Chapter 12

**Jinx Willow's P.O.V.**

I stir the sugar into the green tea that I'm making for Elder Malcolm.

"So," Darian says "How do you know that our Alpha was right?"

"I'm the Gaia," I say, raising my eyebrows "Since I was taken to Council grounds, each elder has trained me to be able to identify the differences between each species, their attacks, and how to talk to them. So, after looking at previous attack scenes and comparing them to the current ones, it's pretty obvious it's a pretty bad attempt at mimicking a hellhound attack because hellhounds are simply chaotic creatures. After putting that together, I began to question why anyone would want to frame hellhounds for attacks that would have them killed. So, I had Elder Henry pull up every documented case of hellhound attacks in which a victim lost someone close to them. That was a failure because there was pretty much nobody left behind. So, I moved onto my next question. What purpose would someone get by framing hellhounds? Simple, hellhounds would be feared and every pack would cry out for help every time an attack happened, claiming a hellhound did it which would put all hellhounds in jeopardy and force them all into hiding."

"So," Derric says "How did you come to the conclusion that it makes no sense?"

"They leave the victims alive," I say, leaning on the counter with my chin in my hand "The only hellhound in documented history who has left a victim alive are the ones who the Gaia calmed down. When these attacks started, I wasn't even eighteen yet, therefore, it couldn't have been a hellhound who was calmed down by me. So, it makes no sense as to why they left the victims alive if they're trying to mimick a hellhound attack. The next thing that makes no sense is why none of the victims will tell anyone who attacked them, and those that will all state that they didn't see what or who attacked them."

"So," Charles says "How do we figure this out when it's like a puzzle but none of the pieces fit?"

"Wrong," I say, smiling "There's no such thing as a puzzle that doesn't fit. All the pieces we've got do fit...we just have to figure out how."

"But they don't fit," Darian says "There's nobody who could possibly want to frame a hellhound and those who do want to, would never do it because they're too afraid to."

Derric stares at me.

"You're drinking coffee," Derric says "But I didn't even see you prepare it."

"Oh," I say "That's because it's yours."

The Elder's laugh at how innocently I state it and Derric looks down.

"What," Derric says "When did you..."

I take another sip.

"What," I say "I needed to know how you like it considering you are my mate."

Derric's eyes widen.

"How do you know," Derric says "We haven't even touched."

"Baby," I say "My wolf smelled you the second you set foot back onto your territory. That was the only sign I needed. Would you like to hold my hand and confirm it?"

Derric holds out his hand and I place my hand in his. Immediately, sparks fly up my hand and through my arm, causing my wolf to whimper in delight.

"Yup," Derric says "You're my mate. Is that why I can smell you so clearly?"

"Yes," I say "To any other normal werewolf, I smell like a human because to them, I need to come off as latent. To my mate, the Council, hellhounds, bloodhounds, and hounds, I smell like...what did you say I smelled like, Elder Martin?"

"Lavender," Elder Martin says "Lavender, rosemary and peppermint."

"Wow," Derric says "Wait, what does your wolf look like?"

I look away, sliding his coffee across the counter to him.

"She doesn't know," Elder Malcolm says "Since her first shift, she's been unable to shift because if she does, every werewolf, no matter the species, will be able to smell her. They'll track her down and those who have been lusting after the power of her wolf for millions of years will come to get it."

"So," Derric says "What's your name? Full name preferably."

"Why," I say softly "So that you can reject me like everyone else that's been in my life, outside of the Council, has done?"

Derric growls lowly, his eyes flashing red before returning to their green color. He stands up, rounding the counter and cornering me against it.

"The exact opposite of that statement," Derric says lowly "I've waited my entire life for the Moon Goddess to send me a female who would understand me instead of run from me. Why would I reject that very female, simply because she's the most powerful werewolf to walk amongst us? Even if she were more powerful than myself?"

I stare up at him.

"Fine," I say quietly "Jinx Renae Willow."

"Jinx," Derric says "Why jinx?"

"I was the last child," I say softly "And they didn't want me. They wanted to stop at their last son. But someone said it'd be funny if it turned out that my mother was pregnant after her final heat. Six months later, I was born so they named me Jinx...because a jinx is something that nobody wants."

Derric growls lowly.

"So," Alpha Peter says "You have no intentions of rejecting my son?"

"No," I say, looking at him "If I had any intention of that, I wouldn't have even identified myself as his mate to him or anyone else. I would've simply rejected him and left. I don't want to reject him...I want to love him."

I gently push Derric away and go to Elder Martin.

"Oh," Elder Martin says, taking hold of my arm "You noticed?"

"I felt it," I say softly "Come on. Let's get you up to bed. The rest of you as well."

The Elder's grumble unhappily but finish off their teas, following me up the steps. I make sure each one is safely in their bed with their mates before heading to my room, stripping off the sweats and hoodie I had thrown on when I heard the scream and climb into my bed, falling asleep for a few hours before the nightmares wake me.