| CHAPTER 30 : HELPS ME STAY YOUNG |

We walked down the hallways with me following Levi to wherever he was taking me. There was slight displeasure on his face as if he didn't exactly want to take me there, but he didn't object too much when I asked though.

We reached a door around the corner.

"I think you might find whatever you need over here," Levi said pushing open the door, "no one reads these books anymore. Think you can find what you want?"

I stepped into the huge room with shelves filled with books standing so tall, my mouth hung open in shock.

"This feels like Beauty and the Beast. You know? When Beast shows Belle his library. Except you're not hairy and not that huge and I don't have brown hair and I'm not wearing that green dress she-" I shut my mouth when Levi continued to look at me in confusion, "Right. Not relevant."

"Want me to stay?" Levi asked running a hand through his hair, pushing it back.

I looked around the library room, a small thrill beginning to form in my chest at the smell, sight and feel of books. "Uh...no. I'll be perfectly fine."

"Kay then." He smiled. "See you around."

"Yeah."

He closed the door while going out, leaving me in complete silence with the whole room filled with books to myself.

Before I got carried away with the excitement, I reminded myself what I was really here for.

The history of werewolves and witches.

Right, that's what I'm here for.

Is it freaking awesome that this library has freaking stairs with the top filled with books too? Yes! Our school library is dope compared to this.

I walked towards a section of books and pulled out one. All these books look old as if written and made centuries ago with their dusty scent and faded colours.

I tried reading the calligraphy writing, but frowned in confusion, and put it back when I couldn't read it.

I continued opening random books, seeming to hope I could find something useful.

After looking at various books, one finally caught my attention. It looked like someone's diary. Old and almost flimsy.

I opened a random entry, sitting crossed-legged near the shelf and reading.

October 15, 1309,

This day, my baby finally came. Actually, my two babies came. Twins. Leona was happy without measure. But I'm worried. Derek and Rowena will want to harm them. They already had their eyes set on them when they came out. They were happy too.

But I don't trust witches. Not one bit.

But they want to continue ruling with us lycanthropes.

Derek came to me today, bringing news after Elias's and Katrina's birth. Rowena was pregnant too. And they've been hiding it until now. But I knew it already. I heard the little one's heartbeat days ago.

I know what's coming next.

They would want to put their child with Elias or Katrina. They would say that our children could rule our kingdom together. And witches and werewolves can continue with their peace.

But I don't want that.

I'm worried Derek and Rowena's intentions would cause difficulties and conflicts between us werewolves.

Witches have to separate from us.

I do not like them.

I know our first queen; Queen Lucretia was a witch. King Sahandred's love for her was immense that he couldn't reject her. Due to King Sahandred's love, we Royals have turned into werewolf-witch hybrids.

I've seen how magic ruins creatures sometimes. There have been many accidents where magic has accidentally killed the witches.

I won't allow Derek's child to sit on the throne with my Alexandros or Elias and Katrina.

I won't let magic ruin the kingdom we werewolves have made.

I won't allow another witch to sit on the throne.

It belongs to us werewolves.

The witches will have to go.

Derek's baby will have to go.

I'm going to make this kingdom the way I want.

First by eliminating Derek's baby.

~Wallace

I flipped to another entry, a frown on my face as I continued reading.

November 20, 1309,

Leona is pregnant again. She's immensely happy and thinks it's a girl. I'm happy too.

But more worried about Derek's child. I tried poisoning Rowena when she came for family meals or gatherings. But never succeeded.

I don't understand. How am I gonna succeed?

I love Derek as my own brother and Rowena has always been lovely, but I can't let another witch rule over werewolves. More powerful hybrids shouldn't be created. We're going against the law of nature.

I won't let it happen again.

If Derek's child is a boy, he'll try to coax me into marrying him to my Katrina. If it's a girl, he'll try marrying her to my Elias or Alexandros.

Leona would more than happy to accept their child though. Her heart is purer than the deepest sea. But that is what will get her into more danger. I have to save my family from the great danger that will come.

If I can't kill Derek's child...then I'll have to eliminate both Derek and Rowena in secret.

~Wallace

After reading two entries, it was confirmed who is who in these journals. Alexandros was the eldest child. Then came two twins. Meaning Elias and Katrina are...King Alpha and Katia?

They're both twins.

Wallace must be their father and Leona their mom.

I continued reading.

The next entry was a year ago.

November 16, 1310,

Things went immensely wrong. Rowena gave birth to her child today. I couldn't stop it from happening. I couldn't kill the baby. I couldn't even go near it or even see him.

Derek had started suspecting my intentions with his child.

He kept Rowena hidden from me and didn't let me and Leona attend the delivery.

Leona was heartbroken. She almost cried having to be shut out by her closest friend. But she held herself. She won't talk to me though. She doesn't blame me or suspect me. This woman still had her whole trust in me. Her due date was soon to be after the next month. She's confident it's a girl. But I think it's a boy.

My scheme didn't work.

Now I might have to do what I've always feared.

I'll have to abduct the baby and kill it myself.

~Wallace

11 June 1336,

This might be my last entry. Derek promised me he would end all of this. He promised he would end the pain, suffering and torture on us werewolves that he and his wife are causing.

But he needs something in return.

He needs Queen Lucretia's crown.

He wants it.

He claims that the crown belongs to the witches.

But I couldn't give it to him.

I hid the crown long ago after taking it from Leona.

I wouldn't want to give the crown to him which contains Queen Lucretia's magic. He would figure out a way to get the Queen's magic. And once he does, there's no stopping him.

I flipped the pages, breathing a little hard. There weren't any more entries. Someone had ripped off the pages.

King Alpha's father killed Derek and Rowena's baby?

Why couldn't he just decline their offer of marrying their kids instead of going to kill them? A wave of small anger bloomed within my chest. Why would he want to kill an innocent baby instead of just avoiding it?

Now I know where King Alpha gets his psycho manners from. Like father, like son.

But there has got to be something more. Wallace and Derek were good friends. How did Derek and Rowena become so powerful to control Wallace and Leona's minds?

And this story is completely different from the one Katia told me. She said Wallance and Leona were obsessed with magic, and it destroyed them. But here, Wallance seemed to hate magic and wanted to get rid of it.

There has got to be something more. Some other journal or diary or some other book.

I stood on my feet and started looking.

How the hell am I supposed to find the book I want between the sea of these other million books?

I think Derek got to know Wallace had stabbed him in the back by killing his baby. So they took revenge by growing in power and slaving the werewolves.

That must be it.

How were they stopped then? Where are Derek and Rowena now? And where is Lucretia's crown?

While rummaging through the books, deep in thought, I didn't notice someone behind me.

"I didn't know you were interested in reading."

A scream left my lips as I whirled around, my heart beating fast.

It was Ace.

Except there seemed to be a slight blue glowy thing around his body.

"Why are you glowing?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

"Yeah?" He blinked in surprise, "Erm it might be the new face wash I'm using I guess. Or maybe the new shampoo."

"No, I meant why are you actually glowing," I waved at the blue light.

His cheeks turn pink with realization, and he hid his embarrassment by narrowing his eyes at me, "I'm not actually here. It's a projection."

"Oh. What are you doing here?"

"To remind you of your task. Tik-Tok, child. You have to get me the crown or else your brother hangs." He stated with a smile now.

"Yeah...I've been reading about it. Apparently, King Alpha's father hid it somewhere."

"Yes, he did," Ace spoke, a clouded expression crossing his eyes, "but then his son found it and hid it somewhere else."

"King Alpha?"

"Who else?"

I shrugged, "Alexandros."

"He's dead."

"Oh right..."

"You have to bring me the crown."

"Yeah, you said that already," I crossed my arms against my chest, "how is Alexandros dead anyway? I thought werewolves were immortal and can't be killed."

"They can, actually," Ace said rubbing a hand on his chin, "normal werewolves are easily killed by beheading them or plucking out their heart. But Royals, you need a special dagger for that. It's impossible to kill a Royal without that dagger."

"What dagger?"

"The dagger is not important. Figure out where the crown is-"

"And give it to you. Yeah," I said, "I know."

He narrows his eyes, "Good."

"So...bye?" I asked.

He watched me for a while, before he went out like a lightbulb, disappearing.

My stomach grumbled and I craved food suddenly.

I guess I'll go get something to eat before continuing with my research. Closing and putting all the books back in their place, I walked out of the library room.

I think I know where the kitchen was...

Nope, I don't remember where the kitchen is.

With a heavy sigh, I walked around random hallways trying to find the kitchen.

I turned around a hallway and collided with someone's back.

I screamed.

He screamed too.

I stopped screaming realizing it was King Alpha.

He stopped screaming realizing it was me and quickly cleared his throat, "I mean, yo what's up? Why did you scream? Because I definitely didn't."

I stepped away from him after realizing I was standing directly in front of him.

"I was just startled," I replied.

He nodded, "Cool."

"What are you doing here?"

He furrows his eyebrows, "This is where I live. What are you doing here?"

"This is where I live too...I guess."

He nodded before lifting the momentary awkwardness by letting out a loud yawn and looking at me, "How's your monthly curse?"

"Never better." I replied sarcastically.

He wore a black V-neck tee shirt with joggers. His hair was wet and spilled over his forehead telling me he's taken a shower.

His eyes zeroed on something, and he narrowed his eyes, "Who's jacket is that and didn't I lock you in that room?"

I realized I'm still wearing Levi's leather jacket.

My hands went to play with the zipper. "It's Levi's and thank you for reminding me how you ruined my morning."

"You've been hanging out with Levi?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yup and it turns out, he's a much better company than you and he didn't even try killing me yet."

King Alpha, had his eyes narrowed on me for a while before he inhaled, "Where were you going?"

"To get food."

"You know the kitchen is on the other side of the mansion right?"

I blinked, "I knew I was getting lost," I muttered.

He rolled his eyes at me, "Come on." He said and started walking. I followed him.

We reached the kitchen and he let me go in.

"Fix something for me too." He said leaning against the threshold with his hands in his pockets.

"What do you want?" I asked looking around at the huge kitchen.

"You're a baker, aren't you?"

"Helper of a baker," I corrected, "but yeah."

"Well then bake something. Let's see how much of a mess you make."

I glared at him, crossing my arms, "Why don't you bake?"

He scoffed with a laugh. "Yeah right."

"What? The great King Alpha can't bake some good ol' chocolate cake?"

He narrowed his eyes, "Are you challenging me?"

I gave an innocent look, "Whatever does the word challenging mean?"

He rolled his eyes, "Fine, I'll show you how to bake a fine piece of chocolate cake that you'd wish I bake forever."
"That's a whole lot of confidence for someone who's baking for the first time," I said, moving aside as he came into the kitchen.

"Helps me stay young." He replied, "Now tell me what all we need and how do you do this shit?"

"You're taking my help?"

"Do you see me talking to anyone else here?" He asked, "Of course I am. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

I gave him a pointed look for a while before uncrossing my arms and inhaling, "We need the ingredients first. Hope you got all of them."

He did.

His kitchen was filled as if the supermarket itself.

If you need anything, open a cabinet, and it's there.

I placed all the ingredients on the counter for him and told him the beginning few steps.

I was now seated on the counter a few feet beside him with my legs dangling, eating a chocolate bar, watching him mix the ingredients.

I remember how Collin used to sneak into the bakery's kitchen to sneak me in some food when Mrs. Stuck Up Her Ass wouldn't let me go home early. He used quietly creep in with dinner and creep right back out.

Oh, and Jade, she's just a cookie monster. She took all advantage of me working there and grabbing the goodies without paying. She threw a fit last time when I told her not to touch any of the muffins anymore.

But then she did it anyway and got sick the next day.

A small chuckle came out of my lips.

King Alpha's eyes turned in my direction.

"What are you laughing at?" He narrowed his eyes thinking I was chuckling at him.

I rolled my eyes, "I just remembered something."

He cracked the eggs messily into the bowl, "Uh-huh, what?"

"People whom I care about. But I don't think you know any of that."

He gave me a sideways look but said nothing and continued pouring the ingredients. He looked kind of unusual in the kitchen with his big hands which were made for killing now holding cake ingredients. The amount of concentration he was putting into each ingredient while measuring it made me want to laugh at the cute frown on his face.

He is really trying hard to prove that he can make the best chocolate cake ever.

He flinched or cursed whenever an ingredient dropped on his clothes or got onto his hands. Neat freak.

The thoughts of Collin and Jade came to my mind again and my small happiness dimmed down. My chest settled with a small heave.

It was silent in the kitchen with no one speaking. I looked down at the ground feeling like wallowing.

From the corner of my eye, I could see King Alpha glancing at me frequently with a frown.

"I don't get why you still care about Collin." He spoke finally.

I turned my head to him.

"He lied to you, he hid things from you and yet your still morning over him."

"Mourning?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "He's not dead."

He shrugged, "If he's with Ace he's good as dead."

"What do you mean?"

He opened his mouth but then closed it, shaking his head, "Just answer me. I wouldn't care about someone if they hid or lied to me."

"Well that's the difference between you and me," I replied bitterly making him give me a sideways look.

I sighed, "Collin is my only family," I spoke, "not that I expect you to understand. He's helped me through a lot and is always there for me. Once he let some bad guys beat him up only because they took my water bottle and wouldn't return it. I was little, so losing a water bottle felt like losing a gold piece. He's the only one with answers too. He told me our parents died when I was a baby." A frown etched on my face. "Then our uncle took care of us until Collin turned eighteen. Then our uncle died too and we had to live on our own."

"Who was your uncle?" He asked, no longer working on the cake, but completely facing me with his full attention. It made me feel kind of anxious. Having someone's complete attention normally makes me anxious.

I looked away from his light blue eyes, "This might sound rude, but I don't remember him much. He died like seven years ago and I forgot most of him already. He was barely at home when we used to live with him."

He furrowed his eyebrows, his head leaning back a bit as if pondering my words.

"What? What are you thinking?" I asked.

"That's for me to think and you to tell me the next step of this."

"Add cocoa powder," I said.

He grabbed the cocoa powder.

"Ava told me that Collin used to erase my memory and put fake ones in my head. But I don't feel like it at all. Every memory feels real. But then if he's a werewolf then doesn't age...like I remember us being small and tiny. But werewolves grow fast, don't they? But he grew normally."

"Wait, back up," King Alpha interrupted looking at me, "you said he erased your memories?"

"Yeah, that's what I said." I replied, "but I think they're coming back to me. Like I get small vision type things."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "What visions?"

"I get small snippets of the past where I see how Collin erases my memory."

"How does he do that?"

"He looks into my eyes with his glowing gold. Like how yours does when you want me unconscious. And then he tells me to forget it and I do."

King Alpha's head tilted to the side, his eyes trained on me, taking in my words. I could feel the cogs turning in his brain from here. He was thinking.

"I love Collin," I finally said, "and I want to hear from him about what is truly going on and what am I or why did he lie. He might not be my brother but at least he is something."

King Alpha stared at me in silence. His face was blank and stoic. The silence in the kitchen was too much for me now and I wanted to slap myself for opening my mouth. Did I really need to tell him that?

I looked away from him, not being able to carry his intense gaze.

A few seconds ticked by, and I was getting heated up in the silence before a screen appeared from the side. I looked to the side to see King Alpha holding a phone out towards me, a displeased look etched on his face as if he'd rather lick someone's feet than do this.

"What?" I stared at it in confusion.

"Call your best friend." He said in a small, annoyed, mutter.

My head perked up, "Jade?"

"Mmm."

"Really?"

"Just do it." He rushed as if doing something good was burning him.

I took the phone from his hands, a big smile coming on my face as my heart thumped with excitement. King Alpha grumbled within himself going back to the cake batter.

I quickly dialled Jade's number which I had by hearted and placed the phone on my ear.

With each ring, my excitement grew and I wanted to start jumping.

The phone rang a few times until a minute stretched out and no one picked up.

I quickly called her back again.

The phone rang for a few seconds.

She still didn't pick up.

All my excitement drained away and I slumped back, placing the phone on the counter.

"She didn't pick up," I said in a small voice.

"Bummer." King Alpha said not even looking my way while observing the cake batter, "Does this need salt or chilli or something?"

I stopped myself from yelling at him. Instead, I swallowed my curse words and muttered a 'no'.

"Smell it."

"I'm not a dog," I replied.

He gave me a flat look.

I sighed and brought my head in closer, breathing in the cake batter.

A furrow came over my eyebrows, "Why does this smell like...fish?"

He frowned, "I thought so too."

I quickly searched the ingredients he put.

There I found it.

Tuna paste.

"Why would you put tuna-paste in a cake?" I asked him, wide-eyed.

"That's tuna-paste?"

"Yeah!"

"Why does tuna-paste look like butter?"

"What are you talking about? Butter doesn't look like tuna-paste!"

"Yeah, it looks more like cookies and cream."

"What?" I gave him a look. "You couldn't smell the tuna?"

He glared, "I was busy listening to your sob story."

I gasped, "Those were my feelings, you jerk!"

"Wow I'm extremely sad, you can see my big fat tears." He said sarcastically.

If looks could kill...

At that moment, Drew entered the kitchen, cheerful, "What are my people up to?"

"King Alpha is baking," I replied. At the same time, King Alpha threw a 'get the fuck out of here.' 

Drew's eyes widened, "Baking?"

"Si." King Alpha replied giving a small proud smile, continuing to whisk the batter.

The look of horror was evident on Drew's face, "I just remembered I had to feed the horses." He said and proceeded to walk out of the kitchen.

"No, no, where are you going?" King Alpha stopped him, "You have to try this cake and tell Ezlynn that this is the best cake any human or creature has ever tasted."

Drew looked in my direction and I just gave a shrug.

"I think I better feed the horses first."

"Griselda can do that." King Alpha said.

Drew opened his mouth to make another excuse but King Alpha shot him a look that clearly said 'Open your mouth and I'll be whisking your blood next.'

Drew gulped, slowly taking a seat on the barstool across us.

"I think we should call Katia too," King Alpha said. "She'll be the taste tester too."

"Your way too confident for a guy who just put tuna-paste in that," I stated, giving him a flat look.

"Fine, then it's a tuna chocolate cake." King Alpha said.

"Tuna?" Drew raised an eyebrow, looking at us in question.

I shook my head saying 'nothing'.

King Alpha walked over to a set of buttons on the wall near the light switch and pushed one.

"Fred, send Katia to the kitchen. It's important." He spoke.

A reply saying 'will do, Lord' came from the small speaker.

"Do I want to know why your suddenly baking, ami?" Drew asked, "Unless there are someone's body organs in that, then I understand."

"Nope, nobody's organs this time." King Alpha looked actually bummed about it. "This stupid human challenged me. So here I am, doing weird shit."

"You can stop calling me stupid human."

"I can," King Alpha agreed, "but you still can't tell me what to do."

Katia entered the kitchen, smiling and bright as always, "Hey everyone." Her eyes flitted to me still perched on the counter, and a look of sincerity appeared on her face, "Ezlynn, I am so sorry about the demons. I couldn't save you when they picked you-"

"Yeah, yeah, Ezlynn is all-mighty forgiving. She forgave you for your foolish insensible idiotic acts and still feels sorry for choosing you over me." King Alpha interrupted, "Moving on, I'm making a cake."

Katia almost choked, "What?"

King Alpha gestured to the brown batter with his hands, "You're my test taster along with Drew."

"Um I think I forgot to turn off my shower," Katia said slowly moving back. "Can you hear my shower running?"

King Alpha looked up, listening, before shaking his head, "Nope, no shower except Chase and Lessie talking about which speedo looks good on them."

"I think I better yet check it though," Katia spoke further.

"Katia," King Alpha ordered, "Sit."

Katia gave out a sigh, taking a seat next to Drew, and sharing a look with him.

"Blondie, next?" King Alpha asked.

"Vanilla essence," I replied.

He looked around at the ingredients, "Which one...?"

I picked up the small bottle and handed it to him.

"Why are you suddenly making a cake?" Katia asked.

"She challenged me." King Alpha replied. "What the fuck this smells so good." He sniffed the bottle.

Katia looked at me and I gave her the same shrug I gave Drew.

"There you are." Levi appeared at the door, wearing a new leather jacket hiding half of the weapons strapped to his waist. His hair was long around his face.

"Yes?" King Alpha answered, although there was some grim to his tone as if he didn't want to speak to Levi.

"You...don't seem free." Levi observed looking around at us with his black eyes.

King Alpha made a nonchalant gesture, "Speak."

"Alright...Diego wants to have a meeting with you."

King Alpha frowned, "Again?"

He shrugged, "Business."

King Alpha gave an annoyed sigh, "When?"

"This week."

"Clear all my schedules then."

"Who's Diego?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Head Vampire." Katia replied, playing with a can of condensed milk.

"Also," Levi added, looking a bit stern now towards King Alpha, "Arsenio wants to talk to you. Right now. He says it's urgent."

"Arse-nio," King Alpha snorted.

I put my hand on my mouth to conceal the small laugh I almost gave out.

"What does he want?" King Alpha asked.

Levi shrugged his slim shoulders, "Dunno. He only said it's important and wants to get on a call with you right now."

King Alpha sighed, putting the whisk down, "Fine," He gave a sarcastic smile. "Let's talk to our sunny demon friend."

◃───────────▹

OKAY LISTEN UP PEEPS!

Ya'll be reading the book properly or just scrolling with your eyes closed? It clearly said up there about King Alpha's real name and why the witches hate werewolves. Then why are people still asking me about what's King Alpha's real name? Like I MENTIONED IT UP THERE!

I was in one of my extra classes my mom put me in when I did this chapter so I didn't give much thought to this and didn't bother writing something special here.

Anyways, have a good day and enjoy your life.

ALSO, WHO GOT VACCINATED? I SWEAR MY ARM HURTS LIKE A BITCH AND I'M HAVING A MAJOR HEADACHE

Date: 5 August 2021