Here it is! 

WARNING: this is the PREQUEL to "Octavius". If you haven't read that yet, do so, and then come back to this one :) 

The whip hits my back again, the once feathery touch of leather slapping against the exposed skin, turning the elegant fabric into a daily torture.

"How many times," my father's voice rings out again. "have I told you not to enter my office when I am holding a meeting, Titan?"

"Many, I'm sorry, father. It won't happen again, I promise." I plead, tears running down my fifteen year old face. I listen to the sound of wrapping leather, and I sigh.

The torture is over, for now.


"Son," He places a hand on my bare shoulder, his strong alpha's grip applying more pain than reassurance. "I do this for your own good. Alpha's must have discipline. You cannot be a powerful alpha if you do not learn self-control. Do you understand me?"

I nod quickly, wiping at stray tears, pretending as if they were never there.

"Thank you, father." I stutter, exhaling the standard reply. The reply an omega gives the alpha.

"Go shower, and get yourself to bed. Tomorrow we have the pack meeting with the Moonrise pack, our neighbor. I expect you to look your best then. Sleep now." And the door slams behind him.

The cold shower water stings the fresh flashes, but pain is bearable when you're accustomed to the feel. Or at least, that's what I attempt to tell myself.

I dry myself off, the white towel growing pink from the continuously bleeding cuts. Blood is useless, something that flows too freely, and escapes too quickly. Our bodies might as well be filled with soil or plaster, or various arrays of leaves.

Bind wounds tight, so that you lessen the amount of blood leaving your body.

Mother's voice echoes in my mind, as my lanky fingers twist and pull the white bandage around my waist, holding myself together at the seams.

Sometimes I wonder what would happen, if the whip broke my spine, would each notch break like a line of dominoes? Or would it shatter as one, like a collapsing building?

I slip under the covers, the soft silk harsh against my skin.

And I let sleep pull me into the nightmares I know too well. 

The collar of my shirt is too tight, too irritating. I adjust it again, my lie loosening more and more each time. Leave it to Adeline to choose the most aggressive of fabrics. I look over the thousands of pack members in front of me, or rather, below me. I love sitting up on the pedestal, my simple chair feeling like a golden throne as I look down at my subjects.

"Fix your tie, dear." Adeline, my step mother, nags, swatting at the hand that wrestles with the noose-like tie around my neck.

"I'm trying." I grumble, trying to remember what my father taught me.

Left, then loop it around, then right.

Or was it right, then left?

Fuck.

"Let me, Titan." Her red-polished hands grasp the black tie, quickly redoing the fabric in a flamboyant and arrogant fashion. I wonder how many men she's had to redress before.

"There, perfect." She coos, and smiles at me, the curve of her lip a spoonful of sugar, too sweet and artificial.

The tie is practically choking me, and I just pray that this meeting is over soon.

Where the hell is my-

"Decimus!" Adeline cries lovingly, and I cringe at her tone.

I turn to see the gigantic form of my father coming forward, his body covered in a sleek black suit. His looks tailored, perfectly cut to his frame, while mine is a lousy hand-me-down.

Adeline stands up from her seat, her black dress shuffling slightly as she rises to kiss my father, and I avert my gaze in disgust.

She's not even your mate. I want to scream, but I control my temper.

He's practically forgotten mom.

My entire being regrets coming, having preferred another beating to this, having to sit with an ersatz smile, with a false family, and act like the perfect future-alpha. If only the universe was this simple.

Footsteps approach the hall, and the congregation goes silent, all heads turning to the large double doors.

They open with a bang, and a tall, dark haired man enters, his face wise yet intimidating in it's sharpness.

His shined shoes clip against the wooden ground, and Blood Moon pack watches silently as he moves to the stage with us, a women slightly younger than him by his side, and a boy about my age, his hair dark and curly, and his eyes bright. He smiles slightly at me, and I return the gesture.

"Thiago." My father chuckles, standing up to grasp the hand of the Alpha, a smile on his face as if this man was a long lost friend.

"Decimus, so good too see you, this is Selina, my mate, and my hijo, Alvarez."

"It's good to meet you." Selina smiles, showing a perfect row of white teeth, looking a bit odd next to Alpha Thiago, her skin much paler and her eyes a bright blue, like Alvarez.

My father gives a slight bow to Selina, and she smiles politely, but stays close to her mate's side, as a respectful mate should.

"And who is this?" Thiago asks, and I realize he's pointing to me, a sincere smile on his face.

"This is my son, Titan." My father says, placing his hands on my shoulders, and I hold back a wince.

"He and Alvarez will be good friends, yes?" Thiago smiles, ruffling Alvarez' hair.

"We can hope."

"Come, Thiago, bring your beta and your family, follow me into the meeting lounge."

As we turn to exit the platform, Thiago stays behind a moment, I assumed to get his Beta. I just follow my father, trying to get this afternoon over with as soon as possible.

The meeting lounge is a red room, with golden couches and impeccable paintings lining the walls that I'm sure my father has never noticed.

"Come, everyone, sit." My father's gruff voice orders calmly, motioning to the large table in the center of the room.

We all take our seats, the door opening as my father settles down at the head of the table.

"Ah, Beta Nicolas, welcome." My father stands again, no doubt to his annoyance, and shakes the hand of the tan, tall man.

"Thank you, Alpha Decimus, this is my family, my mate, Rosa," He grasps the hand of a blonde woman, and she blushes slightly. "And this is my hija, Alejandra." And he touches the dark hair of a small girl, but I assume she is around my age, her face is mature and impossibly perfect.

"Please, have a seat." My father insists, motioning to a set of empty chairs next to where I sit.

Please, sit next to me, please.

The girl, Alejandra, sits at the chair across from me, next to Alvarez, sending him a shy smile in the process. A bubble of jealousy rises in my throat, but I swallow it harshly, expelling it from my mind.

"I would like to begin by thanking you all for coming to Blood Moon pack, we are delighted to help you in your time of need." Father begins.

"As you are aware, this harsh winter has been hard on all of us, but as Moonrise pack is at the bottom of the mountain, the risk of avalanches is intimidating. Therefore, I am willing to allow your pack to remain here for the winter, staying in our living quarters and be available to whatever resources they need."

"Thank you, Decimus, I feel terrible throwing this decision on you at such a last minute," Alpha Thiago laughs slightly.

"No worries, old friend. I'm sure this will be a wonderful opportunity to build friendships that will last lifetimes. Following this meeting, your pack will be led to their temporary homes, and your family, and your beta's family will be staying in my wing of the pack mansion."

I shift my gaze to Alejandra, who is blushing oddly and has a slight smile on her pretty face.

"I don't know how to thank you." Alpha Thiago stands up, and hugs my father, a shocking gesture. Father does not do hugs, except with mom and Adeline.

"My son can show Alvarez and Alejandra to the wing. Titan?" He gives me a warning look.

"Yes, father." I nod, and scoot back from my seat quickly. Alvarez and Alejandra stand too, and their shoulders bump together slightly, causing her face to grow redder than before.

"This way." I say, gesturing with my hand towards the door.

As we walk down the hall, I learn that Alvarez enjoys the art of conversation. A lot.

"So, Titan, how old are you?"

"Fifteen."

"Me too! Have you started combat training yet? My father has only just started training me, but he says that I'm still too young to spar with other people, which I think is ridiculous, but of course, I have to listen to him cause, he's my dad and all."

I just give a polite smile, and an itch creeps up the back of my neck, the hope that maybe she'll talk, ask me about myself, speak.

"Alejandra, did you bring that book we've been reading? The book of poems?" Alvarez asks her and I listen closely.

"Of course, that's the book that I have been reading, and you keep snatching away and making me read it to you."

Her voice is small but strong, like a puppy just learning to use its bark. It's addicting.

"Hey, it's not my fault I'm not all brains. Alpha's have to be tough, I don't have time to be reading encyclopedias."

"You're not even Alpha yet, you could use a little reading. Maybe then you'll be able to spell your own name."

I let out a small laugh, and quickly blush when I realize it seems like I've been eavesdropping.

"What do you think, Titan? Books or brawn?" I stop at the door to the wing, and turn to him, thinking.

I look at Alejandra, her eyes a beautiful blue as she gazes up at me, waiting.

"Both." I answer, and unlock the door quickly, swinging it open. I lead the two down to my part of the wing, that has a few guest bedrooms next to each other.

"You can't pick both." Alvarez pouts, and I lean against the wall next to him, and I realize just how much taller I am.

"Sure I can."
 "How?" He asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, to reach and carry the thick, smart books, you need to have the muscle to handle it."

He stops for a moment, considering.

"You're right." He states, rubbing a finger against his chin.

"Yeah, well," I scratch the back of my neck with my hand. "These are your rooms, Alvarez, I think you're staying here, and Alejandra," I pause, looking down at her. She glances upwards, giving me a small smile with her adorable lips. "Uh, you're here." I clear my throat quickly.

"It's only the beginning of the afternoon," Alvarez quips, and I turn to him. "How about this, we get settled into the rooms, and then in half an hour, we meet out here, and have an adventure." His eyebrows raise multiple times, a cocky grin spreading on his lips.

I look down at Alejandra, but she's focused on Alvarez.

"Sounds good." I cough, and switch from foot to foot awkwardly.

"Great!" He cheers like a hyperactive seven-year-old. "You know, Titan, I have a feeling we're going to be like our fathers, lifetime friends."

"Maybe." I whisper before disappearing into my room.

If only he knew that my father doesn't make friends, because friendship requires the ability to care, but maybe a fake smile and a momentary embrace can trick a fool into believing in such a lie as love. 

What did you guys think?? Omg, I'm so excited for this new series. Again, please also read "Octavius" on my profile, and please let me know what you thought of this first part :)