The sound of labored breathing filled the room as everyone looked to each other unblinking. Nikolai took deep breaths to soothe the tension in his temple not realizing what he had done. After noticing how quiet the room became, Nikolai slowly opened his eyes and scanned the group that stood immobile, at attention, awaiting his command.
"Aunt Tabia, what's happening?"
Nikolai took a step closer to Tabia's rigid form and rested a hand on her tense shoulder which immediately relaxed.
"You just used your Alpha aura which means, we are compelled to obey you. I'm pleased to say, the tea worked!"
Nikolai looked around the room at the men's stoic expressions and rigid backs and realized the truth, they were indeed, waiting for his command. He didn't know what to say.
"At ease, please. I didn't mean to use my aura, I'm a bit rusty on how all tis works, actually." He turned to Talyn with a sheepish smile. "Perhaps you can teach Dannick and I how this all works?"
Talyn loosened his shoulders and nodded. "Thank you, Alpha. It would be my absolute pleasure to assist you in your training. There is much to do and not much time left to do it, I'm afraid. The pack is in pretty bad shape and need you to take control sooner than later."
Talyn smiled proudly at Tabia and the others then said. "These past ten years I've seen some terrible things, Shaakim have tried everything in his power to suppress the people and bend them to his will. Because he refuses to face the fact that our people can only truly submit to a blood born Alpha, he severely punishes anyone who doesn't obey. Many of our people have ran away choosing to become rogues or live among the humans. Most of the pack are trying their best to survive daily but as the years go by they are slowly losing hope. Many have never recovered from the news of your death."
Nikolai's head shot up then he asked curiously. "My death, so everyone thinks we're dead?"
"I had no other choice but to tell everyone you died from your injuries. I knew that, if I didn't take that small window of a chance to sneak you out, Shaakim would have made certain your death was public and brutal. That's the kind of soulless beast were dealing with, my Alpha, you're a loose end that can destroy everything he's trying to build and he would have ended your life without a second thought."
Nikolai's demeanor became solemn, he knew it was time for Dannick to come forward and learn the truth about his past and his destiny.
"Thank you all for saving us, your loyalty will never be forgotten. Dannick and I will do our best to be a leader you can all be proud of, I ask for your patience and guidance."
With that Nikolai leaned on the kitchen island lowering his head then closed his eyes taking long deep breaths. When he opened them, his intense dark red globes retracted to Dannick's calming brown.
Dannick's chest heaved as he gulped in the fresh air, his throat felt dry and burned with each breath. He didn't want to return so soon but Nikolai convinced him that it was imperative that he did. His head throbbed and he felt dizzy as past memories flushed into his mind and flashed before his eyes. He was not prepared for what was happening to him and didn't understand any of it. The nightmare he'd had over the years started replaying in his head but instead of waking up in cold sweats, it continued and got worse than before. He saw so much death around him and heard so many cries, cries of pain, cries of grief and most of all, cries of war. It was the bloodiest scene he's seen in his life and hoped to never see again.
Dannick squeezed his eyes shut then gripped the edge of the counter, he wanted it all to stop but memories kept flooding in. He saw his father, the Alpha of their pack, engaged in a fierce fight with a man he didn't recognize. They were both covered in blood but his father was limping while holding his lower abdomen, then without warning, he was surrounded by four wolves. Tears ran down Dannick's face as he sobbed, it was the first time he saw his father's gruesome death. The mixture of pain and loss twisted in his head like a whirlwind overwhelming him with emotions he didn't care to express or reveal to anyone. He remembered Tabia and Talyn, he remembered the limited time of his joyous childhood, the love of his parents and the fun times with his friends. It seemed like a past life experience instead of childhood memories.
"Make it stop aunt Taby, I don't want to remember anymore. I don't want this destiny!" Dannick rested his head on the counter covering it with his hands and wept bitterly.
The group watched helplessly in uncomfortable silence as their Alpha lost himself in the traumatic memories of his past.
The following morning Dannick was not as enthusiastic as he usually was. He lingered in bed recalling memories from events the day before. So much had happened in just one day, a day he didn't even get to celebrate properly. He was twenty-one years old and with that came a slew of responsibilities he didn't see coming and or even want. All he wanted to do was graduate college, backpack through Europe and the Caribbean and just maybe meet the right girl to try this dating thing. Last night, however, life threw him a curve ball the size of Jupiter that burned his plans to ashes. He had a new identity and it wasn't even human! He's read about these folklore creatures in books his aunt kept around the house but never did he thought he might be one of them. It made perfect sense why his aunt always told him werewolf and shifter stories and encouraged him to keep an open mind to such things as myths and magic. How does one even process things like that, one day you're a happy energetic young man ready to face the world and all its possibilities then the next your world is turned upside down and you're handed a destiny that, not only can kill you but also destroy the lives of so many others. Oh yeah, you can also turn into a monstrous wolf that command a pack of more monstrous wolves.
Dannick groaned in despair, he wanted to melt into the bed and remain there. If only he was able to stay in Nikolai's world forever, it was so perfectly quiet and blissful. Perhaps Nikolai can take over this destiny thing and he could stay back and let him do his thing.
"It does not work like that Nick, this is our destiny but you are the front man. Think of me as the drummer in the band, in the back keeping the beat going but will also kick some ass when necessary."
Dannick sprung up in surprise, he forgot about the connection with Nikolai. They had access to each other's thoughts and emotions which was terribly invasive and really weird, in his opinion.
"Why can't it be that way? I don't want this, um, Nick. It is weird to call you Nick too or should I just call you by your full name?"
"Nick is just fine. I think it's kinda cool to have the same nick name since we are forever bonded with each other. See what I did there?"
Dannick smiled at his wolf's clever humor, he liked Nikolai very much and is excited to get to know him and strengthen their bond. He was an impressive partner who can be quite fearsome when provoked. He played with the thought of Nikolai competing in a jujitsu or boxing match, those would be sights to savor.
"I hope you know, if I were to compete with humans in those matches, they would leave in pieces literally."
Dannick lips twitched as he flinched at the image of human body parts piled up on the mat and boxing ring.
"Nevermind."
Nikolai let out a throaty laugh at Dannick's repugnant expression.
"So, how long do you plan on staying in this bed and stalling the inevitable meeting waiting for you out there? As much as I understand your fear and anger, this is bigger than both of us Nick. Don't you want to know more about this thing before you completely dismiss it? I'm with you no matter what, I don't have a choice but people are counting on us. Also, I'm looking forward to kissing Shaakim's throat with these nice sharp canines."
"Not if these boxing trained fists don't kiss his jawline and nose first!"
Nikolai wagged his tail excitedly. "So, we agree, we're doing this damn thing?"
Dannick sunk back into his pillow and let out a deep sigh. He wished he shared Nikolai's enthusiasm for the violence that will surely come with accepting his destiny. It all seemed surreal like he was dreaming or watching a movie. All he wanted for his birthday was to walk into a store to buy a bottle of vodka and proudly show his proof of age not sign up for a destiny that might end his life before his next birthday.
"Will you stop being so melodramatic! You're not going to die for moon's sake, not with me around. Do you know what it means to be a Blood Moon Alpha, we are powerful Nick!"
"No, you're powerful. I'm just a kid who barely weighs one-fifty with a weak left leg. How do you know if those people who I'm supposed to save give a damn about me or even want to be saved? If I go and fight this guy, he will kill people just to prove a point. Is it even worth it?"
Nikolai huffed in frustration, he wished Dannick would see himself the way he saw him. He was a strong young man with the potential to be a great leader. The moon goddess would not have bonded him with a weak being, especially with so much at stake. Nikolai calmed his mood which in turn calmed Dannick, he spoke evenly hoping to ease Dannick's fears.
"Nick, you're really not giving yourself enough credit here. You are not weak, far from it. The moon goddess does not make mistakes, if you were not more powerful than Shaakim, she would not have chosen you. I felt your power since the moment you and I bonded, you're one hell of a ball of fury my guy. Once you face your fears and accept your destiny, you will only grow stronger. As you know, whenever things get out of your control and you need a break, you can always hand the reigns to me for a short while. Were a team, forever."
Dannick lie still for a long while replaying Nikolai's words in his head. He liked the idea of having Nikolai with him forever, he's been so lonely growing up. Perhaps he could face his destiny as long as Nikolai is by his side or in his body, however the math goes.
"Alright, I'll go out there and hear what they have to say. I'm not promising anything but if what they say makes logical sense, I'll consider moving forward. I know this will be dangerous, I've seen the movies, but since you're with me, I will try."
"Dude, you watched way too much tv, I have to get on aunt Tabia about that one day."
Dannick snickered then held in a deep breath and slowly let it out. He was finally ready to face Talyn and the others.
"I need a hot shower first."
"Don't take one of those four-hour showers Nick, we need to get some breakfast. I can smell the sausages man, I'm starving!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Dannick dismissed Nikolai's whining as he stretched his tensed body on the way to the bathroom.