Chapter 02

Another painful slap followed my words and this time I didn't flinch, neither did I hold my cheek even though it hurt.

Instead I turned to Katya with a lifted chin and smiled at her, “You and your daughter have always found it so easy to mistreat me, hit me, abuse me. I have endured, not because of weakness but because of the respect I have for Darius and his family.”

I took a sharp breath, “That respect is gone, so I hope you had fun with that one because it would be the one you will get for free. But for each time your filthy hands have ever touched me, I will make sure you pay for that.”

Anger replaced whatever self pity and pain I was feeling and it burned, churning like a volcano into an ugly feeling.

I didn't try to stop, neither did I try to tame. I let it take over, the rage.

I let it consume me as I stared at these people who have made my reality a living life.

Why?

Because I chose to be weak? Because I chose to lay low?

Not any fucking more!!

Amara laughed, and looked at me with disgust in her face, “Apparently craziness has made you delusional. Who do you think you are? And how dare you, speak to my family that way you low good for nothing dirt? Get out! Get out of this house before I kill you.”

I looked at her, and scoffed.

I didn't have anything else to say, so I didn't bother arguing or trying to explain myself further.

With my smile still in place, I walked away bumping into her shoulder deliberately as I brushed past her.

The cold breeze that hit my face the moment I walked out of the house did nothing to calm my nerves.

I didn't stop, I didn't look back as I walked out of that house once again putting a life I've grown to love behind me.

But this would be the last time I would ever do that.

I'm done running away from reality and all that.

I walked straight to the market and into the empty street I had taken before.

Although my head was filled with numerous things at the same time making it hard to think straight, I knew where I was going, and I knew I was at the right place.

Because I had picked up and followed Lyra's scent and that had made me know that she was here somewhere.

I didn't have to wait for up to five minutes before she walked out of the shadows with a smile.

“I knew you would be back.”

“Save the gloating for later. Now, tell me everything I need to know, starting from how you found me and what on earth you want from me.”

As if she could tell how serious I was - or perhaps she could see if on my face- Lyra's smile dropped and she nodded.

“After you left, Damon, your friend formed a movement - which first started as a gathering of less than five angry youths but quickly grew into more than thirty youths who believe in the truth, and want the right thing for the city - for our pack.”

I shivered, and tried not to smile because that sounds like something Damon could pull off.

However, never in my six years of exile did I imagine that there would be someone let alone a group of people standing up for the injustice my family had faced.

“Your uncle has been reigning - on trial for the past five years and his trial ended already. He will officially become the Alpha tomorrow and we have been planning for two years to stop this.”

“How?” I asked and she shrugged.

“At first, our plan was war. We have the army and allies from several packs. However when Damon got a hint that you might be alive a few months ago, we decided to replan.

Now all we need is for you to step up, take your rightful place as our Alpha so your uncle won't win.”

“You make it sound so easy”

“It's not.” Lyla agreed, “But we have no other option. Your uncle is an evil man, Rhea. People are dying and it will be worse if we let him totally take control. You are the only one who can stop him. You are our people's only hope.”

I always knew just how evil my uncle was - but from her tone it sounded more serious than I thought.

“He can't be that bad. He had always been intolerable…”

“He was the one who told the elders about your sister. He was the one who betrayed your family.”

My blood ran cold and I shut my eyes as my head spun violently.

That cannot be…

“Who had the most to gain from your family's demise? Him. So are you really going to allow him to get away with it?”

Images of my mother being burned, memories of her screams as life left her, images of my father being stabbed - they all filled my head taunting me and gripping my heart so tightfully like a glove.

“No. What should I do?”

“We have been laying low for years, looking for the right opportunity to bring him down. Tomorrow, we will do that - during the coronation festival. All you have to do is show up. We have the rest covered.”

I raised my brow, “I hope this won't be one of those games where I serve as your pawn. If I'm going to be a part of this, then I'll be a part of it in and out.”

Lyra nodded, “Sure. I understand.”

“Now, tell me what you said about my sister.”

Lyra bit her lip, “Your uncle found out that Freya was alive but of course didn't feel like she was a threat because of her - inabilities. However, our people are getting her as we speak.”

This all seemed like a dream that I might wake up from very soon. Bitter sweet dream because it was very hard to believe that Freya was still alive. I saw her body, I buried it myself.

But I wasn't going to think about that - no. Not until I see my sister with my eyes.

“Alright.”

“Now it's time for you to come meet the team.”

“”********

The rest of the day was a blur of - many things.

We had flown back to Crescent Pack in a private jet and it was a long three hour flight.

And after that it was a series of introductions, hugs, excitement and planning.

Somewhere around midnight, Damon came back from a meeting and the reunion was heavenly.

Lots of tears and hugging.

Damon was my childhood friend and we have been best friends for life.

So yeah, the dramatic re-union was necessary.

I couldn't sleep, mostly because I was filled in on what the plan was.

Very early the next day, I was driven to the coronation centre dressed in a beautiful black lace dress that suggested I meant business.

“The oath should be taken in the next two minutes. You need to get in just at the right moment,” Damon explained examining my hair, “and don't be strong. You have so much against that bastard so he dares not to make a move.”

“And even if he does, we are right behind you.” Lyra cut in and I smiled despite my nerves.

I took a deep breath, turned around and marched into the city hall.

When I got to the door where I knew the event would be happening, I pushed it open widely, walking inside.

Heads turned followed by surprised gasps and widened eyes but I ignored them and walked straight to my uncle who was actually staring at me with the same look of shock mirrored on the other's face.

“You dropped your jaw, lovely uncle,” I Said with a sweet smile clapping her shoulder, “thank you for warming my seat all these years, but the pack can only have one ruler. And as you can see, I am not dead!”

I turned to the others in the hall and grinned, “I am Rhea Storms, and I have come back to reclaim my place as the Alpha of Crescent Pack.”