TWIN ALPHA: REBIRTH

A howl pierced the silent night Kael and Lorien rose quickly from the stone slab they had fallen asleep on. The air was thick with danger and the scent of blood. Something was terribly wrong. The alpha emerged from the darkness like a shadow peeling itself from the night from between two slabs and he was flanked by a dozen or so wolves. “I brought you something.”, Darius said as he tossed something toward them. It rolled to a stop at Lorien’s feet. The smell of blood filled their nostrils immediately. But whose blood, was it? Lorien bent down and picked up the head and froze immediately. “What is that?”, Kael asked trying his best not to panic. But Lorien remained frozen in place and uttered not a single world, Kael could see Lorien start to tremble while holding the object so he walked over from behind and took a look for himself. It was Eldric. Or rather his severed head. Kael staggered back and fell to his knees, a single tear running down his cheek. Lorien remained planted where he stood motionless still. Just last night… they had laughed beneath the stars. The night before the trial “You ever wonder what your name would be if you were born a girl?”, Kael asked his brother who lay on the grass beside him, both gazing up at the stars. “The night before the Trial and that is what’s on your mind?” They were twins but they could not be any more different Lorien thought to himself. “Kaella, it has a nice ring to it.”, Kael pointed out to his brother. “You forget I’m the older brother.”, Lorien responded nonchalantly, ridding Kael the opportunity to get a reaction out of him. Kael was always fond of testing his limits with people. A lifetime together had taught him not taking the bait was the best way to win his stupid little games. “Oh please, I let you go first because I’m a gentleman. Ladies always go first”, Kael continued making an exaggerated bowing gesture even as he lay on his back in the open field. Lorien attempted to smack Kael on His belly, but it was blocked and the two shared a small laugh as they continued their stargazing spread out on the floor next to each other It really was a beautiful night. “When I become alpha- “, Kael spoke up after a few heartbeats. “You’d have to defeat Edric and Darius first”, Lorien interjected. “Shhh- don’t interrupt me, just let me finish.” “Whatever.” “Eldric is old now, I’m sure I could take him even-” “Ahem!”, Eldric cleared his throat loudly behind them. The twins sat up immediately mortified. How he always managed to appear out of nowhere, neither of them could explain. “I’m glad you’re thinking about the future and all. If you have time to lay around and whisper sweet nothings to each other, then you must be feeling quite confident about your trial.”, Eldric spoke up. “You came to check on us? That is so unlike you. But since you’re here I’ll make sure to make you proud tomorrow, you can bet on that.”, Kael said putting a hand to his chest to show his seriousness, “But I can’t speak for Lorien.”, he finished eager to divert the attention from his earlier statement. Lorien cast his brother a look that could have pierced his soul, but Kael looked away acting oblivious to his actions. Eldric flicked Kael’s head as soon as he turned away. “Always the Joker. Be very careful tomorrow. Now go get prepared, Lira has been waiting for you both. I should get going too. I’m sure you will both do well.” Eldric turned to leave but stopped a few paces away. “Oh, and you’re still ten years too early to beat me.” And with that he walked away. Kael and Lorien could not see his face but they knew he was smiling to himself. They both let out an exasperated sigh and then a silence settled between them. “Well, that was some pep talk, I’m all fired up now.”, Kael said stretching his arms as they got ready to head to the ceremonial bath. Kael raised a fist to his brother and Lorien bumped it with his and they headed for the pavilion. The atmosphere in the pavilion was thick with steam and the scent of the many herbs mixed into the bath, illuminated by the many candles placed round. Lira stood with her sleeves rolled back at the anointing spiral, as the twins hurried in. They were late but she knew it was probably due to nerves ahead of tomorrow’s trial Kael and Lorien knelt side by side completely naked on the woven mats placed on the spiral, their broad shoulders bared, dark locs wet, pulled up into a bun so Lira could have access to their backs. Lira’s fingers moved effortlessly, each movement deliberate and graceful as though she had done this many times before as she made the necessary preparations. She stirred the bathwater which was simmering with an herbal concoction believed to cleanse the spirit and ward off ill omens. The little girl once filled with so much laughter and mischief had been replaced by this elegant, young lady whose composure made her seem older, wiser. It was almost as if she was a completely different person. Lira moved behind them and dipped a cloth into the herbal water before proceeding to wipe Kael’s back. The steam curled around her, lending her an otherworldly glow. Kael felt a familiar flutter in his chest as the cloth traced the line of his spine. “That feels really nice, I wish you’d do this more often for me.”, Kael murmured, arching into her touch. Lira offered him a small, polite smile—no hint of the teasing girl he remembered. “Trust me, this is probably the last bath you’ll have.” She pressed the cloth to his shoulder blades, then knelt to gather more water. Kael glanced over his shoulder and tried his best to whisper. “Just between us, who’d you pick if you had to choose?” His grin was boyish Lorien froze mid-breath wishing he hadn’t just heard that. Lira paused, cloth in hand. “Pick?” she echoed, brow arching. “Pick what?” Kael leaned closer; mischief bright in his golden eyes. “Between me and Mr. Cool and Calm over here. I’m sure you’ve noticed but my man parts are definitely more awe inspiring than Lorien’s don’t you agree?” Lira’s dark eyes moved briefly to Lorien who was also kneeling beside Kael, his eyes closed in meditation as if he was not privy to the conversation. Her eyes returned to Kael and with a swift motion she reached forward and squeezed said man parts. Kael’s eyes widened, the sharp pain preventing him from any sudden movement. “Hmm let’s see… I prefer Lorien’s.” she said, her voice calm, almost clinical. “What? Why?” Kael hissed, wincing as she let go of him. She shrugged, dipping her cloth into the bath again. “I don’t know, it’s more to my liking” she replied, her lips curving into a faint smirk. “Seems more… reliable.” Lorien tried his best to stifle his laughter but failed horribly. The roaring laughter exited his mouth despite his attempts to maintain his composure and filled the entire pavilion. Lira joined him and for a moment what lay ahead was completely forgotten. Kael shot Lorien an exaggerated glare. “Shouldn’t you be meditating or something?” Kael said picking up a cloth and tossing it at his brother. “I would never miss any chance to watch you embarrass yourself, someone needs to cheer you on.” Lorien said shaking his head, as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Tch, you’re just saying that to be mean.”, Kael sucked his teeth and turned his face away, he could feel the blood rushing to his face. “You don’t really believe that!”, he said pointedly. “You asked, and I told you the truth. No need to be a baby about it.” Lira replied moving in front of Kael “Now hold still. We’re not finished.” The twins emerged from the bath cleansed, the scent of the herbs emanating from their skin. Lira anointed their foreheads with oil, then traced intricate symbols with black paint across their chests and arms. As she worked, the two brothers watched her in silence. Things were good and they felt confident about the future. How quickly things had changed. The brothers stood at the center of the clearing, the events of the previous night flashing through their heads like some dream. They had been so full of hope just last night, but now what was going to happen to them?