A moment if you will, gentle readers, as this narrator explains to you whom Francis is set to meet with. These particular deities who have created every supernatural species are all related to Cronus and Rhea- the same ones who were there at the beginning of creation according to Greek Mythology. Rhea was known as Mother Earth while Cronus was known as Father Time, both of them not only creating the human aspects of world but also the supernatural. Their children were tasked to be the patron gods and goddesses of their designated species.

Horus, the Sun God: the keeper of the day and the patron god of the feline shifters.

Artemis, the Moon Goddess: wife of Horus and the matron goddess of the werewolves.

Atlantique: goddess of the seas and matron goddess of the merfolk- merpeople, sirens, furies, and selkies.

Nefertys: husband of Atlantique and patron god of the vampires and the day-walking vampires.

Valerus: patron god of the centaurs and satyrs

Isladora: matron goddess of the fairies and the Seelie Court queen

Candide Hecabe: twin sister of Isladora and matron goddess of the witches and warlocks

Anrus: patron god of the angels and fallen angels; guardian over Elysia where the sainted are given eternal rest

Norrix: twin brother and husband of Anrus and patron god of the demons and hellhounds; keeper of the underworld where the condemned are held.

Aurora: the youngest child and known as the rosy-fingered dawn; guardian of the fallen beings and guide between the land of the living and the afterlife.

Radixx: Messenger of the gods and the patron god of the djinn, seers, phoenixes, and Gorgons.

All ten children and their parents held court in the realms of the heavens as the human seer named Francis Deveraux was currently escorted by two archangels to the middle of the room. He bowed low three times in deep reverance of the deities. "My Lords and Ladies," he said humbly. "I am ever your servant."

"You may rise, human seer," Horus intoned. "As you are aware, my sister and I as well as everyone else are aware of the mistreatment of Tauren Knox, the lone Omega wolf of the Red Blade pack of Oklahoma. And you should also be aware of how he is of our lineage."

"That I am, Your Grace," Francis replied. "Before arriving here, I was intending to visit him despite the ridiculous yet irrevocable ban made by that arrogant future Alpha named Eric Girbaud. And when I saw him being beaten endlessly by his own father, my heart was heavy while rage was threatening my sanity. It took all my inner strength from wanting to end the boy's family and their followers save for Anissa as she is the only member of the family who takes pity on Your son."

"As you should," Radixx replied. "Young seer, what does your heart tell you about the lad?"

Francis sighed morosely. "My Liege, if I may speak frankly?"

"By all means," Norrix commented.

The seer took a deep breath. "I am amazed how Tauren Knox, a boy destined for death, has been able to accept his bad hand of fate in life," he began. "He tells himself that he deserved the hatred and abuse for his rank and that he wished to be different yet has never scorned either of You or cursed Your names. He only wishes for eternal rest from his labors and wants to finally escape from the madness. My heart shatters every time he blames himself for who he is. He knows that his time on Earth is not meant to be, him willing to accept his death with a smile on his lips and a calm spirit.

"The people who do take pity on him can only  do so much with providing him comfort, especially regarding Girbaud's sister and their parents who all agree that Eric's wiles and reign of terror will be his demise. Tauren believes he doesn't deserve even the smallest comforts because of his harsh upbringing. He counts every day that he lives a small victory and nothing more. My lieges, I worry that on the night of Eric Girbaud's birthday when he does reject Tauren is when the true demons of hatred will be released and the future Alpha will eradicate anyone who goes against his beliefs. I know what is prophesized and I cannot go against Your Word, but I..."

The seer shook his head and collapsed to the floor on his knees, sobbing heavily before two female guards came over to help him stand. His body wracked with his howling cries and his French Creole curses made against Tauren's parents and Trenton alongside Eric Girbaud and his loyal followers.

Aurora came to him and wrapped Francis in a gentle hug, the dew coming from her flowy gown granting him  comfort.

"The time will come when Tauren will indeed be slaughtered by that foolish and insolent boy," Cronus, in his Roman centurion attire, intoned with his voice thick and heavy with age despite his eternal youth. "It'll be more so when they are destined to be mates."

"That cannot be!" Atlantique exclaimed.

"Sadly, it is so," her sister Artemis replied stiffly, clenching her scepter like a sword. "They are indeed fated mates, but Eric Girbaud will reject My son because the fool values women who can grant him a son. But by scorning the mating bond and my poor child, he insults me and my husband."

"What of the poor lad, sister?" Anrus asked. "Will he be given a second chance of life on Earth?"

"No," replied Rhea. "Tauren Knox will cross over to this side and will not return to Earth, my child. However, the werewolf king Zechariah will indeed be his destined second-chance mate and he will be the one to not only bring justice to Eric and his loyal followers but also cross over and be united with my grandson."

To Aurora, "You will be the one to collect Tauren when the time arrives, my child. You will close his eyes after he is discarded into the river and take him here. From there, we will let him know of the prophecy and have him rest here until the time of our judgment has arrived."

"Your will be done, Mother," Aurora replied, nodding slowly.

"Francis Deveraux, you too will cross over to this side," commented Horus. "But not until after you give the foolish young Alpha and his followers your blessing to rule as long as we'll allow it."

Francis sniffed. "My Liege, how can I do that when my heart has nothing but contempt and hatred?" He asked.

"We will tell you what to say when the time comes," Radixx replied. "After that, you will take to your bed and Aurora will be the one to close your eyes alongside your families. Have faith, seer, and know what's been kept in the dark will soon be brought to the light while what was said in whispered will be shouted from the rooftops."

"Your will be done, my Lieges," Francis replied. "May the stars in the sky continue to rain blessings on those who keep Your Word and follow Your commands. And may the wicked soon beg for mercy for their sins."

"Take your leave, young seer, and know that we will grant you and those who showed mercy to my grandson places of honor," Cronus said. "Until we meet again."

With a deafening boom of lightning and a blinding flash of lightning, Francis was instantly transported back to his home on Earth where he recapped everything to his parents. "We make the most of our final days on Earth," Mr. Deveraux told his family. "We will grant Eric Girbaud our blessing to rule his pack as he sees fit and our blessing to mate with Liz. But what's done in the dark will come to the light."

"Yes," his wife agreed. "May the gods and goddesses have mercy on Eric's soul and may they bring comfort to the Omega."

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

Meanwhile...

Anissa was getting ready for bed after making sure that Tauren was fed properly and her family was asleep after Trenton's festivities when she was surprised with the ethereal appearance of Aurora. "Your Grace," she breathed, curtsying low and bowing her head.

"Be at peace, my child," the goddess of the dawn replied. "I have come with news of Tauren's true lineage as his death is indeed close at hand."

Anissa gasped. "Oh, no," she said sadly.

"Sad, but necessary," Aurora replied. "But what I will soon tell the other compassionate members of this pack and those who do not know must be kept secret."

For the next several minutes, Anissa would be surprised with what she would be explained to her in full detail before the goddess of the  dawn went on to tell the same thing to Elisse and her parents, the elderly, the pups and the compassionate parents, and those who didn't know or understand the full situation. And from there, the chosen would make plans for total defection as they knew of the final hours of Tauren Knox's life.

And we got ourselves a story, folks! Again, I am taking elements from the original version of "The Beta's Second Son" written by the ever-so-talented Lyfeo_M_Jay who is a true genius with his stories while adding my own twist to the storyline. And folks, you're going to be gagging all over on how everything is going down!

It all starts with the lethally calm before the storm in the next two chapters, especially the next one where Tauren's surprised with the kindness from his parents and brother! It's all coming together, folks, so don't you dare miss a single moment!

Song: "Dark Paradise" by Lana Del Ray. Dedication: SarahQuinnMcGrath  and HalstonCarter-Rose.

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