Chapter 13

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

After being awoken from my sleep by nightmares, I get up and shower, deciding to wear a pair of faded shredded skinny jeans, my black high top Vans, and a black off the shoulder long sleeve sweater. Underneath is a red lace bra and matching thong. I let my hair down and put on some mascara, heading downstairs. After wandering around, I wander into the Alpha's office and see the files all scattered on his desk. I return to my room and grab the files that the Council has, as well as my books on the history of each species of werewolf, returning to the Alpha's office. I sit down in the middle of the office, scattering all the photographs and papers around me, flicking through the books as I try and piece it all together. After a few hours, the door opens and Derric stops in the doorway, looking shocked to see me. I stare at him as Darian, Charles, Marcus, and his parents appear behind him.

"Oh," Luna Claradine says "You're...up early."

"I don't sleep much," I say softly, shrugging my shoulders "Darian, come here."

"Uh," Darian says "Is this a trap?"

"No," I say "Now come here. I need to see something and the book says it's only on a hellhound."

"How did you," Darian says "Wait, how did you know I was a hellhound?"

"I'm a Gaia," I say, rolling my eyes "To me, each species of werewolf has a distinctly different smell whereas everyone else, you just smell like a werewolf."

"Really," Darian says "What do hellhounds smell like?"

"To me," I say "It smells like wood being burnt. Now, come here."

Darian walks over and I stand up, pulling his shirt up and lifting up his arm to look at his side, beneath his underarm.

"Hmm," I say softly "That doesn't make any sense either."

I drop his arm, pulling his shirt back down.

"Okay," I say "Luna, do you mind? Derric let it slip that you had hellhound in your blood..."

"Of course not," Luna Claradine says "Same place?"

"No," I say "Females it's somewhere else...somewhere a bit more personal. So, we can ask the men to leave."

"Ah," Derric says "No need. Out. Everyone."

Derric grabs his father, pulling him out with Darian, Marcus, and Charles, pulling the door shut behind him.

"It's on your inner thigh," I say "Up near your genitalia."

"Oh," Luna Claradine says "You're right, that is very personal."

I nod. Luna Claradine pulls her dress up, lifting her leg.

"You have it as well," I say "Yours is just fainter which could be because the hellhound in your blood isn't as strong as it is in Darian's blood. You can let your skirt down now."

Luna Claradine lets her dress drop and allows the men back in. I sit down, flicking through the pages.

"So," Charles says "What's all this?"

There's a soft tap and Derric opens the door, Elder Martin making his way through.

"Jinx," Elder Martin says "Where are you?"

"Straight ahead," I say softly "Derric, would you mind helping him?"

"Not at all," Derric says "Do I just grab his arm?"

"No," I say "That'll set his wolf off. Elder Martin, reach out to your left. That's Derric, he'll guide you to me."

"Alright," Elder Martin says, reaching to his left "I'm ready."

Derric slowly guides Elder Martin to me and I reach up. Elder Martin's fingers wrap around mine and Derric helps him to sit down on the floor. Everyone else sits down, Derric sitting on my other side, close by. As we continue going through the papers, the other Elder's arrive.

"Here," Elder Henry says, holding a mug out towards me while Elder Nikida gives Elder Martin his tea "I heard you up and about after only an hour or two of rest."

I smile sadly, taking the coffee mug.

"I'm sorry," I say softly "Did I wake you?"

"No," Elder Henry says "I had still been up, unable to sleep yet. How bad were the nightmares?"

"Not as bad as normal," I say softly "I didn't wake up screaming or vomiting so I guess that's a plus, right?"

"I would assume so," Elder Henry says, slowly sitting down "It will get better."

I smile sadly and Elder Henry squeezes my fingers.

"Now," Elder Henry says "What have you found?"

"This," I say softly, sliding the book towards him "I don't recognize the name from your teachings."

"Because we didn't teach you about her," Elder Helena says "It's time."

"Yes," Elder Nikida says "Martin, darling, you need to tell her."

Elder Martin reaches out.

"Jinx," Elder Martin says "Do you remember when we picked you up from Blue Moon Pack and brought you to Council territory?"

"Yes," I say "Why?"

"The doctor at Blue Moon," Elder Martin says "Knew who you were because of us. When you were born to a lupus man and a hellhound woman, we knew you would be a powerful child because of how you were born. Your parents feared that because of their species, you would be hunted because you were such a rare species for a Gaia. Gaia's normally aren't as strong as you, nor are they part lupus and part hellhound. So, your parents, after giving birth to you on Council territory, begged me to take you to a doctor on Blue Moon territory. She is the half sister of your father. I did as your parents asked and asked your aunt to make sure you were hidden. She promised she would but because she was related to you, it would be dangerous for her and you if she were to keep you herself. So, your aunt took you to Red Moon Pack and she left a letter for the Alpha on you. Shortly after, the Alpha announced the unexpected birth of his final pup, a blue eyed brunette named Jinx Renae Willow. I don't know if your parents named you after your mother gave birth but I do know that they left some things for you with Elder Helena."

"They did," Elder Helena says "If I ever leave Council territory for anything regarding you, I take it with me."

"Wait," I say "So, my entire life, the parents I believed to be my parents weren't really my parents? I'm half lupus and half hellhound?"

"Yes," Elder Nikida says "We know it's a lot to take in, Jinx, but we couldn't tell you. Not until you came into your abilities and your mother and father cleared us to tell you."

"But they didn't," I say "So why did you tell me?"

"Your mother had a witch hide this page," Elder Henry says "This story is about her. The first hellhound to ever exist. She is the strongest hellhound. Your father is one of the first fifteen lupus men to exist. Your mother said that when this page appeared in the book, that was your parent's way of telling us to tell you. If it didn't appear, it was either because your parents were dead or they didn't want you to know."

"A week before you came into your abilities," Elder Malcolm says "Elder Nikida had contact with your father. He told us that your mother had said she had begun to hear you...to feel you. A week later, your aunt called us and told us you were there. When you shifted, your wolf took you to Blue Moon. Your aunt had retraced your steps and found claw marks from your wolf, dragging you across the ground to just over the boundary line, out of harm's way from Red Moon, before she lost consciousness. Your aunt covered the claw marks and any trace of you and called your father. She told him that we were on our way to get you...that you were a gorgeous, sweet girl who had her dad's eyes and her mom's looks."

"I'm attempting to get into contact with your father again," Elder Nikida says "Once I do, would you like to speak with him yourself?"

I stare at them all, completely at a loss for words.