MIGUEL'S P.O.V
“Miguel,” my mother said quietly. I sat up, rubbing my sleepy eyes, and looked at her.
“What's the matter, mother, it's so late?” I shifted, so she could sit next to me on the small bed.
“Well, I have a surprise for you, come on Miquel,” there at the door is someone I've been wanting to meet for a long time. I dashed away and hugged him.
“Miquel, how are you doing? I've been missing you terribly. Please take a seat,“ He sat down and smiled warmly. When I looked down the corridor, the guards were already snoring. I know it's my mother's work.
“Thank you, Miguel; I missed you too, but father would be furious if he saw us both together,” he grumbled. We laughed and talked about ourselves for a few hours. It felt like a long-lost part of myself had returned.
“It will soon dawn, and before I leave, I need you to assist me with something, brother,” I said anxiously, urging him to speak.
“It's your first demand, and I will certainly grant you your wish,” he said solemnly.
“I'd like us to swap positions until tomorrow because I'm currently feeling ill. Please, Miquel, you're the only person who can help me right now.” I took in what he said and looked at him with wide eyes. If I'm caught, it's like playing with fire, but I'd love to go out. I just want to get out of this labyrinth.
“Let's do it,” he said cheerfully. He explained everything I needed to know about Seneca and the training. We changed our clothes, jewelry, shoes, and headbands.
“How do you feel wearing my clothes?” he asked as he sat on the bed.
“It feels great, really great.” I went to his room with Mom, while he stayed in mine. I looked at mother, unsure whether to open it or not, and she urged me to do so. Encouraged by her words, I gathered my courage and entered, closing the door behind me. I was staring at everywhere. His room is identical to the alpha's room. I looked over at his study table, which was neatly arranged with historical books. I took a look at them. I read 'Wolf gang pack history.' I'm not a great reader, but I can get by. Father sent teachers to me, but nothing piqued my interest because I was so young and neglected.
I took it up and moved the lantern closer to my reading position. I discovered a lot about our pack. Wolfgang pack has overseen the other laboring packs for five centuries. Now I understand why our father works so hard to shape him into a true alpha. War could break out at any time, and they must always be prepared, especially the future alpha.
“The future alpha is awake!” A man said in a loud voice, and the door opened. I stared at them all as they all bowed. Some were holding soap, some oil, some held Miquel's shoe and another perfume. Some held clothes for the day. He wanted to say something, but I beat him to it.
“Your future alpha is not feeling good, drop everything and leave. I will help myself” I faced the wall, and they obeyed.
“But my…” I didn't give the nanny room before shutting up the door on him. I came out and met Seneca at the big dining hall. Miquel was right about him not taking his work for a play.
“The earlier we leave, the better because we need to catch up for yesterday and today's training” I couldn't conclude whether he has a harsh or friendly voice, but he was quite strict. Miquel's sword was handed over to me and off we went to the training ground.
“Warriors are training here too today” I just hope that's the fact. Miquel told me this battleground is only for royalties, so it's a surprise seeing warriors here.
“You should be able to knock out half of them with all the skills I've taught you, that's if you're still feeling weak” that means Miquel would have knocked all of them off if he was on his feet. I stared at them all. They all have great bodies and are advanced in age, unlike me. I'm surely going to die if they fight me. I controlled the urge to scream at Seneca. The urge to tell him this is Miguel and not his pupil, but that's dangerous. I'm between fire and ice.
“I'm so going for his neck”
“I'm going to get Jason's reward for killing the alpha” mom told me reading people's minds all the time is bad, but I had no choice.
“Jason, that snitch!” He sent them because he knew Miquel was weak at the moment. So, they would kill him and tell father it was a mistake.
“Pardon? How did you know Jason sent them” oh, right?
“I'm not still feeling good Seneca, can't we just do training today and I will fight them tomorrow” I changed the topic. Now I understand Jason not only hates me, he also despises my brother to the extent of wanting him dead. I held the sword tightly to the ground. I'm terrified.
“I can perceive fear, don't be worried that they have scary statures. They are just inept as long as you use the skills you've learned” he incentivized. The thought of Miquel being murdered by this swine made me go ballistic. This would have been easier if it was my brother. All my life was to be locked in my room without freedom, without training.
“The battle is starting now, so go” I remembered I could communicate with Bruno. He will be glad to help. “I can only help by taking control of you”
“Be ballsy and balmy, that's a way to fool them” I nodded. Thinking about what I read in their minds. I had no option but to give in to my wolf's demand.
“The battle line has been drawn, strike!” It was Jason's devilish voice.” Little did he know he is here to witness the death of his precious warriors and not our brother” Bruno smirked.
“No Bruno, fatal injuries are enough” I yelled as a sword sliced through my hands, but I healed up immediately. With anger in my voice, I walked briskly into their midst, slaying them mercilessly. I wasn't in control anymore. Everyone seemed to be lying lifeless by the time I came to my real self.
“What have you done, Bruno!” The scene before me was horrifying.
“They are terribly injured but not dead” he shrugs. I bent down and cleaned the sword with one of the warriors' clothes. I stared at Jason, and he had this dazed expression on. He lost his voice to announce me as the winner.
“You look so ridiculous and funny right now” I taunted and bowed at Seneca, and he smiled. I felt so thrilled to bits!
“You're really improving Miquel, Keep it up” I gave him an overcoming grin as he walked out.
“Your grace” Everyone greeted father as we got to the palace. He walked up to me. I knew immediately there was trouble.
“Let's run!” Bruno screamed at me, but that would make father go ballistic the more.
He bent down to my level and gave me a thunderous slap. For the first time, I saw stars blinking colors in broad daylight. It stings!
“I never want to believe it, but it's true, guards, bundle him to the throne room!” He ordered.
“So this is Miguel, serve you right” Jason taunted.
“I could kill you right now, but you deserved a painfully slow death. A death where you will beg for death, but you won't find” I don't understand why I suddenly became fearless. His countenance changed. Guards came afterwards and took me away.
“I'm sorry” I heard Seneca whisper.
MIQUEL'S P.O.V
It feels so great to be on a break for a day. All I did was eat and sleep. The pain I was feeling down there has also subsided. All I do is fight all day and rest at night. The fact that I won't be the alpha in the end made the training look like a torment for me.
“Miguel has been caught, the guards are on their way to get you” mother mind linked me and fear gripped me. I gulped a cup of water to calm my nerves down and sat on the bed.
“The alpha demands your presence now,” a guard said harshly, holding my arms tightly.
“Do you have a death? I can walk on my own” I glared at him, and he released me abruptly. He knows better than to act rashly. I strolled to the Courtroom fidgeting with my fingers. I stared at the horrible scene before me and quickly ran to stop the guards. I put Miguel in danger again. He was being held by two guards and flogged mercilessly by another guard. Blood was dripping from his back already.
“Father please, I forced him to do it because I was feeling unwell” I pleaded trying to pull the guards off but as expected, they were stronger. I stared at Jason. He has this evil smirk on. I ran to my father and bowed my head, continuously pleading with him. My head was aching with the hit, but I didn't care.
“I beg of your father, let Miguel go” I wept continuously, but my plea fell on deaf ears. I focused my gaze on the guards and closed my eyes. I opened them and they all fell.
“Miquel!” Father barked.
“Father, please punish me instead” I cried, bowing down to him again.
“How dare you use your power against my order!” The room shook at his thunderous voice. Fear gripped everyone as he stood up.
“I'm sorry, your majesty. It was I and not Miquel” Mother said on her feet. He became perplexed as she nodded.
“Your majesty, spare them please" She held on to his feet sniffing. I can understand. How can a mother bear to see his son being beaten like a thief? Father looked away. He detests seeing Luna's tears.
“Women and their crocodile tears” Jason chipped in jokingly, but no one laughed.
“Be silent! How dare you interfere in the alpha and Luna's matter?” Mother growled at him and he kept mute.
“Please Persis, those tears are too precious for a judgement I've made, so dry them please” he gave her a handkerchief. He glanced at Miguel, who was in pain. He knows better, not to heal himself. Furthermore, he stared at me and I quickly fixed my gaze on the floor. I dare not stare at those scary pairs of dangerous eyes.
“Despite the love and care I showed you, this is what I get in return?” Father whispered calmly. If only I could object, I don't want anything from him. I only want my brother. The partiality is too much. Miguel is also his blood!
“You made friends with those who should bow and worship you and switched positions because of your fake illness!” He raged. My long hair kept on gumming to my sweaty face.
“Seems you forgot you're the future alpha, and he is just an empty barrel. One day, you will have to rule this pack and over seventy laboring packs. Is this how you will befriend your enemy?” He thundered again. Why does he keep telling me Miguel is an enemy? If this is what it means to secure power within the wolf gang territory, then I would rather not be an alpha, nor will I want Miguel for it.
At the end of everything, father ordered that Miguel should be put in the dungeon for a couple of days with little water and without food, whereas I, the root of the problem, wasn't punished. He forbade us from seeing each other until further notice.
I sat in my room, wallowing in my grief. I haven't eaten anything for two days. Sharing in my brother's punishment made my heart feel lighter.
“Miquel, please!” Miguel had mind-linked me for the first time. I suspect it's Jason. I dashed to the dungeon before the guards could catch up with me.
“How could you.?" As I saw what she was about to do, I screamed at Umberto.