Chapter 3 CHAPTER 3
STEPHAN'S POV
Coming back from the Alpha training camp to see my family was something I had hoped for the entire six months I was there.
I can already imagine my parents' excitement at having me back.
When the royal car rolled around the pack house, I could hear them before seeing them.
The people who, if I met the requirements, I would one day get to rule.
They all poured out of their homes to welcome me.
“Stephan! You're back!” My nanny since I was born hugged me first, her smile echoing mine.
“I am and something tells me you missed me,” I said, cupping her cute cheeks.
“My son!” I heard my father's proud voice.
He's been the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack for twenty years now and has taken our pack away from the dark ages. I'm hoping to one day grow to be as good as he was, although he'd set the bar quite high.
He tackled me into a hug, our laughter spreading across the pack and our bond.
“Oh let me look at you!” My mother giggled, dragging me out of my father's arms.
“Hi Mom,” I smiled at her and she responded with a hug.
“You look so big,” she gushed in my chest
My mom was no small woman but in the last six months, I'd gotten more growth spurts than ever and even without being told and probably judging from the gawks of some of the pack girls surrounding me, I knew I'd buffed up a lot.
“Everyone!” My father declared, “To welcome my son back from training for the Alpha position, we will be throwing a ball tonight. His results are on my table already, tonight we'll find out if my Luna and I are going to be trying for another son.”
The pack erupted in laughter at his joke but his words prodded at me, and I hoped against all that I wasn't a disappointment.
I'd tried my best not just to pass all the tests but to come on top. My father was one of the most powerful Alphas in the entire American hemisphere and I needed to live up to expectations.
That brown envelope he was talking about would determine if I was going to become an alpha of one of the strongest packs, or a rogue.
I smiled as expected and followed my mother into the pack house meant for the Alpha's family and all the families of the ruling class of the pack, but deep down I was scared.
Hopefully, that one incident doesn't ruin everything.
I went to my room which was still decorated like a rock star’s apartment but for some reason, the decor didn't apply to me anymore.
I wanted it all black now but that was a problem for another day.
I'd gone to the training camp as a boy and came back… somewhat damaged.
Well, I guess that's what makes the difference between boys and men, experience and responsibility.
I took off my clothes and wore something more casual, ready to black out and sleep for as long as possible.
I'd not had more than four hours sleep at a stretch in the past six months but the second I lay on the bed, my room door burst open and my guys rushed in, rambunctious as ever.
“Whoa, you looked solid as fuck!” Jason exclaimed, looking me over.
“When the girls were screaming about it, I thought they were exaggerating. You've gotta give us the routine bro, I wanna be this ripped!” Caleb added, their shock making me smile.
If only they knew what went into looking like this, the weeks of barely eating anything to suddenly eating everything even when you feel like throwing up.
“Our trainers were sadistic and brutal, you don't wanna be anywhere near them, trust me,” I replied tiredly.
“Damn, you sound gassed out. Maybe we should let you rest up a bit,” Henry, the observant one of the group, said, making everyone look at my face rather than my toned abs.
“Yeah, you're right. We'll see you at the party tonight,” Jason, my future Beta said, pulling the rest of the guys out.
I sighed as my eyes closed almost instantly, sending me off to sleep.
The door opened again, waking me up.
“Damn, you guys need to start knocking,” I grumbled as I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.
“Oh shush it, I'm your mother.”
I looked up to see her with a suit bag heading to my wardrobe.
“It's time?”
“Yes, everyone is downstairs and the party is already on. Get ready and come, your father is itching to make the announcement.”
“Has he opened the results? Am I qualified to lead the Red Moon Pack?” I asked, eager to be put out of my misery.
My mom laughed.
“No he hasn't but I'm sure you're going to be given the best ranking of all the packs all over the country. Don't you worry,” she reassured me but it didn't permeate my head.
Like she said, she's my mother and she's meant to say things like that and walk into my room without knocking.
I got up quickly after she left to get ready so I can actually find out exactly what my fate would be.
When I got down from the stairs, it was to my friends waiting for me, all dressed up in fine suits and ties and I prayed to the moon goddess I'd make them proud.
“Let's go,” I nodded and they trailed behind me, pride on their faces.
It would be such a pity if after everything, I got relegated to the dark forests where rogues ruled.
When I got to the Pack ballroom, I was amazed by the decorations and how quickly they got it all set up. Knowing my father, he'd probably had everything ready before I got back. He hated being caught unawares.
The second he saw me, wearing a custom Italian gray suit, he got up and the entire pack joined him.
“Red moon! Welcome my son, Stephan Blackwell as he comes to find out his fate!”
The cheers got louder as I walked through the crowd, walking towards him.
As I did, he was opening the letter but his face remained neutral.
My heart beat faster as I got up to the podium to stand beside him.
I looked at the crowd and the thought of the smiling faces switching to sad ones scared me.
“It's with great pleasure that I announce my son as the future Alpha of the Red Moon Pack!” My father screamed and I couldn't help the scream of excitement that I let out.
The pack joined me in roaring, howling to the moon in happiness.
My mother grabbed me first, tears in her eyes
“I knew you had it in you, I'm proud of you son.”
“Thanks mom, for raising me right and believing in me.”
The celebrations went agog afterwards and by the end of the exciting night, I'd gotten so many gifts I could build a tower with it.
Before the night ended, my father called me to the podium again and before the entire pack, he handed me the keys to a brand new car.
I jumped into his arms.
“You made me proud,” he expressed, patting my back.
“I'll keep doing that Dad,” I gushed, taking the keys
I went outside with my friends to the car and we discovered it was a custom Lamborghini.
“Damn, this car is sleek as hell!” Caleb whistled.
“I can't wait for you to drive us to school with it tomorrow,” Jason added.
Yea, I can't believe I forgot about that.
I still had to finish this last year no matter how much I'd grown.
