Prologue - A Little Bit Of Chaos

I was never one to hold myself on a high pedestal, there was no reason for me to believe I was any better than the average person. I wasn't a walking encyclopedia, I couldn't tell you every little thing about botany, or solve math equations in my head, I was generic. Those around me could go on about politics, technology, and the tabloids, none of which I followed closely. I knew enough. Although I held no candle to the men who worked for the government, or the wise elders who guided them, I was capable of getting by with what I did know.

Well, emphasis on was. In a last-ditch effort to get me out of my "funk"— which is probably depression— my grandparents sent me off to New York. The top priority was finding my mate, and convincing her to return to Russia with me.

I'm gonna sound like a total creep!

"I don't think he should go alone," my grandmother

protested, stomping her foot at her husband.

My grandfather, bless his heart, simply pinched the bridge of his nose and gave enough of a convincing argument to stall the cogs spinning in the nut's brain. I got to come alone to America, and while my first independent trip was intimidating, I was nearing the age of twenty-five, I'd be able to handle myself just fine.

The loud traffic was new to me, as a child I grew up in a decent enough pack behind the steep slope the palace I now lived in was perched upon. My home, Pack Phantom was secluded behind the mountain, and it offered the most spectacular views of the stars. In fact, the view of the sparkling stars and the glistening golden lights of the palace shining down on my childhood home like heavenly beams were the only good thing I found about it anymore.

Call me spoiled, but I had nothing for me back home anymore. Yes, my father, mother and three of my siblings still reside there, but I hadn't exactly gotten the chance to mingle. I was forced to grow up a little faster than most, and while a part of me envied my siblings for getting to have a normal childhood and decent teenage years, I was glad to be the one to have that stripped from me in their stead.

"34 South Gulley Bul... Boulevard?" I mumbled, trying to read my map of the city.

I squinted, and turned it, taking my time in an alleyway to try to figure out where exactly I had to go. I'd booked a hotel with the help of my older sister, but she wasn't with me now, and I couldn't call home as back in Russia everyone was most likely asleep.

I can do this!

I took some confident strides as I weaved between people before I got confused again.

I was on the wrong side of the intersection.

I sighed, and waited for the crossing light to beam its warm orange alongside a tall ginger boy and his friend who were speaking loudly about a basketball game one had played in and the other watched from his sofa. "I scored the half-court!"

"With those twigs you call arms?"

"Camden, I'm twice your weight in muscle!"

The ginger boy rolled his eyes and sucked his teeth, crossing his arms over his chest. "You know what I'm talking about, right? A tall guy like yourself definitely likes basketball, no?"

He was talking to me. "Uhm... no not really. I don't like to watch sports very much, or play them."

"Oh, sorry. Rude to assume haha!" He turned back to his friend as the light changed, and their bickering grew louder.

I blocked them out and within the next few moments we were able to cross the street. However, when I went straight, they went to the farthest corner in a diagonal along with many others. I shrugged and followed just to cross more quickly. The pair was walking in front of me down the next block, talking about their roommates which were apparently all women, and one of their boyfriends.

"Angelica said she'll be home late tonight, she just texted me that the meeting her father dragged her to is taking longer than expected," the one called Camden told the ginger boy as he read his phone's screen.

The ginger sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "I hope they send a driver for her, or she's taking a cab because I'm not picking her up from the airport after eleven. It's not happening."

"Same. I've got to be up at four for work."

I found a strange sense of ease, listening to their lives. They sounded like the guards back home. I chuckled, and both turned to look back at me. "What?" Camden asked.

I scratched the back of my neck. "You remind me of the gu— warriors of my home pack. The banter and bickering I mean."

Camden just ignored me, and kept on silently walking, but the ginger met my pace and started talking to me. "So where are you from? Obvi, a Russian pack, but which one? All I know is that people from Pack Burst Dream are usually blond with a fair complexion."

"You're observant! But I'm from Pack Phantom."

He winced. "Alpha Derek... feels bad man, that guy is a total P-O-S."

"You... you've met him?"

"Not directly, but my father has, and every time he gets back from a meeting he's all pissy, and don't even get me started on how it is when his friend comes back for dinner with him! They get drunk off their rockers and start yelling about him."

He was talking about my father.

"Sounds pretty rough... I've never known him to be disliked outside of the pack though."

"You kidding me? The asshat came to my friend's home pack while I was over and acted like he owned the place. I've never seen Alpha Nathaniel so curt!"

I thought Alpha Nathaniel was a friend of his.

"Hey, what's your name again?" I asked.

"Oh! I don't think I said! My name is Samuel Craven, I'm from Pack Hell Banes. Alpha Craddock and Luna Baby are my parents."

"Luna Baby? Is that your mother's real name?"

"Yes, actually," he laughed. "Everyone asks that, it's crazy."

We walked in silence for a moment. "My name is Jack."

"Nice to meet you, Jack-a-boy!"

Hell Banes was in Ireland, one of very few in the area. It was known as a "Primary" which was essentially a representative of all packs from that country who delegated the smaller powers and attended meetings within the Capitol. It was safe to say I had definitely met his parents before.

"So, what's your title?"

I was caught off guard. "Oh! I'm a soldier, nothing too special. Here for a break is all."

He nodded, and checked the time from his phone. "Ahh, I've gotta run. Nice meeting you," he smiled then called to Camden. "See you at home!"

Samuel ran down into the subway and Camden kept his distance from me. "What pack are yo—"

"I'm a rogue," was all he said before turning and walking up a set of stairs to a photography store.

I was left with my own thoughts again, though my chat with Samuel had refreshed me rather well. I went to the destination I had been slowly making my way to, and opened the door. A heavily pregnant woman stood on the other side, and stared up at me with a stunned look on her face. I stepped to the side and held the door for her, earning a smile and a small thanks on her way out. Stepping in myself, I had to duck beneath the door frame to avoid bashing my head into the metal.

"Wow! Mama look! He's so tall!" A young boy cried from a booth, pointing up to me as his mother scolded him to stop pointing. "But Mama! He's like Daddy!"

"Your father is a guard in the Lupinian Capitol, you have no idea who that man is!"

"What's the name?" I asked.

"Uh... Caspian Ryker," she hesitated.

I knew exactly who she spoke of, and chuckled. "Rear Guard?"

The boy gasped. "See? He does know Daddy!"

She was shocked. "O-oh! Wow, that's... that's pretty cool! What's your position?"

Quick Prince-man, make up a position!

"Upper Guard, by the King."

"Quite the standing! I remember my days beneath King Klavdiy! Heard his grandson is following in his footsteps, it true?" An older gentleman by the diner's bar asked.

I recognized him.

"I can say in confidence that the Prince is more reserved than His Majesty. Keeps to himself most of the time."

The situation I'd put myself in was a little overwhelming, but making small talk with the people proved to just be a public speaking lesson for myself.

To never engage.

"So, what's the prince like?" A waitress asked, twirling her black hair around her finger and biting her lip. "Cause if he's anything like you... oohhh, I'd be so willing to kneel to him."

"You don't even know," I laughed.

The older man looked at me closely and whispered in my ear, "Nice to see you again, Prince Jackobe."