Destined for the pirate Beta

The docks, Wolfshire. That faithful night. *Raphael* I'm fourteen and I know it all too well as I trail behind my twin brother on the groaning docks. We can't stay together. It's too risky. We are like two mirror images with our warm hazel eyes, what the local gypsies call ‘Wolf Eyes’, marking us clearly as heirs of the Snow Moon pack. Together, we are easy prey for those who wish us ill. The night is a hazy canvas, barely lit by the sporadic glow of lanterns or torches. Stephan, older than me by twenty-two minutes, leads the way. He is now the eighth Alpha of Snow Moon, our father having been brutally murdered… undoubtedly by our despicable uncle who covets our titles and properties. But he has to get past the three of us first. I'm determined to ensure he fails. A gigantic ship looms ahead, swaying ominously on the dark water, shrouded in swirling fog. My heart pounds in my chest. The smell of the sea mixed with the stench of rotting fish makes my stomach churn. Stephan halts, spinning around, his black hair falling into his eyes. He grabs my shoulders. "You understand that I have no choice. We must do this." He spoke the same words to our younger brother Tristan when he left him at the workhouse. But Tristan didn't really understand. Four years younger than us, he reacted as he always does when we plan something without him: he whined, sobbed, pleaded not to be left behind. Such a pathetic little whelp! I refuse to degrade myself by succumbing to the terror that strangles my breath and curdles in my gut. My teeth clench tightly, a futile attempt to suppress the cold tremors that shudder through me. It's not outright trembling, but it feels worse somehow, a more insidious form of fear. Still, I will not burden Stephan further with my distress. I must prove my worth, stand tall, be a man about this. I yearn for the ignorance of bliss, wishing Stephan hadn't paused, hadn't allowed me time to truly comprehend our grim predicament. Our uncle, the formidable Beta Danix Rafe, had imprisoned us in the frigid, lightless tower at Snow Moon castle immediately after we bid our last farewells to our father. Our mother had left this world long before him. Now, we were subject to our uncle's dubious care, and his intentions seemed clear… he wanted us gone. We would still be languishing in that hellish cage if not for Mary, the kind-hearted daughter of our neighbors. I had been prepared to seize the opportunity of our escape to rid us of our uncle, to end the torment he inflicted upon us. However, Stephan advocated for patience, insisting we wait until we were grown, more capable of taking control of the situation. Sadly, this plan required our disappearance. And what better place to vanish than far from the familiar confines of our homeland? Summoning every ounce of courage, I give a quick nod in response to Stephan's earlier words. My hands clench into tight fists, the knuckles white, a desperate effort to prevent them from reaching out, from clutching Stephan's shirt in a futile plea to evade our inevitable separation. Stephan's fingers dig painfully into my shoulders, causing a sharp jolt of discomfort. His voice is determined, and his words carry weight as he speaks of our future plans. "Remember, ten years from now, on the night we escaped, we will meet at the old abbey ruins. We will get our revenge, I swear to you upon mother's and father's graves." I nod, feeling a mixture of determination and apprehension coursing through me. This pact we have made binds us together, fueling our desire for justice. Stephan takes a few steps forward, leading the way along the dock. With each passing moment, the enormity of our decision becomes more tangible. The moonlight casts an eerie glow on the hulking ship before us, its imposing presence magnified in the darkness. It creaks and groans, as if harboring secrets within its very timbers. A large man stands near the plank, his formidable figure silhouetted against the night sky. The wind rustles his greatcoat, but his demeanor remains unchanged. A scar mars his face, twisting his mouth into a sinister semblance of a smile. His eyes, deep and unfathomable, seem to hold a lifetime of wickedness. A cold shiver runs down my spine, sending a chill through my entire being. Fear intertwines with anticipation, and for a fleeting moment, I consider fleeing to the safety of the stable, where our loyal horses await. The thought of riding away on Molly, galloping into the unknown, tempts me with the promise of escape. But I suppress these thoughts, knowing that now is not the time for retreat. Summoning every ounce of courage I possess, I stand unwaveringly at Stephan's side, ready to face the captain to whom he spoke in the tavern earlier. The weight of our destiny hangs in the air, heavy and irrevocable. Stephan confronts the captain, his voice steady but laced with suppressed determination. "Have you the coins?" The captain, with a nonchalant air, tosses a leather pouch into the air, the jingling of coins filling the night. His words carry a hint of skepticism, mingled with curiosity. "You sure you be wanting this, lad? To be my cabin boy?" With a firm resolve, I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. This is our chance for freedom, for retribution. I will endure whatever lies ahead, standing side by side with my brother, ready to embark on this treacherous journey. The captain's words slice through the air, his gaze piercing as he scrutinizes Stephan and me. "Hard life on a ship. Neither of you look like boys accustomed to a hard life." I fight to find my voice but struggle under the weight of uncertainty. Stephan steps forward confidently, speaking on my behalf. "He's not afraid," he declares with unwavering assurance. Grateful for my brother's words, I silently thank him for concealing the truth… I'm truly terrified. "All right then," the captain says, tossing the pouch to Stephan, who catches it with both hands, as though its weight surpasses its physical form, as though it carries the weight of his conscience. "Let's get aboard." The captain turns and begins to ascend the gangway. I take a step, but before I can fully commit, Stephan grabs me, pulling me into a tight embrace. His voice, filled with love and strength, resonates in my ears. "Be strong." My eyes burn with unshed tears. I refuse to let them fall. I refuse to be weak, to be like Tristan. I nod, determined to prove myself. I slap Stephan on the back, breaking free from his grip, and run up the ship's corridor. With a leap, I find myself on the deck. When I glance back, all I see is Stephan's retreating shadow disappearing into the darkness. My heart aches to go with him. I don't want to be here. I don't want any of this. The captain's massive hand lands heavily on my shoulder, jarring me back to reality. "I'm called Marlin. Have you a name, lad?" "Be…" I stop myself. I can't reveal that I am Beta Raphael Rafe, second in line for the title of Alpha of the pack of Snow Moon. Not until we reclaim our birthright. I clear my throat. "Raphael." "Well, Be Raphael, who you be running from?" the captain asks, a hint of mockery in his voice. He caught my slip, my momentary lapse. I won't be so careless again. From now on, I will become a master keeper of secrets. "So be it," the captain says, and a sly smile tugs at his lips. "I will call you Sam." I jerk my gaze up to meet the captain's towering figure. "Why?" I ask, curiosity coloring my voice. "When you are seeking to hide, lad," he explains, a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes, "you hide everything." I look back towards the abyss where my brother vanished, contemplating the captain's words. I can do that. I can bury every aspect of myself deep within, transforming into someone else entirely. I will become a shadow, nameless and unseen. Yet, deep down, I hold onto a flicker of hope. When the time is right, when our path aligns with destiny, I want to unearth my true self once again. I long to find the person I've left behind and reclaim my identity.