be put in place to prepare for the ceremony for night. While she was cooking, she was deep in thought with the plans of the day when the doorbell rang. Tabia walked over and opened the door without thinking.
"You didn't even ask who it was, are you always this careless Tabia? I understand that you have protection on this floor but you could never be too careful especially not so close to ceremony day."
A tall man with dreads and furrowed brow starred down at her and waited for a response.
"My apologies Beta, I was distracted. Please come in."
Tabia straightened her back and gave her full attention to the man before her as he stalked through the door. His overpowering aura engulfed the room making her twenty-five hundred square foot condo feel like a small closet.
"No need for such formalities Tabs, we're all on the same level out here. It's been so long since I've been down here, I almost forgot how beautiful it was. It's way too hot though, you must still hate that part, right?"
Tabia relaxed a bit and smiled at the intimidating man. Beta Talyn Gray was the second in command of the once powerful Super Blood Mood pack now under the brutal control of Alpha Shaakim Bain. She was not expecting him until much later in the day, closer to the evening.
"I actually got used to it and will miss it very much. I remember how upset I was with you for choosing Florida as a place of escape but after a while, I couldn't think of raising him anywhere else."
Tabia walked over to the kitchen and checked on her sausage links in the air fryer then respectfully gestured towards the table for Talyn to sit.
"Would you like some coffee or perhaps some tea with your breakfast?"
"I do miss your cooking Tabs, the kitchen have not been the same without your guidance. I would love some tea."
Tabia prepared the tea then sat it carefully in front of Talyn. She gently rested her left hand on his right then spoke in a commanding voice. "You may remove your ring and speak freely Beta Gray."
Without a word Talyn carefully twisted a tungsten ring off his pinky and rested it on the table then took a long sip of his tea allowing the steam to flow into his nostrils.
Tabia left the table and went to make their plates neither of them spoke a single word during that time. Once breakfast was served Tabia sat a plate of food before herself and Talyn and once he took his last sip of tea she snapped her fingers three time.
"So, Beta Talyn tell me what's been happening back home, how is that tyrant Alpha treating our people?"
Talyn widened then shut his eyes tight clearing his foggy mind, then spoke in a more relaxed but commanding voice.
"It's not much good news I'm afraid, the pack is losing more people every month. They're secretly running away and seeking refuge in other packs, many were caught and were tortured then imprisoned but it is not stopping others from trying. The more loyal few are choosing to become rogues until things change but we both know how dangerous that route can be. The longer they remain rogues the colder and more brutal they will become then they will be hunted, not just by Shaakim but other packs who might feel threatened."
Tabia shook her head in dismay then sipped her tea and listened intently as Talyn continued.
"The soil is starting to harden, we can barely keep the tea and herb gardens going, it haven't rained in almost a year. We're watering the gardens with water from the lakes and the wells, but even those sources are drying up. The worse however is the Blood flower tree, it didn't bloom this year; I don't have to tell you how devastating that is. When Shaakim spared my life and demanded that I was to remain his Beta, I chose to stay not only to save my family but also to protect our people. I've tried for years to explain the legend of our pack and the specific rules of our land but he does not listen to reason, he thinks it's all a myth to keep the Alpha heirdom to one bloodline. What's worse, although he can clearly see the land is falling apart under us, he claims that it's all coincidence and the area is going through a cleanse."
Talyn let out a frustrating breath then stood and walked over to the window looking out to the beach.
"As bad as Shaakim could be, Mira is worse in many ways. She torments everyone around her without remorse or consequence and is under the allusion that Shaakim is going to make her his Luna. He doesn't reprimand her no matter how harsh she talks and treat the pack. She beats the kitchen staff and works the gardeners to the bone, even the children aren't safe when she's around. She recently demanded that the garden staff and hunters work sixteen-hour days because of the food shortage. I try to keep a tight rein on her, because she is under my protection however her respect for me vanishes the moment Shaakim is around. The time is now Tabia, our Alpha has to come home and reclaim the land and save his people, it's time for him to fulfill his destiny or else our pack and land will cease to exist."