Aries

This chapter was not meant to happen. I mean what I had planned for this chapter is not this. But as I was writing I saw the word content and I was shocked. So, this half is updated before the other half would be (I am guessing this might be Monday or Tuesday)

When I don’t update for a few days time (like for four or five days) know that I am a med student and my timetable is filled with loads of exams. If I don’t update or respond to messages, I am caught up in that. Once my exam is over, I might update and reply. Applies only when I take a break for about 4-5 days.

Thank you so much for your patience. Might have mistakes, i.e, typos as I am literally half-asleep while typing this.

Anyway, Enjoy:

I pried my eyes open against my best intention. The sun gave a lazy smile that was veiled by the hazy clouds. Yawning, I rubbed my eyes.

I could feel my lips stretching into a smile for which I did not know the reason. Should there be a reason to smile?

I looked around for Midnight. But that cat was nowhere in the entire room. I nearly rolled my eyes at that behaviour. How very predictable of him.

Taking a deep breath, I sat on the bed, appreciating the view of the sea the glass door to garden gave.

Then I froze. The scent that I had greedily taken in was saturated in the room. Aries’ scent filled my senses. I was unwilling to let go of that scent but certain nature call had to be given attention to.

Shaking my head, I made my way to the washroom.

********

“What are we going to do today?” Ant said, eating her tub of ice-cream.

How that girl managed to eat so much ice-cream would be beyond me. She did three things mainly when she was was not training or sleeping. She ate, she played sitar and she did pottery.

Since we had been training hard, as Miguel put it the entire week, he gave us a break. Miguel was on the beach, claiming he had to let loose for a while and Varian and Aislynn were in the garage. He wanted to show her his car collection.

“Beats me,” Nash commented.

I shook my head. “I am heading out. I agreed to meet Brent and Andrew today. Andrew apparently woke up.”

“Is that why Brent called you while we were eating?” Rhaze asked from her room. “To inform you about this?”

I grimaced thinking of the conversation I had with him. “He wants me to meet Alpha Eric.”

Ant dropped her spoon. “Why?”

I sighed and plopped on the couch. “He... he thinks I should him a chance.”

“Give who?” Kaina asked as she came out of the room she shared with Rhaze.

“I should give Alpha Eric a chance.”

At this, Ant burst into laughter. “You are so formal in even saying his name. Fat chance you would give him a chance.”

I shook my head. “I don’t feel anything towards him. He is an Alpha. That’s all. He is not even my Alpha. I... I don’t think I want another Alpha after Ethan.”

Nash scoffed. “What you don’t want is a jackass, Lyra. There is a difference.”

“Point,” Ant said.

Then I heard a soft sound of a laptop being closed and Rhaze came out. She sat next to me. “Listen. I know you don’t want to give this guy a chance. I respect that. But with this fight with Ethan? We can’t win without allies. Ethan is the Alpha of the West Pack. Even if all the nameless packs, covens and tribes join together, we can’t meet the strength of West pack and its allies.”

Ant carefully put her tub down. “Wait a second. You have a Royal at your disposal, Beta Rhaze. A Royal who commands the Twelve Warriors of Moon. Lyra has three shifters, shifters I bet many werewolves have not seen in their life. We have Kaina. She freaking commands two of the Eight Great Tribes. What more allies do we need? If Lyra just asks Aries to destroy that West Pack, it would be in cinders by next hour. Just one is enough. Why this?”

Rhaze gave her a smile. “While what you say may be true, princess, you don’t know how my sister’s mind works. She will never acknowledge the victory someone else wins for her. So while Aries may win battles for her, he is... wait, what is Aries to you?”

At this question, I found no words. I knew I was not a poet or a writer, but I knew what words to wield at what time. This time, I did not know.

Were the labels necessary?

I gulped when all their stares were directed on me. What was he to me? A teacher? I shook my head. He was a guide. Was he a friend? My heart snapped at that. Someone I looked up to? Perhaps.

“Someone I trust,” I said finally. If I considered him as a friend, my heart would definitely not race as though it had a competition with time.

“See?” Rhaze said. “She... does not like it the easy way. While Kaina may be our last before resort, we still need to do this the traditional way.”

“Traditional way?” Ant asked.

At the same time, Kaina questioned. “I am the last before the resort? Who is the last?”

“Gathering allies the old fashioned way,” Rhaze smirked at Ant. “Treaties.”

Then she grinned at Kaina. “As much as I know that unleashing you is like opening the gates of hell, Kaina, the last resort is Antlia.”

Ant immediately had a pleasant grin hearing this. “I am so glad that I am the last resort. Makes me feel like I am powerful and shit.”

“Swearing again!” a familiar voice said as he entered the room.

“As if you don’t swear, Miguel,” Ant retorted.

“I am different, kid,” he said.

Wearing a white shirt that hugged his toned body, he sat next to Nash. He had a towel over his neck that was drenched. From the scent, I knew it was sweat.

What was he trying to do? Shift? Wield his flames? Whatever it was it was taking his energy and I could not bear to see him like this.

What is wrong, Miguel? I asked.

Nothing, Lyra, he said in a tired tone.

While Rhaze continued her reasoning with Ant, I tuned out. It did seem that I have chosen the right Beta. I would never ask help from others if I could do it myself. I could use the Royal name and get out of the mess, but the revenge would never be sweet.

As much as I would like to avoid a war with Ethan and his pack, I wanted it more than Ethan did. For what he did to my father and my best friend, unless I drenched my hands in his blood, my anger would never be sated. Not to mention, he was hunting me down. I had left him alone, in peace for all this time, right? Why could he not give me the same? Was it too much to ask?

The day before yesterday, I had a conversation with Brent and it did not look bright. As much as I knew Ethan was hunting me down, I did not realise its severity until Brent broke it down.

Ethan was hunting me because I was free, I had managed to escape after wrecking his pack. I had managed to release not one but three prisoners of the Dungeon.

That was not all.

As much as he had Harper, Brent did confess to me the real reason why Ethan was hunting me.

He wanted an heir and Harper could not give him one no matter what.

As conception was rare among our kind and pregnancy was a blessing. Usually, it was the mates who were gifted with a child. But sometimes a child can be born out of mateship, especially if the one partner is a human. Apparently, humans had genes that were compatible with us.

But a child can never be born to a Shifter, Magyc or a Vampire if they had met their mate, rejected the bond and chose another. The one who rejected would never have the joy of parenthood. If they did want a child, they had to mate with a human. Even then the chances were not high.

But the rejected? Their story was altogether different. They were given another chance, even at life if that rejection killed them.

He was hunting me. He knew I had werewolf blood in me. A child born to us would be stronger than a child born to him and a human.

When I heard the reason that day, Rhaze and Kaina had to restrain me. Day by day I was getting dominant and it was then I knew that a war was inevitable.

I thought I could walk away from this mess, but now I knew better. I harboured the intense feeling of loathing towards the Alpha pair and I would love to see them bleed red.

Hiding things, now are we? I asked Miguel.

He sighed. Nothing to bother you now.

What do you mean by nothing to bother me now? I snarled.

You already have a lot of things going on, Lyra, he said. Focus on yourself.

Bullshit, I said, barely restraining myself. You are a pack member, Miguel. My friend during those dark days. You are always first.

I know the reason why you did not choose the path of war, Miguel said. It’s us, is it not?

I closed my eyes. If I was going to lie to these people, I might as well lie to myself. Yes. Had I been alone, I would not have cared about myself. But the second Rhaze and Reece swore to me, I decided not to do anything rash. If I could, I would like to avoid this entire war. I have already lost my father, my best friend and Cathara. I am not in any mind to lose another. But, once I know I am strong enough, I will destroy them.

Who said you might lose? He asked.

Me, I replied. I know I would lose. I need to get stronger. Simply learning how to fight and returning is not worth it. I have to train my mind.

Thank you, Alpha, for choosing us, he said.

You’re welcome, I said. Now tell me what is bothering you.

Kenna.

Hearing that name, I did not know what to do. How would you comfort your friend who had lost the love of his life by the fire he had created? How could I do it, when I have never felt that intense for anyone?

I cannot shift for the life of me! he cried. Whenever I try to, I see her face and the fire that used to soothe me, now burns me.

I looked deep into his eyes and saw the pain and hopelessness swirl and create patter of misery. His body held on proudly, but his shoulders sagged a little.

At that moment I made my decision.

I name you as the Delta of my pack, I thundered via our pack link so that everyone could hear.

His eyes grew wide and he crumbled to the ground the moment the force of my words hit him. He was receiving the title he had so many centuries ago. This purpose might set a part of his soul free. I could not bring Kenna back for him, but this was the last thing I could do.

But what had me hesitating all these days? I would never know. I had asked Aries about it and he said something the lines of the instinct of an Alpha. So what changed now?

Rhaze blinked at me. “What took you so long?”

“Dunno,” I shrugged.

At that time Varian and Aislynn came to the hall.

“Y-you gave him the damned title, Alpha?” Varian breathed. “This is the best thing I have heard all day.”

Nash stood up and went to stand beside his parents. Kaina too stood up with my sister and moved near the walls.

Each one dealt with their ascension of ranks in their own way. They had to do it on their own and if they could not, they were not worthy of the title. But an Alpha rarely made a mistake.

Slowly, flames licked his hands and crawled up his back. Fire engulfed him and it started to spread around him, to the rug on which he was kneeling and the stack of paper that was ‘trash’ according to Kaina. They had been her rough sketches about ‘this and that’.

The fire edged closer to me and Ant. Like me, Ant was watching him. It was rare to ascend in the presence of a Royal. The flames touched my feet and then shrivelled back, curling itself as though it was being touched by something more dangerous.

While the fire dared to near me, it just steered away from Ant.

Then the fire began to reside. They lost their bright greenish-blue tinge then the yellow petals gave way to orange and scarlet.

I watched with fascination how Miguel commanded the flames back into him. He stayed still for a few moments, breathing deeply.

Then he raised his head. “Alpha.”

“Delta,” I responded.

I saw tiny flecks come back to life. Seeing that pain, I decided I would help this friend of mine in every way possible. Even if it meant he would see me as the bad one, I would not stop. I wanted him out of that misery,

No fire could ever burn brighter than his soul that was flaring to life. In the seat of pain now sat a meaning, in the throne of hopelessness now purpose wore the crown. The shackles that once earthed him was breaking apart and I could not wait to see the Pheonix fly.

**************

“Why not us?” Rhaze asked, giving me a bewildered look. “What crime did we commit? Why does Miguel, Nash and Ant gets to go with you and I don’t?”

I looked at my companions who were dressed in semi-formal clothes.

“You are talking Ant!” Rhaze said. “The one for whom you refused to share our location with Brent and Andrew. Now you are taking her out in the open?”

At this, Kaina stepped from behind Rhaze and held Ant’s shoulders. The witch’s eye glowed silver for a second before dimming to their usual green. Her fingertips had a spark of silver and they disappeared right away.

“All done!” Kaina chirped as she stepped back.

“What?” my sister asked.

“I put a charm on her.” Kaina waved her hand. “No one would be able to recognise her for a few days. Scent her. She would be like a human to others.”

Rhaze scowled and muttered colourfully as she sat on the rocking chair and gazed out.

Kaina shook her head. “She will get around. Now, go and enjoy.”

Ant had a bright smile that said that I had made the right decision. She complained of being cooped up in this space and wanted to explore and this was a perfect opportunity.

Going to the garage, I picked keys for the car I had my eyes on from the tray Varian kept.

“What car?” Ant asked excitedly.

Smirking, I pressed the button and a sleek black race car winked at me. As much as I was not into cars, Cain had been and he usually droned about each variety of car during our bonding time.

Ant gave me a grin that matched with the devil. “Perfect.”

“I am worried about my life,” Nash commented. When no one replied to him, he turned to Miguel. “Should I be worried?”

“Worried about the poor car?” Miguel said, shrugging. “Yes. Worried about Lyra being the only one who knows how to drive? I don’t know how to answer that.”

I growled lowly at the two males Miguel learnt how to drive a damned car in a two days time from Varian. How he managed to do that, I would never know. He did know how to drive, for he was the one who drove us back the night Varian met Aislynn. But among us, only I had the licence to drive.

Without a word, Nash and Miguel got on the back seat and Ant took the shotgun.

I slid in the car and turned on the engine. The car purred to life and I had to admit. There was something exhilarating about hearing that noise, smelling the scent of leather.

I took off. The car moved smoothly and swiftly. I was in love with this car.

“Where to?” Nash asked.

“To Sundyre complex," I replied. “They are waiting for us in a cafe.”

Sundyre complex was a well-known shopping complex in this area, located in the heart of East Coven. Unlike West pack that housed all the important pack members in one area and others scattered, East coven had their members scattered throughout their lands. No one could say who I might encounter.

If their Epsilon wanted to take a stroll today in this buzzing city, I would be dead for sure.

“Do you know the way?” Miguel asked.

“I saw on the internet,” I said, turning on the GPS. “The Waika Maps can be trusted.”

Waika was something similar to Google what the people of the other continents used. But much better.

When I turned on, the screen in front of me, blinked and opened. Against a black background, it showed us where we were and how to go. It was these little things that made our lives easier.

Turning on the cloaking system Varian had installed, I parked the car in an abandoned alley near the Sundyre complex and got out.

Ant followed me and finally, the male got out. Pressing another button to conceal even our scent around the car, I walked towards the complex.

To say it was buzzing with life, I would be lying. So many went in and came out. Too busy with their life to bother me.

The cellphone that Aislynn got me yesterday vibrated against in my jeans pocket. I took it out to see a message from Brent. He was on the fourth floor at the cafe near Espoir, a shop famous for its leather products.

“Brent is here,” I announced to my companions. “In the fourth floor, near Espoir. Andrew is currently not with them, but Brent says he would join soon.”

"Espoir?" Ant asked. “We must go there, Ly. I need a leather jacket.”

“Money, lady?” Miguel asked.

At this, I smirked and took out a sleek golden card. “I may not be as rich as Varian, Miguel. But I do have my ways.”

Nash’s eyes widened so much that I was afraid. “How?”

“I was a scientist,” I said, walking towards the complex. “I had so many funds. When I was kicked out of the pack, Ethan made sure to freeze my account. But Rhaze is magician with computers. She knows what buttons to press to release my account. So, Viola!”

“How did you get your card?” Miguel asked.

For someone who stayed in the Dungeons for so many years, he was getting himself upgraded fast.

“Remember when Rhaze and Kaina went out two days ago?” I asked as I walked through the sensors.

When it decided I did not have anything harmful, it gave beep sound and the gates that were closed before me, opened. Ant went through the same procedure on the gate on my right and Miguel to the gate on my left. Left to Miguel, Nash entered the complex. The complex had about ten gates functioning that was to allow people in and another ten to allow people out.

“Yes,” Nash nodded when we regrouped.

“Kaina knew people in East Tribe and getting a card is quite easy.”

“How much?” Nash asked.

“Three million nyota," I replied.

Miguel’s jaws dropped. “That’s not much? As if that does not make you rich.”

Nash gulped and asked via pack link. Who knew our alpha was rich?

I laughed as a lift came to the ground floor. About twenty people rushed before us but we managed to push past them and get on the lift.

Ant pressed the button for the fourth floor.

“It was for research!” I protested. “If I was in West Pack, that money would have been used for ongoing research. And until my salary and funds come, I would have been broke.”

Nash threw his hands up. “I give up. How much did you get for the project?”

I liked my lips. “Thiry million nyota."

“Brilliant!” he muttered. “Absolutely brilliant. So, twenty-seven million was used for that project!”

“Why so silent, Ant?” Miguel asked her when people changed in the stop for the second floor.

“When I Ascend,” she whispered. “I will make sure that these researchers and scientists are not affected in any way. I am thinking of new rules about this.”

My heart clenched at this. She was a girl, younger than me. At an age who was supposed to enjoy everything, take things for granted, live like there was no tomorrow. Yet the girl before me was thinking of a rule to make the life of researchers less miserable.

I already knew it, but this confirmed how a great Queen this young one would be.

After that, no one spoke.

When our stop came, we got out and spotting Espoir was not a big deal even if the crowd had not given away, the huge name board did.

Next to the mighty leather shop was a humble cafe. Making my way towards it, I opened the doors and searched for Brent. But it was not hard to find him out. Especially when he was standing and waving his hands.

Next to him, Alpha Eric and his Beta was seated and opposite to them, two females were there. Nash sniffed the air and his eyes had a hint of gold.

When we neared them, a waitress came forwards. “More people?” she asked Brent.

He nodded and looked behind me at my companions. “More four.”

Nodding, she silently joined another table and adjusted the chairs. The human handed each of us a menu card and left.

I knew for a reason that Brent had left seat opposite to Alpha Eric for me. I glared at him. I was not going to take that seat and announce to Alpha Eric that was interested.

Before I could voice my concern, Nash took that seat and touched the shoulder of the girl next to him.

The mouse brown-haired girl turned and gasped. While they were lost in each other’s eyes, Alpha Eric cleared his throat, while the female beside the brown-haired girl growled.

“Take your hands away from her, pup,” she snarled. “Else I swear-”

“Dare you threaten my boy?” Miguel snapped at the black-haired female in response. “Who the fuc-”

“Mind your words-”

“Mate,” the brown-haired girl squeaked. Then she smiled brightly. “Mate!”

Nash’s smile was something I wanted to see on his face every day. He apparently did not care about the glowering black-haired female and squeezed his mate’s hand.

Hearing her response, Miguel broke into a wide grin and she muttered something colourful under her breath.

This was the next best thing after Varian and Aislynn. Another mating! For some reason, I was happy beyond words. Next to me, Ant was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

When the female was about to open her mouth, Alpha Eric sighed, “Mina is happy. Let her enjoy this, Aspen.”

Aspen rolled her eyes at her Alpha and then glared at me. “Aren’t you the Alpha? The one which my brother claims to be his mate? Is this boy from your pack?”

This explained why she was able to get away with rolling her eyes to her alpha. Yes, her nose and her jawline did bear resemblance to Alpha Eric but unless they stated their relation, I could not tell.

Her words ticked me. She was a sister to an Alpha. She should know better than to provoke an Alpha who had come new to power.

“Yes,” I replied coldly. ”Nash Rykar is from my pack.”

Aspen shrugged. “Have that boy in a leash.”

She might talk like that with her Alpha and get away. But I was not her Alpha and I did not tolerate this.

“How I rule my pack is none of your business,” I said in a smooth voice before sliding to my seat next to Nash. Ant took a seat next to me while Miguel sat next to Brent.

“It is,” she retorted. “If you were to combine pack-”

I burst into laughter. My laugh broke the spell in which the mated pair were in. Nash blinked and gave his mate a sheepish smile. Ant sipped water to prevent from laughing and Miguel merely smirked.

“Is something funny?” Aspen asked, irritation flashing in her pale green eyes. “You are my brother’s mate, aren’t you?”

I gave her a smirk. “I am not. I have told him a thousand times that I am not his mate yet he pursues me.”

The Beta of the pack argued. “If he is not your mate, then why did he feel it so? An alpha rarely lies about mateship.”

I nodded. “Yes. Alphas rarely lie about mateship. Then why the hell am I denying it?”

Aspen then gave her brother a glare. “Why the hell are you wasting my time? I thought you did meet your mate.”

“Bu-but she is!” Alpha Eric protested.

I groaned. As much as I thought this Alpha would be reasonable, he was not. Perhaps his sister might be my only way.

Alpha! Brent called me. What are you doing?

Proving, I said. I don’t need a mate. I am not that desperate. Plus, his true mate might be out there somewhere. So don’t interfere.

“Aspen...” I trailed off.

“Aspen Riuz,” she said.

“Aspen Ruiz,” I began. “Do you know about Alpha Ethan Verir and what happened in West Pack?”

She frowned but nonetheless answered. “His mate ran away or something.”

I laughed harshly. Was that how I was being portrayed?

“I am that runaway mate,” I said and she wore a blank face. “I was the pack’s Beta’s daughter and when Ethan and I found we were mates, he rejected me for the female he had chosen to mark. Later he banished me and now he is hunting me down to give him an heir.”

Aspen’s eyes turned cloudy. “He did what? How am I supposed to believe you?”

“Don’t believe me,” I said. “Believe what is there in the news. Still, I am saying that Alpha Eric here is not my mate.”

Aspen licked her lips and drank her milkshake.

“So now you see, female?” Miguel sneered. “Who is right and who is wrong?”

She gritted her teeth. “I am someone with an Alpha Blood.”

Miguel shrugged. “And do I look like I care?”

She bit back her snarl. Then she addressed me. “Alpha Lyra Throne, is he always like that?”

“Like what?” Miguel taunted. “Charming and amazing?”

Miguel, I warned. If you push too much, I will leave you to her mercy.

“Pain in the back?” Aspen asked.

I shook my head. “He is usually not like this. But today he decided to wear his asshole suit.”

Aspen sighed. “I do pity you.”

Brent was staring at Ant. Not at the chocolate cake, she had ordered. Not even at her frappe. But at her.

“Who is this, Alpha?” Brent asked.

My panicked sight met Ant’s calm ones. One slip and I was done. Aries would have my head.

“I am Antoine,” she said. “Human.”

I nodded. “She is a part of my pack.”

“A human?” the beta asked.

“A problem?” I fired back.

He backed off.

Despite the conversations around, Nash and Mina were lost in each other. They did not speak much but kept looking at each other. Like they could not believe the other was here.

“Not at all,” the beta said.

“Do you have a sibling?” Aspen asked suddenly.

I calmed my heart. “I am still searching for anything related to it.”

Aspen’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I was adopted and I know next to nothing about my birth parents.”

Aspen nodded. “If you need any help,” she said as she wrote a few numbers on a piece of paper and gave me. “Contact me.”

“Any help?” Miguel asked, smiling slyly.

She ignored him. “I am a part of a recognised pack. I may not have resources as much as the Eight Packs, but I can help as much as I can.”

“Thank you,” I said as I put the piece of paper into my pocket.

She sipped her milkshake. “I am doing nothing for you. My sister is mated to a boy of your pack and my brother’s mate might be a sibling of yours. I am doing nothing for you.”

With that, she got up and tried to pull her sister. No wonder she was so overprotective over her.

Mina protested and grumbled. “Sis...”

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I am going to Espoir. When I come back, we are returning home.”

Mina pouted. “Aspen... he is my mate!”

Aspen closed her eyes and then she opened it. “Fine. You can meet him again after two or three days. I need to check on him.”

“What?” Miguel roared. “You want to check on my boy as if he is bad? As if he is a murderer or something!”

Aspen gave him a murderous look and I was sure if I did not stop him, he might turn Aspen into a murderer.

I was torn. On one hand, had I been Aspen, I would have asked someone to run a background check about my sister’s mate. Another hand, I hated her for even suspecting my pack member.

Clenching my fists, I said, “Then I need to check on Mina.”

To my surprise, she nodded. “Okay. You may.”

Miguel blinked at her. “You... you are okay with us checking, suspecting your sister?”

Aspen picked her purse as she said, “My sister has done nothing wrong. She is as innocent as a baby. I have nothing to hide. Why are you so defensive about this boy? Did he do something?”

Nash looked at Aspen. “You can check on me. The only crime on my name would be drawing a graffiti on a wall that my friend promised was a part of his property.”

Aspen gave Miguel a smile. “Learn from that boy.”

With that, she left with slowly Alpha Eric and Beta following her out. Nash and Mina looked at each other before Mina whispering something in his ears to which Nash grinned. Then they left with holding each other’s hands.

Silence washed over us. Brent gasped as he made sure none of Alpha Eric’s pack members was in our vicinity.

“Mated to that Alpha’s sister!” Brent shook his head. “Nash must really be strong.”

“Why is that?” I asked as I called the waitress. When she came over, I ordered a lemon tea.

“You don’t know who the Alpha is?” Brent asked. “This Alpha is pretty famous.”

Ant finishing her cake looked up. “Apparently he is not famous enough. Tell us.”

“Yeah tell us more about Alpha Eric and why he is that famous,” Miguel said. “While you are at it, tell us about Aspen too.”

Brent shook his head. “You got it wrong. Aspen is Alpha Eric’s elder sister. She gave up her title to her brother. She is known as the Widow Alpha.”

“Why?” I asked, a chill creeping up my spine.

“She is the Widow Alpha?” Nash asked, his voice just an octave above a whisper.

Brent said in a gravel voice, “Rumours are that she killed her mate.”

What do you think of this chapter? For some reason, I wanted to know whether I did it correctly.

Any thoughts about Mina, Aspen?

Don’t worry, Andrew will make an appearance next chapter.

Any comments or thoughts? Leave them below!

Until next update,

~Quill