ALPHA DIKO

The rain had been falling since afternoon. By evening, the small village road had turned into mud, and most people had already shut their doors. Diko was still outside. He stood under the old wooden shed beside the house, staring at the rain while rubbing his hands together. “Diko!” His mother's voice came from inside. “I'm coming.” He picked up the sack of firewood and hurried into the house. His mother was sitting beside the small charcoal stove, trying to keep the fire alive. “You went out in this rain for firewood?” she asked. “You told me to get it.” “I told you before the rain started.” Diko laughed. “Then you should have told the rain not to start.” His mother didn't laugh. She only looked at him for a moment before turning back to the fire. Diko noticed. His mother had been acting strangely all day. “What's wrong?” “Nothing.” “You've said that three times today.” “I said I'm fine.” Diko dropped the firewood beside the wall. “You're not fine.” His mother finally looked at him. For a second, there was fear in her eyes. Then she looked away. Diko frowned. Before he could ask again, someone knocked on the door. Three slow knocks. His mother froze. Diko noticed immediately. “Were you expecting someone?” “No.” Another knock. His mother stood up. “Stay here.” “Why?” “Just stay here, Diko.” She walked toward the door. Diko watched her carefully. His mother rarely looked afraid. But right now, she looked terrified. She opened the door slightly. A man stood outside. He was soaked from head to toe. Water ran down his dark jacket, and mud covered his boots. He looked past her. Then his eyes landed on Diko. The man's expression changed. He stepped back. “Is that him?” Diko stood. His mother quickly moved in front of him. “Leave.” The man's eyes returned to her. “You knew this day would come.” “I told you never to come here.” “And I told you we couldn't hide him forever.” Diko's eyebrows pulled together. “Hide me?” The man went silent. His mother closed the door. But Diko was already standing. “What does he mean?” “Nothing.” “Who was that?” “No one.” “Mum.” She wouldn't look at him. Diko's voice became quieter. “Who was that man?” His mother sat down slowly. For several seconds, she said nothing. Then she whispered, “He came because of you.” Diko stared at her. “Because of me?” She nodded. “Why?” His mother squeezed her hands together. “You have to leave this village.” Diko almost laughed. “Leave?” “Tonight.” “Are you serious?” “Yes.” “Why?” She looked at him. And this time, Diko saw something he had never seen on his mother's face before. Fear. Real fear. “There are people looking for you.” “Who?” “I can't tell you everything yet.” “You've been telling me that my whole life.” His mother's eyes filled with tears. Diko's anger disappeared. He had never seen her cry. Not even when they lost their home in the old village. Not even when she was sick. “Mum…” She stood and walked toward an old wooden box hidden beneath her bed. Diko watched as she pulled it out. She opened it. Inside were a few pieces of old clothing, a broken necklace, and a photograph. She picked up the photograph. Her fingers trembled. Diko took it from her. There was a man in the picture. Young. Tall. Powerful-looking. And standing beside him was Diko's mother. Diko stared at the man's face. Something about him felt strangely familiar. “Who is he?” His mother closed her eyes. “My father?” She nodded. Diko looked at her in disbelief. “My father?” The word felt strange. His mother had never spoken about his father. Not once. Diko had asked when he was younger, but she always changed the subject. He had eventually stopped asking. “Why are you showing me this now?” “Because they know you're alive.” “Who knows?” “The people from your father's pack.” Diko stared at her. “Pack?” His mother sat down. Her voice broke. “Your father was an Alpha.” Silence filled the room. Diko almost smiled. He thought she was joking. But she wasn't. “You're telling me my father was an Alpha?” “Yes.” “And you hid that from me?” “I was trying to keep you alive.” “Alive from who?” His mother looked toward the window. Outside, thunder shook the sky. “From the people who killed him.” Diko's face hardened. “Who killed my father?” She didn't answer. “Who killed him?” Still nothing. “Mum!” She flinched. Diko immediately regretted shouting. But before he could apologize, someone knocked on the door again. This time, his mother didn't move. Diko turned toward it. Three men were standing outside. He could see their shadows through the thin curtain. Then one of them spoke. “We have come for the Alpha's son.” Diko's heart stopped. His mother grabbed his wrist. “Don't open that door.” Diko looked at her. For the first time in his life, he understood something. His entire childhood had been built on a secret. And whatever his mother had been running from... had finally found him.