Chapter 34

Apollo was at the stage in his life where he started the affairs. His children knew what was happening, as they could hear their mother crying in the dark of night. It broke the eldest heart to hear his mother sad. And he wished something would happen to take his father away.

What happened was one day when the eldest of Apollo's children were training in the training area. Rouges attacked and killed both Apollo and his mate Artemis. Leaving the three children orphaned, and a very scared boy suddenly thrust into power as alpha.

Knox stopped there, I could see he was getting emotional, and I understood why. He was Apollo's first born. And Lumos, as his twin, was the second born. And there was Tertia, who was the same age as Athena, the lost princess.

I didn't realise I had tears on my face until Knox handed me a tissue. I was so confused. I couldn't form words to express what I was feeling. So like I have always done, I looked at it logically.

"So, let me get this straight in my head. Your grandfather and Rigas's father were cousins. And your grandfather got kicked out for being an asshole. Then ya'll had kids, and then one day a princess gets kidnapped, and a few years later you lose your parents in a rouge attack? Did I get that right? What I don't understand is why the rouges would attack, when they would know that your pack had always been open to rouges. I don't understand that part and what it has to do with the princess?"

Knox looked at me for a long time, I could feel heat rising within me. The mate pull was back again, only this time it was stronger. I had to squeeze my legs together as tight as they would go in. The hope was he would not smell the change in my scent.

I was, of course, kidding myself on that one as I watched Knox's eyes darken and I could see Andras pushing forward. Before I could let anything happen, I needed answers so I could get away from him and return to my room.

"Please tell me if you know?".

Knox sighed, as if telling me the next part was the hardest thing he had ever done.

"You're right in what you say. Yes, I am the eldest child of Apollo and Artemis. Yes, my parents died in an attack. But it wasn't a rouge attack, like we were told. It was later discovered the royals had tracked down the culprit of the kidnap".

Knox started to get a little agitated, and he became restless as he started to pace the floor. I could see Adam's apple bobbing as if he needed a drink of water. So I stood and went to the drinks cabinet I had seen earlier, and hoping it was stocked with water opened it. I was in luck, so I grabbed two bottles and headed back to where Knox was still pacing.

"here" is said as I thrust the bottle into his hand. "Please, just finish the story and I can leave you in peace. I promise to go straight to bed. Just please tell me. It can't be as bad as you think."?

Knox POV

Could it be as bad as I thought? It was worse. How can I tell her the next part? She will hate me. I have held this secret from the pack to stop a blood bath from happening. Revenge is an idiotic notion, and no good has ever come from it. I should know, look what happened! Okay, I need to rip the band-aid off and tell her. If she hates me, she hates me. It was a risk I would have to take. As my fated mate, I owed her that much. She has been through so much crap in her life, and can't add to it by lying to her.

"Like I said earlier, it wasn't some random attack. The attack happened because the royals found out that the Lycan who kidnapped Princess Athena was my grandfather Ajax/Pallas Mathias. It took the royals thirteen years to discover who was to blame for their misery and suffering at the loss of their baby girl. So they sent warriors to kill Pallas. When they found out that he wasn't there and hadn't been for years. The royals ordered his warriors to kill Apollo as revenge for the kidnapping. What they didn't expect was my mother to run to her mates' aid and leave their children orphaned. So you see, if I was the one that brought you back to them, they would think my family and myself knew about the kidnapping and where you were. I'm afraid the punishment for such a crime would mean my entire pack gets slaughtered. My father was a good alpha in that the surrounding packs feared him as he was a top class warrior as well as being wise. I have tried to move the pack along even further by working with the surrounding packs. To call a truce to any fighting. I've even thrown parties for my pack that include other packs that allowed my pack members to find their mates. Something that never would have happened under my grandfather or father. I may still be young, but I have respect. I don't govern this pack with fear".

When I'd finished speaking, I glanced at Sam to see if I could gauge a reaction from here. After all, I had just told her that it was because of my family that she grew up where she did and had a life like she did. Her head was lowered, so I couldn't see her face. But judging by the clenched hands, she was either trying to control her anger or trying to stop Jet from taking control. If it was the latter, I was impressed that a new Lycan could have so much control.

Sam POV

When Knox got to the real reason I was taken away from my home and my parents, I had to lower my head, as looking at him was pushing Jet closer and closer to the surface. I was desperately trying to control here, as I didn't want to fight Knox. I was just blown away by everything he had said. I had started to believe him when he spoke about the kidnapping. I think he is right. I think I may be the kidnapped princess. Was there a way we could prove it once and for all? I needed to know. If I was who they all thought I was, I needed to get home. But how would one get there?

"How do you get to the Lycan realm?" I mean, can you drive to it? Where in the world is it situated? If you can tell me this, I can go myself. You would have nothing to do with it. I could leave you and your pack out of it entirely. Safeguarding them and you".

I was looking imploringly at Knox, he must know these things. He is a Lycan himself. I was going to ask him again when I noticed his demeanor had changed from repentant too agitated. Wondering what I had said wrong, I was again about to ask him when he silenced me and told me he knew where. He just didn't know how. Hearing this I felt my heart sink. I was so close, yet so far away from my potential birth parents. And siblings. How wonderful it would be to have true brothers, not that horrible step brother Simon. Jet stirred at his name, and suddenly I was flooded with anger and resentment. I knew they were extruding from Jet. She was seriously pissed.

"Maybe if I went to the place and asked around, would I be able to do that?" Knox chuckled at this, and it didn't help the Jet situation. As she suddenly pushed forward enough to speak.

"Don't laugh at me, the way I am feeling right now I could kill you. So don't laugh at me!".

Knox held up his hands and told Jet he was not laughing at her or Sam. He was laughing at the irony of the situation. Jet tilted my head and told him to explain.

"Well. You see. The only way to get to the Lycan realm is to create a porthole using magic. A Lycan must be present to contact the witch and give payment, which is blood".

"BLOOD" is gasped. "I don't understand, so the Lycan realm is not within our world? Where is it?".

Knox looked at me, and I could see how tired he was. I felt a pang of guilt, as I kept him talking for hours as I searched for my answers. I knew I could use a coffee, so I suggested we get one from the dining hall and then finish the conversation in his office. After agreeing and going to get the coffee, we relocated in his office. I asked gently if he would mind continuing.

"I may as well tell you all I know". He took a deep breath and carried on.