1.

It was happening.

After a year of planning down to the last detail, it was happening. Dimitri's eyes met his father's, so identical to his. A sad yet fearful expression crossed the older man's face. With a nod of his head, Dimitri slowly rose from the dining table and gave the silent order to the men keeping his eyes on his father. They have gone over the plan over and over and it still left a bitter taste in their mouth.

"Go, son."

"Father..."

"No. It's you they are looking for. The men and I will hold them off as long as we can. You're their alpha now. They need you."

Dimitri and his wolf were struggling internally, this wasn't right. This was his only blood relative left alive. His family has been plucked off one by one. The source of the threat was unknown but the fear was clearly visible.

Thundering boots sounded at the back of the house, his four guards since he was a pup came bursting through the door. One held a traveler's backpack for him while another held a change of human clothes. His father stayed and kept watch over him as he changed, more guards came in with large hunting knives attached to their sides and deadly bows strapped to their backs. Guns of humans were in their hands, fully trained to use the barbaric weapon to protect the Alpha's only son. The clothes he now wore were uncomfortable. Jeans or whatever they were called felt enclosed on his muscular thighs, the cotton garments was snug on his wide chest the only clothing he liked was the hooded jacket. He chose that specifically upon his trip to the human village. Though they weree in the modern age, Dimitri still clung to traditional wear and practices of his ancestors from Russia.

"They are trying to break through the barrier. Evacuation has begun," a guard stated. Vincent Romano stepped closer to his son, watching his boy's grey eyes filled with fear and uncertainty."Remember what you learned. Keep Dante in check, the new environment will be hard for him to adjust."

Dimitri nodded while assuring his wolf that everything will be okay. Vincent pulled him in for a hug taking in the scent of his pup and listening to his strong heartbeat. Through their pack's mind-link affirmations of reaching safe points and updates were given. Only the present king was informed of their locations, now his son understood why he was told only parts of the plan. The pack members asked of their alphas in which Dimitri answered that he will be with them soon. Their moment was broken when a violent shudder shook the house. Dimitri's brows furrowed in confusion, the intruders broke through his father's strongest barriers.

"Change," his father ordered. Turning to his guards, they stood still, their leader slowly waved his hand over them and whisper a few words of old magic. Their facial features were changing, they can feel the tingling in their hair, the tugging at their lips and eyes even noses. It was practiced before for their trips out of their home pack. Dimitri rushed over to the mirror and took one last look at his features, an exact replica of his father. Grey eyes that held so much wisdom, dark hair as black as a raven's back, natural muscular body with a tall stature. He was his father's son in every way. Dimitri took one last look at his in his original form, his shoulder's slumped in defeat. The tears in his father's eyes cemented the fact that this was truly happening. Turning back to the mirror, he knew it was no turning back.

"Calarain Morphas!"he whispered to his reflection. Gone were his natural features, becoming present were rich brown eyes and messy brown hair, his stature was still tall with his muscular frame. He was contented.

Gun fire broke through the eerily silent environment. Orders were being yelled at a distance along with sharp barks from the shifted soldiers. Another look at his father, Dimitri allowed his guards to escort him through the hidden passages in the large victorian home. Upon entering they all masked their scents and quickly made their ways out of the house and into an underground tunnel. Their way were lighted by over head gasoline lamps. The scent of wet earth reached his nose, their pack's scent of oak was mixed in it giving him assurance that they were still on their land. He kept his link open to his father, still feeling the bond. Anger was felt as Dimitri trudged on.

The pack's scent was getting fainter. His legs felt like mud making his steps falter. The guard closest to him grabbed his arm.

"It's alright your highness. Just a little further." His body felt like it was ripping apart from in the inside. 'Something is wrong.' Dante whimpered to his human. The wolf grew restless as his human trudged on. The scent of oak and earth now ceased to fill his lungs. "We are off the lands." The gruff confirmation mimicked each of their loss. They have been driven from their home by what they called hunters. Still underground they carried on a few feet more when Dimitri fell to his knees yelling out in pain, his wolf was howling in pain. Dimitri wanted to also but a guard covered his mouth with a gloved hand. The men felt it. They hid their pain better.

All four men watched on as their alpha prince cried silently struggling to go back to his home. Golden eyes of his wolf surfaced with pain laced in them. 'He's close. I.... love you.... so much.' The struggling raspy voice of his father cut through both wolf and man's cries of pain.

'Father?! Father! Please....' Dimitri's begging was all for naught, he knew what he was asking but knew it won't come through.

'My...son.' The pride Vincent always had for him laced with those two words were there. Dimitri released a mournful howl, his wolf beginning to surface wanting to be with their father. He was fighting his guard, the other three rushed to their comrade's sides trying to contain the wolf who thirst for revenge.

"Get the vial, NOW!"

A loud growl erupted from their prince warning them not to do it but they had to. It was a vow they made to their king. Micah was the one who had possession of the serum. Getting a syringe and with much practice he took as much that was needed then pierced the skin of his prince's neck. Loud whimpers filled the tunnel, gold eyes were now back to grey not the brown that he had to use. "He broke through the spell." Micah whispered. They all watched silently as Dimitri succumbed to the wolfsbane.

Shia who initially held Dimitri back took the duty of carrying his charge out of the tunnel. No one spoke of the present situation. How could they place it all in words. They felt it. They knew the members of the Romano clan felt it. Whoever wanted the royal family extinct has truly succeeded minus one member.

Finally reaching their destination to the hidden black SUVs they gently placed Dimitri in one while listening in on their surroundings. In their minds cries of loss and questions of what happened filtered through their minds.

'SILENCE!' The commanding shout of Shia through the links caused the guards to wince and an unconscious Dimitri to growl in his deep sleep state. Being of third in command after the prince's Beta he held an ounce of leadership in the pack.

'Alpha King Vincent Romano is no longer with us. As it is written and ordained by the Moon Goddess, your true king is still alive and well. May the goddess bless us all.' Addressing his fellow pack members of the late alpha king's death, tears rolled down his face. He wasn't ashamed and neither were the others. Getting into the SUV after pouring diluted wolfsbane to cover their scents they headed towards the human town that will now become their refuge.

'Goddess bless our new king, Dimitri Romano'

The unified voices of the pack sent shivers down their spine, the strength and love they had for the young man were chilling. They knew their job has just gotten ten times worse.

Protecting the rightful werewolf king was now their priority.