She took a deep breath. “Sophie, you’re special. We’re special. Me, your parents, you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“We’re… There’s no easy way to say this, Sophie,” she said and stared into her own steaming mug of hot chocolate.
“Just say it,” I said. “Like ripping a band aid. Quick and fast should lessen the blow,” I joked.
“We’re not human,” she said.
I laughed and spewed some hot chocolate on the counter top. “What do you mean we’re not human? Of course we’re human.” I grabbed a napkin to mop up the mess I had made.
“We’re werewolves… Well, the proper term is shifter. Werewolves are evil, unholy, where we’re not. There are different kinds of shifters we just happen to shift into wolves.”
“Are you off your rocker?” I screamed. I couldn’t believe she was continuing with this nonsense. This was ridiculous.
“Sophie, calm down and hear me out. Haven’t you ever been able to smell things, or hear things, or move faster than normal?”
“No,” I said too quickly and she knew she had me.
“It’s because you’re special,” she said simply.
“I’m not special,” I said. “You’re telling me I’m a monster.”
“You’re not a monster. I’m not a monster. Neither are your parents,” she said calmly.
“But you’re telling me I’m not human! Oh my God! Caeden! Is Caeden a shifter?” I gasped.
“Yes,” she said. “He’s the Alpha.”
No, no, no!
“Bryce?” I squeaked. “Charlotte?” Could quiet little Charlotte be a werewolf? Shifter? “Chris? Bentley? Logan?”
“All shifters,” she said. “They make up the Williams pack.”
“Pack?” I said. “Wait, wait just a minute… How can I be a shifter? I’ve never changed before?” I said thinking I had stumbled upon a solution to my problem. I couldn’t be a shifter if I hadn’t actually shifted. But that would make Gram crazy. I guessed a crazy Gram was easier to deal with than me as a wolf.
“Male shifters have their first change on the first full moon after they turn sixteen. Females have their first change on the first full moon after they turn eighteen.”
“You mean to tell me that in January I’m suddenly going to become a wolf?” I asked crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive stance.
“Yes,” she said. “You will.”
“You’re crazy!” I said. I buried my head in my hands.
“You’re dad become Alpha of the Beaumont Pack after your grandpa died. But then your father fell in love with a girl from a rival pack, your mom. So, he ran away with her, it’s why they’ve never come back here. He appointed his second in command, Roger Williams, as the new Alpha. The pack is now the Williams Pack and not the Beaumont Pack. When Roger was killed his eldest son, Caeden, became the new Alpha.”
“Stop it! Please stop it!” I cried. She quieted and let me take in all the information. “Rival pack? So, you mean there’s another pack here?”
“The Grimm Pack. We were once all one pack, still led by the first wolf shifter, a Beaumont. The Grimm’s never liked being led. They’re evil and so are the ones that choose to follow them. They don’t value human life, or shifter life for that matter, they consider themselves gods. But we’re not gods, we’re protectors, it’s our duty,” said Gram like we were simply discussing politics.
I covered in my ears. “This isn’t real! I’m dreaming! You’re lying!” I cried.
“No, I’m not,” she said simply. “You’re a shifter, Sophie.”
“Why tell me now? Why didn’t my parent’s tell me when I was younger?” I asked.
“They’ve renounced what they are to protect you. That’s why they ran away in the first place. Your mom was pregnant with you. The Grimm Pack would never have allowed you to exist.”
I decided to play along even though I still didn’t believe her. “Then don’t they know I exist now? My last name is Beaumont.”
“They think you’re adopted, that’s what I told everyone to protect you. They think you’re merely human. They also don’t know that Garrett and Christine ran away together. They think your father married a human woman and that’s why he left.”
“What about my mom?”
“They think she’s dead. She faked her death to protect you. Her own parents don’t know the truth,” she said folding her hands on her lap.
“How do you know, then?”
She quirked her lips. “Your father and I were always close. He was my only child. I told him that I didn’t care what he had to do as long as he kept me in his life. His father didn’t know. He was a stickler for the rules but your father’s departure from Alpha was what did him in. He was already sick and that was the last straw.”
“This is crazy! You’re crazy!” I said standing. Before she could move to stop me I ran out of the room, grabbed my keys, and left.
* * *
I drove and drove and drove. I knew I was wasting gas but I didn’t care. I had to get away. I finally pulled into the parking lot of Target and got out and walked through the store. After three laps of the store I went back to my car and leaned my head on my steering wheel. My phone kept ringing but I ignored it.
I sobbed. I didn’t want to believe Gram’s words but it all made sense to me. I had always had fast reflexes and been able to hear and smell things that I shouldn’t be able too. My feeling of belonging here? Caeden? Did I only like him because I sensed that we were the same? I didn’t want to believe that one.
The sky began to darken but I couldn’t make myself move. My chest ached and finally, to my relief, my eyes ran dry. So, I just sat there.
I picked up my phone. Two missed calls from Gram and five from my dad and one from my mom which was probably still my dad just trying a different tactic.
I sighed and leaned my head against the head rest. I didn’t want to go back to Gram’s. I didn’t want to have to face her. I wiggled around in my seat and decided if it came to it I would sleep in my car. It wouldn’t be super comfortable but I could manage.
Suddenly my passenger door opened. Shocked, I gasped. How stupid of me not to lock my doors.
Caeden slid in and closed the car door.
“What are you doing? Get out!” I screamed trying to push him out of the car. Unfortunately my tears decided now was the time to return and streamed down my face in a torrent and all the strength left my arms. They sank like noodles to my sides.
He gave me a sad look. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
I sniffled. “It’s all true isn’t it?”
He nodded his head. I cried harder.
“My whole life has been a lie,” I sobbed.
He held out his arms to embrace me. At first I didn’t want to find comfort in his arms but I finally ceded. He held me to his chest and pulled me onto his lap.
“I’m sorry that you’re upset but it’s such a relief for you to finally know,” he said as his fingers tangled in my hair.
He held me until I finally stopped crying.
Embarrassed I started to pull away but he just held me tighter. “I’m sorry for being such a cry baby.”
He chuckled. “If I hadn’t grown up knowing what I was all my life I probably would have acted much like you. I don’t like surprises. I guess it’s part of being the Alpha. You like to be in control.” He cleared his throat like he wanted to say more but was stopping himself. I untangled my legs from his and moved over to my seat.
“What are you not saying?” I asked.
He cleared his throat and pointedly looked out the window.
“Caeden?” I demanded. “Just tell me. My family has kept so much from me. I can’t stand it if you do too.”
He sighed and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair. “I don’t want to freak you out.”
“I’m already freaked out! I’m not human! And apparently neither are you!” I cried throwing my hands in the air.
He ran his fingers through his hair again sticking it up in every direction. “I’ll start with the easier to process.”
“Okay,” I said taking a deep breath.
“You’re the female Alpha of my pack. For two reasons. Reason one, you’re a Beaumont and it’s in your blood…”
“And reason two?”
He gulped and took a breath. “You are…”
“I am?” I prompted him.
“You are my mate,” he whispered.
“What,” I said. “on earth does that mean?”
“It means you’re my mate. It’s never happened before. It’s one of our legends, that a few of us find our mates, we’re meant to be together. We’re made for each other,” he said looking into my eyes. The truth shown, like a beacon in the dark, in his bright blue eyes.
I started hyperventilating. “You’re telling me that there’s some kind of weird wolf voodoo going on that tells us we’re supposed to be together.”
Caeden shook his head. “That’s not it. Not entirely at least. Don’t you feel attracted to me?”
“Yes,” I admitted reluctantly and blood flooded traitorously to my cheeks.
“I didn’t even know what was happening at first. Like I said no one has ever found their mate before, not that I know of at least. The pull to be with you is worse for me because my wolf has already been released. It’ll be harder for you to once you shift,” he sighed.
I buried my head in my hands. “So, you only like me because of this?” I said and threw my hands in the air. “It figures! I finally like a guy and he only likes me because of this stupid wolfy mate thing!” I ranted.
He grabbed my hands and held them still with one hand while the other grabbed my chin so I had to stare into his two endless blue pools.
“I had feelings for you before I even knew what was going on. I like you for you. In fact my feelings are stronger than what the mere insignificant word like can encompass. But I’m not going to push you into anything. I want to date you, get to know you; I want you to fall in love with me not the wolf.”
“But you already know that I have feelings for you,” I said.
“There’s a difference between knowing something and hearing it. So… do you want to date me?” He asked and he truly seemed unsure of my feelings.
I hesitated. I had feelings for Caeden, strong feelings, that was undeniable. I wanted to be with him more than anything. But I didn’t want to take his choice away from him either. That seemed cruel.
“I don’t want to take your choices away,” I voiced.
“You’re not. I choose you. Despite the bond I would choose you. You’re everything for me. You’re smart, funny, caring, and beautiful, shall I continue?” he asked leaning closer to me.
I laughed. “No,” I said. “I get your point. I am pretty wonderful,” I said jokingly and flipped my hair over my shoulder.
He laughed. “You’re perfect.”
“Far from it,” I said.
“For me you are. Just like I’m perfect for you. Or so says the legend. We’re made for each other. You know, the vampires have soul mates so it makes sense that we should too, I wonder why it hasn’t happened before?” he stated.
One word stared blaringly at me. “Vampires? There are vampires?” I gasped going into shock yet again.
“Yeah,” he said. “There are shifters, werewolves, sorcerers, and vampires. I’ve heard about fairies but I’ve never actually met one,” he said rubbing the back of his head.
“Vampires?” I said again.
He rubbed my arm soothingly. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”
“A lot to take in? Are you kidding me? First, I’m told I’m not human, I’m a shifter. And not only are there wolf shifters but there are others. Then there are werewolves, but they’re different from shifters. Then you tell me that we’re ‘mates’ and ‘we’re made for each other’. Now vampires and fairies?”
“Breathe,” he said.
I didn’t realize that I had stopped breathing and the air whooshed out of my lungs.
“This is crazy!” I cried.
“It is,” he agreed. “But it’s real.”
“Just give me a minute,” I said. He sat back against the seat and didn’t say another word. Finally I looked back over at him. Gripping the steering wheel in my hand I said, “Will I get to see you shift?”
He blushed. “Not yet,” he said.
“Oh,” I said.
“You better get home,” he said starting to get out of the car.
“Wait,” I said and put a hand on his arm. “How did you find me?”
He blushed. “You’re my mate. I can find you if you’re somewhere close, faraway not so much,” he said.
“Can… Can I do that?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “According to the legends there’s a lot more that we can do.” Climbing out of the car he turned and said, “I’ll follow you home. Make sure your safe.”
I knew what he was really saying; he was making sure I didn’t run away again.
I nodded my head and started the car. A moment later his motorcycle cranked to life.
As promised he followed me all the way home.
I pulled into Gram’s driveway and waved to Caeden as he pulled away.
Gram came storming out the door. “Young lady, I do not appreciate you running out like that! I’ve been worried sick! Your parents are beside themselves!”
“I’m sorry Gram. I just needed to think. But it’s fine Caeden found me,” I said.
“Caeden?” she said.
“Didn’t you tell him I was gone?” I asked puzzled.
“No,” she said. “I probably should have.”
“Well, he seemed to know that I had left and that I was upset.”
“He’s a good boy. A good Alpha too. He’s young but he’s strong,” she said like she was selling him to me.
“He said I’m his mate,” I said.
“I know,” she said.
“You know?” I asked.
“He came to me right away. I’m the head elder so they come to me for consultation. He wanted to know if it was possible. I said it is.”
“But how would you know if it’s never happened before,” I said.
“It’s happened once, as far as I know, before,” she said.
“Who?” I asked.
“Your parents.”
“My parents?” I asked.
“Come on, it’s cold out here,” she said motioning me into the house. “Shifters all had mates a long, long, time ago. When we first started shifting. Then something happened and it stopped. The mating, the bonding, moved from fact to legend. Hundreds of years passed. For whatever reason it’s starting up again.”
“And my parents were the first?” I asked.
“Yes, it’s why they defied their packs, their whole lives, for each other,” she said.
I sat down with a huff on the couch. “This is a lot to take in.”
Gram came over and patted my hand. “I know sweetie. I know.”
five.
Wolves. Shifters.
I’m a wolf.
I’m a shifter.
I stared at the ceiling of my room and tried to make out shapes and patterns while I contemplated the nightmare my life had become. I had never considered the existence of the supernatural and here I was a part of it! It was crazy, unbelievable.
Caeden and the others had done a good job of acting normal and letting me process the news. After all, my whole world had been blown apart.
Gram stuck her head in my bedroom door. “I have to go meet with the shifter council. Can you hand out the candy?”
“Sure,” I said. I sat up and looked at her. “So, is that where you go when you disappear for a whole day?”
“Yes,” she said and looked at her watch. “I’m late so I don’t really have time to talk. I’ll be in late.” She came over and kissed me on the cheek. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Yeah,” I said and plopped back
against my pillow.
She smiled and left.
I couldn’t get my thoughts to shut up so I decided to busy myself by cleaning the house. I scrubbed the bathroom until it was sparkling and polished the hardwood floors. I vacuumed the carpet in the bedrooms and wiped everything down. Once everything was sparkling clean I started to organize, starting with the DVD’s and moving on to the bookshelf. I ate a bowl of cereal for dinner and then proceeded to scrub the sink clean. There wasn’t much left that would distract my mind but just then the doorbell rang and I realized I had completely forgotten about the trick-or-treaters.
I opened the door to a chorus of, “Trick-or-treat,” from a fairy, power ranger, and Darth Vader. I gave each of the kids a handful of candy and they left happy. From that moment on the doorbell rang non-stop. I was bombarded by Frankenstein, witches, and an assortment of Star Wars characters that seemed to be the most popular.
I felt like a jack-in-the-box hopping up and down every time the doorbell rang. At least, I mused, my legs were getting a work out.
When I ran out of candy the kids moaned and groaned. I felt bad but I thought it was pointless to run to the store and get more. By the time I would get back it would be past most of these kids bed time.
I turned off the porch light and hoped that people would get the message and not come knocking anymore.
After about fifteen minutes of silence I decided that I was probably safe and no more kids would come so I pulled on some pajama pants and a sweatshirt. Gram hadn’t called and normally when she left for a meeting with the shifter council she didn’t come in until really late. I popped some popcorn, added butter, and put a movie on. I knew I should have been doing my homework but I figured I’d do it tomorrow. I was just beginning to fall asleep when I heard a scratching at the door.
Startled, I sat up straight on the couch, looked around, and clutched my heart so it wouldn’t beat out of my chest.
I stood up and heard more scratching. I opened the door and said, “Sorry, I’m out of candy.” Rubbing my sleepy eyes I realized that no one was at the door. Not a person at least.
A huge wolf sat on my front porch, its tongue hanging out of its mouth, with blood matting its fur.
I screamed and backed away towards the kitchen.
Outsider (Outsider Series) Page 5
