THE LYCAN ALPHA AND HIS ABUSED OMEGA

Liam threw the glassware across the table, his eyes burning with fury. "This is so ridiculous, Father!" he spat out in irritation. "Even though Kai is my twin, it doesn't change the fact that I came out first!" he yelled. "That is the tradition, Liam, and it stands. You must complete the quest. That is the only way to determine who will be the next Alpha between twin-borns." Kai stood by the window, looking out and paying little attention to his father and brother’s bickering. He had always wanted to live a quiet life with his mate, if he ever found one, but this quest was about to disrupt his once peaceful life. It was time for the next Alpha to be chosen, and as was customary in Moon Crest, the firstborn son was the rightful leader of the pack. However, he and Liam were twins. Kai always wondered how someone’s fate could be decided before they were even born. One couldn’t choose how or where they wanted to be born. A tap on his shoulder pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked up and saw his father standing there. Liam was already gone, having stormed out in anger. “Isn’t there any other way to decide who the next Alpha should be, Father? I don’t want to compete with Liam,” Kai asked, looking exhausted. “I’m afraid this is the only way, son. You have to do your best. Liam is too hotheaded to be Alpha,” his father replied. “Maybe if you had just given him the position, he wouldn’t be so hotheaded, Father,” Kai muttered. His father ignored the remark and said, “I think you should get going. You have preparations to make, and you need plenty of rest before the journey ahead.” “Yes, Father,” Kai responded, bowing slightly before leaving. Liam, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, quickly scurried away as he heard Kai’s footsteps approaching the door. He knew it was his father’s idea to embark on this meaningless quest. "Stupid tradition," he mumbled in irritation, his eyes blazing with rage. Everyone knew that Kai had always been their father’s favorite. Now, his father was planning to hand the kingdom to him. "But that will never happen. Not on my watch," Liam swore silently. Seething with anger and envy, Liam vowed to win this quest and prove to his father that he was the rightful heir. Kai walked absentmindedly towards his bedroom, thoughts of the quest swirling in his mind. He accidentally bumped into Serena, who was on her way to see him. Having learned about the quest the Willows twins were about to embark on, she had rushed over to bid Kai farewell. “Whoa! Easy, Serena! Where are you heading in such a rush?” Kai asked, as they both struggled to find their footing after the collision. “I heard the king is sending you away on a death mission, so I came to rescue you,” she teased, and they both burst out laughing. “Serena, you know the king would never send me on a death mission. It’s just a little errand, and I’ll be back in no time,” he replied. “Then why do you have that agonizing look on your face? You look like you could drop dead any moment.” Kai sighed, his face pale with worry. “It’s Liam. He’s not happy about this at all. I’m really worried about him.” Serena frowned in confusion. “Worried? Why?” “I don’t want to compete with Liam for the throne. He’ll feel betrayed.” “But that’s not your fault, Kai. This is tradition, and we can’t go against it. You’re both twins, and you have to undertake the quest. So cheer up! None of this is your doing.” Kai exhaled deeply, feeling a little relieved. “Thank you, Serena,” he said, his face brightening a bit. Serena Milestone, the daughter of the Pack Beta, Philip Milestone, had been betrothed to Kai at birth. This was a promise made by his father to Beta Philip after he saved his life during a pack clash years before Kai and Serena were born. Although Kai had no romantic feelings for Serena, they had grown up as best friends. He knew they were bound to marry one day to fulfill his obligations to his father. Meanwhile, Serena had fallen deeply in love with Kai ever since he manifested his wolf. She secretly hoped they were mates, but it had been eight years since they reached mating age, and no bond had formed yet. She consoled herself with the fact that, whether they were mates or not, they would eventually marry. However, she still hoped that Kai would one day reciprocate her feelings. She didn’t want to be a ceremonial Luna like Luna Jasmine of Crestwood Pack. "Do you want to go for a run to help relieve your stress?" Serena suggested "No, thanks. Don't feel like it" Kai replied "OK then I will head to the palace to say hi to the Alpha king" Serena said. "See you later then" Kai added and headed back to his room to find Jax already in there. “Who let you in, Jax? How did you get into my room?” Kai asked, rolling his eyes. “Oh, let me think! I broke in through your window,” Jax scoffed. “Come on, Kai, I’m a regular at the palace. I practically have the same rights as you,” he added sarcastically. “I’ve told you not to sneak up on me like that,” Kai replied, glaring at him. “Why are you so stiff and serious today? It’s boring. What’s going on with you?” Jax fired back, his tone now serious. Kai sighed, pressing his temples. “Look, I don’t have time for this. I have a quest to prepare for, so excuse me for being stiff and boring.” A smug grin appeared on Jax’s face as he smacked his lips. “So it’s true, then. You’re really going on that crazy quest?” “Yes, Jax, and the sooner I get it over with, the better,” Kai replied, continuing to gather his belongings. “Whoa! Father was right after all. It’s a good thing I came prepared,” Jax said, pulling out a bag from behind the sofa. Kai’s eyes widened in surprise as he saw the large bag. “No way, Jax. You are definitely not coming with me on this trip.” “Look at my bag, buddy. I’m all packed, and there’s nothing you can do to change my mind,” Jax grinned mischievously, still holding up his backpack. Jax had heard about the quest from his father and had rushed to the palace, eager to join Kai under the guise of supporting his friend. Kai sighed in resignation. He knew Jax just wanted an adventure and couldn’t resist this opportunity. Trying to talk him out of it was going to be more exhausting than the quest itself, so Kai gave up and continued packing. "My father said something about a bloodstone. Is that what you're going to find?" Jax asked. “Why don’t you go home and get the details before joining me?” Kai replied. “I don’t even know what it looks like. All we were told is that it’s hidden in some cave in Lunar Creek,” Kai added, as if an afterthought. “Lunar Creek? That’s two provinces west of Moon Crest! Why do we have to go that far?” Jax exclaimed, more shocked than excited. “We? Last time I checked, nobody asked you to join the quest. If you’re not up to it, you might as well stay behind and do the household chores,” Kai said mockingly, chuckling at Jax’s reaction. “You know you can’t scare me off that easily,” Jax replied, regaining his adventurous spirit. Kai shook his head and continued packing his personal items. He was lost in thought as he worked. He had no idea what they were truly looking for, but his father assured them it had been in the cave for centuries, so it wouldn’t be hard to find. Just as he was thinking, the door suddenly flew open, and Liam appeared—he wasn't looking pleased one bit!