Chapter 19

We finally get back to the pack house and everything is awkward. Silas and I head to Aiden’s room to see if he is up. We reach his door and I look at Silas nervously. He nods his head and I take a shaky breath. I turn the knob and I find Aiden sitting on his bed with his head in his hands.
“Aiden?” I call hesitantly. His head shoots out of his hands and looks me square In the eyes. His warm chestnut eyes are back but they are glazed with confusion and regret.
“Athena? What happened to me?” He asks.
“What’s the last thing you remember?” I sit down next to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“We fought off the rogues and dad died. We had a pack meeting, and I went to take a nap. Whatever that woman did to me warped my memories into something unrecognizable and I was casted into an abyss. Is Dads funeral still in the morning?” His eyes become hopeful. Oh god, how am I going to explain this to him?
“Oh, Aiden. That was a whole week ago. We already had Dads funeral.” His face crumbles and buries is face in his hands again.
“No no no. It can’t be. Did I do anything awful? I have this goddess awful feeling that I did something.” I look to Silas to find he is leaning in the corner of the room. He sighs and takes a step forward.
“You guys had training yesterday and beat your sister to a pulp. I had to throw you off of her.” He says and stops mid-way in the room. Aiden’s face shoots up looking pain-filled but confused.
“Who are you?” He asks.
“Aiden this is my mate, Silas. He is also the Alpha of the new Lunar pack.” His face becomes twisted and shocked. Like he never thought it possible that my mate is a lunar wolf.
“What do you mean I beat her to a pulp?” His face goes back to pain-filled knowing he hurt me.
“Meaning, you landed a good brutal punch that knocked the wind out of her. Before she could recover you kept attacking. You punched her in the face and shattered her hand.” Silas says with a stone edge. He knows that Aiden wasn’t himself, but he can’t exactly forgive yet. Aiden becomes horrified by what he’s done. He has never dreamed of the idea of hurting me.
“I’m sorry Athena, I would never think or even dream of hurting you. Your my twin, my soul mate. Why would I?”
“I know, I forgive you.” I whisper and engulf him in a hug. He wraps his arms around me and cries into my shoulder. I can’t imagine being trapped in my own mind and having no control over my actions.
I look in the corner of my eye and see Silas staring. I can almost see some form of sadness in his eyes.
Why?
After a while Aiden stops sobbing and pulls away.
“You said a woman did this to you? Do you know who she was?” I ask.
“No, she was with the rogues. They purposely split Atlas and I up so she can infiltrate my mind. I’m pretty sure she’s a witch. She had these bright yellow eyes and long black hair. The rogue that lead me there kept me from stopping her from casting some sort of spell. Then I went unconscious, and they left me there.”
“Guess they recruited a witch to take over packs. That’s the only reason I can think of.” Silas returns to his cool, calm, and collective state.
“But why? Why would they want to dominate packs if they couldn’t stand being in one?” I ask.
“Probably to create an army to overthrow me. They know I would destroy them if they came after me as they are now. If they grow in numbers especially with the most powerful wolves in US would make it way easier for them to do so. But I’m surprised they didn’t go after you Athena.” He ponders. Yeah, it would make sense to go after me since I am the White Wolf, but they didn’t know that upon entering the battle. They probably only knew there are two in line to become Alpha and thought the male would take the title.
“Well Beta James left with a team to scout them out. Maybe they will figure out what they are planning.” I say. “Why don’t you come down with us to see Mom? She’s been worried sick about you.” I get up and hold my hand out to Aiden. He is hesitant and finally decides to take my hand. He stands up slowly and we walk out of the room with Aiden on one side and Silas on the other.
Upon entering the living room, we find Mom speaking with some pack members who have disapproving looks on their faces. Like I have to guess what they are discussing.
They hear us approaching and all their eyes shoot towards Silas. The disgust in their eyes were real and if looks could kill he would be obliterated from existence.
“I will hear no more. Dismissed.” Moms voice is stern and taking no shit from anyone. They all leave the room in anger.
Mom takes a deep breath, and her eyes go to Aiden.
“Aiden?” She says with hesitation.
“Yes Mom, its me.” Without a second thought Mom engulfs him into a bear hug he cannot escape. She is so relieved to have her boy back. Tears are spilling out of her eyes and sobs are escaping her lips. She is squeezing with all her might almost as if she can’t let go of him again.
Finally, she gets all her relief out of her system she releases him and wipes her tear-stained cheeks.
“Rumors have been spreading like wildfire. It won’t be long till the Alphas find out.” She informs us. So much for keeping it contained. Wonder how long till Selene and her bitch squad harass me with this new development.
“Maybe we should call for a meeting and just tell them. So, we can have honesty on our side.” Thinking out loud, I find everyone looking at me with wide eyes like I’ve gone mad. “If they find out from anyone but us it’ll be much worse because they will think we’ve kept it a secret. They may also see it as treason.”
“That’s true. It be best if we tell them.” Mom agrees with me. “I’ll call for a meeting in the morning. Will you be ok with this?” She turns to Silas.
“Of course. If you think that is best.” He nods. My mom smiles. “Starting today you and your beta may freely roam the pack. We only ask that you two stick around till we figure out what to do with these rogues.”
“Thank you, Luna, we don’t plan on leaving any time soon. Ill contact my Gamma and inform her we will be away longer than expected.” He mirrors her smile. I grin at the fact mom is beginning to trust him. That’s a huge step. I really hope the pack will come to trust him. Silas takes out his phone and takes a few steps from the group to call his Gamma.
“Mom, have you talked to Celeste recently?” I ask hesitantly. If we have to tell everyone Silas is my mate, then we should tell them about Alaric and Celeste.
“Yes, she already told me about the recent development between her and the Lunar Beta. I believe we should also reveal that news along with yours.” When did she talk with her about the situation? I thought she was too scared to tell anyone.
“Did she tell Esme?” She nods. The look she has on her face isn’t a good one. Does Esme feel the same way most the pack members do? I should find her. I leave Aiden with mom and head to Celeste’s room. How come she didn’t tell me earlier that she told her mom and mine. Maybe Esme’s reaction was worse than expected.
I approach her room and find her actually coming out. Her face is grim and lacks any happiness. She sees me coming and gives me a forced smile. It’s heartbreaking.
I go to her and take her into my arms. She’s stiff and cold.
“Can we talk?” I ask her. She looks at me for a moment and hesitantly nods. We go back into her room, and we sit on her bed. “How come you didn’t tell me you told your mom and mine?”
She looks down and sighs. “My mom’s reaction wasn’t great. She thinks if people find out they will want to take my right to become Beta.” I mean that is logical, but you would think she would be more supportive towards her own daughter. “Apparently becoming Beta is much more important than having a mate. Image and reputation is all she cares about, and she spoke for both herself and father. I’m scared what he will do when he gets back from the mission. That’s why I talked to your mom for some advice.”
“We decided we are going to announce that Silas is my mate to the Alphas. Mom also proposed that we also tell them about you and Alaric.” Her face goes cold. She is imagining the worst possible outcome like I’ve been. “This way we can win some honesty points. Rumors are spreading like wildfire, and they will eventually find out.” She slightly relaxes but not by much.
“Goddess, wonder when Selene will gain her new ammunition.” She snorts. That’s true. She would gladly use this new information to turn more people against me and put me down. I won’t let her. She’s in for it if she comes after me.
“I won’t be surprised if she already knows. She’s probably waiting for her best possible opportunity to attack me.” I sigh. I’m so looking forward to it.