Aries
Chapter 17

An: I did not plan to write this chapter this long. Nor did I plan to update today. It just happened. It’s Fate.

Anyways, Enjoy!

********

What? I asked. Please tell me you are bluffing.

I wish I was, Reece replied. I found this only today morning. I did not believe the papers. That is until I saw Liv making out with Cain.

Raoul was Cain’s son?

As much as I knew Cain was responsible enough, I had never imagined him to be a father. He never struck like one. Even Raoul did not look like him with his heterochromia. Thinking of it, his mismatched green eye did have an awful similarity to Cain’s.

Cain is Liv’s mate? I asked, recollecting the conversation I had with Mizar, Alioth’s brother.

Yes, she said. He is.

I took in a deep breath. Anything else?

Why you never said you have met Zahra Lien? Reece asked me. She nearly gave me a heart attack.

Zahra? I asked, thinking of that sweet female who had offered me a home when many would have second thoughts about leaving me out. She is a kind female who gave me shelter, food and warmth. She is amazing.

I will agree only with the amazing part, Alpha, Reece said, her voice had a hint of awe. She is a total bad-ass. You should have seen her the way she handled Harper and Ethan. You would have shit your pants laughing.

I frowned. The evening sun whispered a million secrets to the sea with its gold and orange light. When it knew its time had come to leave, it left its friend with a parting gift of a cluster of diamonds sprinkled over it. The waves gently caressed the shore when the dusk turned to twilight. The stars marched out slowly, making a way for the Moon.

Zahra came to West pack? I asked as a wind blew, teasing my hair.

Yes, Reece said. Apparently, Harper wanted Zahra to design her wedding dress and when Zahra came, she insulted her by making out with Ethan. She did not even spare Zahra a glance until she made herself known. So a pissed of Zahra said Harper had made an enemy out of her.

Strangely enough, I was no longer bothered by Ethan and Harper. When I heard the word wedding, I thought, it would ache, thought the dying bond between Ethan and I would weep and try to kill me slowly. Thought it would beg me to throw myself in his arms. But nothing happened.

I felt nothing about Harper and Ethan. They wanted each other, who was I to stop them? I did not care about them. And I knew it had something to do with the male who carried a scent that managed to stop my heart and make my soul purr like a cat. Whose gaze made me feel alive, whose presence calmed me. What was wrong with me? I had met him only a few days ago, for Moon’s sake!

And Zahra? An enemy? Was this the same female vampire we were talking about?

Reece must have felt my confusion for she sent me an image of Zahra flinging Ethan across the room and chocking Harper. It was so colourful and it was a perfect way of ending an eventful day.

Ly? Reece asked, her voice filled with uncertainty. Are you alright? I mean about Ethan and Harper.

Why wouldn’t I be? I replied, taking in a deep breath. The scent that haunted me day and night cocooned me. I am perfectly fine. It was only because of them, I am who I am now. I hate them for killing my father and Aurelia but if not for them, I would have never realised my potential.

Wow, Reece breathed. When Zahra said you are matured, I never expected this.

People change, I said, shrugging my shoulders. Then he came and stood next to me, matching his breathing pattern with mine. And sometimes, the change is for the good.

You are getting me all teared up, Ly, Reece said. Then after a short pause, she asked, Any new members?

I smirked. Three shifters and a werewolf.

Shifters and werewolves? Reece said. Then she added, You don’t mean like, real shifters like Shifter like you, don’t you?

I laughed. Shifters are shifters.

By the Moon! Reece swore. What are you up to, Lyra? Do I even know you?

You do, I smiled. He then shifted on his feet and waited. Not having the courage to meet his eyes, I kept my sight trained on the singing ocean.

If there is anything else, I will inform you. Mike is calling me. With that, she cut our connection.

“A shocking conversation, I take it,” he commented softly, matching with the lull of the night.

I blinked and concentrated on calming my heart. Was I the only one affected?

“Very much,” I said, thankful that I did not shutter. “I never expected Raoul to be Cain’s son.”

He chuckled softly and I could feel his gaze on my face. It was not sharp and black. I felt a warm feeling blanket over me. It made me feel so warm and safe that I could not help but look at him.

His eyes were like molten silver. Drawing me in deeper and deeper. The funny thing was I never felt anything so strong even for Ethan, for my mate. His eyes had been bright green and if I think of it now, I may have got the sense of feeling happy when they landed on me but never had I felt safe.

Was it because I trusted him when I was down that I felt safe with him?

“Things happen when you least expect it to,” he said.

“That’s true,” I agreed.

Another wind rose to life and licked and kissed him. He closed his eyes to savour it and for the life of me, I could not follow his actions. My eyes were glued to the way the breeze teased his black hair, touched what my fingers ached to touch. It knotted his hair and its follower released it. His shirt clung to him, showing me the outline of his well-built body.

I shook my head. He was well-built? Nope. That was a lie. His muscles were soft and sinewy, yet strong and bulky. He might not have realised it, but abs and muscles like that, not many could achieve it. I scoffed. Who was I compare them with this star? This immortal warrior who would listen to no one but the Cosmos itself?

More than his features, it was the serenity on his face that made my heart clench. That completely relaxed face of his was something I would definitely not forget in this life.

“Anything else?” he asked, with his eyes closed.

“Andrew and Brent are coming,” I mumbled. “I still have mixed feelings.”

He hummed and took a deep breath as he opened his eyes. He offered me a soft smile. “You are worth a million Alphas, Lyra. I have not seen many put their revenge behind so that their pack might live. I have not seen many who turned their anger and hatred to love and passion. You have no idea how much strength it takes, to turn away from that negative emotion. The second you decided to make the ones who gave up their lives for you proud, you won there. You did not want their sacrifice to go in vain. I wish I had learned this earlier.”

It was not the words that tore me apart, but his voice. “What do you mean?”

He smiled and gazed at the sky, where so many stars appeared. “I had a sister once.”

I gasped.

“She was equally powerful to me,” he chuckled softly. “Or more than me. She was... she meant a lot to Leo. I don’t remember what exactly happened, but one star grew so powerful and she made my sister suffer so much just because she was close to Leo. The medics did try to save her, but she was hurt way past saving. So we had to watch her die slowly and painfully. I went on a rampage. In the name of revenge, I have killed more of my fellow stars than I had ever. It was only because I was born to the Origin itself, I was spared.”

Aries had never spoken so much about himself. As much as I was surprised at his confession, my heart broke for him.

I blinked to myself to snap it. When had I started to feel for others? I rarely felt anything at what others said. There were days when people would tell a sad story and I would listen to it and walk away as if they had told me a scientific fact. What was happening to me?

I did not know what to make of these emotions.

The faint buzz that was going on at the back of my mind ever since he mentioned his sister roared loud. The more I tried to suppress it, the louder it got. When I realised that I could no longer fight it, I gave into the pressure.

I heard three voices at the back of my head this time and I could recognise only two.

“She is...” the new voice broke.

“Hush,” the third voice that I heard last time said, though it was very weak. “I am not going to die, brother.”

“You are terribly hurt,” the voice my brain recognised as my own said. “Do you know the probabilities-”

“Spare me, sister,” the feeble voice pleaded. “Spare me the mathematics. I am not going to die. I won’t die that easily. What happened to Tucana and Volans will not happen to me. I am sure of it.”

“But-” the first voice began.

“Don’t worry,” she assured. “I won’t die. I just know it.”

“Lyra!” a familiar voice called me.

It was his voice that pulled me from that. I wobbled when I opened my eyes. I tried to take a step to stabilise myself, but my legs were uncooperative. Before I could fall, a pair of hands wound around my waist, making sure that I would not fall down. But little did the owner of the hand know that it was just a little too late.

“Another?” he asked, panic in his eyes. “What is it this time?”

I shook my head. “Three people were conversing. I... I could not recognise two of them, but one of the two, I heard in the last time.”

He gently set me on my foot and gave me a bit of space that I was thankful for. As much as I needed a hug, I needed a bit of space to stabilise myself.

“What was it?” he coaxed me.

“One was hurt,” I said. “She said that she would not end up like Tucana or Volans. She kept reassuring us.”

Aries stayed silent. “I wish I knew what these are. Are they your memories or someone else’s. I will be sure to look into this, Lyra.”

I smiled at him, but the tension of his face was yet to disappear. Unable to see that, see that helplessness, I thought of something he knew.

“I... I am sorry to ask you this,” I began hesitantly. “But what happens after a star dies?”

He frowned, understanding what I was trying to do. Yet, he answered me. “We have many fates. We might turn to a black hole and explode as your sun did and perhaps have planets or... simply fade away. There are so many types of ends awaiting us that we don’t know how many kinds of ends we have. We don’t even know if we have a soul or not. The universe is vast, Lyra. If a star ever takes you out there, just stick by them. I am sure that even they would not know how to navigate through space.”

I laughed. “Wouldn’t you know, Aries? You are the commander of Cosmos’ army, after all.”

He huffed. “Of course I know my way. I was talking about other stars.”

I bit my lips. “I know only two stars in my life. Alioth is happy with her fiance and the other is you. Even if someone were to take me out there.” I pointed at the sky. “I would merely call you, for you know the way around.”

He looked a little annoyed. “Of course, I shall be there at your service.”

“I sense a heavy sarcasm, Aries,” I commented, feeling content.

“I wasn’t being sarcastic,” he said.

“You’re sarcastic even now,” I said.

He snorted. “Whatever.”

I rolled my eyes. Then I turned to walk to our group.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I have to inform them about Andrew and Brent,” I sighed. “It is no longer only my decision.”

He shook his head. “Let’s head back then.”

They were still seated there with the plates gone. I had a strong feeling that Kaina had something to do with it. Seeing the dishes being washed by themselves at a distance, I confirmed that feeling.

When we came, they stopped their conversation and gave us a long look. Then they broke their synchronised action and resumed their talk. What had happened now?

But it was Ant who gave still gave us that long look. When our eyes met, she smirked and her eyes lit up like she found the missing piece of a puzzle. What had happened to her.

I cleared my throat. “Andrew and Brent are coming.”

While everyone else frowned, Rhaze shot up from her chair. “Andy and Brent? What had happened?”

“Apparently, Andrew found his mate in Alpha Harper’s pack. When he suggested her to join our pack, she went and said everything to Harper,” I said. “She sentenced Andrew for treason and Brent broke him out of jail. They are on the run here.”

“What a bitch,” Ant commented. When all of us looked at her, she shrugged. “I meant Andrew’s mate. We have long established that Harper is not worth being called a live creature. I would give a rock more respect.”

“I agree,” Nash said. “So are we going to become even a bigger family?”

“Perfect!” Ant grinned. “I always wanted a big family. To belong!”

“It’s like my dream is coming true,” Aislynn said with a smile.

Rhaze gave me that look that said she knew something was troubling me. “What is it, Lyra?”

I sighed. “They won’t be a part of the pack. Like they won’t live here with us. They will live somewhere in the town, where they are under my protection, but far away.”

“Why so?” Varian asked. “Is that how you would treat your pack mem-”

“Andrew is not a part of the pack,” I said sharply. He may be older than me, but he was not the Alpha. “Brent may be, but Andrew, not so much. So, for all our safety,” I said, glaring at the princess. “I am not inviting him here.”

“It’s for my safety, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said without a hesitance. “You are the last child of Luna. Nothing can happen to you. Especially when Aries is not here during night time.”

It was true. That Warrior of Moon came only during the morning and no one knew where he disappeared at night. Regretfully, his scent in his room was dwindling and I had to keep the room shut to preserve the faint trace it held.

Kaina smirked slowly. “Good thinking. An Alpha must never see only one member.”

“What if,” Nash began. “What if Andrew wanted to join?”

I shrugged. “In that case, he is welcome. Right now, I am not taking any risk of jeopardizing our safety. Especially when a horde of werewolves is still out for Shifter’s blood.”

Aislynn sighed. “As much as I regret to say this, I see where you are coming from. Must be a difficult choice to choose us over the male you have known for years.”

Rhaze said, “We have already made that tough choice once, Aislynn. It is not going to be hard to do it again.”

Kaina simply gave my sister a sideways hug.

**********

After dragging the furniture inside the house, Aislynn and Varian went to their room and locked the door. Kaina yawned loudly and stretched like a cat before crashing on the sofa in the living room. Rhaze tried to wake her up, but she promptly slept.

Giving her a hard glare, my sister gave up.

“Why are you waking her up?” Ant asked, yawning, yet her feet moved towards the refrigerator.

“She complains of having backache sleeping on the couch,” Rhaze said loudly. From the spike in Kaina’s heart, I knew that witch was awake, yet she did not open her eyes. “And still she sleeps here.”

Miguel plopped on a chair near the dining table. “I thought you both shared a room.”

“We do,” Rhaze snorted. “I said, I would take the floor and she could take the bed. Look at this idiot.”

A small frown came on her face before she smoothened the lines.

“Die for all I care!” Rhaze seethed as she went to her room and closed the door with a loud bang.

Nash who came in last followed Ant’s footsteps and took a cup and filled it with ice-cream, all the while Ant glaring at him.

“What?” he drawled. “I am not supposed to touch this?”

“There is butterscotch, pista and vanilla too,” Ant said, glaring at his cup, which he had filled with just two scoops of chocolate ice-cream. “Why must you fight with me for chocolate?”

“I brought a tub for myself,” Nash protested. “I did not touch yours.”

“All the chocolate in this house is under my control,” Ant said.

I blinked at the princess. If coaxing her was so easy, I did not want to think of anything else.

“I am retiring,” I said as I walked towards my room.

“See?” Miguel said to the others. “She is tired of us.”

“She is no fun,” Ant said, with a mouthful. “But aren’t Alphas like that?”

“She is just...” Nash trailed off. Then his eyes widened. “By the Moon! I am older than my Alpha!”

“Really?” Ant asked. “What’s your age?”

“I am around fifty,” he said.

Ant pouted. “Am I the only one who is the youngest?”

“Seems so-”

The door behind me did its best to shut the voices out.

Stripping, I slipped into my pyjamas and crashed on the bed. His scent was faint, but it was still there. Taking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes.

Sleep found me sooner than ever. And so did the nightmares.

***********

I woke up with my skin matted with sweat. I gasped and threw the sheets away. Despite being the month of rain, I was feeling hot. The sea had made sure that this part of the land would remain cool even in summer, but my nerve endings were on fire.

Was I in Heat again? Was it the time of the year? Glancing out, the Moon was still in its waxing stage. Then what was it? Groaning, I tried to recollect the damned dream that woke me up.

But all I could find was the blankness of my mind and the fear that woke me up. Gritting my teeth, I got up and left the confines of my room. Out, Nash, Ant and Miguel were playing a game of chess. As I neared them, my vision blurred.

I held on the table nearby and gasped.

Ant was the first to see me. “What happened?”

“I-” I swallowed. “I don’t know!”

The pounding in my head got stronger as it became clearer. Brent was calling me.

Brent? I asked.

Alpha! He said, his voice filled with panic. I was trying to contact you for the past fifteen minutes.

Had it been his fear that had woken me up?

What is it?

We have reached the borders of East Coven, Brent said. As you have said.

Then why are you so scared? I asked, gratefully accepting the glass of water Ant offered.

We are being chased by Alpha Eric’s pack, he said. I am not sure whether they are still following us or not.

Nodding I said, Wait there. I will come.

Alp-

Before he could say anything, I cut the connection.

“What is it?” Miguel asked.

“Brent is in East Coven,” I said. “I have to go.”

“Alone?” Nash asked.

I frowned. “Then? How else am I supposed to go?”

“I will go with you,” she said, swinging her legs off the couch. “I am the Reish of North Tribe. They will not harm me.”

“You woke up?” Nash asked.

“I woke up the second Lyra came out of her room,” Kaina said, as she made her way to the shoe rack. Taking a pair of boots, she laced them and nodded. “Shall we?”

Another two sets of doors opened and one revealed a pair of mates, another unveiled a ready Rhaze.

“I am the Beta, Lyra,” my sister said. “Brent said to me what he said to you.”

“If everyone leaves, it would attract too much attention,” I said. Then I glanced at Ant.

The princess scowled and turned her face away.

“I am taking my sister and Nash with me,” I said. “Kaina will accompany us. Anyone has any problem?”

While Miguel wore a face similar to Ant, Varian stepped forward. He went ahead and rubbed his forehead against Nash’s.

“Do well, son,” he said.

My heart clenched at that sight. It was an intimate gesture between parents and their young. This would say to whom the young ones belonged to.

Aislynn covered her mouth and sniffed.

Nash’s eyes teared but he did not let a single drop roll down. Instead, he nodded at that male. “I will do my best.”

“Good,” Varian said as he let go of him. Then he took a set of keys and gave my sister.

Rhaze took the keys Varian gave her and we left the house. Going to the garage, we took the SUV and Rhaze started the engine.

“East Coven?” Rhaze asked as she drove.

“Northern border of East Coven,” I replied.

Nodding, she set the course and drove. The entire two-hour journey was filled with silence.

And it was that silence that killed me. I liked silence but this was not the time.

What if someone had caught them? What if West Pack had sent them? What if East Coven had joined hands with West Pack?

I groaned. This was not good.

When we reached the East Coven’s borders, Kaina muttered a spell. A streak of silver burst out of her fingertips and it covered the car. She was cloaking us!

Her magic would work against the senses of Vampires, but not against the cameras and sensors.

At the same time, Rhaze pressed a button.

“What is this for?” I asked.

“It cloaks the car from the satellite,” Rhaze said. “Varian told me about it.”

I nodded. Seemed like Varian was indeed ready for everything.

As we drove to the Northern part of the coven, Rhaze asked, “Where now?”

Gripping on the bond I had with Brent, I said, “Take a left and then take the last right. Then take the third right and drive till the end. Stop when you see a motel named Memory."

She took us as I told her. The motel was an old building with the lights flickering. When I stepped out, the ochre light that had lit the word ‘E’ died.

Sighing, I closed my eyes. Where were they now?

I looked up and somehow, I just knew what room those were in.

Before Nash and Kaina could get out, I began to talk inside the motel.

A large lady sat in the reception, watching an old movie while chewing something in red colour with a beer in one hand.

I brushed the human as I walked up the stairs.

Suddenly, she called, “Hey, there, lady! Where did you think you’re going?”

I did not bother to answer her. My legs simply carried me up. Kaina who came behind stayed and was talking to her in a honeyed voice.

Rhaze fell just a step behind me and Nash came a few steps behind her.

Reaching the second floor, I took a right and knocked on the door with a worn out number. I could just see faint ‘209’ painted in gold.

At first, the door did not open. Did those two idiots who were in think that whoever was chasing them would knock the door?

Groaning, I knocked on the door twice and paused for a second before knocking it thrice. It had been a code between Brent, Sam, Andrew, Ethan and Cain when the times were good.

At that, the door immediately opened and the male with skin as dark as night enveloped me in a hug. His silver dyed hair was fading to their original colour of black and his brown eyes showed relief upon seeing me.

Returning the hug, I simply said, “Brent.”

“Alpha,” he whispered back, as he let me go.

On the bed, Andrew was lying. Fate had not been kind for him. Scars adorned his skin and his brown skin had various shades of blue and black. He had closed his eyes and was sleeping.

“What happened to him?” Nash whispered.

Brent frowned at Nash. “Who are you?”

Nash snorted. “I belong in Alpha Lyra’s pack.”

Brent looked at me and at my slightest nod, he relaxed. Rhaze stood at the door. After Kaina entered, she closed the door and came in.

“What happened to him?” Nash repeated.

“Mate bond,” Brent said bitterly. “His mate was with someone else.”

“So had I gone through this,” I snapped. “I never got these bruises.”

“We both were caught by Alpha Eric,” Brent said. “We were held captive for a day. They hit us. While I healed, Andrew could not because his wolf was not yet recovered from the betrayal of his mate.”

Rhaze nodded. “Was she that bad?”

Brent shuddered. “Nira... she was Harper’s Beta. Of course, she would be worse.”

Nash frowned. “What is with people and rejecting their mates nowadays? Is the bond that weak?”

“Same question,” Brent said. Then he saw me. “Who is this again?”

“He is Nash Rykar,” I replied with a burst of pride.

Before the boy could reply, I felt them.

I turned, but their Alpha was fast. The doors were opened forcefully and an Alpha entered.

His blue eyes held mine and they seemed to be frozen. I frowned. Was I supposed to be feeling something?

Behind him, a few wolves entered. One blurry male stepped forward and shook his leader.

Lyra? Rhaze called. What is happening?

Alpha? Nash addressed.

I don’t know! I replied to both of them.

“Alpha!” The male snapped. When he still did not snap out of the trance, he shouted, “Eric!”

He simply said, “Mate.”

I blinked. Was this a joke? Mine had rejected me and this one in front of me was definitely not my mate.

Kaina looked at me. “Is he your mate?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Not my mate.”

I swore my heart beat faster for Aries than it did to the male before me. No, my heart did nothing for the male before me.

“Are you sure?” Kaina asked.

“Perfectly,” I said. “I think I know who my mate is.”

“No!” Alpha Eric cried. “You are my mate!”

“You aren’t,” I said firmly.

“Don’t deny it, love,” he said. “I can-”

“You are not my mate!” I snapped.

Kaina intervened. “Both are telling the truth.”

At this commotion, even the knocked out Andrew woke up. He raised his head and looked on each side. When he saw us, he sat up. “Lyra?”

Rhaze, ignoring Andrew asked Kaina, “What are you telling us?”

Kaina shrugged. “Both aren’t lying. Which means, Alpha Eric is her mate and he is not.”

I blinked. “Impossible.”

Nash then cleared his throat. “Alpha, do you by chance have any siblings? Alpha Eric could have confused you with them.”

I immediately looked at Rhaze. “Rhaze is my sister and Cain had been my brother. I know no other siblings.”

Nash shook his head. “As much as you consider Rhaze as your sister, I am talking about a biological sibling. In your words, the one who shares your DNA. Preferably a twin.”

My mind blanked. Seeing Alpha Eric with confusion etched on his face, I licked my lips.

“Possibility,” Brent blurted. “You can mistake the twin of your mate as your own. Do you have a twin, Lyra?”

I sought my sister’s glance. I had not given a second thought about the biological family I might have had. I had Evelyn Throne and Carter Black as my parents and they have never made me felt otherwise.

But now, for the first time, I wondered about the female who birthed me, the male who gave me life and the twin I might possibly have.

A/N: What do you think of this chapter?

Any thoughts about Alpha Eric? About Brent?

Leave your thoughts below!

Until next update,

~Quill

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