Unusual Mate

Guest

Athena's POV

Just after lunch, there was a knock at the front door. When I opened the door, there stood Daisy and her two children.

"Daisy?" I was shocked she was here. I had only been gone a little over a week.

"A! Oh my goodness. I have missed you so much!" she squealed wrapping me into a hug.

"I missed you too, girl!" I said, muffled into her shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"I decided to surprise you! We got a hotel for the night nearby. I didn't want to wait to come to see you and your little mountain town," she said as I invited her inside.

"Well, I am definitely surprised," I said with a chuckle.

We walked into the kitchen. My mother was still cleaning from our lunch. The kids ran off to go play with Aleksandr in the living room.

My mother turned to us. "Oh, guest! How lovely," she was using her fake cheery voice.

"Mom, this is Daisy. She and I worked together at the center. She's one of my closest friends back in the city," I replied.

My mother had never gotten to meet Daisy when she would visit, so they were strangers.

"It is nice to meet you, Daisy. Would you and your children join us for dinner this afternoon?" she asked.

"Oh, that would be nice. Thank you," Daisy chirped.

"Fantastic! I will let my husband know. I need to go to the store. Athena, I will be back in an hour," my mother kissed my forehead and left.

Daisy and I walked into the living room to find the children fighting over a toy car. After settling the argument, she and I sat on the couch together.

She caught me up on all that's been going on at work since I left. Surprisingly, a lot had happened in such a short week.

My replacement came two days after I left. The center was now setting up my plans for a non-profit I had suggested months ago. Though I wasn't able to participate, I was glad things were moving forward.

After an hour my mother returned and started to prepare dinner. I offered to help, but she shooed me away.

Just when dinner was almost ready to serve my dad arrived home. He had been on patrol all day. He made sure that no new rouge wolves entered the territory. He seemed to not be able to let go of his old role from his pack.

My dad used to be a Beta with his old pack. There are many things I do not know about my dad's past. His pack is one thing he barely will talk to me about.

When he entered the kitchen he suddenly started t growl at Daisy.

"Dad! What are you doing?" I shouted t get his attention. Daisy couldn't know about us being shifters.

"Why is there another wolf in my home?" his voice sounded husky and full of anger. He was ready to strike if Daisy moved.

"Wolf?" I asked looking at Daisy.

My questioning and shocked look must have made Daisy uncomfortable. She was standing stiff. I had no idea what this was all about.

"You brought a stray into my home. Who are you?" my dad was in full-blown protection mode.

"I am Daisy. I am from the Star Moon Pack. I am not here to attack. I am Athena's friend," she said relaxing.

My eyes widened. Another wolf?

"How long have you been a wolf?" I asked her.

She laughed a bit and said, "All my life. I first shifted when I was fifteen. I met my mate young. All of the female shifters first shift after they find their mate. I'm sorry I never told you."

I was speechless. Two people in my life that I never knew werewolves.

I turned to my dad, "how many others?"

"What?" he asked.

"How many other people do I know that are wolves?" I was getting frustrated. How could I have been living such a lie my entire life?

"Many people you know are. Veronica, my brother, Veronica's husband, possibly many more," he sat down at the table.

I looked at my mother who was now standing unmoved. She just stared at the pasta in the bowl.

"Mom?" I caught her attention. I gave her a pleading look.

She looked back at Daisy. "Star Moon Pack?"

"Yes ma'am. I am a Delta. The third woman in line," she said proudly.

"What is wrong mom?" I asked. She seemed like the pack's name stuck to her.

"Nothing. The name just sounds familiar. I can't quite place it." She turned and grabbed plates for us to all eat.

We sat down to eat. I decided it was best to sit between my dad and Daisy so he would not randomly attack her. I had so many questions building up.

"Do you know what I am Daisy?" I asked after piling my plate with spaghetti.

"No. I can tell you are a shifter like me. Though, when we first met I didn't know. You didn't smell like any shifter. You smelled human. When I started to sense the change, I thought I was losing my mind," she explained.

"That is thanks to my mother over there. She's a witch and spelled my powers away from me. That also included Azriel. She hid both away from me," I stated while glaring slightly at my mother.

"A hybrid? You are a witch and a shifter?" Daisy was caught off guard.

I nodded and took a bite of food.

"That's unheard of! Do the elders know?" she asked.

"Elders? How do you know about the elders?" I asked her.

It was my mother who spoke, "The elders are not just witches and warlocks. There are many shifters and great power in the Circle. This is why I want to take you to them. One of the shifters will be able to sense your type. What kind of shifter you are."

"Did you say Azriel?" Daisy asked.

"Yes."

"Have you asked her?" she questioned.

"Yes. But she said she doesn't know because we grew up away from our type," I explained.

Daisy gave me a weird look I can't exactly describe.

"What?" I asked.

"I shouldn't say," she explained. She suddenly seemed on edge.

"What do you know?" my mother asked.

"Star Moon Pack," was all she said.

My mother tensed again. My father was fully attentive and the children were eating away in silence. The room was so quiet.

I looked back at Daisy with an eyebrow raised. I anticipated her explanation

"The pack is not run by a wolf," she said.

"Then by who?" my dad asked.

"A fox. He sent me to work at the center where Athena worked. We started the same day working together. I was told to protect her, but never let her know what I was because likely she would never need to know. I understand why now. You might have never known you were a shifter," she said.

"Well, that magic is gone. And no one will be casting on me again," I said irritated.

"What is his name?" my mother said with fear in her voice.

Daisy looked at her with confusion.

"What is his name child?!" my mother shouted while rising from her seat.

"Damon. Alpha Damon Wilson."

Now, both my parents looked at each other with knowing looks of fear.

"Who is that? Why does he bother you so much, mom?" I did not understand what was going on.

"He is your birth father, Athena. He is what you are. It explains everything," she said monotony.

"My birth father," I barely heard myself say.

I looked around shocked. Did this mean what I thought?

I looked at my mother, "Am I a fox?"

She stared me in the eyes intently.

"I believe you are."

I let out a breath. I would no longer need to meet with the Elders. I knew what I was. A Hybrid Fox and Witch.

I excused myself from the table and went outside. I needed fresh air. My mind was racing.

"Athena. Are you okay?" Azriel asked me.

"I honestly have no idea," I replied.

Azriel's voice in my head no longer startled me. We now have very frequent chats.

"You are upset dear. I can help," she said.

"I never knew my real father and now I find out he is a shifter like me. He could have helped me understand this all more."

"Yes, dear. I know. Maybe you can get a meeting with him now. I am sure he would be happy to help. After all, Daisy said she was sent to protect you. He must care some," she reassured my thoughts.

I had already been wondering if I should meet my birth father. This thought began dancing around my head the moment I stepped outside.

I was pacing the front lawn when I heard the front door open.

My mother walked over to me and hugged me. No words were said. I hugged her back.

"I must meet him," I broke the silence.

My mother stepped back with tears in her eyes. She was shaking her head.

"Why not?" I said sternly.

"Because he will take you away. I will never get to see you or Aleksandr again," she was sobbing relentlessly now.

I could feel her pain. I remembered this pain from my own experience. I would never put my mother through that.

"Okay, mom. I won't seek him out, but I do need answers," I said and she wiped away her tears.

We walked inside as Daisy was preparing her departure to the hotel.

"I will walk you out," I told Daisy with a smile.

We put her children in the car and I hugged her.

While wrapped close I whispered, "Tomorrow morning meet me at the diner."

"What for?" she whispered back.

"I want to meet my birth father. Bring him with you. Make all the arrangements tonight," I told her.

"But your mother will be angry with us," concern laced her lips.

"My mother has hidden enough from me. I need to seek my own answers."

Daisy nodded her head and left.

Once I was inside I found my mother in her office.

"Mom," I said to grab her attention.

"Tomorrow at noon, we meet with the Elders," she said. It was like she knew my questions before I spoke them.

"Okay. I have breakfast tomorrow morning with Daisy. I am headed to bed now. I will meet you before noon. Good night," I turned and left the room.

I found Aleksandr in the living room playing with a puzzle.

"Hey, kiddo. Let's head up to the bed," I said sitting next to him.

"I don't want to sleep," he whined.

"Too bad little man. I will help you clean up your toys. I can read yo I a story in bed after your bath," I said while helping him pick up his toys.

We headed to the room and I started a bath for him. He got in and I bathed him. I got him out and dried off. He was ready and in bed in less than two minutes.

I sat next to him and pulled him close. I picked a book he loved the most and read it to him. I then read it two more times just because he asked. Spoiled.

"Mommy, I love you," he said snuggling in close to me.

"I love you too baby. Sweet dreams. Good night. I will see you in the morning," I said and he repeated.

This was the little saying we said every night before we slept.

As Aleksandr drifted off to sleep, I thought about all the things I would say and ask my father in the morning.

I soon fell off to a dreamless sleep.