BLOOD TIES

CHAPTER 3

BETA JAY'S POV

I looked at the papers in my hands and Alpha Caliph alternatingly. For as long as I had lived there, I had known him to keep several secrets as he confided in me but none had surprised me like this one. He had a secret daughter out there in the world, a werewolf and witch hybrid or whatever other genes she got from her mother consuming the witch's serum to ease her pregnancy. I focused on him as he laid back down.

"So, when the Luna told you to kill her, she meant to kill her identity?" I asked just to make sure.

"Yes, she wasn't supposed to exist until she was old enough to face the world," he explained. "I hoped that by the time something like this happened she would be at least thirty but I am running out of time and she is our only hope."

"How do I find her? These letters have been addressed to different places all over the world. Is there a recent one?" The names on the letters were Zelda Ursula who I now knew was the witch who had been given the custody of the Alpha's daughter, different addresses over all those years but nothing else. I knew that if I found her, I would find the girl. I was determined to help the Alpha make things right and as soon as I got the address, I set out.

On my way out, I encountered Capheus, his eldest son. Despite living in the same house for the last twenty years and growing up together, he still hated me and saw me as an enemy. Maybe because there were no blood ties involved yet his father treated me like his son or maybe because I never associated with them when they were out there breaking rules and stirring up conflicts with other packs. As usual, I made my way past him without a word but he jumped and blocked my path.

"What do you want Capheus?" I asked harshly. He knew not to lay a hand on me because he was aware of how it ended the multiple times he tried before. He knew that I was stronger than him which made him jealous and resentful because he could never measure up to it.

"What are you and my old man up to?" he asked arrogantly.

"I would ask why you care but then I remember you don't so, get out of my way."

"No," he stated and crossed his arms as if challenging me to get him out of my way. I didn't want to start a fight. I had always been one to avoid them while he instigated them and dragged his brother along. "Not until you tell me where you are going all packed up."

I shifted the traveling bag in my hands and swallowed. I was tempted to tell him that I was going to bring back the person who was worthy of being Alpha unlike him but then, I wanted to see the look on his face when his sister was standing there with him and the Alpha named her instead of him. The thought of that excited me inwardly and I smiled. "What's so funny, bastard?"

Yeah, I was used to him calling me that because he didn't believe that there was no way his father didn't have me outside of wedlock then took me back in after my mother abandoned me. I let him believe what he wanted because there was no point arguing with an i***t.

"You," I stated then added, "You have always wanted me gone. Maybe it's time I gave you that pleasure." I sidestepped him and left him standing there. I knew that he had turned, following me with his eyes but I didn't give him the satisfaction of turning back to entertain him even after he shouted after me.

"Good. Because you never stood a chance to become Alpha and I promise you when I become one, there will be no room for you in this homestead!"

His threats meant nothing to me. There was no doubt that he meant that but then I was not worried because he was not going to become Alpha if everything went well with his sister. I hoped she was ready to come home and lead her people. I had to make sure she came back like I had promised my Alpha.

"Good luck Capheus," I shouted back as I got inside a pick-up truck in the parking lot. The mission ahead of me would be or would not be easy. I was nervous because I didn't want to fail Alpha Caliph but there was only one goal in my mind. To bring Blossom home.

After traveling for the whole night and halfway through the following day, I drove into a hotel's parking lot and booked a room for the night. The day was still young so I decided to take a stroll around town, familiarize myself with the environment, and maybe if I was lucky enough I would run into her in one of the places I had marked on my map. According to Zelda's letters, she had been homeschooled all through until high school but after that, she had taken classes in a local college alongside training in a dojo in the evenings. She was termed as a great fighter, only she wasn't allowed to compete publicly for fear of exposure. She was described as an all-round girl, competitive, and a born leader and honestly, I was intrigued and couldn't wait to meet her.

I used my werewolf abilities to look for her in all those places but I couldn't feel her or catch a scent except for the omnipresent smell of humans. A human settlement was a great place to camouflage but at some point, I wondered if I got the right place because if there was anything easy, it was fishing out a nonhuman in a sea of humans. I was also a very good tracker but this time, it was hard.

"What does a good looking and charming gentleman like you like to eat or drink?"

A waitress asked as I settled down at the bar in a cafe. I pretended to look around even though I knew what exactly to order but I could feel her gaze on me. Werewolves were known to have a kind of charm that was very irresistible, especially to human beings. Some like Andre who lived to sleep with as many women as they wanted took advantage of that but that was far from my mind at that point or even at any point in my life. I hadn't met my mate yet to use that as an excuse but the truth was, I had never been interested in love or infatuation. Especially not when that love involved pain like what my Alpha had been going through ever since I met him. I knew it started when he lost his mate, the Luna of the pack, and twenty-four years later, he was still going through it, now combined with being sick and old age.

I smiled remembering that the waitress was still waiting for my order but the moment I turned to her, another set of powerful eyes stared back at me. It was not only me who was affected by her presence but also my wolf who shifted restlessly.

"Mate," I uttered involuntarily staring into the dazzling gleam of her young skin, her almond-shaped eyes expressive and outstanding like a full red blossom in spring and a face that looked like the mighty sun only shone on it. She stared back at me, not in a freaked-out way but one that seemed to be full of wonder.

"I don't know what that is but I'd definitely love to add it to our menu," the waitress said sarcastically and I recovered quickly turning back to her.

"Right, I'll take a vodka soda please." I turned back only to find my mystery gone but my head was a mess. Could it be possible? And if yes, was my mate human or why could I not pick up the familiar scent of another werewolf? I was filled with an urge to go after her and find her but I had to stay on course. I was not about to ruin my mission.