Chapter 3
*JURIUS*
Jurius heard the alpha, who was also his father, calling him.
Immediately, he inserted his pen into his book and hid it under a rock before the alpha caught him writing again. As the future alpha of the pack, his father wants him to concentrate solely on becoming a strong leader and not to waste his time writing stupid poems.
It was difficult for Jurius to bear such a big responsibility when he was just 18.
The alpha called again.
"I'm here, Dad." Jurius's voice directed the alpha to him.
The alpha was not alone; his twin brother, Tate, was with him.
Tate and Jurius weren't identical twins.
Tate, too, had a role to play; he was the future Beta of the pack. The second leader, in case something should happen to Jurius.
Sometimes Jurius wished he weren't the firstborn, but Tate, for his father wasn't on Tate's back like he was with him.
Tate was free to do whatever he pleased, even to date humans. Jurius, however, could never do such a thing. His father feared his alpha son associating with a human.
Humans are weak, and an alpha should never get involved with a feeble human.
"Why are you away from the pack? You should be guarding the pack as a true destined alpha should be," the alpha scolded Jurius.
"That's true, Father," Tate interjected, just to tease Jurius.
Jurius gave him an angry stare, and Tate smiled at him, showing he was just playing.
"I'm sorry, Father," Jurius apologized.
The alpha draws closer to Jurius, and Jurius prays that he doesn't see that he was writing poems.
He was forbidden from doing so.
Jurius's father rested his arms on his back and pushed him forward to walk along with him. He watched Tate from the side as he did, knowing he was up to something.
Tate enjoyed seeing him get into trouble.
Jurius would often tell himself, "One day, when he has the full rights of the alpha, he'll punish him." He was certain without any doubt.
Jurius's heart raced as Tate walked to the area where he had hidden the book. He was relieved when he walked away, not finding it.
Jurius's pack was called The Forgotten Pack. The pack consisted of 70 of them, and they all dwelled in the center of The Forgotten Town, in a large, white house that looked like an apartment. The pack didn't consist of just family. There were female wolves who joined them because of their mate. And wolves from other packs searching for a stronger or better pack that they feel suits them. Theirs.
Humans believed their home to be a rented apartment, but it wasn't. They were a pack, and they had to stick together to protect each other.
As the future alpha, Jurius was also responsible for keeping their secret lives from humans. Humans were to still believed wolf shifters were not real and were some mythological creatures they heard about in stories.
There were 50 grown wolves and 20 younger wolves; the younger wolves consisted of pups and teenagers.
The pack always ate every meal together. The pack was so close that it was difficult to hide anything.
It was dinner time. Jurius's mom, the Luna of the pack, and his eldest sibling, Kathara, along with some of the elders, cooked the food. Meals were placed on the table, and no one could eat without the presence of the alpha.
"I'm sorry," Jurius apologized, seeing that everyone was waiting for him to eat.
Jurius saw that they were upset but too scared to say anything.
Rules within the pack: if an alpha does something to upset you, get over it.
"Never apologize, son," his father would always remind him.
Jurius's father was so stern that he feared that he would never be able to run this pack as well as he.
Hands were soon moving about the table. Roars filled the dining room as wolves raced for food. There was plenty of food to share, but the beastly side of them was far too great. They were wolves hidden within a human skin. No matter how they try to dwell alongside humans and adapt their behaviour to blend in, their animal side can never be tamed.
"So, Jurius, how do you feel that in days from now you'll find your soulmate?" asked the Luna excitedly.
The Luna is a light, beautiful, brown-haired she-wolf with dark brown eyes. Tate and Jurius had her eyes.
Jurius's dad hit him on the back proudly, almost making him swallow the chicken bone.
"Good," Jurius said, trying not to blush.
Jurius's mom couldn't wait to have another daughter. She wanted more children, but the moon goddess didn't give her that chance. So, she was relying on Jurius and his brother to make her a grandmother.
"When you find her, Jurius, it will be the most beautiful feeling." Her melodious voice spoke softly to Jurius.
Jurius nodded and tried to picture that glorious day.
It was not going to be him alone who found his fated mate that day. Also, wolves who have turned 18 and those who are still waiting.
Wolf shifters find their fated mate every year under the full moon once they are old enough.
"I hope you don't have to kill her, brother, if she's human," Tate joked.
Tate and his dark humor.
Jurius glared at him, irritated.
"Let us not speak of that," said the alpha, shutting him up.
Jurius smirked at Tate being scolded.
"I hope not," Jurius began to worry.
Jurius hated that Tate always found a way to ruin a moment.
"Don't worry, it will not happen to you, Jurius. You're a good wolf, and the moon goddess will never curse you," his mom said, seeing the worried look upon his face.
He nodded.
A wolf sometimes receives a human as its fated mate instead of a she-wolf. All wolves believe it to be a curse, for a wolf cannot mate with a weak human. In case that should happen, a wolf shifter must kill their fated mate for a second chance at love, before the next full moon.