Chapter Two

Anar’s POV

“You have been out with that she-mut again, right? You dishonor your people.” Lucas spat as I returned to the barracks.

Lucas was my second in command. We used to be close friends, and comrades. That was until I was captured by Bloodmoon. When the Alphas released me, and I returned alive, there was speculation that I had made some deal and I agreed to spy for the wolves. When I presented the news that I was I was not a traitor, and that I was released due to the revelation of Taliah being my mate, it made things worse. I was no longer a spy, but I was hated, a fool for the fact I believed the mate bond to be true.

I had no doubt the mate bond was real. I know what I felt. It wasn’t simple infatuation, or attraction. I was obsessed with the woman. Couldn’t get her off my mind. I would close my eyes and I could picture every detail of her face, the scent of her hair, the tone of her voice was clear as day. Thinking of her made my entire body shiver, and the cold emptiness I felt when I was not around her almost unbearable. I didn’t need them to understand. I loved her already.

There was nothing they could do about it. I was made general of this sector by blood. Times had changed, the people in charge were those with fire power, influence, and money. Over the last ten years my father ran this militia becuae he possessed all those things. He was intelligent, he was feared, he was strong, and he had molded me in his image. No one within our ranks would go against me, at least not directly.

We had been at war with Bloodmoon ever since the world went to hell. We weren’t like the hunters, who went after every supernatural race living. We were military men. Our sole mission was to keep as many human families as possible from the creatures that attacked innocent people in the night and syphoned souls. That mission led us to Bloodmoon. We had intel that the pack was the only territory not being touched by the infestation of the shadow walkers. Naturally we sent out a recon team to see if the information was legitimate in hopes to send refugees to this safe zone. When they didn’t return alive, it sparked a quarrel between our side and theirs.

“You seem jealous Lucas.” I said teasing him.

“They killed our brothers Anar.” He retorted.

“I’ve already explained this to you.” I said. I had already introduced my findings to the men. The information I received from Ethar and the others, was that our men never made it to Bloodmoon. Our attack on the pack was, reckless and unprovoked. If it wasn’t for my father giving the order, the attack would not have even taken place without clarification, and proof if it were up to me.

“And you believe them? Or is it because you got a taste of that hybrid pus’’ I didn’t let him finish the sentence. I stood up and kicked him directly in the middle of his chest with all my strength. He fell backward off his chair, I walked over calmly and crouched down as he clutched his chest and caught his breath. I didn’t think I had to tell him his mistake. He knew better, instead he watched in contempt as I leaned over and ripped his Lieutenant badge from his uniform. There didn’t need to be a second or third time someone disrespected Liah in front of me, one time was enough.

“Good day private.” I said to Lucas as I walked out the mess hall.

Taliah’s POV

“Your getting faster Royal.” I praised my friend as I wipe the blood running from my nose after her blow. It was a good day for some MMA on the grass, and Royal was the best partner. She had skill, and never held back with me.

“You okay.” She said with worry in her voice.

“Oh please, its going to take a lot more than that to take out the Princess Of Darkness.” I said adding a fake spooky tone to the last few words.

“You shouldn’t encourage the name calling.” She said not finding my joke funny. She went and grabbed a water from the cooler and tossed it to me.

“Oh, come on that wasn’t even one of the bad ones.” I said chuckling. She again found nothing funny. Where was her sense of humor? She was like an older sister to me and Gia. She was always very protective of us and was always trying to cheer me up on my gloomy days. I couldn’t help it though, maybe it was immature of me but I always tried to use humor to cope with negativity.

“ I get it, you can’t help yourself.” She said cracking a smile. “Everything around us is made of energy Liah, even our words. Don’t put such things onto yourself when you haven’t even lived yet.” She said.

Ahhh she was so wise, just like auntie Seb, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. I never met my Uncle Roy, but I had heard stories that her father was a great man just like mine were.

“So,Anar was here last night, how did it go?” She questioned and I nearly spit my water out.

“How did you know about that?” I said surprised and she laughed.

“Who do you think let him past patrols.” She said wiggling her eyebrows at me. I should have known someone had a hand in it. Patrols were always pretty tight when she was on duty. I laid back in the grass, and she did the same.

“You know Royal, you were my first choice for Head Gamma. After your little confession just now, I may have to weigh my options a bit more carefully.” I joked. There were no other options. The position was always Royal’s. There had been no other Head Gamma with her devotion to the pack since her father, and she was more than worthy of the title. Although the position was temporarily held by one other. Agatha Bloodsaw of Greenwood pack during the battle against the Jagter.

The thought of her made my mood change abruptly. I felt that my comment made Royal uneasy as well as she may have shared my thoughts. The subject of Agatha was vexed. Her valor and sacrifice led to a series of events that would haunt us forever.

Royal told me that after Agatha’s former mate Cassandra kidnapped my mother, my uncle Leo had her locked up, and that he suspected her to be pregnant with his child. After my uncle killed Hella, he came back and murdered Cas. An autopsy revealed she was in fact with child. Many assumed that Hella’s magic kept everyone from being able to confirm the pregnancy, in hopes that if Cas was captured, she would be killed immediately and wouldn’t be able to confess any plans the goddess revealed to her. Because alot of people wanted so badly to believe my uncle was truly a monster, rumors spread that after he killed Hella, the magic disappeared and that he murdered his mate knowing she was with child.

I didn’t believe a word of it. Royal told me the child’s remains were never found, that the baby was removed before he killed Cas, So he probably had the child with him all this time. It was easier for people to believe the latter.

I decided to pull us from the subject we were pondering in silence by answering Royal's previous question.

“Nyx wants him badly. I really don’t want to be involved with the man. He is human and weak.” I explained. She rolled onto her elbow to face me as I stared into the clouds.

“That’s a pretty lame excuse for being afraid Liah. His blood has nothing to do with his strength as a man, a leader, or a mate. Alpha Maud had a chosen human mate. The Viking King Ivar is the reason we are all sitting here today.” She spoke. “Real strength comes from your beating heart. In that aspect us and them are the same. What is physical strength if you don’t have the courage to use it? We find courage in fighting for the ones we love. We should all be so lucky to have a mate by our side.” She said. Her voice trailing off on the last sentence.

I rolled over to meet her gaze that I could now see was fixed on the grass. Royal had known her mate for all but 6 hours before he was killed by a shadow walker. His soul was snatched right in front her 2 years ago. It seemed as if tragedy always found a way into her life. Yet she always remained optimistic, and hopeful.

I placed my hand on her cheek as she thought about Tusstan. My touch drew her attention. “You could always choose someone. You’re an amazing hybrid beauty. Anyone would be lucky to have you.” I said and she just shrugged. “If not I will mark you myself. Not like a mate, but like your uncle Ethar and Iliam. We’ll be bonded for life, and you will never feel alone.” I said smashing my fist into my palm to showcase my determination to make my friend happy at any cost.

“Don’t be silly.” She said laying back on the grass. “Anyways, any thoughts on a Beta?” she said, and I laid back on the grass and sighed.

“I have an idea, but I don’t think Gia will go for it.” I replied.

“Gia is not going to let you boss her around. Plus, she has Alpha blood, it will never work.” She explained. She didn’t need to tell me. If anyone knew that it was me, I would have never asked Gia to be my Beta.

“Not Gia.” I said, and she gasped and stood up quickly, starring down at me in disbelief.

“You wouldn’t.” she said suprised at my boldness and I shrugged.