Somewhere in an underground cavern they were lit touches attached to stone pillars that lead to a stone throne with a man sitting upon it. He held his head in agony At every 10 min interval. There was no one that could save the man from this. His help tried. He even brought in people whose superior ability was to heal but even they couldn't stop his agonizing headache until one day it completely vanished.

He was in the same place he was always in his throne room. He has been confined to it for the past two years thanks to that God forsaken woman. “So you have finally left this world, haven't you Reprisal? You have lived up to your name. He whispers as he crushes the stone armrest he was leaning on.

He raises from his throne and he begins to transform; he feels an intense, burning sensation coursing through his veins. His heartbeat accelerates, pounding loudly in his ears. Muscles start to spasm uncontrollably, and the body convulses as bones begin to shift and elongate with audible, painful cracks.

The skin stretches and thickens, sprouting coarse, dark fur that spreads rapidly across the body. Fingers and toes elongate, nails turning into sharp, formidable claws. The spine curves and extends, forming a pronounced hunch, while the chest broadens, and the shoulders expand, giving the figure an imposing, bestial posture.

The face undergoes a grotesque transformation: the jaw elongates into a snout filled with sharp, gleaming teeth. He hadn't transformed in a long time and he'd forgotten how painful it can be once you haven't done it in so long. He raises his head and lets out a howl that shakes the entire cavern.

“Darius!”he growled

A man with white hair and eye patch appeared in front of him. He was in his late 20s but battle has gotten to him over the years so he looks much older.

“Alpha Herod, you called me sir?” Darius bowed.

“Go get the rest of Betas and acting regent. We have a pup to snuff out. I'm sure they already are aware that the true alpha has returned.” Herod spoke.

***

Everyone that was brought to the Medical Center within Shepard's Tower. After the match wasn't anywhere close to critical condition. Kenan included. He was on a hospital bed tossing and turning while muttering something.

“He's been like this for a couple hours already. Do you think he'll go all night?” Cole says. He turns to Edith.

“The Doctor says he's perfectly fine, we just have to wait for him to wake up. You can go ahead and go get dinner. I'll call you whenever he wakes up.” Edith then pulls up a chair next to Kenan's bed.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Alright, before I leave I'll have someone come bring you food.” Cole says before he leaves the room.

Kenan continues to toss and turn.

“I hope he's not suffering too much. He looks like he's fighting as hard as can right now.” Edith sighs.

***

Kenan was dreaming. He was currently at his house with his dad and mom. Instead of training like he usually was he was relaxing with his parents as they walked the streets of Greenwood. They usually did this on the first day of the week. It was a tradition in the house that the first day of the week was for rest and family. More importantly to Kenan it meant they were on the hunt to find a new chilly dog stand.

There were probably over 100 in the city and It was his family's mission to go to all of them.

They recently got back from there chilly dog run and we're discussing on what movie they wanted to watch.

“What about the Volt Sentinel bio pic.” Kenan suggested.

Both of his parents on the couch next to him all cuddled up and both rolled their eyes at the same time.

“Are we going to watch every bio of every retired Shepherd Captain?” Malachi asked. “Those guys aren't even that strong anyways.”

“Let's watch romance. I just finished this novel and it turns out it's a movie too!” Ashanti said. She had pure excitement in her eyes.

Both Kenan and Malachi looked at each other. There was no question on what they were going to watch tonight now.

Moments later during the movie Malachi gets a call from Elijah. He doesn't look worried in the slightest his dad never did. “Looks like there's something I have to handle that the family really needs me for. Sorry guys, I'll be back.” He says walking out of the door.

That was the last time Kenan saw his father. He was only 12 years old at the time and that was the last time he had chilly dogs.

His dream fast-forwarded two years. He was waiting for his mother to get home from work at the same time she always does. He made Spaghetti just like she taught him and he was going to surprise her.

She was 30 mins late “I'll just put it up for now she probably had a harder case to crack today.”

An hour became two and in the third hour he gets a call from his Aunt Aria. She's panicking saying she is getting ready to pick him up and head to the hospital.

He gets there and sees his mother in a hospital gown and for two years this would be the only thing that she wore.

It wasn't all bad being at the hospital with his mother. He came 6 days a week and he never felt closer to his mother. They played board games, hospitals always had board games no matter what time period you lived in. They watch all of the romantic comedies streaming services have to offer. Kenan didn't care as long as he could lay in bed and cuddled next to his mother. They said that his mother was in a tough battle and she overused her abilities.

None of that mattered to Kenan at the time all he knew was he saw the life leave his mothers eye little by little everyday. He knew his mother was going to die.

He wanted to rage and fight against the whole world. But he decided to put that aside and enjoy the time he had with her.

“I know this must be hard for you but you really do make this easy on her. I know Malachi would be proud of you. Aria said. As they drove home one day.

“I want to believe in myself more than anything because it's unfair. But if I did it would only upset her more. I can wait for that after she's gone. It's the least I could do.” Kenan replied. While staring out of the window of the car.

Aria burst into tears and Kenan had to quickly grab the wheel before they ran off the highway.

The last casual conversation Kenan had with his mother was about her appearance. “Do you think your father would still find me beautiful? Ashanti asked.

She had a bald head from her body trying to hold on to it's life and she looked like she hadn't eaten in days.

Kenan gave a warm smile. “He would say you're as beautiful as the day I met you ” looking into his mother's eyes.

Ashanti smiled at her son's reply. That gave her all the reassurance she needed on how she raised him right. “Boy, you know it wrong to lie to your momma.”

“I'm not, I already told myself Ima marry me a girl that has the same eyes you do.” Kenan said.

“What about Yalissa? She seems like a nice girl.” Ashanti said.

Kenan sneared. “What nah, I see her more as my sister than anything. Plus she's not my type.

“Well what is your type?”

Kenan thought for a moment. “Someone bold, daring and beautiful. Like you.”

“Well whoever she is I'm sorry I don't get to meet her and I hope she takes

good care of you.”

Kenan's eyes suddenly pop open and he sits up from the bed. “Momma!”