Chapter 1 Prologue

"Who do you think is going to become the next alpha?" Zaden asked his twin brother. They were both nineteen year old and had celebrated their birthday, two days ago. Both brothers were sitting on top of the roof of the pack house, gazing at the full moon. They had just returned from a long run and were both shirtless and barefooted. "The both of us," Jaden replied to his brother, a knowing smile on his face. Zaden snorted in amusement. "We both know it's not possible. I think dad's going to choose me. I've always been stronger and faster than you," he said to his brother who snickered. "Want to test that theory now?" Jaden teased. Zaden scowled. "Look, I don't really care about who father chooses. If he chooses me, I'll do my best to lead the pack well, and if he chooses you, I'll be by your side. It's not a big deal," Jaden said and rose to his feet. "Goodnight," he said and jumped down the roof. Letting out a sigh, Zaden also jumped down the rooftop and started towards the kitchen while Jaden went to his bedroom. When Zaden got to the kitchen, he heard the voices of his parents. He halted by the kitchen door and leaned against the wall to eavesdrop on their conversation. "... You know quite well that Jaden is a hybrid. Do you think the pack is going to accept him as their alpha?" His mother said and Zaden stiffened. "Yes. The pack members love Jaden. I'm sure they will be loyal to him. He's much more compatible as a leader, Kara" "I still think Zaden would do better." "Come on, Kara. Think about it, Zaden hasn't found his mate yet. You know it's a necessary requirement. Jaden has a mate and they will be bonding soon." "That's true. We'll make Jaden the next alpha then." Zaden squeezed his eyes shut, pain and frustration welling up inside him. He desperately wanted to be alpha. But, his father had chosen Jaden, just because he had a mate? Pissed, he left his position and went outside. He wasn't going to sit back and do nothing while Jaden becomes Alpha. ... Jaden was awoken by the choking smell of smoke. He sat up on his bed, coughing into the crook of his elbow. Then, he felt it. Sheila's panic. He rushed out of the room, letting out a strangled gasp when he saw the wall of fire staring at him. He turned back to his room, deciding to escape through the window. He jumped down to the ground, his heart sinking when he heard Sheila's pained cry, through their mindlink. "Help me! I can't move!" He ran towards the building where Sheila and some other pack members lived. He could hear screams and agonized cries that made his stomach churn. He kicked down the door and Klaus, Trisha and Darryl, his bestfriends came running towards him, looking like a mess. "We couldn't find Sheila, Jaden. She's not in here," Darryl told him. "No, no, no. Where is she, then? She called out to me..." "Where's your brother?" Klaus asked. "I don't know. I couldn't... Shit. He might be in the fire," "I'll go find him. You should look for Sheila," Klaus said. "I'll go with you," Trisha said to Jaden while Klaus and Darryl took off in the opposite direction. "Sheila, where are you?" Jaden asked as he mentally reached out for his soulmate. "The woods. At the entrance of the woods," came her reply. She sounded so weak, it made his heart squeeze. He started to run towards the woods, hoping and praying that he wasn't too late. When he finally got there, he found her pinned to a tree. A knife had been driven into her bowels and half of her face was covered with blood. She'd also suffered third degree burns on her left hand and leg. But, just before he could run to her, Zaden stepped out of the woods, blood stains on his shirt. He smirked at his brother who stared at him with disbelief. "You?" He breathed. "Yes, me. She's not healing, Jaden. She's going to die. I killed her and every other person who loves you." "You killed the entire park members?" Trisha rasped, tears filling her eyes. "Not exactly. You see, I'm going to be the next Alpha and I only got rid of everyone who would try to get in my way. You're the only one left, alongside Jaden. I'm going to kill the both of you." Jaden's transformation into a wolf was a quick one. His wolf charged at his brother. He was seeing red at this point. But, Zaden was ready for his brother. He simply moved away and Jaden fell into his brother's trap. A spear which was positioned horizontally, had just impaled Jaden who shifted back into human form and sank to his knees as he coughed up blood. A couple of wolves had also emerged from the woods and attacked Trisha, knocking her out. Zaden set the woods on fire and left with his followers. Few minutes after he'd left, Darryl and Klaus came running. They quickly moved Jaden and Trisha out of the woods just before the fire could consume them. There was nothing they could do for Sheila. She was gone. "Is he still alive?" Darryl asked Klaus as he removed the spear from Jaden's guts. "Barely. He's only still alive because he's a hybrid," Klaus stated as he took off his shirt and pressed it against the bleeding wound. Darryl slammed his hand to the ground, a cry of frustration leaving his lips. "The bastard got away with it!" He cried. "No, he hasn't. We're going to make him pay. But for now, let's make sure Jaden survives." Far away, lived a lone daughter of a werewolf and a witch. She stood in her bedroom, gazing at the four red candles she'd lit. She exhaled slowly and picked up the grimoire she'd found in her mother's closet. "Time to find true love," she muttered and made a cut across her palm, letting her blood dribble onto the small pentagram she'd drawn. She read the spell aloud three times and the flames burned brighter. An invisible string of fate slid out of the pentagram and started to travel far away, until it got to a dying werewolf. Slowly, it wrapped itself around the werewolf's soul and quickened it. The flames of the candles went out and the witch let out a groan. "Nothing ever works. It's all bullshit," she muttered and knocked down the candles in anger. Little did she know that her fate had been sealed.