Beautiful

Cain.

"There's a welcome feast for Jude tonight. Will you be attending?" Aunty Pam asks the night after Jude's arrival and I give my reply abruptly, "No," I return to typing the paperwork but she doesn't let me off the hook so easily like I would've expected. 

"You'll be expected to give the welcome speech, you're sure you don't want to come?" I sigh and finally look up at her, tired of her pestering already. 

"I didn't make the decision to let him stay. The elders might as well give the welcome speech also. It seems being alpha is just a title that doesn't come with any responsibility. " No, it's a fucking bondage and one that seems to be inescapable. 

"You don't say that, Cain. "Aunty Pam frowns at my rudeness and I roll my eyes. Who would call that rude? I'm just being sincere. Those motherfuckers are nothing but overbearing fools who try to impose their decisions on anyone and anywhere they deem it fit but it's not like I care. They can have it all for all that matters. After they placed a penalty on me for being rude and denying me of gathering for two weeks, I've been so infuriated. Perhaps, they should've also taken my title so being called alpha wouldn't sound so ridiculous to my ears.

"You sound as if you're on their side." I snort my disapproval of her opinion and that only makes her furious.

"And you sound like you're weak and would easily give in to their wills. You're alpha but you're barely letting it speak. " She takes me by surprise with her words and leaves me confused with it. It takes me more than a moment to grasp the meaning. Really, she's annoyingly right. I mean why the fuck would I let them decide? But it's not as easy as it sounds. I'm weak and exhausted from all of it. I would've thought my nightmare was over after dad's death but now, the elders' attitude is even more annoying. All I want is to be happy. Nothing but happiness and somehow, I wouldn't mind losing it all to find that strand of joy. 

I stare back at the reflection of this different me through the mirror. Dressed in the late alpha's royal robe and attires, I look undeniably great and different from what I would've expected myself to look like. It reminds me of the day of my coronation and how I'd refused and cursed to not wear the clothes of my spiteful father but it didn't work and I had sworn to never have it around my neck again. But tonight, I might not just be wearing the late alpha's clothes but also even act as emotionless and strict as the late alpha. Taking another scan of my outfit, it doesn't feel like it. I should probably be dressed in my God-blessed casual sweat suits and sneakers, not this God-damned exaggerated outfit and with my hair styled! I've never had my hair styled but tonight. This person standing before me doesn't speak of the careless Cain that just wants to have fun but of a strict alpha that wants to rule. Spending enough time watching myself and contemplating, I leave the room and head down the hallway. I descend the stairs and exit the house to where the ceremony is to take place. It's good that no one's around since that gives me the best chance to knock their socks off.

"Alpha, "Aunty Pamela is the first person that notices my presence but it seems the rest of her words get stuck in her throat as her jaw drops. Surprised? Then I wouldn't mind dressing over and over this way if it means getting this priceless look from her. I mean for whatever it's worth, I've hardly ever seen aunty Pam taken aback. It's like she's ever ready to receive all the big blows life can ever throw at her. Just too bad, she didn't succeed in raising me to become like her.

"I apologize for being late. I wouldn't have thought dressing up would take up so much precious time." I say, striding to the table where they all sit around. And that's when I see elder Malik sitting right there, rather majestically despite his startled look, on the high seat that should be reserved for only one person. Really, a traitor? I must have really been asleep all these while. 

"Elder Malik,"I call, going to him as he slowly recovers from his dumbstricken state while I rather go into an angry one. I stop before him and turn the chair around to face me. Placing my hands by the sides of the chair, I bring my face closer to him as if intending to engrave every single word of mine into his brain. I continue, "The last time I checked, the chair you're seated on is by ethic, only meant for the alpha but you're here, looking even more gallant than I would've been on it. When did being the head of elders also make you a privileged alpha?" I whisper, low enough to be heard by him alone but the next, I turn around to face the crowd that seem to have fully recovered from the whole surprising entrance. 

"This act by our head of elders is rebellious, treacherous, disrespectful and a huge crime. Elder Malik would receive his punishment and a declaratory sentence would be sent across to every pack member. But I wouldn't dare to dismiss him tonight since he has taken it upon himself to prepare tonight's feast. My decision about the matter will be discussed tomorrow. "I try to make the biggest fuse over his act and this seems to impress aunty Pam. But just when I try to become calm, the old bastard dares to create a smaller scene, "What're you doing, Cain?" As innocent and clueless as he sounds, his question only makes me rage even more and for once, I find myself giving in to my wolf. I tug at his arm and pin him to the chair, my claws digging into his skin. My other hand finds its way to his neck as I press it against the damn Adam's apple of his.

"Call me alpha. " I demand. He chokes but however still refuses to meet my order and that only makes me more infuriated.

"Cain..."He starts but that only makes me strangle him the most.

"Say it now and get some redemption..." I offer him a bribe but the old thing rather holds onto his pride and that makes me even more annoyed as I ask him to be escorted to his stay.

"Alpha, " That voice calls just as I'm about to address the rest of the gathering. I turn to see the owner and there, looking breathtaking and even hotter than the last meeting, is Jude. He has his hair cut low and gelled to the back with a single strand falling across his forehead. The tuxedo jacket and silver shirt shows off his muscle ripping arm and well built chest, making him even more irresistible. Fuck, he seems to have grown even more hotter and those silver eyes seems to be glowing. I can barely move away from my spot as he approaches me and it's as if I'm transfixed by the same person I've been hating. Except, of course, he's grown hotter than ten years ago and all I can see is a hot, mature and fuckable witch. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you again." He says, bowing his head slightly and it is rather ridiculous and unbelievable. Jude bowing to me? No, I'd probably have my eyes infected. 

"You look different, alpha. " I can't tell if it's a compliment or an abuse and that's because I still find it hard to consider what happened between us as a mistake and might probably never forget it especially with those enchanting silver eyes. His eyes rake me and a smile curls up on his lips...a smile I can barely trust. 

"Silver isn't your color." I tell him and that only makes his smile wider, hence showing the details I have missed. Jude has adorable holes boring into each cheeks but buddy rarely smiled and was mostly the emotionless type. Well but I wouldn't deny it really fits him. He brings his head even more closer and I duck mine to the back.

"I have your ring, Alpha Cain. If you'll go on vacation with me, I'll make sure to return it." If that was supposed to be a threat or something to blackmail me then he's super bad at it.

"Sorry but I don't give a fuck about the ring," I smirk. He probably has no idea how many times I've tried to get rid of the damn gift. "I won't mind you keeping it for me."

"Sure," He crosses the line and leans in to peck my cheek, his right hand intentionally brushing past my behind as he moves back, a visible smirk playing on his lips. "It's been a long time, alpha. "He winks at me before slipping right next to the high seat. Oh now, he should have a medal presented to him for successfully reminding me of four nights ago. That awful passion with him is really not a nice memory to recall. I blink my lids and gulp down the unseen lump in my throat as I turn back to the table. I take my seat on the high table and smiling at everything but the silver eyed witch that sits beside me, I give an opening speech that is rather quite different from what I would've planned, "Since our guest of honor is here, we can begin the feast. I hope our long time friend and brother enjoys his stay here once again and can live a happy life after reunion." It's short and not as emotional as I had planned but it's way better than saying rubbish.

I proceed to serve myself with a plan to have but a smooth dinner without a conversation with anyone. To be precise, without a conversation with him.

"Alpha," He starts, doing nothing but proving just how incapable I really am whenever he's around. I drop my cutlery and turn to him, demanding that he speaks already. But I look away immediately, not wanting those dark images forming at the back of my head again. I should probably find a better dick to get rid of the thoughts of him.

"It's been five years since we last saw each other. That's a very long time to have been away from a beloved one. Everyday, I wished and craved to see you. I really missed you badly and wanted to make up for the old times with you. I'm glad that my wish has been granted and it's my happiness to see you doing great." He pauses and pours two shots of the white wine. He pushes one of the shot glasses to my side and stands up, taking the other in his hands. 

"As you say, I hope I can live a happy life as your disciple and bring you happiness too. I'd like to cheer for your five years reign as alpha, " He offers a toast but me being very much insecure with him, I reject it, "I'm not feeling too good, Mr Jude. I'm afraid I'll not be able to drink to that. "

"Sure!" He beams at that and that only makes me even more curious as to what he had devised, "I'll drink them both then!" But I don't miss that smirk as he gulps down his shot. He takes mine and pours it into his mouth but pretending an unintentional accident, he chokes on the wine and sputters it out, making a good mess of my outfit. 

"Are you okay?" Aunty Pam rushes to my side, worry laces in her voice.

"I'm fine," I manage to tell her, my eyes wandering to the trickster who rather stands transfixed. I wouldn't expect he's become a better actor too over the years. Last time I checked, fifteen years ago, I used to be the one to come up with childish pranks to frame him up but this...!

"I'll get cleaned up now." I excuse myself to the washroom.

"Alpha, "I hear the very familiar voice of my one and only tormentor as I wipe my hands with the toilet paper. What's he going to do now? I look up and find him staring back at me through the mirror. Shouldn't he be tired of doing nothing but bothering me? 

"What do you want?" I ask but he doesn't reply. Rather, he watches me, his silver eyes doing nothing but boring holes into my soul. I turn around carelessly, having no idea how close we are and I bump into him. I trip and almost fall but quickly grab him by the collar, pulling him along with me. By fortune, we end up leaning against the wall for support, his hands caging us to it.

His silver orbs momentarily captures my blue ones and that leaves me, for a moment, breathless. He's beautiful, really and those silver eyes seem to be the most beautiful place to be lost in. Except, of course, they aren't! They seem to hold a lot more secrets and complicated emotions than to be lost in them.

"Be careful," Short as it is, it's the first time I've seen or heard Jude talk to someone softly. But I kill the thoughts immediately and push him away, creating a more reasonable and safer distance between us. 

"I was just going to..." Too  embarrassed, I don't wait to listen to the full story before rushing out and leaving the feast too, not caring to leave a proper goodbye.