Chrysanthemum

Chapter 23

I soon left the new parents to enjoy time with their newborn. There will be plenty of time for me to spend time with my nephew. At least, I hope. I still have to figure out a way to tell Ethan about his father. Our father? 

There was still a lot of details that made no sense to me. I chewed on my right thumbnail, as I tried to make a clear map of events. The music from the party aided in my walk to nowhere. The halls and multitude of stairs blurred as my thoughts raced. 

Our parents had three children. Ethan, another daughter, then me. Our sister was supposed to be the second born daughter, which would have unlocked a curse in the disguise of a blessing to become the most powerful creature in the world. If our sister was to be born, she would have inherited that power, but another curse was given to our family. The females would never be able to have more than one child. 

Mother knew as soon as she realized she was pregnant she would lose her second child. Mother was prepared, but father was not. Thus, he found a warlock to help conceive another child. This warlock was smart and figured out we belonged to the blessed line of the moon goddess. He began to corrupt our father. He was no longer the same mate he once was. The evil that inhabited Ethan's father's body caused him to do many things. 

Ethan's father was once full of love and had given Ethan a fairly great childhood. One that I was not privileged to. The memories I have been given have made that more than obvious.  To save me, my mother faked our deaths.  Mother's mate got the second child he so desperately wanted. At what cost though? 

I could not help the sadness that coursed through my veins. It was clearer to me that I was in trouble. I was the second born child. The second born female. I am supposed to have power unlike the earth has seen. I was not supposed to even exist. While both of my parents are deceased, I was being hunted by the ghost of my parents' past. I was a danger to all of the people I have just gained back. I was not supposed to be born.

I had made a decision on how to tell Ethan about his father. He could never know. 

I had now moved onto my left hand. The nails on my right hand are unable to take my abuse any longer. I was in a part of the house that I had not been in before. Not that I have had much opportunity to explore before this. This part does not look as modern or well used. The hallway I was in had a musty smell. As if no one had been in here for a very long time. There was nothing special about it. A few framed scenery painted pictures lined beige colored walls. 

On the opposite side of me was the end of the hall. A complete dead end. But the whole face of the wall was taken up by a ginormous picture of two goddesses. I instantly knew who they were. The Goddess of the Sun and the Goddess Nymph of Flowers. The goddesses, Alectrona and Khloris.

Their portrait was stunning. Alectrona was surrounded by gold. Her hair was long and the same color of the sun on the brightest day of summer. Her features were sharp and stern. Her eyes were the clearest blue. Their color matched the sky on the brightest day of summer. She was adorned in a cream dress with gold lining, a crown completed the look. She was stunning. Deep in my soul, I felt anger build. 

Next to her, was the smaller goddess. The deep brown of Khloris's hair was a nice contrast to her paler skin. It was wild with curls and a flower crown only tamed a small portion of those curls. Her hazel eyes shone with mischief; a matching smirk gave the goddess a youthful feel. She did not necessarily have a glow but was surrounded by flowers. There was a plethora of flowers. I immediately noticed lilies and chrysanthemums. A cold feeling washed through me as I stared at her. I knew my family was grateful to her curse. Grateful they did not have to live in fear but saddened by the children they wanted but could never have. 

The portrait was calling to me. It seemed to hum. As I was in front of the portrait, I knew I needed to go through it. I studied the portrait closely. My eyes trailed their bodies. I noticed where their hands met. Their palms were cupped to hold an amulet with a stone in the center. The amulet was popping out of the portrait. The stone missing. 

I sighed. My mind was all jumbled and the last thing I wanted to do was go on a treasure hunt. I needed to figure out what I was going to do to make sure everyone stayed safe. 

There was an evil wizard after me and while I have amazing powers, the others do not. 

Oh and let's not forget I do not know how to use my powers. 

I slowly make my way towards the pounding music, figuring that would be the easiest way to find my way back to everyone. I was able to figure out I was on the west side of the mansion, third floor.  My clothes were mostly dried by now but were stiff from the grime the lake water left behind. 

I rub my neck. Thankfully it was no longer sore, and I imagine the bruises have long gone. I was grateful for that as the party came back into view. I stared at the crowd amazed at how well pack wolves can party. Emily really went all out. 

The room where the party was being held was packed with sweaty wolves. I could see couples grinding, groups of girls dirty dancing together. There were lights flashing around the room to the beat of the music. I could barely make out the DJ and DJ booth across the room. There appeared to actually be two DJs. They were playing a tune I did not recognize but still enjoyed. 

It appears no one has realized their Luna has had their next heir. I am sure this party would continue for the next week as soon as they do. I sighed. My body was beginning to shut down; the adrenaline was finally leaving my body. 

I have to figure out a way to get back to my room. Normally, I would use my sense of smell, but it would be useless this time round. Too many people. Too many smells. 

I feel a hand grab my shoulder. I quickly duck as fast as I can, hoping that the hand would let me go. I cannot take another man manhandling me. I could feel my breath begin to be restrict. I was used to being strong in the human world. However, here, the supernatural world, I was weak. 

My body finally turned around and I was greeted by Bryan. My brothers beta. His brows are furrowed as he observes my skittish body. I give a weak smile. 

"Finally, someone I recognise," I exclaim weakly. "Would you be able to show me the way to my room?"

"The Alpha will be announcing the birth of his heir soon. Did you not want to stay?" I look up at the Beta, unsure how to explain the unbelievable exhaustion running through my body. His light brown eyes bore deep into my own, and I can feel the sweat slowly drip down the nape of my neck. I do not give him an answer, afraid that I would not be able to answer properly anyways. "Okay, let's go."

Bryan starts walking, weaving in and out of the putrid smelling wolves. We eventually start seeing less and less party go-ers. The music is decreasing the more floors we climb. While the people have seemed to have dissapeared, we come across a few couples making out. I breifly wonder where my own mate is. I ignore the small pang in my chest, still unsure how I will be dealing with that particular problem. I breath a sigh of relief when we finally make it to the Alpha's level.

I take a look at the giant man next to me. One thing Mother did actually tell me was that wolves are intuned to one another and can sense someones mood. It sucked growing up, never being able to get away with even the tiniest of lies. He knew I needed the quiet on our walk. He knew there was a plethora of concerns on my mind. Now, I know why he is my brothers' beta. 

"I know I just got here, Bryan," I pause our walking just as we get to the main door, "but I can see why Ethan chose you as his beta." 

I ackwardly fist bump his shoulder and grace him with another tight smile. I quickly make my into the Alpha's quarter. An announcement from my brother being muffled "Welcome your heir! Ethan Blue the Third!"