Rendered

Alpha was sitting in his office listing to the raindrops constantly hitting the metal veranda roof and the lightning which stroked like the minute hand on a clock. It was raining cats and dogs. There was no one walking on the streets nor any car driving past the Golden pack head office. Alpha Kenny was alone in the entire building since everyone left early because of the weather focus warning. It was usual during this time of the year in November to experience heavy rain as it was summer. Kenny had no reason to rush to his lonely home. At 42, he had no mate, no kids and no partner. He had siblings, a sister and a brother. They both had mates, kids and their homes. His mother stayed in the pack house with those who did not own private accommodation, those who no longer had family, those who wanted free housing. She was managing the place. Kenny chose to stay in his own place to avoid his mother’s bickering and the elders forever asking him when he will settle down and making the pack an heir. After many years of not having a mate, everyone was now telling him to mate with any female who can give their clan an heir. Just thinking about it make him feel exhausted.

He hated the fact that no one seemed to be grateful of the stable life and safe environment he created for all of them. He could remember it like it was yesterday when his father died. They had just come back from the war with silver pack. He was stabbed with a spear laced with poison and silver. The wound was too deep, infected and the poison seemed to be accelerated by the silver remnants. By the time they made it to the pack hospital it was too late. There was nothing that the doctors could do. He was no longer able to heal himself. He died the next day. On his dead bed he told him to take care of the pack, be a better alpha (leader), partner and parents to the pack and his family. He also made him promise to take care of his siblings. Which he did very well. Last but not least, to only go to war if it is worth it. By that Kenny thought his father meant, he must only get if the pack members need saving from their current alpha. Plus, the rules were simple, the winner takes it all and he has to end the alpha and his family if need be to make sure no one will have claim to the land but the winners off spring.

He was only 18, when he became the alpha. He had to work with his father’s beta, beta Sizwe and gamma Msizi. They were a handful at the beginning, refusing to conform to new ways or venturing to new business, extending business to human territory and involving humans in their business. Kenny did it, he made them see that he was the alpha not the kid they use to play with. He turned the whole pack territory including the 3 packs which they swallowed into 4 different suburbs. Up to date technology, nice housing, farming opportunities, industrial site (wool manufacturing, steel, gold and diamond processing and refining, etc.), schools, universities, hospital. You name it they had it and everything you could thing off. His pack was the most advanced pack, with the greatest security and best worriers. Everyone was expected to train from the age of 13, both girls and boys. Only those who could no longer participate in training were excused due to old gate or health challenges. The training levels differed. Self-defense was less intensive. Being part of the wolf army was a different story.

The pack is what is it because of him, yet no one says thank you. No one realizes the amount of job that needs to be done to make sure that things run smoothly and that they are all safe. He looked at the watch. It was only 7h30, but it was still pouring like crazy outside. But the thunder and lighting and subsided. He looked at the picture on his desk, it was his mother, father and siblings taken before his father passed away. His mother looked happy and in love. How he wished he could also find his mate. There was no time now for searching. When he was 18, he went searching for his mate for 7 full months, in different packs, but had no luck. His search ended when the pack was almost attached but rogues. At that moment he knew he had let his father down. Hence, he dedicated his life and energy into the pack. He figured if he is meant to find his mate, he will. If not then it is fine, Jack, his brother’s first born could take over. With the right training he would do well.

Sudden knock on his door disturbed his train of thoughts. “Come in,” said Kenny looking at the person who was already inside his office. “Oh! Sorry alpha, I thought you were gone since your office was dark,” answered Nuzo sheepishly. Kenny looked at the boy who was recently appointed as his new beta, after beta Sizwe succumbed to his sickness. The boy was young (20), naïve and submissive towards him. He must also admit that he was clever, organized, strong and trustworthy. He was better than all the worriers. “I was going to make coffee. Would you like a cup Alpha?” Kenny looked outside the window, and realize that the rain does not seem like it will stop anytime soon. He stood up from the chair and walked towards the door. Nuzo followed him without any questions. As they were walking towards the kitchen, Kenny suddenly ask a question. “Why are you still here, when everyone already left?” Nuzo smiled and answered the question. “I was finishing up going over all the company accounts before the audit next week.” Nuzo was an accounted lawyer, with dual license. Unlike me, he was naturally smart and good with numbers. I needed a team of experts to make sure everything run smoothly, but at the same time I had to learn the ins and out of each business venture to be able to keep an eye on them. “You know you could have done that at home,” responded Kenny. “Well, the internet works better here.”

When they got to the kitchen, they silently prepared their coffee, sat down and drank it in silence.