I woke up from the most amazing sleep. I squinted my eyes open and saw the bathroom instead of the balcony. I frowned. Why am I facing the-then the memories of last night came crashing down.

One of those memories was Zeus pulling me into his arms. I thought it was a dream, but the fact that he was spooning me, lazily from behind only confirmed that it was not a dream. Definitely not a dream.

His hulking figure was right behind me. His head was buried in my hair and giant arms held me tight against his very naked and deliciously muscular chest.

I tried to move away, but his grip only tightened. I wanted to go to the bathroom! I kept trying to move and he groaned, "Stop it, stay still."

I rolled my eyes, "I need to go to the-" But my words slowly slipped away from my mouth when I felt something behind me, something rather-.a very very deep blush heated up on my cheeks when I realised that Zeus's morning glory was pressed up right against my behind. And by the feel of it...let's just say it's not your average size.

"I need to go to the bathroom!" I hissed at him. He groans and lets me go then rolls ever. I quickly rush away and close the door.

I slide down it and gulped. Oh. My.Gosh. Zeus was...was...he was feeling something this morning, that's for sure! I looked in the mirror and cringed. My whole face was red.

I went to have a shower and shook my head. He's a Hellhound, but he's also a guy. Of course...stuff like that would happen.

I can't believe that happened. I never been in such a situation before, not even with Ryan. He was definitely wanting to, but I didn't. However, I felt dirty because...I kinda wanted Zeus too.

***

I left Zeus sleeping. He had a rough night. I walked out and saw at least ten guards, just in this hall alone. They were standing on either side like statues.

I approached one and asked, "Hello, my name is Lily." I introduced myself politely.

The guard bows his head. He was huge. He was the one guarding outside of Zeus's bedroom, "It's an honour to meet the mate of Zeus. My name Jeremiah."

"I was wondering why there are so many guards only on this level?"

"Zeus order extra guards on this hall in particular. The Alphas and Lunas of the packs stayed here last night. Zeus wanted extra security as a precaution."

"Oh. Okay then . Thank you. It was nice meeting you, Jeremiah." He just bows his head straightens back into a statue stance again.

It was still early in the morning. I don't think the sun has even risen yet. I expect no one to be awake and I wanted it like that. I wasn't in the mood or the right head space to be around lots of people.

I went to make a cup of tea from the kitchen and made my way to the library. I was stunned slightly when I saw Donny half on the couch and fully asleep with drool on the pillow. Sozin was up on the upper level, lying on the floor with his arm dangling down and his face squished into the pillow he was using, he was also very much asleep.

"The library is prohibited to guests," Ozai said at one of the desks. He had his glasses on, reading some books.

I giggled, "Is that why you guys are here?"

Ozai smirks, "Yes. We got tired of the females knocking on our doors."

I laughed, "Wow. Popular guys, huh?" I said teasingly.

Ozai chuckles quietly, "Not at all. They are only interested in our power of status. We could be ugly pigs and they would still throw themselves at us."

I shook my head and sat on the seat window, sipping my tea, "They have no shame."

"Or self-respect, it seems." He said amused, "How is your throat? Any swelling?"

I gently touch my throat and shook my head, "I feel okay. It's not bad, just a little swollen, but it should go away soon enough."

"Good," Ozai says, "I was worried."

I smiled as I stared at Ozai. With the hair, the eyes, the scary tattoos and big build, you would assume he was some ruthless warrior, which he was, but he was a lot more too. He was very smart. He loves learning about everything. He was very proper and well mannered. He was an old soul on the inside which is something I loved. He was like a wise big brother figure I guess. The kind that wasn't a dick.

"Zeus was worried too, ya know." Ozai said while still gazing upon his book, "He was running the fastest to your bedroom."

I scoffed, "Of course. He always needs to make sure his little curse breaker is safe."

Ozai's eyes connect with mine, he bent his head down to look at me from above his glasses, "I think we both can acknowledge the fact that you have grown to be a little more significant than that, Lily."

I shrugged my shoulders, "I dunno. Maybe I am, but it seems I could never measure up to Lillian."

Ozai snickers, "Come on. Lillian is in the past."

I lean against the wall, "Pasts catch up to us if we don't deal with it. Doesn't seem like Zeus has dealt with his."

"Zeus has had four wives...I doubt Lillian is any different to the others. You're his mate, you're the one that-"

"No I'm not." I said firmly, "Lillian was different. Despite the fact that he could have a mate, Zeus planned to settle down with her, build a life together and have kids." I didn't like saying it out loud. It only made it more real. It wasn't just some story, it was Zeus's past. A Past I'm not sure I am capable of dealing with. I sighed, "Zeus told me."

Ozai tilts his head, waiting for me to continue, "Nikolai murdered her and their unborn child."

Ozai stilled. He was processing what I just told him. He put down his book and took his glasses. His eyes slightly wider.

"I can't believe he told you," Ozai said quietly, "I can't believe he even talked about it. He hasn't ever talked about it. Not once."

I looked down into my tea, "He loved her. He still loves her. He might develop affection for me, but they I will never be her." I said quietly. I thought that maybe if I said it louder, my voice might break.

Ozai leans back in his chair and his eyes soften, "Lily-"

I laughed but there was nothing funny about it at all, "You know, when I was younger, I would imagine my mate being this perfect man. The perfect guy for me. I thought it would be like how it was in the movies. Where they fall into this epic love, "I shook my head, "But then I realised, there are movies made like that for a reason. It's because it's not realistic. People want to watch it because it let's them escape the reality of life. It shows what love never is and only what we wish it to be."

Ozai was silent and I knew why. I was right.

"You're wrong, Lily." Okay maybe I'm not totally right, "Your love is not like the movies. It's more like a documentary."

I snickered, "Wow, Thanks Ozai."

"Now let me finish. I know Zeus is a screw up. But you have to understand, the Zeus he was back then, is completely different to the Zeus he is now. After Lillian died, Zeus left us. For five years he went on his own. He went on his own. He lost himself. He made sure that he eradicated every once of ounce of the things that made him Zeus. It was the most lost and most dark version of Zeus I have ever seen. But seeing you, meeting you, it changed him. You have changed him Lily. I'm starting to see him again, the true him. Do not undermine your own power. You have more power over him than you think."

I let this conversation end. I was tired of thinking and feeling everything. I wanted nothing more than to have Zeus, for him to care about me, but I needed to make sure that I was not letting myself feel these feelings without being careful.

***

My eyes caught a book lying on the floor next to me. Mythology. Interesting. I picked it up and started flicking through it out of boredom. I went to the content page to look at the different information they had. My attention was drawn to a name of a specific god. Kyro. It was on page 242.

I skipped to that page and I began to read. Kyro became famous when he withheld a storm Zeus planned to set upon earth. And so he adopted the name Stormhold. That was only the beginning of his fame. He evolved over the thousands of years. He became more powerful and more devious. Kyro was uncontrollable as well as untameable.

My brows raised in surprise when I read he was quite a ladies man. Many of the goddesses were intrigued by Kyro since he was so unpredictable. However, he swore he would never be bound to one woman. He wanted to be free to do as he pleased.

A woman, a powerful enchantress fell in love with Kyro. She wished to be his soulmate, but he refused. He did not love her or ever truly cared for her. She was devastated when she found that he had gone. Kyro had left when he heard through the wind that the moon goddess had hidden her powers. He planned to steal it.

But when he went steal he found a girl. I guess this is the story that Zeus told me. It was interesting to know that she was actually a dying star. The Moon Goddess decided to place her power inside the star in hope that she may shine once more. Bur if she ever left her sanctuary, the place that was feeding the moon goddess's power to her, she would not survive.

I gulped and kept reading. When she faded into a flower she bloomed only once before the wind had gently blew the petals away toward the land of the mortals. Kyro searched for the petals that his love left behind, hoping to put the flower together again and that one day he would be reunited with his Soulmate.

I kept reading and read that her named was Esme. The moon Goddess gave it to her, "Hmmm, Esme." I mumbled under my breath.

"What'd you say?" Ozai sat there with his glasses lower down the bridge looking at me expectantly.

I shrug, "I said 'Esme.' I'm just reading about the-"

"Don't say that name around here." Ozai says seriously.

I tilted my head and frowned, "Why not? It's just a story."

Ozai shook his head, "Legends are based off of truths, Lily. You be careful when it comes to the business of the gods, "Ozai sighs as he stares at my very confused face. He says gently, "Just...don't say that name. Names hold power. Some powers are better left locked up."

I nodded, "Alright then. I won't." I'll think it instead. Ha! Ozai must be quite a religious man.

Donny groans and slowly raises his head with his sleepy swollen eyes, "Those bloody girls are going to be the death of me,"

I giggled, "Good Morning."

Donny sits up and stretches, "That was a horrendous sleep."

Sozin groans and began to move. I was going to go up there to make sure he was careful, but as the thought passed my mind it was too late. Sozin wakes up and rolls over, probably expecting to be in bed. But instead, he was in for a rude awakening. He fell a few feet from the upper level of the library.

I covered my mouth with my hand in shock as I watch Sozin groan on the hard wooden floor, "Fuck that hurt."

Donny throws a book at his head, "Lily is in the room, Sozin!"

Sozin raises his pain stricken face towards me and smiles, "Good Morning, Lil."

I Laughed, "Good Morning. Are you okay?"

He nods his head, "Oh I am just dandy now, aren't I " He says sarcastically.

"Maybe you shouldn't have slept right next to the ledge." I said with my brow quirked up.

Sozin glares at me, "I didn't ask for you opinion."

I snickered playfully, "No, but you should have. I am giving very good advice here."

Donny rolls his eyes, "You're only stating the obvious, Lil."

I smiled, "I always state the obvious because no even gets the obvious!"

I could see Sozin's face was in concentration as he was trying to understand what I meant. He shook his head and rubs his eyes, "You know what, it's too early to even attempt to comprehend the nonsense that comes out of your pretty mouth, Lil."

"Aw you think my mouth is pretty?"

"Who is talking about who's pretty mouth?" I heard that raspy voice behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Zeus in his workout clothes.

I gulped as my eyes ran over his very sweaty body. The sweat glistened over his arms, giving it such a...I don't even know. But it was quite a view.

"We were talking about-" Sozin was going to explain.

"I don't care," Zeus says, "We need a meeting."

Donny rolls off the couch and sits up properly. Sozin stands and clicks his back before sitting down also.

I sighed and got off my seat. I hate how they do meeting, discussing stuff and then I can't know anything! I took my cup and leave them to their secrecy.

"Lily." I hear Zeus say my name. I turn around. Zeus point to the chair next to him, "I want you to stay."

My brows raised in surprise, "I'm allowed to stay?"

"I ain't going to repeat myself, babe."

I bite my lower lip to try and suppress the smile threatening to show on my face. I come and silently sit down.

Zeus leans in and rests his elbows on his knees, "We need to discuss about last night." I tense when last nights events were mentioned.

"Nikolai is back and he wants my blood. He wants Lily to do the ritual so than he has a chance to take it. He knows other than that, it will be impossible to take it. If this is not done, he threatens to kill her family, leaving her last."

All the guys tense. Donny was the first to speak, "He threatened to kill Lily?" He says harshly, "He is just trying the intimidation method. He doesn't have the power to kill a whole pack."

"On the contrary," Ozai intervenes, "Nikolai used to be a werewolf, now turned Vampire. He knows how werewolves work. How they think, how they'd feel, all of their weak spots. He's got the vantage point from here."

He's got the advantage. This didn't help with my anxiety. I stood there with my shoulders back and my head held high, I didn't want to come off as being weak, but inside I was terrified. I didn't know how this was all going to play out. There was a possibility that my family could be killed and then there is a possibility of Zeus and the guys being killed. I was nervous. I just didn't want to lose anyone.

Zeus side glances at me for a moment. I saw his arm move. I felt him rest his hand on my knee under the table, rubbing his thumb over it. I tensed from a moment of shock and then I found it gave me comfort.

"And he's got himself a whole vampire army." I said.

Sozin groans and rests his head from the back of the couch, "Great. That's just great. I'm too sober to hear this kinda stuff."

"So," Zeus continues, "Lily and I will not be doing the ritual any time soon. We'll need the Hellhound inside of us to defeat this." He says which I am surprised about it. I thought he would do the opposite. Break the curse so than Nikolai won't have any use of me anymore.

"Fight evil with evil...I like it." Sozin said.

"We need a plan." Ozai says, "We've got our own army, but we need to train them. We need make that they know how Vampires work."

"That is why I am leaving that up to you," Zeus tells him, "You've been researching vampires to help Lily, surely you've picked up on something."

Ozai sits back and crosses his arms, "I guess I can inform them of the general stuff."

"But Zeus, how will we defeat this? If we're being realistic here, they've been planning this for the last hundred years since the day you thought Nikolai was dead. They would have planed for every possibility that could occur."

Zeus sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, "I know that. I'll take care of it. Out of everyone here, I know Nikolai best. I know how he thinks, I know what makes him tick. Leave it to me."

"What about my family?" I said, "I can't have them sitting there like lambs waiting for the slaughter."

"I will send my best warriors out there to help them. They can inform your Alpha of what we are doing here." Zeus said.

That made me feels a little better knowing that they will be prepared. But I was still a little stressed.

Through the windows, I saw the sun finally rise, I should be feeling awake and alive, but I wanted nothing more than to crawl into a ball back to bed.

"This meeting is finished," Zeus says seriously, "Ozai, I want you to make sure all of the Packs here leave by tonight. We don't have time to be good hosts."

Ozai nods, standing and leaves.

"I want you two to go to Demora and ask her to meet me at my office." He's got an office?

Sozin and Donny both stood up and left, leaving me and Zeus alone. I stood up and said, "You got no orders for me?"

Zeus stands up and looks down at me, "I don't want you to wonder these halls for today."

"Why not?"

Zeus leans in, "For your safety."

"Safety? But you have people stay here at every anual ball. You have them as honoured guests? Why would I need to be-"

"Just because they stay here, doesn't mean I trust them, " He says in a low tone, "Why do you think I posted extra guards on our level? They may all be Alphas of good packs, doesn't mean they are good themselves. People have light and dark in them, Lily. People don't always pick the light side."