"So that's your boyfriend?" Zeus said as he guided me around the room to the rhythm of the music. 

"Ex boyfriend." I corrected him. 

"He looks like he's twelve."

I roll my eyes, "Well not everyone is hundreds of years old, Zeus."

He pushes and pulls me gracefully as we danced.

He twirled me around and then stopped me with a firm hand on my waist,"You fell in love young?" He asks. 

We separated to the sides, making a path where other couples danced through. It was a very traditional dance. We finally stepped back together. I did not look at him and answered, "Yes, we were young."

Zeus observes my every move closely, "He affects you. Do you still love him?" He asks bluntly

"No!" I snap at him, "Can we please just drop this topic?" The subject of our conversation was dampening my mood and quite frankly...I guess I still kind of felt hurt by Ryan. Seeing him now, I realised he is a weak and overly-emotional, desperate, prideful male. But he had been a part of my life, once. And I can't take that time back and I can't deny that that time affected me a lot.

Zeus's eyes softened slightly but soon masks it again with his usual hard exterior, "He hurt you." He stated. 

I felt my tears sting my eyes, but I quickly blink them away, hoping he didn't see them, "Like I said, this isn't exactly a light conversation for a dance."

Zeus didn't push on the subject and I was glad. I didn't want to talk about him anymore. The song had ended, Zeus steps away and bows as I curtsy. 

He stands up straight to his full giant height. He turns around and walks back into the crowd. 

"Well you guys looked quite close." Genevieve commented as she stood beside me. 

I roll my eyes, "Hardly. We're civil, I guess."

"He seems like he likes you?"

I gave her a look. She giggles and sighs, "Fine. Maybe to you he doesn't exactly like you, but he at least seems fond of you?"

I snicker, "Gen, he's the Alpha Hellhound...he doesn't feel anything." I march past my sister to see Donny standing in the corner with a drink. 

I go and stand next to him, "Why aren't you dancing with any of the unmated females?" I asked. 

Donny shrugs and takes a sip of his wine, "I've been to many of these. Every year the females always put on their games faces to try and flirt as hard as they can."

I scrunch my nose, "Gross. You guys aren't even that good looking." 

Suddenly Sozin appears next to me, "Excuse me? Did you just say that we aren't good looking?"

I roll my eyes, of course he would be the one to hear that. 

"For your information, you are only a quarter right...because I...am freaking gorgeous." He says with his smug smile, "I mean, I just say the word, and every female here would want to have sex with me."

I laugh, "That is not true! I am sure there is at least one smart, self-respecting female here."

Donny tilts his head with an iffy expressions, "He's kinda right, though."

Sozin clasps Donny's shoulder, "That's the spirit Donny boy! It is time to accept your ugliness and worship my perfectness. Strive to be like me and you'll succeed in life!"

Donny shoves Sozin off and scoffs, "Thank you for reminding me of how self centred and arrogant your ass is, Sozin. I had almost sweetly forgotten and thought good of you for minute."

Sozin smiles brightly, "Any time my bro, anytime."

I laughed and left those two to bicker at each other. I looked over at my family and decided to go walk over. A dizzy sensation riddled my brain for a moment, making me trip over my high heels. 

"Whoa, You alright, Lily?"

I rub my forehead to rid of this weird headache. 

I smile up at him, "I'm fine, Ozai. Just a little headache is all."

Ozai looks down at me in concern, "I'm still researching about the-"

I shook my head, "I don't want to hear it right now. I don't want to hear about the bite, Nikolai, the curse, the witch, my possible death...I'm tired right now, Ozai."

Ozai rubs me back, "I understand, come," He gently ushers me to a seat where my family are, "You need to get off your feet for a moment," Ozai leaves and pours a drink from the table and hands it to me, "It's orange juice, it will help with the dizziness.

I smile thankfully at him, "Thank you Ozai, for taking care of me."

He smiles down at me, "I'll always watch for you, Lil." He leaves and disappears into the crowd.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair as a little girl approaches me, she had beautiful long black hair with a colourful dress designed in tribal patterns. I smile, "Hello there."

She smiles shyly, "Hi."

"What pack are you from?" I asked gently. 

She looks down at her feet, "I am the Arikara Tribe. My father is Chief."

She's from the Native American Tribes, "What's your name?" I asked. 

"My name is Leah, but my Tribe calls me 'Yellow Bird.'"

I smile, "That's a beautiful name. My name is Lily."

Leah smiles shyly, "That's pretty,"

She is so freaking adorable I can't even deal with it. Her eyes were a big brown almond shape. She was just flippin cute! You know that feeling when you see someone is so cute and you just want to squeeze the life out of them? That's exactly what I want to do right now. 

"Do everyone have special names in the Tribe?"

She nods her head.

"What name would you give me?" I asked playfully. 

She giggles, "I don't know."

Her giggled was contagious. I couldn't help, but want to giggle too, "You can give me any name. Anything! What would you give me?"

She stood there pondering until her eyes brighten, "You're 'Star Dancer.'"

I smile, "That is an amazing name. I like it." Star Dancer...pretty cool."

Her mother was calling Leah, so she had to go, but I would never forget her. She was a sweet little girl.

 I realised I sat down next to to my Uncle Noah. He turns to me and gives me his cheeky wink, "How's my favourite, Niece?"

I smile tiredly, "I'm okay, just a little under the weather."

Noah frowns, "Had Zeus been treating you right?"

I lean on his arm and rest my head on his shoulder. He was always my favourite uncle, "He doesn't treat me badly."

"That's not what I asked, love. Are you alright?" He asks firmly.

I smiled and nodded my head, "I'm fine. How's home?" 

He sighs, "It's different without you. It doesn't feel as whole anymore. We miss you, love. You were the first little girl to join the family."

I felt myself become as my mind reminisced through the memories of my childhood, all of my big uncles playing tea parties with me. My Aunties laughing with me, my cousins and sister playing with me. Family...there's nothing like it...speaking of family...

"Uncle Noah, I met someone...someone that I think would be very important to you."

My uncle frowns but leans forward to Listen closely, "I found this old woman who owns a bakery cafe. Her presence felt familiar for some reason. I began to talk with her...she came from the Maverick family."

His eyes widen, "She's a lycan?"

I nodded my head, "She's your grandmother. She's one of the last pieces of family you have. here..." I grabbed a napkin and wrote something down and handed it to my uncle, "Here take it, it's the address and name of the bakery shop. I think it could be good for you to see her before you leave Arcanus."

Noah shakily takes the napkin from my hand. He was silent for a moment, until leans forward and wraps his big arms around me. I wrap my arms around his waist. He whispers into my ear, "Thank you, love. You have no idea how important this is to me." 

I smiled as he kissed my hair. He leans back and studies my face, "Now I know you lied, how about you tell how you really are. Are you actually okay, Lil?"

"I don't know," I raised my head, "Uncle Noah? When you and Aunt Mia first realised you were mates, you didn't treat her nicely did you?"

I felt him tense, "Well I didn't treat her badly." He mumbled.

I snicker and roll my eyes, "That's not what I asked," I said in an English Cockney accent. 

Uncle Noah chuckles, "Alright alright, to answer your question. No, I didn't treat her nicely."

"How did she forgive you?"

My Uncle Noah's eyes always soften and glaze over whenever he thought of my Aunt Mia, they were still completely in love, no matter how long it's been, "I know it's hard to understand, but forgiveness doesn't always have a reason. Sometimes it comes from a place of grace and mercy. I didn't deserve to be forgiven, neither did Solomon or Xander. Or any of us bastards-"

Aunt Mia smacks the side of Noah's head, "Don't curse in front of, Lil!"

Noah chuckles, "Sorry, love." He leans in and gives her a peck on the lips. 

Mia leans in smiling, "To answer your question, honey...sorry I was intentionally ease dropping."

I laughed and waved it off. 

"Forgiveness is only possible when you don't hold the worst of that person against them anymore. For you to let go."

"And also!" My Aunt Ayla came leaning in from my other side, "I was intentionally ease dropping too, by the way...unapologetically at that."

She leans in further and said, "Solomon treated me like crap when I was a teenager. He was horrible. I had every right to dumb his ass."

"So why didn't you?"

Ayla sat there and she smiles, "Because as much of an asshole he was, I saw the change in him. I saw his heart and I couldn't be mad at him anymore But I also realised that no one is perfect. There is no such things as a perfect male or female. Every person has their faults and every person has their flaws. But you have to decide if you can handle those flaws or not. And I realised for my own personal journey that I could."

Soul leans in, joining in the conversation, "Look kid, at the end of the day love trumps all. I know it's cheesy, but it's true! But the tricky part is choosing to love. Everyday you have to choose to continue to love this person through their flaws and faults and they have to do the same for you."

I loved hearing their stories and how they got to the place where they are now. Where they are completely in love. But for me it was different. Zeus hasn't really done anything devastating because we don't have a strong enough connection. 

Zeus made it clear from the very start that there would be no emotional attachments at all. That I am a necessity. I guess if I were to forgive, it would be for my own sake. I'm sure he wouldn't care if I forgave him or not. But it's so than my own heart won't harden as Zeus's rigid one. 

I excused myself from my family. I looked around the crowd. Zeus was leaning against one of the pillars with his usual cold face, however, there were three females all talking to him. Running their hands and fingers over his shoulder and arm. His eyes connect with mine. He does not react, he just observes me. 

I smirked and roll my eyes as if I didn't care. Because I didn't? It's not like I wanted to storm over their and rip that girls arm off or anything. Or to murder every female here for staring at him...nope...didn't care at all. 

I turned and bumped into someone, "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry!" 

I looked up and saw a guy standing there, he smirks down at me and shakes his head, "It's fine. You're alright. It's my fault I'm sorry." From the energy and dominance radiating off of him, I'm assuming he is an Alpha.

I brushed the skirt of my dress and curtsied politely, "My name is Lily."

The Alpha's eyes flickered in curiosity, "I am Alpha Jethro. It is a pleasure to meet a fine beauty as yourself." He bends down and kisses my hand. I stood there slightly taken back, no one has ever treated me so formal before. 

"Thank you for coming tonight, Alpha Jethro, your company is most important," I tried to say as professional as possible. I could see Jethro's eyes sizing me up. 

I cleared my throat and tried to smile, "Where is your, Luna? I would very much like to meet her?" I purposely asked for the luna just so than I would know that Jethro wasn't trying to be flirty or anything. 

The Alpha smiles but it did not reach his eyes, "I am afraid my mate has passed. She was murdered by a hunter a few years ago."

My eyes went round and I felt embarrassed for asking such a thing now, "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

Jethro shake his head and waves the matter off with his hand, "No no. It was a very long time ago."

I nodded my head in understanding, "She must have been very beautiful."

"She was. Actually, you remind me of her a lot."

I looked down to the ground and grinned, "Thank you."

The Alpha stepped forward rather closely, "Do you have a mate, Lily?" He was looking at me so softly. His eyes a chocolate brown. He actually seemed like a nice guy. I think he was just lonely and my heart hurt because I knew exactly what he felt like. 

I smile sadly, "Yes, I am. I'm sorry."

Jethro takes a step back he bows and says, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to be forward. I didn't know you were mated."

I shrug, "Well I kinda am, at least."

"Who is he?"

"Zeus."

Jethro face changed into a soft one into one of concern, "Zeus of the Hellhounds?"

I nodded. 

Jethro took a step forward, "You should be careful, Lily."

I snickered, "Thank you for telling me that. It seems everyone worships him like hes a god or something. It's nice to have a change in opinion."

I felt Jethro's hand on my back as he said lowly, "Zeus is powerful, but that does not mean he uses it wisely all the time. If you ever feel in danger, come to me. I will take you in my pack for refuge."

I took a step out of his hand and politely, "Thank you for the offer, but I must-"

"For what offer?" I felt chills run up my spine as I heard that deep voice appear. 

Zeus stares at Jethro very sharply, "Alpha Jethro, it's been a while."

Jethro bows his head respectfully, "It has. I was just talking to your beautiful mate here."

Zeus glances down at me for a moment before gazing back to the Alpha. I felt Zeus's hand rest on my waist as he said, "Yes, she is exquisite, isn't she."

Jethro took a step forward, "Yes. She seems like a jewel. Funny that she is mated to someone of your...status."

Zeus was silent as his pupils dilated and his shoulders tense up, he offers a very tight smile. He was getting angry. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I placed my hand over his that was resting on my waist and I began to softly stroke it. I could see Zeus taking a deep breath as he relaxed, "She is my mate which means she was made for me and I was made for her."

Jethro shrugs and said nonchalantly, "Maybe the Moon Goddess has finally made a mistake, after all." Zeus drops his hand from my waist and steps to Jethro, both of them awfully close as their eyes blazed with a battle of dominance, but I knew. Regarding authority and dominance, Zeus will always win.

"You're right, the Moon Goddess has made a mistake. I'm looking at it," Zeus snarls at Jethro's face. 

Jethro looked like he was going to snap. I step in between them and pushed them apart, "That's enough. We are at a ball! Not a bar. You are both Alphas, start acting like it."

Jethro, "He was-"

"I don't care!" I said harshly, "This is Zeus's home that he has welcomed you to, I am his mate. Disrespecting him is the same as disrespecting me. Push your emotions aside and start acting like a leader." I said to Jethro.

Jethro stood there breathing heavily as he stared at Zeus, both of them having this unspoken hatred toward each other. 

"He deserves every kind of disrespect. He doesn't want you, Lily," I flinched at his words, but his bluntness does not waver, "He will toss you aside like a common whore once he gets what he wants from you."

I gaped at his words that had struck me. Zeus steps in and pulls me aside when he snarls in a dark and low voice, "You don't speak to her like that. She is above you. You will be the one I'll be tossing after I beat you to a pulp."

Jethro goes to throw a punch. And I didn't know what happened , I just reacted! All I knew at that moment, was that I didn't want Zeus to get hurt. I quickly stepped and pushed Zeus out of the way, he was so caught off guard that he stumbled in shock as he saw me get struck down. 

I was dizzy on the floor. I felt a throbbing sensation on my head as my vision focuses back to normal. I see my family rush over to me. My father and Xavier came, shouting at me, but I couldn't focus on them. My head cleared as well as the muffled sound of voices. I heard shouting and cursing. Everyone stared wide eyed at was behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Zeus punching Jethro. 

No! "Zeus!" I yelled at him. He froze mid-punch. He looked at me, eyes burning with rage. I weakly shook my head. He growls and snarls as he gets off Jethro. Jethro gets up, glaring at Zeus. 

Zeus stands there, "Guards! Escort Alpha Jethro out of my territory."

Guards came and took Jethro. He glances at me and his eyes softens, "I'm sorry, Lily." He said before the guards kept pushing him away. 

Zeus came to my side. His hands tucks under my arms and lifts me up. I stumble slightly, but I got my footing. My father came and pulled me away from Zeus into his arms, "Is this what my daughter has to go through by being here!?"

I pushed away and said, "Dad-"

"NO!" He shouts, "I am not letting you stay here with him anymore. You are coming home right now!"

"You are her father," Zeus says, "And I will respect you for that, but you will not take her away from me. She has a purpose here."

Uncle Xander and Uncle Solomon came and held my father back as he shouted, "You will get her killed! She deserves better than you! Let her go you son of a bitch!"

Zeus's eyes blazed with anger again. Ozai and Sozin appeared and began to hold Zeus back too, "Don't lecture me about getting her killed! She could have died when she fell into that ice! Where were you? Why were you not watching her in a time of war?" Zeus shouts back. My father and my mate began to argue with each other. I sighed. I was tired of this.

"Enough!" I screamed. Both of them fell silent as them and everyone else turned to me, "Has anyone ever asked me what I wanted? What I wanted to do? Do I have no say in this?"

No one answered. I shook my head an walked away. I just wanted to get away. 

"Lily!" Zeus yells for me. But I just walk away.

I looked over the crowd and noticed that Ryan wasn't here anymore. I sighed in relief. I was glad he was gone. I didn't want a reminder of my broken heart anywhere. I walked out of the ballroom and I went down the hallway for a little bit, just to have space from the big crowd of people. I didn't want to think.

I looked up at the paintings around the halls. They were beautiful. There were portraits of the Hellhounds and scenery and all. Very well painted and detailed. I heard people approaching and I saw a lovely couple holding their small daughter."

He looked at her like she was everything. She was also heavily pregnant. Looked like she could pop any day. He had his arm round her waist when she groaned, "I want this baby out of me bebé!"

Her mate laughs and gives her a peck on the lips, "I know bebé, I know. We can always try and induce the labour?"

She laughs and smacks his arm playfully.