Aries
Chapter 9

My heart still trembled from the encounter we had with the Northern Tribe. Had I let my pack down? I had spoken nothing convincing for the Zayin to let go of us and by Alioth’s smirk, I knew she had something to do with our release. If this was the case, how can I call myself an Alpha? Where was my voice?

Now running in the neutral grasslands, I still could not help but keep replaying what happened in the past few hours.

Lost in my monologue, I did not notice the star who had stopped running. I ran into her and stumbled back. Rhaze who had stopped beside the star gave me a questioning stare for which I shrugged. Miguel subtly nodded. Perhaps, Alioth might have said something to him.

Turning, the star said, “Step back. I need to summon.”

Rhaze rose an eyebrow. “Who?”

Sizing my sister, Alioth finally gave in. “Saiph. My fiance.”

Miguel cleared his throat. “Not to be nosy, but you have been here for a thousand six hundred years. You think that guy is still engaged to you?”

Alioth snorted. “It may be a millennium to you, beings of Earth. But to us, it can the time to just bat an eyelid or live an entire lifetime. We can control time, Miguel. Time is not an abstract thing to us. It is very well moving and living. And as for Saiph breaking our engagement, I can feel it. If he breaks it or keeps it, I can feel it. It can be explained like a mark to you. While your mark is physical, and all can see it, ours is spiritual. Souls mark.”

At her words, my sister gaped at her while Miguel just pouted. “Not fair!”

I blinked. “That sounds solid. Like you can’t break from the other half.”

Alioth then laughed warmly. “It... Is quite complicated. Soul-Bound is what we call a mate bond. While you can choose with whom you Bond, sometimes the bond just snaps into place and suddenly you are seeing your Soul-Bound. While Soul-Bounds are a very serious business, we stars do take partners and you can bear children with them. These partner bonds can be snapped anytime.”

At this, I was pretty sure that my jaws were hanging. Closing my mouth, I turned away.

“My mother is an example,” Alioth said, gazing at the starlight sky wistfully. “She was my father’s consort for more than a million years. She had me and my sister, Dubhe and my brother, Mizar. When she came down to earth with Luna, she saw a vampire and fell in love with him, breaking the bond she had with my father. She claimed he was her Soul-Bound. She gave up on immortality and stayed with that vampire until she was brutally killed. My father, on the other hand, took another partner and had a daughter with her, Megrez. So it really doesn’t matter to us.”

Rhaze frowned. “Your father never fell in depression or sadness when your mother left?”

Alioth smiled. “For just three years. But as I said, it passed like three hours for us. When birth is rare and death even rarer, we have so many of us. Seven billion humans, that’s all. One billion of Moon’s creation. We? We are literally everywhere in the universe. I have no idea how many of us are there. Once someone tried to count our population, she is yet to be seen.”

“No love?” Rhaze whispered.

Alioth’s eyes left her home and fell on my sister. “Between Soul-Bounds, there exists love so phenomenal that would make you think that the universe is nothing before it. While the one between partners is strong enough. Even if we take a partner for just a few hours, we love them like no other. We know what love means more than any of you. Not many break their bond as you are thinking. Out of a million, perhaps, just a few thousands break it. Many are content with their chosen partner for the rest of their lives. So much so that, when one fades away, the other follows no matter the time.”

A soft breeze caressed over us and took the heat of the conversation with it. As the nightlife came to life, an orchestra was sung by the insects and the shy dinky flowers opened their petals. A few bold ones dared to fill the air with their sweet fragrance.

The moon shone in a clear sky, standing proud and tall with its army of stars. There was once a time when I used to stargaze and lose myself in their beauty. But seeing one right in front of me, I could no longer look at the stars just as a vision of allurement. A certain feeling of reverence and pride ran through me.

Shaking her head, Alioth said, “Step back, all of you.”

Nodding, I took about a ten steps back. While Rhaze stood a step in front of me, Miguel whispered something in Alioth’s ears before coming towards us.

Then she bent and began to draw something on the ground with a stick she picked up. A rune? A mark? Who knew? But it was graceful and elegant. After drawing it, she drew a huge circle around it. The second she finished it, the rune flared up. A blinding white light erupted from it. As its intensity increased, I shut my eyes closed.

Two thuds vibrated on the earth we stood on. The red glow behind my eyes vanished slowly and a very distinct scent wafted to my nose. I had never smelled such a scent in my life. Perhaps, it was something from the welkins.

“Alioth,” a male voice called. The voice was deep, masculine and strong, as though time was unable to touch it. A strong urge to now down laced my body.

I pried my eyes open to see two males standing before Alioth. One male with silver hair stood an inch behind the black haired one with vibrant blue eyes. Electricity and nebular dust played in those blue eyes. His skin was nothing short of a map of many wars he had seen. His stance was held proud and his very presence screamed how much a warrior he was.

The male behind him had a gentleness in his frosty grey eyes. In spite of having a fit form, intelligence shone in them. Yet, I could see dust storms that galaxies had in him.

Are you seeing what I am seeing? Rhaze asked through our mindlink.

When she used our intimate connection, a bust of pride roared in me. We were a pack, no matter what.

Yes, I said.

They are... quite attractive, she commented and I had a vague feeling that had the two males not been a star, Rhaze would have winked at them.

They are, I sighed.

“It was about time,” the dark-haired male said, taking Alioth’s hand and gently laying a kiss on it. “I was getting quite worrisome.”

“You know why I came down,” she said and that was the first time I heard her voice with a touch of gentleness love and I dare say shyness. “You could be worried for me not being with you for just thousand seven hundred years, Saiph.”

Saiph sighed and neared Alioth. He hugged her tight and rested his forehead against hers. “I missed you.”

A chuckle left her lips. “I never took you for being a cheesy romantic, general.”

He rubbed his nose against hers and pulled away. “Your brother here,” he said, jerking his head towards the towheaded male. “Has been promoted as the Scholar thousand three hundred years ago.”

She looked past her lover, yet did nothing to step away from his embrace. “Congratulations, Mizar.”

Mizar scowled. “You could have come up a thousand years ago!”

“Awww,” Alioth cooed. “Did my baby brother miss me?”

He gave her a disgusted look. “I spoke with Aries about twenty years ago. He said you could have left. Why did you stay?”

When he said that name, a shiver ran up my spine. Aries was a Warrior of Moon. One of the best Moon had. He had sworn loyalty to Amaris, she who was called the Light of the Moon. During my days in the dungeon, I had heard Alioth grumble about how powerful those Warriors of Moon were. Even among the stars, they were quite powerful.

“Aries?” she asked as her eyebrows met. “You spoke with him twenty years ago? It has nothing do with-”

Mizar nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Yes. If you have forgotten, he is still on his mission. I spoke with him twenty years ago. Apart from that, I did not contact him.”

Alioth frowned and then asked not her brother but her fiance. “They have not yet finished up?”

Saiph shook his head. “We haven’t heard from them in three years. I don’t worry about them, but the mission they undertook. They are the most capable stars to carry out any order, but if they are taking this long, I really wonder what has gone amiss.”

Alioth nodded, then as of realising we were standing behind her, she turned. “This is Alpha Lyra Throne. A shifter. Next, to her, that girl is Beta Rhaze Throne of Alpha Lyra’s pack. And that is Miguel, my cellmate.”

Then she nuzzled her face on his shoulder. “This brooding male is my Soul-Chosen Mate, Saiph. That silver head is my brother, Mizar.”

I politely bowed my head. My sister followed me without a split second hesitation, while Miguel did with a prominent frown on his face.

Saiph’s eyes widened and a dark shade prowled in them. “A shifter in this era? Amaris did forgive I bet.”

Alioth rolled her eyes. “I always knew she would forgive them.”

Mizar snorted. “Well, if you work in the research sector, you might understand how pissed Amaris was with her creation. She was half going to destroy their DNA and delete some important codes. If not for us Scholars, she would have done it without any hesitation.”

Rhaze cleared her throat. “Why would our matron be furious with us?”

Mizar’s sharp gaze fell on my sister as if he was offended she was talking to him. As if she was a peasant and he a royal. My sister lowered her head and muttered, “Sorry.”

Even if my sister yielded, I would not. Rage burned through me. Who was this star to belittle my sister? What rights did he have? He was born a star because of luck, of chance. Was he going to use that against us?

My lips pulled up, and a low snarl left my throat.

Miguel gave me a smirk. “There’s the spine Harper was worried you did not have.”

When had he heard that part of our conversation? Or was his hearing that great?

Mizar’s cold face broke and a warm smile that I had detected in his eyes the first time surfaced. “She would make a great Alpha.”

Alioth glared her brother. “Now is not the time to test.”

That was a test? A test to see whether I was worthy of being a shifter? I bit back the rest of my sounds of protest.

“She had to be worthy,” Mizar said, giving me a smile. “One of the Four Sisters personally came and cared for her soul, her soul was one among the few. It has been ages since I saw her personal care. In fact, I have almost never seen her care for a soul so much.”

As the fury subsided, confusion took over. “What?”

Mizar’s lips pulled up in a smirk, an action that made him appear as though he was untouchable. “It was a shifter who wronged Luna. Ever since that, Amaris refused to create another shifter. The three daughters of Moon often created souls. But Amaris refused to create another one after the betrayal of a shifter. When war broke between the Alphas, she further lost her last ray of hope. I had preserved four Shifter’s genes, out of which one is made to the will of Three Sisters. After those four is your genes. A boy named Raoul is a shifter after you.”

Rhaze took a stop front. “Raoul? From the Western Pack?”

Mizar’s eyes glazed for a second before nodding. “Livvia’s son.”

Miguel blinked and then laughed. “That kid? Who would have known?”

“He is half-human,” Rhaze blurted.

Mizar glanced at his sister. “Should I break it to her?”

Alioth sighed and gently pried Saiph’s arms around her. “A child born during Heat is born only between mates. On any other day, the female may carry a child out of mateship, but during Heat, only her mate’s. Not to mention, a she-wolf would go into Heat only if she met her mate. And I strongly believe that Livvia’s mate is a shifter.”

I frowned. “Then why did she lie to us?”

Alioth shrugged and stood between Saiph and Mizar. “Perhaps to protect him. Perhaps her family was disappointed by him. Who knows?”

“We would have never judged her otherwise.” There was an edge to Rhaze’s voice.

A cloud passed over the moon and denied the earth of light momentarily. In that absolute darkness, I caught the faint glow the three stars had. It shrouded them like a blanket, giving us a feeling of safety and warmth.

“Perhaps she did not want you to know who he was,” Alioth said. “If that is al-”

“Wait!” I exclaimed, looking at Mizar. “If Daughters of Moon made both me and Raoul, is he a shifter too?”

A smile curved his lips a shine lit his grey eyes. “Clever. But I never said the Daughters of Moon made you both.”

Before I could reply anything, Mizar vanished in blinding speed, like a flash of light. What did he mean by that?

Everything made so much sense now. Why Liv had been so interested in my blood and gene, especially after Raoul was born. She must have not known what was wrong with him, but he must have shared whatever ‘mutations’ Livvia said I had. That explained why she was so into shifting and morphing. Only that, whatever Raoul and I shared were not mutations.

Alioth kissed Saiph and muttered something in his ears. At her words, he looked at a confused Miguel and nodded. Then he too followed his brother-in-law’s footsteps.

After he left, Alioth grinned at us. “That was a Scholar. In your words, one who works in labs and is a scientist. You can ignore my brother’s words, Lyra. As much as they can, only you can control your fate. Even we stars cannot control two things: fate and future. Be careful.”

I nodded. “But he made sense and no sense at the same time, somehow.”

Rhaze snorted. “He did not. He made me more confused.”

Alioth laughed. “Had we had more time, Rhaze, I would have kidnapped you to my place. You are literally the one person who can understand me. The language of sword and art of duel makes so much sense than staring at the... what you call?” she frowned and then clicked her fingers. “At the computers and cramping up so many names.”

My sister smirked in response. “Drop by once a while, Alioth. I need someone to stay sane.”

“Oh! I am pretty sure you will meet someone,” the star said, her voice full of mirth. Then she walked towards Miguel. Pulling him into a hug, she kissed his cheeks. “My friend through darkness and despair. My brother who had hoped to see the sun and taste the winds of freedom, I am thankful to meet you. Let your heart guide you.”

Miguel’s limp arms hugged her back. “My friend.”

Alioth chuckled but a single tear escaped from her right eye. Wiping it, she said, “Did you know that stars never cry? Our tears are worth so much more than our powers and our light. Yet, you Miguel, managed to make me cry.”

Unlike her, Miguel cried hard. Tears streamed down his face and he was the least bit ashamed of it. “You are leaving me. For real.”

Alioth shook her head, but I could see sadness swirling behind them. As much as she claimed that thousand seven hundred years were just a blink of an eye for her, she had formed bonds here, that I was sure she would never forget. I knew that one for sure for I had heard her cries at four nights since Cathara’s death.

Seeing these two, I suppressed my urge to cry.

Alioth patted his back. “I am not leaving you forever. I will always watch over you.” She pointed at the sky. “If you miss me, just want to talk to me, just look up. I will be there next to you no matter where I am in the universe.”

That was when I realised that the bond Alioth, Miguel and Cathara had shared was not a normal one. It went beyond the soul.

He sniffed. “I will try.”

“That’s good,” she smiled. “Remember our plan?”

“How can I forget?” Miguel asked, his voice trembling.

“Varian can find a way to keep you safe. He is out there. Arien told me how to find him. I will send you the location of Silas through your mind,” Alioth said, gently moving from Miguel’s embrace. “He will definitely help, Miguel.”

I nodded. “Anything else?”

“Varian...” she trailed off. “Ask him for land. Even if it is small, you need to own land to your name. Else, you will go crazy. He will know what to do. To meet him, find Silas.”

The clouds that had veiled the moon, slowly passed. But now, even under the moonglow, I could see her light.

“Is that all?” I asked.

Alioth shook her head. “You will make an amazing Alpha.”

Before my lips could stretch into a smile, she left. Why had she left so soon? I stared at the space she was standing on. I snapped out of my trance only when Rhaze shook her hands in front of my eyes.

“Why did she leave so soon?” I whispered.

“Did you not know?” Rhaze asked. “Saying goodbyes is one of the most painful things.”

**********

For the better half of the night, Miguel made us walk. The grass gave way beneath us; while a few bent to submission, few stayed stubbornly. Fireflies took off and tried to mimic the glow the stars gave the sky. As much as they were beautiful, they failed by a long shot.

Miguel walked ahead of us, humming a tune my memory failed to recollect, while Rhaze followed us, caressing the overgrown grass, walking like a lost puppy.

As much as I hated to admit, Miguel was perfect in telling time without a watch. Three hours passed since Alioth had left and three hours since silence licked its way into our group. I never expected her presence to have such an effect on us.

Only the various scent of pollution and spices brought me from my stupor. Before us was a town. Noting that we were still in neutral lands, this could easily be a human settlement. But the various scents of werewolves, vampires and Magycs with humans informed me otherwise.

As we entered the town, a half-Magyc who was leaning on a motorbike with a cigarette in his hands, leapt to his feet. His three half-breed friends took a step seeing him. When his brown eyes met mine, he smirked, smashing the burning cigarette under his boots. What would I give to squash him like that cigarette under my boots?

Looking down, I realised what a sight I must have been. My left sole had the hole from the nail that pierced my foot back in the dungeon and my dress was half torn and spattered with blood and dirt. A junkie might be cleaner than me.

Rhaze was in no condition better than me. Her jeans were ripped for someone who hated ripped jeans with a passion. Her shoes were at least intact. Miguel was wearing the same rags I saw him within the dungeon.

“Step back, child,” Rhaze hissed at him.

He opened to say something, but then quickly shouted a command to his fellow mates and hopped on his bike and sped away. Seeing their leader flee, the punks fled.

They might have felt who Rhaze was. Beta was not someone one should take lightly.

“Will your friend still be here?” I asked Miguel.

The phoenix shifter grinned at me. “Trust me. Silas lives here. At least that’s what Alioth told me a few hours ago.”

I huffed. What happened that Alioth did not know?

After that, Miguel led us in the maze of the city. I tried to ignore all the stares that I attracted, but deep down, I just wished I had been a little cleaner. Following the stolen glances were the whispers. Who knew what lies were being spun around any gathering?

Then the population on the road dwindled to a point where only one rag-picker was lying on the road. Darkness claimed that tiny street when the only glowing lamp post died.

Yet, Miguel continued forward and knocked a worn outdoor at the end of the alley.

“Who’s there?” a voice boomed from inside.

Instead of replying, Miguel kept on rapping the door.

“If he is not going to break down that door, I will,” Rhaze whispered in my ears. “Try to stop me.”

“I will help you,” I replied glumly. Just a glass of water and a night’s sleep was all I asked now.

Suddenly, the door was opened with a force, revealing a bald man with missing teeth. He was quite fat for his age. Seeing Miguel, his eyes widened. From his scent, I could say he had Magyc in his lineage.

“S-S-Silas!” he shouted, shutting the door on us again.

“Miguel?” I asked, frowning at the door. “Is that normal?”

He turned and gave me a smirk. “Wait, lass.”

My frown deepened and I was about to ask another question when the door opened and a man with grass-green hair and brown eyes stepped out. His pale skin was covered with patterns of ink that fascinated me a lot. The sharpness on his face contradicted his soft features.

“Miguel,” he said, his voice deep and soft. The tips of his fangs glinted in the moonlight and the scent of blood gave him away.

“Silas,” Miguel grinned. “Long time no see.”

“You were in the cursed dungeons!” the vampire hissed. Then looking at us, he took in a deep breath. Opening the door wider, he motioned for us to enter. “Come in. I don’t’ want to answer the damned patrols.”

Seeing Miguel enter, I followed, with Rhaze right next to me. Silas closed the door behind us and flipped on a switch. A bulb lit up, casting a yellow glow on all the boxes that were arranged in this room. Were we in a storeroom?

“What now?” Silas asked in a hard voice.

“Did I disturb you from your meal?” Miguel teased.

“Miguel!” Silas warned. “Don’t you fucking get me started.”

Miguel sobered up. “The dungeon let us out.”

The vampire in the black suit blinked. “Say me what is possible, Miguel.”

“Then how the hell am I here?” he growled. “It let us out.”

Clenching his fist, Silas looked at me. Even if his eyes seemed to look at my mind, I stared back. I was no longer the beta’s daughter. I was the Alpha.

“Need land for her?” Silas asked.

“I will tell you everything,” Miguel promised. “If you give us the location where Varian is.”

Silas closed his eyes. “I can’t-”

“Alpha Lyra here is a shifter, Silas,” Miguel said in a controlled voice. “Give us the location and I will tell you everything.”

“Miguel-”

“Freaking stars came down, man,” Miguel interrupted, running his fingers through his hair.

“Outside Eastern Coven, there is a cave, Witch’s Pike locals know very well,” Silas said. “Enter the cave, it will take you to Eastern Beach, a part of Eastern Coast know one knows. That’s where Varian is. Arien is with him.”

Arien was there? My heart raced at the thought of seeing him again.

Rhaze blinked. “Should I know who Arien is?”

Silas smirked at her. “Nah. I think you should just meet him.”

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~Quill

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