Chapter 20

It’s been a long night. Since the attack, nightmares have haunted me. I guess you can say everything that has happened lately has traumatized me. I am transported back to the day of the attack. I’m surrounded by Lunar rogues and everything around me is burning. All around me all my family and friends are on the ground lifeless. Covered in blood and brutally murdered. Celeste, Atlas, the Gamma, Beta, and Mom. I’m consumed with immense sadness and anger. My wolf and I thirst for revenge. Two rogues grab me and force me to my knees to witness the horrifying scene in front of me. My pack is all dead. I’m the last remaining Evergreen wolf. The rogue leader appears before me and his wolf grins with victory. His bones begin to snap and reshape to return to his human form. As he is transforming, I find Aiden approaching. However, it’s not the Aiden I know. He is wickedly smiling with a murderous look in his eyes. The rogue leader finishes transforming and my face crumbles. It’s none other than my mate. However, the man before me is unrecognizable. He shares the same facial expression as Aiden. He wishes for my death.
He slowly approaches almost as a predator stalking its prey. He looks into my eyes, and they soften. Almost like the Silas I know. He reaches out and takes my cheek in his hand.
“You really thought I would want you?” The menacing look returns and tears stream down my face. He roughly grabs a handful of my hair and forces me to look back at him. “Your pack is the reason my parents are dead. Now I’m returning the favor.” He roughly releases me, and my eyes travel back to my brother.
“Help.” I plea. He’s my only hope. His wicked smile widens, and his eyes become glazed with madness. “You deserve this little sister. I told you. I won’t live in anyone’s shadow.” With that final remark he turns his back on me. My last and only hope abandons me. My eyes go back to Silas who is holding a dagger in his hand. Then with no hesitation he slit my throat.
My life blood drains from my body, and I fade into the darkness as my traitor of a mate laughs in victory.
“Athena! Wake up Athena. It’s just a dream!” I shoot up and take a sharp intake of breath. That was completely horrifying. Tears are spilling out of my eyes, and I find Silas is sitting on my bed with his large hands on my shoulders. He is shirtless and only has grey sweatpants on. He has major bed head meaning he just woke up.
“You’re alright. You’re safe. It was just a dream.” He embraces me and sparks fly through me. Even though it’s exhilarating, it’s also comforting. My shaky breaths calm down as I breathe in the soothing eucalyptus and pine scent that emanates from him. I burry my face in his neck and allow his scent to fully calm my nerves. He strokes my head and murmurs comforting words.
Finally, I got my breathing under control and I’m no longer shaking. He releases me from his embrace and looks into my eyes. All I see is worry.
“That must have been a bad one. I could feel your distress and rushed over here. I’m guessing it was about the attack.” He sighed and gets up to close my door so no one over hears.
“Yea, but it was so much worse. Everyone was dead and everything was burning. Rogues surrounded me and the rogue leader transformed. My brother was also still under the spell and watched everything with a gleeful look.” I close my eyes and take a shaky breath. “Then my throat was slit open.”
He tenses up and his eyes widen. “Who did the rogue leader transform into?” He asks. I don’t want to tell him. He’ll think I’m afraid of him. I stare into his eyes. Then he sighs and looks to the ground. “It was me, wasn’t it?” I don’t answer. It’s almost as if I’m ashamed that it was him.
He sharply stands up and walks to my window on the other side of the room. He remains quiet. He doesn’t know what to think.
“I am not the rogue leader, and I will never hurt you, Athena. I would never dream of it.” He says while staring out the window.
“I know.” I whisper and slip out of my covers. I grab a hair band from my nightstand and pull my messy, blond, bed head hair into a ponytail. I slowly approach and I place a hand on his back. “Are you afraid of me?” He says with no emotion.
“Of course not. Though this bond I know I don’t need to be afraid. Even though we’ve known each other for a short time, I trust you. I guess that’s what it means being mates. I know you will never hurt me, and I’ll never hurt or betray you.” I feel the tension leave his body and he turns toward me. His violet eyes now hold a softness to them
“You are an amazing woman, Athena Goldstein.” He smiles.
“I try.” I mirror his smile and he lightly chuckles.
“I think the Luna called for the meeting to be in a half an hour. I would hurry and get ready.” He lightly gives me a peck on the forehead and leaves my room. Once I hear the door click shut, I rush into my closet and find a respectable outfit. I throw my pajamas off and quickly slip on my blouse and dress pants. I run to my bathroom and yank a brush through my hair and put It into a high ponytail.
I head downstairs and find Mom and Celeste talking. If this doesn’t go well, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
The Alphas enter the room accompanied by their Beta’s. Each of them take their seats with confused and curious looks. I hear murmurs and whispers around the room because they don’t know why they are here. Then I see Esme come in with a guarded expression. Celeste wasn’t kidding. She takes a seat next to Celeste and I can see her try to make as much distance as possible between her and her mother. If anyone is going to make a scene her today, it’s going to most likely be Esme. Aiden enters and takes a seat next to me. He puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me an encouraging squeeze.
Mom stands from her seat, and everyone goes quiet.
“Good morning my friends. I know you’re wondering why I called a meeting so early. Before we proceed, I would like everyone to be open minded and understanding. Can we do that?” She eyes everyone in the room. Each Alpha gives a swift nod and Mom takes in a breath.
“My daughter, and well as Celeste the future Beta have found their mates.” Frequent whispers begin again. “However, it turns out my daughters mate is the Lunar Alpha, and Celeste’s mate is the Lunar Beta.” Then as if a gun went off the room is filled with shocked gasps and shouts.
“Say it’s not true Luna!” Alpha Alec shouts.
“You can’t allow a Lunar wolf to take control of the strongest pack. It could be catastrophic!” Alpha Lucian slams a fist on the table.
“As werewolves you all know better that nothing is stronger than a mate bond. No one can come between it. My daughter can sense Alpha Silas’s intentions are pure and noble. He and his Beta are nothing like their predecessors. If I can find it in my heart to give them a chance each of you should too.” She eyes each Alpha and Beta.
“With all due respect Luna, this isn’t something we can blindly accept.” My head whips towards Darius. “Even if the Alphas intentions are good. That doesn’t mean all of his pack members feel the same way. The rogues prove that.”
An argument erupts around the room. Mom, the Gamma, and Celeste are trying hard to get the point across that they are not the enemy. This is pure Chaos. We should have known they wouldn’t understand.
“If she is still to become Alpha, the Eclipse pack demands that she rejects her mate. The same for the Beta. We can’t allow Lunar wolves to control this pack.”’ Alpha Orion declares. My eyes go wide. There is no way I can do it. “Unless she willing agrees that the title will automatically go to her brother.”
“That is not your call Alpha. My sister will keep her right to the title and her mate. If you don’t like it, the door is right over there.” Aiden growls. They eye each other and if this weren’t a professional setting a fight would 100 percent break out.
“That’s enough! My son is right, you overstep Alpha Orion. Mates are destined and paired by Artemis herself. She put them together for a reason. Are you willing to defy the goddess’s will?” She says sternly. No one can go against that.
“Forgive me Luna, but it should still be a consideration.” He bows his head and each Alpha nods.
Mom sighs in irritation. “Moving onto a different point. The Alpha and Beta agreed to stay with us to aid in any way they can to bring the Lunar Rogues to justice. They have proven themselves and I have given them free reign around the pack. If anyone somehow retaliates against them, they will be dismissed from this pack. Do I make myself clear?” Mumbles sound around the room. “Glad we are on the same page. This meeting is adjourned.”
Everyone stands from their seats and leave the room in silence. No one is thrilled about this new information. Maybe I should warn Silas. I walk around the table to talk to Celeste, but it seems she is having an argument with her Mom. My mom also approaches and puts a hand on Esme’s shoulder, and it instantly stops their fighting.
“Esme why don’t you go home and relax. It has been a long morning for all of us.” She then shoots a stink eye at Mom. “Also, if I need to remind you of a remark I made during the meeting. Are you willing to go against the Goddess’s will?” Esme’s eyes widen and she gives a little huff.
“Pack your things, Celeste. You will move back home.” She grits her teeth. That bitch. She wants to keep her from Alaric.
“What?” Celeste says in shock.
“I won’t repeat myself Celeste. I will send for Lola to help you pack. I want you out of here by tonight.”
She says.
“I’m not leaving Mom. It’s my duty as future Beta to be here.” Celeste holds her ground.
“I don’t care Celeste. I’m your mother and you are coming home, and you won’t return here unless its deemed necessary. Now go pack your things!” Esme raises her voice.
“Esme, she is 18 years old and fully grown. Also, the last time I checked you are not the Beta, your husband is. You have no right to tell her to leave.” Mom crosses her arms across her chest. Esme’s eyes whip towards Mom and her face is becoming red with anger.
“Fine.” She hisses. “Then I’m going to call my husband and he will tell her to move back home!” She gathers her things and stomps to the door. “Good day Luna. Expect a call from my husband today.” With that final remark, she leaves.