“We need to start her training as soon as possible. With Prince Coro’s antics becoming even more dangerous than the next, who knows what can happen in the next few years.” A voice with a musical lilt floats through the air, reaching my ears as consciousness slowly returns.
“Trust me, Crysta can take anyone down.” Matrix retorts with a huff to this mysterious person.
“I believe she can, but her brother is a trickier person. He has ways of killing without a trace.” Another voice, one I recognize as Geminie, argues back.
“A year after we learned that Lupus was actually Coro, many smaller packs were taken over by Soulless. Not one person from the three packs he attacked survived.” A deeper voice chimes in. I frown, deciding that now is a good time to wake up if the wolves in the room decided to continue talking about me and my brother. I need to know what they know in order to prepare myself for whatever fate has in store for me.
With a sigh, I open my eyes and am met with a ceiling of red fabric above me, realizing I am laying on a canopy bed. The room smells like lavender and mint, the bedding holding the same scent. It both calmed and invigorated me, clearing the fog of leaving the dreamscape from my mind. Turning to the sounds of the voice, I notice Geminie with her mate sitting close together on a loveseat, her pup playing on the floor with Amberle's pups. On a separate couch, Dominic sits watching Amberle pace the floor, his mate’s movements full of agitation and anger.
“Fire, come sit. You can’t let what happened get to you.” The Alpha of Blood Moon sighs out, holding a hand out to his fiery mate. Watching her pause her steps, Amberle runs a finger through her locks before joining her mate on the couch and curling into his side.
“I’m sorry, Ice. I just can’t understand how a father can treat his pup like the way Alexander treated Crystalline.” At her statement, I feel a pang in my chest and clutch my fingers around the necklace, taking a moment to calm myself before making my presence known. My eyes sting with unshed tears as I think back to what Spirit, my real father, told me.
“It’s because Alexander isn’t my father.” I state, the room growing silent as I push myself off of the bed and into a sitting position. Six pairs of eyes stare back at me. A woman with long black hair and pale skin sitting in an armchair watching me curiously captures my attention first.
“But I have a feeling you all knew this.” I state, the women before me each giving a slight nod.
“All but me, apparently! For Goddess’ sake, your mother said she was pregnant with you!” Matrix cuts in, practically throwing himself from the chair and running to my side, wrapping me safely in a hug. I take in his comforting scent, allowing a few tears to fall as my arms wrap around him. He had defended me, prepared for our escape and stayed loyal to me. If only he had been my soulmate and not Narin.
“I am so glad you are okay, Crystalline; you’ve been asleep for eight days.” He whispers, relief flowing through our bond. Hugging him back, I take a moment to collect my thoughts and just enjoy the embrace of my best friend and accept the fact I was asleep for eight days since the ball, since the rejection. I am happy that Matrix is here, keeping his promise to always be by my side, through thick and thin. He may not be my mate, but he is definitely someone I can rely on right now, someone I can trust wholeheartedly while we figure out the mess I got myself in.
“King Spirit, my real father and the first Alpha King, called my soul to him.” I answer, feeling Matrix gently wipe the tears from my cheeks.
“I had a feeling a Royal called you.” Geminie sighs, giving me a sympathetic look.
“How was your first trip to the dreamscape?”
“Enlightening. My father said he would have my mother Luna and your mother contact you for my training.” I answer, slightly confused.
“It has something to do with you being able to stay in the dreamscape longer than me.” I continue. Geminie groans, running a hand through her hair as she leans back against the love seat, turning to look at her mate who smiles at her amused.
“Sorry, love, but Goddess work will be taking my time away from you.” She tells him with a sigh, Ariven chuckling.
“I had a feeling that may happen. Alex already said he will handle the pack while we are away. Just make sure you and our unborn pup stay safe.” He reassure her, placing a soft kiss on Geminie’s forehead.
“You are the best, and so is Alex. We should definitely give him, Missy and Lizaria a vacation after this.” A pang of jealousy at their affection forces me to look away. They look so happy and in love and I wished I had that with my mate. Instead I am left to deal with this pain of rejection and being turned Rogue.
“The Queen lied, didn’t she.” A statement, not a question, pulls the conversation back on track and away from what Geminie and Ariven were discussing. Pulling away from Matrix, I look towards the owner of the voice and notice the black haired, pale skin woman staring at me with deep indigo eyes.
“Yes. Alexander is sterile and can’t have pups. I always thought it weird that the pack whores he kept never gave him another pup, and now I know why.” I stand from the bed and make my way towards this mysterious woman. Holding my hand out to her, she stands and takes it in her own, shaking it firmly.
“Crystalline, but you already know this.” I chuckle.
“Ira, Priestess of the Temple of the Moon Goddess.” Ira greets me, a smile on her face. I nod, happy to know that we were in a neutral area. The Temple of the Goddess is the safest place for me right now with news of me being rejected and disowned as the heir to the werewolf throne.