Luna Aurora and Leila, then two other people; stunning male and female, were all staring at me with confusion and shock and pity and... fear?
My eyes roamed through my environment in one sweep, taking in the shattered glasses on the bed and the broken windows;
The shredded clothes, broken seats and room thrown into a state of disarray.
With shaky eyes, a gasp tore from my lips as I turned away in shame and fear at my own self, shaky fingers wrapping around my body.
I found that I was very naked and my body was marred with fresh bruises...
Realisation dawned on me and hate at what I was killed me slowly...
My lips parted of their volition, my nostrils picking up the fresh scent of furs coming from me...
"I...am a...a beast?"
My mother would be turning in her grave right now, she would wish that she had never given birth to me.
A piercing cry of pains tore from my throat as memories of what I had done and thought in the past few minutes nudged at me.
I had wanted to kill and subject people to my authority.
I cried harder, and felt my body wrapped against a warm embrace which smelt of rain forests and expensive cologne.
"It's okay, sweetheart, it's okay. You are not a beast; you are a beautiful werewolf who only lost control because it's her first time. It's okay to make mistakes, darling. It's okay."
A thick coat covered my nakedness and those comforting arms of my grandmother held my whimpering body.
"Sorry, Artemis. I'm sure our asshole grandfather must have riled you up."
A male voice I hadn't heard before spoke. I needn't look up to know who he was.
I had heard of him and now recognised him as soon as I felt the bond between us.
Lycan Prince Dominic Kastellanos.
The one Leila had described as a major playboy who had whored his way through packs and human territories as well.
He had messy brown hair which had been tinted dark blond, and had a playful aura.
"Language, Dominic."
"Sorry grandmother, but you know I'm not lying. Meanwhile, wrong timing or whatever but you, Artemis, are fucking smoking hot. Sure you're really related to me?"
Despite my mood, I found myself chuckling against my grandmother's chest. Leila was patting my head softly while the other female was yet to speak.
That had to be Mia, the fourth member of the pack whom Leila had described as a cold perfectionist bitch.
"Dominic, a little courtesy won't kill you. Shamelessly hitting on your cousin."
Leila muttered, laughing.
That didn't stopped him in the least.
"You can't blame me, Leila sweetie. Her wolf is sexy as hell and she's just... yummy. It makes me most especially happy that someone is now more powerful and beautiful than Mia. See? Our cousin dearest is boiling in jealousy."
Someone smacked him in the head. I guessed it was Leila.
I pushed my head off my grandmother's chest and she cupped my face, placing a kiss at the top of my head.
"It's okay, sweetheart. You will learn how to control your powers with time."
I looked into the warmth of her eyes, wondering how a soul this beautiful could belong to a wolf.
"C'mmon, let's get you dressed before Dominic talks more shit."
My grandmother was funny, I had to give her that, and she covered me thoroughly and led me into the bedroom even as Dominic muttered something about cousins getting married in the past centuries and being perfectly happy.
I decided immediately that I liked his carefree spirit.
I managed to stand amidst the ache from bruises and migraine in my body, and met Mia's eyes for the first time.
Wow, the lycans hadn't lied about her beauty, nor had they about their iciness.
She had the appearance and aura of a Queen bitch through and through with cold green eyes and firm disapproving lips which didn't seem pleased with anything or anyone.
But she was slender and tanned and wore designers' made with the most beautiful colours of material.
She looked really classy and wore her long honey brown hair in an elegant style.
She looked perfect till she parted her lips and spoke.
"I heard you were kidnapped by vampires and your mum was a lowly servant here. So you're here on a revenge spree of some sort?"
Cold icy Queen bitch extraordinary.
I had lost my temper and regretted it already this morning, and so I swallowed a brewing lump of anger and walked past her, deciding that she wasn't worth a word.
"Go to your quarters, Mia. It's almost time for your piano lessons."
I kept my anger in check as she stormed out of my rooms, carrying the suffocating scent of her perfume and competitive aura with her.
Dominic chuckled after her, raking his fingers through his hair.
"Now this is the kind of soap opera I enjoy. She's used to being the best and the most beautiful and so hates that a stronger competition is here."
I couldn't see the beauty they had all been referring to, but Dominic kept spewing nonsense from the living room as Leila and the Luna helped me get dressed.
"Don't think about anything that happened today. I know it's too much to take in, sweetie, besides, your power is quite the match so... It will take some getting used to."
Her warmth enveloped me as she swept my hair backwards and made me wear a long dress.
There wasn't any need treating the shallow scratches since they were healing on their own anyway.
I sat still as they fussed over my eyes and powers and talked about my beauty.
All which I would trade to have my mother back.
"What if I had killed someone? I...I felt it in me; I would have torn someone apart as my mother was killed and..."
The Luna halted my sudden words. "Leila, why don't you wait in the living room with Dominic? I have to talk to Artemis alone."
Leila nodded in understanding and embraced me briefly, brushing her fingers over my face.
"You are a good person, Artemis, and whether you are a wolf or human, you are still wonderful and nothing can ever take that away. Don't let anything anyone says get to you."
I wanted to cry, and could only nod when she left.
The Luna turned to me. "...Darling, we've all felt guilty about your mother's death. Please, you must know that although this isn't an excuse or justification for her death, they didn't mean to kill her.
I took in her words, her fingers which were clasped to mine rubbing against my palm affectionately.
"... My husband may not show it, but he has longed for your return since our son disappeared...I want you to know that I knew your mother as a wonderful woman; strong-willed like you and a really great person..."
She took in a deep breath and I felt her nervousness.
"Being a werewolf doesn't take away your humanity. There are classes for control which you will take with time if you decide to stay with us here. I will make sure that you are comfortable if you do make that decision."
Now I was confused. "You are saying I'm free to leave if that's what I want? That I'm not imprisoned?"
My grandmother smiled softly, shaking her head.
"Who dares imprison a lycan? I can only warn you that you'll be more protected here after you know... What happened with the vampires. They think you are dead, and it would be better to keep it that way."
I swallowed a lump of anxiety and fresh pain as I thought of Xavier.
Leila's company and my grandmother's had helped me think less about him, although the pain slammed me in the guts at night when I tried to sleep.
"I...I don't know what to say."
I still hated my grandfather and didn't believe that he had been worried about me.
"Artemis, with time you will understand so many things you are confused about. Besides, I agree with my grandson; I need someone to teach my granddaughter who thinks that the world revolves around her a lesson."
That had me chuckling.
"Yeah, Mia is a bitch but I would rather not cross her."
I was afraid of what would happen the next time I shifted.
"Come on, your grandmother really wants you to say yes."
And so I nodded, sealing the deal which would eventually open the pathway to vengeance and unravel secrets.
The Luna embraced me with a sincere smile on her lips, patting my back softly.
Dominic pranced in then with Leila and sat in bed beside me.
I held this newfound family of mine, somewhat aware that the next few years would be a calm before the storm.
I made a decision then and there.
I may never like my grandfather or anyone else who had looked down on my mother,
But I would work hard till I bested them all.
Only then would I be able to really face off my grandfather without cowering whenever he was the guilty one.
For the reason of mate bond, I knew I would be meeting Xavier Vincenzo again.
But when that time came, it would be on my fucking terms.
And I would achieve all these through the one tool that hadn't failed anyone yet;
I would be perfect, the whole fucking best.