TWIN ALPHA: REBIRTH

How are the preparations going for the ceremony tomorrow?"

"So far so good, I've checked and double checked- everything is ready, everyone is ready."

"That's good, I expect no less from you. It is always reassuring to have someone as capable as you handle all the little details. And the twins?"

"They are preparing as well. I'm not sure they should participate- "

"We've discussed this already and I believe I made myself clear, don't question my decisions again."

Eldric walked in suddenly and immediately the mood in the alpha's dwelling shifted. It seemed the air was replaced with a tension any other party in proximity would be suffocated by.

"Good evening, Alpha" something about the way he uttered the greeting deeply irritated Darius making him tighten his jaw. It was evident to all, even those without eyes that these two hated each other deeply for as long as anyone knew. Eldric for one was never one that indulged in pretense, especially not to those he felt superior to, Darius included.

'Everything is ready, I made sure to finish up the last of the preparations, I just wanted to find out where the twins will be taking their own trial", Eldric continued.

"I think it will be best if you didn't know that. Seeing as they are your favorites after all. I don't want any favoritism you know." Darius answered.

"You know I'm not- "

"All the same, I have taken care of the arrangements, just take care of the tasks I have assigned to you. If there is nothing else, you may leave." Darius interrupted, emphasizing the last part to remind Elric who bore the title 'Alpha' between them.

Eldric and Darius stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity and finally Eldric sighed and muttered an "okay" before leaving the alpha's dwelling.

Outside, Eldric walked slowly while watching members of the pack go about their business. A lot of people were gathered in small groups eating and talking, unsurprisingly a few children were still awake and you could see them huddled around a fire at old man Yama's place. Eldric wondered what sort of wild tales he would be spinning this night, the old man taught him a lot in his younger years.

Everywhere was well lit under the moon's illumination, not that he needed it, but it made for a very beautiful scenery. Everything was quiet and seemed peaceful. The young wolves were about to take The Trial which would officially welcome them to the ranks of the warriors and their status in the pack would be determined by how strong they grew.

Everything ought to be fine he thought to himself, but that was the problem. Everything was calm, too calm. And for whatever reason he could not relax and rid himself of the unease that plagued him. Darius for one had been too passive regarding the matter of the twins. No pushback against them taking The Trial, nothing.

He had known him ever since he joined the pack and he knew deep down that he was planning something, the lingering issue was what. He knew he had never liked the twins and had misinterpreted and spread the lore regarding twins to most of the pack with some help from unknown forces. He could never understand why anyone would go through such trouble and what it was they stood to gain by doing so.

Whatever it was, they would eventually find out. He finally told himself as he tried to move his mind to other things.

"You ever wonder what your name would be if you were born a girl?"

"The night before the Trial and that is what's on your mind?"

They were twins but they could not be any more different Lorien thought to himself.

"Kaella, it has a nice ring to it.", Kael pointed out to his brother.

"You forget I'm the older brother.", Lorien responded nonchalantly, ridding Kael the opportunity to get a reaction out of him. Kael was always fond of testing his limits with people. A lifetime together had taught him not taking the bait was the best way to win his stupid little games.

"Oh please, I let you go first because I'm a gentleman. Ladies first", Kael continued making an exaggerated bowing gesture even as he lay on his back in the open field.

Lorien attempted to smack Kael on His belly, but it was blocked and the two shared a small laugh as they continued their stargazing spread out on the floor next to each other

It really was a beautiful night.

"When I become alpha- ", Kael spoke up after a few heartbeats.

"Who said you would be the one to become alpha, I'm right here!", Lorien never understood how Kael came to certain conclusions.

"Shhh- don't interrupt me, just let me finish."

"Whatever."

"As I was saying, when I become alpha...", Kael made sure to emphasize the statement once again and Lorien rolled his eyes.

"I'd love to get a place high on a mountain or hill or something, it needs to be high, you get the point. So, I can spend the night gazing up at the stars after I've put the kids to bed and made sweet, sweet love to my mate."

"I don't get your point, why does it have to be on a mountain?", Lorien questioned genuinely not understanding why that particular detail was so important.

"Why do you always have to ruin he mood?", Kael let out frustrated his brother was not getting it.

They both let out an exasperated sigh and then a silence settled between them. They always made small talk like this with each other when they were anxious about something.

With the trial tomorrow, they finally had the chance to be accepted and respected within the pack. For some reason twins were not a common occurrence in the pack and some viewed it as nothing, but a large part of the clan somehow believed twins were a bad omen and treated them worse for it.

Luckily, they were not always alone, Eldric had been like a parent to them since their parent passed. And they had Lira too. Kael had a little crush on her since they were kids but he had been rejected countless times.

They sat there in silence, knowing what the other was feeling and in some way, it was a comfort.

"To be Alpha you'd have to be able to beat Eldric first.", Lorien finally broke the silence.

"Damn it's been a while, but Eldric is old now I'm sure I could take him now even-"

"Ahem!", Eldric cleared his throat loudly behind them.

The twins sat up immediately mortified and turned to the familiar sound they had heard for so many years. Just how he managed to always sneak up on them, they could not explain.

"I'm glad you're thinking about the future and all. If you have time to lay around and whisper sweet nothings to each other, then you must be feeling quite confident about your trial."

The twins just looked at each other and Kael tried to take things in a different direction as if somehow, that would make Eldric forget what he had very obviously heard earlier.

"You came to check on us? That is so unlike you. But since you're here I'll make sure to make you proud tomorrow, you can bet on that.", Kael said putting a hand to his chest to show his seriousness, "but I can't speak for Lorien."

Lorien cast his brother a look that could have pierced his soul, but Kael looked away already expecting it and acted oblivious to what he had just done.

Eldric flicked Kael's head as soon as he turned away.

"Always the Joker, well I've done all I can for you, but be very careful tomorrow. Get some rest, I should get going too. I was just feeling a tad sentimental this night, I must be catching something. I'm sure you will both do well."

And with that he turned and started walking away.

This caught Kael and Lorien off guard. They had never seen Eldric act this way before. He seemed like a hen whose chicks were finally leaving the nest. But this moment wasn't weird at all. Somehow it made them feel reassured and more confident for some reason.

Eldric stopped a few paces away.

"Oh, and you're still ten years too early to beat me."

And with that he walked away.

Kael and Lorien could not see his face but they knew he was smiling to himself.

"Well, that was some pep talk, I'm all fired up now.", Kael said stretching his arms as they got ready to head home.

Kael raised a fist to his brother and Lorien bumped it with his.

"I feel the same brother. Our story changes tomorrow."