Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Amelie
“Dad, are we… part elf?” I lean in, waiting for an answer.
Dad laughs, “No, we are as pure werewolf as you can get. Raphael was sent to America by the moon goddess through the prophecy of the elves. He was also instructed to help the native packs and to settle our pack where we are now. The moon goddess herself directly controls our bloodline. Look again at all the Alpha’s daughters before you. Do you see anything else?” He pushes the scroll closer to me. I look at every ancestor analyzing.
“One thing I see is there is never more than three children from the Alpha. All the daughters became Lunas. Oh! I recognize the pack names! These are the strongest packs in those states! Wait, Hope? She’s in Texas. The Golf Cost Pack is the strongest there?” I was worried about my little sister. I did not want her to be a target.
“They have been on the decline since the Alpha lost his Luna and rejected his second chance mate. He has a son, but I’m afraid since he is not from a fated mate, the moon goddess as an heir will reject him. Hope’s new pack will take over by then, and her son, a descendant of Bois de Frene will rule. She is the first Ashwood daughter to go to Texas. Only those related to our bloodline would realize a shift will happen there soon, and they would support that shift.” Dad stands up and looks at a picture on his desk. It was a picture of the three of us kids 15 years ago. I can tell he is proud of his youngest daughter and misses her.
“OK, then what about me? I’m still in the area. I don’t want my child to be in conflict with my birth pack?” I’m worried about the child I haven’t conceived yet.
“As you know, the Druit Guard are not a normal pack. They are more like the werewolf police force than a normal pack. They technically are the largest pack in the US. Gideon has satellite packs in every state. His Delta Force runs them. A group of Delta wolves that report directly to him. Any wolf can apply to join the Druit Guard no matter what pack they are born in. They have to interview and try out. All training is done at the main pack. Gideon is essential to the safety and security of all werewolves, and so is his heir. I am worried you could be a target.”
“Wait! I didn’t know that. Why didn’t I know that? Why target me?” I was getting way too much information in one sitting. My head was spinning.
“There is a lot that most werewolves don’t know, and it’s for safety. Gideon does have a heavy burden, but the Elder Council and the Alpha Council help with that burden as well. An Ashwood always sits at the head of the Alpha Council, as we are directly linked to the moon goddess. An Alois is always the vice-head. In other words, our families are the leader of all packs in the US. You will be the mother to the next heir of the Alois family and Druit Guard Alpha, plus you are an Ashwood. Selene has decided it. I can only think that all you have been through was preparing you to take on this heavy responsibility of being mated to such an important Alpha and raising the heir. You could be seen as a threat to any greedy Alpha trying grasp at power.” Dad sits down again and gives me a minute to fully absorb my actual future.
“I think I’m going to throw up.” I breathe deeply in and out, trying to calm myself. This was a heavy burden I didn’t even realize I was born into and now mated to! Did hope and James know?
“You said you told Hope?” I do not want to be the one to tell her.
“Yes, we did. It’s up to each of you to tell your mates. I know she has told Phillip. He and I have talked. It would be best if you tell Gideon sooner rather than later so he and I can talk. I have not gone over this burden with James. It will be part of his heir teaching, but it will need to wait till he is more mature to understand his full responsibility.” Dad was profoundly serious.
“Dad. Odd question. Do we have like, superpowers or something?” I think it’s a valid question. He’s already thrown me a few curve balls might as well find out.
He chuckles, “No, we don’t have superpowers. I mean, we are already werewolves. We are a sacred bloodline, so we tend to be more talented than others. Look at yourself; for example, you are an artist, a horticulturist, and a damn good cook. In general, our family is problem solvers, doers. We make things happen. We have the strength of mind and strength of heart. We are resilient in the face of hardship.”
I was looking back on my childhood a lot of things made sense. The reason I was never hidden or treated as a child of desire. Selene did not make mistakes with the Ashwood bloodline. It was a sacred bloodline. She needed me to be mentally stronger, adaptable but also accepting. I just didn’t know why. What was coming? Why did the moon goddess decide to bring the Ashwood bloodline and Alois bloodline together? Dad was giving me so much at once.
“OK, is there anything else I should know about Gideon and his family?” I honestly didn’t know if I could take any more reveals, but I had to ask.
“Not that I am aware of. I do know the Alois bloodline is also incredibly old, but it’s not as pure as our own. So if there are any secrets, he will have to tell you I do not know.” He leans back on the sofa, relaxing a bit.
It’s so much to process. “What about our wolf spirit? What does this sacred bloodline mean for them?” I was hoping to get some insight on if we could fix Inari’s ability to shift.
“That’s a great question. As you know, all wolf spirits are reincarnated but do not retain their memories but instead are blessed to live life anew. Our wolves are no exception to this rule, but our wolves are hand-selected by the moon goddess. They are her personal companions when in the spirit realm, so they have a divine connection. I know what you are thinking. You want to unseal Inari. You might be able to. How did she feel after the mate bond was established?” Dad is leaning forward on the sofa now.
“She felt stronger to me, but she said she didn’t notice anything. What do you think that means?” I am eager to get his interpretation of what I felt.
“I am hopeful. If any pair can break the odds, it’s you two. I believe you have a divine link yourself, Am. Your family mark is a purple azalea or queen’s wreath symbolizing healing and opening and receptivity of divine influence. I don’t know what it will take, but I will give you all the resources I have.” Dad was hopeful, and it made me think we could beat the odds.
I sat back. So much was going through my head. I knew I had to tell Gideon today. It was all so fresh in my mind, and we were now in this together. He mentioned before that he could feel a strong pull toward me for a while and that he would dream about me. He deserved to know that the moon goddess was taking over his life. She must have a reason we could see yet. I also wanted him to know I would stand with him from now on and help shoulder the extreme burned he carried every day.
“Dad, what is James’ training schedule after lunch?” I could not wait till tonight.
Dad sighed, “I’ll take over his afternoon schedule. Do what you have to do.”
I got up. I still needed to help Becky with lunch, “Celeste, can you have someone else help Becky with dinner. I think Gideon and I will need some time alone tonight. Also, please let her stay with Benjamin.” I wanted to give them time together before heading to the Druit Guard.
Celeste smiles, “She has already brought her belongs this afternoon. I’m going to miss her. She so cute.”
“Thank you. OK, I’m off. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m going to talk to him about everything right after lunch.” I stand up and go for the door. I stop and turn around.
“It’s odd all my life I have always said why me and fought to be normal and stay in the background only to be thrown in the fire. So many things make sense now, yet I still have a million questions. Thank you both for always believing in me.” I leave the room and head to the family wing kitchen.
When I get there, Becky is starting prep. I am honestly a little out of it but act as naturally as possible. We finish prep and get lunch ready. I was barely there; I was going over everything dad said and what that meant for Gideon and me. Our future children, his current children. How was he going to react? Would he be upset thinking I hid it from him? Would he be mad at the moon goddess? Would he be angry at all? Would he be happy? Or just simply accept it and shrug it off? I didn’t know him well enough yet know. I did know he and my father had heavy burdens, and their descendent would bear that same ancestral burden as well.
Before I realized the guys were back from training, and Dad and Celeste came in. Everyone scattered around the table and counter seating. We served them all pretty quickly. I sat next to Gideon at the counter. I think he likes to watch me cook. I want him watching me cook, actually.
“Hey, after lunch, we need to talk. Dad said he would take over James’ afternoon schedule.” It had to be now.
Gideon looked at me confused, “Is everything alright?”
“Everything is fine. I just really need to talk to you. I got some information from my dad that you need to hear. It’s important.” I looked him straight in the eye. I needed him to know I was serious.
“OK. I’ll let the men know.” I could tell his mind linked his men not wanting to make a scene. We finish eating.
Gideon had Benjamin stay back and help Becky clean up so we could go and talk. As we head up to my room, I take his hand. I know he thinks something is wrong. I want him to feel that I am here. We are going to be fine together.
