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I asked, “Did the wind caress you too?” He answered, “Uh no. It was just like a moment where it stilled.” Stilled? Everything came alive in that moment. I sighed, “We didn’t feel the same thing then.” He said, “Or we did and it’s just different to you.”

I asked, “Did anyone else feel it?” He answered, “Not that I know of.” I asked, “Why would it be us three?” He shrugged, “Again, I don’t know.

” Theirs didn’t feel like mine did either.

He said, “Sometimes, we just feel things. I know I got a jolt that now I recognize as my Supernatural side calling out to your mom from the moment her name was announced to me. I always sought out information about her because she was my destiny.”

I nodded, “I know.” He talked about that a lot. He asked, “Are you ok?” I shrugged, “I thought something really happened. Everything feels different.” He urged, “Let’s get in the ring and fight your anxiety off, pup.” Oden purred, “Yeah, let’s.”

I figured he’d want to go for another run later. We got in the ring and I fought my dad. I got a shot in, and he grunted. “Damn pup, you pack a punch.” Several people had stopped to watch us. We sparred and I heard someone cheering and clapping for us both.

Oden purred, “Mom is cheering us on.” That was very much like her. My dad pinned me eventually. I winked and popped out from under him. He laughed, “Cheater.” I asked, “Is it cheating to use what I can do?” My mom popped in and kissed my cheek then hugged my dad.

She answered, “No, it’s not. In a fight that’s not a friendly spar, you should open a portal. Their ass would drop into the Hackura realm, and they would be ripped apart.” I laughed but stored that knowledge away for later use.|

The rest of the day passed and Oden and I were still thinking about earlier in the day. When my phone rang, I answered, “Hello.” My friend Jason McAlister sang, “Guessss whhhhhattttt?” I laughed, “Ok. My guess is that your mom is going to show up to an event.”

He said, “I’m sure she will since she’s not sick anymore.” I replied, “She’s been sick her whole….” I trailed off because I was about to say pregnancy. I asked, “Did your mom give birth?” He proudly answered, “Yup! Melanie Jane McAlister was born at noon.” I nearly dropped the phone.

NOON?! When everything in my entire world shifted?

Oden purred, “I love her name.” I did too.

Was this like my dad seeking out things involving my mom?

Was Melanie mine? Oden said, “We will find out soon enough.” That was true.

If Sam hadn’t been sick, we’d already know because I’d have been around her.

I said, “Congratulations man. Can I come see her?” He sighed, “I wish but mom’s being all protective she wolf right now.

She barely let Chelsea, Peter, Elise, Dakota, and Dalton in to see her.

My grandparents, even my mom’s parents, haven’t met her yet and neither has Uncle Duncan.

Aunt Allison is traveling with the pups since my uncle can’t leave the pack yet.

He’ll be here next week though.” Damn it!

Oden purred, “We still will meet her soon enough.” I asked, “How? We barely go to Red Run.” He reasoned, “EJ does.” That was true, he did. I said, “Well, I can’t wait to meet the newest McAlister and I’m happy for you.”

He boasted, “She’s so cute too, man. She’s got a head full of really pretty raven black hair.

Mom and dad think it will lighten out, but I just have a feeling it won’t.

I swear her hair is thicker than mine.” I was soaking up every detail about this pup I’d never laid eyes on knowing Oden was quietly doing the same.

He added, “Oh and her eyes are like the coolest ever! The pack doctor said they will probably change. He mentioned something about eyes changing in the first three months, but I hope they don’t.

Her eyes are the palest green I’ve ever seen.

Not to brag, but she’s the most beautiful pup that ever lived. ”

I chuckled, “I’m sure.” Oden purred, “I am also sure.” We talked for a bit longer before I hung up with him.

Oden purred, “Our mate may have been born.” I said, “Let’s temper that until we meet her.

Ok? We like her name.” He added, “And we felt everything in the world change the literal minute she was born.” So, there was that.

Dad and Grandpa Nathan felt it too though.

My Grandma Cassandra linked, “Are you coming tomorrow to Grandma Cassandra day?” I answered, “Uh huh.” She snarked, “Be sure to lose that attitude when you do.” I shot back, “I will when you do.” She growled, “Well, I just never…” Her voice faded and I chuckled. That was a short argument for her.

Oden said, “I shut her out.” He didn’t like her any more than I did. I shoved her out of my mind and pulled out a sketch book. I had a slight talent for drawing. I sketched a pup like Jason described. I whispered, “Hi Melanie Jane. I hope to meet you one day soon.”

Flashback Ends

Alexander blinked when Cassie touched his arm. She asked me, “Are you ok?” I nodded, “Yeah.” She said, “I texted Jase you were back.” I hugged her, “Thanks, sis.” She asked, “So, how did it go?” Jason and Tristan came in with Jared. Jared must have popped them here.

We got into all, and Cassie whistled. She groaned, “Damn it! Aiylee said she could tell my path wasn’t on that mission. I’ll get another one, but that was juicy!” So, that’s why she’d let it go she wasn’t allowed to come with us.

Oden snorted, “Plus her and Rain are the biggest daddy’s girl.” That was true. Jason said, “Congrats man, that’s a hell of first mission.” My guard, Egres, faded in. He hummed, “It certainly was. Next time, send a smoke signal and we will go to the unknown place with you.”

I winked replying, “That hardly sounds fun.” He disagreed, “It sounds like so much fun.” He handed EJ and I whiskey. It wasn’t our first time trying it since my dad had let us have it on occasion. He said, “This is from your Uncle Bjourn.” He winked and faded back.

We drank it and talked with our friends.

EJ snuck off with Elise and I was certain they were going to have their first kiss or something.

Maybe not. We weren’t like other Hackura.

A full blood would need to work off the vigor they felt from completing their first mission.

I felt that in my Hackura blood, but I just called up my other sides.

My Wolf and Fairy sides were firmly in control. I didn’t have anyone I even wanted to make out with because any time someone would offer, the sketch I drew of Melanie Jane McAlister flashed in my mind. Oden didn’t want anyone else and neither did I.

Oden grumbled, “I still can’t believe we haven’t met her.” Yeah, I couldn’t either but that was all changing soon. I felt intense horror from my mom and then I could sense she was using her healing light. I asked, “Who got hurt?” Everyone shrugged then Tristan’s phone rang.

He answered, “Hey, dad.” He stalled, “Uhh no, we came to Black Mountain. Jared popped us in and…” He gasped, “What? No, I’ll go check. I promise I’ll stay in the borders. Do you have eyes on Ladybug?” Oden went still and Cassie shot me a look.

Tristan sighed, “Yeah, that’s good. We will plan to spend the night here.

” He hung up. I asked, “Did someone get hurt in your pack?” Oden said, “If Melanie is hurt, we need to help heal her.” My mom’s light would tug if she needed me, but I really wouldn’t care if it was Melanie that had been hurt. I would help her and heal her faster.

He shook his head, “A pup crossed the border in our pack and rogues came at him hard. It’s like they were just waiting outside our border for someone to cross.

Dad said they ripped his arms and legs off, they are preparing for the worst. Sharon brought him to your mom.

” I was gone in the next second to my mom.

My dad said, “Alexander.” Her light hadn’t called to me, but it would’ve. She could regrow limbs, but it would be easier with me. We were in an operating room which I found odd. There were doctors waiting all around us.

I announced, “He’s going to make it.” I put my hands on him and my healing side felt his intense pain. I could practically taste his terror of thinking he was going to die, but my mom and I weren’t going to let that happen.

My mom had regrown one arm and a leg and healed some internal bleeding and damage. I finished his other leg and fixed some arteries and bleeding on that side. Then I faltered backwards. My dad caught me and shoved food at me. He ordered, “Eat.”

I whispered, “I need to help mom.” Uncle Aiden emphatically stated, “What you need to do is eat.” I pressed, “But mom will pass out.” Uncle Aiden said, “Maybe not since you helped her.” I felt my mom tapped into my Grandpa Titus and Uncle Bjourn’s strength to keep going.

Uncle Aiden rubbed his temples. I asked, “What’s wrong?

” He grumbled, “Just the fact she could do multiple sessions instead of pushing herself. They could keep the pup sedated. She could simply take some breaks to eat, but it’s not in her nature.

Goddess, I miss Arion.” I felt the feelings from my dad that it annoyed him that he agreed with Uncle Aiden.

I knew something went down with Uncle Arion and my mom.

I just didn’t know what. I knew my dad had begrudgingly, over the years, slowly admitted Uncle Arion would’ve been helpful to have around.

I whispered, “How old is this pup?” Oden growled angrily because we could sense he was pretty young, maybe even three.

My dad answered, “He just turned four yesterday.” I snarled, “HOW DARE THEY! Are they dead?” He replied, “Yes, they are. Peter, Drake, and their border patrol handled it.” The need to rage and fight was now firing on all sides.