4 comments/ 3780 views/ 12 favorites BirthRight Ch. 07-12 By: SydneyA Chapter 7 Tyrese searched the gardens for his mom. His heart warmed at the sight of her sitting on a bench in the middle of a patch of colorful flowers. Her emerald green short-sleeved top and jeans blended with the foliage. He paused, observing her posture. She seemed distracted. He followed her line of vision and smiled at the koi pond situated nearby. Opening his senses he inhaled, and then blunted them a bit. The smell of sickness mixed with the vibrancy of the garden had a high ick factor. He smacked his tongue to dislodge the taste. "Mom." He watched her stiffen and then turn in his direction. For a moment he drank her in with his eyes. There was no woman on the face of the planet with a larger heart than his mom. A born nurturer, she had been the team mother for his baseball and football sports clubs. During the seasons, their home filled with young boys vying for her cookies and cupcakes. If any of the kids needed to talk, she'd had an available ear. They'd lived so far out that life could've been boring, but she'd gone out of her way to make sure they never felt left out of the action. "Rese?" She shaded her eyes with her hand, and then a smile lit her face. Her brown eyes glowed with love as they met halfway. He enfolded her in his arms and prayed he could keep her safe. She had no more control over the manner of her birth than he had. "God, I missed you, Mom." He held her back a bit and looked at her. She did the same to him. "You've lost weight." "You say that like it's a bad thing," she said as he pulled her close again. He laughed, knowing better than to say anything else on that score. "Even if you blowed up big as a house, you'd still look good to me." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "I missed you." "I missed you too." She took his hand and led him back to the stone seat bench. "Have you talked to Rone?" Not wanting to lie, he said. "I haven't been upstairs yet. I wanted to see you first. We can go together after you tell me what's been going on with you." Quiet, she leaned on his shoulder. "I need to do something with my life. Maybe go to college, learn a trade. You boys are grown, have your own lives. I'm... I'm alone. I've been sitting here thinking about what I'd like to do with my life. Maybe go visit mama and her new husband in Florida, or go on a cruise." She looked up at him. "I can't remember the last time I've done something fun, something that interests me. Isn't that awful?" The awful thing was knowing she'd be denied all of those things for her immediate future. For a few seconds he wondered how far he'd make it if he just took her out the front door and kept walking. The memory of the Patron triggering his wolf flashed across his mind. He was screwed. "No, not awful." He swallowed. "Soon Rone will get a clean bill of health. Maybe you can plan to do those things after that." The words tasted like bile on his tongue. "I don't think he wants me to come with him. Maybe I've been too clingy. Maybe it's time to back off and let you guys fly." "Wow, you picked a sweet time to bail, Ma. I'm being released from my duties pending my psyche evaluation. And Rone's being shipped off for therapy to relearn basic skills." He shook his head, shocked to hear her sound so defeated and knowing he had to get her to change her mind. "Ow." The sting in his forearm from her pinch cleared his head. "Stop being a smart-ass. I'm entitled to live my life. Everybody else is," she muttered as she rubbed the spot she'd pinched. "That's true. You've lived for us, now you should do the things that make you happy." He prayed she'd agree to do those things after Tyrone's therapy. She patted his leg and stood. He stood next to her. "Let's go see your brother." Arms wrapped around each other, Tyrese guided her through the cafeteria, aware someone watched. Good thing she talked about his aunt and didn't realize he wasn't paying much attention. After they got off the elevator and headed toward Tyrone's door, they heard a commotion. His aunt and someone else were pleading with Tyrone. Tyrese knew the moment his mom heard what he'd picked up the moment the elevator doors had opened. His brother was out of bed, anxious to find him and his mom. He would've done the same thing. "Rone, mom and I just got off the elevator on your floor. Calm down." He sent the message through their link. "What happened? Did something happen to mom?" "No. She was in the garden looking at flowers." "Shit!" Tyrone yelled so loud, Jasmine froze for a second and then took off down the hall, Tyrese on her heels. "What's going on?" his mom demanded once she cleared the door. "Your hard-headed son got it in his mind that you'd disappeared and wanted to come find you. He didn't want me to leave the room, as though he could do a better job than I could in finding you." His aunt's head snapped up, and she smiled. "Tyrese, it's so good to see you again." She walked over and wrapped him in a loving embrace. He squeezed her tight. "It's good to see you, Aunty. You look beautiful as always." He stepped back and looked at her. She preened and did a slow turn. "I know, but it's still good to hear." He placed another kiss on her cheek. "Give that to Mandy for me and tell her I said hi." "Thanks, will do. You just getting here?" "I've been downstairs with mom in the gardens. I called earlier, and she told me she was chillin down there. I had to go see my favorite lady first." His aunt patted his cheek even as her eyes slid to his mom. "That's good, sweetie." "Does the doctor know you're out of bed?" Jasmine asked Tyrone. "He does now. The nurses came and left. Why didn't you let me know where you were going? You just walked out. I thought you went to the bathroom or to grab a bite to eat. You left over thirty minutes ago." His tone went from happy to see her to accusing. Tyrese started to interfere to save his brother from a tongue lashing, but figured his mom would be in a better frame of mind after she got a few things off her chest. "Excuse me?" Jasmine asked Tyrone in her who-are-you-talking-to voice. He blinked, looked at Tyrese, his aunt, and then back at his mom. "I... I worried when I didn't know where you were. We don't know anyone here, so I... I wished you would'a told me you were in the gardens." His entire demeanor wilted beneath their mother's glare. She was a dollar's change away from laying into Tyrone, and Tyrese didn't think being in a public place was going to save him. "Jazz," Aunt Renee said, looking at her watch. His mom looked at her sister but didn't say anything. "I've got a flight to catch, I was telling you this morning something happened. Mandy called me after I left the hotel or I would've told you then. She has me booked on the two o'clock flight. With security and everything, I need to go." While she'd been talking, she'd walked over to his mom. Now they stood face to face. "Okay, Nay. Thanks for coming out here with me and staying. I don't know what I'd do without you." The two women embraced. Jasmine placed a kiss on her sister's cheek. Aunt Renee cupped her sister's cheek. "Don't think I've forgotten that conversation we started before the call." "I know you haven't. Neither have I. You may be right. After things settle here, I'd like for us to make plans." "Thank you, Jesus. I was so scared you'd fight me on this." Renee pulled back. "Look at them." She pointed to Tyrone and him. "You've done an amazing job raising two grown men. It's time for you to think about yourself. That's what they want for you." She looked at him and then Tyrone. "Right boys? You want your mom to be happy." "Yes, always," he said. "Of course, she deserves it," Tyrone said as he reclaimed his bed. His aunt clapped her hands as though she'd accomplished a tremendous feat. "Great, it's settled. Once you leave this therapy thing, we're going to set things in motion. Who knows, maybe you'll meet a handsome man, have a little fun, get laid." "Aunty," Tyrese said, placing his hands over his ears. "Oh lord," groaned Tyrone. "Maybe," Jasmine said, smiling. "Take care, Renee, call me when you get home. Tell Mandy thanks for covering for you, I owe her one." "That's how family rolls. We look out for one another." She placed a kiss on Tyrese' and then on Tyrone's cheek. "Be good boys, don't have my sister go off on you in this fancy place. You know she will." "We know," Tyrese said. "I remember too many shopping trips when she'd go into auto correct mode." "God, that was embarrassing," Tyrone muttered. Jasmine laughed. "Sometimes correction needs to take place right where you are so you never forget how to act in that place." Tyrese leaned forward and kissed his mom's cheek. "You used to tell us that all the time." She shook her head. "I told you that when I had to correct your behavior in public. Think about it, how long did it take for you to remember not to open food in grocery stores or add things to my cart, or take something without paying for it?" She eyed him and his brother with a twinkle in her eyes. "I'm sure it didn't take long. Sorry I've got to go, but I do." Renee grabbed Jasmine's arm and walked her to the door. If they weren't wolves, neither he nor his brother would've heard his aunt's whisper. "Wow sis, that tall one with the green eyes might be a good place to start. As far as men go, he wasn't half bad." "Uh, no. I'd like someone not like Davian, thank you. And he has hard ass written all over him. The next man I take on will see me as a person first." Tyrese looked at Tyrone and spoke through their link. "This is not good. We have to convince mom to go to therapy. We have to stay until the Patron is convinced we're not a threat." Tyrone's eyes widened. "What?" Tyrese glanced at door. His mom was listening to his aunt talk about Mandy. He took a seat next to the bed. "Yeah, I had a forced meeting with the Patron and the Alpha who runs this territory. He has concerns over her breeding wolves and not being mated." "You agreed?" It was weird hearing Tyrone's outrage through their link. "It was that or we all die, including Aunty." Tyrone's eyes widened and then closed tight. "I did this. I brought her to their attention." "No. Well, maybe. But they had no idea half-breeds existed. Plus we're not rabid, or crazy. I get the idea they plan to run all types of tests on us." "On mom?" Tyrone sounded horrified. "I don't think so. Not at first anyway. I do think they plan to look into her background, if they haven't already." "You believe him? You believe he'd kill us." Tyrese thought of the power that'd pulsed in the room with little effort on the Patron's part. "He called my wolf. One minute I was standing in the hall, the next I was on all fours prancing up the stairs like a punk answering his call. My damn wolf sat there wagging his tail like a bitch waiting for a treat." That still rankled. His gaze swung to his twin. "Do I believe he'd take us out? In a fucking heartbeat. In his mind, we're freaks. Something that shouldn't exist. Could be the real reason he's allowing us to live is he thinks there may be others. By understanding us, it gives him an advantage. He can prepare to deal with any others." "Damn," Tyrone glanced at the door. His mom and aunt were hugging again. "What's the deal with the military?" "I'm out, pending my psych eval. You?" "I think I'm being discharged as well. Can't help but wonder how much clout Silas has, huh?" Tyrese frowned, the name sounded familiar but he couldn't place it. "Silas?" Tyrone nodded. "Silas Knight, the Patron, leader of the Alpha werewolves." Jasmine walked over to the bed, and pulled up a chair next to Tyrese. "Okay guys, what's our next move?" Tyrese looked at her. "I think we're going to the physical therapy facility with the hard head over here who got hurt." He watched her through lowered lids, hoping she'd just fall in line with their plans. He should've known better. She frowned and sat back. "I'm not comfortable staying out there. Can we get a place nearby?" "I'll ask, but I thought you planned to stay with me until I recovered," Tyrone said, looking confused. She shrugged. "I'll just be in a nearby hotel like I am now. I can visit you. But I can also see and do other things." Tyrese grew uneasy at her bid to push them out of the nest so she could begin her own journey. Although she deserved it, her timing sucked. "Mom, why can't we all stay together? This may be the last time you live with your sons, if you want to look at it like that. But I want you with me if I have to stay in a place with him." He pointed at Tyrone, who appeared offended. "I don't want to stay in a place with just you either," Tyrone snapped. "Can we all stay at the hotel?" Tyrese hated to kill the hopeful tone in her voice. But he wanted her alive, to have a chance at happiness later. He banked on that being a real possibility after the Patron realized they weren't a threat. "I can't. Sorry, Mom," Tyrone said with just the right amount of sadness. "Oh well," his mom said with obvious false cheer. "I suppose I can put down my apprehension over this decision, just this once. But I've gotta tell you, I don't feel good about this move. Not at all." She eyed Tyrone. "Would you like to get a second opinion? You don't have to do this if you aren't sure." It was a good thing she had no idea they were smack dab in the middle of a shifter hospital; and from what Tyrese had smelled, she and his aunt were the only humans. The man who controlled all these people made a mockery of his mom's claim. They had to do this if they wanted to live. Chapter 8 The three bedroom condo was on the second floor, situated near the wooded area of a large complex. It suited their needs. Each bedroom had its own bath, and the stocked large kitchen had all types of meats and veggies. Once they arrived, after unpacking, Jasmine slept for twenty hours straight. Tyrese's dismissal from the military, due to the strange bond with his brother, came first. It looked as though Tyrone would receive a similar dismissal. She should've been happy, but their sadness permeated their temporary living quarters and stopped her from saying anything glib. The first five days flew. Both boys left in the morning to do whatever they did in therapy while she stayed at the house, alone and depressed over her life. All of that came to a screeching halt on the sixth day. She decided to go for a walk. Taking her phone, MP3 player and headphones, she walked down the path that started near their condo building. Within minutes, the fresh air and the beauty of the flowers and nature eased her frustration about her stunted life. When her legs began to ache, she sat on the grass near the path to rest. The sky was clear and the warmth of the sun caressed her cheek. She thought to lie down and take a rest. But the possibility of bugs crawling over her nixed that idea. After a few minutes, there was a sound somewhere behind her. She stilled, ready to run if necessary. Palming her cell phone, she listened harder. The noise sounded more like a moan this time. She leaned forward and strained her neck to hear better. "Owww," the sound came again, clearer this time. It sounded like a child, a wounded child. Heart pounding, she jumped up and searched through the bushes. "Hello!" She called to let the child know she was on her way to him or her. The moan came again, louder. Jasmine took off running, doing her best to keep the leaves and branches from hitting her face. A few moments later she came upon the most incredible sight. A young boy lay on the ground with an animal skin blanket covering his legs and thighs. His pupils dilated, and he shook as though he was freezing, although sweat dripped from his body. The sight triggered an old memory, but as soon as she thought about it, it fled. "Ooooo," the child moaned again. Without thinking, Jasmine sat, took his head, placed it in her lap and stroked him. "It's going to be okay, sweetie. Just calm down and tell me who I should call to come get you." The child shook so hard, his lower body contorted and then spasmed. She continued whispering soothing words and stroking his head. "Should I call 911?" She asked, more to herself than him. When he continued shaking, she dialed Tyrese. "Mom?" He sounded out of breath. "Rese?" "Yeah." "Listen, I went for a walk and found this young boy lying in the forest. I'm not sure what happened to him, but he's covered in fur and shaking. Who should I contact?" "Where are you?" "I just told you, in the woods off the trail. Forget it, I'll call emergency, he's shaking real bad. I hope he wasn't bit by something and having a reaction." She looked around for bugs or worse, snakes. Her hand squeezed the phone as she realized the possibility of being bitten. "You need to walk out of there just in case whatever bit him comes back." Fear choked her, but she couldn't do what her son suggested. "I'm not going to leave him alone, something is very wrong with him. He could get worse." "I hear that stubborn note in your voice. I'll call the administrator and we'll come take care of it. You sure you're okay?" "I've had years of experience calming boys who've had accidents, although this one is weird. His legs... anyway, get him help fast." She clicked off and continued stroking the wet strands on top of the boy's head. His breathing slowed, and he grew calmer each second. "Help is on the way, you'll be fine," she told him. His head moved in her lap and he looked up at her with dark brown eyes. "Thank you. What's your name?" She smiled. "Tell me yours first." "Callum." "Okay Callum, I'm Jasmine. How are you feeling?" He closed his eyes and then opened them. "Bad, but not like at first. I don't think I'm dying anymore. Thanks for that." Surprised, she stared at him for a second and then smiled. Something inside clicked, and she shook her head as a feeling of well-being flowed through her. She missed caring for her sons like this. There was no question, when you helped others, it came back to you. But this was different, his gratitude touched a chord in her that she hadn't felt in years. It was an indefinable something that banished the darkness of her depression and filled her with light. In that moment she wanted to sing, to dance with joy, and not for any particular reason other than it was a bright day. "Who are your parents? Should I call them?" He lifted his head and then returned it to her lap. "He knows and is on his way." True enough, a few moments later the quiet ceased with the arrival of Tyrone, Tyrese, Silas and Jayden. "Mom, stay still," Tyrese said, standing nearby. "What?" She looked at him with a tilt of her head. "Just stay still while his father takes him." "Callum?" He looked up at her with warm eyes. "That rude young man who didn't ask how you're doing is my son, Tyrese. The one standing next to him is my other son, Tyrone. They're twins. Please forgive their manners. You're the one in pain, not me." He chuckled, and then grimaced. "It's okay. Thanks for stabilizing me." He looked over her shoulder. "Dad?" The man she knew as Jayden stepped behind her. "I need you to move so I can work on him." "Oh, I'm sorry. I just didn't like seeing his head on the ground. Can you hold him?" She slid Callum's head to his father and slid from beneath him. When she stood, Jayden's head whipped around to stare at her. BirthRight Ch. 07-12 Tyrone and Tyrese stepped closer to each side as she brushed the debris from her pants. Jayden's eyes narrowed, and he inhaled. "Your son is in pain, if you can help him, please do it," she said, pointing at the young boy. Jayden's forehead touched his son's forehead. A moment later the fur disappeared and a long-limbed teenager lay shivering on the ground. "Give him your jacket, Tyrone," she demanded. When he removed it, she handed it to Callum. "Wear this." "Yes, Ma'am." Jayden helped him put on the light-weight coat that reached to his mid thigh. He stood on shaky legs with help from his father. Once standing, he looked at Jasmine and smiled. "Thank you, I owe you my life." Surprised, her mouth dropped. Once she processed his words, she gave him a few of her own. "Your life is yours to live. If you treat others with the same kindness I showed you, then the debt is repaid tenfold." He paused and then nodded. Jayden looked at her, and then at Silas. They nodded and the four of them returned to the condo. Silas accompanied them. He'd been a frequent visitor since their arrival. After placing her MP3 player and cell phone on the table, she turned to look at the three silent men. "What just happened?" "Huh?" Tyrone asked without looking at her. "Don't 'huh' me? You were there. That boy's legs were furry. At first I thought it was a blanket, but it wasn't. His furry legs were bent funny, too." Her voice hardened. "Start talking. Start by telling me how you were able to find me in the woods when I didn't give you directions. Then explain why you told me not to move. Bring it up to the child losing his furry legs and walking away when he thought he was dying." She eyed Tyrone and Tyrese. "Don't bother lying to me, either. I think there's been quite enough of that." She looked at Silas, who stood near an open window. His silhouette reminded her of Renee's comment a few days ago. Her stomach clenched as a throb beat in her core. The man flinched. She dragged her attention back to her sons, crossed her arms, and tapped her feet. "Start at the beginning." Two hours later, heart in her throat, tears running down her face, she stood. "You've been like this all this time and never told me?" She couldn't believe they'd done that. "All those times I worried, it was for nothing?" "Ma, we couldn't—" Heartbroken, she sniffed. "That's right, you couldn't tell me because of the promise you made to the man you hardly ever saw. The asshole who missed every minor and major event in your lives. The same one who spent time with you when it was convenient for him. I understand your loyalty to that person instead of me." She shrugged. Her heart shattered at the staggering amount of lies and deception. She'd given up so much and to have them keep such a critical part of them locked away seemed like treason of the highest order. "It's wasn't like that, we thought... we thought it'd freak you out having animals for sons," Tyrone said. Her brow dipped as she looked at him. "Unlike now, is that what you mean? Is this the face of a freaked out woman, or a woman who feels betrayed once again by those closest to her?" "Ma, no." Tyrese walked over, dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry. You're right, we should have told you from the beginning. But he made it seem like... it doesn't matter. I should've told you anyway. Please forgive me." A bitter coldness filled her chest. Her family had taken so much from her. Or she'd given too much, either way a quiet numbness filled her body. She glanced at Silas, who'd remained silent through the telling. "Can I leave this place?" she asked him. "No, not yet. Maybe soon." His voice remained neutral. She nodded, knowing she should be angry, sad, disappointed or another emotion. Yet, there was nothing. With a gentle push, she moved Tyrese, stood and walked to her room. Silas breathed easier once Jasmine left the room. Her pheromones were off the charts and he'd had a hard time controlling his wolf. Even Jayden had sensed it and he had a mate. Silas read the surprise and fear in the Alpha's eyes when she'd stood from holding Callum. He doubted her sons recognized the mating scent, but they'd reacted to the Alpha's response and stepped beside her. "She's hurt," Tyrese said in a hoarse voice. Tyrone sat in the chair with his head in his hands. "She put us in the same category as my old man. I never wanted her to see me when she thought of him. Lord, I fucked up. I can't believe I hurt her like that." "We both did." "No, you wanted to tell her. I convinced you dad was right. If I hadn't... I've never seen her look so... so broken. I never want to see that look again." "I know. That's the first time ever that she didn't accept an apology." Tyrese inhaled and blinked fast. "What if it's too much? Not the wolf thing, but she's hurt because of the lies. The years of lying about where we were and what we were doing." He covered his eyes and breathed hard. "I don't know what to do." Silas closed the window now that her fragrance dissipated. "Let her sleep. Tomorrow, or whenever she's ready to talk, talk. But don't push things. She has to deal with this and you in her own way." Tyrone nodded. "I know. There's not much else we can do," Tyrese said as he stood. "There's another problem," Silas said. Both of them looked at him. "Another?" Tyrone asked with a bit of skepticism. "But we're not done with this one yet," Tyrese said. Silas had grown fond of the twins. They both possessed Alpha qualities and had taken to the training and studies with ease. Their honesty and how well they meshed with Jayden's pack impressed him. That brought him back to their new challenge. He sat on the sofa next to Tyrone and spoke through their link. "Something happened while your mom was helping Callum through his first change." "That was awesome, wasn't it? I thought I'd be fighting a changeling, but she treated him like a normal kid," Tyrone said. "What do you mean, something happened to her?" Tyrese asked, meeting Silas' eyes. "She's releasing serious pheromones." When the twins still looked clueless, he continued. "It's a mating call. Even Jayden picked up on it and he's mated." Tyrese dropped his head into his hands. Tyrone's mouth dropped open. "My mom? What're you saying?" Silas pinched the bridge of his nose. "She is releasing a scent that will call wolves to her in droves. I cannot explain why or what brought this on. She's human and this shouldn't happen." "What do you mean her scent will call wolves? I didn't pick up anything," Tyrone said, frowning. "That's a good thing, asshole. She's our mother," Tyrese snapped as he stood, placed his hands on the top of his head. "What about the bitches? How will they deal with this... this threat to their mates?" "Oh shit!" Tyrone spoke aloud as it dawned on him. "They'll kill her," Silas said without blinking. "For a mated male to be affected by another, it tears at the fabric of who we are. Mates do not share, period." "This is not her fault. She was born like this and I guarantee she's not doing anything on purpose." Tyrese looked panicked. Silas sighed. This situation had all types of complications he'd rather not be involved with. He looked at the scared young wolves and knew in the end he'd get involved. He wanted to curse to the heavens. "I know and understand. We have to keep her locked in this unit and continue our search for answers. I think a trip to Oklahoma to meet your father's pack is in order." "You promised we could go with you when you did that," Tyrone reminded him. He nodded. "I know, but you can't leave, and we need answers." "This mating thing, what do you mean? My father had a mate, but I don't think it's the same thing," Tyrese asked. Tyrone nodded. "Good point, Rese. How does she get over this?" "Sex. The mating call puts out an all points bulletin that she wants to be fucked hard and heavy. And the first time she steps out that door, they'll answer her call. Their wolves will drive them to respond and it won't matter that she's human." "They could kill her." Tyrone's eyes widened with fear. "Yes." Tyrese eyed him. "Is it because you're the Patron that your beast isn't driving you to do something?" Silas chuckled without humor. "No. I stayed by an opened window to keep my beast calm. Otherwise..." he shrugged. "Take it from me, her call is strong. I have never experienced anything like it. Right now, I don't know how to keep her safe." "Can you ward the doors so no one can enter?" Tyrese asked. "Yes. But then no one could leave either. How will that work? And for how long?" "I think we should tell her," Tyrese said. "She should be aware of the danger and be a part of the solution. I am not down with doing anything that involves her ever again without her knowledge." Tyrone nodded. "When should we tell her? Does she have at least through the night?" Silas inhaled. The scent had dimmed but his wolf was still on alert searching for the tantalizing aroma. "It's better, but she's not stirring or anything." He ran fingers through his hair. "I don't have answers for you." He looked at the two men he'd grown to respect. "We'll think of something." Chapter 9 The next morning, Jasmine rolled over and decided not to get out of bed. With a lazy sprawl, she inhaled. The smell of bacon teased her nostrils. "Now they cook," she grumbled, and covered her head with a pillow. Her ex-husband had been a wolf or dual-natured shifter as they called themselves. Her sons were wolves. It still boggled her mind, and she'd made them prove it. They'd changed right before her eyes into huge animals. Even then she saw Tyrese and Tyrone through the sad eyes of the beasts they'd become. Her sons, she'd given birth to them, breast-fed them, changed their diapers, and loved them unconditionally. Nothing had changed other than her feelings hurt because they'd kept her out of the loop. A knock hit her door. "Mama?" "Hmmm?" "Breakfast. You want it in there?" "No." There were muffled sounds on the other side of the door. She smiled, crossed her legs, and placed her arms beneath her head. "Uh, no, you don't want your breakfast in your room, or no, you don't want anything to eat?" She wasn't hungry, but they were trying so hard to make amends. "I'll eat at the table." "Oh... okay. I'll put your plate on the table, then." She chuckled at the disappointment in Tyrese's voice. Apparently, they'd been hoping she'd let them in her room like she did when they were younger and wanted to apologize. Nope. They were now adults and had made that argument one time too many. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stretched and headed for the shower. They could wait a little longer. Ten minutes later she walked into the living area. Her sons jumped up and met her as she walked to the table. "Morning, Mom." "Morning." She sat without looking at them. Tyrone placed a warm plate with cinnamon raisin toast, bacon, eggs and hash browns in front of her. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling. They were pulling out all the stops. Hungry, she took a bite of toast and a sip of orange juice. The only sound in the room came from her. Intent on eating her meal, she ignored Tyrese as he sat across from her. "Good?" "Yes, thank you." He frowned. Tyrone took the other seat at the table. "Do you want us to move out?" The fork froze. Curious, she looked at him. She hadn't thought about that, but maybe it was time. "Do they have more rooms?" Tyrone bit his lip and turned away, but not before she read the pain in his eyes. She placed the fork on the table. "Mom, I... we are sorry for not telling you everything, it was wrong. But please don't shut us out of your life. Not that." Tyrese took her hand. His eyes filled as he tightened his hold. "I can't lose you. Tell me how to make this right, how can I make it up to you?" It was time to set a few things straight. It pissed her off that she wouldn't be able to hold onto her anger any longer. They'd been wrong, but she couldn't allow them to suffer like this. "We don't live together. We haven't in over a year. That's the reason I asked. As far as what you did... it hurt. I mean it hurt buckets knowing I've been a part of your lives and didn't know my own kids." She shook her head, allowing the pain to pass through this time. "I still can't believe how you pulled it off, but you did. I guess if I hadn't stumbled across Callum, I still wouldn't know." "The penalty for telling humans is death, Mom. Not just for the wolf, but for the human as well. We couldn't risk you like that," Tyrone said his voice low and filled with sorrow. "Last night, you didn't mention that." She searched his face for the truth, and the fact that she now felt the need to do that, hurt. He looked surprised. "I didn't? Sorry. But that's the first thing dad taught us. Never let the humans discover who we are." She grimaced. "Yeah, that's me. Just a human." No matter how true that designation proved to be, she despised it for becoming a dividing line between her and her sons. "Mom." "It's not like that." Her head snapped up to look at Tyrone and then Tyrese. They looked away as she spoke. "It's exactly like that. And it always will be." The quiet filled the room until Tyrese stood, took her plate and placed it in the sink. "If you want us to move out, if that'll make you happy, we will. I don't want to, but I want you happy." Tyrone picked up her hand. "Be mad at me, but I'm not leaving. Not now. There's time later on for us to be separated again, but not now." "You're a brat." His lips curved into a smile. "True, but I'm your brat." "For now. One day you boys will have kids and I'm going to remember this day." She rubbed her hands together. "It'll be awhile, so don't get too excited," Tyrese said as he retook his seat and her hand. "I love you, mom. I don't ever want to see you look like you did last night. Whatever it takes to make you happy, I'm on board." "Me too." Tyrone kissed the back of her hand. "I love you both. You know that and figured I wouldn't kill you because of that. Don't get it twisted. I'm hurt and angry. In my mind you chose him over me and nothing you say will change that. But because I love you no matter what, I'll allow you boys to stay here until Jayden finds me a smaller place of my own or I leave, whichever comes first." "Why?" "Why?" She paused, marshalling her thoughts. "Because it's time for me to do things I've always wanted. School or art classes. I've been putting things off for years. But the last few months I've been thinking about it more and more. I'm the only person who can make lasting changes in my life. Now that I know you have a group of people who'll watch your backs, it's a good time to make changes of my own, that's all." She paused, frowning. "How much longer do we have to stay here?" She looked at Tyrone and then Tyrese. "I'm not sure. Silas and his team are doing research into your background, and dad's. They're trying to understand how you were able to get pregnant from dad. It doesn't happen, since he's... you know." She nodded. Uneasiness swamped her. "There's more to this than what you told me last night, isn't it?" "Yes. Humans and wolves don't mate. They don't have kids together. It goes against everything wolves know and it's worse because Rese and I are healthy, strong, potential Alpha wolves. Not weak or insane. They'd never heard of half-breeds surviving, not growing up healthy as we did. They're not sure if it was our environment or dad's genes or a combination. But it's different and they have to study those differences to decide how it'll impact their way of life." She nodded. "Why didn't they just kill us?" "Silas thought about it, they would have if we hadn't agreed to come here for testing and observation." "What?" She snapped. "I was kidding." She looked from one to the other, neither smiled. "Sorry." Tyrone looked across the room. "Are we in danger?" She hadn't felt threatened, but then she didn't realize she was living in a place with wolves either. Tyrese pulled his earlobe and looked at her. "No, but there's a small problem." Her stomach dropped. Whatever it was, it wasn't small. Tyrese never got nervous. But when he did, he pulled his earlobe. "What is it and don't lie to me, never again. Don't lie, just tell me straight." He coughed, glanced at Tyrone, and then back at her. "Did something happen yesterday while you were saving Callum?" "What?" She couldn't follow the change in conversation. "Yesterday... did you feel different? Strange? Did something happen while you were with him?" "I... I'm not sure I understand what you mean by feeling different." She struggled, trying to remember. "He was moaning and in pain. I felt bad for him. It reminded me of when you boys got hurt." She shrugged. "What? Why'd you ask me that?" There was a knock on the door. Tyrone jumped up so fast, she blinked. She craned her neck to see who was at the door. "Morning." The deep timbre of Silas' voice touched her in places she'd forgotten existed. A tremor slid through her and settled in her core. Closing her eyes, she bit down on her lower lip as heat pooled between her legs along with a pulsating ache. "Mom... mom," Tyrese called as he shook her. A low growl filled the room, pulling her from her side journey. As though in a fog, she looked across the room and blinked. Tyrone and Tyrese had pressed Silas against the window. She stood. "Sit." Affronted, she placed her hands on her hips and gave him her what-did-you-say look. "Excuse you?" "Mom, please can you sit back down? Please?" Tyrese begged while standing in front of Silas. Shocked and concerned, she sat and crossed her arms over her legs. "Thanks," he said, sounding more relieved than the situation warranted. After a few moments of listening to deep and heavy breathing, she peeked at the window. Tyrone was bent over, resting his hands on his knees. Silas' hands braced against the window frame, his nose pressed next to the screen. Tyrese stood in front of the other two, breathing hard as though he'd run a marathon. "What's going on?" she asked, confused by their actions. "Did I miss something?" Tyrese waved at his brother. "Stay here." Tyrone nodded as Tyrese walked to the table and sat. "The conversation we were having before Silas came in, remember?" She nodded. "You'd asked what else was going on, I was trying to understand what happened yesterday." She frowned, trying to follow him. "Yesterday?" "Yeah." He rubbed his neck and licked his lips a few times. "Just tell me, Rese." Her nerves couldn't take much more of his hemming and hawing. "You are throwing off what the other wolves consider a mating scent. Something must have triggered it yesterday. I'm—" Her hand flew up to the base of her throat. "A what?" He took a deep breath and then released it in slow degrees. "A mating scent. Pheromones or something like that, and it's like a red flag." She shook her head. "A red flag? That doesn't make sense." "Mom," Tyrese said, his voice wobbled, and then he straightened in the chair. "Your body is throwing off a scent or signal to the wolves that you want to have sex." Her hands flew up to her mouth as her eyes widened. "They smell it and it drives them crazy with lust. Rone and I don't, but Silas did when he walked inside." BirthRight Ch. 07-12 "Oh my God." She covered her face remembering her lust-filled thoughts a minute ago. A thought hit her. "Wait, what does this mean?" She paused, her eyes narrowed. "Is this why you and Rone are still here? The reason you've been here all morning?" "Part of it. We couldn't leave knowing you were mad at us anyway. We planned to talk to you about this and discuss the best way to handle it." "Handle it?" She didn't understand what they expected her to do. She couldn't control her thoughts. "Silas, is there a way to stop this?" Tyrone asked the man standing behind him. "It'll stop when she's no longer in need." "Damn," Tyrese said. "Watch your mouth," she said automatically while thinking over Silas's comments. "In need? Is that what this is about?" "Mom..." "Shush, Tyrese. I'm talking to Silas." "I believe so. You have to understand, we don't know how things work with you. We are blind in a lot of ways. But when our bitches are in heat, a hard fucking session would clear up the situation." "Hey, watch it. You're talking to my mom," Tyrese said, standing, jaw clenched. "Correct, she asked me a question, and I answered her, not you, Pup. Today is not the day to try me. I am walking on edge here. There are wolves circling below, should I leave and let you deal with them?" "Tyrese stay out of it. Mom and Silas are talking." Tyrone crossed his arms over his chest and looked out the window. "The fact that I was thinking of having sex has got you like this?" She couldn't believe that was all it was to it. "If that's the case how do you guys get anything done?" "Are you ovulating as well?" Silas asked, his face turned to the window. "I don't know. Does it matter?" "Yes. Your body is primed and ripe during that time. But this feels different, I'm not sure why, but it's stronger, more potent. Even my wolf is not immune, and that is rare." The bite in his voice spoke of his displeasure of the situation. "Okay, so if I have sex..." "Ugh," Tyrese groaned. "Stop it son. I'm trying to solve a serious problem. I don't want to get hurt and I don't want you boys hurt either. So unless you have something positive to add to the conversation, keep quiet." He nodded but turned in his chair. "So having sex will fix this?" Silas inhaled and then released it. "I don't know. Perhaps. That's what happens with our females. You... you seem unaffected, that's not the case with bitches. They ache and need fulfillment in the worse way." His words conjured up images that struck at her core. She bent forward. "Damn it, Silas. Stop talking." Tyrese grabbed her around her waist and drug her into her bedroom. "Please, calm down, Silas. I can tell your wolf is close to the surface. It's because she's responding to you, isn't it?" Tyrone asked nervous. Silas tried to speak around the teeth crowding his mouth. He'd never lost control like this and he didn't like it, not one bit. She was human for shit's sake. "That may have something to do with it," Silas growled. The little tease wanted him, and his wolf responded to her siren call. He didn't want added complications by linking himself to her. "Silas, I don't want to lose my mom. When you first got here there were two wolves downstairs, now there's more than ten. No way Rese and I can hold off all of them. Please, tell me how to fix this. She wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for me." Silas understood the misplaced guilt on the young wolf's shoulder. And he knew they'd die to protect their mother. But it wasn't that simple. "Get your brother out here, but leave your mom in her room. I can breathe and think better with her in there." Tyrone nodded and sent his brother a message through their link. A minute or two passed before the bedroom door opened and Tyrese came forward. He stopped a few feet from them, crossed his arms and braced his legs apart. "Yeah?" "Silas wants to talk to us and we should hear him out." Tyrese nodded. Something loosened in Silas' chest. He didn't want to destroy either of these young wolves, but they had to agree to stand back if they didn't want their mother to be raped by one of the circling wolves. "Your mother wants me. That's the reason her pheromones spiked when I entered the room. Once we opened the window her scent hit the compound and now there's a collection of randy wolves downstairs. Jayden is trying to contain them and I have warded the door." He pointed to the entrance. "We cannot punish the wolves for being themselves anymore than we'd punish your mother for her desires." He paused, watching Tyrese's fist open and close. "I can take her, drain off her energy." "Take her?" Tyrese asked, his eyes narrowing. "What word would make it easier for you?" Silas snapped, growing frustrated. Despite what his wolf wanted, he wasn't too keen on lying with a human. He didn't speak to them, let alone touch them. Tyrese turned away. "Is this the best solution?" Tyrone asked, his brow furrowed trying to work through this complicated problem. Silas resisted the urge to run his hand through his hair. "Like I told your mom, I don't know. This shouldn't be happening at all. I don't understand why she's affecting our wolves in this manner." Tyrese turned, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and looked at Silas. "Would you talk with her, explain everything and give her a choice? I can't do it. This... this is my mom and I can't, don't, see her the same way you do. Maybe, Rone is right and we need to step back and let the two of you work things out." His lips twisted in a rueful expression. "You may be right in your assessment; she didn't seem upset at the idea of the two of you." Silas appreciated the level of trust from the young wolves and their ability to think along rational lines in the midst of conflict. They'd make fine Alphas one day. He nodded and walked to the door. Before opening it, he looked back at them. "It might be better if she doesn't know you're out here, listening, if you get my drift." The twins' faces dropped and they all but ran to their rooms. He chuckled. Chapter 10 The scent of her need gut-punched him as he walked through the door. It was all he could do to stay upright. "Jasmine?" he ground out. She stuck her head out from behind the bathroom door. Her skin glistened in the dimness of the room. "Silas? What... what are you doing in here?" She grabbed a peach-colored robe and covered her nakedness as she looked at him. He closed his eyes to gain control of his beast. "Stay there. Please, be still." It took a few moments, but soon he could open his eyes. He refused to look at her, no need to tempt his wolf. "Your sons thought we should continue our conversation without them. It is too difficult for them to listen." "I see." He didn't think she did, but they needed to bring this thing to a head. Information of a similar situation in Mexico arrived this morning, and he intended to head southwest to investigate. His Alphas near Texas knew of his imminent arrival, but he couldn't leave until he settled this manner. "We need to have sex, shut down the mating call." She leaned against the wall. "Is that right?" He gritted his teeth as her fragrance teased him. "Yes. The sooner the better." "Can I leave afterward?" "No." "When can I leave?" "Once we understand how you're able to do the impossible and what impact it'll have on my people." She frowned. "How long will that take?" "As long as it takes," he growled. "Now lay your tempting ass on that bed or do you want me to come get you?" Her head whipped around. Her mouth dropped and then snapped closed. "Tempting ass?" She grinned and drew her robe closer around her waist. "What if I don't want to have sex with you?" "You do. Stop with the games." He pulled his shirt over his head and threw it on the chair. Her eyes widened as they roved over his body. He unsnapped his pants. She licked her lips and released another round of pheromones. A shudder wracked his large framed. He kicked off his shoes, and pulled off his pants, kicking them to the side. She remained still, watching him as though fascinated. "Bed." He pointed to the furniture. She looked up, met his eyes and licked her lips. "Come get me," she whispered. Without another word he reached her in three long strides, picked her up under her arms, turned and dropped her on the bed. Her legs fell open. He feasted on the sight of her large, firm breasts, taut dusky nipples, and wide hips. This was a woman made for loving. He placed a hand on each of her legs, widening them further. Her center was moist with fragrant juices that beckoned. He plunged his finger into her warmth. She squealed and tried to move backward. He held her in place with his palm. "You can take this, it's just my finger." He pulled it out, licking her sweet pussy juice. The flavor was divine. "Mmmm." He dipped low and his mouth followed where his fingers had just been. His tongue gave an experimental lick on her tender folds and it earned him a sharp gasp. Pleased, he continued licking her, drawing out more of her juices before he twirled his tongue on her clit. "Sweet, tasty," he murmured as her legs quivered and clutched his head. "Oh... oh..." She cried as he increased his oral assault. He couldn't get enough of her. The more he licked, the more she gave. "I'm... oh my God... I can't... I'm," she babbled as she held his head in place. "Let it happen. Let go," he murmured against her lips before flicking her clit again with his tongue. She stiffened and screamed her release. When the last of her tremors stopped, Silas moved upward and thrust his hips up in one stroke, burying half of his cock deep inside her. She screamed. He remained still, giving her a moment to get accustomed. He couldn't believe how tight she was. "You could've warned me." She slapped him on the back. "Why? You knew this was coming." "Still, you should've said... something." "Something." He pulled out and slammed back in, this time giving her his entire length. Her breath hitched as she took all of him. Impossible. Disbelief filled him to the point he looked down for verification. His cock filled her snug sheath. She shouldn't be able to take all of him. She slapped his hips, squeezed her inner muscles and bucked upward. "Giddy-up." The tight feel of her heat wiped every other thought from his mind. He grabbed her hips tight as he pistoned himself in and out of her, faster and faster he rode between her thighs, unable to quench the fire in his gut. The need to bring her to heel, to have her submit to him in this primal way, stole his breath. "Take it," he growled. "Take my cock." She screamed his name as she came once more. He pulled out and exploded on her stomach. Ropes of pearly, hot cum fell on her stomach and across her breast. It took everything within him not to rub his essence into her skin like lotion. She wasn't his, he needed to remember that. "Let me get a towel." He stood, but it took a moment for him to regain his strength. He plucked the damp towel from the bathroom door and wiped his jizz from her stomach and breasts. She opened her legs. He looked up at her. She winked with a lewd grin. His wolf took that as a challenge, but he fought to control his beast. Instead, he took the towel and placed it between her legs cleaning her with soft strokes. As he swiped the cloth against her puffy lips, she moaned. "Mmmm..." Her hips flexed as his fingers replaced the towel. Pretty soon she writhed like a kitten, purring beneath his hand. A frisson of awareness rolled up his back at her ability to tempt him to the degree that his wolf alternately snapped and whined to savor her again. Throwing the towel aside, he crawled between her legs, lifted them high around his waist, positioned himself and slid inside her hot, velvety, sheath. He paused for a second to control his animal. The exquisiteness of her tight tunnel shook him. With measured intent he withdrew and slid inside again. He took her hard and deep, growling with pleasure as her body massaged his aching cock. The bed shook beneath them. The frame rocked against the wall, keeping time with his punishing pace. "Ohhhh," she screamed amidst his grunts. Her walls tightened. He shuddered and his thrusts quickened. He slammed into her, their thighs connected with a slap. "Oh my God, oh my God," she wailed as her body grew taut. He groaned as his own body strained to the point of pain, wanting to join her in the heady bliss of her sexual release. Her body shuddered, stiffened. Strong vaginal muscles tightened and squeezed his rod. "Arghh" he groaned as his back bowed. His release rolled up his back, tiny licks of fiery pleasure exploding every second. He pulled out just as ropes of his release hit her belly and the lips of her pussy. "That was... that was incredible." She looked at him with dreamy eyes. Silas frowned. She should be drained and on her way to sleep. Instead she looked alert and ready to go again. Perhaps he'd taken it easy on her since she was human, but he didn't think so. He glanced around the room until his eyes fell on the clock. They'd been at this for an hour already. Although her scent hadn't subsided, it wasn't as strong. Her body wanted more. And that stung. His fingers stroked the full length of her drenched sex, toying with her opening for natural lubrication. She gasped. Her legs spread further apart in invitation. He smiled. She was a hot little thing, so wet, so hot against him. He eased one finger inside her. She groaned and moved her hips. The scent of her arousal washed over him. He hooked the finger and exited. He reinserted it back with another finger. "Yes... oh fuck, yes," she cried out, her hips moving in tandem with his strokes. His breath caught as her thighs tightened and shook. Human or not, she was beautiful in her passion. He continued to stroke her spot, enjoying how her body trembled and peaked beneath his hand. A moment later she screamed as she came. His finger remained in her tight sheath as her pussy tried, without success, to milk him dry. "Hmmm, greedy." "Huh?" she asked from beneath him. He looked at her for a moment, wondering if his need to insure she didn't breed for him was the reason he hadn't given her what she needed. "I need to tell you something." She blew out a breath and looked at him. "Okay." "This time I'm going to come inside you." She blinked and leaned up on her elbows. "With a condom?" He frowned, insulted. As the Patron his seed was a gift, he never used condoms. Rather than chastise her for the unintentional insult, he spoke of human fears. "No. I have nothing you can catch." "Then why have you decided to switch?" "Maybe the reason your body's still hungry is because you need a full load of seed. And I've been wasting it on your stomach and other places." She jerked. "What makes you say that?" He shrugged, not wanting to get into her supposed frailty as a human. That last time, he'd slammed into her as hard as he'd slammed into any wolf bitch, she'd taken it and was up for an immediate finger fucking. "Let's just say it's a hunch. The only reason I didn't come inside you before is I don't want you to get pregnant." "Pregnant?" Her brows furrowed as though she'd forgotten the mating scent. "Yeah. We're still trying to figure out how this works. I don't want the water muddied." "Oh." She looked up at him. "How many kids do you have?" He paused and then answered. "None." "Hmm..." She licked her lips. He fought back a growl. "Well, I don't know what to say." "I've never had pups. I do not want my first litter to be half-breeds," he snapped. Her head whipped up, eyes narrowed, she asked. "How old are you?" The question surprised him. He answered without thinking. "A little over three hundred." She gasped and then smirked. "Well if you were going to have pups, it should'a happened before now don't you think?" His brows snapped together as he squeezed her thighs in his palms. "I'm going to take you from behind, fill your greedy pussy with my essence and if you breed, you will not be leaving here anytime soon. Not until my pups are born, are we clear on that?" "But... I thought you didn't want kids from me." She sounded confused. "I don't. But I'm the Patron and if the Goddess sees fit to bring life to my seed in you... then I'll deal with it." She looked at him for a moment and pushed back. "That's not a risk I want to take, Silas. I've already gone through half-hearted parenting with my ex. If there's a chance I could get pregnant, I don't want to take it. In time I'll meet someone and if we decide to have kids, so be it. But at least my kids will know they're wanted, loved by more than their mother." She moved to stand. His palms tightened on her thighs. "You're still releasing that damn scent." She patted his hand as though he were a toddler. "It's better, I'll handle it." A red mist rose before his eyes. She wanted someone else, impossible. "How do you plan to handle it when you couldn't take care of it earlier?" She shrugged and tried to remove his fingers. "Look, I'm in the midst of making major changes in my life." She frowned. "At least I was." She glanced at him with a small smile that tugged the corner of his heart. "Tonight was the first time I understood what all the fuss was about. I had my first, second, third and tenth orgasm with you. That's never happened. Thanks for that. I'll always appreciate what we shared, but—" "Stop with the damn speeches," He snorted. She'd forgotten the few lessons her sons had given her about wolf culture. He was more animal than man right now and his beast would never leave without finishing the damn job. Resigned to the possibility of half-human pups, he reflected that Tyrone and Tyrese weren't bad. Now to get this fiery temptation to stop uttering nonsense so they could get on with it. "We're not finished and you know it. I am going to fuck you hard without a condom. Then I'm going to fill up this greedy pussy with my seed, which should put you to sleep. There will be no more mating calls, damn it. This ends now." He leaned near her face. "Got that?" Her eyes narrowed. For a moment he thought she'd balk. But the curl of her lips as she returned his stare sent blood rushing to his rod. "Yeah," she said in a low breathy tone. "Get on your knees." He leaned back to give her room to comply, not missing the way her body shuddered when she moved. He palmed her ass, slapped one cheek and then the other before squeezing them again. "Nice, firm." His lips brushed over the places he'd just smacked. Her soft ass wiggled as she moved. He tapped her thighs. "Open wider." She spread her knees further apart. He smiled at how sopping wet she was for him before he'd even touched her. "Beautiful," he whispered before he tongued her opening and lapped her juices. Their combined flavors exploded on his taste buds. His beast stirred as he held her tight and fucked her with his tongue. He couldn't seem to get enough. Her scent grew stronger. His beast rose to the forefront, growling, urging him to bite her, to take her. Lost in his lust, he rose and thrust into her warmth. Instead of screaming, she sighed and pushed back against him. His beast pushed for him to take her hard. He pulled out and slammed into her again, mindless with pleasure. She was so fucking tight, so hot, and felt so good squeezing him. He grabbed her waist with both hands, holding her body still as he bucked into her. His pounding became a blur as he struggled to reach his pinnacle. BirthRight Ch. 07-12 "Yes," she screamed. "More." With those words he lost control and couldn't hold onto his restraint any longer. He drove into her, pounding her pussy. Her moans set him aflame. He held her breast as he fucked her hard from the rear, slamming into her as her body stiffened. She screamed out his name, shattering on his cock as loud breathy moans escaped her throat. On the brink of his release, he jerked hard into her and gave one last thrust as his world exploded in total bliss. His body shuddered and convulsed. Spurt after spurt of his semen filled her warm cavern as she tightened her muscles, milking him as though to draw the last dregs of his cum inside her. She fell forward to the bed. "Okay, I call uncle. That should do it," she said in a hoarse whisper. He pulled out and winced at the amount of fluid that flowed down her leg and onto the bed. Rolling to the side he lay next to her. As much as he wished otherwise, this human had taken everything he and his wolf gave her. She was still a mystery, except now delicious as well. He couldn't remember ever being this sated. His wolf purred in satisfaction. He sniffed. Her scent was changing. A smug measure of pride at meeting her needs filled him. She rolled over to face him. "I need to take a shower and change these sheets," she whispered. He yawned, unconcerned. "Let your sons do it. That way they'll know you're alright." She gasped and sat straight up in the bed. "Oh my God. Tyrone and Tyrese. I forgot..." Her head swiveled from side to side as though they were in the room. "They heard." She dropped her face into her hand. "Never, and I do mean never, have they..." She threw her legs off the bed and ran into the bathroom. Of course her sons had heard her screams of pleasure and demands to Silas to fuck her. There was no doubt the wolves below had heard, since her bedroom window was open. Idly, he wondered where she got the energy to run to the bathroom, he didn't want to move. The shower turned on and he glanced at the clock. With slow measured strides, he followed her. He had time for a quickie. Chapter 11 Silas and his small group parked outside the tall adobe walls of the Mexican wolves' compound. He'd received a report that these wolves kept human breeders and used them to swell their ranks. He'd requested a meeting with the pack leader who declined. That was unacceptable. So far they'd talked to three wolves before receiving correct instructions to this compound. "Any ideas' how to get inside and find the women," Tyrone asked. He and Tyrese worked on his security detail. Ever since Silas bedded their mom, things had been tense in the condo. All three of them agreed this break was necessary, and since the mating call had dissipated, Jayden assured him of his ability to keep Jasmine safe. From what Silas could tell, Callum spent as much time with Jasmine as possible. The teen wolf idolized her. Silas hadn't seen or spoken to Jasmine since he'd shut down her mating call. Things had been busy, and he didn't want her or her sons to think that the sex meant more than it did. "I'll call him again and ask for another meeting." Silas was too far away to grab hold of any of the wolves behind the walls. He pulled out his cell and waited for someone to answer the phone. Once they did, he grabbed hold of the other person's wolf. "Open the gate. Don't allow anything to stop you. Do it now." He ignored the startled looks from the twins, Theron, his Alpha for Texas, and Buck, another wolf from the Texas pack. No one spoke as they waited. The blistering sun created oven-like temperatures inside their jeeps despite the air conditioning running full blast. Sweat ran down their bodies unchecked, but they remained quiet and resolute. After ten or more minutes, a side door they hadn't noticed before, opened a crack. Silas threw out a barrier in front of him to protect against surprises, stepped out and headed for the entry. The twins ran ahead to enter first. They sniffed the air and sent him a report through their mental connection. "Ambush. There are about twenty wolves hiding inside the walls." "Just twenty?" Silas smiled through the link. "They could have made it interesting." He tapped Tyrone on the shoulder. "Wait for my mark," he said through their links. Now that he was closer, Silas eyed the inner walls of the complex. There were twenty more wolves inside, making a total of forty plus or minus wolves. But he didn't care about them, he searched for the human women. He was about to call off the attack when he sensed the first human heartbeat. It moved, downward. Was there more than one? He continued searching. There was another one, also moving. He smiled, at least the women were in the same place. Just as he was about to deal with the wolves, he sensed another human heartbeat. That made three. Except she moved upward. He wondered at that. He opened his palm, released a breath, and then squeezed his fist, sending forth a compulsion to do his will. The first wave of power pulsed through the yard. A cacophony of yelps and whines rose in volume. Silas opened his hand again and closed his fist slower this time, sending power outward to control the wolves. He waited a beat and nodded to the twins. As they strode through the courtyard, he watched as the wolves lay on their backs exposing their bellies to him. He nodded and continued unchallenged. These wolves were cannon fodder. Silas sent them into the forest with a mental push and command not to return until he called for them. No need to hurt the pups. The ones inside were a different matter. He was prepared to destroy them to get the answers he sought. One large black wolf whined and circled him. Silas shooed the pup with another command. With a long whine, the pup ran toward the forest. The twins stood on both sides of the door waiting for his command. "Knock on the door." Tyrone's brow rose, but he knocked. Footfalls came forward. A small woman opened the door. The terrified omega tried to greet them, but shook too hard. "Tell your master, La Patron is here to speak with him." She nodded, bowed and backed away from the door, her feet almost soundless on the hard floor. Seconds later, Tyrone did a back flip and changed mid-air, landing a few feet away as four wolves ran out the entry. Two veered toward Tyrese. Silas stopped Theron from interfering; he'd seen the twins in action at the compound. But he wanted to see how they fought other hybrids. Frowning, Silas assumed the wolves from Pedro's pack were from the humans, but wasn't sure. Snarling, Tyrone leapt forward, backing the wolves away from Silas and Theron. He then charged the closest brown wolf, knocking it back, and then whirling on the other wolf, biting its hindquarters. The wolf fell. Tyrone jumped on the first wolf, grabbed it by the neck and shook it. The wolf stopped fighting and lay supine beneath Tyrone's jaw. The entire time Tyrone held the wolf in his jaw, he watched the other wolf that lay heaving on its side. Tyrese jumped up, missing the grey wolf by inches who charged him. When he dropped, he changed and swiped his paw across the neck of his challenger, the wolf rolled and lay on its side. The other wolf turned and leapt at Tyrese. With a snap of his jaw, he clamped around the wolf's throat, shook it a couple of times and then dropped the dead wolf. The fight lasted just a few minutes, much to Silas' disgust. Those Mexican wolves had made the mistake of thinking the twins were weak links. Silas never traveled with weak wolves. Another wolf came out through the opened door and Tyrese growled, waiting for the wolf to clear the porch. Instead of fighting, the wolf whined. Head down, it trotted to the wolf lying on the ground and nudged its head. When the wolf didn't move, the smaller wolf sat next to it, whining. Pleased with the fighting prowess of the young wolves, Silas commanded them to stay alert so they could do what they'd come to do. Silas released a breath as the twins howled their victories. He'd need to talk to them about the appropriateness of such gestures when they were in the middle of a take-over. Silas understood the need to stand your ground, but when a bigger wolf knocked on your door, a certain amount of respect and courtesy should be shown. Silas had received neither. He looked into the dim hall and pushed a powerful compulsion in his voice. "Pedro, come here." There were gasps of surprise. Yelps and whines came from inside the building. "Come here now, Pedro." The slap of paws on tile filled the air. Seconds later, a large silver wolf stood in the doorway growling and baring teeth with hackles raised. Silas looked at the pack leader and sighed. "Is today the day you die? So be it, but I did call first to make an appointment. All I wanted was to talk, and you ignored my demand. I have traveled far to gather information. So... you tell me, is today the day you and more of your pack dies?" He looked over his shoulder. Tyrese and Tyrone were still in wolf form standing over their kills. Silas sent a wave of power that dropped the arrogant wolf to his knees. Eyes wild, the wolf continued to growl and snarl. Silas shrugged and sent a message to his men. "Change back and move to the side." The twins phased back and moved to the opposite side of the porch. The next moment the thunder of running wolves filled the air. Pedro's eyes widened as if he couldn't believe his ears. Wolves soon flew out the building to the yard and paced in front of the porch. Their eyes flicked from Pedro to Silas. "No Alpha puts their pack at risk the way you did." Silas said before he turned to the pack. "Beta, come forward." A whine rent the air as another large silver wolf walked as though being dragged against his will. "You're not going to work either," Silas said, looking over the group. He didn't have time for pack politics. "Tyrese, Tyrone," he spoke through their link. "They took two women down stairs and one upstairs; find them and bring them here so I can talk to them." The two men stepped over Pedro and walked through the entry. "Show me your bellies," Silas said. All but three wolves dropped at once. Theron, the Alpha of Texas shifted into a large silver wolf. He leapt and caught the first wolf by the neck, and turned while holding that wolf, knocking back the other two wolves who'd come at him from the rear. After breaking the neck of the first wolf, he rushed toward one of the others, separating them. He picked the smaller wolf and quickly dispatched him. That left the beta. The wolves jumped at each other, but Theron was larger and brought the beta to the ground, and snapped at his neck. The wolf backed away before Theron had a grip. The Alpha charged again, and this time overpowered the beta, grabbed him by the neck and snapped it. Theron pranced in front of the pack and then sat on his haunches near Silas. Silas looked over the pack. "Is there any here to challenge Pedro for pack leadership?" A large black wolf trotted back inside the gate. Silas remembered him as one of the wolves he'd sent to the forest. The wolf sat on his haunches and transformed. "I'll challenge him." The man stood and braced his feet apart. "And you are?" Silas asked, smiling at the growls from Pedro. "Philippe." "A relative or former friend? What are you doing here?" "I lived here before Pedro and his bullies showed up, raping and killing our people. The bastardo cares nothing for the pack, just his sick fantasies." Silas glanced at Theron, instructing him to handle things. These wolves would fall under his direct authority. Theron shifted. "What makes you qualified to take on the pack," Theron asked as he stood. At six feet five inches tall with barrel chest, thick muscular arms and legs, the Alpha was one few dared challenge. Right now, his piercing gray eyes looked over the pack of wolves as though he could see into their hearts and minds. With a quick flick of his hand, he brushed his long dark hair away from his face as he waited for a response. "I'm not sure I am qualified, but I'm willing to fight the downward direction the pack's headed." Theron stared a moment longer and nodded. "Understand, you will be under my supervision and training if you survive the fight." He looked at the remaining wolves. "I am Alpha Theron, La Patron's Alpha of Texas. Whoever becomes pack leader here today will be under my supervision. Is that understood?" Silas released the wolves, and they all changed back to humans except Pedro. Theron asked them the question again, except this time he asked in Spanish. The wolves appeared surprised and then relieved. They began speaking at once, asking questions. "Silence. There is a leadership challenge that must be dealt with," Theron said. He turned and addressed the challenger. "Philippe, do you challenge your pack leader, Pedro, for pack leadership?" "Yes, I do." He shifted into his wolf and loped forward. He dipped his head to Silas and stepped back. Theron nodded in approval and spoke to the pack leader. "Pedro, there is a challenge to your leadership and you will answer in a fight to the death." Silas released Pedro. He shook himself a few times, and then pranced down the steps, snarling at the pack and at his challenger. Philippe returned his snarl and waited for Pedro to make his move as they circled one another. Pedro's pride and anger had him leaping for the wolf. Philippe sidestepped him and bit his left flank. Pedro howled and charged again. This time he connected, but Philippe fought with skill and heart drawing blood. The fight dragged on longer than Silas would've liked. The twins had the three women seated in one of the rooms and he wanted to question them. But he needed to stand beside his Alpha and make sure the change in command went without more bloodshed. Minutes later, Philippe stood over Pedro, breathing heavy and bleeding. The wolves cheered and walked over to the two combatants. "I'm going inside to question the women. Gather as much information about this operation as possible. I want to know if any women left this compound, who took them, and where'd they go. I have called the wolves from the forest, they return now," he told Theron. "Yes, Sir." "Will the pack stay here or will you take them to Texas?" "I'm not sure of their skill sets. Once Buck and I meet with the entire pack I'll inform you of my decision." "Good." Silas walked into the dim building. It was cool, well furnished, and in good condition. That'd be a plus if the pack remained. He rounded the corner, opened a door, and stepped into what appeared to be a large office. Tyrone and Tyrese stood near the exits while three human women sat on the leather sofa and chairs. "Hello, I'm Silas Knight, how are you ladies today?" He strode forward and took a seat opposite them. Surprised by how young they were, he'd place them all in their twenties. They weren't beautiful, but not bad-looking. The woman in the chair had an air of entitlement about her and if he had to guess, he'd say she'd been the one taken upstairs. He eyed her a little longer. Dark wavy brown hair flowed down her back. Large brown eyes in a heart-shaped face, narrow nose with an upturned tip at the end, and a creamy unblemished complexion returned his examination. "I am Arianna and I am well, thank you." Her voice held a hint of Texas twang and he stiffened. Had the wolves kidnapped an American? He nodded and decided to get to that later. Turning to the other women, he waited for them to introduce themselves. "I'm Leara." The petite dark-haired woman said, looking at him from beneath her lids. Although all three women appeared around the same age, the actions of the women on the sofa made them seem younger. "I'm Leann," the other woman said. Both females on the couch sat with their heads down and their hands clasped in their laps. He sensed there'd been no abuse. They appeared healthy. "Tell me how you got here." He looked at the woman in the chair. The woman threw back her head and laughed, it was dark, sultry. "So it's true, you want conversation, nothing more?" Silas leaned back in his seat, crossed one leg over his knee and looked at her. The more he looked, the lovelier she appeared. "Yes. I want to understand how human women give birth to wolves." "He's such a fool. He didn't believe your request was genuine, he thought you came to take us from him." She waved her hand toward the other women and then rested it on her stomach, drawing Silas' gaze. "You are pregnant?" She nodded. "We all are." She waved to the other women. "He gets crazy when we're in this condition." She paused and then shrugged. "Ah well. Your question. Let me think, it has been years and no one bothers to ask these things anymore." "Years?" Silas frowned. "How long have you been like this?" She closed her eyes, her lips moved as though she were counting sheep. "A hundred and twenty-eight years, I believe, give or take a few." It took a lot to surprise Silas, but she'd just won the Oscar with her announcement. "Impossible," he whispered. She didn't look a day over twenty-five. She shrugged. "Before the rape, blacks had to sit on the back of the bus. Mexico was in the midst of a civil war, and women couldn't vote. A lot has changed over the years." Silas blinked. A chill slid down his back. "Raped? Is that what bought about this change in you?" As far as he knew, Jasmine was born this way. Her husband had been her first sexual partner and until a few days ago, her only partner. She sighed as she pulled her legs beneath her and leaned back. "I think that was it. Married, I had two boys already. My husband was an abusive ass. I shouldn't have been out at night buying milk and food, but..." she shrugged. "Anyway, someone raped me. I went home and told him. He didn't believe me of course. He knocked me around a bit for being late and that was it." "Did the man who raped you, bite you?" Silas wondered how the change in her body took place. She thrust forward her arm. "You mean like this?" Healed teeth marks ran up and down her arm. Mesmerized by the amount of marks, he rose from his seat to get a better look. She pulled her top to the side. His eyes widened at the marks on her neck, shoulders and upper arm. She'd been someone's chew toy. Tyrone and Tyrese had stepped closer for a better look, and then moved back. He heard the surprise and concern in their minds. Silas fingered one of the more ragged scars. "Yes, did he bite you as he raped you?" Her eyes fluttered closed and a sigh of pleasure rose from her lips. Silas returned to his seat. His wolf hadn't stirred although his cock had sprung to life at her actions. When she opened her eyes, she appeared disappointed. "No. If he had, I might've been able to convince my husband what happened. Six or seven months later I gave birth to twin girls. They weren't my husband's." "How can you be so sure?" Silas asked. "I hated him and never allowed his seed to enter me. I did other things for him; as long as he reached his peak, he didn't care. The alcohol made him believe anything I told him," she said as though she discussed the weather. "Where are your daughters?" She shrugged. "Someone stole one when she was thirteen, and then took me soon after that. I never heard anything about my family again." A throbbing pain built behind Silas' eyes. This whole impossible situation was worse than he'd thought. "Who stole you? Pedro?" She laughed and shook her head. It sounded rusty as though she never used her vocal chords in that manner. "No. Pedro is one of a few. The first pack leader took me someplace cold, up north I believe." She rubbed her forehead. "It has been years. He was kind in a gruff way. I gave him many sons." BirthRight Ch. 07-12 "Over the years, any idea how many girls you've birthed?" The women were the key and someone, an enemy no doubt, realized this, and set them loose in his back yard. "Other than these two?" She nodded to the women on the couch. Uneasy, Silas nodded. He'd detected human heartbeats from those women. She closed her eyes again, her lips moved as she counted. Silas glanced at Tyrone and Tyrese. They stared at the woman with a frown. Today they would discover how fortunate they'd been having a loving mother, whether that special care affected the wolf-pack or not, Silas couldn't say. "I'm going to say at least twenty. Since the rape, I've always had multiple births, always the same sex." Her eyes narrowed as she looked toward the ceiling, shaking her head. "That seems about right, nine or ten pregnancies with females over the years." "How old were you when you changed?" He mulled over the implications. Did the women keep their human form and the male wolves turn into wolves? The idea was too over the top to voice. He half-listened while his mind processed his unspoken questions. "Around twenty-four." The woman smiled at him and flipped her hair over her shoulders. "So... this process keeps you from aging?" "I guess. How old are you, Leara?" she asked, looking toward the sofa. "I'm twenty-five." Silas couldn't believe it. There was no record of this infraction anywhere. How had this been kept quiet for so long. His thoughts returned to the book of warfare and the biblical strategy. It fit, but didn't make sense. More important, who was the enemy who had set this atrocity in motion? "Let's get back on track. Someone raped you, then you had female twins. One disappeared in her teens. You don't know what happened to the other because wolves took you somewhere up north. How long did you stay there?" She shrugged. "I don't know. The pack lived far in the mountains. When they stole me from that pack, I remember being surprised that women wore pants, smoked, and drove cars. The next pack took me down south, near the river that cuts through the country. The bitches in that pack didn't appreciate me giving birth to pups while they had to wait to find mates before they could get pregnant. They attacked me all the time. I heard they killed my pups." She shrugged, although her voice had saddened. "The fighting got old. The pack leader sent me to another pack near Mexico. Pedro stole me from there. They were my next litter." She tipped her head to the women on the sofa. "I have been here since then." "You fought wolf bitches?" Tyrone asked. She shrugged. "Yeah. It was a surprise. I'm no wolf, can't change or anything. But I heal faster than a wolf. I'm fast and strong. Surprised the shit out of everyone the first time I knocked a bitch out. Stopped them from picking on me so much, until they started ganging up on me. One I could handle, but not more than that." Silas met Tyrone's stare. He had no doubt they were both thinking of their hellcat of a mother. She didn't need a lot of extra anything, she was already tough. He turned back to Arianna and wondered if that was her birth name. They'd need her original name to check out her story, but he'd let Theron deal with that later. "How long are your pregnancies?" She squinted and looked at the other two. "Six - seven months, wouldn't you say?" Leann nodded. "About that for twins anyway. Shorter for quads." "Have you ever given birth to human babies?" Silas asked the women on the couch. "No. I don't think I've ever met a human," Leara said. "Me neither," Leann said, nodding. Silas tented his fingertips beneath his lips. "I sensed three human heartbeats before entering this compound. Leara, you say you've never met a human, yet you appear to be human." He ignored her scared wide eyes as she looked at him and then at Arianna. "You too, Leann." His gaze swung to Arianna. "Who were their fathers?" His eyes blazed, daring her to lie. Arianna shrugged unconcerned. "I don't remember, maybe Pedro or Miguel the beta. When I first arrived, he refused to allow anyone else near me. Ask Anna, the housekeeper, she knows everything that happens here." He released a long sigh as he contacted Theron through their link. "Send Anna the housekeeper to the office." Silas gritted his teeth in aggravation. "This is bullshit. Who the hell is messing with the natural order of things? A rape that took place over one hundred years ago has snowballed with serious repercussions. And you may not have been the first or the last." He raked his hand through his hair. A knock sounded. Tyrone opened the door. The tiny woman who'd greeted them earlier stepped in, her eyes round with fear. She frowned when she noticed the women sitting quiet. "Yes?" Silas pointed to another chair. "Please, have a seat. I have questions to ask you. I'd appreciate any help you can give me." She swallowed hard and took a seat. "I'll do my best." Silas noticed her lack of Spanish accent and wondered about her origins. But he had more pressing matters. "Do you know who sired Leann and Leara?" "Yes, Sir. Pedro." "What happened to the other female pups she birthed?" He tipped his head in Arianna's direction. It was a waste of time to discuss biology with the women. Somehow, the women showed up as humans even though they were half wolf. It didn't make sense. None of this made sense. "Yes, Sir. Pedro sold them." A flare of anger flashed through Silas and the women screamed. He calmed himself. "Everything okay?" Theron asked through their link. "Yes. Is Pedro dead?" "Yeah. Why?" "I'd like to kill him." Silas broke the link. The small woman was shaking in the chair. He hadn't meant to frighten her. "Anna? That's your name, right?" Her head jerked up and then down. "I apologize for frightening you. I am angry that Pedro sold the woman, that's all. Can you tell me what happened?" After taking three deep breaths, the woman spoke. "Pedro told me to get rooms ready, we were having guests. Important guests. When the men came, they talked for a while. Had a meal and then went to the two rooms I'd prepared for them. He sent Stephanie and Maria to spend the night with them. The guests stayed a week. When they left, they took the girls with them because they were breeding." "Breeding?" Silas wanted to be sure. "Pregnant with babies inside their stomachs?" Anna shrugged. "I don't know what to call them, but they were breeding when they left." "Leann and Leara were unmated wolves with the ability to give birth, another anomaly. We need to know how they felt when this happened, where were they when they realized they had the potential to give birth. Were they raised by the wolves? Or are the female hybrids given special treatment? Tyrese interview Leann. I want you to get her life story. They are half wolves, do they shift? Or is that ability lost? Get personal, we need to know everything. Tyrone, you're on Leara. I'll finish with Arianna and we'll compare notes later," he told them through their links. They needed to make up time. Silas ushered Anna closer so the three of them could talk. In his experience, servants saw and knew more than people gave them credit. The next hour and a half, the light buzz of conversation filled the room. Silas discovered Pedro dabbled in criminal activity, something he told Theron immediately. He learned once the women birthed the pups the wolves raised them. The human breeders did not interact with the pups. He thought that was strange, but listened rather than question their motives. All in all, Silas discovered the breeders healed fast and could accommodate the roughest wolf without breaking. There was something about giving birth that kept them young and viable with the ability to keep reproducing. If it didn't violate so many laws of nature, he'd clap his hands in awe. But he'd lived long enough to know rules might be stretched without much penalty, but when broken, there was always hell to pay. Standing, Silas brought all conversations to a halt. "Thank you for your help. We have just learned of your existence and required more information. Pedro is dead. Philippe won the leadership challenge and will be the new pack leader under Alpha Theron. He will meet with all of you later. You are free to live wherever you please. You can stay with this pack or I will send you anywhere you want." He looked at each of them. "The choice is yours." "I will go with you," Arianna spoke into the silence. "I will help you build your pack." Leann and Leara bit their lips and turned away, but Silas saw the laughter in their eyes. Anna rolled her eyes. The servant had been helpful filling in the blanks and he knew she saw more than many realized. He'd make sure Theron placed her in a position in the midst of the wolves. "I think you misunderstood. I have no pack," Silas said as he straightened his shirt and brushed off his pants. "You have many sons?" Arianna asked, frowning. "I guess you can say that. But I have no pack, so choose somewhere else or stay here. It's up to you." He turned to leave when she spoke. "I would serve you well, Silas Knight. Take me with you." He ignored her and walked out the room. Chapter 12 Silas, Tyrone, and Tyrese drove in silence as they returned to the Maryland compound. The trip to Mexico answered questions but raised a lot more. None of this made any sense. How could a man rape a woman and change her biology? Was there a purpose or just random bad luck? A disease, perhaps? "I'm holding an Alpha conference in three hours in the lodge; I want the two of you there." "Yes, Sir," Tyrone said, watching the road while Tyrese drove. Silas smothered a grin. It was amazing what proper training would do for a man. The twins' physical and mental abilities impressed him. He'd made the decision to place them on his personal security detail after he'd seen them fight Jayden. His Alpha admitted how good the boys fought. Besides, since no one knew much about how hybrids functioned, it was better to keep them close. "Drop me off at the main building." "Yes, Sir." Jayden had taken offense at what he deemed a too casual demeanor toward Silas and drilled the twins in proper protocol. As former soldiers, it didn't take long for them to have a solid grasp of pack politics and hierarchy. Once they reached pack grounds, the scenery changed. Jayden honored the earth and went through great lengths to keep things natural. Silas relaxed as the fragrance of the flowers and greenery teased his nostrils. The buzz of insects and laughter of pups in the distance blew past his ears. His wolf took noticed and whined. He'd love to run, but there were so many things he needed to accomplish before his meeting. Silas pinched the bridge of his nose as his thoughts drifted to Jasmine. He wondered if she was okay. Had she thought about him? Was she breeding? A frisson of distaste hit the back of his throat. A gift of half-breed pups would be a slap in the face. He was the Patron of the wolf. Not of the half-wolf. But his wolf had refused to be denied, and he'd complied by releasing his seed. Nothing to do now but wait and see. Over the years he'd wondered why his seed had never taken root. He'd asked the Goddess once, but she'd cautioned him to be patient. Had he waited hundreds of years for half wolf pups? He loathed the idea. The car pulled up to Jayden's home. Tyrone got out and opened Silas's door while Tyrese grabbed his luggage from the trunk. After walking Silas inside, Tyrese released the luggage. "We'll be back at eighteen hundred hours, Sir." Silas nodded and headed toward the stairs. One of the pack's omegas took the luggage to his room while Jayden met him in the hall. "Good trip?" Jayden asked as they walked toward the office. Silas stripped off his lightweight jacket and hung it on the back of one of the office chairs. "Yeah. Too much information. This thing has been going on much longer than we thought. The human breeder I met was over a hundred years old." Jayden's eyes widened. "What?" Silas slapped him on the back. "Yeah. Alpha conference in two and a half hours. Set up the room, bring my laptop, I've got a lot to pull together in a short amount of time." "How...?" "Hold your questions for the meeting. I'd prefer to give the news once." Silas strode to the desk, please to see his laptop already there, and got busy. **** Tyrese parked the car in the condo's parking area. When he opened his door, Tyrone halted him. "We lucked out, you know." Tyrone closed his eyes and then looked at him. "I mean with mom. I looked at those wolves and realized the only identity they had was in those walls. They had no clue about family. Nobody loves them." He shook his head. Tyrese understood. "That's a big problem with this breeder deal. A wolf's bitch cares and nurtures her pups. It makes us who we are, instills a sense of pride, of belonging." He shook his head. "They and a lot of the wolves Arianna birthed don't have that. Chances are they're unstable, and don't understand what the den and pack means." "There's bullshit brewing out there, that's for damn sure. I mean those women were human, or at least a big part of them is human." Tyrone said. "But Silas didn't sense a wolf inside them." He scratched his head. "That's weird. I thought the wolf gene was dominant." Tyrese shrugged. Leann had been shy at first, but the longer they talked she answered all of his questions. A wolf attracted her early on and they'd had sex. When she became pregnant, Pedro had her moved to the Alpha house. Her first set of twins were girls. One was sick, and she'd heard Pedro had killed the pup. She had no idea what happened to the other. From that time, she'd stayed in the Alpha house and laid with the men her Alpha brought to her. After her first set of female pups, the rest had been all male litters, but many had physical problems like shorter legs, one blind eye, heart and breathing problems. Pedro always terminated the lives of those pups. "They're not wolves. Just like mom's not a wolf. She's... different." Tyrone nodded, although he still wore a deep frown. "Were you surprised Leann and Leara decided to stay with the pack and move to Texas with Theron instead of trying to start their lives over somewhere new?" "Not really." Tyrese said. "That pack is all they know, and once Theron discovered Pedro dealt with the drug cartel, he had to move the pack to Texas for protection." Tyrone nodded and looked at him. "What do you think about all of this? About mom? Silas? Mom having pups. Is she like Arianna?" He shook his head. "Not her personality, mom is all about fam. But the healing? And being able to run or fight?" Tyrese chuckled. "I wouldn't put it past her. She's mean when she's mad. Always has been. But the thing is," he lowered his voice. "If mom's a breeder, so is aunty. Plus they don't grow old like normal." "Damn, I hadn't thought about Aunty. You think Mandy's one of those breeders and they got together? That'd be cool," Tyrone said, smiling. "Yeah, but not likely." Tyrese said. "But the thing that'd bothered me for a long time was her leaving... you know? Mom dying. While we'd be left here a long while. It used to bother me big time. Now..." "Now we don't have to worry about that." "But they live longer when they have pups, mom just has us," Tyrese said in a pensive tone. "Um... if she's not pregnant after that damn marathon with Silas, then it's not going to happen. If I never hear my momma scream like that again it'd suit me fine," Tyrone said, shaking. Tyrese laughed, although he hadn't been laughing that day when his mom and Silas had sex. He'd covered his head with pillows, turned up the TV and music to block her moans and demands. It still embarrassed him to remember how she'd demanded Silas... He couldn't go back there either. After Silas had left, she'd remained in her room the rest of the day. He'd swear she tiptoed out around four in the morning, grabbed a bite of food, and ran back to her room. It took another day for her to face them, and then she'd refused to look at them. Callum was the only person she seemed comfortable around these days. The Mexico trip had come at the best time. "I'm with you on that." Tyrese inhaled. "But we are lucky to have her." On that note they exited the car and headed upstairs. The moment they turned the corner to the condo, their stomachs growled and huge smiles split their faces. "Mama's cooking." Tyrese inhaled. "I smell baked chicken and yellow rice." "Candied yams?" He looked at his brother in shock and excitement. "Greens and cornbread," Tyrone said after taking another sniff. "There's cake. She baked a cake, man," he said, bouncing as he opened the door. "And that's how you do it. Taste this," Jasmine said to Callum, placing a spoon near his mouth. She looked up as the door opened. "Hi, when'd you boys get back?" she asked as she put down the spoon and walked out of the kitchen. Arms outstretched, she hugged Tyrone and then Tyrese. Tyrese looked at the plates with half-eaten food and prayed there was more. "Why didn't you call and let me know you were on your way home?" she asked over her shoulder as she returned to the kitchen. "We were in a hurry and didn't think about it until a few minutes ago. What're you doing?" He didn't bother to recognize the little imp who was always underfoot these days. "I'm teaching Callum how to cook and he's doing a great job. We baked today." She looked around the kitchen and then back up at them. Her dark brown eyes sparkled. "Hungry?" "Yes, starving. Something smells good," Tyrone said, moving into the kitchen. Tyrese watched Callum, he didn't trust the smirk on the teenager's face. "I'll fix you guys a couple of sandwiches then, just give me a few minutes," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "We didn't cook enough for the two of you since I didn't expect you." Callum turned away laughing. His mom's face glowed with happiness. She'd done something different with her hair, the curls fell around her shoulders. Tyrese strode forward, pulled her in his arms. "You're right, mom. I should've called. I'll fix a sandwich or something." He placed a kiss on her cheek. "You are one beautiful lady and I'm glad you're my mom." Her eyes widened as they filled. "Aww, thanks honey." She kissed him on the cheek and then leaned back, frowning. "Everything alright? The trip went okay?" She looked at Tyrone who'd moved close. The front door closed. Callum had left, smart kid. "We met three human women who've birthed wolves. They were pregnant," Tyrese said. "Let me hug her for a minute. I missed you, too." Tyrone edged in and kissed her cheeks. "You are beautiful and I'm just... so happy to have you in my life." He kissed her again. She held him tight and then took his hands. "Okay, sit at the table and tell me what happened while I fix you something to eat." Tyrone looked at her plate. "You don't have any more left?" "I do, but not enough. I'll fix more, it won't take long. Now sit down and tell me about these women that got you running home to your mama." Tyrese groaned as he took a seat. Tyrone laughed, picked up an apple, threw it to his brother and then got another one. He bit into it and chuckled. "That's a good one, ma and true on so many levels. There was this woman, her name's Arianna." Over the next hour, they filled her in on the unclassified part of their trip. They ate and answered her questions until she'd run out of steam.