Song: dark academia playlist by høpe for søul

"You're an asshole!"

"I've been called worse!" The door slammed, shaking the entire house with its force. I rolled my eyes at the couple's childish antics and prayed to the Moon Goddess for strength. Of all houses, why did we have to stay with the Gammas and their insufferable son, Pride? Surely I could've slept on Mera's floor with the Betas...

Damn those Witches for burning my house down and leaving me to endure this.

"Oh yeah?" The infuriated she-wolf taunted through the closed door. The curious pup within was scratching away at my insides and I peeked out the window from the second floor. From what I could barely make out, she was still standing in front of the front door Pride slammed in her face. "And what's that?"

"Your boyfriend!" Pride snapped. I gasped, covering my mouth at the harsh remark. The dark she-wolf trembled at his words and she screamed, kicking the door for good measure. I heard a snap quickly followed by Pride's cursing. When she pulled back, sharp splinters clung to her worn black boots.

She'd put a hole in the door no doubt.

The brokenhearted Omega ran into the woods and I clenched my teeth, watching her go. Both her and Pride were foolish. But her more so than him.

Everyone in our Pack knew that Pride slept with anyone that looked at him for longer than two seconds. He was a young and unmated wolf who didn't believe in waiting for his other half. Everyone knew that. So why was it that naïve girls still thought that he'd change his ways for them because of a quick romp in the sheets?

Sighing, I finished weaving the last of my fishtail braid and tied it off with a black hair tie. My silver hair was brittle and dry this morning. No matter how much oil I'd added to the dull mane, not a drop of moisture was absorbed.

I knew why.

I needed my power back and I needed it for a longer period of time.

After talking to Syrena, myself and most of my Pack had spent the remaining day rebuilding from the ashes. Around two in the afternoon the antidote for the remaining silver in my veins completed its work, freeing me from its poisonous chains.

Naturally my mind took this as the ok to start doling out my gift again.

Silver power for the heartbroken. More energy for those working themselves too hard. A shot of adrenaline to the Healers working tirelessly to save and disinfect. My Pack was unnaturally upbeat and energized in the aftermath of ruin all because of Mother and I.

Mother, unlike me, had years of experience and time on her side. She could share and transfer her power to our entire Pack without it exhausting her the way it did me. Because she gave people just enough for them to cope while still bearing the burden of their pain.

A little bit of pain is a good thing, Venus. Take away too much and you make them numb to reality.

This one was always the hardest lesson for me to learn. The most difficult teaching for me to accept. I wanted to take away all their pain. I wanted to ease every drop of anguish in their aching bones and make them as good as new. I couldn't stand the thought of withholding a drop of my power only to leave someone still hurting.

I didn't want my Pack to experience any pain.

Throwing my braid over my shoulder, I vowed not to use my power on other's. Today, I'd give it a day off. Going dormant for a day or two would help my physical state.

The breaking hair, dry skin, and aching joints. They were the early signs of me using my power too much. If I wasn't careful, I'd be bearing the burden of the entire Pack's pain instead of only Mera's.

I wasn't strong like Mother. Not yet, at least. That was one burden I was yet to be able to shoulder.

I finished rubbing the warm coconut oil over my face and threw a faded white shirt over my grey sweats. The thing I loved the most about Werewolf culture was we never bothered dressing up. Sure, the Alpha King was coming today. But so what?

Odds were, my cousin was probably coming in grey sweats too.

Checking my list of things to do, I scribbled a reminder to talk to Pride at the top and folded it into a small square. Pocketing the piece of paper, I called for him and waited by the window. Not even a minute later and the white door opened to his haunting swampy eyes.

"Well," he chuckled. "I can't say I'm surprised. Figured you'd succumb to my charms sooner or later."

I rolled my eyes at his childish game and motioned him over. He pulled the wooden chair out from under my vanity and sat across from me. "I have a request."

"Most women tend to." His wide lips smirked as he unashamedly swept his hungry gaze over me. I remained poised and standing tall. His "charms", no surprise, only served to further disgust me. Not make me horny like he was probably hoping. "Let me guess, you wanna cuddle after?"

"No," I replied calmly. "I want you to stop fucking every she-wolf that crosses your path."

"Jealous much?"

Jealousy? I didn't know the meaning of the word.

"Annoyed is the word I think you're looking for." Pride leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest. It annoyed me that we were twinning with our lazy outfits and I was half tempted to change.

"Annoyed?"

"Our Pack has lost enough and has enough to deal with," I reminded him. "You adding emotional trauma to this steaming pile of garbage isn't going to help anyone."

Translation: KEEP YOUR DICK IN YOUR PANTS FOR THE MOON GODDESSES SAKE!

Pride rolled his eyes at my comment and I fought the overwhelming urge to strangle the life out of him. "Pride-"

"Sex helps people get over tragedy," Pride countered. Tilting his head in a jesting manner, the young Hybrid grinned wider. "As a matter of fact, I think you-"

"Pride!" The Gamma-to-be broke off into a heavy laugh at the sight of my flustered state and I bit my tongue in frustration. This was why we never discussed things alone. This was why I always needed Mera to keep the balance between us two. He never took things seriously when it came to me. I found it nearly impossible to move past his six year old tendencies!

Think, Venus.

Think!

Don't let him beat you.

Truth One: Pride was attractive.

I wanted to rip his face off most days and I thought he could use a personality transplant. But that was inconsequential to the matter at hand. Pride was attractive and he knew it. Which meant that was his greatest weapon.

His looks.

And boy had the Gods blessed him there. Women fawned over him because he checked off everything on their list physically.

Pride was over six feet tall and extremely muscular. His physique was so firm and toned that it was like punching a brick wall whenever I had to spar with him. He had good hair and girls liked that. It was short and brown with his mother's signature red peppered throughout. I also knew from first hand experience that it was very soft to the touch.

After all, I pulled the shit out of his hair during spars to get out of his chokeholds. Low move, I know. But it worked.

The enchanting eyes he'd inherited from his mother was his best feature. Werewolves had a bad history with Witches and we were always suspicious of them. But, not even we could deny the beauty of their eyes. It was alluring the way they called out to you with just a feathering of the lashes.

Women found the light spray of freckles peppering his strong nose "adorable." His pale skin was marked with scars from training and Rogue fights making him all the more desirable. She-wolves were drawn to a man that could protect himself.

I could attack his looks. But that didn't feel like the best strategy to use on him.

Truth Two: Pride only cared about his mother and the wellbeing of the Pack.

The latter of my statement made me snort at the irony. In Pride's mind the wellbeing of the Pack meant protecting them from invaders. Something he usually never failed to do. However, he never factored in the emotional aspects his actions had on all of us. It was as if he thought fighting would make up for his carelessness.

Truth Three: Pride would do anything to prove his loyalty and he was extremely prideful.

Checkmate.

"You don't care about anyone but yourself," I sighed. Feigning heartbreak, I walked past him, allowing my eyes to water with crocodile tears. I let him see my shining eyes for a second before sitting at the edge of the bed with my head bent. Strands of silver fell from my loose braid and hid the upper half of my face from him.

"Well, someone has to," he joked, "If I don't, then who else will?"

I sniffled and thought about my first cat, Rosa. She'd died trying to protect me during a random Rogue attack when I was six. The sight of her ripped up body filled my mind. A fat tear rolled down my cheek and I hastily wiped it away so he'd think I was ashamed.

"Hey." Pride shifted awkwardly in his chair and I bit my trembling lip to hide my grin. His tone was still light and joking but now there was a hint of worry. "Venus-"

Time to flip the switch.

"Don't you care?!" I shouted. Jumping to my feet, I angrily whirled on him and summoned all my power to me. Strength illuminated my genuine anger. Every color I saw vanished until only silver remained. I could tell by the way he stiffened that my natural blue eyes were no more. "Our Pack is in mourning and you think now is the best time to get your dick wet?!"

"I didn't think-"

"No, you never think!" I agreed. "You fight and you fuck and you fight and you fuck! Sometimes you make it seem like those are the only two things you're capable of doing!"

Perfect!

Now, it was time to really hit the nail on the head.

Turning my head to the side I muttered, "I can't believe I ever thought you cared about this Pack. I can't believe I ever thought you'd be a good Gamma."

Truth be told, I didn't need to mutter. With his big ass ears I knew he'd catch it no matter how low I talked. It was more for, ah, dramatic flair than anything else.

Pride was standing in front of me before I could even blink. The room grew cold and I tasted his anger on my tongue. Well, hello Pride's magick. I haven't seen you in a long time.

Our eyes locked in a battle of wills with my silver gaze penetrating his bright green fury. We shared air as I tipped my chin up to take in his dominating stance. I silently cursed my 5'6" height and snarled, "I'm giving my everything to this Pack while you continue to give nothing."

Not entirely true.

"I'm the one who detected their arrival, not you," he reminded me. "I'm the one who took out the most of those-"

"You're right," I agreed. "You do have the highest body count. In more ways than one."

His strong jaw rippled with anger. Stepping forward, he invaded my space even more until our nose's bumped against each other softly. I wasn't backing down. "At least I'm not the one who was stupid enough to let a Witch sneak up and poison me with silver. I'm not the one that allowed her ancestral houses to burn to the ground-"

"I agree! That was all my fault," I hissed. My stomach flared with unleashed anger at the mention of my continuous failure. But I didn't release it. Not in the way I wanted to, at least. "I admit to my wrongdoings. Can you say the same?"

Pride narrowed his eyes at me, insecurity shining deep within the reflections of his soul. I forced a smirk down and continued my beratement of his poor character. "How many girls have you gone through in the last two days? How many broken hearts did you break even further after taking what you wanted from them? How many times have you injured the wellbeing of the Pack only for Mera and I to clean up the mess you created?"

Confusion, uncertainty, and anger. They all fought one another for control over Pride's morphing face.

"I don't have time to chase after every girl you've plowed through and remind them of their worth today," I continued. "Neither does Mera."

It was fascinating to finally see the light of reality go on in his lust blown eyes. Even if it was only a temporary occurrence. A little self-awareness never killed anyone.

"Well, I apologize for letting you down, Lady Venus," he growled. "What do you suggest I do to make up for my negligence?"

Still with the attitude but whatever. This was the farthest we'd ever gotten in terms of discussion without Mera to keep counsel. I didn't want to waste it.

"Get me the pencil from the vanity." Taking it from his hand, I unfolded the list in my pocket and slapped it onto his chest. Crossing out the first task, I read the rest and figured he was capable of handling the rest. I quickly scribbled another line at the bottom and said, "Why don't you do this?"

Pride sighed heavily as he scanned the list. "Is this it?"

"Yes," I replied. Lifting my chin higher, I called my power back and color flooded my sight once more. "All of it needs to be done by the end of the day. Help with the houses last and you should have no problem."

Pride pocketed the slip of paper before stepping back. I breathed easier without his stupid presence nearby and murmured my thanks. Pride hummed, eyeing me wearily before smirking once more.

"Never one to back down, huh?" Before I could reply, Pride shouldered past me and left. "I expect something good for dinner since I'm doing your tasks, Lady Venus!"

Shaking my head at the man-child, I kicked the door shut and mumbled, "Like I'd ever cook for your stupid ass, Sir Pride."

"Heard that!" Of course he did. The sound of the front door shutting reminded me that I was finally alone. Sitting on my bed once more, I reached under my pillow and pulled out the written prophecy. Syrena had been overbearing about which words were capitalized and which one's weren't. I'd done my best to copy it exactly as she'd said but I wasn't sure if I'd gotten everything correct.

Oh well.

This would have to do for now.

Laying down, I tried to decipher the message that drove Grandma mad and brought the Witches to our land.

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QOTD: What are your thoughts on Pride and the prophecy?