Chapter Four

Taliah’s POV

Gia hadn’t spoken to me in a week, and it was starting to make me feel like shit. Even though she was the one that started the fight with me in the first place. On top of the cold shoulder I was receiving from my sister, I was no closer to finding Ohthere and I was beginning to become frustrated.

I tried to tell my mother and my fathers about the encounter I had with my uncle Leo, but the only who took me remotely seriously was my father Ethar. Father Iliam and my mother were unconvinced that I was telling the truth, and they suggested I had dreamt it, which annoyed the hell out of me beyond words.

‘Liah, your mate is here to see you.’ Royal informed me through the mindlink.

Nyx jumped around excited in my head, but I was in no mood to deal with him. I hadn’t even had breakfast and he had forced himself into my day.

‘Tell him to go home.’ I replied.

‘He said he will meet you by the river.’ She said and I rolled my eyes in annoyance of my best friend. Whose side was she really on?

I threw on my boots and stomped out. When I got to the river he wasn’t even there yet. Slow, weak human. How was I expected to deal with this for the rest of my life.

“Happy Birthday Liah.” He called out as he jogged toward me. He was the only one so far to mention my birthday besides Royal.

“Thanks.” I replied surprised that he remembered. He walked up and threw his arms around me. I yelped at the sudden embrace. His touch immediately sent sparks through the bond that radiate through me. I wanted to gag at the feeling. I shoved him off harder than I meant to. When his back hit the dirt he hissed at the sudden contact.

“Sorry I didn’t mean...” I went to apologize but stopped when I saw him quickly recover.

“It’s fine.” He said with an annoyed tone as he got to his feet and dusted himself off.

“So, what do you have planned for today?” He questioned. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other as I thought of an answer. I really had nothing planned, I never really cared for birthdays. It was Gia who took such an interest in parties and things of that nature.

“Ummm. I hadn’t really given it much thought.” I explained and he cocked his head to the side like my answer confused him.

“Okay, well do you mind if I take you somewhere for your birthday?” he questioned softly as he awaited my answer. I could feel his nervousness through the bond, and it made Nyx sad.

“Where?” I questioned. I really had no intention of accepting his offer, but I didn’t want to sound cold hearted either.

He rubbed the back of his neck and diverted his gaze as he answered. “It’s a special place of mine. I think you’d like it.” He explained. “It’s not far actually.” He added.

“I actually have a lot of work to do today. Thank you though for offering.” I said quickly. Nyx whined and his mood changed quickly. I could feel his sadness as I rejected him. It made my insides crawl, and I felt sick.

“Right, some other time then.” He said trying to force a smile.

‘Gia was right, you are a bitch.’ Nyx huffed. She was lucky she was a part of me or I would have rung her neck for calling me that.

‘Shut the hell up!’ I yelled to her.

“I’ll see you later then. Happy birthday again.” Anar said as he turned to leave. Watching him walk away made feel guilty. I began to feel disgusted with myself and that annoyed me. It was so hard to control my emotions around him, and it made me feel weak.

“Anar wait.” I called out but I forgot he didn’t have the same hearing I had. His little human ears couldn’t pick up my voice.

I jogged toward him, and he just kept walking. When he noticed I was now beside him, he stopped and turned to me. What I felt through the bond now was anger.

“Liah. I realize you don’t want me as a mate.” He said looking me directly in my eyes.

“I however cannot help how I feel about you. If you can’t accept me, wouldn’t it be easier to just reject me?” He said and I stared in shock. However, he was right in a way. If I really had no intention of accepting him, or loving him, I should reject him for his sake. I had no feelings toward him besides the ones the bond created, and Nyx’s feelings for him made me refrain from doing just that. I didn’t want to hurt her, or him for that matter.

“It’s complicated Anar.” I said and he sighed in frustration.

I put my hands on each of his shoulders. “I need time. I am not sure if we will be madly in love with one another. Fate has a funny way of dealing with those things for us. But you are mine, and I am yours. Forever.” I tried to explain as best I could without sounding completely insane to someone who has no idea how things worked with wolves.

He chuckled before he spoke. “So you don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me either?” He said jokingly.

“Pretty much.” I said giggling.

“Look you can come and help me with a few things, then I will come with you to this special place.” I said extending an olive branch.

His eyes lit up with excitement. “Deal!” He blurted out and I laughed at his urgency to accept my offer. Nyx howled in approval, and I rolled my eyes at her.

“What is first up on the docket?” He said as we walked toward the pack house.

“Breakfast.” I said in a low growl, and he laughed. “Tighten up my parents will be there, and I don’t know who else.” I said chuckling.

“Got it. I’ll be on my best behavior.” He said with a mischievous grin. I shook my head at him. This was going to be a disaster. I heard Nyx chuckled at the thought of the impending shit show.

Anar’s POV

I was uneasy to say the least around so many shifters. I knew they didn’t eat humans like actual wolves in the wild, but they were wolves none the less, among other things.

I was willing to do anything it took to show Liah, I could make the cut. The way she kept glancing at me across the table let me know she could sense my nervousness through the mate bond.

I had both her father’s eyes on me, and her sister and her mates were whispering back and forth as they watched me. There was conversation at the table, but no one had addressed me at all. My pride was hurt a little bit at the fact no one was really acknowledging my presence besides their quick glances, and whispers. I also noticed no one had wished my mate happy birthday either, it was not my place to question them, but it seemed pretty fucked up to me.

My mate’s father Iliam turned to Liah and spoke. “Have you chosen a Beta yet Liah? Your accension ceremony is in a week.” He said.

“I am working on it.” She replied and continued eating.

“You aren’t still trying to find the boy, are you? You need to forget about the silly dream and get your head together Liah. The pack needs to know that you are taking the choice seriously.” He said and she let out a deep sigh.

“I am taking it seriously!” She snapped back at him.

Ethar nudged Iliam in the arm. “Enough.” Ethar said told him.

“She can’t use excuses to get out of her duty to the pack.” Iliam retorted. I could feel my mate getting upset. Iliam stood up from the table, but she didn’t flinch. He grabbed his plate and drink, and turned around to walk away.

“If you don’t choose a Beta by the end of the week, I will appoint one.” He said.

His comment seemed to really piss her off. “If you do that, no one here will respect me and you know that.” She said as she stood up from the table. My eyes darted around the table, and I could see everyone was watching the exchange closely.

“Then I suggest you get to it.” He said shrugging. Liah slammed her fist on the table hard enough to make her knuckles bleed and I became alert as I stood up.

“I’m fine, lets go.” She said to me, and I nodded and followed her out.

I followed her to her bedroom. She washed her hand off in the bathroom and sat down on the bed beside me where I waited for her. I kept glancing at her hand and when she noticed my worry for her wound, she giggled.

“I’m okay, see.” She said holding her hand up showing me she had completely healed, and I let out a deep sigh pf relief.

“Who is the boy your dad mentioned?” I asked. I was curious to know why finding him seemed so important to her.

She thought for a moment then spoke. “I’m not really sure myself. I think he is my cousin. My uncle only gave me a name.” She explained.

“Your Uncle? The Dark One?” I questioned surprised as to how he was able to tell her anything at all.

“Yes my Uncle. Believe it or don’t, but he spoke to me.” She said annoyed. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe her but the idea did shock me. I didn’t understand much about shifters to begin with, so the possibility of it was not that farfetched. Her father however did not seem to believer at all.

“What name did he give you?” I asked her and her snapped to me with suprise at the question.

“Ohthere Calhoun.” She said before she began fiddling with her hands. We sat in silence for a moment as I pondered. I wasn’t sure if I could actually help, but if it would please her I was willing to try.

“If you want, I can have my men take a look in to it. We have resources that might be useful in locating him.” I suggested. She said nothing at first.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt.” She huffed.

I could feel the pressure she felt weighing her down. My poor mate was drowning in it, and it seemed as if she was handling it all alone. Nobody really seemed to be on her side. I don't even think they realized what she was going through.

We were startled by a knock on the door. “Come in.” She called out. Her father Ethar walked in holding a little box.

“Can you give us a minute.” Ethar said to me. I nodded and waited on the outside of the door.

Taliah’s POV

My father came and sat next to me. I was in a bad funk after breakfast,but my mate had cheered me a bit when he expressed his willingness to help me.

“Happy Birthday hunny.” My father said as kissing the top of my head. He handed me a small wooden box. I opened it and my mouth gaped opened. He chuckled at my reaction.

“It was my mothers.” He explained, but no explanation was needed at all. I recognized it immediately.

It was a silver ring that hung around a long silver link chain. The ring bared The Hammer of Thor, the Viking God of Thunder. My grandfather Ivar gifted it to Muad when he finally left Bloodmoon after she ascended as their Alpha. Ivar loved my grandmother dearly, but his heart yearned for fame and glory. Vikings were not content in one place for too long. They thrived on conquest, and they wanted to own the new world in its entirety.

“It’s beautiful, I love it. Thank you.” I said my voice was shaky as I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

“You are going to be a great Alpha Liah. Your mother, your father, and I just want you to be ready. Just remember to always stay true to your mate, and your pack.” He said against my hair as he tightened the hug.

I always knew they all meant well, aside from Gia perhaps, they just had a funny way of showing it.