CHAPTER 44: NEW SPACE (I)

Rhea waved them off. "You don’t have to thank me for that. It’s not like friendship requires divine permission."

The laughter that followed settled the room into a comfortable warmth.

Then, her tone shifted. "So..." she started, tilting her head. "Are there humans in this world?"

The question hung in the air for a moment. Both Tavian and Jason blinked, exchanging looks of confusion. For a second, they wondered if she was joking, but then they remembered. Rhea had barely been allowed beyond the pack borders. To her, even the world outside the pack house might as well have been a different planet.

Tavian was the first to speak. "Uh... yes," he said, nodding slowly.

"Really?" Rhea asked, eyes lighting up in genuine curiosity.

Jason chuckled softly at her reaction. "Yes, really. Humans exist, Rhea."

Tavian added with a grin, "They’re not as interesting as you’d think."

Rhea leaned forward, chin resting on her palm. "I’ll be the judge of that," she said, her voice laced with intrigue. Then she straightened a little. "Tell me something, do humans know about... us?"

Tavian blinked. "You mean werewolves?"

Rhea nodded.

"Of course they do," he said, his tone casual. "We’re not exactly a secret. There are others too, vampires, witches, sirens, shapeshifters, fae, warlocks, elves, and even shadow beasts."

Rhea’s eyes widened in awe. "Seriously?" she breathed. "So there’s a chance I could actually meet one of them?"

Jason snorted lightly. "Not likely."

That deflated her instantly. "Why not?"

Tavian scratched the back of his neck. "Because the supernatural world is divided by territory. Every species guards its land fiercely. Crossing borders without permission is basically declaring war."

Jason nodded. "Yeah, and only Alphas ever meet others. They handle diplomacy. I bet even our Alpha could only met with the leaders of those other races, like, once or twice at the annual Supernatural Alliance Summit."

Rhea’s lips curled. "That big-headed Alpha is lucky."

Tavian and Jason stiffened. Both darted anxious glances toward the door, lowering their voices immediately. That was the second time she’d called him that. They prayed the Alpha wouldn’t hear her calling him that one day, cussing the Alpha was an offense that could get anyone publicly punished.

Still, neither of them dared correct her.

"There is a way to meet other supernaturals, though," Tavian offered after a moment, his tone cautious.

Jason nodded. "Yeah, there is."

Rhea perked up instantly, her eyes gleaming. "And what way would that be?"

"At the Convergence Ceremony," Tavian said.

Rhea frowned. "The what now?" She had no memory of that from the book or Rhea Ulric’s past. It wasn’t in any of the fragments she’d seen.

Tavian smiled faintly. "The Convergence Ceremony. It happens once every hundred years. One territory, vampire, werewolf, witch, fae, doesn’t matter, is chosen to host it. Every supernatural race sends few representatives there. It’s a sacred gathering meant to renew the ancient accords that keep the peace."

Jason leaned forward, eyes bright. "During the ceremony, alliances are made, some even find their mates across species. Humans are allowed too, but only a few selected ones."

"Wow..." Rhea breathed. "That sounds incredible."

"It is," Tavian said with a grin.

"So," Rhea said with a teasing smile, "we just have to wait a hundred years?"

Jason laughed softly. "Actually, this year is the hundredth. The ceremony could happen any month now."

Rhea’s head snapped up. "Really?"

Both omegas nodded, excitement flickering between them.

Her lips parted slowly, and a sly smile touched her face. "Now that," she murmured, "what I’m talking about."

Rhea leaned forward again, eyes sharp with curiosity. "So what exactly happens at this Convergence? You said all kinds of creatures come together, then what? What actually goes on in this ceremony? Are they there just for forming alliance and mating?"

Tavian laughed lightly. "Not exactly. There’s more than that. The ceremony itself lasts weeks. There are trials, contests, and performances, each species shows what they’re best at."

"Performances?" Rhea arched a brow.

"Yeah," Jason said, growing animated. "The vampires usually hold dueling matches, witches perform spellcraft displays, and shifters, us, we do strength and endurance battles. Then there’s the joint event: The Unity Games."

Rhea’s lips curved. "Unity Games? Sounds like some fancy title for a brawl."

Jason chuckled. "That’s... not far from the truth. It’s where representatives from different races compete against each other. Officially it’s for ’mutual understanding’...but honestly, it’s just a chance for everyone to show off who’s strongest."

Tavian nodded in agreement. "And the humans always lose."

Rhea frowned. "Why?"

Tavian gave her a look like she’d just asked why fire was hot. "Why? Maybe because they’re not as strong as us?"

"So you’re basically saying this entire ceremony is arranged to mock humans," Rhea said flatly.

The boys exchanged uneasy glances. Now that she’d said it out loud, it did sound that way. Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean... when you put it like that, yeah, kinda."

Rhea exhaled dramatically. "Wow. And here I was thinking this world had something interesting going on." Her tone softened with a teasing edge. "Still, I guess it’s not my problem. I’m technically not human."

That drew a laugh from both boys, the tension easing again.

"So," she continued, leaning forward. "How do they pick who goes?"

Tavian explained, "The strongest from each pack, clan, or coven can volunteer. They write their names and drop them into the Selection box, whoever’s name the Alpha picks gets to represent the pack."

Jason grinned. "I bet you’ll be one of them."

Rhea blinked, amused. "You think so?"

"Of course," Tavian said eagerly. "You’re the Moon Goddess’s favorite now, and easily one of the strongest in the pack. There’s no way you won’t be chosen."

Rhea smirked. "You boys give me too much credit. But I like that."

Before she could say more, the door swung open. Ellie stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the room, the lounging Rhea, the two omegas seated comfortably across from her. His brow arched.

"I can see you already made yourself at home," he said dryly.

"Hi, bro," Rhea waved, grinning mischievously.

Tavian and Jason shot up so fast their chairs screeched against the floor. Both bowed deeply, their voices overlapping nervously. "Beta," they greeted in unison.

Rhea frowned, sitting up straighter. "What are you two doing? Sit back down before you give yourselves neck cramps."

They hesitated, glancing between Ellie, who stood at the door with, and Rhea, clearly torn about whose authority carried more weight.

Ellie sighed, half amused. "Just sit," he said. "You’re making me look bad in front of her."

The two omegas sat quickly, stiff-backed and awkward.

Rhea gave them a pointed look. "Seriously, how are you and that big head leading this pack?"

Ellie blinked, staring at her for a long moment. Then he huffed a quiet laugh and walked over to take the seat across from her. "You’ve really changed, Rhea."

"Well, duh," Rhea said, leaning back with a lazy grin. "I’m not the same person."

"I can see that," Ellie replied, still studying her. "Anyway, a room’s been prepared for you."

Rhea tilted her head, skeptical. "A room? I hope you’re not talking about that stable she used to stay in."

Ellie raised a brow. "She?" he echoed, amused. "Why are you referring to yourself like a third party?"

Rhea smirked. "Well, my mistake. I hope it’s not that stable I used to stay in. it’s a slip of the tongue."

Ellie shook his head lightly. "No. A huge, comfortable room has been prepared for you."

"You better be telling the truth," Rhea said, narrowing her eyes slightly. Truth was, she’d only wanted to stay here because she didn’t have a better option, but having her own private space was definitely an upgrade she wouldn’t turn down.

"Come check it out," Ellie said, rising from his seat. "If there’s anything you don’t like, we’ll change it."

Rhea pushed herself up from the couch, stretching her arms high above her head with an exaggerated yawn. "Fine," she said, smirking. "Lead the way, brother dearest."

Ellie chuckled, shaking his head. "Gladly." He straightened and moved toward the door, his steps light but sure.

Rhea turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder at Tavian and Jason, who were still sitting upright like statues. "Well? You two coming with?"

Tavian blinked. "Uh...if you want us to, my lady..."

"Don’t you dare finish that," Rhea warned. "Of course I want you to come. Let’s go."

Jason exchanged a quick look with Tavian, both boys scrambling to their feet. "Yes, Rhea," they said together.

"Good." She grinned, stepping toward the door. "Then let’s go see how fancy my new place is."

Ellie pushed the door open, glancing back with a faint smile as Rhea and her two self-appointed shadows followed him out into the hallway.