C4 Chapter 4: Call of Duty

In a remote corner of the countryside, nestled among towering trees and lush greenery, stood the imposing silhouette of a grand mansion. This was the home of Seth Griffin, Alpha of the Moonlit pack, and Alpha of Alphas on this continent.

Seth sat in his study, hunched over as if his shoulders literally felt the burden of the responsibilities of his leadership. His features etched with determination as he dialed a familiar number on his phone. He had been putting off this conversation for far too long, but the time had come to pass the torch to the next generation. Even Seth could no longer deny this fate.

The phone rang several times before it was finally answered on the other end. A masculine, deep voice answered him with an annoyed twinge to it.

“Granddad.”, it stated.

Seth sighed heavily, knowing that he was to blame for the strained relation between the two. One of many that he wronged along the way for his greed for power and wealth. He knew that his grandson tolerated him merely because of the lifestyle granddad’s money could provide him.

“Sebastian.”, Seth greeted his grandson.

“Seth.”, Sebastian’s voice was curt, his tone reflecting the strained relationship between them. He was aware that his granddad was proud of everything he achieved although he rarely showed it, but Sebastian couldn’t help but feel bitterness for the way Seth allowed his dad to act.

“Sebastian, I need you to come home.”, Seth said, cutting straight to the point. He didn’t have time for pleasantries, not when the future of their pack was a stake. Besides, small talk wouldn’t fool Sebastian at all.

Sebastian scoffed on the other end of the line.

“Come home? Why? I’ve told you before, granddad, I have no interest in playing Alpha. I have my own life here in the city.”

Seth’s jaw tightened at his grandson’s defiance but fought to stay calm.

“This isn’t about what you want, Sebastian. It’s about what needs to be done for the good of our pack. You are the heir, and it’s time you took on your responsibilities.”

Sebastian laughed loudly.

“Call dad.”, he answered curtly.

Seth sighed. “You know your dad wouldn’t be a good leader for this pack and all other packs. He won’t be able to take on all responsibilities.”, he answered as politely as he was able to.

Sebastian’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Responsibilities? Like the ones you’ve been shirking all these years? No thanks, granddad. I’d rather not follow in your footsteps.”

Seth clenched his fists, struggling to contain his frustration. “Watch your tone, boy. You may not care about our pack, and the alpha of alphas title, but I do. And I won’t let you ruin everything we’ve built.”

Sebastian’s laughter was bitter. “Ruin everything? From where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve already done that yourself.”

Seth felt a pang of guilt at his grandson’s words, knowing there was truth in them. “This isn’t about me, Seb. It’s about the pack. The Moonlit pack needs a strong leader to guide them to the new generation, and you’re the only one who can fill that role. You and I both know your father is not capable of that.”

He wasn’t used to this level of honesty from his granddad. It almost sounded like regret or guilt. Sebastian’s voice softened slightly, a hint of vulnerability seeping through his usual bravado at the honesty of his granddad.

“I’m not like you, granddad. I don’t want to be tied down to some outdated tradition. I have my own dreams and ambitions.”

Seth’s gaze hardened, his resolve unwavering. “Dreams and ambitions won’t protect our pack from the threats that lurk in the shadows. It’s time you put aside your selfish desires and think about the greater good. I’ve tolerated your behavior for too long.”

Sebastian sighed heavily, his frustration evident in his voice. “And what if I refuse? What then, granddad?”

Seth’s voice turned cold and unyielding as he delivered his ultimatum. “If you refuse to come home and take your place as alpha, then I will have no choice but appoint someone else, maybe Adam. Every penny and all the power belong to the alpha title will then belong to him. You will have no claim to our resources or protection.”

Sebastian’s heart raced at the implications of his grandfather’s words. Yes, he built a successful company, but what most didn’t know is that Seth owned most of it. If all that money was pack money, then the ownership of his company would shift to the next alpha. Sebastian would rather die before answering to Adam.

“Fine.”, Sebastian finally relented, his voice heavy with resignation. “I’ll come home. But only to discuss the handover of power. Don’t expect me to stay.”

Seth’s expression softened slightly at his grandson’s acquiescence. “That’s all I ask, Sebastian. We’ll discuss the details when you arrive. But remember, this isn’t just about you. It’s about the future of our pack.”

Seth ended the call with a heavy heart. He hated that he had to fall back on threats to make his grandson listen to him. He wished that he would have the time to make things right, but his time was up, and he had failed in more ways than one.

A few days later, Sebastian’s journey back to the Moonlit pack territory was fraught with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he resented his grandfather’s insistence on him taking up the mantle of alpha of alphas. On the other hand, he couldn’t deny the sense of duty that tugged at his heartstrings. Too bad for Seth that he wasn’t an emotional man.

As he drove through the winding roads that led to the pack’s territory, memories of his childhood flooded his mind. He recalled the long summers spent running through the dense forests and swimming in the lake.

But those memories were tinged with bitterness, tainted by the knowledge of his family’s dark history. His grandfather, once alpha of a different pack, had succumbed to the allure of power and wealth, and had challenged the alpha of the Moonlit pack, because he wanted the alpha of alphas title. A bloody war had followed because no one really wanted Seth on that throne. His own father had done nothing but obey Seth’s demands and let his fated mate wither away in pain. Knowing his mate, he had chosen another for Seth and had killed her slowly and painfully. Sebastian had vowed never to follow in their footsteps, but to forge his own path far away from the suffocating confines of the pack.

Yet here he was, returning to the pack territory under duress. His future was hanging in the balance. He couldn’t help but feel resentment towards his grandfather for forcing him into this role, for denying him the freedom to pursue his own dreams.

But beneath the resentment lurked a flicker of curiosity, a glimmer of hope that perhaps he could bring about change. That he could steer the pack towards a brighter future. As much as he resisted the idea of becoming alpha, he couldn’t deny the allure of power and the opportunity to make a difference.

Lost in his thoughts, Sebastian arrived at the outskirts of the pack territory. The familiar sights and sounds of the forest greeted him, stirring a mix of nostalgia and apprehension within him. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation that awaited him.

Sebastian parked his car near the mansion where his grandfather lived. At first glance, the mansion was stunning and monumental, but taking a closer look, Sebastian saw the flaws hiding in plain sight. They were telling him that maintenance had not been done in a long time, that innovations had not been made. He had heard rumors that his grandfather despised the ‘new’ innovations and regarded them as a distraction, but he had never thought it would be this bad.

Sebastian knew that his arrival would be met with mixed reactions from the pack members. Some harbored resentment and hate towards him and his family, while others viewed him as their rightful leader.

Pushing aside his doubts and insecurities, Sebastian squared his shoulders and entered the mansion. His footsteps echoed in the cavernous and empty hallways. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the tension was palpable as he made his way to his grandfather’s study, where no doubt Seth would await him.

A man walked towards him, and judging by the slamming of the door, he was not in a good mood. The man looked up and was surprised to see Sebastian walking in the hallway. Sebastian looked at the man and felt a pull towards him.

“Adam?”, Sebastian asked surprised, and the man looked at him. The look made him feel the same pull towards Sebastian.

“Sebastian, of course.”, Adam answered with a twinge of bitterness in his voice. Adam kept walking on, denying that he felt his mate bond to Sebastian.

Sebastian was confused at both feeling the mate bond to another person, as well as Adam’s behavior towards him. He shook it off and entered his grandfather’s study.

Seth stood by the window, his back turned to Sebastian as he gazed out at the sprawling grounds of the mansion. He turned as Sebastian entered. His expression unreadable as he took in his grandson’s appearance.

“Sebastian.”, Seth greeted him, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

Sebastian nodded curtly, and his jaw clenched with tension as he braced himself for the conversation that lay ahead. “Let’s get this over with, granddad.”, he said, his tone clipped and businesslike.

Seth’s expression softened with understanding; his gaze filled with remorse.

“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I know I’ve put you in a difficult position. But the pack needs you now more than ever. You have the strength and the wisdom to lead them.”

Sebastian’s jaw clenched with frustration, his fists balling at his sides as he fought to contain his anger. “And what about you, granddad?”, he demanded, his voice laced with accusation. “You had your chance to lead and look where it got you. A pack torn apart by greed and ambition.”

Seth’s gaze faltered under the weight of Sebastian’s accusation, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest.

“I’ve made many mistakes, Sebastian.”, he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. “I wish I had time to set every single one of them right, but I don’t. I need you to set things right again.”

“Fine.”, Sebastian relented, his voice heavy with resignation. “I’ll do it, because you forced my hand.”

Seth nodded solemnly.