Born of Two

An Old Love Story

Chapter 6

Helena's POV.

I have four babies staring at me intently, waiting to hear this story like kids around a campfire. Rosie looks exceptionally anxious. "Rosie, you are born of two packs…. While that is not rare at all, you were special. You are born of two Alphas from fighting packs. Like, a Romeo and Juliet story except not that old. Your mother Etheria was from the Boulder Stone Pack. Her pack was one of the largest and most peaceful packs. Her dad, your grandfather, was protective of his daughters and his lands. He thought of both as precious resources to be cherished and guarded. Your mother was his pride and joy. She was stronger, their greatest warrior, but also loved her people. Since he did not have a son, the Alpha mantle would be given to your mother. Even though it highly disagreed that a woman should be in that position. Your grandfather didn't listen to anyone. He knew your mother would be an amazing leader for the pack, and that is what mattered to him, the pack. Above all else, the pack was the goal."

"My mother was a leader?"

"The greatest, love. So was your Father."

"Really?"

"Yes. Ok, back to the story. Your mother was getting to take over for your grandfather when Alpha Saul of the Red Moon Pack was filled with jealousy and rage over your mother. Jealous that he didn't have any daughters compared to your mother's beauty and that her father was intentionally bucking the older standard by naming her alpha. Saul provoked his pack and told them witches would descend and that women would be uncontrollable, so they needed to attack. He was mainly after land. Boulder Stone pack was their nearest neighbor, and it would be quite the gain. Red Moon sent a small squad out, killed a small pack of rogues, and left their bodies along the pack's borders. Women, children, men because it didn't matter. He wanted to send a message."

I took a breath to make sure that everyone was still following. "Here in our pack, we had heard about the terrible things that your mother's pack was facing, and we sent as many warriors as needed to help them. We were less trained and not ready for a large battle. We lost most of our warriors in this fight, including my husband, Morris. He was older, but he hated Red Moon and wanted to see them be reminded of their place. He went to battle but couldn't last. He was a target the moment he stepped on the field." My heart hurt again, recounting the battle that took my mate, but I continued the story.

"We lost so many Alpha Richard sent our boys back to us. He said thank you for the help, but he could not ask any more of the people in our pack who were losing generations of men. He was a kind man. Without another ally, Boulder fell quickly. Seeing no opportunity to save the pack lands, your mother decided to focus on the remaining pack members and not the land. She began sneaking and getting people out through unpatrolled parts of the forest. Your mother had a friend with mystic powers give her the ability to shield people to hide the weaker member who couldn't fight. One night, on her nightly runs with people to hide them, she came across a scent and knew her mate was near. Instead of indulging herself, she continued in agony to hide the people who looked to her as a leader. Her mate, though, saw an opportunity. Your Father."

"My dad!!" Rosie shouted. With her joy on her face, it was apparent that her parents never told her this to protect her. Lochlyn is fixed on Rosie, joy at seeing her be happy.

"Your dad was the next Alpha for Red Moon."

"Wait, but those were the bad guys… was my dad a killer."

"No, dear, he was the scout. He detested his father with all his heart that he asked to be a spy in the woods so he could personally kill and hunt anyone fleeing the battle on both sides." Rosie's eyes were near tears. "Child, he lied. He would help members of Boulder Stone. He disguised himself and helped people run. He hated the battle and his pack, but he believed that once the mantle was passed to him and his father would be out of the way, he could save them from what they were doing. Your father's heart is why the Moon Goddess mated them in the middle of the battle. The only way they could free people was through the love they shared."

Rosie relaxed and took a breath. She was ok again. "Do we need to get food before we continue?" I looked at Josephine. "Josephine and Chase, could you guys go get those muffins you made."

Hearing me talk about her made Rosie embarrassed. Still, I wasn't going to tiptoe around her feelings to spare her any discomfort. Our newest pack member needs to gain her strength. She needs to know who she is.

"Rosie. How are you doing?" Lochlyn placed his hand on her back and tried to connect with her. He reached for her chin to pull her head up, but she moved away from his touch. "I understand. What's going through your head?" He retreats away from her.

"Why did my parents not tell me this? Why did that story never get told to me? How much of my life is a lie" She actually looked to Lochlyn and then to me. Surprising.

Lochlyn spoke first. "Your life isn't a lie. Is it different than you expected? Yes. Is it a lie? No. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. Herewith me..." He trailed off, "and Helena, Chase, and Jo. You are going to be powerful like your mom and a better leader if your anything like your father."

"Lochlyn, we haven't even heard the full story yet. You don't know." Lochlyn's eyes soften to her, and he touches her hand ever so softly, and then I see it. Rosie looked into Loch's eyes, and she had flecks of black move through them too. Lochlyn saw as well and jumped back away from Rosie in pure joy and excitement. It scared the dickens out of Rosalynn. "WHAT!!"

"Helena, did you see it too??" I did see it, but Rosie is looking at me like WTF. Lochlyn is jumping up and down like a child who just won a prize at a fair. He runs around the room and skips as he praises the Moon Goddess.

"Lochlyn, maybe, you could calm down and explain what you just witnessed to your mate."

"OH MY GOSH!!" Lochlyn ran over to her. "Ok, so when wolves are mated like we are or are supposed to be.. no pressure or anything. When they are connected intimately, our eyes turn black. Still, suppose there is a connection, even if it is small. In that case, black flecks will appear with minor touches or interactions.. like when I brushed your hand. Your wolf instinct kicked in, and you felt something."

"Yeah, but I have been feeling that since I met you, but it is a human thing, not a wolf thing; it's called lust."

Just then, we hear a crash in the doorway. Jo is standing there just having dropped an entire glass pitcher of orange juice. "THEY MATED!!!!!"

"No, we didn't." The room got quiet with Rosie's snap. "All I feel is a little electricity when you get close… that is nothing…."

"Does my scent take over the room to you?" Lochlyn urged on.

"Yes…. Sometimes but it's just a strong cologne."

"Nope, that is your wolf, Ros." Now Chase has chimed into the conversation.

"No, I am human!!" I could feel the frustration coming off of Rosie.

"Ok, Rosie, breathe." She looks at me, confused. "Sit back down and let me finish your story." Rosie curls back up under the covers and moves about a foot away from Lochlyn. "Now, where was I?"

"Rosie's dad"

"Ahh, that's right, thank you, Chase. Ok. So your dad lied to the alpha and tried helping the victims of his father's bloodlust and jealousy escape. Your dad was so successful that people from Boulder Stone included him in their plans. If they were found by Red Moon members, he would injure them in such a way they wouldn't know who did it. Another person from Boulder Stone could finish it off without anyone drawing the suspicion of your father. When they were mated that day in the forest, your mother chose her duty over wolf instinct. Your father chose to follow her strong lead. He found Etheria hiding in the woods with the other people, and she took the chance to attack him. She almost killed him when he phased to being a human, but she couldn't stop staring at him. Oh, I forgot your Fathers actual name…."

"Matlin."

We all stared at the doorway where Alpha Philemon was. Lochlyn and Josephine's Dad stood at 6 foot 4 inches. He had thick black hair and a deep tan even in the winter and had piercing green eyes and a structured face. However, he wasn't a serious man. He could smile, joke, and love with the best of them. He is our greatest leader and loves the pack. Even though he handed the title to his son at his age, he will always be my alpha.

"Alpha Philemon. It's a pleasure to have you here. What do we owe the pleasure?"

"Helena dear, call me Phil, and I heard it was storytime. Matlin and I were the greatest of friends and allies. Seemed only right I should get to tell the story over her parents."

"Alpha Phi…."

"Please. I have known the girl since the day she was born. I need to tell her. She is my God-daughter after all."

"Excuse me…. You are uncle Phil?" Rosie spoke up.

"Is that what they called me? "

"Yes, but they said you were in the military and deployed somewhere secret, which is why you couldn't visit ever. I saw you at my dad's funeral. Why didn't you introduce yourself."

"Your Father held up his end of the deal. I had to hold up mine. It killed me to not comfort you that day when you were 16 correct?"

"Yes, dad died when I was 16, and mom passed at 18."

"I know. I wanted to be there at your mother's, but we facing war here, and it was too big of a risk for me to leave. I would have brought you to the pack that day, but since I couldn't, that is why for the first time I broke the treaty my father put in place and sent Chase and Jo."

"Can you tell me more?"

"Yes, Helena, do you mind?"

"It would be an honor, Phil."

"Ok, so your Dad. He was the biggest wolf I had ever seen. Most guys from Red Moon were big guys, but Matlin towered over all of them. When he met your mom, he lost his mind. The war, saving people nothing was as important as Etheria. Yet, your mother didn't feel the same way. She loved your dad from the start, but she chose her job and people over love as long as she could. Matlin once chased her past the Canadian border just to get her alone. After that, they worked together to get her people safe. Unfortunately, with a bond and connection as great as theirs, the young alpha's were eventually found out by your grandfather, your Dad's Dad. After a successful mission, Alpha Saul's guard found and confronted them, crossing the border. They were taken back to their packhouse and placed in front of his father. Saul asked if he loved her, and your father said yes. He commanded his guard to kill Etheria. Your father destroyed and laid waste to everyone that got near his mate."

"Above all else, guard her heart…."

"Your Dad taught me that… It was the only vow I made Heather on our wedding day. To guard her heart."

Rosie's eyes began to swell with tears.

"Child, your father, and mother wouldn't want you to be sad. They were so in love, and when you came into their lives, you were living embodiment of what love and unity could bring. They cherished you up until the very end."

"Can you continue the story?" Rosie asked the alpha. All four kids were locked in on Phil. Josephine was curled up with Rosie on the bed, the side of their bodies pressed into one another and heads resting on each other. They were best friends. Chase was curled up, leaning against the bedpost rubbing Josephine's feet. Lochlyn sat next to father but just on the side of the bed. He rests his hand on the bed palm up as if waiting for Rosie to reach for it. That boy, a romantic, just like his father.

"Yes, dear. At the end, surrounded by the guard's bodies, your father told his father everything. How he angered him, how he was helping the other side. Your mother stood next to him, ready to defend him as well. After that action, your father and mother were sent to the prisons so your grandfather could pick which way he wanted them to die. During the transfer, a few of the brave remaining warriors from the Boulder Stone pack attacked the pack and were able to free your parents. Most of the warriors were killed during the run, but the last one running with them took them here, to Northern Moon pack, where I laid eyes on your mother for the first time."

Even in her worst shape, I see why the Moon Goddess mated them. Her eyes were the kindest and strongest, just like yours, dear. They met me at the border, and we planned to ask my Father, Alpha Killian, about excepting them into the pack. However, when that time came, my father was already aware of what we would ask, and he said no. Not because he didn't love them or want the best for them but after helping Alpha Richard, your grandfather, try to fend off Alpha Saul, we lost so much of our army. We couldn't fight another battle when Saul came to our border demanded retribution. So my father came up with a new plan."

"Wait, how old was I in this?"

"Lochlyn, you kids would have been roughly 3. We kept you away from the battle talk. My father was just about to give the Alpha title to me when all of this happened. However, see Heather had just lost her brothers and uncle in the battle, and I placed taking the role off until I knew she was ok and the kids had their mother back."

"I didn't realize mom lost all of them around the same time."

"Yes, Josephine, but you wouldn't remember them since you guys were so little. Back to the story. My father came up with a different plan. Shortly after they arrived on our pack lands, they found out they were pregnant. They were overjoyed and terrified at the same time because Etheria had just found out that her father had been killed and that Saul was hunting for them. My father called a witch up that he knew from the older days. She came to the village, and they created a treaty. Both Matlin and Etheria could remain wolves, but they couldn't have a pack. We would send a few warriors with them to Omaha; that way, they were far enough away from the battle and close enough to come back. Your mother and father declined the part where they would remain wolves and said they would never be able to blend into the world around them. They chose to suppress their wolf to save you from anything. The witch had cast a spell over you, though. That you would be a full wolf when you turned the age of 21 and would be able to mate and rejoin the pack of your choosing, my father promised that you would come here first, and then I would take care of you. And here we are, 21 years later, and you are here and staring at me very intently."

Rosie's POV

I am overwhelmed by this. My parents were warriors, alphas, and sacrificing. "I can't do this…." I went to get off the bed, but Lochlyn grabbed me.

"No more running, Rosie. I need you to come face to face with what you are."

"No. I am human….. I am human. I went to middle school at Kiewit Middle School, took dance classes at the community center, and did dance and swim teams in high school. I got drunk at 17 off of vodka and Sonic slushies for the first time. My dad was an accountant, and my mom was a school nurse. Not some warriors who fought in battles."

"Rosie. Do you know why you're here?" Philemon asked me.

"No, sir."

"I had to keep a promise to your parents. You knew them as Matt and Ethena, but I know them as my friends first and foremost. Those men in that other pack were bred to hunt and kill you. It's their only purpose. Demetri, Waylon, Lira, and Elias, will only exist to hunt you, and then they will move on to the next target. If you go back to Omaha, they will follow you there and kill you there. If you go to a different city, they will follow you there and do the same thing. This is the safest place for you. I promised your parents, my best friends, that I would keep you alive and have you grow up to be who you are supposed to be, but I can't do that if you are dead."

I felt Helena's hands on my hands in my lap. However, the room started to spin, and I immediately wanted to throw up. I felt my body go hot, and my head felt heavy. I could feel Lochlyn's strong arms lean me backward onto the mound of pillows behind me. I kept hearing my head everything the Philemon just said. Suddenly, a trashcan showed up in front of me. Apparently, my face had gone a weird shade, and I immediately emptied any contents from my stomach into the bin. Lochlyn's hand rubbed my back, and he stayed right there during my bouts of vomiting. Super attractive. I lifted my head a saw that everyone was staring at me, eyes wide and concerned. I nodded that I was ok, and they relaxed.

"Rosie? In this moment, what do you want to do that doesn't include running away?" I stared into his eyes; I wanted to fall into him, so I did. I leaned my head on his shoulder and started sobbing again. I felt his arms slide under my legs and lift me into him. He slid me over and sat where I was just lying. He placed me on his lap and could bury my head in his chest. I was angry at him, but something about him offered the most comfort. I could feel the relief in the room as I stayed where I was and reached out to the man who wanted me. Lochlyn leaned his head down to where I was, "What if we do this today? What if I have Jo and Chase go get the TV out of the other room and set it up, and we just watch movies all day today?" I nodded yes and started to retake deep breaths. I felt Chase squeeze my ankle and Jo kiss the back of my head before they left the room. All that was left was Philemon and Helena.

"What do I do now?"

Philemon grinned, "Nothing yet, darling. You will stay here until after your 21st birthday. Our goal is to get you through the next 5 days until your birthday, when the spell is entirely lifted. These next few days are going to be very hard physically on you, and we need you to be well-rested."

"How bad is this going to get?"

I heard Jo in the doorway, "Remember when you had bronchitis followed by the flu and your boyfriend at the time was so horrible he left you for the UPS girl in the middle of that?"

"Yeah…."

"That times about 10"

"Way to sell it, Josephine." I heard Lochlyn say.

"What I need to be honest."

"So, what do I need to do?"

"Rest." All of them said at one time.

"Rosie, we aren't going to leave your side during this. Jo, Chase, and I are going to be here 24/7. If one can't be here, then others will be." Lochlyn said, squeezing me tighter.

"Ok. Umm, I have a weird question. Is it still September?"

"Yes, Rosie, it's still September. September 30th, to be exact."

"My birthday is in five days…. And will I feel better?"

"You better! Girl, we have party traditions to uphold."

"What party traditions?" Lochlyn asked, laced with worry.

"Well, drinking for sure since it's her 21st, but this one is such a homebody she promised me that I could throw her a huge party for her birthday this year."

Lochlyn looks down at me." Drinking and a huge party, huh?"

"Drinking, yes. Huge party? 100% no." Lochlyn smiled back as he pulled me closer again. This stranger holding me felt so foreign and so different. I would have never let this happen in Omaha unless I was very drunk, like very, very drunk. Yet, this man felt like home, and I never wanted to leave it. My brain and chemistry were fighting each other.

I still don't know what I am. I am human, but in five days, I won't be human, and in this process, apparently, I am going to feel agony. Ok, this is normal. I close my eyes, and I am fast asleep.

Lochlyn's POV

Inside, I am beaming… I feel like a kid in a candy store with her body pressed into me. Jo is leaning against the doorway, grinning ear to ear. She can't wait to call her best friend her sister-in-law.

I lean down and bury my nose in the crook of her neck where I can smell her hair. Even though it hasn't been washed in like a week, it still has got its curl and shine. She smells like cinnamon and mint with a mix of vanilla; it's intoxicating. It inhabits my thoughts, dreams, and reality. This girl is everything. She is the moon, stars, and sun….. oh, I am starting to sound creepy. I brush her hair back and realize she is sleeping soundly on my chest.

"Jo, is she out?"

"Yeah. Do you want Chase to move her so you can move?"

"No! I mean, I think I can move when I am ready to go."

"Ok, Mr. Cool. You realize she is going to freak out if you wake up next to her, right?"

"You don't think she will remember falling asleep in my arms?"

"I think she will remember falling asleep, but that fact that you stayed is borderline creepy."

"I think we will be ok. However, can you grab my phone from downstairs so I can do some reading until I move her?"

"Yeah, sure."

Josephine left the room with a smile but was hesitant. I would move eventually, but Rosie is so comfortable and at peace. I want her to feel this way always, but over the next few days, I know she will hate me. However, I am hoping she will be ok after she turns 21. Jo comes back into the room with my phone and sets it down. I noticed that I have 3 missed calls. So I check my voicemail.

"Hello, Alpha Lochlyn, this is James with your building company. I am taking over for my father. He is retiring here soon and gave me this project of yours. I would love to exchange ideas for the home you are building. If you can, give me a call at 656-555-9898. Thank bye."

I am not sure how I feel about that, seeing as I had no clue Jim Sr. was stepping down or anywhere close to retirement. Next voicemail.

"Hello, Alpha Lochlyn, this is Doc. I am just calling to check on Rosalynn and see how she is doing and how you are doing. I need to talk about the next few days and a medical plan to help her the most in this. Give me a call bye."

A medical plan… what would that even look like? Next message.

"Hello Alpha Lochlyn, this Alpha Mark I am calling because I have some information that might pertain to you and I want to discuss privately. You see, my guard found 1 male badly injured along our border that we share with Red Moon. He said he knew of plans against the future Luna at Northern Moon. I think we need to talk. Bye."

Red moon. I can't stand them. Just the thought of them makes me angry, and then to think they have already started forming plans to endanger and hurt Rosie makes it worse. I hold Rosie tighter to my chest.

"I am going to protect you and guard your heart…until you understand what you mean to me."

I lay back against the headboard, thinking of what Red Moon could plan and think up as an attack. I decide at that moment no formal visits or anything outside the pack until that is over.