I didn't go to dinner that night. I also didn't go to Zeus's room. I decided it was best to stay in my own room for now.

I laid there, still. I didn't know what to think of Zeus. I mean, in my head, I knew he would've done horrible things, but I guess seeing it with my own two eyes only made it more real. Now when I look at him, I can't stop thinking of the blood.

But I understand that those vampires would've killed me, and the Hellhounds handled it in a way only they knew how, but I could see it wasn't just about revenge or justice, they liked it. They liked the violence and chaos. Zeus liked it. I could see in his eyes. He loved how messy and chaotic it was and it scared me.

But is that really him? Is that who he is?

I felt myself tense when I heard steps coming toward my door. The shadow under the door was standing there for a long time, but I relaxed when I saw it retreat.

We had kissed, which means that our relationship isn't just one of tolerance. We're not just being civil anymore, we've moved forward without even realising it. And I thought maybe we could get to a place where we actually had a relationship, where we could be mates, not just...well whatever we are now.

Could I live with him like this? Could I be with him knowing that he would have those tendencies, those dark desires within him. Could I be with him as the monster that he is? I didn't know the answer. If I were to choose him...would it be wrong?

If only I had Carrow to talk to. She was always so wise, and she was there when my uncles and aunts had their relationships, she could give me advice.

But she isn't here, none of them are. I am alone with my own thoughts.

***

The next morning I got ready pretty early. I readied myself for the day. As I put my jacket on, I felt the locket bump my chest which reminded me that I even had it on. I contemplated taking it off. It's a picture of Zeus, the picture of a blood thirsty monster. In the human world, his blood-thirst could be labelled as a psychopath, or a serial killer.

I decided to leave it on. I didn't see the point of taking it off and having there be a possibility of Zeus finding it in my room.

I went downstairs and went to the library. I left my notebook there. I entered the room and was looking over the desks and floors for my notebook. At first I didn't see him, but after him moving a little my eyes caught him.

"Ozai?" I said slowly and questionably.

He was sitting on the couch. He was very still, too still for a man that's awake. He was shirtless, his colourful tattoos were on display. He had a bottle of jack daniels and he was staring into nothing. But when I said his name, his eyes whipped to me and they widened, but he immediately looked down, almost like in shame.

"Lily..." He said quietly.

"Have you seen my notebook?" I asked bluntly. I left no room for playing around. I justed wanted to get my stuff and leave.

He gulps and shakes his head, "No, I haven't." His voice sounded so subdued, there was no trace of the blunt and matter-of-fact voice of Ozai anywhere.

I sighed, I was about to turn around to leave, but then I remember something.

I turned back around and asked, "How do you create the portal to get from this world to the human one?"

Ozai raises his head to me, "Zeus has got it, but I doubt he would give it to you. Why do you need it?"

I just shrugged, "I just wanted to see Carrow, a family friend."

"Carrow?" Ozai said with recognition, "Carrow from the House of Witches?"

I tiled my head, "Yeah do you know her?"

"She comes to Arcanus all the time. She's the ambassador for the Witch covens in Arcanus."

WHAT!? "Oh," was all I said, "Thank you."

After that I left. I didn't feel like talking to him. I went and grabbed my coat. I approached one of the guards, "Do you know who I am?" I asked.

He nods, "Yes ma'am, you are Zeus's mate."

"Good. Now, I want two of your guards to come with me to the village, and I want you to inform Zeus of where I am going."

The guard nods his head and quickly walks off to grant my request. Even though I didn't want to see Zeus, I would be preventing drama if I alerted him of my whereabouts.

I stand next to the door and see two big guards come, "You wanted us to come with you to the village?"

"Yes. Let's go." I didn't have time to be soft anymore. A war is approaching and I have to do the Moon Goddess's bidding or it could be the death of us all.

We walked out of the door of the castle and this time, we took a car, thank goodness! I was not in the mood to walk down this snowy mountain.

We drove in silence. I learned that their names were Isaiah and Zion. They were strong names. They seemed pretty cool.

I sat back and watched the snow covered nature pass us. No matter how much I didn't want to think of him, Zeus was hovering in my mind. I think it's because I know at some point I will have to face him. I'm just not sure if I can though. And if I do, what do I say? How am I supposed to act seeing what I have seen, knowing what I know about him?

I sighed, my mind couldn't for a solution.

We arrived at the village. We got out of the cars and the guards immediately came on either side of me as we walked to the bakery store where Noah's Grandmother works.

The bell rang as we walked inside, there were some people around, casually eating their baked goods. I saw Linda Maverick standing on the other side of the counter.

I stopped right in front of her and she smiles at me sweetly, "Hello dear, it is nice to see you again."

I smiled politely, "Likewise, umm, if you don't mind, Linda, I would like to have a word with you if you're not too busy."

"Of course." Linda replies seriously, "Follow me." We follow her out back and found ourselves in a cute little break room.

However before anything was said, I looked over my shoulder to the two guards, "Can you two please wait outside...this is a very private matter."

Both of them bowed their head and respectfully leave.

Linda smiles politely and gestures to the chair, "Please sit down. Would you like something to drink, perhaps?"

I shook my head, "No thank you. I need to talk to you about something, Linda."

She came and sat down. "Alright then, what is it?"

I lean forward on my elbows and said, "Last time we met, you seemed to be very in tuned with the gods."

"Yes?" She says curiously.

"I trust you. You are Noah's family which makes you my family. Have you heard of the story of the God of Chaos and the dying star?"

Linda's eyes widen, "Why do you want to know about that?"

I grip my hands together in frustration, "There are too many interpretations of this story, Linda, I need you to tell me the right one, the true one."

Linda leans back in her chair, "Stories are powerful, Lily. They can control our destiny. Esme's story is not one to be told lightly."

"And I don't want it to be. The Moon Goddess came to me, Linda," Noah's gtandmother's eyes widened and I could see she felt the full weight of the situation. I leaned forward and said more quietly, "She wants me to find the flower."

Linda leans forward in alarm, "You are searching for it?"

"Yes, and I need your help. If Nikolai get's Zeus's blood, he will become more powerful than ever. He wants to rule the world. Which means everyone's lives are at stake. And I am trying to prevent that, but I can't if you don't tell me what you know."

Linda stays silent as she fiddles with her hands, she takes deep breathes before saying, "I will tell you. But this has run in my family for generations. You cannot tell another soul about my family's history."

"I promise," I said firmly.

Linda took a quick sip of her tea, she was nervous as she began to speak, "My family is a very ancient one, you know that because we are Lycans afterall. But our bloodline in particular is very important. Our blood dates back to the very first lycan in all of wolf creation. His name was Ebenezer Aric. Kyro had created the lycan species to help him find the flower because he knew he couldn't do it alone. Ebenezer knew the true interpretation of the story of Kyro and Esme."

"How does it go?" I asked politely, but also a little firm.

"As the story goes, Kyro wanted to build a life with Esme, she had become his one and only love, and when he took her, she turned into a flower and her petals flowed away. But the question always was...did Esme really turn into a flower?"

I frowned, "But she did...didn't she? She turned into a flower because she stepped out of her sanctuary."

"But the moon goddess never got the rest of her powers back."

"Which means, she should've been fine?" I guessed.

Linda smiled and nodded her head, "Exactly. Esme only needed to stay in that glass sanctuary long enough for the Moon Goddess's power to be completely knitted into every section of Esme's being. She should have originally been fine going out of the glass house."

My mind was hurting from trying to figure this out, "Which means?"

"Someone put a spell on Esme."

My eyes widen and my mind was beyond shocked, "But who would do that?"

"Who would have a grudge against, Esme? Or even Kyro?"

Then it made sense, "His ex lover. The woman that fell in love with Kyro but he didn't feel the same way."

Linda smiles, "Exactly." Now my mind has completely exploded into a thousand pieces, "But, the ex lover was not totally heartless, she gave Kyro a chance to find his one love. Six to be exact. She gave him six chances over the time span of eternity to find Esme."

"But how? If she's a flower and her petals blew away, how the hell do you even find that?"

Linda leans back in her chair and sighs, "That's what we don't know. We don't know if she really was turned into a flower and how she could still be alive. None of it makes sense at all."

I got up from the table, "I guess that's what I have to figure out."

Linda too stands from the table, "If it helps, try research about the ex lover."

"What's her name?"

Linda shrugs, "No one knows. She is know as the Woman Scorned, but her name was never mentioned throughout history. Just try read about her. If you feel like you're getting to know her then maybe you will understand what kind of spell she would have used."

I sighed, "Okay, I'll try," I stood from my chair, "Thank you Linda. You have helped me more than any history book in Arcanus."

She smiles sweetly, "No worries, my dear. You are the one helping to save us all. It's the least I could do."

I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving. I need to figure this whole flower thing out.