Chapter 10 Ep 10
Rhys 🌘
2
I looked at my Mate with wide eyes once she finished telling me her story
To think, the Most Powerful Alpha in the World told his 9-year-old daughter the exact Shifting process of their Pack before he even told her what she was or what her destiny was going to be.
"So...What are you trying to tell me?" I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at Kassi.
She mimicked my stance "I'm telling you that this is the way we're going to help Ares"
"I get that" I replied "But if you haven't exactly noticed, Goddess don't roam the earth anymore"
"No kidding?" She rolled her eyes "Besides, that's why I'm here"
I sat straighter "What do you mean? What are you planning on doing?"
"Well I'm just speculating here but..." she drawled out "Since I don't really know about any of this Werewolf thing I'm going to take a guess that I play a certain role in this whole shifting process" 4
"Okay..." I said, unsure of where she was getting at "Why do you think that?"
"Because my eyes are more freakish than normal" she pointed to her still glowing eyes "And because I'm a woman. Like Selene was. I have a feeling that I'm supposed to be a representation of Selene when Ares and his Wolf bind together" 19
I gulped "Really?"
She nodded "I was wondering if you had any information on my Pack?" she said the word like it was foreign.
"I do," I said slowly "But I want you to know that you can't be involved with Ares' shifting process"
"Why not?" she sat straighter and became defensive "Did you not hear what I just told you? I need to be a part of this process whether you like it or not"
"I understand that but you're human. Your brother's a Wolf. A newly turned uncontrollable Wolf. If you haven't noticed, those two things don't really mix well" 8
"But..." she started
"I won't change my mind, Kassi," I said firmly "You are not to participate in this process. We will find a substitute"
She glared at me before slamming her hands down on my desk.
We were eye to eye when she began speaking "Rhys, I may not know a lot about Mates but I'm damn sure that this tough guy act isn't making me weak in the knees, ready to fall head over heels in love with you. In fact, it's pushing me away and making me want to throat chop you" 103
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
With that, she turned on her heels and left my office, but not before slamming my door loudly.
I slumped back in my chair, knowing that she was right. 4
🌘 ~ 🌘 ~🌘 ~ 🌘 25
Kassi's POV
I swished my feet back and forth in the cool swimming pool water as I looked at the Moon and the Stars.
I sighed for the hundredth time, trying to process everything that happened in the last couple of days. 2
"Mind if I join you?" a familiar voice said from above me
I sighed again "You're going to whether I like it or not" 1
Ethan chuckled "True, but I thought I would give you the courtesy of asking"
I snorted "Ethan Matthews? Courteous?" 2
He chuckled again before we were engulfed in silence
A few minutes of looking at the stars passed before I decided to speak up.
"Are Mates always like this?"
He glanced at me "What are you talking about?"
I rolled my eyes "I know the whole house heard E. We were practically yelling at each other"
"I'm sorry" he admitted "But the answer to your question is yes. Males are always overprotective over their Mates"
More silence
"And you know from experience?"
"No..." he said quietly "I never got the chance" 28
I glanced at him and watched as he consciously avoided my eyes, only staring at his feet in the blue water.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it," I said gently "I understand..."
"No" he cut me off "You're my best friend and this happened a long time ago"
He took a deep breath before turning his body fully toward me
"A day before I turned fifteen, I was having dinner with my family when the news came on. The newscasters were talking about a shooting that happened in a small town. When they announced the dead and revealed their pictures, My Wolf recognized one girl as my Mate" 71
"Oh God," I grabbed his hand "I am so sorry Ethan. If I would have known, I..." I trailed off
He squeezed my hand "It's okay Kass. It just wasn't meant to be for me. There's no need to be sorry because, from the moment I saw her, I loved her. She'll always be here" he pointed to his heart "Forever" 30
"What was her name?" I winced "Sorry. Don't answer that"
"It's okay" He chuckled "Her name was Kiera. Kiera Addams" 13
"Is that why you play around?" I blurted 1
He winced "Yeah, it might have happened a long time ago but occasionally, I feel sorry for myself and try to make the pain go away"
I leaned closer and slapped his head 9
"Ow! What was that for?"
"Kiera wouldn't have wanted you to feel sorry for yourself or play around with girls feelings"12
He gave me a sheepish smile and was about to say something we a low whine came from our right.
We snapped our heads to where the noise sounded simultaneous and Ethan began to stand up.
The noise sounded again and the figure stepped closer to us.
When the figure stepped into the dim glow from the patio light I relaxed and pulled my feet out of the water.
"It's okay E," I touched his shoulder "It's just our dog Orion" 8
He gave me a skeptical look "Kassi, he doesn't smell like a regular dog" 5
"What?" I bent down to pet Orion as he got closer "Of course he's a regular dog" 4
Orion came forward and leaned his neck back so I could pet his chest.
"Kassi" Ethan's voice held resolve "Step back. Something isn't right"
"What...Ow!" I exclaimed before pulling my hand back
"What's Wrong!" Ethan pulled me away "What happened?"
"Something poked me," I said as I watched a small amount of blood running down my finger.
I must have got my finger caught on one of the point edges of Orion's weird collar when I rubbed his chest. 3
Suddenly, there was a small click before I heard bones cracking.
I watched in utter shock, confusion, and disbelief as Orion began to change and take on human features.
I took a step back and bumped into Ethan, who held the exact same emotions on his face as well.
A moment later, where once stood a dog, now stood a very naked and familiar man. 35
He must have seen the confusion on my face because he gave me a weak smile.
"Hello Kassiopeia Nyx Dimitriou," he said in a deep and gravelly tone "You may not know me but I know you" 44
Ethan stepped in front of me and the man watched his movements
"Who are you?" I demanded, "And how do you know my name?" 1
"You know who I am Kassiopeia" the man answered "I am Orion, your brother" 335
I'm pretty sure after he said that, I might have laughed in disbelief.
I don't really remember because I'm pretty sure I passed out.
Kassi 🌘4
My head was throbbing, the sun was too bright, and everything was spinning.
I felt horrible, even worse than when I do on my periods. 59
And trust me, those days are the most miserable days of my whole entire life. 71
I threw the blankets off me and was about to make my way to the bathroom when my feet came in contact with something squishy. 6
"Ugh" a muffled grunt came from underneath me
I pulled back and looked over the end of the bed to see what I came in contact with.
When I saw who it was, I flushed "Rhys? What are you doing in here?" 18
He grunted and flipped over on his back "I wanted to make sure you were alright" 5
"I'm fine," I said before pausing "Uh... Did you sleep here? And did I pass out last night or was that just a dream?"
"I slept here" he blushed "And You passed out"
"That's why I feel like a semi-truck ran over me" I groaned
"I suppose so" his amused voice floated up to me and I rolled my eyes
"And I'm guessing that my former dog did, indeed, turn into a human?" 2
"Yes," Rhys whispered, his presence right next to me.
I turned and raised my eyebrows at him and his closeness.
He just smiled and leaned forward to push back a flyaway strand of my hair.
I felt my blush creep up my neck
"Where is he?" I asked
"With the others, sharing some much-needed information"
"You mean they're interrogating him?"
Rhys smiled "It's not interrogating if he volunteered the information willingly"
"And why aren't you will them?" I raised an eyebrow before sitting up "Aren't you the Alpha? I would think you would be the one asking questions?" 4
"And leave my Mate while she's hurt?"
"I'm not hurt"
He threaded a hand in my hair before giving it a gentle tug. 31
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
I winced and pushed him away
"You are hurt," he said "You have a small concussion. That's why you have that horrible headache. Ethan didn't catch you in enough time which resulted in you hitting your head hard against the gravel" 17
"I'm fine" I waved off his concern "Nothing Coffee and Tylenol can't help with" 5
"Kassi..." he sighed
"How's Ares?" I changed the subject "How many times has he shifted since I've been out of order?" 7
"He's shifted twice so far"
"Is that good?" I asked and Rhys nodded
"It tells us that he trying to get back to normal" he bumped my shoulder with his "Which is good. It gives us hope"
I stood and started pacing "So how long until we can test my theory?"
"Well, I've given a lot of consideration to what we discussed last night" he ran a hand through his hair "And you were right. I'm sorry for acting like an overprotective jerk"
I smirked "So I can participate in Ares' Shifting Process? I don't have to lock you in your office or sneak behind your back?"
He glared at me before breaking out in a smile "It depends"
"On What!" I threw my hands up in the air "I thought you came to your senses!"
"I did!" he said quickly "I'm just saying it depends on the information your brother provided us"
I winced at the word "Brother"
It's not because I wasn't used to it. It's just I normally didn't associate the word with anyone else than my baby brother.
"Well, where is he?"
Rhys's eyes turned Gray and I watched in curiosity as he had a one-sided conversation with himself.
When he finished his conversation, he blinked and smiled at me "He's in the Dining room with Matt and Mia" 5
I looked at him in awe "So it is true"
"What is?" he gave me a confused look
"That Werewolves can communicate with each other in human form"
He laughed "Let me guess? Those books you read?" 41
I nodded "So is all of it true?"
"What?"
Everything about Werewolves" I grabbed his arm and nodded to the door "Let's talk on the way to the kitchen. I'm starving and need some medicine"
He smiled and tucked my hand in the crook of his elbow "What do you want to eat?" 10
"Anything," I said "But is there a way I could take the food downstairs to watch Ares?"
"Of course" he answered before guiding me to the right. 3
"How can you navigate through this huge house?" I laughed
"When you live here your whole life, you learn a few tricks" he pulled us to a stop and touched the edge of a door frame "You see this?"
I came closer and nodded at the sideways T-shaped indention 2
"My Grandfather carved symbols like these into each door frame after he kept getting lost" he laughed at the memory "Look at the hallway and then look back at the carving" 2
I did what he said and noticed that the symbol matched the hallway exactly.
"It matches"
Rhys nodded "And do you see this little star on the left-hand side on the T"
I nodded again
"That star tells us which direction to go. Left or Right"
"That's so cool!" I said in glee
He nodded his head and pulled me away from the door frame as we continued our trek to the kitchen. 2
"So is there anything you want to ask me about Wolves?"
"So much" I glanced at him "I want to know everything about it I just can't help myself"
He laughed "Well, you sure are chipper today"
My smile dimmed "I have to make the best out of the situation I was given" 1
His smile faded too "Kassi...I'm sorry"
"It's okay" I gave him a small smile and unlatched our arms "Have we arrived?" 2
He nodded and I went through the Kitchen, leaving him behind.
However, as soon as I did that, I wish I hadn't. 1
Because standing there, next to the kitchen sink drinking what looked like Coffee, was my brother.
The same man who I met at the hospital a couple of days ago. 19
Great
Just Great
Kassi9
My "brother" and I just stared at each other as we stood in the kitchen. 1
He took a sip of his coffee before setting it down on the countertop.
I raised an eyebrow and waited for him to speak.
When he continued to just stare at me, I started to get annoyed and instead of saying anything, I began to search for some cereal.
"Don't you want to know?"
"Wanna know what?" I asked in annoyance, continuing with my search.
"Want to know what I know?" 6
1
"I'm not going to beg for the information if that's what you're asking" I looked at him dead in the eye "If you were going to tell me, you would have done so already as soon as I stepped through that door instead of assessing me" 21
His lips twitched but otherwise, his face remained stoic.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find some breakfast before I visit my brother" he winced at the brother part. 9
"Gramps was right about you," he said "You're smarter than you let on"
"Where I'm from, you have to be," I said before finally locating the cereal. 6
Now only if I could find a bowl and spoon.
Why in the hell did Rhys's family have to have such a huge and complicated kitchen arrangement?
I was one second away from saying "Screw it" and skip breakfast.
"And where are you from exactly?"
"All over" I replied vaguely "My Mom is a Freelance artist that likes to travel for inspiration. Before she dropped us off here, we lived in a neighborhood in New York" 8
"Was it nice?"
I snorted "It was comfortable" 2
Silence again
"Ah-ha!" I muttered in triumph when I found both the bowl and the spoon.
"You must be somewhat curious," he said after a moment
I raised an eyebrow "Oh I definitely am. Do not mistake that. I don't think anyone who found out that their dog was actually their long lost brother who happened to be trapped by some weird looking collar and living with their long lost grandfather in a creepy looking house wouldn't be curious to know how that came to be" 19
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
"Than, why aren't you asking me to tell you?" he raised an eyebrow 2
"Because I'm not that person" I sighed, suddenly not hungry anymore "You'll either tell me or you won't. I can't make that decision for you and neither can anyone else, but if you're asking me to beg to hear what you have to say, I won't. I'm just not that type of person" 89
He stared at me
"Anyways" I turned around and waved "See you later" 2
"Wait!" he gripped my arm
"What?" I turned in surprise
"We have a lot to discuss," he said firmly before tugging me to the dining room table
I stopped in my tracks and he gave me a confused look
"I agree" I nodded "But first, I need to help my brother" 3
His eyes, which were eerily similar to mine, soften "What is wrong with our brother?"
I flinched at "Our", not used to hearing it. "He hasn't finished the shifting process yet" 27
Orion tilted his head to the side, much like he did when he was a dog "The lady did not speak to him?"
"What lady?" I asked in confusion
"The woman who guides you through the process" he tilted his head even more
I just stared at him
"RHYS" I yelled, knowing that he was listening in on our conversation 36
He walked in the kitchen with a guilty look on his face "I'm sorry"
I waved him off and pointed to Orion "He said something about a woman guiding someone through the process"
Rhys just stared at me "What woman?"
I looked at Orion "Who guided you through your shifting process?"
"I don't know" he answered "But when I shifted for the first time, a woman's voice popped in my head and told me what to do"
Rhys and I looked at each other
"Start from the beginning," Rhys asked "When did you shift?"
"When I was twelve" Orion answered "Right in front of Grams. In our Kitchen" 8
I stared at him in surprise "Grams?"
Orion gave me a sad look "She died when I was fifteen"
"And how old are you now?"
"Nineteen" he nodded at Rhys "Same age as him" 33
I looked at Rhys and he continued questioning Orion
"And what happened when you shifted?"
"I felt this horrible burning pain in my stomach and when I went to tell Grams, I passed out. The next thing I remember is waking up in Gramps workshop"
I flinched, remembering the poor stuffed animals on the wall
"Then what happened?"
"Gramps explained to me what was happening"
Rhys raised an eyebrow "You didn't know what you were beforehand?"
Orion shook his head 1
"And what did your Grandfather tell you? About being a Wolf or Shifting?"
"He told me who my father was and why this strange thing was happening to me"
"And your mother? Did he tell you what they were?"
Orion glanced at me and I was staring at Rhys, wondering why he was asking about my mother.
"Yes..." Orion answered slowly "But I suspect you already know the answer to that"
"What are you two talking about?" I looked between the two, not liking one bit that they knew something I didn't. 8
Rhys shot me a "Tell you Later" Look and I glared. 9
"Fine..." I stated firmly, looking between the two "I will be asking both of you questions later. Right now, we need to figure out who got you through the shifting process"
They both nodded their heads, looking like little puppies.
It was comical and I would have laughed if my baby brother's life wasn't in danger. 2
"What happened with your shifting process?" I asked
"After Gramps told me what happened and who I was, I continued to shift. Just as I was about to give up hope on ever being normal again, a calm voice sounded in my ear and guided me through the process. When I finished doing what she said, her voice disappeared and I was no longer in pain, or shifting"
"What did she say to do?" 1
"First, I had to meet with my Wolf" Orion scratched his neck "I didn't know he was mine at that time. She just said to meet with a Wolf and talk to him"
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
"What did the Wolf do?" I asked in glee, knowing that I was right regarding the Shifting process and the story my dad told me.
"He just sat there" Orion smiled "And watched me like an idiot as I talked to him" 21
"Did he say anything?" I asked and immediately, Rhys and Orion began to chuckle "What? What happened?"
"Our Wolves don't talk" Rhys snickered "They're just like regular wolves"
"Then how do you communicate with each other?"
"Since we are connected, we feel what one another feels or wants"
"And how do you communicate with other wolves?"
"In our Wolf forms, by non-verbal and verbal communication" Rhys smiled "Howling, yipping, and body language" 11
"How about in your human forms?" 2
"By mind-links" Rhys smiled "The Alpha is connected to everyone in his Pack. If he wants to talk to anyone or if anyone wants to talk to him, all they have to do is unlock their mind block" 5
"Sometimes, if we're in a situation and need to send our location to those of our Packs, we are able to send fragments of our memory to them"
Light bulb moment 8
"How far back are you able to send these fragments of memories to other wolves?" I asked 2
Orion stared at me "About as far as we can remember, I guess"
"Why?" Rhys asked
"Because she's trying to get me to send my shifting memory to Ares," Orion asked 1
"Will it work?" I asked eagerly
"I don't know," Orion asked
"It will only work if you're in the same Pack"
"Well aren't we in the same Pack?" I asked, "We are siblings, aren't we?"
Orion's eyes brightened 76
"Technically yes" Rhys answered slowly
"Technically?" I questioned, "What the Hell does that mean?"
"Well, considering that you two grew up apart and not knowing what or who you were until recently, you technically aren't a part of a Pack," he said slowly "As of right now" 1
"What does that mean?" Orion and I asked at the same time
"You aren't a part of a Pack if the Alpha hasn't blessed and accepted you in the Pack through a traditional Welcoming Ceremony"
"What?" Orion and I said at the same time "There's a Ceremony?"
Rhys nodded
"So what are we then? Lone Wolves?" 3
Rhys winced "Right now, you're technically considered Rogues"
"Aren't Rogues supposed to be evil?" I asked in disbelief "Like with red eyes or gangling looking?"
"Rogues are considered any Wolf who doesn't have a Pack" Rhys stated "It doesn't matter their appearance"
"But I'm not a Wolf"
Both men stared at me
"It's just a matter of time Kassi," Rhys said "Do you know who your father was?"
"Of course I knew who he was!" I snapped "I just didn't know he was an important Alpha"
"No Kassi," Rhys said slowly "I don't think you understand. You only knew your father as your father. You didn't know him the way the rest of us knew him"
"He wasn't a regular Alpha," Orion said quietly 6
"What?" I looked at Rhys "But I thought you said... What about those freaky Jedi mind powers?" 14
"Your father was an Alpha Kassi" Rhys winced "But he wasn't just an Alpha of his Pack"
"Then what was he?" 3
Just as Rhys was about to answer, Matt ran into the Kitchen with wide eyes "Uh...Alpha, we have a problem" 10
"What is it?"
Matt looked at me quickly before looking back at his Alpha "I think it would be better if we talk privately"
"What is it?" Rhys asked "Just say it"
Matt looked at me again "But Alpha..."
"What's wrong?" I asked Matt
Matt pursed his lips, hesitating
"Tell us" Rhys sighed "She's your Alpha Female and can make you tell her whether I like it or not" 9
"Your Uncle's in the Basement" Matt blurted "With Ares"
Rhys' eyes widened and he cursed
I calmed down a little, knowing that Ares wasn't in immediate danger "What's wrong with that? Ares is in his room and your Uncle is just passing through right? He's a wolf, he'd know what to do if something happened"
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Both Matt and Rhys winced
"What?" I said once I caught their distressed looks "What is it?"
"My Uncle's not a Wolf," Rhys said before making his way to the basement "He's a Vampire"11
My eyes widened "WHAT!!"
I chased after him "First of all, why is your Uncle a Vampire, and WHAT IS HE DOING IN THE SAME ROOM AS MY BROTHER!!" 5
Rhys winced "Yelling won't help"
"Oh yes it certainly does" I snapped "And so would a good punch in the face" 55
Orion chuckled from behind us
"My Uncle's not really my Uncle" Rhys explained as we continued our way down the millions of stairs "He's my Godfather. He saved me from drowning when I was little and has practically been part of the family after that" 3
"Don't they hate Wolves?" 1
"Most do" Rhys admitted "But not my Uncle" 1
We finally managed to reach the basement and I pushed Rhys out of the way to check on my brother. 2
I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw he was sleeping, curled up in a little ball.
"Well isn't this a pleasant surprise," A smooth voice said from my left?
I jumped and whipped my head to the side to see a man sitting in a dark corner by himself, drinking something out of a cup. 9
When our eyes met, his stoic face took on the look of actual surprise "Thea?" 255