26 - Colt POV
1362 Words
"So... let me see if I have got this right." I run my hands over my face as I process the information that had just been relayed to me by Jason.
We had moved outside to the tables by the lake; Jason standing with his arms folded whilst I sat, leaning forward, in a chair. Helen and Mr. Stanton were still talking out the front, and there was no one else about, but we still came out of the way, so we were not to ve heard.
"Not only is Edward Stanton a Hunter, but he, or his clan, are the ones that drove Xavier to his m******e rage as well as are holding the Denast Coven to ransom." I look up at Jason to see him nodding in confirmation. "Not to mention that there is a probability that you and Abby are half siblings if he did, in fact, cheat on Helen and sleep with your mum to find a way into our pack."
"Yes. There are a few more notebooks with entries in them that I did not read but they are back at the packhouse in your office."
"What about the DNA test?"
"With Dr. Moss." He looked a bit sheepish as he was thinking about what to say. "I told him to keep it to himself for the time being."
"How come?"
"One, if he is, I don't want the pack to find out that my father is a Hunter. Not just any Hunter, but one that has been targeting us." He makes a fair point.
"And two." He let's out a deep exhale before continuing. "How do we tell Abby that her father cheated on her mother with my mother?"
I shake my head in solemn. "I don't know, Jason. I wish I had the answer for you but I don't."
"Do you think she would like to have me as a brother?"
"What!?" My eyes lock with his as I shoot upright from my perch, causing Jason to step back in response to my shock. "Of course she would. You two literally act like siblings now. Why would you think she wouldn't?"
"Because of what I now represent." He throws his arms at me in frustration before gesturing to his own body. "This. This is the living proof of her father's infidelity. Imagine having the constant reminder of that in your face every day."
"OK, even if she does see you like that to start with." I hold up my hand to shush him as he was about to interrupt. "But, you are not the one to blame here. She will see that, and so will Helen if she finds out too."
"Do we have to tell Helen?" He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. "I don't feel like it's my thing to share... and I don't think she will be too keen on me either."
"If we don't, then Abby would. And quit doubting yourself like that. Abby and Helen adore you - the fault will lie with Mr. Stanton, not you."
He paces back and forth a few times before eventually relenting and coming to take the seat next to me. "I can't believe I have family. No disrespect to the pack - they are the big family, but now, I potentially have a sister, Colt."
I place a hand on his shoulder and give it a firm squeeze. "You do know that that also means you and I are brother-in-laws."
His eyes go wide in realisation as he looks at me. Guess not.
"And... I'm gonna be an Uncle. To the future Alpha. By the goddess, my sister and brother-in-law are the Alpha and Luna of the pack."
I couldn't help but laugh at the cogs spinning in his head as the realisations kept dawning on him. Guess this was a family trait as Abby does it too.
"Abby isn't the official Luna yet. She is just a pack member like any others."
"But she will take up the Luna title, won't she? I mean, she already does stuff that is expected of a Luna and all of the pack respect her."
"Willow!?"
"OK, all bar one member of the pack respect her." He corrects himself.
"If she wants it, she can have it. But I think we will wait for baby Ash to arrive before we start adding more things to our list."
"You already named them?" Ah yes, he wasn't here earlier.
"Asher for a boy and Ashley for a girl."
"Oh, you have picked out names for my grandchild already."
"AAHHH!" Both me and Jason spring apart in surprise as we realise there was now an extra person in our chat. So much for our heightened senses.
Helen was standing with a small smile on her face but you could see she had been crying.
"Yes Helen, we did, but only chose them today." I respond as I let my heart resettle itself before standing to approach her. "Are you alright?"
She sighs and shrugs her shoulders. "I have been better."
I pull her into my arms and give her a gentle squeeze. She wraps her arms around me - I could feel her slightly tremble in my grasp as she tries to contain her tears.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"No, thank you. I think I am going to go bed now."
"Hoe about a lift home then, Helen? I have my bike out front." Jason chimes in behind me as we slowly pull a part.
"I am... actually going to stay here tonight. Think I need a little time to myself." We gave her a sympathetic look. She was in the middle of her holiday last month, celebrating her marriage. Tonight, they were in separate beds.
"Has ever been like this before?" Jason asks. I gave him a slight look before mindlinking him. Tread lightly.
"He has been hard with strangers before, but never this bad. I don't know what has gotten into him." She looked so defeated as she went to head back into the pub.
"Helen, wait!" I shout as I run after her. She turns to face me as I catch up to her. "I just want you to know, we may not want Mr. Stanton near our baby right now, but you are more than welcome to spend as much time with them as you want."
Her bottom lips tremble as she sadly smiles up at me. She cups my cheeks and pulls me down to kiss my forehead. "You are a good man, Colt. Both of you are." She looks at Jason as well. "I can see why my Abby is fond of you both."
She eventually turns back towards the pub and heads inside.
Me and Jason face each other. "Let's head back to the house."
"Yes, and Colt, please don't tell Abby about the DNA test." I halted in my tracks and turned my gaze back to him, narrowing my eyes at him. "You want me to keep a secret from my mate?"
"If the DNA test comes back and he is not my dad then we would cause her additional stress for nothing."
I don't like keeping secrets in general, but I especially don't like the idea of keeping one from Abby, especially one like this. But, then again, he was right. I don't want her to have any additional stress than what she already has. Who knows how much stress today has caused her alone!? May have to visit Dr Moss and make sure everything is OK.
"Alright, but the minute the results get back, you tell her."
"OK, but it won't be for a while as he is having to send them off to be tested. All his testing gear has been packed away for the move." I let out a huff. Another stress to add.
"Fine. Now, let's go home." We both walk back to his bike so he can give me a lift back. I turn my head to the sky and pray.
Moon Goddess, please make this life simpler than it is now. For the sake of my pack and my family.
- Writer
