Shea: The Last Hope (20 page)

Shea looked confused, "Da, what are you talking about?"

"Our leader is the one who insisted on the break from the Old Council. His daughter found her true mate years ago, and he was a shifter not a Fae like the leader would have hoped. He refused to allow the mating to occur, and his daughter ran away. Since then we have been separated from the Council, our leader will still say the wolf kidnapped her. He even went so far as to say until she was returned safely to him, he would not acknowledge the Council. So we have lived in secret, away from the other magical people, because the leader thinks, our pure blood will be tainted if we breed with other people. Your mother and I decided to stay with the clan, even though we disagreed. But it was for you Shea." He said with a pleading look in his eyes for her to understand what he was going to explain.

Shea looked at her mates, who were flanking her now. They each put an arm around her; as if to hold her up when her father delivered whatever news, he was about to. Shea could feel the tingling of apprehension in her chest.

Her mother stepped up and grabbed her hand, "My darling girl, you will never know how much this has pained me to keep this from you. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive your father and me when this is all over."

Shea squeezed her mother's hand and said. "I am sure you did what you thought was best. I really wish you would have told me though, but you are my parents, I am so glad to see you safe."

Her father cleared his voice, and they all sat down to hear what he had to say. Cami and the girls sat, as close to Shea as they could, because if she was anything like the rest of them, she was going to have a small meltdown that her mates would not be able to deal with. It was the whole destiny thing, they were all on their own paths in life, and suddenly without warning, they changed. It tended to mess with a women’s psyche.

Shea and her mates sat close to one another across the table from her parents. She took her mother’s hand again and held it tight when her father began to speak.

"Before you were even born, this thing with the leader happened. We were young and newly mated, and listened as he talked about the horrors of the world and the shifters.

Of course, as the years went on we figured out his view was skewed. But we were content with our home and clan. Then you came along. At first, we had no clue that you were destined for something outside of the clan. Then your sister came, and we noticed the leader had become very interested in you. He explained that he wanted to be your trainer for the Fae."

Shea nodded and said. "I remember that, he was insistent that I knew the Fae were not to ever leave their clan or something bad would happen. When I discovered my talents for writing, he was upset. The fight we had to let me go to school in the States."

Her father grimaced. "Just before your fifteen birthday, your mother and I were called to his office."

"That’s when I got my letter from Stanford for early acceptance." She whispered.

"Yes, and our leader was extremely upset. He said we had to find a way to make you stay here. We argued that it was your choice, and as long as you followed the rules, there was nothing we could so. He said he would not allow it. We were shocked and pointed out the others who had been allowed to go abroad and study. Each of them had returned to the clan and was making their living here."

Shea frowned. “But when I went away, you said to stay in the States?"

Her mother interrupted. "It was for your own good, and why we sent your sister out too.

We were pulling away from the clan. Your father and I have always thought that even though we would miss this place, if push came to shove, we would follow our children.

Regardless what our leader may think, we are strong enough to handle the outside world on our own."

"Back to the point," her father said in a resigned tone. "We were defiant and refused to allow him to make you stay here. I think he knew we were not going to bend. Because he became angry then he started making all the rules for you to go, including having a shadow for the last five years, one you knew nothing about.”

Shea snapped her head back and looked at her parents shocked. “And you agreed to this? Who was it?”

Her father shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and her mother had the decency to look ashamed. “We couldn’t say no. He was insistent, and we didn’t want to squash your dreams. So we agreed, as long as you were never told about the shadow. Then he dropped the real bomb, and we were scared to death for you.”

Shea rolled her eyes and said, “Real bomb, what else could be more shocking?”

This time it was her mother who looked worried, and Shea knew, all this time they had known that she was one of the Chosen and never told her. She braced herself for her parent’s deceit. Never in a million years would she have thought her mother would have been able to keep this secret from her. Hell, any of them that was shocking, in and of itself.

“When you were born, we were so happy, nothing would ever change how we felt about you. We heard rumblings from the shifters about something happening. Our leader said it was a rouse to get us back into the fold. We didn’t want to go through that upheaval when you were young, and your mom got pregnant again right away again.

We followed along, although we knew that things we not as our leader had explained.

Then when he called us to his office before we left, he stopped us. He said there was more we needed to know. We thought he was trying to trick us into making you stay, but he gave us the proof. A letter had come from the Council leader Oliver, explaining the prophecy and the children who would be born. Our leader said he had watched and researched. You were the only child born on the first of April. We refused to believe him at first, claiming that if you were one of the Chosen, he would have told us a long time ago. Then he told us about what happened with the baby who was stolen. We were horrified. What if it happened to you, we would never be able to live with ourselves if in some way we contributed to someone hurting you." Her mother began, and then she turned to her father and let him continue.

"So, we kept it a secret. And we allowed you to be guarded so we would know if anyone found out. Our leader came to us a few weeks ago and told us about what had been happening with the New Council, he forbid us to tell anyone about who you were Shea, he said if anyone found out you would be in danger. Then he told us about some of the things the New Council had been dealing with. We agreed but when we left the office, we knew we would have to tell you. That is why we took the business trip now. We were planning on coming and joining you on tour, we thought we could help you make contact with the Council. I am so sorry that you found out like this. I swear, if we knew what was going to happen, we would have called and come earlier.” Her father said sadly and looked at her for her reaction.

Shea was in a state of shock; she felt betrayed, and sorry for her parents to have to deal with all this, she felt like her leader had let her down, he had been her mentor. She had loved learning from him, even if he was a little strict. Finally, she was pissed, she was old enough to make up her own mind about anything, and if they had information, they damn well should have told her. As she sat and processed the information, the anger began to take over.

Lev and Griff both felt it and tried to whisper something in her ear to calm her down, but she was having none of that. She shrugged them off and stood up. Shea was ready to begin yelling at the people she loved the most and Cami grabbed her arm and tugged her back.

“Hang on their sister,” Cami said slowly. “If you will all excuse us for a few moments, we need to confer with our friend her before she actually blows the blood vessel that us popping out of her head.”

Shea turned and looked at the woman and nodded, she needed to get away before she said something that she could not take back.

Cami and the rest of the girls walked into the main Pub area with her in tow. They walked right up to the bar, and Cami slammed her hand down and yelled. “Pints on the house!” Everyone cheered and then she whispered. “And a very tall glass of Sparkling Apple Juice in a champagne glass please.”

Chapter 17

Reggie sat back on the couch with a child on each arm and breathed a deep sigh. Today had been a long day. When Tripp had come and told them there were more than just Shea's parents missing they had been shocked. Pack, Prides, and other communities were calling in as news spread of the Fae village being destroyed.

Reggie and Casey were going to meet in the morning to decide on what funds, they would use to help the other people. There were a lot of people that needed help right now. Many of the families who were being affected were ones with children.

No one argued with it. They were all too concerned and busy, and the Council needed answers now. Reggie felt one of the twins move, trying to get closer to him, as if he knew that Reggie needed comfort.

He heard Levi come in the front door of their new home and smiled. His mate helped deliver his children here in this very room. Since then they had seen such a change come over him. Where he was once withdrawn and hard to reach, now he talked to them about how he was feeling and expressed himself daily, sharing his love for them.

He wished that Levi could get past what his parents had done. He was trying to be such a good father, making sure he would never be the same as his own father, that sometimes he missed the small things, like the babies smile.

But he was getting better. Ruby had been on his tail from the moment he had finally told them about his childhood the complete story. Ruby had been really upset about the way her mate had been treated as a child and even angrier the Alphas had not done a damn thing about it.

Levi had tried to explain, but Ruby had been too indignant. When Quin's parents came for the ceremony in a few months, he certainly hoped, she had calmed down before then. Because if she was anything like she was when she yelled at Quin, Reggie thought they were gonna have to get out a muzzle. She was going to piss off some strong Alphas.

Levi had smiled and hugged her when she had demanded that Quin apologize in front of the entire Council, the Alpha had done so too, with an embarrassed look on his face.

Reggie had been so proud of her; she had really stood up to him in order to make their mate feel like he had some closure. He wished that Levi could actually talk to his parents and tell them the effect they had on him.

He snorted to himself, like he didn’t need therapy too. His mother turned out to be a psycho, and his father was missing and presumed dead. He wondered if it should bother him more. He was close to Casey’s father when they were growing up, he always felt like he could tell him anything. With his own father, it felt like a duty to talk to him.

Yeah he had some issues that were going to have to be dealt with too.

“Hey baby.” Levi whispered so he would not wake the children.

Reggie grinned, "Which baby are you referring too?”

“Huh, guess we need to change that huh, I would never want you to get confused with me calling you an endearment; how would you feel if I call you sweetheart or darlin’ like Trace would say?” Levi said and carefully lifting one of the babies out of Reggie’s arms and settling into the seat next to him.

“I like darlin’, if you say it with that drawl.” Reggie teased.

“You got it darlin’. Now how was the rest of your day?” Levi said and leaned over and kissed him gently.

Reggie sighed and said, “Shitty, for the most part. We have so much work to do; Casey and I are meeting in the morning to release funds to help with the people who are in trouble. Seriously, I don’t think the bed and breakfast is big enough to handle all the people that Quin and the others are sending here. The Pack house is done, and so we have the guest wing. But who do we put where. I have no idea what we are supposed to do.”

“This is your job how?” Levi asked.

“Because we are all pitching in, smart ass. Ruby is working with some of the locals to get clothing and things for those who need it. Whoever is doing this is leaving a mess along the way.” Reggie said.

“I know,” Levi grumbled, “I was tasked to help head security with Tripp, for the time being. I’m just feeling a little out of sorts.”

“What’s up?” Reggie asked and stood to put the babies down, first, the one he was holding, and then the one Levi was holding.

Ruby walked in the door and quietly stepped into the room and said, “Everyone fall asleep?”

“Yep,” Reggie grinned and then motioned for them to follow him into their office in the next room.

Once they were all seated, Ruby looked at Reggie curiously. “Meeting?”

Reggie nodded his head. They decided when they were having issues to call family meetings to deal with stuff and not let if fester. Levi sighed and said, “Sid asked me to do him a favor and run and tell his brothers that they needed to call their parents. With all the shit that had gone down, he hadn’t had a chance. So I did, and Brian called while I was there.”

Reggie looked at Ruby and shrugged. “So?” Ruby said trying to prompt him.

“It’s the anniversary of my parent’s death today.” Levi said and looked at his mates, “I have no idea what I am supposed to be feeling. In one way, I guess I’m sorry they are gone and can’t see the man I have become and the family I built. And in another way I’m saying ‘fuck it’ I’m better off without them.” Levi said.

“What is wrong with feeling both?” Ruby said quietly.

“Cause it seems wrong.” Levi growled. “I don’t know why I am even wasting my time with these thoughts. I have a lot to do, but every time I go to start doing something I keep hearing the old man’s voice telling me what a screw up I am.”

Ruby stood up, walked to her mate, and bent over him grasping the handles of his chair and getting into his face. “You are not a screw up. You are a wonderful man who is the center of our world. Don’t you get it? We are a team. It does not work without you.

You are different boy they pushed around and bullied. Now you are an Enforcer, and a member of the New Council. You don’t need them, you have us.”