Page 72 of From Frost to Flame

Silas hesitated before he explained. “I need to bite you.”

“That’s all? We can do that right now, can’t we?”

“It’s intense. I’d be claiming you as an Alpha and dominant one in our relationship. It’s going to hurt, and I’d probably break bone. You don’t have the same rapid healing wolves have, so it’ll be worse for you than others.”

“I can take it,” Lex said, looking determined.

“It’s sweet that you want to help, but we can claim the bond once you’re curse-free and able to heal. Plus, the moment I do it, our bond will be more noticeable to all wolves, so I want to tell my pack first. At least Vega. As my Beta, many expected we’d end up together. I don’t think he did, judging by his dating habits, but he deserves to know.”

“Fine,” Lex said with a pout.

“I know you’re worried, but after your safety, my pack is the most important. They’re my complicated family. I want them included in this.”

“How did you and Castor get to Orion if you lived in Tartarus with your mom?”

“She dropped Castor and me in the Orion clan after years locked away with her. I begged her to go so I could learn more of my origins. There was only so much Castor could teach me as a child himself. I told her I wouldn't forgive her for keeping me away, and she relented. I couldn’t control my voice well yet, so Castor did all the talking and he introduced us to the ruling king as brothers. That’s why everyone thinks we’re blood related. My mom shadowed me closely the entire time against my wishes. Even now, she doesn't trust werewolves with me.”

“And the other werewolf couple, they are also your parents, right? How does that work exactly?”

“Werewolves conceive children differently than humans. Only Omegas can carry children, and they’re rare. Some are Omegas their whole lives, others develop later. If a werewolf sleeps with five partners, then has sex with an Omega in the same day, their offspring will carry the genes of all five people and the Omega. It’s a way to allow, in some cases, a whole pack to have blood ties to the child, or for polyamorous couples to share relations with their pups if that’s what they want. It’s a big part of why we can only mate with other wolves and why you being my mate is unprecedented. I don’t understand why this worked with The Ravenous One, but it did.”

“So, they all got into bed together one night?”

“The story I heard when I was young was my father, Sarin, approached The Ravenous One, asking for a son that would be a legendary warrior after Estella, his mate and Beta, developed into an Omega later in life. My mom agreed to provide if she had access to me when she pleased. The two of them went to bed together, and the same day, he went to bed with Estella while she was in heat. I was instantly conceived. Werewolf pups are carried for a year, but she had a rapid pregnancy that spanned a week. I hear she suffered in agony until they cut me out of her. I don’t care for her memory, to be honest, but I would never wish that pain on anyone.”

Lex sucked in a breath in shock. “That poor woman. Why did your father care so much about you being so great?”

“He was obsessed with revenge. The Herculean Clan splintered off from the other clans. They lived isolated in the woods from the others, sticking to old ways many found too cruel. They wanted one of their own to take the crown so they could revert Orion back to what they deemed acceptable. My father was the best of the clan, so he challenged the ruling King of Orion, Canis. He was brutally defeated and never got over it.

“After their fight, Canis drew a clear line. He wanted the Herculean Clan to integrate into the kingdom and give up the old ways. They refused, and he decided that if they ever approached the kingdom again, he would conquer them all by force.

“Bitter with his defeat, my father decided his offspring would be stronger than him, take the crown, and resurrect the old ways.”

“So, you were your father’s revenge?” Lex asked.

“I was supposed to be. Unfortunately, he didn’t plan for me to look the way I did.” His chest tightened as he talked about it. “My tentacles and black eyes were the shame of the clan the moment I was ripped from her womb. The cursed son forged in trickery and betrayal. Physical proof of my father’s obsession. He claimed my mother seduced him and he was the victim. Everyone was certain if Canis caught wind of his actions, he would kill my father. So, they decided it was best that I was kept a secret from the other clans to protect him. He was forgiven for his cruel act, but I wasn’t forgiven for existing. The star readers came and said my birth marked the fall of their clan. To escape their fate, they planned to kill me. As you saw, they failed. Turns out the stars were right. My birth led to their massacre.”

“How they treated an innocent child was their downfall. None of that is your fault.”

“Maybe,” Silas said, unsure.

“Do you love The Ravenous One?” Lex asked. “I mean, she’s still one of your parents.”

“She protected me when no one else did,” he said, trying to parse out his confusing relationship with his mom. “I hate her for so many things. I hate her for what I am, for what she did to everyone, to Castor. I hate her for all of it. But every other adult called me a monster, a curse, a burden, a regret. To her, I was just her son. For better or worse, I think she loves me in her own way. And because of that, even if it’s wrong, I do love her, too.”

“There’s one soul left. We can stop this now, and you can keep her.”

“Darling, there’s nothing in this world you can say to change my mind. My choice is made.”

“Fine.” Lex laced his hand in Silas's as they lay on their sides, looking at each other. “I have so many more questions.”

“I don’t want to be scared to talk about all this anymore. I want you to ask me whatever you want to know.”

“Are you sure?” Lex bit his lip. “We don’t have to discuss this if you aren’t ready.”

“I’m positive.” He caressed the side of Lex’s hand with a thumb. He wanted to be open. He wanted to stop hiding with him.

“Was it you who saved me from Arden in the fountain? I saw a creature I didn’t recognize. It was a werewolf, but not at the same time.”

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