Conflicted - Twist Of Fate

Summit.

It took hours to find a dress, get my hair cut and my nails done. I don't normally care for these things but I knew it was expected.

Anything less would be offensive to the royal wolves and the lycans. Offending them could mean death to my whole pack, not to mention the way it would represent the way Aiden raised me. When I arrive home, it's late. The light is on, and I feel the anxiousness coming from the house. He knows.

Aiden doesn't know I sense his emotions. I sense others too but have learned to place up a barrier. Never wanting to know. I choose when to let it down, sometimes I slip but mostly I can. With Aiden the barrier never worked without a lot of effort.

I knew it was my connection to him. I wanted to know, needed to know how he was feeling, to protect him. As I open the door he instantly stands "No Armina" he says, Dimitri pushing at his barrier. "Did you know?" I demand, "about my parents?" I add, not letting him answer. "That I was royal?" I push, feeling his anxiety rise. His nervous. Another emotion comes through which makes my anger rise. Guilt.

"You knew?!" I scream, shocked. The table near him starts shaking. "This whole fucking time?!" Aurora growls, anger coursing through us both. "I suspected" he admits. Shame filling his emotions.

"Your eyes, the colour, it always made me question your heritage, but I never knew for sure" he admits. "I couldn't do more research without bringing attention to us, I wanted to protect you" the words that once comforted me having the opposite effect. "Do I look like I need protecting?!" I demand, the plates on the table flying into the wall. Ethan's eyes change. An emotion I've never seen him show towards me. Fear.

I calm instantly. Shame filling my body. I don't want him scared of me. "I'm sorry" I state. "Training went well then?" He asks, looking to the broken glass on the floor. "We didn't really train, just talked, I don't know about that" I say looking towards the table. "It's just becoming easier to do" I state, knowing within myself it won't take long to control. 'It's just an extension of our will' Aurora states, 'when we are angry it shows', when we want to show our power, it comes forward/ 

 'Think what we could do; we can protect our pack Aurora, we can protect Aiden' I smile.

"Does that smile mean we're okay?" Aiden asks; letting us have our moment. "I'm going Aiden, the answers I need are there" I state, looking into his worried eyes. He looks defeated. "Okay Armina, but please. Stay safe. I will be by your side the whole time" I nod.

"You look beautiful by the way" he says, coming closer and touching my hair. "Leo said you're his date?" He asks. I laugh. "Only to be allowed to go, I'd never disrespect my mate that way" Aidens eyes glow. "I know my daughter, you've always had a pure heart" he smiles, leaning in to kiss my forehead. "Go have your long ass boiling hot shower; we leave early and it's late" I smile. It's after midnight. His right, I need rest.

The shower does its magic, I pull on my comfy pyjamas and smile as I pack my bag. Tomorrow I get answers, answers I have needed my whole life. I fall asleep easily. Knowing we need our rest.

The drive is long. Aiden, Ethan & Leo are quiet, only occasionally discussing pack business that needs to be brought before the summit. Additions to the pack hospital; shortages in resources and negotiations for safe passage with our neighbouring packs.

We don't mention Eclipse. Knowing that Aiden is always especially sensitive. Their new alphas the twins; Tristan and Nate are expected to attend, having overthrown their cruel father Caleb. Caleb was the reason for the death of half of our pack and Elena. He slit her throat as retribution for Aiden's refusal to transfer to their pack. 

Not before attempting to rape her. She wouldn't allow it, fighting back against him until he killed her out of frustration. All in front of Aiden, as several Eclipse pack members injected him with wolvesbane and forced him to watch on Caleb's orders.

Aiden never recovered. He killed every member who held him down but by the time he regained his strength Caleb was gone. They hadn't seen each other since. Aiden had wanted war, but our pack would have never survived, Ethan refusing and trying to make him see sense.

I hold Aidens hand, knowing that seeing Caleb's sons would be hard on his mind. This is the first year Eclipse leaders will be attending in many years, as Caleb never wanted to attend. He refused to bow to anyone, which would have resulted in the lycans and royals ending his pathetic life.

I catch Leo watching me a lot on the drive. Out of curiosity I let my barrier down, letting myself feel his feelings. I instantly regret it. A feeling of lust and longing fill me; along with confusion.

I shut him back out. Choosing to look out the window. I've never left the pack grounds, it's beautiful out here, the thickness of the trees, the openness of the fields. All of it reminding me there is a world outside of Blood Moon. 

 Leo continues to watch me but I ignore him, I can't let myself feel for Leo. His not my mate and never will be.

It's easy to tell when we reach the royal Lycan grounds, the flowers; expensive water features, perfectly landscaped surroundings. It is beautiful. That and the sense of power coming off everything in waves.

The house comes into view and I gasp. The house is exquisite, a mansion spanning over blocks. The house must easily have 50 bedrooms, housing the most elite lycans. As the car comes to a stop, people wait in suits to take our bags. T

he moment I step out of the car, the wind surrounds me as Aurora starts yapping. 'What's going on?' I ask, confused. 'I think our mate is here' She says. I look around. I can't sense anyone. 'Are you sure?' 'His close Armina, I promise' a smile fills my face. His here. My mate, the other half of us.

Aiden tenses beside me as I search. I feel his anxiety coming off in waves which distracts me from our mate search. I hold his hand. "I'm here for you Aiden" I state. He smiles tensely. "I know," he says in return.

Suddenly a strong smell surrounds me. It smells like rain and fresh soil, a rainforest, a waterfall and all nature in one. My mouth waters as I feel Aidens anxiety reach its peak. "There here" he states as a male voice that sounds like music fills my ears "MATE"..