Chapter 18: Titans Among Us

Aurora

I took back what I’d said. Things definitely got worse.

A week had gone by since Wolfgang’s sudden invitation to Tallulah for breakfast; now they spent every waking hour together.

~“I’m sure there’s nothing between those two, Aurora. Wolfgang loves us, not that stuck up she-wolf,”~ Rhea reassured me in my mind, but I knew better.

This was his way of torturing me. He knew how much it bothered me to see them together.

~Why did I have to blurt that out!~

To top it off, Emma had left a couple of days ago for college, and I was left without my best friend for the next semester.

In our last conversation, she’d chewed me out for making her worry, then bombarded me with ways of seducing Wolfgang. As if that’d ever work.

“Aurora!” I turned to see Aspen and Remus heading my way.

“Oh, hey Aspen.” I waved at her before bowing to Gamma Remus.

“Where are you off to?” the redheaded woman asked, inquisitive as always.

“I was on my way to the backyard. My wolf needs to stretch her legs for a bit.”

Today was my day off but because I had been late last week, Wolfgang had taken it away as punishment.

“Does Alpha Wolfgang know you’re about to leave the mansion?” Gamma Remus asked.

“Um…well, no…” I started, but Aspen cut me off.

“Oh, come on, Remus. It’s not like she’s leaving the premises. She’ll be right here in the backyard?” Aspen said, giving me a wink.

“The alpha was clear that she wasn’t to leave the mansion,” Remus shot back at his mate.

“She’s human, too. She can’t be kept in here for his pleasure. Tell you what? I’ll go with her.” Aspen persisted.

I was surprised by how comfortable they were both in each other’s presence. I wondered if Wolfgang and I would ever be like that.

“The answer is no. Those rogues have been trying to get into our village.” Remus looked like he was getting angry.

“It’s just the backyard forest!” Aspen was getting upset as well.

“Guys, guys. It’s okay. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. It's not really urgent for Rhea to run around right now. I’m sure she can hold it for another week.”

Remus suddenly turned to face me, shock clear on his face. “What did you say?” he asked me.

“Um, that I’m okay with not going out for now?” I answered him, not sure if I’d said something I wasn’t supposed to.

“No. What was the name of your wolf?”

“Oh, Rhea,” I answered, still unsure of what that had to do with me going for a run.

He stood there pensively, his thumb pressed against his chin.

“Remus? What is it?” Aspen asked, also not understanding what this was all about.

“Nothing. It’s just that I find it peculiar that Miss Craton’s wolf’s name is Rhea, and Alpha Wolfgang’s wolf’s name is Cronnos.”

His voice was distant, as if he were putting together a puzzle in his mind.

“So?” Aspen voiced the question that was also roaming in my head.

“In Greek mythology, Rhea and Cronnos are the Titans who created the world. They are the parents of the Gods Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. They were husband and wife,” Remus explained.

My eyes went wide with surprise at this new piece of information.

“You don’t mean that Aurora and Wolfgang are…” Aspen asked excitedly.

“It’s just a theory, but it is known that wolves can only mate with another whose wolf’s name connects with theirs in Greek mythology.”

I must have looked confused because he continued. “For example, Aspen’s wolf’s name is Penelope, and my wolf's name is Odysseus.”

He peered at me. “Miss Craton, you recently turned eighteen, right? Have you found your mate?”

I saw that he and Aspen were putting the pieces together.

~Oh no. If they know that I’m actually Wolfgang’s mate, he’ll banish them for sure.~

“No, sir. I haven’t.”

~Oh my Goddess, I lied to the gamma.~

“Are you sure? You haven’t felt anything?” Aspen asked.

“No, sorry. But um, I’d better get back into my room before Alpha Wolfgang takes away another day off. See you around Aspen. Goodbye Gamma Remus.”

I quickly bowed my head before darting into the mansion. I didn’t want them asking any more questions.

~“But this proves it, Aurora. You and Wolfgang are true mates. Cronnos. What an appealing and sensual name.”~

Rhea continued to fangirl while I kept remembering what Gamma Remus had said.

This really proved that Wolfgang and I were meant to be together.

But why was he so eager to push me away?