Chapter 8
1007 Words
The familiar scent hit my nose and also made me realize that I hadn't missed this place.
Second best. That’s all I ever was. Mark, the golden boy, the destined Alpha, the charmer who always got everything he wanted. And me? The shadow, the afterthought, the constant disappointment. Even she had chosen him.
I clenched my jaw, forcing the memories back. Dwelling on the past was a weakness, and weakness was a luxury I could no longer afford. I was back, changed, and hardened by the things I've seen and done. The old Gryphon was dead, buried somewhere in the woods where they'd left me.
The packhouse hadn't changed in fact it looked worn out like nobody was even giving it a second thought to renovate the house that they were living in but with an incompetent alpha like my brother I'm not surprised.
There were kids outside, and they didn't recognize me, and I don't even know why I couldn't find people patroling the Pack.
The place seems like an open ground for anybody who wants to do anything they want.
I could have made it past anybody guarding the pack, and it's not because I'm still a member of this pack originally but also because I'm good at what I do.
I swung the door open, and the chatter that I could hear from outside stopped all of a sudden, and all eyes were on me.
Everybody was scattered around the packhouse and they all looked at me with disbelief but I was looking for another face in particular that wasn't around but I knew it was a matter of seconds before he appeared and I wasn't disappointed when he did.
I know the sickening loyalty these people have for my brother, and they called him within seconds, but nobody can protect him from me now.
Mark's face gave me the most satisfaction, a mask of stunned horror that quickly turned into something ugly and calculating. He looked like he was staring at a ghost, and in a way, he was.
"Gryphon?" he whispered, his voice strained like he was struggling to even talk.
I smirked, letting my eyes go over him in a condescending manner. "In the flesh. Or what's left of it, anyway." I enjoyed the discomfort that l felt through the crowd. Let them remember. Let them remember what they did.
Mark recovedd quickly and stepped forward, puffing out his chest like he was gearing for a fight. "What do you want, Gryphon? You're not welcome here." He tried to exert his Alpha aura, the pressure meant to force submission. A pathetic attempt. I simply stood my ground, my own wolf simmering beneath the surface, radiating a power that surpassed his.
Mark was never a match for me then, and he will never be even after years because I can tell that he has been spending most of his time sitting around instead of training.
I've never seen an alpha more negligent and stupid as he is because he has even gained a belly pot, which is unusual for a werewolf, but it speaks a lot about his character as an Alpha.
I could feel Mark's frustration growing as his dominance failed to break me. It was humiliating for him, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I am not a submissive wolf. I am an alpha male.
It's a bit unheard of for two siblings to be born with the alpha genes unless they are twins and because I'm the second born I was supposed to get the beta genes but I'm even stronger than my brother and I now understand why he was intimidated by me.
"I'm here on the Alpha King's business." I said.
I held up the seal signed by the alpha king's crest.
"The Alpha King?" He laughed off like l was joking. "What business could he possibly have with you?" and it was my turn to laugh internally because if he knew who I was, then he wouldn't be speaking with me like this.
"That's between him and me," I said, refusing to elaborate more than that. Let him squirm and wonder. " I'm not under your command, and that means that I can stay and go anytime I want."
This is my pack, Gryphon! You will obey me!" Mark shouted, his face flushed with anger, and everybody else was clearly intimidated by his wolf's presence that they began bowing, but to me, this is merely a tantrum.
"You seem stressed Mark, is everything okay? Or does my presence bring up something you don't want me to remember?" I took a step closer to him, not even the least bothered that he looked like he was about to shift. "Don't worry, brother. I am not interested in any of your dirty little secrets.
I watched him gulp. I could report him to the Royal Council and the Alpha King for attempting to kill his own brother, and I know it scares him.
Just then, a gasp rippled through the crowd. All eyes shifted, and my own gaze followed. There she was.
Lila.
I had succeeded in burying her deep inside my memories. I smelled her first as soon as I breached the gate, but she didn't smell the same way anymore.
I felt like there was something missing, and now that I'm staring at her, I can tell that this is not the girl who was so beautiful on her wedding day.
facially, she was still her and even more beautiful, but physically, she was a leaf so thin and tired.
Those big eyes that were full of life and adventure looked dull and pale.
My jaw tightened. I forced myself to meet her gaze, to acknowledge the past, to bury the feelings that threatened to surface. This would not be like before. I was not the same naive boy.
I may be back, but I'm not back for her, but to settle an old school with the man I once called my brother.
Her husband.
- Writer
