Chapter 57 - The Rejected Goddess

Alpha Inga POV

I was sitting in my office doing some paperwork when Emma came in, sat down and has not said a word. I was going to ask what was wrong, but she looks so deep in thought that I just couldn’t bring myself to pull her out of her thoughts.

After a few minutes of complete silence, I am just about to ask Emma what is wrong when my door flies open and in comes a whirlwind.

Beta Edward rushes into the room only a few minutes after Emma has entered.

“Alpha. Goddess and Luna.” Beta Edward says, bowing to us both. Emma is so wrapped up in her own mind that she only nods, oh this cannot be good.

“I have received news from my information network.” Beta Edward continues. Beta Edwards network is one of the best in the world, no one knows who is involved but when you want to find something out you go to Beta Edward first and you are pretty much guaranteed an answer. It might take a while, but Beta Edward always gets his answers.

“Have you found out who the traitor is?” I ask, maybe that would take Emma’s mind off whatever is upsetting her. But my question has the opposite effect, Emma scowls and rests her chin on her hand which she never does.

“You are not going to believe who it is.” Beta Edward replies, looking oddly at Emma.

“Who is it?” I ask again, worry seeping into my body. Why is Beta Edward looking so worriedly at Emma? What the hell is going on?

“I am so sorry.” I look at Beta Edward confused, why is he apologising to Emma. Emma just gives him a small smile before he continues.

“Who is it?” I ask again cautiously but no one answers.

“Tell him, it is fine.” Emma tells Beta Edward.

“Are you sure?” He asks, to which Emma just nods her head. Okay, whoever it is I am really going to kill them now, how dare they cause my Emma grief like this?!

“It is Dennis Locke; he is the one who has been aiding Eric almost since the beginning.” Beta Edward says, clearly pained by the words he has just spoken.

“WHAT?!” I roar, I expected it to be someone Emma knows but not her father. James or William or someone like that, I could understand. Hell, I had my bets on Mitch. But her own father?

The room falls into silence, I do not know how to react. I just sit there looking at Emma, she looks stoic, but I can see the pain behind her eyes. Why moon goddess, why? I ask silently to myself. You give her a mate that breaks and kills her and now her father betrays her. Why? I do not expect an answer, but I would really like one.

“What else has your intel told you?” Emma asks Beta Edward, clearly now acknowledging my outburst.

“Are you sure you want to know?”

“Yes.”

“He told Eric that Emma was still alive. A few months after that he started to go on trips outside of the pack regularly. Each time coincides with the rogues being active.” Beta Edward informs us.

The room descends into silence, all of us in our own thoughts trying to make sense of this.

“It makes sense, it would explain why on that day my dad was on the battlefield at the back of the fight rather than the front.” Emma says breaking t eh silence.

“What do you mean?” I ask her, confused. What fight is she on about?

“On the day when I started to work with the Solar Eclipse pack, my brother mind linked me asking for help. When I arrived, something seemed off with my father, while he was fighting there were not enough marks or injuries to suggest that he had been fighting for long. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but then I just shrugged it off and thought nothing about it. But thinking about it now, it could be that he knew about the attack, and he wanted Matthew to call me.” Emma explains.

I think about was she has said for a few minutes before I reply. “That means that Eric and your farther have been working together for a long time, this is not a one-time fluke or anything like that. But that he has been a key player all along.”

“And feeding Eric information, which would explain how Eric kept getting the jump on us. It would also explain how he managed to get me.” Emma says.

“Your father would have told Eric that you was staying here and that you would likely come through the pack gate that morning, after all I heard you talking to him the night before. It would have been easy for Eric or your father to consult a witch and have a spell cast over the entrance that only attacked you.” Beta Edward starts to explain.

“Which would then explain how Eric was able to drug you. The witch must have cast an unassuming spell that would not be detected but would make you more susceptible to another’s whim, in that case Eric and his desire for you to be weak and susceptible.” I continue, alarmed that such a witch would even exist that could cast a spell on a deity.

“I can see the look on your face Inga, while we may be immortal and able to use powers, we are still susceptible to magic. It is just our tolerance for injuries, pain and magic are greater. There will always be a witch out there that is powerful enough, that way it helps to keep the balance if ever a rogue deity arises. However, the fact she was found is worrying as we don’t know where she is or what else Eric has up his sleeve in regard to her.” Emma says.

“DO you think she is dead?” I ask.

“That would be my best guess, the only one that would make sense. Otherwise, we would have found her by now.”

“We?” I ask, who has Emma been talking too? I know that sounds possessive but right now I am worried about her.

“The other deities. No one can find her or any trace of her.” Emma explains.

That would explain a lot, like why after the attempt on Emma there has been no more. But if what Emma says is true, then we really don’t know what else Eric and Dennis had the witch make or do before her death. And without her, it will be a case of dealing with whatever is thrown our way and try to survive it.

“So what do you want to do about your father?” I ask Emma. I can see the inner turmoil going on inside of her and it is breaking my heart.

“I think we should talk to him, like we would anyone else. We will treat him like the others, just because he is my father does not mean that he should be treated any differently. And if what we suspect is true, then I will deal with him myself.” Emma replies, steel determination entering her eyes.

“Are you sure babe?” I ask.

“Yes. I wish it was someone else, but at least it is my father and not my brother. He has a mate and pup after all, with another one on the way. My father has lived his life and chosen his path. If it is true then he will have to face the music for what he has.” Emma says.

“I agree, it would only raise suspicions if he was treated differently. Besides, I am not sure that I will be able to keep my hands off of him so I would like to request that we send a warrior to get him or invite him somewhere for a chat.” Beta Edward replies, anger seeping out of him in waves.

It appears that I am not the only one who is fuming that Emma’s own family could be responsible for whatever has happened to those packs.

After a few more minutes of discussion between ourselves, we agree to visit Alpha James in a few days once we have gathered a bit more evidence on Dennis Locke. Once we have, Alpha James and ourselves will then talk to Dennis.

Beta Edward leaves the room, closing the door behind him quietly. It is clear from his expression that he is worried about Emma, after all he has been throwing worried glances at her ever since he entered here.

“How are you holding up?” I ask Emma as soon as he has left the room.

Emma sighs, closes the door and walks over to the chair in front of me, she lays her head on my desk.

“It is hard, I just cannot understand why my father would do such heinous things. My mother I understand, she is a psychotic bitch who really should be put down. But my father? He was always the caring one, the loving one, the one who was honest and kind. To think he could so such heinous things is beyond me, but at the same time it all makes sense. Who else knew I was alive? Who else would be smart and strong enough to carry out Erics demands and wants?” Emma replies, her voice getting sadder with each word.

I walk around my desk and crouch in front of Emma, I place my arm around her and pull her side into my chest.

“I know it is hard right now, and I cannot even begin to understand what you are going through so I wont even pretend that I do. But he is still your father, and as much as I trust Edward and his informant, I hope that on this one occasion they are wrong. Just this once, it would be nice.” I say quietly, trying to keep the peace but also make Emma feel better.

“Then be prepared to be disappointed, because I don’t think they have made a mistake.” Emma says, tears forming in her eyes, I just embrace her. I want to take this pain away from her.

I do not know how long we stayed like that, both of us loft in our thoughts and feelings of the recent development. I know Emma can withstand what is being thrown at her, she is strong and resilient. But that does not mean that she should go through this alone, I will be by her side all of the way. That I promise.