A New Beginning

“You have no idea what it’s like to grow up like this.” He said.

“But you do, and you could have taught me. Mom and Rhea could have still bound my powers and the three of you could have taught and shown me that legends were real and not to be frightened of or disrespected. Instead, you chose to keep me in the dark and hope it never came out. Did you really think you could keep this from me? Were you going to try and bind me again?” I asked him, my voice shifting from low and broken to a yell and back down again.

“Your mother said she wouldn’t bind you again.” Was all he said.

“Are you fucking kidding me!!” I shouted at him. “Why were you so determined to keep this from me? To not let me be whole?” I asked.

“You are whole. You are a whole human. That’s all you need to be.” He said.

“She is NOT only human!!” My mother screams at him. We all flinched back with the power in her voice. Even Eros felt it.

“She could have been. If you would have just kept her powers bound indefinitely this never would have been a problem.” He accused her.

“No, dad, she couldn’t keep my powers bound indefinitely. They would have lashed out at the binding and broken it. Or some other God or Goddess like Selene would have come along and accidently triggered them. These things have a way of becoming what they are meant to be.” I knew in my heart what I said was true. And the look on everyone else’s faces showed that they agreed, even my dad.

“So now what? We just let your humanity slip away so that the Goddess can take over?” He asked. Everyone but Eros scoffed.

“She isn’t going to lose her humanity Dimitri. You didn’t lose yours so why would you even think that?” Eros asked.

“I lost some of it. When my powers fully matured, I walked away from the woman I had been in love with. The woman I had been planning on marrying and having children with. I completely broke her, and I didn’t even care. How do you explain that?” He bit out the words at Eros.

“Oh, that’s simple. You weren’t meant to be with her at that time. We are talking about your current wife, correct?” Eros said more than asked.

“Yes, Patrice is the woman I am talking about. What is that supposed to mean. Why am I with her now if I wasn’t meant to be with her?” Dimitri asked Eros.

“You were meant to be with Gaia because of Aria. Once Aria came you went back to Patrice. That is how things were supposed to play out. Aria was always meant to be. Her new powers were needed. The timing just had to be right.” Eros said.

“So, this is your fault?” Dimitri accused him.

“No. I had nothing to do with any of this beyond you being related to me. Sometimes things just come together and none of us has any control over it.” Eros said.

“So, dad, are your other kids Demi-Gods then? And are you going to bind their powers?” I asked a bit annoyed that he was assuming I was the reason his ‘happy little family’ had almost not been.

“Yes, they are Demi-Gods, but no I won’t be binding their powers. I can’t.” He said.

“Did you know that if someone called out my real name, they could bring out my powers?” I asked him.

“Your mom said that they would have to be calling to your powers at the same time for that to work.” He said.

“Well, Selene wasn’t calling to my powers last night and yet when she said my name they surged.” I said with a smirk.

“That’s why everyone is gathered here Dimitri. Her powers felt that she was being threatened and they called out to us for help. I know you felt it too.” Gaia said.

“Did you feel it dad?” I asked.

“Yes, I felt it, so did your younger siblings.” He said, you could see that his temper was rising again.

“It wasn’t my fault. You know, that right?” I asked him.

“Are you so sure about that?” He asked almost accusing me of something.

“Considering the fact that I didn’t know I had powers, I’d have to say yes, it wasn’t my fault.” I said. I was so mad at him that I almost couldn’t see straight. Everyone in the room backed away from me. Even my dad shifted away from me. That caught my attention.

“What?” I asked.

“Honey, when you get angry like that, your powers start to show. A light golden green glow envelopes your whole being. And your power pulses.” My mom said.

“Oh. Why did you and Eros back away? Aren’t you more powerful than me?” I was confused.

“No. We are not more powerful than you Aria. You may be on the same power level as we are. We won’t know until your powers are fully awakened. But, when your power pulses, we all feel it. It’s overwhelming even for us.” Eros explained.

“The same power level as Primordial Deities? Really?” Zeus scoffed.

“Don’t mind him Aria. He’s just mad he doesn’t get to be the most powerful anymore.” Hades said.

“Knock it off Zeus. Your ego has nothing to do with what is going on here.” Gaia scolded him.

“There hasn’t been a new Goddess in many millennia. Aria may be a new form of Primordial Deity. We won’t know until her powers come out.” Eros said.

“How do we let my powers out without something bad happening?” I asked.

“Why do you think something bad will happen if your powers are unbound?” Poseidon asked.

“A feeling I have. Sometimes it feels like it bubbles to the surface and wants to burst out. But it hits a wall and then pulls back. I felt it last night and again just a few moments ago.” I explained.

“Yes, I agree, it needs to be done in a controlled environment. When Aria was little, before we bound her power, and she would throw tantrums, everything would shake. She was her own little earthquake. The pulses were almost as strong then as they are now.” Gaia said.

“That’s when I started watching you, Aria. I kept my distance when I saw Gaia and Rhea bind your powers. But I always knew where you were. I had only ever seen you around Gaia and Rhea, that’s why I didn’t know you were my family. If I had seen you with Dimitri I would have known right away. And you would have known about your powers sooner.” Eros confessed.

“Thank the Gods you never saw her with me then.” Dimitri said.

“ENOUGH!” Eros bellowed. Mom and I were the only ones that didn’t back away from him. I was used to mom doing the same thing when I pushed her too far. Eros smirked when he noticed this.

“You see, Zeus, Aria didn’t back away from that show of power. Do you understand now?” Rhea asked him.

“I’m beginning to Mother. How are you not affected by that?” Zeus asked.

“I’m used to mom doing that. I’ve been pushing her limits since I was young. The first time she did it I cried for the entire day. Rhea had to come over and soothe me. After that though, I think I understood that when it happened, I needed to back off. Don’t get me wrong. I kept pushing those limits every chance I got.” I explained.

“You never pushed Dimitri that way.” Mom said with a smile.

“Yes, she did.” Was all Dimitri said.

“Do you remember when dad called you in the middle of the night and screamed, insisted, and pleaded with you until you came and picked me up?” I asked my mom.

“When you were twelve?” She asked and I nodded. “Yes, you had this little smirk on your face and your father looked as if he was going to pull all his hair out.” She said.

“I had pushed and pushed dad until he screamed at me in front of Patrice. He made you come get me so that he could have that long talk with her about what he was.” I told everyone.

“So, you kept your powers from your wife until your daughter made you show your true self?” Rhea asked Dimitri.

“Yes, when Aria hit twelve, she became uncontrollable. I didn’t know what else to do. And when I had lost it in front of Patrice, well, she asked me if Aria was like me. I told her that she was but that her powers had been bound. So, for all we knew Aria would act as if she were only a human. When Aria turned sixteen and her powers started to slowly come out, Patrice asked me to have her go live with Gaia. She was afraid that Aria would hurt one of the other kids.” Dimitri explained.

“I knew Patrice didn’t like me.” I said.

“It’s not that she doesn’t like you. She was just worried about your little brothers and sister.” Dimitri tried to explain.

“She is afraid of Aria. She does have reason to be afraid, but she should never have let it show.” Gaia chastised.

“Well, what did you expect?!” Dimitri yelled.

“I expected her to accept me the same way she accepted you and your powers.” I said.

“It’s different with me Aria. I’m her husband and you weren’t supposed to get your powers.” He defended.

“GET OUT!!” I screamed at him. “I am done with you. If you ever decide that you can accept me the way I was born, then you are welcome back into my life. Until then Leave and do not contact me again.” I cried as I yelled at my dad. I couldn’t handle his issue with these powers anymore. They were his problems not mine.

“Aria!” He tried to use his dad voice on me again.

“NO.” That one word had more power in it than I intended.

“Shari Aria Davidowski!” Dimitri bellowed, but he shouldn’t have.

            At that moment he was only trying to get my attention as a father would, but he called to my powers as well. All I did was look at him and he flew across the room and out the front door. He only stopped when he hit his car and the door shut behind him. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades rushed out the front door to check on him. Eros, Gaia, and Rhea all stayed to check on me.

            Gaia and Rhea were doing their best to soothe me. Eros wasn’t really sure what to do. When he looked into my face, he told Gaia and Rhea to move away from me. He then took my face in both of his hands and stared straight into my eyes. As soon as I focused on his eyes, he started to instruct me to breathe with him. There was a faint and odd burning smell coming from somewhere near us. It distracted me enough to get me back to the reality of our situation.

“What’s that smell?” I asked.

“My hands.” Eros said as he pulled them from my face and inspected them.

“What do you mean your hands?” Gaia asked. Eros slowly turned his hands to her. The burns on his hands were already starting to heal.

“How did that happen?” I asked.

“When your powers activated just now, your skin changed. It was trying to protect you. I will be fine in a few moments.” Eros said.

“What does it mean, that I can hurt you without trying to?” I asked Eros.

“That you are powerful and will need a lot of instruction to help you control and master your powers. You were right Gaia; she isn’t just A Goddess she’s a new Goddess. We may need to call on Chaos to help us.” Eros smirked.

“Chaos?” Rhea and I asked.

“I think you might be right Eros.” Gaia said grinning.

“Who is Chaos?” I asked.

            I had come across the Goddess name before in my studies after meeting Eros, but I hadn’t looked further into her. I knew that my mother, Gaia, and Eros were Primordial Deities. That they were of the first generations of Gods and Goddesses. And I understood, now, that having them in both sides of my bloodlines meant that I was going to be more. Just before Eros answered my question, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and my father came in. Dimitri was bruised and a little bloody. He had cuts up and down both arms and legs, when he made it to the kitchen sink, he spit out blood. I had never seen the look that he gave me then. It was one I didn’t recognize but I knew was not good, not good at all.

 “Won’t affect her humanity my ass.” Was all Dimitri said as he continued to stare at me.

“I’m sorry dad.” I said. I meant it.

“Are you?” He asked and this time the look he gave me was one I knew too well. He had given my mother that look many times before they divorced. He was going to leave me like he did her. He didn’t want to know me anymore.

“Yes, dad I am sorry. I didn’t even know that was going to happen. All I was thinking when I looked at you was, Why does he hate me so much.” I sobbed on the last part.

“I don’t hate you. But I don’t want to see you again either.” He said.

            His expression never changing. No emotion was shown, He broke my heart with those words. I was his daughter, his first born and he didn’t want to see or know me anymore. All because of what I am. Because of his own blood.

“Fine but understand that it’s not me. I am as much moms child as I am yours. If you hate any part of me it’s not me but you that you hate. I’ll stay away from my siblings for now. But if they seek me out, I will not turn them away. I suggest you learn to love yourself Dimitri. If you don’t, all of your children will end up leaving you the way you are leaving me.” I said. I was glowing again. I wasn’t even sure where that had come from. All I knew was that my tears had stopped, I was exhausted, and that I felt only sympathy for the man standing in front of me.

            With that, Dimitri turned around and left my house without another word. I saw a tear drip from his eye as he left. He wasn’t my concern anymore. I still loved him, but I wasn’t going to let his hatred of what we are infect me. Gaia followed him out, she was speaking low and soothing words to him as they walked out the front door. The others were all looking at me. Some with sad expressions and others with pride. When I made eye contact with Eros, he turned to the sliding glass doors he had entered through and motioned for us to follow him.

“Why did you pick this house?” Eros asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

“It’s very secluded, on top of a hill, with forest all around. Not where I would expect a young woman to be living alone.” He said.

“It felt right. I had wanted an older home with character and a big backyard. All of the other places I was shown fit those requirements, but they didn’t feel like home. As soon as I walked through that front door, I knew I was home. I didn’t need to see the house or the view. This was it.” I told him smiling and remembering that day.

“You’re very own Mount Olympus.” Zeus said.

“Huh?” I asked as I turned to Zeus.

“It’s the perfect place for you to not only see everything but it also keeps you connected with nature. You’re up high enough that the winds and rains will touch you, the earth and trees are all fertile, the air is clear, I hear a stream nearby, and I can feel other beings around. Not just us. Were these the woods you got lost in?” Rhea said and asked.

“Yes, I had followed the stream hoping to find the lake and then got lost in some of the trees. There was this one huge tree that seemed to be out of place. I could see its leaves and some limbs, but I didn’t see the tree. I kept looking for it and that’s how I got lost. I did find the tree. It’s beautiful, I think it marks the wolves land.” I said.

“It does.” Said a familiar and annoying voice.

“Selene.” I said, just as she emerged from the tree line.

“Shari.” She said looking annoyed.

“Unless you would like to unleash Arias untamed powers, I suggest you call my Great Granddaughter Aria.” Eros said, looking annoyed himself.

“Eros.” Selene said in a hushed tone.

“Selene, what are you doing here?” Gaia asked, I hadn’t even heard her come back through the house.

“Gaia, I see you’ve finally told your daughter what she is.” Selene sneered.

“You’d do best not to anger her Selene. Not only is she new to her powers but she is a New Goddess. We don’t know what her powers are, but we do know that she can hurt Eros without trying to.” Gaia said.

“Bullshit.” Selene sneered again.

            I was beginning to get angry. I didn’t like the tone she was using with my mom. Who the fuck did she think she was? Before I knew it, I was standing right in front of her and she looked scared.

“Do not use that tone with my mother. You are not her equal and your disrespectful tone is as irritating as your voice.” I seethed.

            I was glowing again. This time Eros didn’t touch me, he just got close and used one of his powers. I immediately felt the warm touch of love all around me. It was soothing and wild at the same time.

“Selene won’t use that tone with any of us again. Will you Selene?” Eros said.

“No, I won’t be.” Selene said as she bowed her head to Eros.

            She then took a step back from me and I heard a growl come from behind her. I couldn’t help it, I growled back, a low and menacing sound that I didn’t know I could make. Selene looked up at me with a curious and confused expression before she looked behind her and made a ‘stop’ motion with her hand.

“It seems the young goddess may have some animal affinities.” Selene said.

“I am Mother Nature, of course my daughter would have powers concerning all animals.” Gaia scoffed.

“Ah, but werewolves aren’t just animals.” Selene said.

“Yes, and although you are the Moon Goddess, nothing I’ve read says you specifically created them.” I said.

            Selene was taken aback by my statement. Though she did not refute it. The only Goddesses that do have ties to wolves are Leto, my grandmother, and Artemis my Aunt/Niece. Zeus really needs to learn to keep it in his pants.

“Leto and Artemis are the only Goddesses I know of to have power over Wolves.” Zeus said.

“Leto is my Grandmother.” I said. Another growl was heard, and my inner wolf reacted. I growled louder than before. “Show yourselves now.” I said through clenched teeth.

            Selene had lowered her head down and to the side to expose her neck. I know in wolf culture that meant submissiveness. The three wolves I had met before came out along with a couple others. All of them had their heads lowered and necks exposed except for one. The oldest that had flirted with me, Craig. His head was held high, it intrigued me and pissed me off. The growl that came out of me at that moment was loud and full of power. All at once Selene and every wolf in front of me were on their hands and knees with their foreheads to the ground.

“Get up. Do not challenge me like that again. I can’t control this, and I don’t want to hurt anyone.” I said as they all stood. Selene had a smirk on her face, almost like she was proud.

“Please forgive him. He’s an Alpha, it’s not in his nature to back down when challenged. You are definitely a unique Goddess. I will help you control your animal abilities. I’m sure they extend past wolves. They will help you train physically.” Selene said as she motioned to the wolves behind her. It was a sincere offer and Eros, and Gaia were smiling at me expectantly.

“Thank you, Selene, any help is welcomed.” I said.

“Rhea, take Zeus and Poseidon back to Mount Olympus with you. Call a meeting with the other Gods and Goddesses to let them know what is happening. Hades I get the feeling we may need you.” Gaia said thinking.

“You will. I can feel the call of death and rebirth within Aria. Its as strong as the animalistic power.” Hades said with a smile.

            I said my goodbyes to Rhea, Zeus, and Poseidon. Gaia can train me in all things Nature related and Eros had all things Love related. Those were the stronger of my powers that had shown so far. So, my training would be taken care of by two Primordial Deities, the God of Death himself, and the Moon Goddess. Her Alphas will teach me to fight and take charge of my more animalistic nature. It was a bit overwhelming, but I could handle it now. Well, I thought I could.

“Does your land start at the Oak tree?” I asked Craig.

“Yes. Have you had the land surveyed to see what is yours?” He asked me.

“I have. I have the map in the house. Well two maps, one is an arial view and the other a basic lot line map.” I said. “Why do you ask?”

“You were on our land the other day. I wondered if you had thought you were on your land or if you were just looking for the lake?” Craig asked.

“I was following the stream on my land to the lake and when I saw the oak tree, I went to check it out. It’s not everyday you see a single oak tree in the middle of redwoods. Then I got turned around and went looking for the lake so that I could get my bearings back and a signal on my phone. My property ends at the lake.” I told Craig.

“Are you sure about that?” Craig asked with a smirk.

“Yes. I bought twelve acres along with the acre this house sits on. I wanted to buy more but I was told that it was already owned. I’m guessing you’re the owner.” I said.

“Oh, yea, my pack owns most of the land around here. I thought about buying this land but I didn’t need it.” Craig explained.

“Why did you want to know if Aria’s property extended to the lake?” Eros asked Craig.

“I was told I owned an acre of property all around the lake. May I see your maps?” Craig asked me.

“Yea, I’ll go get them.” I said as I turned to walk back into the house. As soon as my back was turned, I heard a low quiet growl. I whipped around and glared at all of the wolves. One of the she wolves was looking up at the clouds, she was the one that growled. Craig’s eyes went cloudy for a moment and then the she wolf looked at me and mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ before she turned to Craig. I took a calming breathe and then went inside to get the map. I didn’t realize I had been followed until I he spoke and I jumped nearly dropping all of my papers.

“Dammit Eros, you scared the crap out of me!” I shouted at him while he chuckled.

“Sorry little one, I only wanted to look at the maps before you handed them over. And see how you were doing? I  know you already suspected what you were but suspecting and knowing are two very different things.” Eros said. I handed him the maps and sat inn the chair at my desk.

“Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about any of it. Mostly I’m trying not to let what happened with my dad take over. If I do, I’m not sure I will stop crying.” I said looking off into nothing.

“It will get better little one. You were brave when you let him go like that. I can’t understand how he could turn his back on everything. And especially on you. He should have been preparing you all this time. I’m sorry I didn’t go talk to your mother as soon as I found out about you.” Eros said.

“It may not have helped Eros.” Gaia said.

“Why not mom?” I asked her.

“You get your stubbornness from your father Aria. Actually, you probably get it from Eros.” She said with a smirk which Eros returned.

            Gaia walked around my desk and held out her arms for me. I got up and let her hold me. I breathed in her scent and let her warmth flow into me. I hadn’t realized I was cold. Eros tapped in on the shoulder and handed my maps back to me.

“It will be ok. You were right, your land ends at the lake. The stream that feeds that lake is on your property alone. Take care of it. It sustains everything around here, not just the werewolves. Being your mothers daughter, it will keep you healthier if the land stays healthy.” Eros said.

“Am I tied to the land?” I asked.

“In a way. I can feel a connection there but I’m not entirely sure what it is.” Gaia said.

“Let’s get back outside.” I said.

            When we got outside Selene  was talking to Hades and the wolves were all stretching. They all looked up as soon as I walked out. I handed the maps to Craig and asked him why the she wolf had growled at the sky?

“She sensed her Mate. She’s mad at him and doesn’t want to except him.” Craig explained.

“Why not?” I asked.

“She won’t tell me. I tried using my alpha command on her but when I noticed that she was determined to resist it and not tell me, I let it go.” Craig said.

“Is that normal?” I asked him.

“It depends. If something happened when they first met, like if one of them was with someone else and wouldn’t leave them. Or if they are a different species it can cause a problem. Sometimes we are matched with humans, vampires, fae, angels, demons, that’s all that I know of. When it’s with someone who doesn’t feel the bond the same way that we do it can cause misunderstandings.” Craig explained.

“Can we help?” I asked.

“It’s best to stay out of it until they come to you. I want to help her too, but she is stubborn and will start avoiding anyone that doesn’t give her space.” He answered.

“Close your eyes and take a deep breathe. Let it out slowly and clear your mind.” Eros said as he waked up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. I did what he said. I wasn’t sure why, but I knew he was trying to help.

“My mind is clear. Now what?” I asked him.

“Whenever you are in a situation that involves love and you are told or asked to leave it alone, do that. It took me awhile to learn how to ‘mind my own business’ as they say. It’s going to be hard for you to resist the urge to fix things, but you need to. I’ve had a very hard time staying out of your love life.” Eros said.

“You should have with at least two of them.” I told him.

“I did with the last one. I had seen you go back to him many times. He needed to leave you alone. He was a demi-god and unconsciously sensed your power. He used his power to keep you coming back until I stepped in.” Eros explained.

“If Kyle used his powers on me to keep me around then why didn’t they work on me after we broke up the last time? He came to see me a week after I met you.” I asked.

“When I met you, I believe I might have activated the power we share. Once it was active you would have unconsciously protected yourself against his power. Your being stronger than him meant he had no chance.” Eros said.