The Omega's Price

Chapter 30: The Siblings' Tale

 Gulf's gaze darted around nervously as he crossed his legs, resting gently on the plaid flannel couch underneath him. The elderly woman's shocking statement had him falling onto the surface as his children sat diligently in their stroller. Natasha was gazing at his supposed grandmother with the utmost seriousness.

"What do you mean my mother's mother?" he stuttered unable to believe what he had just heard.

He had a family all this time?

"I'm sure you have many questions Gulf, but a storm is coming. It has been for a long time. Haven't you dreamed of it? We need to be prepared."

"Be prepared? What are you talking about? I-I'm not staying, I have a mate. My children need their papa."

A melancholic smile lifted her lips and she sighed deeply, "you came here because you were running away from something, correct?"

Gulf's eyes narrowed at the woman; how much did she know? How did she know?

"I was, but I still need to get back to my mate..." he trailed off, his tone serious, "he will be worried. I can't stay here."

"I'm afraid you have no choice grandson" she said solemnly as her body shifted, getting more comfortable.

Gulf's unease was palpable, "what do you mean? Why are you being so cryptic? Just tell me what I need to know."

"The storm has blocked off any means of leaving this mountain and prevents anyone from coming in, as does our wards. Your mate will not be able to find you and you will not be able to leave"

"It was perfectly clear when I drove in. I can still leave" he made a move to rise from the couch, the beginnings of panic unfurling in him.

The woman shook her head, "the mountain was welcoming you home, but the storm has already begun. Look to the windows If you don't believe me."

Gulf left the couch and rushed to the windows, eyes widening at the sight of so much snow, how had it come down this much within this little amount of time.

"What did you mean by wards?" Gulf asked still gazing at the blanket of white covering the ground and large chunks falling from the sky as if in slow motion.

"You have much to learn about your family. We live in the traditional ways on this mountain, and we keep everyone else out. I'm sure we have been forgotten by the outside world" she began.

"And I was allowed through these 'wards' because I'm family", he questioned skeptically.

"Yes, the old blood runs through your veins and the wards recognized you."

A sharp cry interrupted their conversation and Gulf's head whipped around to find which one had elicited it. Ayven's eyes were shut, but his mouth open as he took a huge, gulping breath in preparation for another cry. Gulf hurried to him and unstrapped him from the stroller, nuzzling his soft cheek before clutching him to his chest. Relief rushed through him as Ayven immediately settled.

"I don't believe any of this, are you saying you have 'magic' and that's how these wards work?"

The woman laughed boisterously, "you know nothing of the history of shifters, do you?"

"Shifters don't exist" he replied stubbornly, keeping his eyes away from his children. He didn't trust this woman.

"And yet you had a litter pregnancy with multiple births and since there are no ears poking from their cute little heads, I'm assuming they have little tails instead?"

Gulf kept quiet, unwilling to let any information slip to this old woman.

"You are mistrustful of me" she said pointedly.