I had spent the next couple of hours or so with Calida in her room. We had let the light in, tidied up her room and I even convinced her to take a shower. She was scared that someone was going to walk in so I stayed sat outside the cracked open door for her comfort. It was a small accomplishment, but she had a spark within her that was waiting to erupt into flames.

Once she was showered, the evening air was flowing through the open windows and I found myself gazing across the magnificent garden of the castle. She was sitting on her bead, braiding her hair down her back.

"Thank you." She whispered.

I turned my gaze to her in curiosity, "What for? You did this all yourself."

She shook her head. "You were the first person in nine years who has been kind to me."

I smiled at her and she returned it with confidence. "So, what do you want to do now?"

She shrugged, "I'm not ready to go outside right now."

I nodded in thought, "Have you heard about your parents coming?"

She shook her head, "I scared everyone away remember."

I laughed. "Oh yeah, I'll ask my mate right now."

She blushed but nodded, "The large male who tore Steven apart."

"That's the one." I cringed.

"You're very opposite, but I see how it could work so well. I see how you look at each other, why do you hold back?" She wondered, cocking her head.

I sucked on my lower lip, wonderous of how others perceived us if this is what she picked up from brief moments. "I had a hard time coming to terms with what I am. My whole life has been a lie and I've been used as a pawn. It's hard for me to...commit I suppose. But I am realising now, that he does care for me; it has just been a hard time adjusting."

She smiled, "He is a large man. I can see how protective he is of you."

We laughed at the expense of Phoenix's form. It felt nice to have someone to laugh with after the hard week that has passed.

Phoenix. I called through the link.

He replied instantly, his mind opening to show me he was outside speaking with Lyra and the warriors. Some were roughhousing, others relaxing in the sunshine.

I smiled to myself, aware of Calida's eyes looking at me. Have you heard anything about Calida's parents?

I felt his mood shift as he dropped the teasing to a more serious tone. 'Yes...but it's not good news.'

What happened? I asked, turning to look out the window to hide my expressions from her.

'Her mother passed around seven years ago, and they claim she had died from natural causes... but we found a classified autopsy that claims it was silver, and she had a knife wound concealed under her clothing. I suspect suicide going by her records; she has attempted many times since Calida went missing.' He sighed. 'Her father wants nothing to do with her.'

I winced. She is human, you know. She has no wolf at all, maybe a slither of wolf blood, but a hundred percent human-born.

He hummed, interest peaking. 'Perhaps she is the product of an affair. The parents are both wolf blood, but the supposed father wants nothing to do with her.'

That would make sense. I frowned, feeling sorrow for her. I will have to break it to her slowly. Where will she go?

'I think you already have an idea, Nova.'

I chuckled because it was true; I did. I'll talk to you once it is over.

The link dipped off and I turned to face Calida with a ghost of a smile. "So...they have managed to contact your old pack...but..."

She sighed, "My mother is dead, isn't she?"

My eyes widened and she nodded her head with a frown. "I felt something one day, it felt like a piece of me had cracked and fallen off. I can't explain it but something just felt strange."

I nodded, "Seven years ago."

She inhaled a shaky breath, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. "How?"

"The report states natural causes, but they found what looks like confidential files or a cover-up and it looks like silver wounds," I explained.

She let out a breath of air, her voice becoming shaky. "Let me guess, my father wants nothing to do with me."

I frowned and didn't know how to answer but she knew the answer was yes. I took a hesitant step toward her, feeling her sorrowful mood breaking through her walls. Her chest heaved and she let out a loud sigh.

"Could I be alone for a bit?"

"You gonna be okay?" I wondered.

She hesitated but nodded, "I kind of knew this was coming."

"Well, Calida, if you ever need a place to stay, you are more than welcome at Blood Moon."

He raised her lowered eyes to give me a look of gratefulness. She quietly nodded and gave a small smile which I returned before beginning to walk out of the room. I hesitated at the door and gave her one last look but she was already crawling back into the bed. I stepped out quietly, shutting the door softly behind me. Letting out a shaky breath, I leaned against the wall opposite.

That was difficult. So unusual to be the one who supports people instead of the one being treated like dirt. But it felt good, I felt empowered in my empathy towards Calida. I knew she was going to be okay, despite her sorrows I had a good feeling about her.

"Nova?"

I spun around in surprise and was glad to see Pollux approaching me. His smaller gentle figure was an easy appearance on the eyes. He frowned at me in concern but I pushed myself from the wall to start to walk toward him. His hair had been tied into a bun on the back of his head, and the chunk of the top of his ear that was missing was unusual to look at. I had never really chosen to look at it, but it was obvious jagged teeth had ripped the cartilage in two, right at the tip.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," I smiled. "What time is it? What's going on?"

He studied me curiously but fell into step beside me when I passed him. "Around seven, everyone is retiring to bed. Some parents have already turned up, others will be here through the next twenty-four hours."

I let out a small humming sound and followed him through the narrowing hallways.

"What about you? What you been up to?" He asked.

"I was helping Calida. She managed to shower and we talked for a bit, she's just a little lost."

He chuckled, "Did you hear she threw a table at the Queen?"

I laughed, "It was a lamp, but yes. She is... loud, in a good fiery way. I rather like her."

He nudged me as we approached the back garden once again. "You do pick the strange ones."

"Hey." I frowned. "Just because you are my brother now, does not mean you are on make fun of Nova level yet. That is reserved for Leo pending your acceptance"

He laughed louder, a deep bellow sounding through the air. It caused the people on the field to glance over and I caught the gazes of multiple strangers, both men and women. We approached the group in sync, aware of all the eyes suddenly looking our way. I sought out the comforting hazel, finding him towards the back with his arms crossed and back straight as he spoke to another man. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips in a thin line as he discussed something with who I assumed was a parent.

I felt my desire rising, and Cel pacing in my mind. He looked so good, so delicious and he just standing there probably discussing pack matters. The matching blue shirt hugged every muscle and curve and I had a hard time debating if it would look better on or off.

'Definitely off.' Cel purred.

I hummed in agreement, licking my lips at the desirable feelings. His back had tensed and as if only just realising we had approached the group, his head turned towards us. His hazel eyes were sharp and narrowed as he turned but as soon as they settled on mine his face contorted into a wide smile. He didn't move, watching me as I approached which caused me to feel butterflies in my stomach.

Once I reached his side, his arm wrapped around my waist and he placed a firm kiss on my neck. I felt the butterflies erupt in my stomach and my arms raise with goosebumps. The bond hummed between us, a thick tension I couldn't deny. It knew what was coming, and it was eager to continue.

"This is my mate, Nova." Phoenix suddenly spoke.

I glanced up to see who he was talking to and found an older wolf looking down at me. He smiled in greeting and held his hand out for me to shake. I eyed it, observing the man before receiving his hand in a formal handshake.

"Quiet the unusual sight I must say." He hummed.

"Nova, this is Alpha Demetrius from New Moon, he is a close friend of the family." Phoenix introduced us.

The other King's Alpha.

I observed him closely, admitting his appearance to memory. Dark silvering hair sat upon aged tanned skin and bright blue eyes smiled down at me. His wolf was old but felt honest.

"Nice to meet you," I smiled. "Thank you for allowing us to use the backpacks for the battle."

"No, thank you for saving us all. My pack had not had any wolves taken and thanks to you we never will." He chuckled.

"Of course," I smiled against Phoenix's warm side. "Are you here with a pack member?"

He shook his head, "I came for support and once I had word everyone was saved I had to make sure everything was running smoothly."

'He's nosey.' Phoenix mused. 'Always has been. Got him into a lot of trouble when he was younger.'

"Oh," I smiled politely. "Well nice to meet you."

"And you." He grinned. "I must say, Phoenix, seeing you with a mate is twisting my old heart. I never thought I'd see the day. Once you took over as Alpha I feared that part of you would be lost forever."

Phoenix's grip tightened on my waist and I felt the suppressed anger through the bond; he took offence to his comments.

"I must ask, however, the male you walked in with, is that your relation?" He wondered.

I found my eyes narrowing. "My twin brother."

His face broke into another grin. "You do look exceptionally similar for unidentical twins. Twins always fascinate me."

I flickered my eyes along his form again, becoming more aware of his nosiness.

"Anyway, I hear you are taking upon the Alpha challenge tomorrow. When do you set off? I shall accompany you there." He grinned, turning back to Phoenix.

"Don't you have a pack to attend to?" Phoenix grumbled.

"Please, an Alpha challenge is a rare thing to witness." He chuckled before glancing over me. "It'll be interesting how she holds up."

A low grumble settled in my chest, barely being held back as he mocked my appearance.

"Nova will do well, I will not have any other mate. Once she wins, I am going to do something about this rule." Phoenix snapped.

Demetrius' eyes widened in delight. "Oh please do, I've had enough of his rules. I have been alive for eighty years and it is terribly outdated. I am lucky my mate survived."

I felt Phoenix pull me closer and frown as his claws began to sink into my flesh. The conversation had died off after that and eventually, I excused us to speak to him alone.

We came to a stop near my brothers and I noticed Sean and Rose were not around anymore. I assumed Primrose's parents had arrived and he had gone to speak to them with her. The sun was slowly lowering in the sky so soon everyone would retire inside.

"He's... unusual," I muttered once we were on the other side of the field.

He chuckled darkly. "He's annoying."

"Phoenix..." I chimed but he laughed me off. "...So when do we leave?

"We will leave around ten." He sighed, "The fights are scheduled for eight o'clock, just as the sun begins to go down. It is traditionally the time it is to be fought. Competitors are to arrive at six, to make sure they are not poisoned or hypnotised; they make it as far as they can considering how barbaric it is. Spectators are already contacting Charlie to come and watch the fight."

"Is that why you've been checking your borrowed, phone all the time?" I teased.

He chuckled but wrapped me up in his arms. I was startled at the show of affection, especially in front of so many wolves. Many of whom were staring at us and in heated embarrassment, I hid my face in his elbow. His wolf let out a low, deep rumble that made people around us shuffle and I peeked my head up to see they had all looked away. He sighed and pulled my face up to look at him, both his large hands cupping my entire jaw and cheeks.

"Whatever happens tomorrow Nova, you will not be without me. I will not let it happen." He promised.

I frowned, "Phoenix you can't promise things like that. It has to happen."

He shook his head, "It doesn't. It really doesn't. You are made for me Nova, made for me as I am made for you. You are everything to me, Nova."

I sighed as he bent down to plant a gentle kiss on my mouth and just enjoyed the moment for now. Tomorrow was going to be a big day for all of us.

We had stayed around for an hour or so longer before retiring to bed. In the quiet of the castle, I found my body in tune with his every movement. The way he breathed, the way his heartbeat. I could feel his contentment in the bond as he held my hand and lead the way back to our room.

Our room.

Who would've thought we'd be sharing a room?

It all came so naturally.

I never thought I would be this confident beside someone who had such a bad reputation, an Alpha especially. I couldn't help but stare at his back, the way his muscles moved each time his hips swayed and his arms swung by his sides. He was large and so appealing. Whether it was the heat or not, I could taste the tension in the air.

Coming to a stop at the door, he pushed it open and lead me through behind him. It shut with a gentle click and we fell into silence when he let go of my hand. I slowly made my way over to the bed and swallowed my nerves down when he began to strip off his shirt. His long fingers dug into the buttons and it seemed as though he was going slowly on purpose.

I found myself licking my lips as he slid the shirt from his shoulders and I raked my eyes over his well-defined and broad chest. My eyes travelled down to the skin disappearing beneath his belt and lingered on the way his waist moved without a shirt. He seemed to be coming towards me...

In a brief panic of being caught staring, I raised my gaze to his face to find his eyes dark and set firm on my own. My eyes widened in surprise as he stood before me, the height difference between me sitting down left me staring directly at his belly button.

"With the emotions, you are throwing at me Nova, I am finding it hard to resist my temptations." His voice growled.

I gaze up at him, my head falling back at nearly a ninety-degree angle. It only seemed to make the growl in his chest louder as his hand came to cup my neck and jaw. A small squeak left my lips as his fingers massaged the skin there, tightening slightly.

"The things you do to me, little mate." He grunted.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling my desire heat up my core like a match to flame. His dark eyes concentrated deeply on my face, falling to my lips when I parted them. I felt my pulse quicken against his fingers as slowly he began to push me backwards onto the bed.

I fell gently, his hand moving down to my collar bones as he leaned over me. "You are irresistible. I want to try something..."

•••

Smut lovers, the 18+ detailssss is in the next bonus chapter titled pleasure

Hello hello my wonderful people

Hope you like this chapter, they've come a long way from Phoenix being an arse haven't they hahaha

:

So you've all said whether you prefer hot or cold, and which season... but what about holidays?

What is your favourite celebration every year? eg Christmas, Hanukah etc

I don't really have one but I do love Christmas now I have kids they make it so much fun and magical

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