Chapter Nine

The sound of my mother's hand echoed across my face in my father's ever-so-quiet Office.

I winced in pain, at the stinging of my warm, painful cheek.

This was actually the first time that my mother had ever struck me.. and yet I was not surprised.

I had not actually gotten the chance to see my parents last night, so now I was paying for it.

'How did you manage to fuck up so royally!?'. She screamed, as she hit me again.

'Dorothy that is enough!'. My father raised his voice, as his sharp wind enveloped the room and he grabbed her wrist, just as she was about to strike me again.

'Oh come on Agust, you know it was her failings that made her mission fail!'. She snapped, as she straightened out her long black dress.

'I will find out the truth from our daughter, you are clearly too emotional to have a simple discussion'. He snapped back at her.

She let out a sharp huff and stormed out of his Office.

Agust then walked towards me and sat on the side of his desk as he gently stroked my painful, red cheek.

I could feel tears welling up in my vision but I did not let them fall.. it would only make me look weak in his eyes.

'Now, tell me why your mission failed sweetheart'. He sighed.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to tell him one truth and one lie.

'Ray killed one of their wolves, because I was not at my Apartment.. he compromised the mission not me. Which, caused them to suspect me. Any friendships I may have had soon fell apart'. I gave my father a sad smile.

I could feel my father's anger, before the winds picked up around us, again.

'Did those beasts hurt you?'. He snapped.

'The Alpha was a little rude, but no. I was not harmed.. if anything I harmed them'. I whispered.

He tilted his head in response but then smiled.

'How, I thought your magic was.. tricky?'.

I frowned at him.

'It was the hellhounds'. I added quickly.

'Hmm that makes sense. They are here to serve you, after all'. He muttered softly, as he gazed at me in disappointment.

'I must say Aria, I was most concerned when you told me that there was one interested in you. Did IT try to do anything to you emotionally or.. physically?'. He added, appearing somewhat awkward.

So my father was concerned that I had given a Werewolf my innocence.. I thought back to how tangled up in kisses Brax and I had been before I left. I could not help but frown deeply as I responded to my father.

'I could never betray the Coven like that.. not unless it was something I was ordered to do to keep my cover'. I sighed, as I spoke matter-of-factly.

Father eyed me curiously and then ruffled my hair.

'I thought your innocence was important to you, you would give it away for a mission?'. He frowned uncomfortably.

Avoiding his question entirely, I looked at the floor as I asked for my leave.

'Father, may I take a day of rest? I feel quite drained'. I grumbled.

'Of course, sweetheart'. He smiled.

He then pulled me into his arms and gave me a big reassuring hug.

By the time I got back to my Bedroom, I realised that I had missed four calls from Brax. I stared at the screen and felt concern envelope my body.

Was he okay? Had someone hurt him? Were they in trouble? I had so many questions but I knew I would need to speak extremely quietly on my mobile.. to avoid detection.

I took a deep breath, as I dialled his number.

"I am so happy that you finally answered the phone". Brax spoke on the first ring.

'Brax.. I hate to break it to you but I called you'. I laughed lightly.

He chuckled softly down the phone and drew a slightly pained breath.

'What has happened?'. I frowned, feeling cold.

This feeling of concern that I feel for him, a man I barely knew.. is a little concerning.. and yet I know that he is important to me.

"I got into a fight with a Pack Member.. it is nothing I will not heal from". He spoke apologetically.

'And what was this fight about?'. I muttered unhappily.

"Wren thought it would be funny to joke about finding and hurting you for upsetting the balance here.. I may have taught him a little lesson". He grumbled.

'Wren? Is that guy the one that you scared off that day, by the Lake?'. I gasped.

"Yes, unfortunately.. look I need to ask you something upsetting". His voice sounded apologetic.

I took a deep breath and smiled softly.

'I am all ears'.

"Have you kept the secret?". He grumbled.

I sucked in a breath, knowing he meant my sister.

What if Brax was only 'dating' me so that I kept his Luna's secret identity? I closed my eyes and attempted to rein in my emotions.. the last thing I needed was unwanted attention from Coven members if they found out about how my magic has escalated recently.

'Is that what this was all for, to trap me into protecting her?'. I whimpered, scared of the thought that Brax was using me.

'Aria? Can we talk?'. Ray's voice echoed outside my door.

"Who the fuck is that!?". Brax snapped jealousy clear in the tone of his voice.

I held my temples.

'He can wait, answer my question'. I snapped angrily.

"I was asked to see if you would be telling them.. if you are going to then it is what it is.. I am not using you Aria. I could never do that to somebody". He sounded sad and hurt at my accusation.

"Now who was that?". He added unhappily.

'It does not matter. Look, I have to go'. I frowned, not wanting to end the call just because Ray was outside my door.

"Aria, please do not shut me out". Brax sounded upset.

'I can text you later'. I sighed and quickly hung up the phone.

I quickly renamed his name to "Winter", Ray knew who Brax was so it would be safer this way.

'Are you done yet?'. Ray sounded slightly annoyed.

I took a deep breath and readied myself to face Ray.

'Yes, come on in Ray'. I frowned.

'I was busy talking to a friend'. I smiled, as Ray entered my Bedroom with a few cuts on his face.

He wore a dark red hoodie with a white tee shirt and navy denim jeans.

The love bites on his neck told me he was definitely fucking around with a few women.. which oddly enough, still did not seem to bother me.

'You told Agust it was my fault'. He muttered uncomfortably, accusing me.

'I mean it is not a lie'. I smirked.

'Is this because we fooled around and now you feel like you have to punish me?'. He scoffed.

'I am not that petty, Ray. You simply mean nothing to me'. I scowled at him.

He pushed me up against the wall and grabbed my face forcibly; I simply stared him down as he forced his lips against mine.

I had just discovered how much Ray disgusts me.. I smirked as I grabbed the front of his shirt and then closed my eyes, calling my hellhounds to get rid of him.

They began showing him their fangs and began snarling and nipping at his ankles.

He rolled his eyes and laughed.

'Once a weakling always a weakling'.

Ray then left my Bedroom and I sat on my bed and began smiling at my hellhounds.

Knowing how strong my magic could actually become.. made me smile. I may not have been weak anymore but that did not mean everyone needed to know.

If I kept quiet about how strong my lightning magic could be, then I would not be sent on harder missions. I knew one thing for sure.. I could not kill anybody.. well maybe I could but I did not want to.

I grabbed a hold of my mobile phone and began typing my message to Brax;

'I am sorry about earlier. I was being hounded by a male Warlock but I sent him away. I am crazy about you.. and only you. I hope you have a lovely day.. Aria x'.

"You are honestly something else.. how can you make me jealous and happy all in one text message?". The first text message was short a sweet.

"I really hope we can see each other again soon, because quite frankly, I miss being around you.. the taste of your lips, your silly yet shy demeanour and of course, your scent. You drive me.. crazy. Your very crazy Omega x". The next text message arrived shortly after.

I stared at the screen in confusion.. despite my quirky smile.

Omega? I could not help but wonder about that term.. sure I knew what an Alpha was but I did not know what an Omega was.. and it was rude to just.. ask.. right?

I guess I was going to spend my day researching Omega Wolves.

I quickly replied with a heart emoji and left it at that. I then threw myself into my bed and began reading my favourite romance novel.

THE CRIMSON KNIGHT AND HIS ROSE – It was a sweet love story about a seasoned Knight who helped his Princess reclaim the Kingdom that was taken from her, of course with the help of their friends and her noble nameday-given stallion.

I probably liked this fairy-tale most because they overcame his lower class and eventually got their happy-ever-after and ruled the Kingdom as King and Queen.

It was probably why I wanted love and not just a lustful life of servitude.

I sighed, as I got comfortable and began reading.