By moonlight's shadow

Chapter 24

Lukas knew that he had behaved like an utter cad but he did not know why he was doing that. He had been always very level-headed and had been very good in his behavior towards Rhea but lately he was not doing that anymore and it concerned him. But he was the only one who was responsible for the entire shift in his demeanour and he could not hold anyone else responsible for that. Still there must be some explanation for the change in his attitude especially towards Rhea.

“You still have not explored the other part of you which has been awakened so unexpectedly Lukas. And do I need to say that if you are not able to do that unless you know who you are completely and you are quite far from doing that even remotely,” said a voice which he had not been listening to for quite some time.

“What do you want to mean by that Lars?” asked Lucas in a soft growl as he spoke to his wolf for the first time in days.

“You know very well what I mean Lukas. Your magical powers are increasing and you have no idea how to deal with them in the least or to put them application. What do you think is going to happen in case there is a volatile situation and you are not able to handle it?” asked the wolf from inside him.

“I am the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack Lars. What do you think is going to happen with me that I would not be able to control a simple situation? The Alpha resides inside me and that is you, have you forgotten that entirely?” asked Lukas as he made way to the house of Nina. He needed to check upon Aurora and also see what was the way that Rhea was talking about getting on helping him.

“You are not going to be able to retain the power if you do not allow me unleash my rage and that is going to be a problem with you being controlled by your magic and your human part,” said Lars and Lukas growled at him menacingly.

“Don’t you dare try and defy me Lars, you are nothing but a part of my spirit and the only way you remain in control is when I allow you to be in control and as for the part of my magic which is running in my veins you do not need me to teach that since you know anything about my blood or my needs. If what you are implying is correct then Lars you are the one who is responsible for all these mood swings. You are the one who wants me to become a loner and be away from the only family that I have left. Do you want me to go rogue?” asked Lukas unaware of the fact that his sister was following him secretly. And what she was hearing was making considerable sense.

“You are the only one who is going to suffer Lukas. You have only two years in your hand before you have become completely rogue because I think that you are not at all interested in finding your mate. You have ignored my warnings of having s*x with other women so that you can keep your power and my urges under control but you listen to no word of mine,” said Lars and Lukas felt if he could whip Lars with his tail between his legs then he would have been satisfied.

“You are doing this so that I have s*x?” asked Lukas in surprise as Rhea struggled to keep her giggles under control. So this was the real reason that her brother’s wolf was acting out. But what was going to be done in case she had no conversation with the wolf at all? Rhea decided that after his brother came back home today she was going to go for a run with him so that she could have some frank conversation wolf to wolf. And everyone knew that once a b***h of a wolf was in rage then it was difficult for anyone else to stand before him.

“Lars you have to keep your urges in check because I am not going to sleep with anyone for the sake of your pleasure. I have some sense of dignity unlike you,” said Lukas as he reached Nina’s door and knocked a few times. It was the home of a new mother and she needed her privacy for every reason and even the Alpha of the pack had to respect that.

The response was a bit delayed and Nina’s face lit up with a bright smile as soon as she saw Lukas waiting outside her porch.

“Alpha!!1 What a pleasant surprise!! I did not expect you to be coming now any time soon. And sorry for being late in opening the door. I was giving Aurora a bath. Please do come inside, she will love to see you,” said Nina, as she opened the door wide.

“I am sorry Nina, I did not mean to intrude at all. If you are busy in tending to baby Aurora then I might come back later sometime. I just have been a bit busy with my own things and forgot to check on both of you. But it seems you are doing pretty well,” said Lukas with a genuine smile.

“No no Alpha, it is no problem at all. I insist please come inside,” said Nina, as she opened the door and went inside. Lukas followed her suit and found that Nina had already started redecorating the house and there were nothing of Credence left in the house which could be seen by anyone. Lukas sighed at the thought that his mother had slaughtered a child for the sake of her own benefit. Lukas was still dumb-founded that a mother who had given birth to children herself could do this to another child.

“Power is a drug which is acts as an aphrodisiac far more powerful than others,” said a voice from nowhere and Lukas looked around trying to find the source.

Then he looked at the bathtub in the back porch of Nina’s house and found that baby Aurora was smiling at him. Holy heavens!! By the grace of Artemis this child could speak to him in his mind as well. Was there anything that she could not do? Lukas’s eyes widened with astonishment as he recalled what Rhea had told him back at home. It was probably that Aurora was in water that she could do such a thing because they also derived their power and strength from the water itself which is a universal conduit.

Lukas smiled at her back and her face brightened.

“Nina, have you finished all the chores for home? Or you have something else left to do. In that case I can help you in bathing Aurora and you can finish the rest of the work in the meanwhile,” said Lukas as he sat by the tub and caught hold of the giggling baby who was holding a silver rattle in her hand which Lukas had never seen before. It was a weird design of a fish entwined by the snake and there was a rattle connected to the end of their tail. It looked beautiful and horrid at the same time. Nina found Lukas looking at the rattle in Aurora’s hand and looked up at him.

“She found it in the backyard when I was digging the soil in order to make way for some natural pool with a fountain,” said Nina and Lukas nodded at her with a smile. Aurora was a Siren and they loved to stay in the water and being close to it. It was natural that she had somehow convinced Nina to build a natural looking habitat for her where she can control and utilize her powers.

“It is alright Nina, this a part of the forest where there used to be a graveyard before we shifter here. The more I am finding out about this place the more I am feeling that this whole place is filled with a negative aura and that is a feeling I cannot shake off but it is known that the more there are children laughing playing, and the positive things happening in the place will reduce the extent of negativity and this is really good that she is playing with this thing. It will help her be happier and that is what we want,” said Lukas as he caught hold of Aurora’s hand and she beamed at him.

“You both have a really good bonding. After all you were the one who first took her in care the very first night and how can I ever show my gratitude for keeping my word again Alpha,” said Nina, her eyes watering up as she saw Lukas playing with Aurora in the water.

“I am the one who is responsible for the actions of my mother and if it had not happened so then Credence would have been with you today but since that is not happening I am solely responsible for your and Aurora’s care and you are never going to say this again as a member of this pack. So now go and do anything else if you have to do and let us play for a bit,” said Lukas as he smiled at Aurora once again and Nina smiled at them with tearing eyes.

As soon as Nina was out of sight Lukas looked at Aurora meaningfully and started speaking in his mind. He was plenty sure that she was going to be able to understand him.

“How are you doing babe?”

“I could no9t have asked for any better Alpha Lukas. You have done well.”

“Was this a test? I mean bringing you from the deserted church? In order to see if I am going to be worthy of the powers and the strengths and everything else that I am unaware of to be bestowed upon me?” asked Lukas and Aurora just cooed and fussed with the rattle.

“You see Alpha, I am not sure why everything happens and when it happens but I know this that this has happened for a reason and you are the one who is going to play a major role in the Apocalypse which is going to be upon us shortly. So before that happens you need to know that your duty consists of a few things like knowing your maternal history and claiming the power that surges in your veins and then find your mate. If you fail to do any single one of the two then we are all going to surely perish and mark my words Alpha, you need to know why she is essential in the core of your soul but that does not mean you can know the real meaning and importance of her existence unless she accepts you as her mate. There has not been any creature born more powerful than her ever and she is everything that the world can ask for, so please find your mate and please embark on this quest,” said Aurora as her eyes started drooping.

Even if she had spoken something very cryptic and Lukas could not understand the entirety of it he was pretty sure that as a baby she was not supposed to be doing so much of mental exercise. It would drain her life force and hamper her growth. He pulled the babe out of the water and then draped her in the blue baby towel and dried her as she fell asleep in her arms. Thankfully Nina had returned back by then so he handed over to her and went back home. Lukas did not have his path clear but he knew that he would need to find another Siren first who would be able to give him all the details that he needed for his quest.