I woke to the sound of my alarm alone. The sheets beside me were still warm which meant Phoenix wasn't gone for long. I had thought it was a dream, but his smell encompasses my entire room.

I eyed my clock to see it was almost nine and I remembered I was going to meet Pollux and Gaia for breakfast.

I hurried out of bed, my legs aching after being restless all night. It was another gloomy rainy day today so I chose just a lightweight baggy jumper and leggings today.

I made my way out of my room and downstairs. Wolves that saw me seemed surprised. I didn't blame them; it hadn't been announced that I was back. I noticed they muttered to others around them and I grimaced at the thought of the gossip.

"Ah Nova, I was just looking for you."

I turned to give Pollux a small smile. "Morning, where are we eating?"

The truth was I didn't have much of an appetite today. The anxious grief I was feeling for not going to help the girls was eating me alive.

"Gaia is already in the dining room waiting. She knew we'd come to her." He smiled.

My eyes widened but I nodded and followed his lead. Whilst he helped himself to the breakfast buffet I surrendered to the tired and make myself a coffee. I wasn't a huge coffee fan but when I was tired and sluggish I liked the kick it gave me.

Once Pollux was ready he gave me a reassuring smile. "She's not that bad."

Easy for you to say. The last time I saw her she kept giving me weird stares.

I followed behind him into the dining room and towards the far corner. There sat the older lady from the kitchen; the one who scolded me for using the dishwashers. The one who knew my name.

She sat hunched over a bowl of what appeared to be granola and berries. Sniffing, I could detect nothing but wolf still; her disguise was a good one. Her chocolate brown eyes caught my gaze and she smiled in greeting.

"My dear, come, come sit. You to Pollux." She patted the tabletop.

I hesitantly took the seat opposite her and beside Pollux. She beamed at him before glancing down at my solo cup of coffee.

"Not the appetite today dear?" She questioned.

I shook my head. "Not today."

She smiled gently. "It's okay. A lot has gone on from what I figured out."

I nodded. "Yeah, it's all rather confusing."

"Well I take it Polly told you who I was?"

Cel snorted at the nickname and I gave Pollux a side glance in amusement. He rolled his eyes before continuing to eat his food.

"Yeah, he said you're the witch who cursed us and raised him."

She winced a little when I mentioned the curse but gave me a sad smile. "Your mother pleaded it of me, I felt obliged. She trusted me, a stranger to look after the children... but I am an Oracle you see, I knew I had to be there when I envisioned the lands burning down. Turns out the reason I was called there was to look after you two."

I frowned. "But...how did I end up so separated? Why don't I remember anything?"

She frowned. "I'm not sure. The trees were burning so fast, that they just began to collapse. When your mother got crushed by one Pollux was crying and screaming so hard he fell unconscious. I remember wishing you'd be okay but from his reaction and then to him not being able to feel you at all... I couldn't intervene with nature's way of things. I could only hope you were found safe."

"But then you know where I ended up? How did you find out?" I asked.

She paused, thinking it over as she glanced towards Pollux. "It was when the Alpha's mother died."

I frowned. "All those years ago?"

"Yes. We were travelling through a pack for resources." She nodded. "I was overwhelmed with a vision of war, of packs being taken down by a large enemy. It was so sudden, as were many of my visions; I knew it was going to happen that day. So I gathered everything I needed and teleported the three of us to Alpha Titan's pack. At the time, of course, his father was Alpha."

"We came to warn them, but the patrol wolves didn't trust us. The old Alpha was a very strict and unkind man. He did not accept outsiders and was very harsh on his son." She sighed. "So we turned back but stayed close. I was a woman with two small children, Pollux you were what, eight years old? My Raven was about ten. They probably thought I had a gingerbread house nearby."

I smiled lightly at her attempt to lighten the situation. "So what happened?"

Pollux shifted beside me and I turned to look at him. "They were ambushed. The vampire was set on killing them all. We saw them race through the trees but none of them cared for us; Vampires and witches got on well."

"Vampires are real?" I gasped.

"Very." He chuckled. "They stormed the pack lands, but the old Alpha had listened as he was ready. Just for the wrong enemy. They expected rogues, not vampires. Werewolves had an unspoken treaty with the fangs, but it was never blood bound."

"So they took it for granted," I muttered.

Pollux nodded, sipping at his mug. "They were greatly outnumbered. It wasn't long before they stormed the house and I knew the Luna was in there somewhere protecting everyone. Back then only the men fought, the women were to raise the pups."

"Back then?" Gaia chuckled. "It was only 13 years ago son."

He shrugged. "Anyway, the Vampires knew this and stormed the house. I couldn't take it anymore, I ran onto the battlefield and straight to the Alpha. He didn't like me there, he knew I was a stranger, thought I was witch blood. I begged him to go and help the others but he wouldn't move. That's when Phoenix came outside..."

"What have I told you about using titles Pollux?" Gaia tutted.

"Please Gaia, I am a better species." He laughed.

She scoffed and nudged his leg under the table, which only caused him to laugh louder.

"What happened next?" I asked, intrigued.

"I told him the same, as he actually listened. He was barely a teenager, he hadn't shifted. I told him his mother was in danger and he listened. I went to rally troops with him and we ran there together. We managed to kill the few fangs that were there and saved his mother and the pups. They had thankfully barricaded themselves in the cellar room, the fangs nearly got to them. But whilst we were down there there was a horrific roar..."

He swallowed, his eyes going glossy at the memory. "His father was killed. All I remember is watching his mother fall to her knees, at the break in the bond. It was enough pain and suffering to cause Phoenix to shift for the first time...Into a magnificent beast, I may say. Ares rose to defend the pack. He single-handedly slaughtered every single fang there. He was in a blood haze, never stopped till they were dead or too far away. They travel faster than us, so it was impressive... a lot of decapitated heads though...."

I frowned at the image, swallowing the remanents of the coffee I had in my mouth. "Gross."

He chuckled. "Trying to not make it so scary for you."

"Cassie," Gaia spoke suddenly.

I turned with a frown, I didn't like that name.

"You prefer Nova?" She wondered.

I nodded. "Please."

She smiled gently. "Okay, Nova... The Beta took over temporarily and allowed us to stay for a few days. I kept an eye on him even when I left because of something about that boy... I knew he was going to change, something told me he was going to be either a force to be reckoned with or a great wolf... That year Phoenix stayed with his mother until she eventually passed away. When she passed he took over as Alpha at only fifteen. The pack changed from that day..."

"How so?"

"Well, the mated couples left when Phoenix made it so that they would all have to train. Some women stayed and trained themselves up. But that was when the pack truly became the warrior pack they were meant to be...That innocent young boy was changed forever by his parent's death. It was so sad." She sighed.

"So that's why everyone is so strict around here? Because that's what he wants?" I asked, even though I felt I was right.

Pollux chuckled. "Mates are a weakness to many wolves; his parent's death was a valid reason for why mates are a distraction."

I frowned. "That's an awful way to look at it."

Gaia sighed. "It will explain why he was so reluctant with bonding with you. That and the whole Lycan drama."

I nodded with a frown. "I just hope it's not true."

Gaia smiled and reached across to touch my hand. Her eyes glazed over and she stared at me for a moment before blinking out of the trance.

"Gaia, stop reading people." Pollux huffed.

She smiled sadly and ignored him. "I know you're confused but it'll all make sense. The Moon Goddess wouldn't have paired you if it wasn't meant to be. You both have your flaws, everyone does. That's why mates make each other stronger, you balance each other out."

I chuckled and shook my head. "He's just become a different person than what I've been used to."

"Well, maybe he realised how much he can't go on living without you." She shrugged, leaning away. "I wish I could see where you were taken but my daughter is a good witch, I cannot see past her wall."

I remembered Raven mentioning her mother, and turned to Gaia hesitantly. "She said she's okay, and she will see you soon."

Gaia dropped her smile for a small grimace and sighed. "My gifts Nova... I can see the future and the past. The past is certain but the future is changeable... I have seen few futures with my daughter in it, but there are few without her."

"I'm sorry." I frowned.

"It's okay dear." She was back to smiling. "I know my girl well, she's strong."

"How did she end up there?"

"We got split up. We were in danger from the rogues." She sighed. "Pollux was already of age and had shifted, so he went on his journey without us. When the rogues smelled his Lycan blood on us they hunted us. I tried to teleport us but Raven stayed behind and as the portal closed I saw her being taken from them. I should've seen it coming, but she went almost willingly..."

"It was a last-minute decision," I spoke softly.

She nodded. "I would've seen her plan otherwise. But these rogues were smart and always changed their paths so it was hard to track them."

"I get it now." I sighed. "She did what she had to do to save you both."

Raven's sacrifice for her mother and Pollux has me thinking. She was brave and saved everyone by taking matters into her hands. And here I was sat having coffee and a chat. Whilst people were being taken, beaten and raped...

I needed to get these dominant males in order. It couldn't wait any longer. Their plan wasn't working, time to make it my own.

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