Love is Complicated

8

Hunter:

I looked down at my unconscious mate, who no longer smelled like an innocent human. Her scent filled my nostrils with the smell of the ocean and roses. I inhaled the salty, sweet scent of her as I looked down as my mate, who was beaded with sweat from our glorious romping. I still couldn't understand how she now smelled like a wolf.

I looked at the intruders. I had forgotten to lock the door. I stopped a low growl from escaping my throat, as my dad stepped in beside Sally.

"What is going on?" I asked her.

She looked at me, mouth open wide in shock. Her hand went to her neck. I finally looked, I mean, really looked at it. She was gripping a moonstone. It was the only thing that could hide a wolf's scent. I looked up at my stepmother.

"You're a wolf?" My father looked at her in surprise, as she slowly nodded.

**********

Sally:

I nodded. My fears had been realized. My little girl was really a pup. It was rare that a wolf wouldn't come out at puberty, but I had thought since she was half-human, that it was the reason she didn't have a wolf. I had hoped for it to be true, anyway. It was the reason I had searched for a moonstone, after that rogue wolf had taken my husband from me. I left my pack and hid behind the moonstone to raise my baby girl away from all the drama of being the Beta of the Bloodmoon pack.

I had raised her away from any wolves and had never told her the truth about her blood. Now, she had been mated by a wolf, which is probably what had awakened her dormant wolf. The only downside to a moonstone was that you can't sense wolves just as they can't sense you. I hadn't been completely sure about Greg and Hunter, but I had a feeling. My supsiscions had been confirmed with Maria's first visit and the mention of that so called club.

"I only hid my wolf to protect my little girl. After her father was killed by a rogue wolf, I left my pack and raised Chasity as a human," I explained, "When she had reached puberty and still had not changed, I thought she was human, like her father, and left it at that. I never imagined that she would be awakened by her mate. I thought she would marry a nice human boy and live away from the troubles of a pack."

********

Chasity:

I listened to my mother's confession and let it all sink in. I'm a werewolf?

"Why didn't you tell me?" I sat up slowly, looking at my sheets and not at my mother. I didn't care that I was nude, I just wanted answers.

"I was the Beta of the Bloodmoon Pack and they were hard-pressed to keep me. I had no choice. I was the only parent you had left, Chasity. I couldn't leave you, just to deal with pack business. I tried to resign from the postion, but they gave me no choice. I was to either stay on as their Beta or leave the pack altogether. So I left." My mother's voice broke.

I had no idea what it was like, but I knew that wolves were primarily family/pack animals and to suddenly become a lone wolf was heartbreaking, especially after the loss of a loved one.

I didn't know what to say. I got up and went to hug my mother. I heard Greg inhale and then Hunter growl. My mom's hand was on Greg's chest, before he could take a step forward.

"I'm just so glad I can finally take this off." My mother took off the necklace she had worn my whole life. She shifted immediately and her wolf stretched out, finally free of its bonds. I kneeled down to pet her and she licked my face.

"I love you, too, mom. I know you were just doing what you thought was best for me and I forgive you."

"Dad, you should let her out. She probably wants to go running," Hunter said to his dad, who nodded and walked my mom, the wolf, downstairs to the backyard which was lined in back by woods.

I walked over to my mate and hugged him. I breathed him in. He smelled like the woods and strawberries. Mate, a new voice sounded in my head. I immediately knew it was my wolf.

"I can't believe it! I'm a werewolf."

"So you are okay with being a werewolf?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, even if I wasn't I don't really have a choice in the matter. At least, this saves us all the trouble and now we can have children if we want to."

"We have something to do first." Hunter said, smiling at me.

~~~~~~~~

It was the night of the full moon and we had gathered in a clearing. Hunter still hadn't told me anything, but my skin was really itchy and I was eager to see him. I was in a canopied tent with my mother, getting ready for the big surprise. My hair was down and pulled over my bare breasts, she had put a wreath of flowers on my head and I wore just my underwear.

She smiled at me. "You look beautiful, darling."

"I feel like Eve, from the bible story." She laughed at my comment.

"We're ready for you," Greg said, poking his head inside the tent. "You look beautiful, Chasity."

We walked out together, my mom and I, as music started to play. We walked through the crowd of people as they parted for us to pass. I saw Hunter waiting next to Grayson and my heart leapt in my chest. My mate was just in his underwear and he was smiling at me.

"We are here today," Grayson began, "to welcome Sally and her daughter, Chasity, to our pack." Everyone applauded. "Now Hunter would like to say something."

"Chasity, I know we don't know each other very well, but I believe fate has brought us together. I would love it if you would let me spend the rest of our lives getting to know you." I gasped. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my official mate?" I couldn't speak, my heart was racing.

"Yes, of course!" I jumped in his arms.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. Chasity now belongs to Hunter and I wish you two a long and happy life together."

I kissed my new husband and my skin began to ache.

"Just breathe," he whispered into my hair, as if he was reading my mind. I let him go and took a slow, deep breath. I felt the change come and my senses seemed more heightened. I looked up at my mate and nuzzled him with my nose. He changed before my eyes. I looked into my mate's eyes and we turned and took off further into the woods.

I would like to say we lived happily ever after but this was only the beginning.