**I'm sorry I haven't been able to upload more than once a week. With being a full-time college student as well as being in a sorority AND having a job (even though it's only one day a week) I'm a little overwhelmed. When I get a free moment I'm going to try and write up another chapter (I have quite a few already written) so that I can maybe double upload or something like that. I don't want to go long periods of time without updating, which is why I'm only uploading once a week. I hope ya'll understand. Love you guys!***

Alethia's POV

I passed by the desolate door like I have every day for the past eighteen years of my life. Stopping midstride, I turned around and leisurely made my way back towards it. I chewed on my bottom lip, a nervous habit I've had ever since I was just a little girl. I examined the dust-caked white wooden door. The room hasn't been touched since she was taken.

I can recall the last time someone had spoken about the taboo that was this room and the life that had once inhabited it. It had been an Alpha that was visiting from a neighboring pack, an ally of ours. He'd noticed the room's abandoned state on the way to my father's office and decided to make a comment about fixing the room up to be an office for our Beta. He thought it was only logical because, well, no one was using it. No one had ever really used it.

My father killed him then and there. Slit his throat with a single claw and walked away as if it was just another mundane task - like doing laundry or cooking dinner. He ordered Beta Aaron to explain the situation to the diseased Alpha's pack on his behalf and instructed him to give them the choice to join ours, or go rogue.

I was nine years old then.

It was the first time I can remember being so absolutely terrified of my father, the man who salved my tears and bandaged my scraped knees.

It was times like that, that took me back to when my parents first told me about my long lost sister. It was about a week after my sixth birthday had passed. My mother physically couldn't do it, the words had escaped her completely - my father was no better. He struggled to finish his sentences, and when he did they were clipped and dripping with sorrow and pain. He had held my small frame that resided on his lap so tight it was painful, but I thought better than to say anything. It was as if he thought that the second he loosened the vice grip he had on me, I would disappear into thin air.

They'd then proceeded to show me pictures that were captured during the short three months they were blessed to spend with the both of us. My chest ached with the happiness they radiated in every single one. I'd never seen them smile so immense before - like they were in those pictures. Being so young and innocent when they told me, I wasn't able to comprehend why someone would want to sneak through our window, into our once shared room, and snatch my baby sister right out from under my parents' noses.

Things were never the same.

It was as if a giant storm cloud had rolled in over our entire pack, never leaving or letting up; just ominously hanging there, causing a grey cast over everything that was once sunny and bright. Dulling the life in each and every pack members' eyes.

I feverishly wiped at the one traitorous tear that rolled down my cheek. I heard the telltale creek of the floorboards as someone walked up behind me. My father's familiar scent of aftershave and pine trees engulfed me like a warm blanket. His presence, although comforting, only seemed to make my throat constrict even more as I tried to hold back a sob that was so dangerously close to breaking free.

Sensing my obvious emotional distress, he wound his arms around my much smaller frame and tugged me back against his chest while resting his chin on my forehead. I silently shook as he tried to calm me down.

"I should of tried harder. Looked farther. I never should have given up. I failed her." His deep, rich voice was barely above a whisper and so unbelievably broken that it made me cry harder.

"Y-you did everything you c-could, Dad. Everyone did. I don't ever want to hear you s-say that again." I choked out angrily through my tears. I didn't mean for it to be so harsh, but it tore me up inside knowing he blamed himself. He always has, and probably always will. He sees it as his inability to keep his den safe and also failing to protect his pups from harm. That's hard on any father, but it's even worse for wolves. Our pups were everything to us.

"I don't want you leaving tonight. If preventing you from going wasn't illegal, and the council wouldn't come after me, I'd keep you here and you wouldn't be attending this stupid ball." I let out a frustrated sigh at his statement.

"Not this again. You and mom will both be there. As Alpha and Luna, your attendance is required. I will be safe. No one is going to take me. As far as finding my mate goes, I don't think he would put up a fight against you making him transfer to our pack, Dad. You've acquired quite the reputation over the years." I jibbed before lightly bumping his shoulder with my own. He chuckled at this and I couldn't help but let out a relieved breath. Once he got into one of his moods, nothing could get him out of it except for spending hours in solitude with my mother. And sometimes, not even that would help. His eyes suddenly glazed over and I waited until he was done responding to whomever was mind linking him.

"That was Xavier. I have a meeting with him that started five minutes ago." His face turned grim and I knew exactly what the meeting was about without even having to ask.

"Dad, you can't force a grown ass man to go to the Mate's Ball if he doesn't want to. Besides, he's a Wild. If you expect him to take a plane to an isolated island just to parade around a fancy room amongst a bunch of people he doesn't know when he can barely speak fluent English anymore, you're dumber than I thought. He's already refused four times. I guarantee you that asking a fifth time isn't going to make him change his mind." I said, slight annoyance lacing my tone. Through the last two years, I've learned Xavier well enough to be able to understand his moods and also his wolf tongue. We didn't need to exchange flimsy words, but when we did, they were usually important.

"I know, I know my sweet angel, but I will always have my pack members best interests in mind. I can see the way he acts when he thinks no one is watching. His shoulders slump and his eyes get this dead look. The only reason he stays living is because we have a deeply rooted respect for each other ever since he saved my ass all those months back. He sticks around to protect our family as well as the pack, because he knows what its like to lose everything and he loves this pack like his own. I just want him to be happy, Alethia. Everyone deserves to be happy, as well as have a chance to love and be loved." I nodded, tears forming in my eyes once again from his beautiful words.

"I've also considered naming him my successor. Since your mother and I were never able to conceive again, there isn't a male to take over. I'm getting old, and your mother wants to spend more time together. As her mate, I want to give her that - especially after everything that we've been through as a family. It's about time somebody better suited for the job takes over, and Xavier is more than qualified. I just need to ensure I give the search for his mate my all before I hand my title down to him."

I was more than surprised by what he just told me. He's never even hinted at possibly giving Xavier his Alpha title. I could see why he would want to, but there's no way people would feel 100% comfortable and at ease around him, unless he had someone to smooth out all his rough edges. I didn't know what to say to him, so I simply nodded. Leaning up on my tiptoes, I planted a firm kiss against his stubbly cheek. I turned back around once again and made my way to my room to finish packing before I ran out of time.

"Do you want some help, dear?" My mothers soothing voice called out from the doorway.

"Would you mind? I can never get this fucking zipper closed!" I huffed while pushing down forcefully on the top of my suitcase.

"Language, young lady!" She scolded, smacking me upside the head and making us both giggle in the process. There was a pregnant pause before she raised her eyebrow at me in a questioning manner.

"What's the matter my child?" She asked, resting her hands over top my own (which were still tugging furiously at the stuck zipper). She knew me better than I even knew myself. This worked against me more often than not.

"Do you... Do you think she could be there? I mean, she'd be eighteen now. No matter where she is, no one can avoid the council when it comes to attending the Mate's Ball." I spoke timidly, knowing that she had, without a doubt, considered that very same thing at least once within the last month.

"Alethia, enough. I don't want to hear another word." She snapped. I could hear the hurt in her voice, but I couldn't bring myself to feel guilty. I missed her too. Being a twin, I can vaguely feel the special bond we share pulse just underneath my skin. Although incredibly weak, it was still there.

"But mom you're not even listening to me!" I said, beginning to raise my voice. I was exasperated at this point. She never wanted to talk about this. She'd rather sweep it under the rug and deal with her emotions behind closed doors all on her own.

"No! You're wrong, Alethia Rose! I am hearing every single word you're saying, but I have gotten my hopes up so many times just to be disappointed time and time again! I'm done with hope, now enough with the foolishness. When you're ready, your father and I will be waiting for you in the car." I plopped down on the end of my bed and crossed my arms. It took everything in me to keep my tongue and not lash out at her.

"Fine." I said as she slammed the door behind her.

So much for helping me I guess.

**

I stretched my cramped muscles before stepping off of the plane. Letting out a large yawn, I glanced around before spotting Xavier's gigantic form looming over everyone else's while standing next to his luggage. His arms were crossed and his body was rigid as always. He stood ramrod straight while continuously scanning the crowd of people around him. He was the most observant person I've ever come across in my entire life. It was almost comical how even most Alpha's that arrived took one look at his stoic expression and warily kept their distance.

I was still damn surprised that my father managed to talk him into coming. I wonder what magic tale he had to spin to make it happen.

I cautiously made my way towards him, ensuring he would notice me before I got too close. He tends to get quite jumpy and almost always acts on impulse. He almost beheaded our best pack doctor on accident two months ago.

Finally standing next to him, I had to force my wolf down. This happen almost every time we were in each other's company. It was mainly because he exuded so much power it was unsettling for my naturally dominant wolf and she felt the need to make her presence known.

Although all odds were against our friendship, we still got on really well. Our wolves had a general understanding for one another and the loss that the both of us have been through.

"That flight was about as pleasant as listening to Rachel Finland talk about her self." I mumbled when glanced at me with an expectant look. This was how it always was; I started the conversation and he would vaguely respond. I could see the amusement spark in his eyes at my comment, but that was it. The entire time I had known the guy, I'd never heard a single laugh, or even seen a single smile, from him. His impassive gaze was the one he sported 24/7 and it usually kept people away, but that was the way he liked it.

I searched his face while he was staring off in the distance, looking deep in thought about something or other. He had noticeable purple bags under his eyes that even my M.A.C. prolong wear concealer couldn't cover, and his face was covered in a 5 o'clock shadow. My wolf whimpered sadly for her friend.

Xavier was already 25 and had still yet to find his mate, obviously. Most people who don't found their mate after roughly two years of turning legal age usually never found their mate. It was rare, but it was the harsh reality some wolves had to face. I couldn't help the surge of anger I felt toward the Moon Goddess for not giving Xavier this one thing. He had been through so much shit in his life. He protected those he cared for fiercely, that much was shown through the numerous white gashes that littered his chest and back, and he deserved so much more than the hand he's been dealt.

"It's late and we've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Get some sleep, okay?" I said softly. He gave me a single terse nod before roughly grabbing his single duffle bag and heading for the male sector of the large hotel-like building. I watched closely to see if I could witness the way he carried himself like my dad had said. Sure enough, his back hunched over and he began dragging his feet as he walked.

I said a silent prayed to the Moon for my future Alpha before taking my own advice and settling into bed, anxious for what tomorrow might bring.