Tauren's POV

Two days later...

The next day, I wake up to sunlight, bird song...and no one hovering over me with clenched fists or hate-filled glares.

In fact, I'm face to face with the smiling faces of my parents as my mother holds a bowl of cereal in her hands. "Good morning," she chirped. "Sleep well?"

I nodded. "Ginger preachy, given what happened two days ago for Trenton's birthday," I replied.

Dad frowned slightly. "Oh, yeah," he said. "Believe us, son. The human seer and his family have given your mother, Trenton, and I a thorough tongue-lashing that made us see the error of our ways. And we want to make it up to you, starting today."

Even though I didn't have a wolf, folks, I knew that something was off in more ways than one. Do not trust them at all costs, I told myself. Go along with what they're saying, but keep your guard up.

I smiled thinly, grateful for the arrival of Anissa and Elisse as the former just glared at her parents. "Well, thank you," I said formally. "And I assume that the cereal is meant for my breakfast?"

Mom nodded. "That it is," she drawled. "Sorry for not preparing something elaborate, but your brother's party did put a dent in the grocery bill. I hope this will do until later."

"I think I can manage."

"Good," Dad said, grinning widely as Mom set the bowl of cereal in front of me. "Now eat up and make sure to keep out of Trenton's way. He'll be bringing some company for most of the day since his Beta ceremony is today and the Alpha transfer as well as Eric's birthday is tomorrow."

My hackles rose to new heights, immediately knowing that Eric becoming Alpha is when my last day on Earth begins. Fuckin' hell. I can't leave on my own terms since he forced me into submission, I told myself as Mom and Dad left. I gotta prepare myself for the worst when he does get the title.

As soon as Mom and Dad were outside and out of earshot, Anissa and Elisse came in. "You know that-" the former began.

"Today's when Trenton gets the title of Beta while Eric's birthday and him getting the title of Alpha is tomorrow," I cut my sister off, sniffing the cereal and placing it to the side where mice would come in. "I saw it coming the moment when Mom said that my twin brother is set to receive visitors all day today."

"Right," Elisse commented. "And that means that you're going to have to lie low all day tomorrow. Look, don't eat that cereal or anything that your parents or brother or even their friends who are loyal to them and Eric bring you. Knowing them, they'll want you to die of poison. I'll alert Mom and Dad and our relatives who are on your side and set to come over to see you of what's going down."

"And I'll have cooks send you some real food to be delivered by the pups and our adult allies who want to see you," my sister assured me. "They've been asking for you since yesterday and they're given permission by Mom and Dad to come see about you. For now, keep low and out of sight. Don't make too much noise since everyone who hates you expects you to die today."

I nodded. "I guess I better plan for my last days on Earth," I told them, immediately catching the girls shooting me concerned looks. "And don't give me that because I already know that tomorrow is when Eric will be ordering for my execution to free this pack of me. I've made my peace with my path of life and never once complained despite being beaten to the point of death. If I'm to die, then let me die."

The girls swept me in a tight hug. "This is so unfair," The Alpha's daughter said, sadness in her voice. "You're a good soul, Tauren Knox. You deserved better."

"We can't always get what we want, doll," I told her as I felt her and Anissa's tears begin to dampen my shirt. "At least I'll die knowing that there's still goodness in this world."

And that was the truth.

******************

True to everyone's word, I did get multiple visits from almost anyone and everyone in the Red Blade pack- most of which came from Eric's loyal followers who teased that I was getting too skinny and needed to fatten up. Hence them giving me more than enough food. Of course, I knew that their offerings were either tainted by wolfsbane (the one thing that can end a shifter's life  while the supernatural royals were immune since they're immortal) and rat poison (surprisingly, no one other than the supernatural royals are immune to it), so I was grateful to see their gifts disappearing instantly.

The ones who were on my side (the pups, those who didn't know, and the elderly alongside the adults who hated Eric) came over to make sure that I had REAL food to eat and offer me words of comfort or kind gestures alongside some things to make sure that I was all right.

As for my brother, I rarely saw him at all until...

"Man, Tauren, you're starting to gain some popularity around here," my twin said good-naturedly as Mom and Dad gifted me with a homemade Mexican feast with a tall glass of Diet Dr. Pepper on hand. "I hope you'll be as more popular as Eric will come tomorrow."

I shrugged my shoulders, granting my mother a smile as I accepted the food. "Well, with my life how it was and is, who can really say?" I replied. "Anyway, I wish you all the best for your role as the current Beta. May you become the right-hand man for your Alpha. Long may he reign."

"Thanks, bro," Trenton said. "You're all right, after all."

"All right," Dad said, clapping his hands. "Let's leave Tauren be so he can enjoy his dinner. Tauren, make sure to stay to yourself and keep low. Eric's birthday and Alpha transfer is tomorrow and we're getting everything ready all morning and afternoon for his party here in the evening. I'll allow a few visitors, but everyone will be getting ready for the party."

I nodded just as I saw Francis appear from behind my family. "I will stay in here all day and keep myself busy and quiet all day tomorrow," I promised. "I give you my word."

"Such a love," Mom said as she, Dad, and Trenton left. To Francis, "Be good to my son."

The seer nodded before stepping inside. As soon as everyone was out of earshot, he snapped his fingers and let his eyes glow blue in power. "Your family's a piece of work," he said. "Glad you're still alive, Tauren."

I pointed to the area where I placed the bowl of cereal was this morning, motioning at three dead rats. "Poisoning is not a real way to go, much less unknowingly killing myself," I replied before pointing to my food. "I'm not taking any chances."

"As you shouldn't," Francis said, snapping his fingers as my Mexican dinner and glass of soda disappeared without a trace. "You're one tough cookie, kid. I can only imagine how you're mentally lasting this long."

"Like I told everyone, it's all because of the grace of the supernatural gods and goddesses, Cronus, and Rhea," I replied. "But I know that my time is almost up. I have no regrets on my situation and I'm content with knowing that I'll be greeting death with a smile on my lips and a calm heart."

Francis smiled sadly, coming over to wrap me in a hug. "May Artemis and Horus grant you eternal peace," he said in my ear. "One of these old mornings and it won't be very long."

"They will look for you and me, but we'll be long gone," I finished.

The time of my end is close at hand. And I would die with no sadness. I knew some loved me, but I had to prepare to move on. I've made my peace.

When tomorrow comes, I'll be free from this misery. And it was all the more reason to spend today writing my final goodbyes to the people who loved me unconditionally, starting with my sister and Elisse and a final letter to my tormentors.

After tonight and tomorrow, there would be no going back.

And so it is, folks!

Coming up next, we'll check in with our death-hungry future Alpha as he and his chosen Luna plan for Tauren's execution, their mating, and their futures with ruling the pack with iron fists and cold hearts! Don't even think about going anywhere just yet, folks! The calm before the storm is getting started!

Dedication: EthanFReigns  and slybatspidow. Song: "Sally Ride" by Janelle Monae.

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