Chapter 1
Greyson
"You know, Grey, I think it would be nice if you started to take over the morning training sessions. You being there and you leading it are two completely different things. It might be a good stepping stone towards you taking over the pack." I rolled my eyes at my father. Alpha Theodore Nix, the most feared Alpha in the world. Well, behind me anyway. I smirk thinking about how much stronger I am than him.
"I think I have more than enough stepping stones to take over the pack as Alpha, father." I sat down at the table beside him and started on my breakfast while my mother was on the other side of my father. "You and my uncles have literally been training me for that day since I was 5. I could take the title over tomorrow and it would be the smoothest transition ever."
"We've talked about this, Grey. You will take over the pack but not until after your ceremony as Lycan King. If we can get past that, then everything will be yours. One step at a time, kiddo." father stood up and patted me on my back. "I'll meet you out at the training grounds. Make sure you grab your sister on the way." I literally cringed at the words he spoke.
'Sister', I mocked in my head. I hated that they called her that for me. She's not my sister. We are absolutely nothing alike. I have never even been close to her like siblings would be. We don't talk, we don't hang out. I'm not mean to her, but I don't go out of my way to acknowledge her either. I have just never felt like her brother. I was always confused about it at first. I mean I see siblings around the packhouse or how my friends are with their siblings and her and I were just nothing like that. I keep to myself and she does the same.
It made so much sense when I turned 18 about 6 months ago and my mother and father sat down and revealed all the pack secrets to me. They knew I was going to be taking over for the Elders this year and before I take over it is my duty to know everything about all the packs that I absolutely can. My mother and father begged the elders to allow them to be the ones to talk to me about our pack though, The BloodMoon Pack.
I learned in more detail about a battle that happened when my mother was pregnant with me. That someone had wanted to steal my mother from my father. They told me about the rouge attacks they have had off and on throughout the years. What shocked me though was learning about River, the girl they call my sister. She was in fact not my sister, but she was found by our pack doctor when she was only one year old. It was as if someone had abandoned her. All her documents, all her belongings were left right at our hospital doors. Which I have always found a little strange. I mean, how do they know she was in fact an orphaned? Maybe someone placed her there wanting her to be found and they took off. It all just seemed pretty strange to me. Anyways, my mother and father, being Alpha and Luna of the pack, were immediately called. My mother fell in love with her right away. They told me how they had wanted another child, but because of the prophecy and my mother's abilities, they were scared to have any more of their own. They both grew up without siblings and didn't want the same for me. Kind of funny because River and I are nothing like siblings at all. I asked if they had talked to River about any of this and they said no. They assumed one day she would ask because they would need to provide her with her legal name and documents eventually and they were prepared for when the day came.
I always knew something was off. I just always had a feeling. We look nothing alike. I have brown hair like my mother. My father has brown hair also, but it's a little bit darker than mine. River has blonde hair and hazel eyes. My eyes are blue like my father's. My mother's eyes are greenish blue. Genetically, she never made sense to be our blood relative anyway. My parents have always babied her, though as if she is the perfect little daughter that they could never have. Sometimes I would get super jealous of her and say things I didn't mean when we were growing up. While she was able to go outside and learn how to ride a bike, I was learning how to tame my beast. In the summers when she got to stay up late with her friends and my mother would take her to the pool, I was stuck in training sessions with the Elders for hours on end learning all of the werewolf laws. She got to be the fun, golden child while I was stuck training to take over a throne.
Don't get me wrong, I have never felt that my parents have loved me any less. I just hated that she got the fun normalcy of our parents, while I got the Alpha and Luna of our parents. Overall, even if I didn't see River as a sibling, I would still protect her with my life because she means so much to our family. I love my parents. I appreciate everything they have done for me. Sometimes I just wish things didn't have to be so complicated.
As if my mother could read my thoughts, she reached her hand across the table to grab mine. I lifted my gaze to her. "You know Grey, we love you more than anything in this world. You were a blessing. Your father and I, we may not always show it, but we are really proud of you and what you have accomplished. You have been expected to fill big shoes since before you were even born. As you take your place as King and Alpha, we will always be right beside you, guiding you anyway that we can."
I let out a big sigh and leaned back in my chair, "I know mom. I love you guys also. Just sometimes I wish I didn't have all this pressure on me. I wish sometimes I could just live a normal life for just a little bit." My mother seemed to have been deep in thought about my words. I couldn't really understand her expressions.
Then she beamed a big smile at me, almost jumping out of her chair. "What if you take the rest of the summer off? You have some fun and relax and then, at the end of it is when we will hold your ceremony and you can announce your place on the throne? You would still be expected to go to your meetings and do the small things, BUT I am sure the Elders will understand you needing a break before taking over."
I started to get excited thinking about her idea. It would be perfect. I could have time to hangout with my friends, maybe do some swimming, or if I find my mate at the Annual Ball, then I would have some time to get to know her and not have to rush things. Then it hit me, it would never work. "That would be great mother, truly, but dad will never go for it." I was frowning now.
She stood up from her seat, taking my plate and hers to the sink when she said, "You let me handle your father, I can be pretty convincing when it comes to him." gross. gag. I hated it when they would talk like that with each other. I also loved the fact my parents were so madly in love. I have always wanted what they have one day with my mate. "Just consider this your blessing to have the next several weeks off!" Just as I was getting ready to stand up from the table, River walked in. I didn't even pay her any attention. I just heard my mother call out to her. "There is my little princess! You look so adorable today!" That's my cue to leave.
I walked around the table and away from them. I needed to get out to training before dad would come hunting me down. "See ya mom! Thanks for the talk! Love you!" I heard her yell back that she loved me also, then I was out of there. I was already late and father was not going to be happy about it.