THE BETRAYAL
Ten years ago, the Vanguard name stood above all else. Their father, Alpha Lorenzo Vanguard, ruled as both the strongest Alpha of the werewolf packs and the most feared Don of the criminal underworld. By his side always was his younger brother, Marcus Vanguard—the uncle the three boys, Kai, Rian, and Zane, loved and trusted completely. Marcus had taught them to fight, had held them as children, and had stood loyal for decades. Or so it seemed.
But envy had rotted his heart. He hated living in his brother’s shadow. He burned with desire for the throne, the wealth, and the power that belonged to Lorenzo, and soon, to his nephews. He wanted it all for himself.
He planned in silence for years. He whispered lies to the Council, telling them Lorenzo was too dangerous, that mixing Alpha blood with Mafia ways was a curse. He bribed the guards, turned allies into traitors, and waited for the perfect moment to strike.
That moment came on the night of the Great Gathering—the biggest celebration of the year, where every leader and ally came to pledge loyalty.
The hall was filled with music and laughter. Lorenzo sat upon his golden throne, happy and unsuspecting, welcoming his guests. Then, Marcus gave a small, silent signal.
Instantly, the music died. The guards—men sworn to protect the family—raised their weapons. The Council stood up and shouted accusations they had been paid to say.
"Lorenzo is weak!"
"He brings chaos!"
"Step down!"
It was an ambush. A trap set by the man he trusted most.
Lorenzo stood, shocked and heartbroken, looking at his brother. "Marcus… what are you doing?"
Marcus walked forward, a greedy, wicked smile on his face. In his hand was a silver blade—a gift the boys had given him years ago.
"Power belongs to those who take it, brother," Marcus said coldly. "You had it all, and you didn’t deserve it. Your sons are brats. They are weak. It belongs to me now."
Before Lorenzo could defend himself, bullets and magic struck him from every side. He fought like the king he was, roaring and tearing through enemies, but there were too many. He fell, bleeding out on the cold marble floor, betrayed by his own blood.
From the balcony above, the three brothers—nineteen-year-old Kai, seventeen-year-old Rian, and fifteen-year-old Zane—watched in horror.
"FATHER!" Zane screamed, trying to leap into the fight, but Kai held him back, tears streaming down his face.
"It’s a trap! If we stay, we die for nothing!" Kai cried, his voice breaking.
Then Marcus looked up. He saw them. And he spoke the words that would haunt them forever.
"Kill the heirs!" he commanded, his voice booming through the hall. "Leave no Vanguard blood alive! Tonight, the name Vanguard dies, and I am King!"
Soldiers rushed toward the stairs, weapons raised, ready to slaughter them. They were young, outnumbered, and unarmed. Death was seconds away.
But at that moment, General Hale, their father’s oldest friend who had hidden his loyalty perfectly, burst through a secret passage. He grabbed the boys, bleeding and sobbing, and dragged them away.
"Run! Now!" Hale roared. "Live… and one day, take back what is yours!"
They fled through hidden tunnels, into the dark forest, running until their legs gave out. Behind them, they heard their home burn to the ground. They heard the cheers of the traitors. They heard their own names cursed and forgotten.
By morning, they were gone. Left with nothing but the clothes on their backs and the burning memory of the night their uncle murdered their father and stole their birthright.