Alpha's Nala

Theo Callix Gray

Theo

Times had changed.

That's all I could think of as I watched the mortals mingled with my people, whom I should note was all creatures of the dark.

Back in the old days, humans feared our existence.

Only at the mention of our name, they would cower away from us and tightly locked their homes at night. For extra precaution, they always have garlic on their bedside table or bound around their necks.

Funny thing.

Through the years, as the fear grew inside of them, resulting in clouding their minds, they started to fight back with stakes and crosses.

I chuckled at the idea.

Little did they know, those things have no effect on us.

Let alone, kill us…

For over a millennium, there's no vampires — nor witches — reported dead because of the above-mentioned weapons.

We are immune to all of it; Hollywood's movie version doesn't justify any of our weaknesses.

I don't even know if they know any of it…

Until a century ago, they started reciting stories.

By now, I could tell how perplexed you are about the idea of stories being our drawback…

It's unusual and a unique approach, to be honest, but it's the most effective weapon in human history that could actually harm us.

How?

Stories about our weakness, and coming from thy lips of a human, makes us mortal.

It could start off with someone saying that a stake could stop a vampire's heartbeat or holy water to burn a vampire's skin. When a new individual heard about it and told someone else, and that someone else delivered the same story to another, and so on, the tale about the disadvantages becomes true.

I don't know if it's the power in telling or the strong belief of the human heart that makes it real, but it's there.

It's fatal and dangerous, and it's destroying my race to no end…

So, I decided to hide my kind and learn to adapt.

It was a cowardly move, I admit that. Though, seeing how famous our fictions of weakness are and how powerful the humans' belief was at that time, I don't have much of a choice.

Patiently, I waited in the dark for the fantasies to die down until the mortals no longer believed in it — as we had never been real in the first place.

Thankfully, that's how a story works.

Humans stop telling them when they do not see the use of it any longer, or if they wanted to begin and create a new one.

Still, it took almost a decade and for another civilization to be established around the area…

Anyway, sensing no trouble anymore and discovering my people were suffering due to the lack of permanent residences and food, I started building my empire from scratch.

It wasn't easy though…

I had to undergo a lot of transitions for the past years; had to watched different plagues sweep the world, and even observed technologies improved and ultimately thrive.

However, shifting from one identity to another was the least of my favorite. It was one of those things that I cannot bear to do for I hated deceiving people.

I may be a Vampire that is known to do that, but I was raised well and with honor.

I value my virtue, particularly my honesty…

Still, the frauds and conspiracies were needed since I have to meet the same individual that was helping me construct my vision for my people.

The meetings occurred multiple times in a year and surely, they would question me at one point, since I never aged or look different by the passing of time.

Worse of it all, and sadly as it can be, I had to watch them die in the process at a certain age.

I let out a sigh at the thought.

Clearly, this infinite gift of life was a curse rather than a blessing…

But do I have an option to escape this life?

I could not go back in time and tell my parents to find another one to love and marry.

Especially when they are destined REDs…

Presently, I am just grateful that I have provided my people's needs and performed what was expected of me.

That's all that matters to me… my people's contentment and well-being.

“I was beginning to believe that you were going to bail this out again like you always do.” I heard a low and husky voice started, “But what really interests me now is your excuse on the question of how long will you be standing, by that stone pillar, and watch as your dark subjects find their REDs?” he added.

Recognizing the owner of the voice, I instantly ignored him and remained still in my position.

Shortly, I heard a gust of wind and felt a presence beside me.

“You know it's rude to ignore a soul,” he pointed out, making me scowl.

“When did you ever had a soul, Raul?” I asked and glanced at my foolish cousin.

Minding that, he gasped and quickly placed a hand on his chest. Then, he shot me a fake hurt expression.

“First of all, it's Cayden so please stop calling me by my middle name — which by the way, I hated so much. And two, you're being so brutal for reminding me that I am dead. That's overkill already, your Majesty.” he teased.

I only rolled my eyes at his drama.

“Well, that's the point. So what?”

He gasped loudly again.

“You are so cold.”

I only shrug my shoulders and kept my eyes locked in the ballroom.

Feeling that I will not speak again, I heard Cayden let out a defeated sigh.

“Too devastated…” I heard him mumbled, “Maybe that's the reason why the gods above didn't grant you a second chance at a RED.”

My head snapped at him while a growl escaped my lips.

Cayden, unfazed, only rolled his eyes at me.

“Seriously speaking Theo,” his face currently turns serious, “Casmine's gone for over a full decade now. You should learn to accept that reality and moved on.”

My jaw ticked but didn't say a word.

He was right.

It's been ten years since my last possession of a RED…

My first and last was named Casmine Harlow Ray.

She was like the sun the second she entered my life. She shone my darkest days and provided warmth to my cold, lifeless heart.

Despite our differences, Casmine understood me in one go compared to my parents and friends my whole life. She made me a better man then as she expressed her love and cared for my well-being for years that came our way.

She simply completed me… Until the day arrived for her to leave me.

Casmine died due to natural causes. Mainly to old age and if I remember it correctly, she died at the age of ninety-nine.

She was human after all…

They say that if you lose your RED, you lose yourself. It doesn't matter what it was, for the pain was the only sense that you will feel at that point — may your heart be dead or alive.

Nothing else…

Healing would be possible for us, but it will take some time — A very, very long time. Till then, you just got to learn to accept the truth and well, move on.

Just like Cayden said…

Apparently, he doesn't know the truth and it may not seem obvious, but nowadays, I am very well and healed from the hurt, from the broken heart… From the loss.

Time truly helps a lot.

Regardless of the topic, the reactions I made whenever somebody talks about Casmine were more of a reflex action now rather than normal response.

It does not go away…

Suddenly, the silence of the space brought me back to reality.

I looked around and discovered that I was alone; Cayden left me to my thoughts, AGAIN.

I let out another sigh, this time a heavy one…

Then, thinking that I am not needed here anymore, I started to walk away only to be stopped when I heard clicks of heels on the stone floor.

I shifted my attention at the disturbance ahead of me and that's when I saw her.

Instantly, my eyes widened and my breath hitched.

Not because she looked amazing on that emerald green fitted dress while wearing a small amount of makeup now, but because she looked familiar.

“Casmine?” I whispered.

No, it can't be.

She's already in the heavens… She can't be alive right now.

But, who is this female?

I inspect the unknown woman further with a held breath as she hurried her way towards me. She did wave at me once but I couldn't bother to respond — too flabbergasted to even move.

Halting in front of me now, she flashed a small smile and politely asked, “Excuse me, Sir, but I was looking for the meeting room. Can you tell me where it is?”

Mother of all mercy, her voice; It was the same diction and tone as Casmine's…

I know deeply this is not my RED, that this is not my beautiful Casmine, but I could not help to feel completely surprised by this.

For that, I immediately searched for more signs of familiarity.

I started on the top; recognizing the same heart-shaped face, to the similar small nose and full pink lips. Hair colors the same and even the slightest hint of dimples on both sides of her cheeks were there. Then, to avoid being speculated as a pervert, I rapidly scanned her body down to her toes.

The same physique, curves, and height…

The only difference I could find upon my assessment was her eyes — which happens to be silver-gray, while Casmine's were midnight black.

So, I am not crazy.

And this is not really a dream…

Satisfied with my confirmation, I slowly exhaled and shifted my gaze to stare at her once again.

Seeing this, she waved again at me. This time, she looked awkward and somewhat nervous.

I wanted to ask why when she spoke first.

“Um, hi? Do I need to… repeat myself or… you just don't understand what I was saying?” she shyly inquired.

She's adorable…

Unlike Casmine's grace when approaching, but still adorable.

I could only smirk as I realized that I had an effect on this lady — verified with the timidness she was displaying.

Clearing my throat now, I answered, “It's on the fourth door to the left, Miss. Just walk straight from here.”

Amusingly, after telling her the directions, I noticed a hint of blush on her cheeks. Whatever thought she had with me, I could tell it was not a decent one.

I felt smug about this that my smirk widened.

She finally snapped from her sudden dazed and flashed me another one of her small smiles, her ghost of a dimple showing.

“Oh, thank you so much…?” her eyes timidly looked at me, asking for something.

Getting the clue, I smiled at her, declaring, “Theo,” and noticing that she just got out from another stupor, I proceeded on introducing myself fully.

“Theo Callix Gray.”

Furthermore, I took her slender hand and kissed it gently while remaining in eye contact with her.

She gasped and was about to say something when I heard my right hand's voice, coming from the hallways that my back was facing at.

“Legaxy, baby?”

The unknown dame, who I know now as Legaxy — unusual name but it uniquely suits her, peeked at my back and instantly beamed.

“Papa!” she called out.

Papa?

Jacob?

When Jacob appeared from the shadows, Legaxy gently took off her hand from mine and hurried to my right hand and most trusted man.

Dios!

For a lady with heels, this woman can sprint…

Nonetheless, my forehead creased in question.

Jacob had a daughter?

I decided to sniff her scent.

HUMAN.

Oh, her… I remember her now.

Jacob, noticing my presence now, shot me a baffled look and before he could even address me, little Legaxy spoke up.

“Papa, I thought you were in a meeting. I was about to get to you.”

“I was, Princess.” Jacob frowned, “However, your Mum called and told me you were missing… we got worried.”

Legaxy, hearing this, looked ashamed.

“I'm sorry, Papa.” she apologizes with trembling lips.

‘Very, very adorable,’ I thought.

Jacob only smiled at her and kissed her forehead lovingly.

Instantly, I felt a pang of jealousy flooding my body — particularly, my heart.

Interesting…

Then, turning his attention back to me, Jacob was about to bow in greeting when I quickly motioned him not to.

I don't want the girl to know anything about me… not yet.

He looked further confused but do as I say.

Thus, realizing something, he shortly excused themselves and was about to leave with Legaxy when she paused and smacked a hand on her forehead.

“s**t! I'm such an idiot.”

I frowned hearing that swears left her full lips…

She turns to face her Dad and started introducing me to Jacob. I almost laughed at her innocence in the situation.

“Theo?” Jacob questions his human daughter, as if not believing I let somebody else know my name.

Legaxy nodded with a dazzling smile, rendering me speechless.

Such a magnificent lady… in my RED's face and body.

“Yes, this is” — she points a finger at me — “Theo, Papa. He helped me with the directions. I kind of forgot where the meeting room was,” she explains and her nose scrunched up.

Oh,

God.

That's the rat face, the one's Casmine used to do — aside from the puppy face.

She has it too!

I felt like swooning.

“Sweetheart, I think you should address him properly.” Jacob eyed me while declaring that.

That snapped me back to the present and I glared hard at him to make him stop.

Legaxy noticed, making her tilt her head in wonder.

Precious this girl is…

“What should I address Theo, then?” Legaxy asked Jacob with furrowed brows.

Jacob was about to answer when I beat him to it, explaining to Legaxy, “Just call me Theo. I'm one of your Dad's guards… My rank is Captain to the security department.”

Listening to this, Legaxy beamed once more while Jacob looked both shocked and alarmed.

“Nice to meet you, Theo.” she placed her hands in front of me for a shake. I took it and we shook hands, “By the way, my name's Legaxy Dyme… I guess you already know that.” she laughed, making me smile at her.

Strangely, another foreign feeling exploded inside my chest.

Both giddy and somewhat… joyful.

I blinked my eyes, quite amused by the emotions swirling inside of me.

Jacob, sensing something was up with me, made Legaxy go back downstairs and instructed her to find the rest of their family.

Once alone, Jacob eyed me funny.

“What?” I asked.

Jacob, instead of answering, raised an eyebrow at me.

“The way you look at my daughter tells me you fancy her…” he narrowed his eyes at me dangerously — the same one he does when he interrogates a criminal, “Are you, in some way, taking an interest in her when you fully know that there's maybe a second chance RED for you somewhere, out there?” he interrogated.

That appalled me to the core.

Am I?

I closed my eyes and inhaled; little Legaxy's enticing aroma entered my nose, making me swoon again.

I know this is just a few minutes of infatuation but I'm falling fast.

Hard…

This should not be normal but it is happening to me.

Fuck!

So yeah, I am.

I exhaled and upon opening my eyes, I noticed Jacob gawking at me. He looks captivated; he does this whenever my eyes change color.

Being the Vampire King, my eyes don't change into red. Rather, they go orange.

The same shade when the sun sets down the horizon…

“Seriously, what are your intentions to my human daughter, Vampire King?” he finally questioned as he got out of the stupor, “You know what she is and how fragile she can be. As her designated father, I can't let you have what you want with her. Even if you are my King.” He, in a fatherly manner, directed to the point.

I cleared my throat, feeling a bit weird as I explained myself to my own right hand like I did something wrong.

“My intentions to your daughter are pure and simple, Jacob. I will not harm her in any way possible.” I let out a sigh and stared at his eyes — a hint I was serious, “I know this may all be too sudden, but if it makes you feel better, I would like to ask you for your human daughter's hand in courtship.” I asked.

Jacob, not expecting that, looked taken back. His eyes were wide and his mouth was parted — he was shocked.

“Besides, this may be my second chance,” I added.

Realizing I was right, Jacob eventually nodded.

“Just don't hurt her, Sire. I wanted her to have a life full of happiness and love… she deserves it after all she had gone through.” he voices out with a small smile — a fatherly one.

He definitely loves the girl…

“Of course, you have my word, Jacob,” I promised and we bro hug each other.

After that, we both left; him to enjoy the rest of the night at the ball while for me, thinking solely about the future.

Soon, I will have little Legaxy as my chosen RED and then, if it goes well, my wife.