Chapter 2

　　Hades' POV

　　I was about to be crowned as the next Alpha. I smiled at my reflection in the ornate wooden mirror, hung on the wall. I smoothed a hand over my golden cropped hair and adjusted the gape of my robe which has the emblem of an Alpha crested on it.

　　Alpha Hades! Alpha Hades! Alpha Hades!

　　I couldn't stop the bubble of joy that blossomed in my heart at that moment. Finally, the title and the power that comes with it will be all mine. I cackled and gently hit my chest in admiration. I had thought that I needed to kill the old hag to get the title from him but after Queen Hera died, I realized that I wouldn't have to do that. All I did was to be patient and lay out my evil plans while he drowned himself in his misery and anguish. I didn't give him the closure he wanted, instead, I allowed him to languish until he was too weak to lead.

　　As days turned into months and months turned into years the pack equally weakened alongside him and it became more obvious that a strong capable hand was needed to guide and rule the pack.

　　Somehow watching that old hag suffer all these years was satisfying and it brought immeasurable pleasure to me but the joy was nothing compared to the thoughts of finally taking the Darkwood Pack from him.

　　I felt so ecstatic that I wanted to scream out and jump around but I bottled up those feelings, now isn't the right moment. People would be watching my actions and I needed to appear stoic.

　　I turned from the mirror and noticed that my wait-on maiden who was equally one of my harem was in my chamber staring at me with wide anxious eyes. She was a petite woman. Her scent did nothing to mask her fear even though she was dressed for the ceremony, she still looked pathetic. The dress she wore didn't suit her body and it hung from her tiny shoulders like a sack. Her shoes were an eyesore, worn out almost like something that was picked out from the trash bin. But that wasn't my concern, she wouldn't be standing beside me, she would be sitting out in the crowd somewhere with the pack omegas.

　　The only place she had to stand beside me was in the bedroom when it was time for her to please me with her body.

　　I glanced around my chamber, allowing the anticipation I had long stifled to appear.

　　From today onwards, I have to decide how I want things to go. No longer would my life be ordered around by that old hag, my stepfather, the former Alpha Hunter Graham. I would be initiating some changes starting with my chamber. I already had plans for how I would remodel my chamber to look like a heavenly abode.

　　Hunter could keep his dark ancient burrow in the other wing of the castle.

　　I nodded to myself, mentally confirming my plans, and adjusted my robe one more time before heading out to the pack grounds, where the occasion was set to take place.

　　I arrived at the pack grounds and noticed that everywhere had been adorned with glass crystals and roses hung around giving the whole place an exquisite view. I looked around and noticed that the old hag my stepfather was already seated with the council elders. His hair was coiffed back and his face looked more wrinkled and haggard with the bushy smelly beard that covered his face. His cheekbones were saggy and his eyes were sinking into his skull, devoid of life and love. He stood up from his chair and held out his hand as I walked towards him. I straightened up to look as tall as I could, but even with the extra heel in my boots, I only reached that old hag's shoulder, something that had always riled me up. As I got closer I pushed back my shoulder and raised my chin as I looked out over the men, women, pack warriors, and children who were about to be under my leadership. I took a deep breath and tried to hide the deep elation that blossomed within me as I turned towards Hunter "Father," I muttered, taking his wrinkled cold hand and shaking it formally. My mother, Queen Hera had insisted I call him father from the beginning but that word had always irritated me.

　　My real father was long dead, my mother was also gone, and soon Hunter would join them too. Then the last restraint would be removed from my life.

　　Hunter sadly turned to the pack members to make his pathetic farewell speech. "My distinguished people of Darkwood pack, it's been an honour to serve each and every one of you. We are one big happy pack and it saddens my heart that today I would formally entrust my mantle of leadership and authority to Hades. He's now the new Alpha so he needs all the respect and compliance from you all."

　　I couldn't stand his long boring speeches and also the fact that the old hag had tears running down his sunken cheeks. What kind of an Alpha cries in front of his subjects? Only a weak and miserable Alpha behaves in that manner. His weakness was disgusting. He was like an infected pup rolling over and showing the whole world his sores. The worst example a leader could ever offer was his weakness.

　　I shifted from one leg to the other. Such a display of emotion disgusted me. I saw many people sniffing and wiping their eyes.

　　Finally, he turned to me, as he pulled out the emblem of authority from his neck and gently placed it over mine, took my hand, and raised it "Darkwood Pack, I present to you, Alpha Hades!"

　　The crowd hailed and clapped, but it was civil and repressed, not warm or excited. It pissed me off that they are mourning the departure of Hunter instead of embracing me wholeheartedly.

　　They didn't know me yet and hadn't seen what I was capable of doing. They would see me differently in the time to come. I would rule the pack in a new dimension of greatness. I would make sure they train harder even in the rain and sun. I would expand our borders, invade and destroy weaker packs, and take over their land. In my rule, Darkwood Pack would be the strongest, most feared, and ruthless pack ever seen. They might be weak now but give me time I would whip them all back to strength.

　　It was my turn to address the people as the new Alpha, I stepped forward, looked down at them, I observed their sad faces and their body language. They were grieving Hunter and not embracing me.

　　The time would soon come when they would worship me. I would erase all of that old hag's sentimental bullshit from their minds and I would fill them with the thrill of power and strength. I felt my face stretch into a grin as I imagined everything they would be, everything I would be in the days to come. But for the moment I kept my speech simple.

　　"I understand how sad and painful it is for us all to see Alpha Hunter step down in power today but it was for a good purpose. And I am honoured that he has entrusted the pack and reins of leadership to me. So you'll have to look beyond the past and walk with me towards the victory that awaits us all. Hail your Alpha oh people of Darkwood Pack because together we will conquer and be victorious."

　　With that, I was done with the nasty annoying speech and I felt my chest puff up as the crowd began chanting.

　　"Oh, hail the Alpha! Oh, hail the Alpha! Oh, hail the Alpha!"

　　Fucking yes, I could get used to that. I could smell victory already.