Chapter 23

Aiden

I can’t believe dad made me leave the room. I just wanted to talk to Lexi for a minute. Bu t as soon as she saw me she was pissed. Not that I can blame her. I was down right mean to her. She had no idea what I was doing. I could have gone about it a different way I guess. I didn’t have to insult her. And when Lexi started glowing again I felt her pain again. I needed to get her to stop before I collapsed again. But when I tried to get close my own Beta growled at me. Him and my Gamma’s were protecting Lexi over me. Can you believe that? It is like she has some odd control over them.

Thankfully when my dad asked Lexi to stop she did. I know now there is no way Lexi is just human. After listening to Patsy the Elders took off and now say they have some answers. They were waiting for Lexi to wake up before they called a meeting. So I’m hoping it will be soon. And seeing that Luther guy have his hands on Lexi pissed me off even though I had no right to. Strange is Razor didn’t even growl. He has been quiet since I woke up. I want to ask if he is ok but I know he isn’t. He felt the mate bond begin to break and I think it broke him. At least a little.

I was about to leave the hospital and go to the packhouse for a bit when my mom came walking in. “ Mom, what are you doing here?” I asked. She shouldn’t have left the packhouse. She still looks pale and needs to recover her strength. “ Your father linked me that the young lady was awake. The Elders are ready to meet.And I wanted to meet the woman my son foolishly tried to reject.” she said. I blanche at that. I didn't know my mom knew.

“ Yes, your father told me all about it. And that he believes it was her pain we felt and she is the reason I passed out.” mom said. “ Mom, I didn’t know.” I said but she stopped me by holding her hand up. “ I don’t want to hear it right now. I’m going to see this girl for myself and hear what the Elders have to say. You and I will talk later.” she said. I know I’m not going to get out of this. There are times when my mom is scarier than my dad. I don’t want to get on her bad side.
“ Now come with me. I think we all need to hear this.” she says, taking me by the arm. When we get back to Lexi’s room I see all the Elders have arrived and now with me and my mom here the room has gotten overcrowded. I’m talking standing room only. We have all the walls covered with people. Add in three wolves you can barely move. My mom gasps when she sees Lexi ``Oh, Adien she is beautiful. I know I have seen her before but not this close to get a good look at her.” I can’t disagree with mom. Lexi is hot as fuck. That wasn’t why I was rejecting her.
Lexi is on the bed leaning against the headboard. Luther is on one side and Pasty the other holding her hand. Jesse is still in wolf form laying at her feet and Jackson and Melissa are standing on the sides of the bed by her hips. It is weird to see them like that standing there like loyal guards. Mom walks in close to Lexi. I reach out to stop her but dad calls out “ Lexi, I want you to meet my mate, Calissa.” Jesse sits up and Lexi reaches out “ Easy boy.” Lexi turns to my mom and smiles “ It is nice to meet you ma’am.”

“ Oh my lovely and well mannered. It is nice to meet you as well.” mom said. Lexi looks around at everyone when she spots me she rolls her eyes but doesn’t say anything. “ Well, now that we have had introductions I was promised answers in exchange for not saying the rejection thing.” “ Right to business, I see. My kind of girl.” Elder Trenton said. “ Lexi, what we are about to tell you may seem strange or unbelievable. But I promise we are all speaking the truth.” Patsy said. Patsy pulls something from her pocket, handing it to Lexi. “ Lexi, you grandmother sent this to me to give to you when the time is right. It may have some answers you are looking for. Or at least help you understand what we are telling you.”

“ Ok. Does it have anything to do with why everyone is here?” Lexi asked Patsy. “ Yes, it does. And you.”Patsy said. “ What about me?” Lexi asked. I noticed Lexi started to glow again. Not much but it is there. Luther puts his arm around her shoulder and Jesse lays his head in her lap and I notice she calmed down and the glow faded. They were comforting her. I see that Melissa and Jackson have their head on the bed and nose at her hip.

“ How about we start at the beginning. What do you know about werewolves?” Zimmer asks. “ Nothing but myths.” Lexi answered. They really didn’t tell her anything including she is one. I feel bad for her. Never knowing who you are. “ Lexi, everyone in this room with the exception of Patsy is a werewolf. Or shapeshifter.” Lexi’s eyes slowly scan the room. Patsy nods. “ Luther?” Lexi asked. He takes his hand and brushes Lexi’s cheek “ Yes, baby. Me too.” Lexi just nods her head “ So, um.” Lexi stops to clear her throat “ You change to a wolf?”

Luther nods “ Yes, baby. Are you freaked out?” “ Can I get back to you on that? I get the feeling there is more and I think I want to do one big freak out instead of a bunch of little ones. Saves on time.” Lexi whispers. Luther laughs “ Sounds like a plan. But just remember I still Luther no matter what form I take. That goes for all of us.” Lexi just nods her head. “ What you said everyone but Patsy. Does that mean Argo,Ajax and Myrina are too?” Lexi asks. Jesse turns to Lexi and nods. “ So, I wasn’t going crazy when I thought you could understand me.” Jesse shakes his head no.

“ And what does this have to do with me?” Lexi asked. Her voice was getting raspy. It is a lot to take in and we haven’t even gotten started yet. Patsy grabs Lexi’s hands “ Lexi, sweety. You are one too. So were your parents.” Lexi shakes her head rapidly. “ No, I have never shifted before. And I never saw my parents do it either.” Patsy nods “ I know. And all I can say is that I’m sorry. There are so many things that have been kept from you. Most I don’t even know. But it was all done to keep you safe. But you do have a wolf. It isn’t time for her to come out yet but she will.”

Lexi just nods again and looks at my dad “ I’m not saying I don’t believe. Would it be rude of me to ask that someone show me?” “ No Lexi. It wouldn’t.We figured you might ask.” Dad’s eyes glaze over and Jesse jumps off the bed. I can see he is going to be Lexi's proof. Lexi yells “ Wait. When he shifts will he?” Lexi blushes “ Will he have clothes on?” she asks. That’s what she wants to know? Of all the questions she could ask that is where her mind goes? “ Yes, he will.” Luther answers. I can tell he is holding back a growl. He isn’t the only one. I don’t want Lexi to see Jesse naked.


Being naked in front of each other is just part of our world. We don't think anything about it. But I don’t want Lexi to see another man naked. “ Well, could I get a sheet or something to cover him?” Lexi asked. I hear low chuckles from my dad and the Elders. Mom says “ She is so cute. Look at her blush at the thought of seeing Jesse naked.” I see Thorp hand dad a sheet “ Yes, we will cover him with this.”

I watch Lexi as Jesse shifts. First his face pulls back from a snout. His front paws return to hands and back turn to feet. Jesse stays crouched as his fir turns to skin. When his top half is finished dad covers Jesse. When Jesse finishes he wraps the sheet around his waist and stands “ Hi, Lexi.” Lexi gasps “ Jesse? You have been Argos this whole time?” Jesse says “ Yes, Lexi. But the wolf’s name is actually Remus.”

“ But you were my friend.Or at least your wolf was. My only friend until I met Luther. I told him everything. Some very personal things. Embarrassing things. He was my protector. And you never said anything.” Lexi said. I feel like I’m going to cry. I see Lexi glowing but this time it is different. It is darker than normal. I can feel Lexi’s heartbreak. She feels betrayed. She feels lied to. I guess she was. I see my mom wipe her eyes. Lexi is affecting everyone in the room again.

“ Lexi, I’m so sorry. But I couldn’t tell you. We aren’t allowed to expose ourselves.” Jesse said in tears. But I don’t think that is all Lexi’s doing but his own guilt. I see Remus push forward “ What the?” Lexi sputters. Remus grabs Lexi’s hands “ Lexi, it is Remus now. You named me Argos. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you. But everything you said to me stays with me. I will never betray your trust. I will still be your protector. That will never change. I will always be here for you. I just ask for your forgiveness.”

“ I don’t know if I can right now Argos. Um Remus. This is a lot to take in. And my gut tells me this is just the tip of the iceberg.” Lexi says. “ Jesse and I understand. But we will be here when you are ready.” Remus said as he reached up and wiped a tear from Lexi’s eye. “ So my best friend and potential boyfriend are werewolves. Or shapeshifter. I’m sorry, what is the proper term?” “ We prefer shifter,baby.” Luther said. I hate it that he keeps calling her that.

“ So what is next? Like I said, I want to know everything. Then I will freak out.” Lexi said. I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. She just saw my Beta shift and she is ready to move on to the next item. Before anyone can say anything we all hear the cutest growl. I look around to see where it came from and see Lexi holding her stomach looking embarrassed. “ Alpha Cline, perhaps we should stop for a moment and get Lexi something to eat.” Luther asks. “ Yes of course. I think now would be a good time for us all to have some lunch.”