Lycan's unexpected mate

Meet my pack

Carson

I'm in the room with Amanda. She's tired after giving birth so suddenly but it was rather easy and uncomplicated because her child is premature. Had I known that she was rushing things to make sure everything was ready before her due date, I would have assigned someone to help her, or I would do it myself. I've promised John to take good care of her and I failed. Granted, she kept it all away from me. Amanda has given birth to a beautiful small baby girl and she's decided to name her Diliara after John's mother. It's a really nice gesture and, what's more, I have also become Diliara's godfather. However, I'm sure the girl will live a strange life indeed - having a werewolf godfather and being a sorcerer-vampire hybrid . . .

All in all, it completely slipped my mind that I had promised to pick up Atalanta. I only remembered after everything calmed down and I called Daniel to go get her without me. Then I went to take the scent-covering potion before quickly returning to Amanda's side.

Little Diliara had just been fed and put to sleep but I decided to stick around sitting in a chair and wait until Daniel brings Atalanta. It's easier to find me here than around our group. Amanda holds her daughter close to her chest, unwilling to let go of her newborn treasure. I know that I still have to bring her crib here but I don't want to interrupt their rest just yet.

Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. Amanda looks up while I get up to answer it. I try to move as silently as possible so that I don't wake Diliara up. I don't know who this could be but as soon as I open the door and notice Atalanta, my face melts into a wide smile. I can see that she wants to say something but I stop her quickly with a finger on my lips. Then I notice Daniel standing beside her, his grin hinting to me that he knows more than I would like him to know. I motion for them to come inside the room and give them space to enter.

Amanda looks at both Atalanta and Daniel, then glances at me and I nod. She then beats me to the introductions as she says in a very soft voice: "I'm sorry I kept Carson here. I know he was supposed to pick you up."

I close my mouth shut and wait for the interactions between Amanda and Atalanta as I haven't had the chance to see Atalanta's behaviour with other races, yet. Amanda heard me when I asked Daniel to get a woman named Atalanta here, so she must have put two and two together.

Atalanta approaches us with a kind smile and whispers back: "Don't worry about it. Daniel took me here just fine." She takes off her backpack and pulls out a velvet jewellery box. I gape at her as she stands up. "Actually, Daniel told me what was happening so I brought you a small something," she confesses as she walks to Amanda. "In my pack, the tradition states that every baby is to be honoured at birth with a present," Atalanta admits. "Every family . . . Every closely related family and the ranked families offer their gifts so that the child knew where they belonged."

I gasp as Daniel smiles knowingly and Amanda's pupils dilate. She doesn't know who Atalanta is but she can surely feel the power in her moves and motives as she stammers: "That's . . . that's . . ."

Atalanta presents the box in front of Amanda and says ceremoniously: "Amanda, on behalf of the Alpha family of Silent Heights, I would like to wish your child all the best in their life. May Moon Goddess and Sun Goddess bless them."

Then she shows off the contents of the box. It's a golden necklace, suitable for both genders and very nicely crafted. And it must have cost a fortune. Amanda fights back her tears as she answers: "Thank you, Luna. It means a lot both for me and my daughter Diliara."

Atalanta puts the necklace back into the box and places it on the nightstand. "May I see her?" she asks carefully.

Amanda tentatively reveals her bundle and Atalanta sighs in awe: "She's so small and delicate."

Amanda coos at her daughter and admits: "She has arrived early. But Sue says she's all healthy and well."

Suddenly, the door opens without knocking and a man comes in. I recognise him easily - he's Lewis. He looks us over and chides us all in an astonished voice: "What is everyone doing here? Don't you know that both the mother and the child need rest?" Then he notices Atalanta and sniffs her. "I don't know you, miss, which means you're new here. Come with me right away. I can't have you wandering around without a medical record."

His tone leaves no room for arguments so Atalanta looks at Amanda and apologises: "Sorry, but I guess I should obey the good doctor." Amanda snickers as Atalanta adds: "Take care. Both of you."

With that, she follows Lewis outside. I call at them faintly: "Lewis, I'll come for her in a moment, just need to agree on something with Amanda."

"Fine, but don't take long. You have 10 minutes before I'm sending Sue to kick you out," Lewis threatens but I know that he wouldn't hurt any of us.

The door closes and Amanda whisper-yells: "You have brought the Luna of Silent Heights to our group? Are you insane? She's the third highest-ranked werewolf after your Alpha King."

I blink at her in surprise. As calm as she seemed a second ago, she is nowhere near that state now. She looks distressed and worried. I open my mouth and close it because I don't know how to argue back.

However, Daniel decides to step into the conversation: "First, Atalanta is the future Luna of Silent Heights. And second, she . . . she's . . ." He looks at me for confirmation and I sigh with a shrug. I close my eyes as he reveals: "And second, she's bonded to Carson. They can't survive without one another now."

Amanda covers her mouth as the likely realisation dawns. She looks at me as if I could testify that this is a lie. I meet her eyes and confirm Daniel's words: "He's telling the truth, Amanda. We became aware of this bond when I was scouting out a pack close to ours. Atalanta was helping the attack survivors there."

Amanda frowns and wonders: "What is she doing here then? People from outside mustn't find out where we are."

Daniel answers again instead of me. "I took a detour. I was wondering how to make the teleportation longer and when she asked to go shopping for Diliara, I took her further away before teleporting here. She has no way of knowing our location."

Amanda's eyes snap to the box and the necklace inside. She shakes her head ruefully and says: "I can't accept this gift anyway."

"She blessed Diliara with it through Moon and Sun Goddesses so you have to," I pip up.

"Carson's right," Daniel agrees with me readily. Sometimes, I'm grateful that I have him as my Governor. "You should keep the necklace. Atalanta won't forget about it and it can grant Diliara better treatment in the future."

Amanda looks at her daughter and whispers: "It'll be pretty difficult for you anyway, my love."

I know the whole truth but Daniel has been told that Diliara's father was a human as a needed precaution. I close my eyes and let out a breath.

"Amanda," I begin calmly, "I'm certain she won't endanger us at all. Atalanta isn't like most ranked werewolves. I can feel it through our bond."

Amanda lowers her eyes and wonders so quietly that it seems she didn't want us to hear: "Is she your Mate that you are so sure?"

I ponder my answer, hoping for Zeus to add his own piece of mind. However, he remains silent. Therefore, I don't comment on that and rather ask: "What would you say to have a celebration tomorrow evening? Just to welcome Diliara to the world."

"Sounds great," Amanda agrees. "But I don't want anything big. We can't afford that."

Daniel looks thoughtful and rubs his chin. I swallow uneasily because I wanted Amanda to enjoy herself with the child. I purse my lips, trying to come up with a good scenario.

Amanda suddenly addresses me: "Don't think about it much. Just a small gathering will be enough. We don't need gifts and I've already bought most of the necessities."

Daniel offers: "But she's a Sorcerer. I wouldn't allow you to regret not having a proper welcoming. You both deserve Royal treatment for what you do for us."

Amanda laughs silently while tearing up. "That's nice of you to say, Daniel. But you really don't have to."

"I will and that's final," he says in a no-nonsense voice.

"We will," I correct him and he nods at me.

"Yes, Master, we will," he changes his vow.

"You're impossible," Amanda tells us both, forgetting for a moment that I'm her supposed Master, too. "But if you really want to go on with this plan, keep an eye on Atalanta. I still think there's something off about her and you know my sixth sense is almost always right."

She looks at me pleadingly and I know that I shouldn't stress her right after giving birth. With a heavy mind, I nod once tightly. "I won't leave Atalanta on her own," I promise. It's not very likely that I will be able to pry myself from her anyway.

"Thank you," she says with a smile and sinks deeper into the bed.

"We'll let you rest," I tell her and she waves at us. Then she snuggles to her daughter and doesn't acknowledge us any more. I hint to Daniel that we should leave and we both walk out of the room.

Once the door closes behind us, Daniel informs me: "I've given Atalanta the normal scent-covering potion." Then he purses his lips and adds: "Which one have you taken?"

I look down at my shoes and admit: "I don't know. I would need to check with Lewis when I go pick Atalanta up."

Daniel huffs and touches my shoulder: "Master, this is a dangerous play you're performing here."

I laugh mirthlessly. "Do tell me." I shake my head and shrug. "Well, I'll go eat what I have cooked for myself."

"I'll be in my study if you need anything, Master," Daniel tells me officially and leaves. I know that he lets his guard down when we're alone but prefers to keep it up with others who don't know him so well.

Zeus tells me: 'You know, the plan didn't sound so bad when you came up with it. But the more people we tell, the worse it gets.'

'You. Are. Not. Helping,' I grit through my teeth.

I know that this withdrawal of truth is wrong, mind you, but I can't undo it. I have to play along and pay for it when the time comes. I rub my forehead and walk slowly to our hospital where Lewis is checking Atalanta. I walk around a few of my fellow werewolves and everyone greets me immediately. It tells me one thing: I have already taken the person-specific scent-covering potion which means that I'll find the extent of its duration the hard way. Daniel has promised me roughly two days, claiming that it may be shorter. If he's right about those 48 hours, I have until Sunday noon. But the potion will probably stop working some time during the morning because of Atalanta's heritage and powers.

I walk through the hospital and look for Atalanta and Lewis. I reach the examination ward and hear Lewis say: "Alright, your vitals look fine but if you don't regain contact with your wolf in two days, you should get help from Daniel."

"Yes, doctor," Atalanta replies meekly.

"Oh my, such a sweet girl," he says and I have to suppress Zeus's growl of possession.

"I have already told Daniel what's going on and he didn't sound incapable of helping me," she says and I can picture her kind smile following this statement.

"Fine, but come see me on Sunday nonetheless," Lewis recommends to her. She doesn't answer but probably nods her head. I slowly approach them. I don't expect anything more, however, Lewis adds: "Oh, and in the meantime, please, try to learn something about that Tammy. I don't want to see him unhappy due to a woman, even less his Mate if Moon Goddess allowed it, but . . ."

I choose this moment to enter the area and Lewis stops mid-sentence. He looks at me in terror, as if he has overstepped a boundary. Atalanta notices the change in his behaviour and turns around to see who has caused it. I don't make much of it as Lewis is sometimes acting as our residential werewolf psychologist. Nevertheless, this Tammy has to be the woman of someone close to me; in fact, only either Daniel's or David's, otherwise he wouldn't tell Atalanta.

I swallow under Atalanta's piercing gaze and ask in a hoarse voice: "Finished?" Then I clear my throat and repeat the question: "Are you finished?"

Atalanta grins at me and then she addresses Lewis: "Do I have any restrictions, doctor?"

He shakes his head with a genuine smile and tells us both: "Just don't overexert yourselves, children. I'm pretty sure you are going to explore what our settlement has to offer but remember to take it slow."

I frown at him as Atalanta hops off the examination table. "Don't worry, doctor," she says confidently.

"Oh, but I do worry," he counters in a fatherly tone. "You're a young energetic lady who seems to be a daredevil." Both Atalanta and I chuckle at that. "Despite all that, you should find some time to talk to your werewolf and repair your connection. I know that you aren't so used to her but she needs you as much as you need her," Lewis finishes and Atalanta looks at him thoughtfully.

"I'll try, Doctor Lewis," Atalanta swears. "And maybe I'll send word around the grapevine to ask about Neera."

"So young and so naïve," Lewis mutters under his nose. Then he says loudly: "Trust me, I've tried several times myself in vain. You won't get any more successful." He turns her in the direction of the door where I am standing and guides her outside with a hand on the small of her back. Once they reach me, he figuratively hands her over. "Take good care of her, Alpha. I believe Martha has something from lunch so you should go take your meals. I know you skipped lunch when Amanda was giving birth."

With that, he shoves us both out of the door. I look at Atalanta who shrugs and grins at me.

We walk a short distance away before she explains: "I told Lewis I'd been drugged and I'd lost connection with Diana which is why there is no scent coming off of me."

I nod at her and decide to apologise for the inconvenience. "I'm sorry you had to take that potion," I offer as we walk out of the hospital.

Atalanta makes a face. "It was disgusting. I can't fathom how you bear with it." She sighs and looks at me. "Why do you do it? Lewis has hinted to me that you take the scent-covering potion quite often. What's your reason?"

I rub my forehead. How would I even tell her? I purse my lips and decide to change the subject. "Well, it's not so important," I mutter quickly and ask, "Anyway, who was that Tammy you spoke about with Lewis?"

Atalanta tsks. "Digressing, Carson?" She turns her head and looks around. "I think Lewis heard you slur a different name than Tammy," she tells me significantly.

"Me?" I squeak but she doesn't answer, only looks me up and down. Wait a second. Does she mean that Lewis heard me call her name? Call her Tali?! So she should be keeping an eye on me and Lewis thinks she could be my Mate?! Well, it has surely got quite interesting. And I'm worried about the outcome because it's true.

Unfortunately, I don't pay attention to where I am walking so I step into a muddy hole, fall into it till my thigh and get all soaked because I sit down with the fall. I'm too shocked to react until I suddenly hear two girls running towards me and apologising profusely. My bottom hurts from the fall and my pride hurts even more due to Atalanta's poorly hidden snickers. I carefully pull my leg out and try to get up. Pain spreads through my other leg as Zeus chides me: 'How the hell did you twist your ankle like this?! Someone will have to pull it for you so that I can start healing you!'

I bite my cheeks to hide my hisses and pull myself into a standing position, keeping all my weight away from the left leg and trying to appear unhurt. I can feel Atalanta's scrutiny but the girls are both unaware that something is wrong, talking one over the other. I hop around a little to look at the girls. "Eris, Phoebe, calm down, calm down," I raise my voice at them and they immediately stop. "Atalanta, these two werewolf rascals are Eris and Phoebe. Girls, this is our new friend Atalanta," I introduce everyone.

Then I hear a woman call at the girls from far away: "Eris Lucia and Phoebe Ginny Halliwell! What have I told you about practising hunting in the village?" She is running to us and continues angrily: "Someone could get hurt, you know? What did our Alpha told you . . ." She finally notices me and the state I am in. ". . . last time?" she finishes almost inaudibly.

"And this is their mother Zoë," I tell Atalanta. "Zoë, meet Atalanta."

Atalanta offers her hand and Zoe shakes it in surprise. "Nice to meet you, Zoë," Atalanta says with a smile.

"Eh, plea-pleasure's all mine," Zoë stutters, unsure how to stay angry at her daughters when facing such a kind stranger.

I set my foot down, feeling the swelling. I should hurry up to get it fixed. "Now that we know each other," I say in an amused tone that barely hides the pain I'm in, "I would like to know how the girls are going to transport their prey to the kitchen."

Zoë opens her mouth in protest but Atalanta is faster. "You're too heavy for them to carry. You can't be serious!" she reprimands me.

"But it can happen that the hunters catch a big prey. They must understand the consequences and the idea of always going in couples," I argue back.

Suddenly Atalanta and Zoë gasp. I don't know why until I hear Phoebe's strong voice: "Tóllit, damnit, tollit."

I frown when an unknown force pushes me into a lying position. I lie prone in the air for a while, floating closer to Atalanta. "Phoebe?" I ask uncertainly.

And then the force disappears as fast as it appeared and I drop to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Unfortunately, I hit a big stone with my lower back and the fall knocks the breath out of me. I begin gasping for air, getting nothing. Zoë and Atalanta immediately notice my unease and kneel next to me. I can't inhale at all and I begin to trash around due to that. Atalanta suddenly moves behind me and pulls me into a sitting position with my back pressed to her chest. She uses her right hand to massage the front area between my ribs and says bravely: "It's okay, calm down, Carson, and the pressure will be gone. You must stop panicking, pretty please?"

I can hear a faint distraught voice: "What's wrong with Alpha Carson?"

"He's hurting from the fall, Phoe, can't you tell?" another girl's voice answers.

"But . . ." probably Phoebe begins a sentence.

The pressure is still there and my vision starts growing blurry. Where is Zeus?! Atalanta keeps rubbing my ribcage but it feels like hours since I last took a breath and my panic rises again.

Atalanta is also growing slightly desperate and she turns to the girls and Zoë: "Zoë, take them home, please. I'll take care of Carson."

Zoë tells us a plain: "Yes." and ushers Eris and Phoebe away. At least they won't see the state I have got in. I wonder why there aren't any people around. Usually, this place is full of activity. My eyes wander around but I can't see anything clearly.

"Zeus has gone on a vacation, I see," Atalanta whispers into my ear. "So it's up to me to help you."

I don't understand until she puts me back on the ground and inhales deeply a few times. She is the only one I see as she lowers to my face, pinches my nose and breathes in me. My chest expands finally after what seems like an eternity. Then she breathes in my mouth again and again. The third time is enough to send me coughing and to my happiness, I can breathe, albeit in short breaths.

"If this is regular in your pack," Atalanta says while moving to my feet, "I wonder how you have managed to survive until now." With the last word, she catches my sprained ankle and pulls it until there is an audible c***k and the bones get back to their position. I don't know if I should cry or weep or both. Nevertheless, my eyes do tear up and I manage to croak: "Well, welcome and meet my pack." I cough and realise that almost everyone is here.

Atalanta looks around and licks her lips diffidently. With her senses impaired due to the scent-covering potion, she has completely missed the fact that people have gathered around us, they are watching us and they are evaluating Atalanta's assets. She stiffens and glances in my direction. My breathing has finally become somewhat normal so I sit up and say loudly: "People, this is Atalanta. She's our new friend from the outside. Atalanta, meet my pack."