CHAPTER 17 - RICHARD
Taking a closer look at my Father's picture, I notice how he looks a bit different here. Like an expertly revamped version of himself. He still has a grey beard but he looks chubby and his hair is grey and stylishly laid back. His face is free of freckles and his pose screams authority and power.
Father has always been a hard and obstinate man, but something tells me it's a whole lot worse in this world. Just a glimpse at his picture and I'm already convinced we just might have another bloody beef here.
Something stings inside me and I know that's the little innocence left in me. The innocent craving for acceptance from a son towards his father. Deep down, a little bit of me still hopes he'll treat me differently this time around.
I might have killed him off in the other world, but that's 'cause I was too bittered. If I had his love and acknowledgment, I just might not have done that.
But then, it's just my wishful thinking and I know Father will never love me. So I better start getting ready to get the upper hand in our beef.
I flip past his profile, looking through the profiles of my brothers. I check for their names and it's still the same in this world.
Aston, Axel, Flit, Gunnar, Ryan, Zane, Leo, Idris, and my illegitimate brother in the other world, Thor.
Now as much as I know that I never got along with any of my brothers, I don't have a clue what Thor's personality is like. I never got to meet him in the other world nor did I ever spend time with him. But I'm betting he must have had some nice personality for the elders to have chosen him as my replacement, regardless that he was illegitimate.
I try to recall what childhood was like for my brothers and I in the other world, but it's a worthless try. I don't have many memories with them. In the other world, I was five when I left the Pack to attend a werewolf school in a pack, a thousand miles away from our pack. Mother had just died, and Father was grieving his mate and Luna.
I grew up around strangers and nannies, and teachers. The school had a lodge for students from away and that's where I lived. It was more of a martial art school and even though I learned a lot of skills, I was still very lonely.
Being away from my family had been a sad crack in my childhood.
When I was 18, I had my first shift and there was no loved one around to be proud of me. I had to be strong for myself, 'cause I got just me. There was no one else on my side.
At 28, I insisted on returning to our pack. When I got home, I saw that Father and my brothers had been living in bliss. No one felt my absence, it felt like 'good riddance' with me gone. All my brothers were grown and had more of a royal aura than I did. I looked more like some random rogue, pestering the pure bloods.
Father wasn't a bit pleased that I was home and he'd thrown a fit, insisting that I return to where I came from. A valid proof that he didn't want me around. When I refused to indulge him, he outrightly ostracized me. I was treated oddly differently. And till now, I don't get why.
I wasn't odd or deformed, neither was I illegitimate. I didn't have an awful mark at birth. I didn't deserve the hate, segregation, and rejection from Father. And consistently asking him why he treated me the way he does only pissed him off. I had to stop asking questions and fight for my right to be among my family. His constant rejection pushed me into becoming the monster I am.
My obsession to prove my worth to the world and especially to my father got me crazy and I was ready to do anything. Anything at all.
I only knew how it felt to be loved and cared for by someone when I chose Ray, as my Beta. We got acquainted at the martial art school and became best buddies right after he became my Beta. He was the only one I could boldly say loved me. Not until he betrayed me too, siding with Jane's swindler mate.
So yeah, I have no real memories of my brothers from the other world. But I have to know how close I am to them in this world.
"Uh, what's the relationship with my brothers like?" I ask Ray, still staring keenly at the files.
"Too one-sided, to be honest. You treat those jerks with so much love and consideration. And I still think it's crazy." Ray takes a sharp breath like he's fighting down the urge to blast them.
"So you saying I'm a good big brother to them?" I arch my brows confusedly.
"The best big brother." Ray emphasizes 'best' but in an exaggerated manner. "You literally do anything they ask, regardless…"
"Regardless of what?"
"Regardless of how badly you're hurting, man." Ray sighs with a scowl on his face. "You'll do anything for them, just to get their love. Just to be in your father's good books."
"Do they appreciate my efforts?"
"Hardly. Those guys are jerks. They leech you and don't even help you when you need them. Which makes me confused as to why you still help them. Why don't you just let them hit the bottom, goddammit? They're not worth the stress."
"Sounds like I've been such a pussy." I mutter, gritting my teeth angrily.
"No offense, but yeah. You've been a big ass pussy." Ray nods, maneuvering into another street.
I stare out the window, trying to chill my rage. I can't help but feel like the victim right now. I mean, why was I the only one different in this world? Why aren't my brothers different too? Why are they still the same assholes I killed off in the other world? I don't get it.
So far, Ray seems to be the only one on my side in this world. But I can't fully trust him. I still remember just how he betrayed me in the other world. He just might do it again.
A million ugly thoughts run through my mind. Thoughts of how to snap the necks of my brothers in this world, just like I did in the other world.
Flair thinks I've got a chance to be good in this world. It's sad to know there are no such chances and I've got to retain my monster personality. Because I'll be needing it to go against my father and my brothers. Again.
"When is the family gathering you spoke about?" I ask, closing the files. Seeing their stupid faces was beginning to irritate me.
"Today. Evening hours. At your father's mansion."
I nod my head. "We'll be going."
"I know. You've never missed any of the family gatherings." Ray scoffs.
If only he knows that this time around, I'm not going there as the "filial" son or the "best" big brother. This time, I'll be going as the Richard who killed them off, and who just might do it again.
Ray drives into an exquisite driveway and kills the engine. "We're here."
A smile curls on my face as I stare at the gigantic building in front of us. Is this my company?
This has to be another reason to be thankful to Flair. When she said I have a lot of money here, I thought she was kidding. But seeing this building, I know it's no joke. I'm a fucking millionaire, Alpha CEO. And I love the sound of that.