Prologue
-Landon-
“Landon, are you coming?” my brother, Lucian, calls, waving to urge me to join him for a run.
“Yeah, I’m coming. I just need to grab my running shoes,” I reply. He smiles and darts outside. I know he’s not close to many in the pack, and I’m fully aware he only wants me with him to make sure no one corners him.
I walk upstairs to get my shoes when I overhear voices coming from down the hallway—my parents clearly in the middle of a heated discussion. Intrigued, I approach quietly, trying not to be heard.
“What do you want me to do, Bea?” my dad’s voice is tense. “We can’t let this go on. The pack members are terrified of him!”
“I know, but he’s still our son! What you’re suggesting…”
“I know!” my father’s voice raises, then falls in volume. “I know it’s…”
“Horrible? Illegal?”
“I’m out of options.”
“How did you even come up with this idea?” she asks, her voice sharp.
“We hear the rumors. We know who has used those camps.”
“Yes, horrible alpha camps that are nothing but... a place of torment!”
“They discipline them. Something I can’t seem to do with Landon!”
“Oh, come on, Mike. It’s not discipline, it’s torture, and you know it. I don’t even understand how the idea can cross your mind!” she shouts.
“Because... Because we know what he is!” he snaps. “Something is wrong with his mind, Bea, and you’ve seen it too. For Goddess’s sake, he tortures the pack members!”
“He protects Lucian, who, as you know, is small for an alpha and has no one to lead.”
“At least Lucian is kind and compassionate, something Landon lacks. Lucian will grow into the alpha he’s meant to be. I’m sure of it! But Landon…”
My heart freezes as I wait for my father’s next words.
“He is…”
“Still our child,” our mother finishes for him.
“He is, but how can we ever let him be the twin to take over? He leaves dead animals around the house just for fun! He knows it’ll stink, as if those pranks are somehow funny. He even hurts his cousins and Lucian!”
“He protects Lucian!”
“Bea, he has hurt him, and you know it,” my father insists.
I clench my fists, fully aware of who I am. I’ve never shied away from it—I’ve even used it to my advantage. But now, I realize... No, I know that my parents look at me differently. They don’t even invite me to visit our cousins anymore—only Lucian. But why would my father suggest those camps? I’ve heard of them. Among the upper class, it’s a dark secret, one many relish in keeping. It benefits them, but if he sends me away... I won’t survive it.
“I just... can’t ever think it’s a good idea!” my mother says. She at least fights for me, but I know she can never look at me the way she looks at Lucian.
“You think I love it?” my father asks.
“You suggested it.”
“But I hate it, my love. I hate it more than I can say, but Landon can never be my heir!”
“Then change the succession.”
“You know how it is in our world. I’m bound!”
“And keeping Landon away is the best method? Or are you hoping he won’t survive it?” she accuses.
I hold my breath, curious about what my father might say next. I hope he rejects the idea, but he stays silent. I want to yell, to demand an answer, but he finally speaks.
“Of course not. But I want him to change. I just… I don’t know how else to help him, Bea. He keeps going down this dark path. Maybe those camps are our only option.”
“And how many of those awful parents haven’t said the same thing about their innocent and good children?”
“But Landon is not one of those children! He hurts people and smiles when he does it! How can that ever be an alpha?” my father yells, and I hear my mother grow quiet. I thought she would continue defending me, but through the crack in the door, I see her sit on the bed. Soon, my father kneels before her, grasping her hands.
“I don’t want to do it, Bea. Give me a solution. Tell me I can still save our son from whatever is wrong with him. Tell me I don’t have to do this…” There’s a pleading tone in his voice, but I don’t believe him. Even if he’s sincere... I hate him.
“I…” my mother whispers, but the words won’t come.
My anger surges to new heights. The dark voice in my mind grows louder, urging me to make them pay. But I have never directed my pranks at them. Confused, angry, and hurt, I turn away, done listening to their conversation. I go to my room to get my shoes, hoping my brother can help me forget. But as I enter my room, I notice something lying on my nightstand. The dark voice intensifies. I move towards it, drawn closer and closer. When I stand before it, something cold and evil spreads through my chest.
I reach for the lighter, flick open the lid, and ignite the flame, watching it flicker.
They all must burn! the voice whispers.
