Alpha Caius

Caius: Fate's Hatred

I know this is a dream….

No, this is a nightmare.

A nightmare that has almost become an old friend now, visiting me every time I close my eyes and try to fall into a dreamless sleep. It is more loyal than any of my friends and family have ever been. But it is also more vengeful and merciless than any of my loved ones. It never fails to remind me of my past, of what made me the alpha, and of my hatred for this position.

But the events don’t unfold as they had happened in reality. The images are warbled, and the people always seem to be changing faces, morphing from one known face to another. But one thing or one person’s face remains clear, so vivid that I am almost certain that he has entered my dreams. He might for all I know since our mother was a powerful witch. Not that anyone knows about that.

She concealed it well because our dear father made her wear a pair of bangles, golden ones and very intricate. Whenever I asked why she never took them off, she used to smile wistfully and say, “You can’t take off shackles by yourself, can you?”

I never understood why she always said that until later on, when it was too late. I had never seen her practice and later on, I knew why. Harmony was the one who told me about the truth behind those bangles. Neither she nor I had inherited our mother’s genes, but I always suspected that Deimos did. I always saw him strangely observing our mother or rummaging through her books that were kept inconspicuously at the back of our mother’s closet.

I never got to find out how she or why ended up marrying our father, a ruthless man who cared for no one but himself. I guess, she was tired of that life as well…

~~~~

As if the dreams are in sync with my thoughts, I find myself standing in the attic and staring at my mother’s feet, lifeless and pale. I remembered the day vividly, but in my dreams, I never looked up. I don’t remember if I did back then. But this time, I do look up and a silent shout rips off my mouth. That’s…. That's not my mother…. I stagger back as I stare at the stranger looking back at me, with lifeless eyes. That’s… not a stranger either. That’s… Kathryn. And why… why am I holding a piece of the tattered rope?

~~~~~

I wake up gasping. It takes me some time to remember where I am. Still in the office. I blink furiously to adjust to the dim lighting of the room. I pick up my phone that was lying beside a notepad. I curse under my breath when I notice the time. Almost dawn, I also notice how my hands are shaking.

Fuck.

Why can’t I move the f**k on? Why? It’s been what? Three months now. I can’t… Why can’t I just let them go? I rub my temples.

Everything seems to have fallen stagnant after the messy events — my frenemy Isaac turning back to himself, his mother's death, and his dearest doctor's destruction.

Kathryn, his mate, and my unrequited love still make sure to call me every week or so, and Isleen, their daughter, still visits me but doesn’t stay for long.

However, I am not at ease. The restlessness inside me has been gnawing and growing.

The hunt was futile. I was hardly able to get new information about those unknown wolves in town. Apart from the data Lorcan had collected, I didn’t gather anything more than crumbs. It felt like the wolves had vanished without a trace. Of course, for wolves, it wouldn’t be possible. They are working for someone. Someone powerful.

‘Deimos,’ Luca growls in the back of my mind. I close my eyes as soon as his face flashes across my mind as if that will erase his image. The permanent smirk that haunts me even today, the bloodshot eyes of a wolf that is too dangerous for this world.

Why has he returned after staying silent for so long? Was he gathering forces to invade this pack?

‘I will come back, dear brother. Hold the fort for me till then.’ The words still echo in my mind from time to time. Even after Harmony found and lost her mate, he hadn’t returned and I had foolishly believed that he was gone for good, and maybe even prayed that he was dead.

But no.

A wolf such as Deimos, someone so evil and psychotic, can never die so easily, can they?

I drag my hand against my face, trying to get my footing back. I power back the laptop and begin my research. So far, I have not found any article stating any suspicious killings or any pack being conquered. Where can he be?

I recline back as I scroll up and down to find any relevant articles. After staring and scrolling for some time, I come up with zero results.

~~~~~~

“We caught the beta, alpha,” Lorcan informs me as I destroy another punching bag. My fists stop midway. I turn my head to look at him. My gut burning with the need to see the human of the wolf, who had expertly masked her scent.

“When?”

“Not very long ago. this morning.” It’s almost evening now, but instead of asking why I was not informed again, I am shrugging in my jacket.

“Where?” I growl as I leave the gym. Lorcan falls in step with me, and from my peripheral vision, I see him glance at me warily.

“Fourth cell of the dungeon, but I don’t think-”

“Why? You think I am going to kill her?” I ask icily. Lorcan averts his gaze, his mouth presses into a thin line. Well, he has seen me at my worst, so he knows my nature. I chuckle.

“Don’t worry. I will not end her life so soon.”

~~~~

When I last visited the dungeon, it was to ask the rogue wolves about Deimos, but they killed themselves. Loyal bastards. I try not to relive the memories that have made me hate this place. But the cackles, the taunts, and the painful screams echo through my mind. I clench my fists and quicken my pace. The adrenaline rush from before has spiked, fuelled by anger and curiosity.

Luca’s impatience and apprehension merge with my emotions. I imagine him prowling and pacing in the imaginary room of my mind.

Derek stands guarding the cell and partially obscuring the beta from my view. He turns as soon as he notices my presence. He bows somberly and steps aside. My gaze falls on the girl and I stop midway.

The girl sits casually on the metal chair as if it is just some kind of casual meeting. She stares blankly at the floor with a small frown on her face. She is wearing loose clothes which I assume she found somewhere hidden in the trees. Her auburn hair is tied back loosely. Her feet bounce impatiently, and my attention is drawn toward her ankle. The mark is branded on her left ankle, a black burning mark that screams her betrayal. Ah, so we have another betrayer in the house?

“Alpha?” Lorcan breaks my train of thought. I wordlessly begin to walk towards the cell and, as if just noticing my presence, she looks up. Her amber gaze collides with mine and at that moment, my belief in Fate’s hatred towards me solidifies. Otherwise, how on earth did I land up with a true mate who is also a criminal and a rogue?