My Surprise Mate

I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have a brother on the walk to our house.

A half-brother, but a sibling non the less.

As soon as we walked into the house it felt like I could breathe again.

Just being home gave me comfort.

Dane went to the kitchen to make a bottle for Kyra as I began getting her changed.

"Let me," Dane said as he took Kyra from me and began feeding her.

"What’s on that brain of yours?" he questioned softly.

I shook my head, unsure of where to start.

"I just...I don’t know.There are so many thoughts, questions, and worries bouncing around right now I’m not sure where I would even start to try to explain it."

I felt my eyes burn as tears formed.I stood and started pacing around the room; everything hitting me at once.

Dane’s arms stopped me as he slowly turned me toward him, wrapping me in a tight hug.

"Deep breath babe."

He whispered as he gently stroked my hair and back.I did as he said, inhaling his scent as it surrounded me.

After a few breaths, I felt calm again and let Dane lead me to bed.

He slowly helped me get undressed before pulling one of his t-shirts over my head.

"My whole life has been turned upside down."

I told him as we laid down on the bed, "I don’t regret it—it’s just been a lot, you know? "

Dane pulled me close to him, "I understand, and you have handled it and waited for me to talk."

“I’m still learning about being a werewolf, a mom, and a mate.And now I have met my mom and lost my mom, meet my dad and I’m still not sure if I can trust him or not.I found out I have a brother! It’s just too much at once."

I sighed and closed my eyes as I snuggled closer to Dane.

"I know it’s been a lot, babe, but I’m proud of you and how well you have handled everything.I’m not sure how much we can trust Apollo either.Hell, I thought we could trust your mom, but look what happened with that.No matter what though—I will always stand by your side.I will always protect you and Kyra, and I love you both more than life itself.Kyra is asleep in her bed, so why don’t we try to get some rest now too."

How did he always know exactly what to say? "I love you too Dane,"

I whispered, feeling his breathing even out under me.I knew he was just as exhausted as I was if not more.I lay there listening to Dane snore lightly until sleep finally consumed me.

The next morning, we woke up and dressed early.I was nervous and excited at the same time.I will, hopefully, get to meet Devin today and learn more from Apollo about Kyra.

As I was packing Kyra’s diaper bag, Adria came through the front door.

"Good morning!" she cooed as she took Kyra from Dane.

"Good morning to you to mom,"

Dane replied playfully to his mom.

She laughed as she swatted at his arm, "Well I hate to break it to you dear, but the minute Kyra was born she stole first place from you!"

I laughed as Dane fake pouted, "Is Apollo still at the border?"

I asked her as I slipped my shoes on and inviting him to breakfast but decided any interaction with the Alpha King should come from you or Dane."

She looked between me and Dane, "the pack is nervous.It’s not often the Alpha King himself shows up and also stays the night.They aren’t sure what is going on or what happened last night.I know you have this under control, son, but I suggest informing them of what’s going on.At least tell them some of it to ease their minds some."

I could see Dane tense, "I'll have Ash give them a brief update and inform them as soon as Apollo leaves, we will hold a formal meeting and let them know everything.For now, though, we should get to the packhouse"

As we walked out the front door, we were met by Ash, Genesis, and Blaze.

"We made him wait as long as we could,"

Genesis sighed, "he hardly slept at all last night.He seems very anxious."

I looked over at Blaze as he talked softly to Kyra and Adria.I still couldn’t get over the changes physically happening in Blaze, not to mention how he acts with Kyra is mind-blowing.

He is so much bigger than other kids his age; taller and more muscular.

"You and Blaze go to the packhouse with them.I will be there shortly,"

Ash told Genesis before giving her a small kiss and heading toward the border.

"Is it okay for him to go by himself?" I asked, feeling a little uneasy at the thought.

Apollo hasn’t done anything to make me doubt his intentions, but I just have this gut feeling he isn’t what he seems.

I wish I didn’t feel this way about him and I hope I am him.They will escort Apollo and Devin, if he is here, to our office.I nodded as I let Dane lead all of us across the yard into the packhouse.

Zayd was waiting in the office for us when we arrived.

"Good morning," he cooed, just like Adria did as he took Kyra from her.

Dane threw his hands in the air,

moved to sit on the couch

smiled at me and winked before sitting in his chair and pulling me into

a knock on the door before Ash came in, "Alpha

side and allowing Apollo and a man

in behind them as Ash

of taking a seat like they normally

and I stood as Apollo approached

Dane greeted them.

as he held his hand out,

shook Dane’s

"Nice to meet you,"

replied before slipping his hand in

stepped forward a little bit, "I’m Holly Black, your sister

looked at Dane to find a huge smile gracing that beautiful face of

you have used my last name...like

through our mind link, causing me

smile, "I suppose you are," he chuckled lightly shorter than Apollo but had the same brown hair

seemed to twist when he

something about him that made me feel

room at Kyra who was still being held by

exchanged a brief look before locking

they had the same gut feeling I had about Devin.I just knew

the uneasiness spreading through the room, "So what can you tell us about Kyra and Blaze?" he asked, breaking the

waiting for his response, "Straight to the point, I like that," he smiled, "there is a prophecy I guess you could say, in short, it says that a female heir to the Royal pack will be blessed with gifts

to Kyra as I thought about what Apollo had

but I felt like

does

questioned him, narrowing my

been so long, that is all I can remember.My

I didn’t believe him.

sat silently

the one mentioned in the prophecy, the one to become the next

Devin’s face, "Yes, but if she is, then she won't just rule over the werewolves, but overall the supernaturals.For this reason, we believe she should come to live at the palace, of course not without both of you.There she will be better protected and can get

very confident

broke out throughout the office

"Kyra isn’t going anywhere,"

out, stepping

had slowly moved and were

the room, "No need to

are your real

I had to ask.

gut feeling had continued to grow,

smirk that flashed across Devin’s face sent chills down my

I felt everyone

Holly.I know you are scared to trust me, and I understand that, but I really just want the best for you and her.I really don’t care if she

sincerity, it was now Devin that I knew was up

I would like to come back in one month to visit if that is okay with you.Maybe my mate can come with

at me as Devin stood behind

Alpha King

a quick hug before turning to the group surrounding Kyra, "Can I please see her before I

his head at Ash and Colby, and they stepped aside just enough

me with his hand out, "It was

words as I reached to shake

hand a squeeze,

escorting Apollo and Devin

Holly, but I hope you know

were halfway to the border when Devin stopped walking mid-stride, tilting his head up and sniffing the air, "What is

"Mate..."

Cevin whispered.

widened at him before

have found your mate!! That is

seemed genuinely happy

all followed Devin as he walked through the pack trying to find

is so faint..." he shook his head as he

"What is in there?"

asked pointing to

is where we

him and then

he asked

nodded his

give any more information

want to

at

door and began leading

reached her cell, "Mate..." they both said as their eyes

quickly, "Let.Her.Out.Now."

sternly, "Let’s talk

didn’t even know that she was still here until now.I

as we all