Chapter 39: Seeking Answers

WILLOW

I gather my team for a quick meeting. My plan is to leave Victor and Rueben with Andrei until I can return. I’m taking Saoirse back to the Royal Pack so she can rest and share her discoveries about the Guardians with my family.

I’m confident my mom can assist, given her computer expertise. She studied IT in college, which is how she managed to overthrow the alpha of her old pack, her stepfather, and the alpha king of the Americas. Uncle Ridge can lend a hand too.

I decide to take a jeep, leaving the duce-and-half for the team to use for supply runs. After sharing a kiss and some private time with my mate in my tent, I hurry Saoirse into the jeep. We need to get back to the Royal Pack so she can settle in and rest.

As we pull in, my mom is there to greet us. I escort Saoirse to the infirmary where we join Demitri. He’s been running tests on her blood samples, and my parents join us to hear his findings.

“I haven’t been able to determine exactly what you are,” he tells Saoirse. “Your blood was tainted by the vampire blood. Even though your incredible healing abilities have stopped the transformation, there’s still some contamination.”

Saoirse blinks at him. “But I feel fine,” she says.

“Yes, and with more rest and proper nutrition, you’ll feel even better tomorrow,” he assures her. “Your body is fighting the foreign blood fiercely. I’m confident that in two days, there won’t be a trace of it left. As for your origins… I believe you’re a Hybrid.

“Willow thinks you’re a Phoenix, and I agree with her, but we have no way to confirm that since we don’t have any Phoenix DNA. Phoenixes are always female, and there’s always only one.

“They live secluded lives until they mate. Then they’re called to action, usually with a strong mate by their side to bring peace and healing. But I also detected a hint of Siren in your blood.”

“Siren?” Lyric leans forward. “Aren’t they mostly water dwellers?”

Demitri nods. “Or they live near large bodies of water, like oceans and seas. Sailors often encountered them. They were notorious for causing shipwrecks and then looting the ships.”

“So, my father must have been the Siren since you said a Phoenix is always female,” Saoirse concludes.

“Again, it’s just a theory, not a fact since we haven’t finished testing, but yes. I believe the Siren would most likely be your father.”

“That might explain why you were found on the shore, washed up by the waves,” I suggest.

Saoirse leans back in her chair and smiles. “It could also explain why I’m such a good swimmer!” She giggles. “I always won my swim competitions. The nuns were so proud.”

“How’s your singing?” my dad teases.

Saoirse blushes. “Not too shabby. Although I don’t think I’ve caused any accidents.”

We all laugh.

“Well, let’s head back to the castle. We’ll get you settled, find you some clothes, and you can have a hot shower and dinner. We can learn more tomorrow. I know you’re eager to return to the Isle of Man, retrieve the thumb drives, and continue your search.

“We can help here too. Just talk to my mom and Uncle Ridge. They can show you the computer room. I’ll have to leave you soon. I need to take the two master vampires Andrei ordered to the caves. My family will help in any way you need.” I smile at her, and she relaxes.

My mom kisses my forehead, and we all head back to the castle for dinner and to get Saoirse settled in.

Just as we reach the foyer and start for the stairs, I hear a fierce growl behind us. I quickly step in front of Saoirse on the stairs. A massive alpha male wolf is at the bottom of the stairs. He’s white and huge. He whines and sits on his haunches, blinking at me.

“Johannes? What’s happening?”

My parents reenter the room. My mom starts crying, and my dad is grinning from ear to ear. Johannes begins to crawl up the stairs on his belly. I’m standing in front of Saoirse, and she’s gripping my hand.

“Who is he?” Her green eyes are fixed on the enormous white wolf.

“Umm, this is Johannes. My brother Boris’s wolf, although I’m not sure what’s happening,” I say, furrowing my brows.

“He’s beautiful!” she sighs. She reaches out a hand, and Johannes creeps closer, licking her knuckles. He whines again and moves closer. I look at my parents as realization dawns on me.

“Oh my!” I exclaim.

Saoirse sits on the stairs, and Johannes nuzzles his big head into her, licking her face and making her giggle.

“Well!” I grin. “Saoirse, meet Johannes/Boris. Apparently, your mate.”

She looks up at me, shock written all over her pretty face. Her eyes dart back to the huge wolf, and a grin splits her face.

“I get to keep him?” she asks.

“A…Yeah, but you do know there’s a man inside this big beast, right?” I start laughing at the surprise that hits her.

“Oh!” She stands up. “Um, maybe I should meet the man?” Now she looks at us, and a wave of embarrassment washes over her.

“Don’t worry. By the time you come down for dinner after your shower, he’ll be human again. I promise,” my dad assures her with a chuckle.

BORIS

Ever since I returned, my wolf has been acting out! He’s behaving like a sulking child! First, he didn’t want to leave the small pack and come back now that Andrei and Willow are in charge, but now he just won’t calm down!

Chatting with him is like talking to a brick wall. He’s closing off, refusing to engage in conversation. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, and I don’t have the energy to deal with his mood.

My main focus is securing the help Andrei will need with the upcoming changes. I’ve been on the phone, arranging flights to bring the master vampires from New Orleans that Andrei requested. Two of them are currently in the air, on a special plane Andrei provided. It’s equipped with blackout windows to shield them from the sun.

They’re set to land tomorrow at four in the afternoon, but they’ll stay on board until nightfall. Willow, who just got back an hour ago, will transport them to the caves.

I’m relieved that the vampire uprising was squashed without humans even realizing the danger they were in. Keeping the supernatural world a secret is becoming increasingly challenging each year. Especially when there are fools who believe our gifts and strength make us superior.

Once again, Johannes is causing a ruckus. He’s scratching at my stomach, eager to get out.

“Damn it, Jo! Stop!” I snap at him. “All right, we’ll go for a run.”

I barely step away from my desk and open my office door when the beast takes over! He growls, forcing a shift. My clothes scatter in all directions.

I struggle to regain control, but he’s not having it!

As we bound into the foyer, an incredible scent fills my nostrils, or his nostrils, our nostrils? It smells like s’mores! Sticky marshmallows and chocolate, with a hint of the fire that melts it all into a delicious mess.

I spot Willow and the redhead from the caves ahead of me, heading upstairs. Johannes lets out a massive growl, then plops down on his butt as we lock eyes with the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen.

Her soft red hair cascades around a petite, heart-shaped face. Her small, curvy body trembles slightly. Johannes drops to his belly and whines, regretting his intimidating growl.

~“Mate!”~ He’s shouting in my head. He crawls on his belly up the stairs to her. I hold my breath, waiting for her fear to send her running.

But she surprises me. She extends her fist, allowing Johannes to lick her fingers.

Then she sits on the stairs, letting us nuzzle our snout into her soft belly. Her scent fills our senses, and it’s pure bliss.

We want to curl up in her lap and stay there. Live there.

I hear Willow chuckle, then introduce us. Saoirse. Her name is Saoirse. The most beautiful name I’ve ever heard.

Willow tells her we’re mates. Then her voice, as sweet as a song, asks if she can keep me.

~“Hell, yes, she can keep me!”~ I shout into our family mind-link.

I hear both Mom and Dad laugh, then Willow reminds her that there’s a man attached to the wolf.

I see her blush. ~“Oh, hell no! Tell her to go change and relax. I’ll be back to normal when she comes back down. This girl is my forever. She needs to know I’m not letting her go,”~ I assert in my alpha voice through the link.

Not that it has much effect on my family, since we’re all alpha wolves.

“I’m happy for you, bro!” Willow sends me a message as she escorts Saoirse upstairs. “Ask Mom and Dad to fill you in on her.”

Johannes and I head back to my office. I shift back and pull on a pair of shorts as my parents wait outside.

“I’m decent. Come tell me about my mate.”

They both enter and take a seat in front of my desk, their smiles as wide as the night sky.

“Congratulations, son! Finding a mate is a reason to celebrate!” my dad exclaims.

Lyric just sits there, tears welling up in her eyes and a smile on her face.

“Oh, both my babies have found love!” she says, her voice choked with emotion.

I return their smiles, then lean back and look at my dad.

“So, tell me. What do we know about her? Why was she the only one in that cave not turned?” I ask.

“We’re still investigating that, but Willow suspects it’s because she’s a Phoenix.”

“But I thought there was only one Phoenix at a time. Don’t we already have one?” I’m puzzled.

“Her flame faded about twenty years ago. The fire only burns for five hundred years. Then the fire dies out and a new Phoenix is born.”

“And Willow thinks my mate is the new Phoenix?”

“Demitri agrees with her, although there’s no DNA to compare. But Willow had a visitation from the Goddess. She told Willow to free her. To free the Phoenix.

“That’s why Willow believes Saoirse is a Phoenix. Also, the vampires couldn’t turn her. Her body healed too quickly for the transformation to take place. This frustrated Mihai, so he used her as a blood bank for the new vampires. They fed from her just enough to trigger the blood lust to attack.”

“She… I mean, I think she smells incredible, but I still don’t sense anything supernatural about her,” I admit.

“That’s because she hasn’t transitioned yet,” a deep voice says from the door. It’s Demitri.

“I’ve been researching the ancient texts. She won’t transition until she meets her mate,” he informs us.

“Well! I suggest we get ready then!” Lyric says, grinning widely.

“Meet her mate!” She points at me, and Demitri bows.

“She will transition at midnight and receive her flame,” he informs us.