Logan POV
Upon entering the Lobby of the packhouse, we were met by Ms. Jones. She was our housekeeper and like a grandmother to all of us here. “Evening Alfa. You parents and beta are in your office. Can I get you something?” she asked.
“Just some water and coffee please. Grace, are you hungry? Do you want something?” I asked. “Coffee, if it’s not a problem.” she said quietly.
Ms. Jones nodded and the two of us continued towards the office. When we approached, I saw my mother jumping from my fathers lap. She reached us at the door and stood in front of Grace. Tears were running down her face and all of a sudden she hugged her.
“I’ve missed you so much! I was so afraid I’ll never see you again. And here you are, back with us! I’m so happy, there are no words to explain!”
Grace and I started to talk at the same time: “How do you..” when we were interrupted by excited “Anya!” My mother lifted her head and started to cry again. The woman who called her was crying as well, and all of a sudden, they were hugging each other and acting like two teenagers. A man, who came with a woman, approached my father, they patted each other on the back and he muttered: “Women!” My father nodded, and said: “good to finally have you back home, my friend!”
Grace POV
Twenty minutes later, my mother and Anya, Logan’s mother, finally stopped crying. Shona arrived as well, and we were all sipping coffee. I was becoming restless, I wanted to know how they all knew each other, what am I even doing here but I didn’t want to interrupt a long lost friends reunion. So, I was sitting on a sofa, sipping coffee with Logan next to me, holding my hand. I swear, it seems he could read my mind because all of a sudden he said: “ok, enough of catching up! It’s time for Grace to hear the story. Who’ll start?” Dad looked at my mother and she just nodded. “We’ll start” he said and continued: “Gracie, this is a place you were born in. The village you saw while arriving here is where most of the pack numbers live and we used to have a house on the outskirts. You’ve probably heard us mentioning Alphas, Betas, Packs etc. there’s no “easy” way to say it so I’ll be blunt. We’re werewolves and..”
I spat the coffee and started to laugh. “Werewolves, you say? Dad, gimme a break. Please. It’s been a long day and I’m too tired for this bullshit. Are you gonna tell me next that there are witches and vampires and fairies and who else?”
I heard Shona coughing and then she said: “Well, I’m kind of a witch.”
“Is this s**t some kind of a prank? Are there hidden cameras somewhere? A witch?” I started to laugh again. “Hermiona Granger kind of witch to the one with wrinkled, dry skin, rotten teeth and raven nose??”
She mumbled something and lifted her hand. All of a sudden, pale pink butterflies started to form. Within seconds, there were a few dozens of them flying around. She snapped her fingers and butterflies turned into the pale pink rose petals. She raised her eyebrow, the way she always did when I annoyed her and asked: “Can Morrison continue now?”
Logan put his hand around my waist, pulled me close and kissed my temple again. I instantly relaxed and my father continued: “As I said, we are werewolves, members of the largest pack in northern America with around one thousand members. As from last year; Logan is Alpha, which would make him something like a king in the human world. He rules, pack numbers must obey him but most Alphas are not tyrants - they listen to pack members and always do what's best for the community. Logan inherited his father, Eagon, but trust me, if he wasn’t worth it, he would have been challenged.
The first thing you probably remember, is when we moved, almost 16 years ago. Before that, we lived here and we’ve had quite a good life here. Morrison was about to become Alpha himself, I was supposed to become his Beta - that would be his right hand or second in command but Elders approached us and told us about the Prophecy.”
I saw my mother and Anya wiping their eyes again and Logan held me tighter.
My mother continued a story: “The Prophecy said that a female wolf will be born and she will be more powerful than any other wolf before. She will have powers and the ability to unite the Supernatural world. She will be the one to stop vampires from killing us. As such, she must be protected until adulthood. As you can guess, you are that shewolf. We’ve decided that the best way to keep you safe is to raise you as a human because no supernatural would ever seek you there. A lot of them wanted you dead, and..” she sobbed and Anya continued: “Your safety was our priority, and to be honest, we didn’t care that much about the Prophecy back then. The idea of something happening to you was unimaginable to all of us. Like your mother said, we’ve realized that the safest place for you will be among humans.
The spell was cast, so you wouldn’t remember the life as a pack member and to hide your wolf. You see, our wolf wakes up on our 18th birthday, but with you - it will stay asleep until you meet your mate. But, you must find him before your 21st birthday.
The mate was mentioned in the prophecy as well, so we knew you’ll meet him, but I have to admit, although your mother and I joked when you were born that you’ll be Logan's mate, I didn’t dare to hope. When you left the pack, I really thought I’ll never see you again, so I hope you understand my reaction when I saw you today.” she finished with a smile.
My dad continued: “The spell was casted in a way that pack members couldn’t see you until you found your Mate. We had to protect you every way possible, so no one would recognize you. So, we’ve moved, two pack families were sent with us just in case of an attack and we’ve started a new life. We never thought it would end up so hard for you, but I hope you understand, there was nothing we could have done. Moving again wasn’t an option and we could only hope you’ll be strong enough to cope with those kids.”
“What are you talking about? What coping?” Logan asked me. “Tomorrow, ok? We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” I said quietly. He nodded and pulled me into his lap. It’s ridiculous how natural it felt and how relaxed he made me feel. I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent. It was the most beautiful scent I’ve ever felt - a mix of pine wood, mint and something I couldn’t pinpoint. But it felt like home.
“Logan told me a bit about this mate thing you’ve been talking about. The tingles and..” s**t, my parents are in the room and I almost said that I was horny .. “and stuff” I’ve finished.
“Yeah, stuff!” Shona said and sarted laughing. When she saw the look I gave her, she started to laugh even harder. I just rolled my eyes and changed the subject: “So, I have a few questions. Firstly, what would happen if I didn’t run into Logan today? Was that even an accident? Now that I’ve met him, shouldn’t I remember everything? Will I turn into a wolf? And” I’ve looked at Shona, “how do you fit in? Obviously, you're not a friend of mine, I was an assignment.” I finished bitterly. She was about to say something but Eagon interrupted her: “Firstly, don’t doubt your friendship, it’s not my thing to explain, but I’ve been talking with Shona almost every day since you’ve met and beside Archer, you’re probably the most important person in her life.
Anyway, a few months after your family moved from the pack, I became Alpha. One day, I was running through the woods and found a little girl lying under an oak tree. She was bruised, cold and out of consciousness. I brought her here, at the packhouse, and she slept for the next day. When she woke up, she told us how she and her mother were attacked and she was The Protector. She was also mentioned by the Elders - they’ve said that one day, a sorceress who will protect you until you meet your mate will show up. She’ll become your friend and later, she’ll teach you to discover your powers and learn how to use them.
As her mother was the only family she had, she grew up within the pack - she was adopted by my sister Adriana and her mate, Mark, who are Archers parents. She was educated by a local coven of white witches, the same one her mother belonged to. The rest of her story, you know - she went to college to be close to you and to keep an eye. She was the only one of us who could contact you and that’s what being a Protector meant.
As for meeting Logan, that wasn’t set up by any of us, like I’ve said you weren’t able to be reached by any supernaturals except your parents, members of the families that moved along with you, Shona and one day, your mate. It was Goddess work. I assume your wolf will wake up quite soon and when it comes to the powers and memories, you and Logan have to mark each other. It will remove the spell completely and you’ll finally be free to live your life as you should have from the start.”
“Mark each other? Is that something like signing a wedding certificate?” I asked and Logan said firmly he’ll explain it to me later.
All of a sudden, Cillian, Logan’s beta said: “f**k!” He’s been quiet the whole time so his curse had quite an impact on our group. Logan asked him what was going on and he said with a sheepish smile: “Your sister just mindlinked me. We’re in trouble. Both of us. And she’s on her way here!”
The door burst open and a beautiful woman stormed in. “You two are in so much trouble!” She poked Cillian in the chest and yelled: “You are my mate. No secrets between us. Ever. E-V-E-R! And you hide something so important from me!”
Logan stood up and held me close to him. I had no idea what was going on then the woman turned toward Logan and her rant continued: “And, you!” Now was Logan the one she was poking. “You finally find a mate and forget to tell me?? Your own sister?? I’ll never talk to you again. How could you do that to me? What did I do to deserve that??”
Then she looked at me and pulled me into a hug. She whispered: “I’m Carla, this fools sister. I’m so glad to finally meet you. And I’m usually not this dramatic but these two upset me. Anyway, I have a good feeling about you!”