Defying the Laws

Prologue

"Come on we're going to be late!" Myles yells as we are frantically racing down the palace halls. I can feel the sleek blue rug bunching behind me, as my feet dig in trying to make it to fathers office on time.

As soon as I halt, I get barrelled into by Myles, and we land in a crumpled heap on the floor.

The loud creak of the giant dark oak doors tells us, our father heard the whole thing.

"And what in goddesses name took you both so long?" King Richard, my father booms.

"I tried to tell him to hurry up father, but you know Derek, always with his head in those damn books!" Myles whines as if to get me into trouble.

"I was in the library father, reading of the past wars and tactics. History is the reason why we are as it is today." I say with confidence in my tone.

"Well that brings me as to why I habe summoned you both here, take a seat across from the desk, we have important matters to discuss."

With his cheerful warm voice and friendly smile, we follow my father into his office. Making sure to close the door behind us, Mykes and I share a questioning glace before we are seated. it is not often our father will summon both of us in here, to the werewolf world he is a harsh and rules with an iron fist. Anyone who knows him within these walls, knows he is informal, kind hearted and fun loving.

"I've called you both in here today with what I hope os exciting news. Derek, since you are 17 and first in line for the thrown, I am pleased to announce that with all your trainings, I believe you are ready to start your nobel lessons in addition to your physical training" my father looks to me, beaming with pride. He knows that I have always been keen on my physical abilities, but the nobel lessons are my true passion. Reading of our laws, customs, rituals and war tactics among others is my real love. Call me somewhat of a jock/nerd.

"But father, why am I here then? It seems like this is just some glorified upgrade for Derek and I'm just meant to watch" Myles is sulking in his chair like the horomonal 16 year old he is. We are close in age, but our level of maturity is far greater.

My father glares at Myles with a very unimpressed look. "I called you in here as well to give you a, 'upgrade' as you call it, but if you continue to disrespect Derek, and myself, maybe I should reconsider..." my father leads off in a near teasing tone.

"No, no not at all father! I'm sorry! Please! Tell me what is in store for me!" Myles is rubbing his hands together and bouncing with excitement.

"You my son, I believe with your brother to become the crowned king, deserve to hold a very important role in the future. I would like you to speak to General Butch, and prepare to become his replacement within our army as he is without an heir."

Silence. Absolute silence.

I thought my brother would be thrilled eith such news, he has always had ambitions for the future, saying our generation would ring in the strongest kingdom yet. But the look on his face is one of shock, and almost... disappointment?

"Oh.. uh.. thank you father. But is there no other role I could assist with? An advisor or counsel member perhaps? I know I don't love books as much as Derek. But I feel as if my talents and skills are somewhat wasted to become a mindless muscle head.." startled, Myles is cut off from speaking by my fathers large fist slamming on the oak desk. shaking it violently as items fall to the floor. A fierce growl rining out from his chest, and Alpha aura radiating in waves reducing us to cower.

"IS THAT HOW YOU THINK OF YOUR ARMY? MINDLESS, DISPOSABLE MEN OF MUSCLE? YOU WOULD BE WISE TO ACCEPT THIS, ITS A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE THAN YOU REALIZE!" my father is leaned over his desk, enraged. He barely ever raises his voice. We are cowering in our seats, and I can hear the guards shuffling outside the doors. The effects of my fathers angry, powerful aura taking effect.

My father is a scary man when angered, towering over us with his very strong 6'8 frame. He is one of the biggest men I have ever see . His brown hair disheveled and draping into his face, salt and pepper scattered throughout his hair and beard. The worse part, anger, piercing iut of his green eyes swirling with black, as his wolf makes his presence known.

But Myles has touched a nerve. The position of general is one involving years of training on tactics, physical training techniques, the other packs around the lands. It's a high-ranking position, so I'm shocked he is turning it down so quickly.

*cough* "If I may father, perhaps with such amazing and shocking news, we can take the weekend to absorb all of this information and start anew Monday?" I say with a hint of fear.

Laughter erupts from deep within my fathers chest, almost maniacally so.

"Spoken as a true future leader, attempting to diffuse tension and conflict. Very well, have your weekend, and report here first thing tomorrow morning."

With a wave of his had, we are dismissed. Both Myles and I stand simultaneously and give our father a slight bow. Exiting the room in silence, we go towards the main hall.

Side by side I walk with Myles, glancing over every few moments. He is giving a blank stare to the floor as we walk, almost hollow, having a staring contest with the floor. After a few minutes, he haults in his steps. Frozen.

Throughout the castle is floor to ceilings white marble, with beautiful royal blue carpets throughout. Gold accents littler the corridors and halls. But it is what is inside the golden frame to his right that catches his eye.

The walls of the castle are lined with portraits of past Kings and Queens. This one in particular however, is a portrait of our mother. The last depiction of her before that fateful day 10 years ago. It's why I am always nose deep in the history books. No matter how many times I read them, nothing will to compare to the memories that linger.

***Flashback***

"Queen Ellie, the vampires have breached the southern borders. What shall you ha e us do my Queen?" General Butch is in a state of panick. The vampires have not dared cross the borders into the royal lands in nearly a century.

"Bring the royal guard to surround the castle. Women and children to the bunker. Ms. Megan will direct them. They will not simply infiltrate one border, we must defend from all sides". Her powerful aura is felt by all, and soon everyone is in positions. Well, almost everyone...

Prince Derek is hidden away in a secret room, located within the kings office. Like his mother, Derek has always had an interest in the history of the castle. With him next in line, his mother has shown him every secret room and passageway. Listening through the slightly ajar door behind the bookcase.

Prior to his mother being Queen, she was a fierce warrior. She had worked her way up the ranks, until she became an elite warrior recruited for her skill by the kingdom. Upon meeting the royal family, my fatger immediately swarmed her. Since she had become a mother, she was not required to fight in the battles. However, our fatger was away on business, visiting the other packs and their alphas to maintain peace.

Derek can hear his mothers yell to the crowd;

"Vampires, you have no business on these lands. Leave now, or every one of you shall be torn to shreds". Her voice carries over the land, but the only response is the cackles coming from the vampires, as it turns to a hiss, they descend.

Growls, screams of victory and of pain can be heard for miles around. The once lush gardens surrounding the castle have now been coated in a crimson red. The bodies of friend and foe scattered across it.

This was thought to be a fight for land, but it was jot what anyone had anticipated. The target was the Queen, not her lands. The best way to weaken a Kindom and their King, is to eliminate their mate.

As a group of vampires surround his mother, Derek dares to peek from the windowsill.

In place of his mother, stands her majestic white wolf. She is terribly outnumbered by the vampires swarming her. She looks defeated.

With one last longing glance to her son in the nearby window. Her icy blue eyes full of sorrow and love, the vampires come at her all at once. She is iverpowered and outnumbered, throwing them off only to come back quicker with their vampire speed.

Tired and defeated, a vampire lunges for her throat and tearing it out. His kothers pure white wolf falls to the ground covered in crimson. Howls of pain are heard throughout the pack, the pain of their Queen gone.

The vampires shriek in victory, and receed into the treeline in retreat. Never to be seen since. Leaving a kingdom without a Queen.

***End Flashback***

A single stray tear leaves Myles eye, but shaking his head to fight back the others, he walks on... and straight into our sister Olivia.

*umph* as she simply bounces off him and to the floor. Olivia is only 13, and like our mother is quite petite in comparison to us. We call her short fry for only being 5' high.

"Goddess Myles you gave me a damn heart attack! Where's the fire? Were you guys racing to get to Joseph and Jarred outside?" she rambles off a million miles a minute.

I hold up my hands in mock defense in hopes she'll stop talking. "Woah woah woah, no we were just a bit distracted as all. Sorry sis, we were just leaving dads office. I'm not sure what our plan a..." Before I can even finish my sentance, Myles shoots me a devious grin. With a wink, he's off and running.

"Sorry Liv gotta run, catch up with you later" I holler over to my shoulder to her with a smile. What can I say, we're teen alpha boys. The competitiveness is an all time high for us.

"I'll see you at lunch! I'm off to see daddy!" As she skips down the hall. Always full of smiles and sunshine that one.

I finally catch up to Myles on the stairs down to the main hall. The boys would surely be out sparring in the back. As we round the turn at the bottom of the stairs we both start to skid a bit, nearly losing our footing. Myles took this as an opportunity to try and head for the back door of the kitchen.

He goes whizzing past Ms. Megan, the head kitchen omega. She has to lift the large salad bowl shes carrying over her head, as she gets spun around by Myles rudely.

"Myles James Thompson! I'm going to get out the wooden spoon if you keep horsing around in this house!" I grimace as I can hear her. She can yell at him all she wants, but he won't listen.

Ms. Megan is a sweet old wolf, and has been working in the castle since our father was a pup. Her shoulder length hair has turned completely white, grey eyes and pursed lips scowling the direction he ran.

When we were little, we would always try and sneak some of her freshly baked treats before dinner. Only to be met with a nice whack to the back of our hands with the spoon. My father let her too, but I gues he used to get the same punishment too.

I give this run everything I've got, rushing out the door I finally have the boys in view. As usual Joseph and Jarred are sparring in the courtyard. It's not hard to see that Jarred is going to get his a** handed to him. Joseph is training to be my Beta, and Jarred my Gamma.

Jarred is distracted by my approach, giving Joseph the opening he needs to kick out his legs and have him slam down, hard. Winded, Joseph is the winner.

"Dude, not fair I got distracted. Derek, wheres the fire? You're running like a man on a mission." Joseph extends an arm to help him to his feet.

"Had to beat the slow pole back there and show 'em whos boss." I point over my shoulder at a, very tired, Myles behind me.

"How.. the hell.. did.. you.. beat me?" Doubling over out of breath, he can barely get the words out.

"Maybe if someone didn't skip training half the time chasing tail, you wouldn't be so out of shape." Joseph says with a smirk. It's well known around the pack that he is a bit of a man-whore.

"Hey! At least I'm getting some action, with the rank comes the she-wolves. I'm just taking advantage. No one's complaining." he says with eyebrows wiggling.

"Theres nothing wrong with saving ourselves for our mates, at this rate your dick is going to fall off before you meet her." Roars of laughters erupt at Myles expense.

Joseph and I have vowed to save ourselves for our mates, assuming they will do the same. However, Myles and Jarred don't believe the same.

"If it turns out Lacy is your mate, she's going to reject you man. She's saving herself. 'Ain't no way she's gunna want sloppy seconds." I say shaking my head.

But right now, Myles is fuming. He's had enough, and I think I just touched a nerve...

"DON'T BRING HER INTO THIS!" and just like that, he's swinging at me. Myles has a short fuse, and it just blew.

He's swinging with all his weight behind him, but I'm dodging everything he's throwing. Hoping when he tires out he'll calm down. But it just makes him even angrier. Little does he know, as the next king, our father has been giving me extra training for the past 2 years.

After awhile of him getting rilled up, I think the only other option than embarassing him, is to let him get a few good hits in and I 'admit defeat'. "

I let him get one hit in to my jaw, which sends me straight to the ground. Being of alpha blood, he does have some raw strength of his own. He throws another, then another. Not satisfied that I am not wailing in pain, seems to anger him more. But when I look into his eyes, I no longer see my brother, but near black orbs of rage piercing through me.

Joseph and Jarred at this point are trying to get him off of me, but its useless. I am pinned with my arms at my sides between his legs, helpless.

My gaze locks with his, and I realize, he's not this mad at me, but the feelings mothers portrait instilled in him. He blames me.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! YOU SHOULD HAVE SAVED HER!" he screams. In in that moment I know, I'm not his brother in his eyes, I'm our father. He wasn't there to protect her, and I'm his spitting image.

I'm woken from my thoughts by Myles violently grabbing my throat with both hands. Squeezing with everything he has.

'This is how I'm going to die'.

When suddenly, both my wrists snap simultaneously. A scream of excruciating pain leaves my mouth, and my only relief is Myles has removed his hands from my neck to cover his ears.

Next, my ankles both snap. Then my back. I am rolling around on the ground screaming for my life, as waves of pain wash through me. I can tell there is a crowd forming around me now, but through the tears I can't make out anyone around.

I can hear Joseph in my ear, trying to utter anything to console this pain. It falls in deaf ears, my own screams of pain washing out any noise around me. It feels as if it will never end, I don't know how long its been. I cannot take this any longer.

Suddenly, just as quickly as it had started it stops. I'm met with complete and utter silence. I get to my feet not yet opening my eyes. I'm dead. That's it. I don't want to open my eyes to belive it.

"D.. d.. der.. Derek!" I shoot my eyes open to Myles who is laying back in the grass, arms to support himself upward with knees bent. Terror is all I see in his eyes as I tower over him.

I thought maybe the silence was caused by my fathers presence, surely someone told him of what's going on.But when I turn to look over my shoulder, I'm met to see no one. A wagging black tail with a white tip is all I see.

I whip my head around, wide eyes in disbelief. Until I glance at my feet, replaced with black legs and white paws.

'Hello Derek, nice to finally meet you. My name is Shadow. Together, we are going to do things never before seen in history'.

I cannot believe it. I have a wolf. I shifted?! I'm only 17, this shouldn't be happening yet, I've never heard of it! In broad daylight without the moon no less!

*chuckles* 'Oh but wait and see young prince, thats just the start of firsts we will accomplish together'.

I think to myself, still drowning out all the others around me. I stare down at the ground, at my paws, still in disbelief. I've never tried to speak through the mindlink much less my counter part before. I can only bring one word to mind..

'Run'

And just like that, we are running full speed into the forest.