Chapter 8- Answers or Questions?

I couldn’t help it. I reached up on my tip toes and pressed my lips gently against his. That was all it took. He engulfed me with his arms. Pressing me against him and pressing his mouth firmly against mine. My tongue pressing out to meet his as they intertwined with one another missed with passion and exploration. This was not just a kiss but a meeting of the souls that were separated from one another. He broke the kiss first and we stood there panting, looking at one another.

“Wow.” Was all I could say because I was utterly speechless.

“We need to go see my parents or I am totally going to take you right here and now.” Clay said guiding me again, the shock of what he said marking itself in the red of my cheeks.

“Ok.” I said when I had realized we were already back to the castle.

He led me inside and I just stared. This place was massive. The walls were stone but had a cozy look to them. There was a giant living room area across from me where his whole family were seated obviously waiting for us. Rose looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I sat down next to her on the couch.

“So?” She said to me. I gave her a look that said not now! “Okay… but just know that I am totally okay with you and my brother. I mean it was kinda gross at first but then I was like ‘oh hey my best friend gets to actually be my sister.’ This will be neat.” I laugh to myself until I realize we are having this conversation right in front of her parents.

“Oh do not worry a bit Gracie.” Said Sarah. “We are so excited to have you in the family.”

“I actually was wondering if you could help me out with some questions.” Trying to not sound awkward but totally coming out awkward. As if sensing my questions Sarah looked at her husband, “Darling, can you and Clay get us ladies some food. I am sure the girls are starving.”

Picking up on her clues the guys left. She then turned to me. “I am assuming Clay informed you all about how the mate bond works.” I nodded. “And your now wondering, since you presumably have no wolf how that will work for you?” I nod again. “Well honey that is a simple answer. You are a wolf.” I look at her like she has four heads.

“I do not have a wolf.” I admit to her.

Maybe she just doesn’t know. Maybe she doesn’t get that if I was suppose to have a wolf my wolf never made an appearance.

“You do have a wolf. Once we figured out you were the Golden Wolf, your parents decided to mask your wolf. Since the legend goes that you AND your mate will defeat the Dark Witches, your mother and I decided to talk to our good witches. They were able to put a spell on you to push your wolf down so that you would not be discovered. Instead, when you meet your mate and are fully mated your wolf will appear.” I look at her again.

How could they think this was ok? I was raised as a human only to discover today that I was anything but human. Clay walked in, he had a plate of food in front of him that look amazing. He saw me and came to me at once.

He looked over at his mother, “What did you do to her?” His rage evident in his tone.

**Clays POV **

I looked at my mate on the couch. She had gone completely pale. I heard my voice when I spoke to my mother. I would have never dared to speak to her that way. But what did she do?

“Oh mother was just telling her that she is a wolf.” Rose said in a sarcastic way. What did she mean? Grace did not have a wolf, wolves always appeared when pups came to age at 16. Grace did not. I raise my brows at Rose.

“Our mothers apparently used magic to hide Grace’s wolf and then they raised her as human when she was not human.” As Rose was stating it Grace got whiter and I saw her eyes close. She was falling. I caught her right before she hit the ground. Grace had finally reached her breaking point of today.

“Why in the world do you think that would have been a good idea? What is a shifter without their wolf?!” I was screaming at my mother. My Luna. My father came in at that moment.

“What is this nonsense about?” My father calming the room with his Alpha voice.

Rose again decided to fill everyone in, “Well Daddy. Grace is a wolf. Mom and Aunt Stephanie used a witch to hide her wolf. So this whole time she has been without a real pack and being raised human. Oh, and apparently mating will awaken her wolf.”

My father looked at my mother. Anger between mates was very unusual but my fathers rage radiated off him. My mother whimpered.

“Oliver, I had my reasons. Stephanie begged me and we thought it would be good.”

“Sarah do you not remember what can happen to a wolf who is not in their own pack? What if she had gone crazy? What if she will never get her wolf? What if her wolf would not have been able to heal her if she had been injured? Why were you playing with magic?” My father was yelling. My mother was crying but standing firm in her decision.

“Oliver it will all be ok!” She shouted.

“You do not know that, but you better hope it will be. Here I just assumed there was something we were missing. But I should have known better than to assume anything. It just didn’t add up.” Then he turned to me. “I am sorry son. I should have put the pieces together sooner.” I nod to my father. Feeling sorry for my mother and only imagining how I would feel if Grace was upset with me.

Then realizing what Rose had said. “Rose did you say she gets her wolf when she is fully mated?” Rose nodded.

I sunk my head into my hands. Well, let’s just talk about pressure. Grace didn’t have her wolf to edge her on in the mating process and I didn’t want to scare her off. I could hear a light little sound and looked over to Grace who was sitting up.

“Are you ok Gracie?” I rush to her side. I push the hair out of her face. She is looking at me like she is about to break. There has been so much for one day. How was this all just one day?

“I’m just overwhelmed.” Grace whispered.

“Rose can you bring her food?” Rose nodded. I picked up Grace bridal style. “I’m taking her to my room to let her rest.” Rose followed me up. Grace was breathing steady pressed against me. I was sure that she had fallen asleep again. I lay Grace down on my bed and cover her in the blankets.

“I will stay here with her.” I said to Rose.

“Okay lover boy. But treat my girl well. I like her a bit more than you.” I give Rose a playful nudge. I knew my sister was feeling this whole thing very deeply. It was her job to protect Grace and having such a close call today was very hard on her.

“Rose you did good. She is here.” Rose nodded and closed the door lightly behind her. I sat in my chair looking at Grace. She was beautiful. Her hair was spread out over my pillow. I took big breath in taking in her scent of roses and vanilla letting it overpower my senses.

**I like our mate. **

Me too. How am I supposed to convince her to mate with us?

**I can sense her wolf. She knows it is you. I do not think it will be as hard as you think it will be.**

How are you so confident?

**Eh. I’m a wolf. I was born cocky.**

Well that is true. I can’t believe mom pulled that shit on her.

**People do what they think is best even if it isn’t. **

Yea. I guess your right.

I look back over at Grace. So thankful that she is safe and here with me now. I was never going to let her out of my sight again.