The room fell silent and I nodded my head nervously. Phoenix shifted in his chair, the leather creasing under his weight.

Cel suddenly came forwards, her curiosity getting the better of her. I hummed but allowed her through so she could study this brother of hers.

Do you feel what I feel? I asked.

She grumbled, and we watched as his eyes glowed with the presence of his wolf too. They observed each other for a moment, the tension between them was unmistakable.

Cel began to back away and huffed. I believe him.

"How did you find me?" I found myself asking. "After all these years?"

He paused for a moment, his fingers curling his hair behind his ear. "It's a long story..."

I huffed, leaning back and crossing my arms. "I've already been told I'm a Lycan what else could it possibly be?"

His eyes danced with amusement as he watched me, a small smirk gracing his features. "How about a curse?"

I froze, my breath hitching in my throat at the serious response. A curse? I was cursed? How could I be cursed? Curses were real things?

"What?" I eventually gasped.

"You're cursed." He chuckled. "Let me explain. When we were toddlers, our family was attacked by Rogues and Hunters. They wanted our blood, of course, and were determined to do anything to get it. They stormed our grounds and demanded our family went with them. Our parents and grandparents denied them, since using our blood would grant them freedom in the sense that they could never be sick, or die from injury. They burned our house and land to the ground, with us still inside. Our father stayed behind to fight until his dying breath, so we could escape. Whilst our mother tried to escape with us..."

I frowned as the thought of me having birth parents never occurred to me during all of this. My parents back home were my parents, no matter what. So to think of them as any less made my heart ache.

"What happened to her?" I wondered.

He frowned, his eyes becoming glossy. "The mate bond breaking had affected her badly... She got us to the woods, which is where somehow she found a witch with a young girl not much older than us. She was kind to our mother, helping guide her through the burning land when she saw how scared we were and how broken our mother was becoming. We were once again ambushed and mother took them all down but she was seriously injured. She begged for us to run as the fire took over the trees. I held you in my arms as she begged the witch to save us. And she did, I barely remember what they said but she did. She chanted a charm, one that would protect us for years to come. A spell that would protect our identity and keep us from shifting until we were in a secure environment and over eighteen years old. Lycan's shift when we are five, naturally, so she suppressed that change. She cursed our wolves to not arise until then."

My mind was reeling. "So the reason I shifted so late, was because of this? I thought I defected, that Phoenix was the reason..."

Phoenix shifted in his seat when I looked at him, a frown on his face. Pollux chuckled and shrugged.

"He is the reason. The spell was to only be broken when we are secure, and it saw fit that you would be when you met your mate. See, the witch that cast the spell is from one of the oldest bloodlines going. Gaia, her name, is an oracle witch in that she can see the future and she must've known you would meet." He explained.

"She resides in your pack, something I believe she did on purpose." He chuckled. "You may have met her, I believe your mate allows her to have freedom as long as she hides her identity."

I blinked in confusion, turning to Phoenix again. A witch lived here? A witch that associated herself with me? Did she move here because she knew I'd be here? With so much information, I was becoming muddled and overwhelmed.

Phoenix nodded. "Gaia serves the kitchen, she's an older frail woman, she's wonderful really."

The woman from the dishwasher? That knew my name? Now that made sense.

I felt a relief off my shoulder knowing she wasn't a crazy lady. But wait, wasn't she Raven's mother?

"I met a witch when I escaped the rogues..." I mumbled.

"Her daughter Raven," Pollux grunted, suddenly going stiff. "They were separated a while ago when they were attacked."

"She said she was stuck there, that she had to protect people."

He nodded. "Yes. She has her reasons."

"You know her?" I cocked my head.

He smiled sadly. "When the spell was chanted, Mother gathered all her strength to get us away. But the fire consumed us, burning our skin as we ran. She knew she wouldn't make it and she asked Gaia to look after us; she somehow knew she was good and would take care of us. But more rogues attacked when we didn't expect it, and we got split up. I ended up with Gaia and little Raven but you were still with mother as the trees burnt to crisp around us. It was the last time I saw you... I just remember the heat, the smoke, the fear as we lost you and when I couldn't feel Mother's bond anymore it broke me and I must've passed out. When I woke I was in a cabin with the witches, they had tended to me and looked after me. I stayed with them until I was eighteen which is when I shifted... I knew you had to be alive, I just didn't know where to look. Gaia wouldn't give me any clues, seeming it was not her or my path to intervene as it would upset the balance of nature."

It went silent and I felt my heart rate pick up. "My old pack... they said they found me clinging onto a large branch, floating down their river. A patrol wolf found me; I was covered in burns and blisters. They took me in and healed me, but I was never treated fairly there."

Pollux smiled sadly. "I'm sorry you ended up there. That pack is not the best, they are very large and very arrogant."

I grimaced and nodded my head wanting to change the topic. "So... what you're saying is, you couldn't find me? Why now?"

"You shifted, and it woke the blood bond. I knew finding you I had to search every pack, but I never heard wind of a black-furred, green-eyed wolf. Good thing I didn't otherwise I don't think I would've been the first to find you. So I followed the traveller's group."

I turned to look at Phoenix, knowing he was the reason I wasn't allowed to shift. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears as I stared at him. He shifted under my gaze but didn't look away.

"You told me not to shift, did you know?" I whispered.

He grimaced. "I had an idea, but I wasn't more than twenty percent sure."

"So you made me hide my wolf because you thought I was a Lycan?" I clarified.

He stared into my eyes, his jaw clenching. "I did."

I let out a shaky breath. I felt betrayed that he kept the information from me. I was hurt I had to hide my wolf without knowing truly why. I honestly believed that it was because others would challenge me as Charlie said. But it was because I would be potentially hunted? If word got out...

I now knew why he was so angry when I shifted in front of the pack. He was fearful for me, his fear turning into direct anger. The kiss... the grooming of my wounds from that rogue he killed in the forest... He doesn't have a hold on his emotions at all.

"If you did it to protect me, why not tell me the reason?" I asked.

He licked his lips and glanced at Charlie behind me. "I wanted to be sure. I didn't want to give you all this information when you barely shifted. You were fearful of everything back then. Your treatment at your old pack has scarred you in a way and I didn't want to bombard you with what ifs if I was wrong. I couldn't hurt you."

I let out a shaky breath, my eyes filling with tears. "That's sucks."

He blinked in confusion. "Sorry?"

"That sucks," I repeated, sniffing. "You hid that from me, made me keep myself in the dark because you thought that I couldn't handle it? What else is there Phoenix? What other lies and tales are you hiding from me? Are you even my mate?"

I was getting angry now, my fire is fuelled by the hurt of his actions. His eyes darkened and he tensed in his chair. He knew the threat I was dealing and he wasn't happy with it.

"Of course you are." He snapped

"Then why haven't you claimed me? Why have you led me on so much?" I growled, causing him to flinch. "You kept me in the dark about who I was for months Phoenix. You were all kind and caring to me in the beginning and then what? You realised I may be a Lycan and you back away? Why? Why would you do that? It's not fair! Mates are supposed to be one with each other, and share everything! You just toyed with me, and lead me along for, what is it, protection? Bullshit Phoenix! You're an asshole!"

I was standing by the time I finished. My chest was heaving with anger, my claws and canines elongating with a half shift. I wasn't even surprised at the fact I could half shift, too blinded by my rage. I was angrily crying too, my heart aching inside of my chest.

He flew to his feet and slammed his hands on the table. "Don't you dare say I didn't care because I did and I still do!."

"Then why ignore me!" I snapped. "Why kiss me and then ignore me? Then sudden jealously and protectiveness? Your bipolar Phoenix! You can't decide what is your left or right!"

He growled, eyes turning black. "I did it for your protection."

"Oh really?" I laughed, crossing my arms.

"Yes." He snapped.

"What protection? Hunters looking for my blood? That has nothing to do with why you didn't claim me! It's been killing my wolf knowing she can't have you! It's hurting me to have so many confusing emotions!" I shouted, Cel's claws itching to smack something.

"I will goddamn tell you if you calm the fûck down!" He shouted.

I flinched at his tone, our heated gaze pausing at the shift in the room. I was still angry, but the fact he said he would finally tell me had me develop whiplash. I was curious now, angrily curious.

I glanced around the room to see Sean and Charlie watching us with wide eyes, shock clear on their faces. Pollux was sitting amused, one foot crossed on the opposite knee.

"I'm sorry you three had to witness that. I lost my cool." I apologised, wiping the tears away.

Charlie was the first to break, clearing his throat as he fixed the wrinkles in his jeans. "Well, I can safely say you are definitely the Luna and I would not, not want to be Phoenix right now...nor for the rest of my life."

If I was anything but angry right now I would've laughed.

"Scary woman." He muttered under his breath.

Sean nodded in silent agreement, still wary and wide-eyed as he glanced between the two of us. I chewed my lip and fought myself to keep the stern demeanour I had developed. I cleared my throat and sat myself down in the chair.

Phoenix followed me, his breathing regulating but his eyes still pitch back. I knew Ares was infuriated at me, for slating them both about the mate bond. I questioned his masculinity in a way; I called him weak for not claiming me.

I took a deep inhale and thought about the words I was going to speak.

"Now are you going to finally explain, so I can decide whether or not I need to leave this pack?" I sighed.

Phoenix tensed and I saw Pollux grin from the corner of my eyes. He thought this was a game, a show of entertainment.

"You will do no such thing," Phoenix growled.

"Then bloody tell me, it's been months! I deserve to know. Are you going to reject me so I can leave? Or tell me this miraculous reason you dragged me here from the kindness of your heart?" I spoke bitterly.

"I will do no such thing as reject you, Nova." He grumbled.

"I'm not weak anymore Phoenix, you can tell I'm not. So tell me why." I sighed, running a hand down my face.

"Before I knew you were definitely Lycan, there is a rule that the King's packs all must follow." He began. "Do you remember what I said about Lyra?"

Cel growled at her name. "That she is nothing but a whiny childhood friend?"

Charlie snickered behind me and Phoenix shot him a look to be serious.

"Hey, don't look at me. Nova said it funny."

Phoenix grunted but looked back at me. "Not that. What I said about her mate?"

"You said her mate died fighting against the Beta." I remembered.

He nodded, pausing before he spoke. "Her mate was merely an Omega, like you. He was made to fight anyone who wanted the position as her mate...to the death... The Beta's mate died in childbirth, so he had nothing to lose. He wanted power so he fought her Omega mate and won. Now they are to be ceremonial mated next week."

"Okay, so what does this have to do with us?" I wondered.

"Because you will have to undergo the same thing." He stated with a frown.

My heart flipped into my stomach and I found my throat going dry. Fear clutched at me, holding me tightly as my limbs seized to move.

"What?" I whispered.

His gaze softened at my fear. "Rules state, if I was to announce you as my mate, you would have to battle any challengers."

My heart was pounding blood rushing in my ears at the revelation. "To the death?"

He nodded with a grimace. "Yes."

The room grew silent as I came to terms with the facts. If I was to be his, I would have to fight someone to the death for the right of Luna. All because of the damn egotistical King Alpha.

Phoenix sighed and I focused back at him to see him deep in thought. "One reason I have not claimed you is that I do not want you to fight and potentially die, it is why I wanted you to try so hard with training. If I so much as showed you any loving adoration as I want to Nova, people would get suspicious."

I blushed and went to argue back but he continued.

"The other reason is that I know Lyra would be one of those challengers. She does not want to mate the Beta, he is an unkind man and the only reason he wants her is to be Alpha. She is broken from him killing her mate and will have to live with that for the rest of her life, every time she looks at him. If it wasn't for the fact I supposedly hadn't found my mate, she would've forced the matter more. She respects the mate bond but she would be willing to do anything to get out of mating the Beta. I am her closest friend, so she deemed it only fit to be with me."

I growled at the thought of them being mated. If he hadn't found me would he have gone through with it? Mated her?

"I was gone for those weeks to help a neighbouring pack with the rogue problem. The reason it was extended was that she came crying to me for help. I told her I could not help her out of it, so she stayed here for a few days to cool off and try to move past her mate's death. It was the least I could do for her." He smiled sadly.

I mutely nodded, soaking up all the information.

"So you haven't claimed me because she would kill me?"

He grimaced. "When you say it like that Nova-"

"Well?"

He sighed, running a hand through his unkempt hair. "Yes. I do not want her to kill you, nor do I want her as my mate. I want you, Nova, you are mine to have as I am yours. I could not let you go out there with no fight for your life or strength, and battle her. You may have to take on multiple wolves; it can become many weeks long process depending on the number of challengers. It sounds horrible now Nova, and I'm sorry."

I sighed. "I understand. I wasn't strong enough back then."

It was true. I wasn't. As much of an asshole, as he was, keeping it from me, I would not have lasted two minutes in the first fight.

"But you could've told me Phoenix." I frowned. "I deserved to know why you were so hostile."

He grumbled. "I realise that now. Nova... I'm not good with emotions, so I did what I thought was best. I tried to ignore you but it got harder to deny the bond. I will spend the rest of my life apologising to you if I have to."

"It was a dickhead thing to do." Pollux chuckled.

Phoenix and I snapped our heads to look at him simultaneously. Phoenix was outraged but I was just shocked he found it amusing.

Pollux shrugged. "It's true. Just because you're a guy doesn't mean you shouldn't show emotion."

Phoenix sighed, dropping the hostility. "I know. I'm sorry, forever sorry... My father told me it was wrong to show emotion, and I'm not saying it as an excuse. I'm a man now... But if I ever did he would banish me from pack activities and isolate me in my room. As a child it was the worst thing, but as I grew I learned to accept it. To hide emotion was the only way I could be respected as a man, as an Alpha."

I frowned at the image of young Phoenix being reprimanded for a basic human function. I never understood why Alpha's were always so stubborn, I always put it down to their blood. A mate could make any stern man crumble though, hence why we were given them in the first place. A perfect balance. The thought made me blush.

"You forgot to add the part where if you mark her you could send her into a coma she may never come out of." Sean suddenly spoke.

I turned my attention to him now, my eyes wide with fear again. "What!"

Phoenix growled. "I was getting to that part next."

Sean winced and bowed his head, his haughty act disappearing at the Alpha's command. But what he had said stayed stuck in my mind. A coma? Why would I go into a coma? I was so confused. This was all so much information and I'd only just woken up from being locked in a damn cage.

"I think I'm going to need a higher dose of painkillers," I muttered.

•••

This is such a big chapter, I really hope you like what I've done with it, with Nova especially Loosing her mind

What does everyone think of Charlie?

I like to add him in. He's charmingly cheeky haha

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