Chapter 4 Finding Allies

Caden

'I don't get it. Why is a banished god helping celestial beings? Isn't he bitter or something?' Xander asked and received no answer. Max and I were asking ourselves the same question. I filled both the wolves in my conversation with the Queen.

'Let's return home first.' I said a little later.

'But we will need a plan.' Max's statement made me groan.

'You think I would want to meet a bunch of outcasts without a plan. Who knows what this banished god has done to be thrown out of the lunar kingdom and why the goddess-to-be has run away on the day of the coronation?'

Xander sighed. 'Looks like some serious family drama to me.' I nodded in agreement.

All of us returned to the forest where our tribe had been residing since the beginning of their first family's emergence. Dead Vlei originated with my ancestors which is why I had always thought of myself as the rightful leader. But the retreat of the elders sprouted seeds of doubt in my mind and others. Was there going to be a change? Certainly, I was not in favor of it. This made this mission even more important.

We were standing in front of my house, the one I had been living with my grandfather after my father passed away trying to save the tribe. He is considered a savior but at the same time a fear overcame people. The prophecy could be true.

'Xander, find Sebastian Conway.' I ordered Xander. It was a direct order and even when he wasn't keen on being part of this personal quest, he knew he had to follow.

'On it.' He said and went his way.

Max spared him a glance but quickly followed his eyes back to me. 'What will you say to your grandfather?'

'Go inside and tell him I've gone to the city to cool off and will return after some time.' Max stepped back. He wasn't expecting it.

'Why me?'

'I don't feel like talking to him right now.'

Before Max could protest, I ran and hid in the woods. My clothes tore apart and I could feel the warmth of the fur. Changing was essential to hear the conversation between Max and my grandfather.

'Always the irresponsible one! Brat!' The old man shouted when Max delivered him the news of me going to the city. 'Tell him to only come back when his mind is in the right place.' Max nodded, avoiding meeting the elder's eyes. 'Now go away!'

Once grandpa was back inside, Max pulled over his rock band t-shirt he stole from younger brother and threw it under a tree. I signaled him and he followed me to the river. 'How could you ask me to deal with him alone?'

'He let you go easy.' I remarked and he showed me his white teeth shining in the moonlight. Leaving me alone to handle the old man, you're up here relaxing.'

'Are we going to succeed?'

'There is no other choice. The elders will kick me out if I don't fight for myself.'

Our conversation did not move forward because Xander was back early, much to our surprise. 'You found out where the banished God lives this quick?' Max was filled with suspicion.

'I was the alternate choice for Beta, give me some credit.' Xander's reply did not sit well with Max. The beef between them had something to do with the position.

'Since when has our tribe accepted an Omega as a Beta?'

'Live in denial forever if you want to but the truth is....'

'The truth is we have a mission at hand and these family quarrels can wait.' I ended the argument before it converted into a heated debate. 'Did you find him?'

Xander nodded. 'He lives in the city.'

'We already know that.' Max muttered.

'But do you know that he is the owner of Grand Sapphire?'

'What the hell is that?' Max asked.

'A hotel, duh!' Max rolled his eyes and Xander got a chance to smirk. He would not leave any chance to outwit the Beta.

I sighed. 'So, he's living a pretty decent life out there after his descent from the celestial kingdom.'

'He's living more than a decent life. Trust me, the lavishes he is in now, will blow your mind.'

'Fine. Let's meet this guy.' I was ready to embark on the adventure.

The old blue van, my father had once driven, was the only choice to leave for the city. Seeing it, Xander commented, 'Shouldn't we get something new to drive.'

I ignored him. I had to think how to appease Sebastian. He was not going to welcome us with open arms. What I didn't know was that it was going to be even more difficult.

'Ouch!' Xander exclaimed when the guards outside Sebastian's mansion kicked the three of us away from the gate as if our touch was strictly prohibited. If the long drive was not enough, the humiliation added to my woes.

'We need to talk to Sebastian!' I said loud enough for the guards to look at me. But they didn't take any further steps.

Max placed a hand on my shoulder. 'Calm down. They obviously don't know us.'

'Leave everything to me.' Xander said without consulting me and ran towards the guards. Max cursed under his breath and followed suit. I took advantage of the situation and rushed inside.

Entering the house seemed easy but I had to find Sebastian quickly before Max and Xander ripped off some human heads. 'Sebastian!' I called a couple of times before a lean man with blonde hair, wearing a robe loose enough to show his abdominal muscles emerged from the room upstairs.

'Who has decided to be the blaring sun on my soothing evening?' The man asked, his tongue speaking in italics.

I started with an apology. 'I'm sorry. We didn't mean to disturb you....'

'We?' The man asked.

'I've come with my friends.'

'Ah, the ones who are wreaking peace outside my house.'

'You knew we were here?'

'I know a lot more, Caden.' The smile I received ticked me off.

'If you know my name, then you must know why I am here, Sebastian'

'Good to know that you know me too. The connections from the lunar kingdom informed me. You're here for my help.'

'Do you know where the princess is?' I asked hoping he would know.

'Valarie is one brave soul. She did what many wouldn't dare to.' A proud smile overcame the banished god's lips. He was in awe of his cousin.

'Yes, whatever. But the Queen wants her back and....'

'And you are here to take her.' Sebastian completed my sentence. I nodded in acceptance. 'In that case, I'm afraid I cannot help you.'

I could feel discomfort rising in me. 'Why? You're here to help people like me.'

Sebastian laughed. 'Did you say I was here to help you? No, Caden. I am here because I wanted out of that cynical kingdom whose only aim was to control me.'

'Fine. You don't like the kingdom, the princess does not like the kingdom. But I am here to take her back and I will, with or without your help.' I said assertively.

'Good luck then. I hope you can find someone who has forgotten who she is. The cursed crystal is indeed an enchanting creation.'

'Go to hell!' I couldn't hold my anger and finally let it out. But the moment I did, the atmosphere grew dark. The clouds grew darker every second hinting at a storm. 'You still have your powers?' I was shocked that Sebastian could still control nature.

'I was born to be the god of the clouds. They may have banished me, but the inherent nature never leaves the gods.'

'Basically, you are a god with the feels minus the power.' I stated.

'My capabilities are far beyond your forest.' Sebastian said with a smile. 'And I don't have time to explain it to you right now. Since I don't want to help you, please see yourself out.'

That's it! I took a deep breath and launched at Sebastian, only to be thrown at the nearby wall. 'Argh! Liar! You said you had no powers.'

'I didn't say anything. You assumed.' Sebastian said and with a swift motion of his hand threw me to the other wall. I was groaning in pain when Max and Xander entered the mansion and witnessed the embarrassing situation.

'Sebastian Conway!' Max said and was about to launch at him when I warned him.

'Stop! He has celestial powers.' Max looked at me.

'Get out, all of you before I decide to throw you out myself!' Sebastian blew.

Max helped me and I decided we needed to retreat for now. 'You will have to answer the Queen about this.' I said.

'I'll wait, Mr. Alpha.' Sebastian said.

Xander said in frustration when all of us were out of Sebastian's mansion, 'What just happened?'

I said between gritted teeth, 'We are not only dealing with a princess who does not remember but also her upset cousin. Looks like finding allies in this mission is going to be a difficult task.'

I was thinking about a backup plan when Xander said, 'How can I forget him?' His wide eyes shining with excitement told me he already had a backup for us. Before I could say anything, he pushed me and Max into the van and we drove to a house with a lavish garden that was owned by Xander's uncle who was what one can call the "odd-one-out" in the family. A human in all sense, he never showed wolf tendencies for someone to suspect he could be one. Gradually, he separated himself from the tribe, his family, and decided to not be an outcast anymore. David came to the city in his mid-20s and settled well to now own a popular café in his late-30s.

'Someone is impressed?' Xander raised a brow.

Max coughed. 'The owner of the house is impressive to have built this.'

'The owner of the house happens to be my uncle.'

'Always trying to take others' credit.'

'Stop trying to malign my reputation.'

'Do you even have one?'

'Stop fighting like old lovers who've gone through a messy breakup!' Someone had to shut them up for good. 'I'm done breaking your fights. Either you two sort this out or learn to make peace.'

I was relieved to see someone walk out the house to welcome us. 'How are you guys? I'm David, Xander's uncle.' His warm smile was in stark contrast to the dark and gloomy storm they had experienced earlier.