Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Amelie
“Come in, kiddo!” I didn’t even have a chance to knock. Dad knew I was at the door. I open the door and see him and Celeste sitting on one of the sofas with books and scrolls on the coffee table in front of them.
“Have a seat. We have lots to go over.” Dad gestures me to set in the sofa across for him and Celeste.
This seems more serious than what I thought, “Are we going to need the bourbon again?”
Dad laughs, “It is serious but not in the same way. Come on, sit.”
“OK, what’s with all the books and scrolls?” I take a seat on the sofa.
Dad unrolls one of the scrolls. I look at it, and I see some names I recognize. Then I see mine, and I have two lines coming from my name, one going to Tate with an X throw his name and one going to Gideon. It’s a family tree—a really old one. “As you can see, it’s our family tree. I want you to look carefully at all the daughters in the Alpha direct line.” I look closer a few generations before dad.
“They were all mated with Alpha’s, and is it also a recording of the mate symbol and family symbols?” I’m fascinated!
“You are exactly right! Look, all mates of the Ashwood family always have a tree symbol. Phillip has a Pecan tree, and Celeste has a cherry blossom, Gideon a eucalyptus tree. All our family symbols are of trees as well. I always thought it was odd that Tate did not get a tree, but more than that, you both just had stars. Amelie, I think you were meant to go through what you did with Tate. I think Gideon was always your true mate.” The room is quiet.
“OK. Let’s stop for a second!” I was curious and pissed at the same time. “Why didn’t you stop me when I met Tate? Also, why am I only hearing about all of this and see this family tree now!” I cross my arms and wait for an answer.
“Am, we didn’t know Tate wasn’t your forever mate until it was too late. Part of our negotiations with the Timber Wolf pack would have you and Tate join the Ashwood pack. This way, we could be in a better position to help you, but before we could, he went off the deep end.” Dad pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath. “Am, I never wanted you to go through any of what you did. I never wanted you to perform that damn ritual and almost die! I don’t know why the goddess has made you experience so much pain and heartache.” Celeste is silently crying and rubbing dad’s back. He is fighting back his tears. “It’s been the hardest thing to watch as a parent. I am so grateful that she brought you and Gideon together.” He looks up, takes another deep breath, and clams himself. “I never showed you any of this because I didn’t want you to be disappointed. It’s out true family history, all these books, and scroll. At the time, you were the only Alpha’s daughter, not an Alpha’s mate. It honestly did not make sense, you and Tate, but I couldn’t defy the moon goddess. For the safety of our pack and you, I couldn’t tell you about any of this. Since Gideon is your mate now, this will be important for you to know and for him.”
“Dad, what do you mean by our “True Family History”?” I air quoted.
“Amelie, honey, this is going to be a lot and might be hard to believe. It was for me the first time I heard it. Honestly, I was terrified to be mated into this family after I heard it, but if anyone can handle the truth, it’s you.” Celeste reaches over and takes my hand.
“Are you sure we don’t need the bourbon?” Dad shoots me a look. “Sorry. Please continue.” I sit and listen.
“We are direct descendants from the first werewolves. Our pack symbol is an ash tree. The ash tree is also the symbol of life. So, in other words, our family tree is the Tree of Life for werewolves. We have the purest bloodline. I know you read the book on marks and bonds, so you know about how a pack splits.” I nod my head. I’m in complete disbelief at the moment. “Our mother pack has only split once, and that one split was when the youngest of twins migrated to America. You might recognize his name Raphael Bois de Frene.”
“Oh yes, he wrote the book on marks and bonds!” I was wide-eyed and hanging on to every word my father said.
“Bois de Frene is French for Ashwood. It was changed to hide our linage in the US. As you know, we are not the only supernatural beings in this world, but we blend in with humans the easiest since we don’t feed off them, and besides being generally more attractive and larger, we can blend in. The elves of the old country are remarkably close to werewolves and live together, especially the Bois de Frene pack. Elves live an exceptionally long time and have divine connections. They knew the pack would split and even told Raphael to go to the US.”
“Dad, are we… part elf?” I lean in, waiting for an answer.
