Lyla arrived at Crimson, a popular Bayou in the city that was the habitat of the Crimson Wolf pack.
It had been three weeks since Kyle's death and she had to step up as the leading Luna of the Pack by hierarchy.
In an opening were well over a thousand Werewolves awaiting their Luna. There was tension in the air.
Upon sighting her, they all took a bow, signifying respect to her power. Lyla, fascinated by this, tried to hide her blush.
Of course she had dreamt of being revered and respected like this, she just didn't expect it to come with her brother's demise.
Nana, the oldest Werewolf in the Pack approached her from the crowd.
"Welcome child." She whispered then stood beside her.
"The death of our beloved Alpha has ached us all. While we yearn for justice, it is quite notable that as tradition demands, someone has to fill the void.
While it might seem rushed to some, it is the wisest thing to do—someone stepping up in his shoes and my fellow Werewolves, here is our leader, our Luna, our Alpha…Lyla Kyle." She spoke, causing applause and cheers to erupt from the crowd.
Lyla looked around. This multitude was now her responsibility.
"Crimsons." She thundered, causing absolute silence. She also paused, her eyes scanning the crowd, then continued.
"I know I have been handed this responsibility, one that my family has upheld for decades. I know how this feels sudden, and how my brother's death affects us. I also know there are people who don't accept this decision and it's fine. Honestly I don't come off as a leader to everyone. However, every journey begins with a single step and that step is now."
The crowd cheered her. She smiled, she now had their support.
"I didn't fucking curse." She whispered.
"You just did." Nana chuckled, entering the crowd once more.
"So, the meeting. So far, we haven't had much luck on my brother's murderers." She stated.
"While we're on that, it is paramount to know that the full moon is in a few days time. Another period we have to suffer through together. Do not dwell in the pain, please. It is a gift, one that unifies us and remember to be in the Bayou, we can't risk having to endanger the lives of others." She continued…
.
.
.
Half an hour later, the meeting had concluded, and the Pack was disassembling.
Lyla was making her way towards her car when she was approached by her closest friend, Jasmine.
"The Lyla tonight is a ruse." She said, stopping right before her.
"I have to keep things family fucking friendly. I missed you girl." Lyla laughed, embracing her friend.
"How are you coping?" Jasmine asked.
"Honestly unsure. However, the Pack meeting is a success, has to count for something." She replied.
"You poor thing. I should have frequently checked on you, but work has me choked up. One of these days, we're having a girls' night out."
"I'm like Alpha now, do I get to have fun?" Lyla joked.
"Honestly you do. With your brother's death and your pregnancy, you need something to ease your mind."
"Did you just say pregnancy?" Lyla cut in immediately.
Jasmine looked puzzled, had she been too forward because her friend had not known?
"I'm a nurse, and I can hear something pulsing in you. Trained my ears for that specifically for this profession, so…" she responded.
Lyla scoffed, her thoughts racing to Ben. Her secret one night stand.
"Fuck, I'm fucking pregnant!"
.
.
.
Ben sat on his three and a half foot sized bed placed at the edge of his bedroom.
He now looked clean, not shabby and now normal. With the power working perfectly, his parents' once deserted house had been bought and refurbished by him.
Days after the visit from Don Pedro, he received a gift from the Don himself, a substantial amount of money. One he had used to gamble in futures trading, took his profit and decided to get his life back on track.
With the physical changes to himself, a solid financial status was an imminent change.
Surprisingly, he wasn't running any tasks for Don Pedro, he had expected to become a henchman or lackey for the mob boss, but no such thing occurred.
It had now been three weeks and he just stayed alone, debt free and sad.
He got off his bed, yawned and proceeded to his bathroom, washing up. Afterwards, he left for the kitchen, passing by his parents' bedroom. He glanced at the shut door and sighed. He was never getting that back again.
He looked outside the kitchen window. The neighbors next door were trimming their gardens. They had recently moved there and had no knowledge of his family residing there once.
"I didn't expect a fucking makeover." A voice said, startling him.
He sharply turned, only to be met with Lyla's gaze.
"Oh, you." He said indifferently, walking to the cabinet.
"I thought you wanted to stay away." He added. She scoffed.
"I would have done that... If this wasn't so fûcking important." She said.
"What is? Don't tell me this is the Don's first job for me." He asked.
She looked at him, confused. Was he being stupid?
"What Don? Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, that staying away thing, we can't do that." She uttered.
" And why is that?" He questioned.
" Because…"
" "Because?"
"I'm fucking pregnant…and you're the father." She broke to him.
To be continued…