O.N.E. Mateo

~*~…So Many Secrets…~*~ CH 5

~Mark~

“What was that?” Eian asks while watching Angelise closely. He’s worried about her, as he should be. It’s rare for magical or supernatural beings outside of werewolves to have mates anymore. They exist, but the numbers of mates are dwindling, fertility rates for most are low, and more couples are birthing mundanes. To find a mate who is so young, it almost never happens. It sounds gross and creepy, but there isn’t anything s****l about the pull.

‘If there was, no one would ever find his body.’ Marcus growls out.

‘Exactly.’ I agree with him completely.

At this point, the older mate is protective and just wants the younger one’s happiness and safety. Most don’t realize it’s a mate bond until the younger one turns eighteen. For these two to realize it this early, there’s something very rare and special about them. Something I’ve been searching for. Something to protect them over. Something that puts them in danger and is a sign of amazing things to come.

“Angelise, sweety, are you okay?” Mrs. Nelinha Chávez, is a rare creature in this world. Caring, loving, and kind to all she meets, but the last person anyone wishes to anger. Her grandparents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920’s, bringing their remaining family, to escape a dangerous group of were-creatures who wanted all supernaturals to be pure. No cross-breeding. The council was corrupt and made it law to hunt and kill mixed breeds and any mates who didn’t reject their mate if they were another species. They escaped, and their family has been hidden by mine for over a hundred years now.

They come from a line of cursed creatures. The curse of madness. After their first shift, they would slowly slip into madness and eventually would have to be put down if they didn’t end their own lives. The curse has been broken by Nel’s grandmother. Her grandfather is a wolf-fox mix. Her grandmother comes from a great line of sorcerers, white witches, and druids. She is one of the greatest healers of our time. They are true mates.

The Goddesses and Gods knew what they were doing when they paired them. The birth of their firstborn during a solar eclipse and a ceremony she won’t talk about began to heal his kind. When Nel’s mother was 13 years old, fourteen years after the curse had been mostly broken, she formed a group of healers. Together, they created a potion that helped break the madness completely. It has been used to help rogues regain their senses, but most packs don’t want to bother with it. They just kill rogues on sight.

One of the cured rogue wolves turned out to be Nel’s father, another true mate pairing. Their love created Nel, a nine-tailed white fox. In Japan, she is known as an Inari Kitsune. She has the ability to hide her tails to look like a regular fox. It keeps her from being a target of hunters who value kitsune parts on the black market. In human form, she is 5’6”, has waist-length wavy white hair, eyes like the Mediterranean Sea, and deep tan skin.

“I’m okay, I think. Just a little tired. Why is this happening?” Angelise whispers. I feel scared and worried, but it isn’t my own. I’ve never felt this much fear and concern before. There’s something off about it.

“Nel, you said this has been going on for a week?”

“Yes, but never like this. I feel something new…” She keeps staring at Eian.

“Angelise, has this ever happened before, sweetie?”

“Not like this, no. Just some dreams. There are other things, though.” Her cheeks blush, and her shyness is back. She looks worried as she looks at the members of our gathering.

“Like what? You’re safe with us, and we can keep secrets. BIG secrets.” I let her know. I start thinking about some of the secrets I hold that only a select few could ever know. She c***s her head to the side a little while looking at me, holds Eian’s hand, and takes a deep calming breath before nodding her head.

“Okay.” She meekly squeaks. Eian hugs her into his side. I feel calm, safe, and loved, like when I’m hugging Gloria.

‘What is that?’ I ask my wolf, Marcus.

‘She’ll tell you.’ He snickers. They cryptic little pup.

“That’s me.”

“What?” I’m a little confused. Were they talking about something, and I missed it while my wolf was irritating me? He knows I just want the truth, not a puzzle for a simple question.

“You asked what that was. It’s me.”

“How…”

“Oh, I can hear people’s thoughts and I have this thing with feelings.”

“Feelings?” Eian asks.

“Yes. I can feel what others feel, let them feel what I feel,” I feel a headache suddenly as she grimaces then smiles and the pain eases up “and sometimes change their mood.” she snickers, and I feel like pulling a prank. “I can’t always control it though. It just… happens. Today has been the most control I’ve had.” She shrugs. I now know what is happening and how to help her.

“That’s okay honey. My Gloria can teach you about the feelings part. It’s called being an empath. You seem to be a special kind of empath. If we make you part of the pack, everyone can help with the mind reading. That’s if you want to join.” I look at all the kids gathered. Their heads nod, but Shauna’s face is screwed up like she’s having an internal battle. The look of pain on Angelise’s face confirms my suspicion.

“Shauna, think less and speak.” Mirian nods her head towards the little girl curling up to Eian in pain while he rubs her back.

“Oh, Sorry Angelise!” Her big brown eyes almost pop out of her head when she realizes the problem. “It’s just… We’re cats, not wolves or even mates to wolves. Is it even possible or safe to join a wolf pack? So many wolves hate us…”

“But these guys aren’t like the ones that killed your mommies and daddies. These ones fight against them!” Angelise says with the biggest smile. Looks like she heard some of those BIG secrets. Good thing I know she can keep them from others. I see her head nod slightly in agreement and she winks at me.

“She’s right. We have been fighting them and our pack is filled with different supernaturals of all kinds. Some, people don’t even know about it.” Shauna, Derek, and Mirian look surprised.

“He’s telling the truth kids. I’m Inari.” Nel just drops a bomb on their realities like she’s handing them a piece of candy. Their faces are priceless.

“But you smell like…” Mirian takes in a deep scenting breath.

“Like wolf? Yes. My father was part wolf, but I’m much more. I was able to spell and charm the pack. Anyone who joins will smell of wolf. Your individual scent also stays true, it’s the beast part that is changed to keep everyone safe. Parents, siblings, and mates can smell the truth though. Well, as long as they don’t have evil intentions.” She snickers. Everyone gets quiet and Angelise’s eyes dart between them. Looks like they’re debating their choices and the information. It’s a lot that they’ve been surprised with and there’s only going to be more. A lot more. Angelise lets out a loud frustrated groan and focuses on the older teens.

“We’re joining guys. Just say it already.” Everyone laughs. The youngest one here and she’s making the important decisions. “Mark, thank you. For making links for us and all you’ve done. I know it’s been hard. We’ll need those links next spring… Who’s Abuela Edwards?”

“She… she’s Janice’s grandmother, Mateo’s adopted grandma, and was a pack’s Luna.”

“But human, right?” I nod in response. “And most of her pack was killed or taken in by yours?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“She needs to start a human pack. She isn’t completely human, and neither is most of the family. She still is seen as a Luna and carries the aura.”

“Yes, we don’t know why. She said she can stay as an elder and join our pack but wants to live in her packhouse.”

“Well, she needs to start it and soon. Her being a Luna will help with what is needed. Julia’s family needs to move in and help. They’ll be the first of many to help teens. Too bad it’ll be too late for Matty.” She says with her eyes flashing between pink and blue. Eian’s eyes are flashing the same blue with his emerald green.

“That’s it!” everyone jumps at my sudden outburst. They look at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You’re an empath, a very strong and uncontrolled one.” Eian looks upset and lets out a low growl. He thinks I’ve insulted her. She puts her hands on his arm and shakes her head. “You, my dear, are tapping into your mate’s abilities.” Everyone looks surprised at my little revelation. “Your abilities are making it stronger. Eian barely notices it, but,” I turn my attention to him, “you will soon. You’ll also be able to tap into hers. Mates often share abilities after fully mating, but you two are different. Once you start to tap into her abilities, yours will get stronger. They feed off of the other.” They nod in understanding. Good, I’m not sure how else to explain it. “We can help for a while. Once Mirian gains custody, I can send you somewhere to learn.”

“No. They stay with me.” Eian says while pulling Angelise into a protective hug.

‘Panthers, so possessive. I can’t wait to see what she becomes. Her smell is different. Like Christmas.’ Marcus laughs out at Eian. He acts more like an Alpha werewolf than a panther.

“Snow leopard. Mirian too.” She smiles at me, and I can’t help but chuckle. That explains the fresh snowfall smell they carry.

“Eian, of course, they stay with you. She needs help and so will you.” He closes his eyes and hugs her as he lets out a deep breath he was holding. After a minute or two of his eyes flashing, he smiles.

“Mark, you know my employers. The person you want her to see is working for them I think.” I look at him curiously. “I don’t know what happened. When I calmed down and accepted that she’ll need help, I saw the Sakurai family greeting us and introducing us to a man with auburn hair and eyes like sapphires.”

“Yes. Did you see anything else?”

“Yeah, Mateo’s locket,” he pauses and looks disturbed for a moment. “a girl with no face, and my marking.” He says as he reveals the marking on his chest. The adults present freeze. To most, it looks like a scar from a burn, an allergic reaction to metal, or branding. It’s a marking that we’re all too familiar with, one we’ve been looking for. Others have been seeking it too and want to kill any who bear the mark.

“Hey! I’ve got that too!” Angelise tells us excitedly as she traces the mark on Eian’s chest.

“All these years…” Nel says, stunned that they’re both here and mates of all things. She looks ready to pass out.

“Why is everyone so scared suddenly? Everyone’s thoughts are running together.” Angelise, is too sweet and innocent. She looks scared and in pain. No doubt she’s caught parts of what previous mark bearers have gone through.

“It’s because you two are in danger, are very important, and we need to do a lot more to protect you two. It looks like we all need to calm our thoughts too, huh?”

“Yes please.” She whimpers out. Everyone calms themselves, their beasts, and apologizes to the sweet girl. You can see the difference in her tiny face. “Gloria will help you learn to block the noise this weekend. That way it won’t hurt so much. If you’re like her, you can talk to anyone you like by thought too. Like a pack link. You just have to focus on them. If you know their beast’s name, it’s even easier.” You can see her thinking as she puts her little finger to the corner of her mouth. It’s too cute and must be her thinking quirk.

“So, this new thing she got from me, will she also get my strength?” Eian looks at his fragile mate worried. Before puberty, shifters have become susceptible to all human illness. Children die often. Albinism of any form causes medical issues that can take their lives at any time. She looks weak. Hopefully, her other half wakes up soon.

“Yes.” Thomas answers him, “but only after marking her.”

‘Well damn it all to Hades.’

‘Marcus.’ I admonish him.

‘What? Don’t tell me you’re not thinking worse. Look at her. SMELL her! She is sick. Her body isn’t absorbing nutrition, she’s anemic, and her metabolism is at shifted speed already… If something doesn’t happen soon, we’ll lose her. I was just hoping he didn’t have to mark her so early.’

‘You’re right. We’ll figure it out.’ He lays down in my mind satisfied that I agree and keeps listening.

“Feline shifters don’t mark though.” Mirian points out.

“They used to. After the population declined and most mates started being killed off by Romans in Egypt around 2,000 years ago, the practice was banned and forgotten. Few remember. Then mates became a rarity after the Crusades, witch hunts, and extremist groups… The Gods and Goddesses wanted to protect their creations and hid the bond from them. The Moon Goddesses refused to hide it and gave it to all wolves and royal Lycans. Normally Lycans can choose, but they blessed the royals with mates to keep them from dying out.” Thomas explains to our group.

He’s not just a great guidance counselor, but also a supernatural historian as well. Indiana Joens has nothing on his centuries of research. Yeah, he’s one of the few of us to retain a long-life span. Supernaturals are having shorter life spans for the most part. Just slightly over a human’s lifespan. One hundred to one hundred and fifty years. That’s under research as we speak. He continues to explain the huge swing in our conditions.

“The other issue is how weak our creators have become. You’ve heard “There is power in a name and power in words…” right?” We nod our heads in confirmation, not wanting to interrupt where he’s going with this. “Less worshippers means they have less power. Many have lost it completely. Some, like the goddesses and gods of the moon, have begun combining names and sharing power to stay strong. It works out well for them to share the immense pressures and responsibilities of their children and the mate bonds. They also look out for others. Many others have gone into a deep sleep like Ryūjin, Quetzalcoatl, and Tiamat. That’s only a few of the dragon’s creators. Bastet, your Goddess, was barely surviving by being reborn in her follower’s animal half. She’s weak but returned finally and is being cared for by those of the Moon. The five of you are here because of her rebirth. It’s also why your parents were murdered on their last lives and why we must protect you.”

‘Way to go, Tom, just shock a bunch of kids and tell them their parents were murdered because of their existence.’ Angelise catches my eye.

‘We weren’t abandoned?’ she sniffles, and her eyes are filled with so many conflicting feelings that it hurts.

‘First, great job on figuring out this so fast and on your own. I’m proud of you.’ She nods her head. ‘Second, I’m sorry. Your father was most likely killed. We can’t confirm it though. He just never came home. Your mom… the cancer was real.’

‘Okay.’ Even her inner voice is tiny right now. I need to clarify the situation.

“Listen, we don’t know what happened to Marian and Angelise’s father. He just never came home one day. We were aware of them, mostly their Mom, but didn’t know them personally. They kept to themselves and rarely went out in public. Their father left a long time ago and their Mom died at work. No one knew she had breast cancer. We didn’t even know about the girls until a neighbor called about a little girl, Mirian, knocking on her door hungry and said her Mom didn’t come home. I scented you when I showed up and thought you may be in danger. It was safer to hide you with humans.

We did know the Moore and Petersons. They were born human but had feline abilities that showed up around the time puberty hit. They each had to hide it and would move often. They didn’t smell like shifters, but your moms were still being hunted… g******e and slavery.” I have to take a pause. “I loved my friends, and their early childhood was filled with horror, but they had such wonderful lives after, even with being hunted.” He pauses, lost in loving and painful memories. It’s obvious, the others are feeling the same.

“I doubt the ones pursuing them knew of your dormant feline DNA but when you were born here, we smelled you. The DNA was active for the first time in generations. It took a few weeks to cover your scent and your parents were proud to have birthed you and find out that the tales weren’t just tribal legends. Until you hit puberty, your scent was easily blocked by the jewelry you wear from your parents. We’ve been doing our best to hide it over the years, but it slips through once in a while.” They look at their rings, bracelets, and necklaces in wonder.

“I charmed them and the other pieces in your parent’s lock boxes. Mark was there that night, at the scene. First to arrive and you three were… you were alive again. Your parents couldn’t shift, but they were given nine lives. You hadn’t received yours yet. They gave their last lives to save you and your unborn siblings.” Nel informs them. A sadness ripples through us all. The kids seem frozen in thought. Angelise hugs Eian while resting her head and hand on his chest. A warm sense of comfort helps ease the pain of the past.

“Thank you.” Emily smiles at her and she smiles back.

“Good thing you have a free period after lunch.” Coach (Ryan) snickers.

“Give me a minute to sabotage the bus…” Nel starts to say, but he interrupts her.

“Already done. Had someone do it and call the school to let them know the bus was down. The kids can hang out with the other P.E. teachers, library, or wherever a class will welcome them. They can go home with siblings or on one of the High School buses. Pack link is an amazing thing ya know.” He teases her.

“Thanks, Ry.” She bumps his shoulder with hers and smiles.

“Welcome Nel.”

“In-laws, not mates kids. They might as well have been born full-fledged siblings though.” I laugh. They can be sweet as pie to each other or at each other’s throats. One thing is definite. No one is allowed to mess with them outside of close friends and family. It takes a lot to hurt a shifter, but Nel put one in the hospital for three weeks after he tried to challenge Ryan for his mate. Ryan said he wasn’t worth it, and the mate bond was absolute. No challenge could be issued.

The guy persisted and Nel took up the challenge. On the plus side, while the guy was there, he found his mate in the cancer ward. His mate turned out to be a guy and the mate mark helped heal the cancer to the point where surgery was able to remove it. Something the Tilly parents weren’t aware of. The kids let out an understanding “Ah.” And started laughing. The adults joined in when someone cracked a cult meditation session joke in the link.

“What’s so funny?” Their laughter was contagious, and Emily didn’t understand why they were laughing. She’s human and hasn’t joined the pack yet, so the joke went unheard. The kids being able to link us before being accepted is new, but I like it. Maybe it’s because I accept them and feel they’re family. I hope to remedy Emily’s situation this weekend. She just needs to accept Tom fully first. While Thomas filled her and the kids in on our private joke, Angelise mind linked me.

‘She isn’t fully human Mark.’

‘What?’ I’m surprised.

‘She plans on fully accepting him tonight and she will need help. Her beast is just dormant like so many. It’s closer to being awake than most. The mark will change her and wake up her wolf and fairy side. She’s more fairy than a wolf but will look amazing. Wish she was a unicorn…’ she mentally pouts. It’s too cute.

‘Nel.’

‘Yeah?’

‘We need a charm to hide a fairy and wolf hybrid.’

‘I’m sorry, do what now?’

‘Angelise saw Emily change after marking tonight. She’s a dormant hybrid, more fairy than wolf.’

‘Oh, praise be! Another magic user. I can really use some help maintaining smaller pack charms.’

‘We’ll find out soon.’

“Emily.”

“Nel?”

“I want you to wear this.” She puts a cuff on her upper arm. It’s beautiful with scrollwork and Gloire de Nancy flowers. Normally iron hurts many creatures, but stainless steel seems to be a neutral metal. The only thing we’ve found it does is to hide scents. The ones who came up with it were shifters and magic wielders. Something in the process is a nature magic that even humans can perform. It’s easy to spell and charm, so Nel uses it a lot. “Don’t ever take it off. It will adjust to your size, so you don’t have to worry. You’re also the only one who can take it off.”

“Oh, Nel I can’t...”

“You can and you will. I didn’t make it for me sweetness.” Nel holds her hand and places her fingertips on the underside of the right of her jaw to lift her face from looking at the floor. Emily is blushing. “You are family and I refuse to let you go unprotected.”

“Thank you,” Emily mumbles as they hug.

“My pleasure. We’re going to spend a lot of time together and be great friends!” They giggle. I wonder if they plan on shenanigans.

‘Yes, yes they do.’ Angelise laughs through our link.

‘Marcus, we are in so much trouble.’

‘We need a man cave. I know of some in the desert…’ Ha! This wolf. Although, Nel’s pranks get pretty elaborate. Emily seems to be creative and detail-oriented. A hiding place may be a good idea.

‘We need to get them back on topic Mark. It’s going to be a hard conversation, but it has to be done. No more waiting.’ Ryan links me.

‘I know Coach, but when they discover the truth, will they hate us?’

‘There’s only one way to find out. Dive in.’

‘Well man, here we go…’