บท 44: SMOKE AND FIRE

 REUBEN 

I moved my hand through my thick hair as I let out a long and painful sigh. Today it would be adorned in red ribbon and coal. 

My pack's color of mourning. 

So much had happened in such a short frame time. I mean if I was told a month ago that I would become the alpha of this pack, I would have laughed in their face. 

Spit on it even. 

I had no intention of becoming alpha, yet here I was. 

I tugged at the red ribbon on my hair annoyed. 

"I can't seem to get this thing right" 

Who knew it would be this difficult tying a stupid ribbon. I couldn't just go without it. I was going to be the center of attention, and I didn't want to give anyone more to complain about. 

A month ago, I would have been made to stand at the sidelines, only there to fulfill tradition, I didn't really serve a purpose, my weakness made me a shame to my family and my pack. So it made sense.