Chapter Three

Gia’s POV

“Absolutely not!” I snapped at my sister from where I sat at my vanity.

“He is a good choice Gia, think about what is best for the pack.” She pleaded.

Who the hell did she think she was. She wasn’t even Alpha yet already trying to talk to me about the pack’s needs.

“That’s total crap, and you know it. This is just your way of making me subservient to your rule. I have given you my answer.” I retorted. She was only becoming Alpha because I turned it down. I already had a title, I didn’t need to go walking around barking orders at people. If she was smart she would realize that.

She had always been the one trying to gain recognition, and respect when we already had it. We were the daughters of the Alpha’s of all Alphas. She did her best to outshine the boys in training, involving herself in pack meetings, making herself present when my fathers worked out patrol rotations. She did the absolute most to be seen and be favored. Leaving me in her shadow, she didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. I however knew my place, I had no reason to let others who were beneath me dictate my worth. Now she wanted to make one of my mates her Beta. He would be basically a King just by being my mate, and she wanted him to bow and submit to her like a lap dog.

No fucking way!

“I don’t want anyone to be my lap dog!” she spat at me invading my thoughts.

“I don’t really care what your reason is Taliah, its not going to happen. Eli will not be your Beta.” I said in a tone letting her know that this was the last time I was going to repeat myself.

“What are you two going on about?” My mother asked as she walked in.

“Nothing.” Taliah said as she pushed past mother and walked out.

My mother leaned against the back of my chair, her facial expression telling me she expected me to spill the beans. She didn’t have to wait long. I had trouble keeping secrets anyway.

“She wants Eli to be her Beta. Can you believe that?” I scoffed as I continued brushing my hair.

When my mom didn’t share my reaction, I looked at her as she thought it over. I could tell what her words would be if she ever got them out.

“No mom. Its not happening.” I said turning around to face her. She threw her hands up in surrender and shook her head, as if to say “I’m staying out of it.” And I nodded and resumed my position.

This family was beginning to feel to invested in my personal life. Always trying to find some way to control it. I can’t wait until the time comes when me and my mates could leave this place and make a home in Vetni. Bloodmoon had lost its valor, and it no longer suits my lifestyle with all the riffraff coming to stay here. I crave the finer things in life. If it wasn’t for my parents, and my mentally ill uncle giving up everything to save Taliah from a fate, I didn’t believe was that bad. Being Goddess of the Underworld and all, I wouldn’t have to deal with any of this.



Taliah’s POV

‘Just as I thought, she didn’t go for it.’ I informed Royal of my failure through the mindlink.

‘Told ya’ she replied.

‘Now what?’ I asked but I felt her distraction through the link, so I let her mind become her own.

‘We can look to other packs for a candidate.’ Nyx said answering my question.

‘I can’t. I am not going to the other packs begging for a volunteer Beta.’ I snapped at her and I felt her sadness.

‘I’m sorry Nyx, I am just upset. Zion, Ethar, Iliam. Those are my parents, with some pretty tough shoes to fill. Especially father Ethar, the oldest Alpha in history. It’s a lot of pressure ya know.’ I explained and I felt her mood steady as she heard my apology.

‘It’s okay.’ She replied.

I decided to go read and calm down in the library. I walked in and looked at the large space in awe. No matter how many times I came here, I was always impressed by the amount knowledge that filled the vast room. I walked over to the huge portrait of my grandmother Maud Alya. She was everything I had dreamt of being. She was strong, wise and beautiful. She made her own way, and she never let adversity keep her down.

I walked over and I examined the table that sat directly underneath the portrait of her. A smaller portrait of my grandfather Ivar sat next to pictures of my Calhoun Grandparents together at their pack initiation ceremony. Beside it was a picture of my Uncle Leo standing in between my fathers at the same ceremony when he became Beta. My uncle was smiling widely. It was hard to imagine him as the monster people made him out to be. I looked to the next photo, and it was a picture of Uncle Leo holding me and my sister in his arms when we were toddlers.

It was strange, even though I hadn’t known him for long, his absence from my life left an emptiness inside me that I could never explain. I thought back to the last memory I had of him. He and my mother were holding hands as they sent us to the void. Tears brimmed in my eyes, and I felt them drip down my cheeks. I turned and pressed my back against the table and slid down still staring at the photo.

“I wish I could just hug you again. I wish I could talk to you, here your voice. I don’t know what I am doing here. I feel lost, I feel alone. Like a part of me never left that void when we returned home. It never really felt like home again.” I spoke the words out loud running my finger over the glass that framed the photo. My tear dripped onto the photo over his face.

I wiped the loan tear before standing up place the photo back on the table where it belonged. When I turned around a strange feeling washed over me, and I felt sick to my stomach. I was pushed inside myself as my new surroundings manifested.

When my vision focused, I thought I was going crazy. I blinked over and over expecting the sight would disappear, when suddenly I heard him chuckle. He had a full grown beard, and long hair down to his shoulders. His figure was no longer lean, now he was built very stocky like grandpa Nigel.

“You’re not crazy Liah.” He said and I gasped in disbelief. I willed my heavy legs to move and stumbled to him almost falling before he caught me and steadying me.

His hands cupped my cheeks as he brushed underneath my eyes, wiping the tears away.

“Ahh don’t cry babygirl. Please, I can’t keep you long. Lets talk.” He said pulling me to his chest giving me the hug I had just pleaded for a second ago. I sniffled back my tears and pulled back before looking around.

“Where are we?” I questioned. It was nothing but dark empty space. A bright red etheric light shining from underneath us, illuminating the space slightly.

“I’m not sure what to call it yet. A place between my world and yours.” He explained and I nodded letting him know I understood.

“I am working on rebuilding the veils. Although after hearing your prayer all I could muster was this in such a short time.” He said chuckling at the simplicity of the space.

“Now tell Uncle Leo what is bothering you.” he said and we sat down Indian style in front of one another and he listened.

I try to stumble out as much as I could, because I know we didn’t have much time. I wanted to say so much, and ask many questions, but instead i stuck to the important parts.

“I get why you don’t want to reach out to other packs. With the state the world is in, it would make you look weak as your first act being the Alpha. People will think you don’t have your pack's support.” He spoke.

“Exactly.” I agreed and hung my head low.

He titled my chin up, and his eyes met mine. “I can't do much to help you right now Liah. But just know I am always watching, and if I hear your prayer, I will do my best to be there for you.” He said and I nodded thinking that was all he could provide me was that vow. it would have been enough. At least I would know I was not as alone as I felt.

“I’m going to tell you a name. When you get back, find him. I think he can help you with this matter.” He said, and my eyes widened with excitement.

“Ohthere Calhoun.” He said and I thought for a second.

“Wait, that is…” I went to say before I felt myself wiping back into my body.

I took in a lungful of air, and my eyes widened as I saw Gia standing over me with an annoyed expression.

“You can’t have my mate as your Beta, so you throw a tantrum and try to off yourself.” She spits at me as I sit up rubbing my head as it suddenly began pounding. I must have fell and hit the floor, hard. Next time I would have to make sure at the very least I was in a sitting position, if I saw him again.

“What are you talking about?” I question feeling that her anger was misplaced, and her suggestion of my actions, outlandish.

“We are twins Taliah, I felt your sadness, and disgusting desperation. Then I felt your heart stop.” She explained blowing her nails, like she just got a fresh coat. The world was a shit show, but at least Gia had he nails done. I rolled my eyes at the thought of how shallow she had become.

I got to my feet feeling my own anger rise, and I push past her to walk out.

“I came to check on you. You don’t have to be a bitch!” She spat the disgusting insult and I stopped in my tracks.

I would let people call me every name under the sun, but that one. For some reason I didnt even fully understand, it irked me so much especially coming from her, because she knew better.

"What did you just say?" I growled.

I spun around as my rage engulfed me. “I. Said. You’re. Being. A. Bitch.” She said taking a pause between each word and smirking as she felt content she had put me in my place.

I think Nyx was fed up with her, for making me so down lately. Constantly stabbing me in the back when she could. I felt Nyx push forward and I happily let her gain control. Someone needed to teach the snobby princess a lesson.

Gia let out a mouse like squeak as she watched Nyx take form in all her glory. Nyx had bright white fur with bloody tips, making her look deadly. I knew in areal battle Nyx would have no problem living up to her appearence. The sight of her sent others running, and Gia did just that.

Gia went to the door with inhuman speed, but Nyx grabbed her by her shoulder, her teeth sinking deep inside my sisters flesh. Nyx threw her back away from the door and stalked closely as my sister crawled backwards on her hands.

Nyx hovered above her as the flow of her blood slowed as her wound healed. ‘What’s the matter?’ ‘Are you scared?’ I mindlinked Gia as she shook beneath Nyx.

‘Go ahead and shift and give me a proper fight.’ Nyx said and Gia shook her head. as her tears brimmed.

‘Why not, this is exactly how mom was able to shift. The Alpha bit into her shoulder.’ ‘What? Is there not enough murderous intent in the air?’ I teased and she closed her eyes as Nyx opened her mouth to take another go at her.

“I DON’T HAVE A WOLF!” Gia cried loudly like she was letting out a huge secret burden she carried around, that I made her unwilling admit out of fear.

Nyx cocked her head to the side assessing the situation and feeling the emotions through the bond. I was thrown forward as Nyx forced me to shift back.

I stood above Gia as she pulled her knees to her chest and sobbed. The only thing coming from the bond was sadness and shame. I realized she wasn't lying.