Second Born Son

The More You Know

"Stand child," a soft velvety voice drifted through my mind that calmed all of my anxieties from the dream before. I stand up although keeping my eyes down and my neck barren to ensure that she knows I see her as she is. Gently fingers gently grasp my chin lifting my head so our eyes meet and a soft gasp leaves my lips. Her eyes were of the deepest royal blue with specks that glittered her irises. Her soft smooth skin emanated a warmth that reminded me of lingering hugs that touched you in ways you were never able to explain, her black hair was the softest and it reached down to just above her waist as she sat. A smile danced upon her soft, plump and rosy lips as she watched me take in her appearance. My ears barely registered the musical giggle that rumbled from deep within her chest.

"Kelton I know you are probably wondering why I've come to you on the night you were born. I've come to expand on that which your father stated before you split to take in all he said. Unfortunately who ordered your and your mother's death on the day of your birth has escaped even my knowledge as of right now. There is a lot that unfortunately goes unseen by us as we all have our duties to our realms. We know the one who administered the mixture of wolfsbane and silver died shortly after administering it due to an accident where they were injected with a part of the poison, which happened when Rian came forward to protect you. They told your father they had a family that was threatened if they didn't do it and they were upset that they wouldn't be able to see them again. Since then there has been a massive shift in which has drawn the attention of the other deities and I, so we have not been here to assist you. I came on this night as you may have lots of questions from what you learned," her voice floats through a mind link that entrances me in its sound, enhancing the feelings of safety and warmth.

Looking down I reply, "I simply don't understand why I of all people have Rian the true alpha king, the greatest rival of my brother James. So I guess my first question is why me?"

I jolt at the feeling of a head of a wolf settling in my lap; looking down I come face to face with a stern faced Rian who growls, "I would not allow your pompous brother to have me as his wolf. He is so irritating." I look at him sheepishly and look closer at the bone crown on his brow. Gently I touch the crown and feel the bone with just a thin layer of velvety skin over the bone.

"Why does he have a bone crown? I don't understand why or how that is possible?," I ask through our shared mind link as well as the link with the Moon Goddess. Rian looks towards the goddess and awaits for the answer with me

She smiles softly, with a playful glint, "Well I wanted people to know without a second glance who the true alpha king is. I decided to tweak a part of your DNA so that when you reach maturity you would grow a crown like deer grow antlers. The only downside with this is you have no mate and cannot procreate. I am very sorry." We all got very solemn as the facts sank in before I gently nodded.

"It keeps from any distractions, I feel with the mutated deer DNA we are not as quick to react with anger than other Alphas?" I ask curiously to which she nods.

"It gave the wolf a much more balanced view and Rian watches everything to learn from. You both will be the team that balances each other when in times of the good, the bad or the ugly. It was an unforseen but extremely beneficial side effect of the mutation," she adds as I nod catching into and understanding what she was saying. Subconsciously I began to gently scratch between Rian's ears, smiling as he leaned into my hand. I looked around again and then back at the Moon Goddess.

My voice comes out a frustrated sigh as I asked, "My brother.. he's not going to kneel so willingly will he?" She winces harshly before giving me a largely sympathetic look before shaking her head no. I nod and press my forehead against Rian's.

"I guess I should have expected that with the way he has treated me as if I am the thorn in his perfect world. This would just make things worse because I am taking away the very position he was told he was entitled to completely," came my solemn and monotone voice.

She shook her head, "Multiple times your father has told James III of the wives tale of the family and to wait to expect it. He was going to kill you tonight but he cannot find you. Now if he were to make an attempt it would be considered outright treason as your father will hold a ceremony in the morning to reveal your new wolf form to show everyone that you are the fated king. Your father placed clean proper clothes and a bar of soap at the stream with a note. Be wary Kelton, not all friends are friends and not all foes are foes. Keep your wits, trust Rian's intuition. It's time to wake up Kelton. We will talk soon." She brought me in for a tight hug before kissing my forehead. I felt like I was floating until suddenly I rested against a hard surface. I stretch and sit up looking around. Nothing in my cave was disturbed nor did I see any footprints. I peaked from behind the waterfall to ensure that no one was right by the cave entrance. I hurry to the spot where I met my father last night and see the package that the Moon Goddess informed me of.

The note read 'Try to hurry my son, I've sent James on a diplomatic mission just to our neighbor pack and told the alpha to just keep him busy.' I grab the bar of soap and shower quickly in the river before getting out and drying off before putting on a pair of black silk boxer briefs, a tyrian purple silk button up long sleeved shirt, a dim grey cotton vest jacket, a pair of jet black cotton slacks, a pair of black cotton socks and a pair of black leather loafers. After I've dressed I carefully make my way up to the house, arriving just as my brother did. We had dressed very similar except that Jame's shirt was a crimson red. I stopped and nodded at my brother. He snarled and took a step towards me angered by me not kneeling towards him like I used to. As he got closer he raised his hand and extended his claws.