Lottie’s POV
What a bombshell our mom landed on us this afternoon. I didn’t know what to expect, but I don’t think I was expecting all of that! Both me and Caren got a lot out of the conversation though. I know I never knew what happened to my biological mom. But I don’t think Caren ever knew what happened to her dad, either.
It must have been hard for our mom. I guess that is why she hasn’t told us before. She lost her soul mate while he diverted the rogue’s attention away from my mom. She raised me based on a promise. Our mom and her soul mate perfectly matched each other. Aidan was brave, he must have been. Mom is brave and loyal. She has strong morals, which she teaches us. I can’t imagine the life Caren would have had if they had both raised her. But then again, I can’t imagine my life being any other way. They have always been there for me.
Mom raised us alone and did a great job, in my opinion. But here she was, a crying wreck, telling me how I came to be in her care and that she wished she could have done more.
We were both crying while we hugged our mom. I can’t imagine the emotions she experienced that day. Caren carried on consoling our mom when I started staring at the pictures. I then put the pictures from the box on the fireplace. They should have a place in our home and our heart.
I looked like her, my real mom. With my red curly hair and green eyes. In fact, all of them in the picture had green eyes. Maybe it was genetic and we are related. Maybe Caren and I are really cousins. She also had an amazing, full smile. She looked so young and carefree in the pictures. “You look like her, Lottie, which is why I make sure your hair is straight. I promised to keep you safe until your 18th birthday. I don’t know who or why they wanted your mom. It’s the only way I could make you look different from her.”
I needed to clear my head. It felt like I had information overload. “I am going to go for a run mom, I have had a lot to think about.”
“Sure, sweetheart. Have a bit longer tonight, you have a bit more to process.” Mom said. “But turn on your tracker though. I made a promise to someone, and I am not going to break it so close to your birthday.” She smiled weakly, her face was bright red from crying so much.
I went and got changed, put my trainers on and off I went. So much going around in my mind, so much to think about. I had to respect mom’s strength, especially considering all the grief I had caused her over the years. I don’t believe she did it just for a promise. She loved me and she made me feel it every day. I got to the woods and entered as usual, “To the mountains.” the voice in my head told me.
I went left and left again a few miles later. Eventually, I ended up at the bottom of a mountain. I never usually had the time to run up it. Even if I did, I never had the time to run to the other side. Mom gave me permission to be home later tonight, and I had the energy, so I set off. I got to the top in no time. The moon was full; the sky was clear; it was beautiful. I could see a lake on the other side. Why not? I thought to myself, I don’t get extra time that often and it was a beautiful night.
I laid down at the side of the lake, not only to catch my breath but to gaze up at the night sky. “Don’t run.” My inner voice told me. Don’t run from what was my initial thought.
Someone sat down beside me, a man. He smiled and said, “Taking it easy tonight, are we?” I sat up and realized it was the naked guy from last night.
“It’s not like I go looking for trouble.” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “It’s nice to see you found your clothes.” I said, laughing. “Are the girls okay?”
“Yeah, they’re fine. They don’t remember much about last night. They were knocked out with chloroform.”
I stare at the lake, hugging my knees. “What are you doing here?” He asks.
“I got some news today and needed to process it.” I answered him. “He can help.”
With my inner voice as my guide, I told him the complete tale of my night. He didn’t say that much, he just listened. “So now I have so many questions with no one to answer them. I have to figure out if I have any other family members? I need to figure out if I have a wolf, what that means. Will I get a wolf when I turn 18 in 4 days? Will I stay with my mom and sister? What gift was my mom talking about on her deathbed? As well as trying to figure out where I belong and who I truly am?” I let out an enormous sigh. “My head hurts thinking about all of this.”
He laughed and said, “I hope you're quick study then.” It was a laugh or cry moment, so I laughed with him. “I may be able to help you with a few things while you wait for your birthday, if you want some help? I’m Maddox, by the way.”
I carried on laughing, “I told you all of that and I forgot to ask your name. Well, I suppose I have seen you naked, so it’s not like you have much to hide from me.” We both laughed. “Lottie, nice to meet you, Maddox. How can you help me? Your turn to share.”
Maddox’s POV Here she was pouring her heart out to me and I just laughed at her. I did offer to help her with some things she was struggling with. “How can you help me?” She asked. “Remember the wolf from the valley, the big black scary one you said was a good boy?” “Yeah, but he wasn’t that scary. More like a big puppy, really,” she replied. “Who is she calling a puppy?” Xavier asked me. “That was Xavier. He’s my wolf and he is pretty scary.” She looked confused. “Let’s start at the beginning. Do you have a wolf? Maybe voices in your head started when you were about 16. I guess you’re not part of a pack, seeing as you know practically nothing about what you are.” “I hear a voice when I need to be cautious or am in danger like last night, but not any other time. I live with my mom and sister. Not sure what makes us a pack. Mom is a witch, Caren is a hybrid, 50% witch and 50% wolf. I know my mom was a wolf but know nothing about my dad, so I could
3 days until birthday Lottie POV I feel so tired. Thank goodness it’s Friday. One more day in that hell hole and then the weekend. I went downstairs to find Mom and Caren having breakfast. “Are you joining us sweetheart?” mom asked. “Thanks for yesterday.” I told her as I sat down. “I know it can’t have been easy and I know it hasn’t been easy raising us over the years. On a positive note, I met someone last night. He is offering to help me with the wolf stuff.” Caren started choking on her cereal. “What?” I explained to Mom and Caren about the wolf attack in the valley a few nights ago and meeting a man on my run last night, as well as his offer to help me figure out my future. When I looked at Mom, she was just staring at me with her jaw open. “Come on, Caren, we’re going to be late for school. Bye mom.” She sat there, staring at me in silence. As we got to school and were about to part ways, Caren turned to me and said, “They’re only human”. I hate thi
Parker’s POV I can’t believe Caren still wants to protect the humans, even after everything they put Lottie through. There was no need for what that girl and her friends had done to Lottie. I am very surprised she stayed so calm. Especially after seeing her in action the other night. Caren, being a wolf/witch hybrid, is different. I have never met a witch before. I was always told to avoid them, as they are an angry, selfish species who only think of their coven. Historically, there has always been disagreement and fighting between the species, so the two avoid each other at all costs. But Caren isn’t like the witches I have heard about. She protected Lottie. She defended her not with magic but with her fists. As a wolf, she is weak. She is probably on a par with a human. I like the pair of them and not just because I think Lottie is Maddox’s mate. They are different. The afternoon was quite amusing in this high school, though. The girls were flirting like crazy wi
Maddox’s POV “Hey Maddox, fancy meeting the monster-in-law?” Is what I hear Parker ask through our mind link. Not really, I want to say. But I want to see Lottie again. Xavier also tells me he would like an ear scratch again, maybe even a belly rub. I reminded him she doesn’t have a wolf, so he needed to calm down. She may not even be our mate. But if she needs guidance. I am more than willing to be there for her, maybe even when the clock strikes midnight on that day. Just to find out! Borrowing a vehicle from Alpha Hudson, I drove to Lottie’s house. I was possibly getting to know my future mother-in-law. I parked next to Parker’s SUV and walked toward the house. Lottie came bounding down the path and punched me in the face. It was quite feeble, really. “You have some explaining to do, mister.” I rubbed my jaw, pretending it hurt. “You sent Parker to spy on me?” She was not happy. “It’s a good job he’s funny, otherwise Caren may have killed him. She was in a foul mood af
Maddox’s POV I walked out of the house after my informal chat with Millie. When I mean informal, I mean she threatened my life. But I understand her motives. I do not approve of her actions, though. Then again, she is a witch and I am not familiar with their customs. What I am familiar with is wolf customs, and that right now is what my beautiful future mate is waiting for me. Me and Xavier concluded while we were in there that Lottie had to be our mate, as we wouldn’t have tolerated being treated that way. “What was all that about?” Lottie asked with her hand on her hips. The clothes she was wearing, showing off every part of her body in a good way. I mean, I don’t want anyone looking at her. But I admire the view. “Your mom just wanted to check I would not hurt you, that’s all.” She didn’t need to know about the rest. “She has invited me to come spend the weekend with her to help you understand your wolf side and what to expect.” I noticed Parker and Caren sparr
Xavier’s POV I more or less trotted beside her. She was going at a reasonable pace for a human, even if she would have a wolf in a few days. It had just started getting dark when she stopped running. We were miles from everything. She sat down, patting the space for me to come and join her. Which I happily did. Right now, I had her attention, not Maddox, and I was going to relish the experience. She ran her hand through my fur. If she had a wolf right now, I would have mated with her at that minute. Every place she touched sent a tingle to my core. “Keep control,” Maddox screamed in my head. I did the only thing I could do. I laid down on the ground. But as she was already sitting next to me, her stroking became more vigorous. She must have thought I liked it and I really, really did. “Maddox, I need help.” “This is what you wanted, now deal with it.” he tells me. Which is no use at all right now. “How do I do this, Xavier?” Lottie asked me, stroking my head. Never mi
Caren’s POV I can’t believe mom let Lottie go off with him. What is she thinking? He is a stranger. She must have her reasons, though. I am sure she will tell me soon enough. She doesn’t keep secrets from us. In the meantime, I have Parker to entertain me. We are sparring in the garden. It makes a change from fighting with Lottie. He is a good fighter, so much better than me and Lottie combined. But what he wasn’t expecting was my barrier. He can’t lay a finger on me, seen as I know when he is about to attack. His face is funny when he gets frustrated. He is sweating as he is trying really hard to hit me, but can’t even come close. Lottie is gone for a while, it’s dark when she returns. She sits outside by her mom’s rosebush, talking to Maddox. At least I know he brought her home safely. Mom sat me down and told me about her conversation with Maddox, and how he thinks he is Lottie’s mate and that she may choose to go with him. My heart drops. She could leave me. But I
Lottie’s POV There was a knock at the door. Mom must have altered the protective barrier to allow Maddox through because there he stood chatting with her in the doorway. She took something that looked like a black rock off him, only it wasn’t a rock. It kind of glistened in her hand, a crystal. It was a crystal. But where would he have gotten that from? How did he know to give it to my mom? “Hey Maddox, do you want some pancakes?” I shouted over to him, while Caren set the table. “Yes, please.” Mom lets him into the house and he takes a seat at the table opposite Caren. Who obviously has something to say to him. We start with pleasantries about our night. I woke up during the night and found Caren in my bed. Her face was red and puffy, which made me upset. I just stared at her for hours, worrying about her. But I fibbed and said I had a great sleep. I think the bags under my eyes probably told him something else. He doesn’t look much better either, even though he appar