Chapter 6 – Leaving For Calir

• As Alexander, Carmine, and Logan made their way to the training grounds at Alpha School to bid farewell to their fellow Alphas, they couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation for their return to Calir. Approaching the grounds, they came across the group of Alphas they really didn’t want to see before leaving – Gabe Blackroot, Wysteria Clawthorne, Ethan Stoneridge, and Serena Frost. Alexander rolled his eyes and stepped towards the group.
• Looking at the field, there were about thirty Alphas, paired in twos, engrossed in sparring matches. The competitive nature evident in their determined expressions, everyone was fully engaged with their opponents. These four were no different. Gabe always seemed to relish pushing Alexander's buttons, and it was no different today.
• Gabe noticed Alexander's approach and smirked, his eyes locking onto his rival. “Ah, look who decided to show up,” he taunted. “Finally decided to leave Alpha School and head back to mommy and daddy's kingdom, huh? Want to get a last-minute session in with me to see who the Alpha King is really?”
• Alexander, maintained his composure, refusing to let Gabe's jabs get to him. “We're here to say goodbye,” he replied calmly. “We'll be heading back to Calir.”
• Wysteria, ever the competitive one, chimed in with a sly smile. “Leaving already? Awe, what a shame. I guess we won't miss your constant brooding around here.”
• Carmine stepped forward, his eyes narrowed with a hint of warning and a low growl. “Enough, Wysteria,” he said firmly. “We're not here to get into it. We're saying our goodbyes.”
• “I don’t recall talking to you Gamma.” She hissed, exuding her Alpha aura. “The only reason you are here is because of princey poo here. So, I suggest you keep your mouth on shut. Alexander, you should teach your mutt some manners.”
• Alexander put a hand on his gamma’s shoulder to try to calm him down. He could feel the air shift around him and knew Carmine wanted to let his wolf out.
• ‘Relax buddy. She is just trying to get a rise out of you.’ He said through mind link.
• ‘It’s working. I want to rip this bitch’s head off.’ Carmine responded.
• ‘Not worth it my friend.’
• Ethan, who had a history of rivalry with Logan, couldn't resist adding his own snide comment. “Yeah, don't let the door hit you on the way out,” he said, smirking as he put an arm around Serena. Serena simply observed the exchange with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
• Logan's fists tightened, but he remained calm. “Look, we only came to say goodbye to everyone,” he said, his voice even. “No need for hostility.”
• Alexander took a deep breath, reminding himself to stay calm. “We may not always see eye to eye, but we're all Alphas,” he said, addressing the group. “Whether you like it or not, I will be your King and you will respect me. There may be a time when your pack will need assistance from the palace. We should respect each other's paths and choices. For the good of the realm.”
• Gabe crossed his arms, not backing down. “For the good of the realm? You know what’s good for the realm? You walk away from the throne. You will never be my king. Never. I will never call for you for aid. I don’t respect you and it’s no surprise that I don’t like you. You've always been the teacher's pet. You’ve always thought you were better than us, haven't you, Lykiaos?” he retorted. Stepping to Alexander, he was so close that their chests were almost touching.
• Alexander's jaw tightened, but before he could reply, Carmine stepped in. “Time to go! Adios!” he said, turning away from the group. As they walked away, Alexander couldn't shake the lingering tension in the air. He knew that they wouldn't be able to avoid Gabe and the others forever, but for now, he was eager to leave the negativity behind and focus on returning to Calir.
• “That was close.” Logan said as he released the breath, he didn’t know he was holding.
• “That guy is an asshole. He always has been. His dad is an asshole too. Same with his grandfather. His mom is too. Nothing but a family of assholes.” Carmine said as he looked back at them. “He better hope he doesn’t need our help one day.”
• Alexander walked over to a bench and sat down. Looking back at the group, he sighed in frustration. “What if more people feel like him? What if no one respects me as a king? I was supposed to be ready to take on this responsibility. I leave Alpha School, and I still don’t feel ready. I don’t think I can make everyone happy. How can I earn their respect and how can I ensure the safety of my kingdom?” he said, overwhelmed with anxiety and doubt.
• “You just keep doing what’s right.” Logan said as he sat next to him and put his hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “You are never going to be able to make everybody happy, but making wise decisions and being a leader that puts others first is the best way to be respected. That’s all you can do, my friend.”
• Carmine walked towards them and gave Alexander a mischievous smirk. “And, well, if all else fails, you will have Andromeda, me and Logan by your side.” he said, smirking even more when Alexander returned the smirk.
• The trio shared a laugh, easing the tension of the moment. Alexander took a deep breath and stood up. “No matter what, we are together. Until the last breath we breathe. Until the stars no longer shine. Until the moon goddess calls us to her.”
• Alexander, Carmine, and Logan headed over to the parking lot as they were ready to depart for Calir. The SUV back to their kingdom was waiting, and the excitement of returning home was in the air. Already in the SUV was their friends Peter and Michael Cirillo. However, before they could board the transport, a figure appeared on the field, sprinting towards them with urgency.
• “Your highness! Wait, please!” The figure screamed. As he approached, Alexander could see it was Linus, one of the seers for the school council. The seer was out of breath, his eyes wide with a sense of urgency. “My prince,” he gasped, clutching his chest. “Wait, I need to speak with you.”
• Alexander's brow furrowed with concern as he approached him. “Linus, what is it? What's wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with apprehension as he put his hand on his shoulder.
• “I had a premonition, my prince” Linus said, trying to catch his breath. “I saw... I saw a future where you have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save your kingdom and your mate from evil.”
• Carmine and Logan exchanged worried glances, realizing the gravity of the seer's vision. “What do you mean, from evil?” Carmine asked, his voice trembling.
• The seer took a deep breath, his hands shaking as he tried to convey his vision. “I saw a battle, a great war,” he explained. “An evil figure will return, and he will launch an attack on Calir. He wants it. And to protect your kingdom and your mate, you will have to make a sacrifice... a sacrifice that will change everything.”
• Alexander's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the seer's premonition settling heavily upon him. He knew he couldn't ignore the warning, no matter how difficult the path ahead may be. “Tell me everything you saw,” he said, his voice steady despite the fear in his heart.
• The seer described the battle, the darkness that would threaten their realm, and the fateful choice Alexander would have to make. His words were filled with sorrow and dread, but also with hope that the future could still be changed.
• As the seer finished his vision, Alexander's mind raced with thoughts of the kingdom, his loved ones, and Andromeda. He knew that the burden of leadership sometimes meant making sacrifices, but the prospect of losing everything he held dear was daunting.
• “Thank you for sharing this with me, Linus.” Alexander said, his voice filled with gratitude. “I'll do everything in my power to protect my kingdom and those I care about. Do you know when this will happen?” Linus shook his head and said, “No, my prince. I don’t know when, but it will happen. Could be months or years from now. Please, your highness, be safe.” his voice filled with fear. Alexander gave him a reassuring smile and pat him on the back. “You did a great thing, Linus. Thank you.” Linus smiled and bowed before he turned around to head back to the school.
• Carmine and Logan looked at each other and then to Alexander. “Well, that was heavy. What evil do you think he was talking about?” Logan said.
• “I’m not sure, but we need to get back to Calir. I need to speak with my father.” Alexander said as he watched the seer run away.
• “Yea let’s get out of here. It’s only 9 in the morning, and we’ve already almost got into a fight and now we learned about an upcoming doomsday” Logan said as he got in the SUV. Carmine pulled an apple out of his backpack before he threw it in the backseat and got in.
• With a heavy heart, Alexander got in last, his mind swirling with thoughts of the future that awaited them.
• As the SUV made its way out of the school campus, Alexander leaned against the window and stared out, lost in the thoughts about what the seer just said. The seer couldn’t tell him how he would make the sacrifice, just that one would be made. He said he would know what to do when the time was right. The only clue he could give him about this unknown evil was the letter Z.
• Drowning out the voices and laughter of his friends, Alexander closed his eyes and tried to sleep. He knew that the path ahead would be filled with challenges, but he was determined to protect his kingdom and the woman he loved, even if it meant making the ultimate sacrifice.