Chapter 20

The veins in his arms jutted as he crossed his arms over his chest and settled back into the chair. "Who is Celeste's grandfather?" Bennett offered Gran a seat but she choose to sit at the farthest seat from everyone else.

Greyson didn't give me much of an option where to sit, because he had me glued to his side with one of his arms resting below my hip. I didn't even bother moving for he would make a silly grumble about how insensitive I was about his wolf's feelings.

And I thought I was the woman of this relationship-not that I'm saying we're in a relationship. This over bearing male wanted to show my grandmother that he had a claim on me.

"Celeste's grandfather is...a man I went down and dirty with, duh!" Gran took a sip from the cup of tea she held between her hands.

My poor ears. I don't think I can ever erase what she said from my mind.

"Diana, please don't tease with me. I'm a very impatient person and I don't like it when people waste my time." Bennett leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs and clasping both hands. "Don't make me ask again. Who is Celeste's grandfather?"

Gran set her cup on the table. "To tell you the truth. I don't know."

"You don't know?" Bennett sounded pissed.

Gran's ability to pull people's buttons is remarkable. There was no doubt in my mind she can make a happy clown turn psychotic.

"It was a one night stand. I was young and wild! I went to one crazy party and I got knocked up. Because of my recklessness, my daughter practically grew up without both parents. If you meet my Tracey, you'd see why she hates me so much. She's a book worm and I'm a failure as a mother." She smiled sadly.

For once, I actually sympathized with Gran. Mom can be cynical sometimes, but it's not because she is old hearted. With everything she's been through, it's hard for her to express her feelings to anyone but her kids.

"Tracey moved out as soon as she could afford being on her own. I didn't get to see my grandkids grow up because of that." Gran looked at me and sighed. "But I have no regrets. My grandchildren are all good kids."

I smiled. "We love you too Gran and mom does too."

Regardless of the people watching, she reached her hand across the table to touch mine. "I love you to sweetie. If my recklessness has ever bothered you, or embarrassed you, like your mother. I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "You are amazing Gran, I wouldn't change you for the world."

"I hate to break up this touching moment, but we really need to get down to business." Bennett mumbled.

His diligence was beginning to get annoy. They contained me in this house like a prisoner, deprived me of privacy and now they won't even let me have this touching moment with my grandmother?

"Why are you so eager about learning my family history? What does learning about my grandfather have to do with you?" I shot at him.

"Celeste." He waited until he could control the tone of his voice. His eyes, I noticed. were kind of a darker shade than usual. Greyson explained to me once, that their wolves intensifies normal human emotion in order to manipulate transformation. In other words, their wolves want out and it takes a lot of control to hold them in.

It sounds to me like werewolves PMSing.

"I have some notions. One being that your grandfather, was a rogue that entered our land undetected years ago. If he is still alive, he could still be here in my territory. That does not set well for me. It is a danger to my pack and my family."

"What kind of gibberish is he talking about?" Gran twirled her teabag and set it on her saucer. "He sounds crazier than me!" She chuckled.

And she admits that about herself...unbelievable.

A sneer crossed Bennett's face. "Diana, this is my son Greyson. He is a werewolf and very much...enamored by your granddaughter."

"I can see that." Her eyes analyzed the way Greyson held me close to him.

"Every male in this facility are werewolves." He proceeded to tell her about their family history. Everything that I've been already been told. At first Gran listened openmouthed in awe, then she smirked once Bennett finished talking.

"Show me." She demanded. "Strip and show me them doggie paws!"

Vincent who had been listening the whole time, standing in the back corner of the room and leaning against the wall, looked applaud. Bennett did too, but he quickly masked it and cleared his throat as if covering a choke.

"Gran!" I shouted. "That's totally inappropriate." Next to me Greyson vibrated in silent laughter. I elbowed to point out that it wasn't funny.

"I've never seen a woman talk to my dad like that, not even my mom!" He chuckled.

"If you want proof, then another time, using other means. Werewolves are still human, we have morals. No one will strip for your enjoyment." Bennett put it mildly.

Gran smirked. "I'm just pulling your strings, big dog-or how do you call yourself?"

"Alpha." Bennett said between clenched teeth.

"Right..." Again, she was trying to pull on the man's last nerve.

"Gran, please don't aggravate Alpha Bennett." I signed. "Another thing, he forgot to mention is that Trent is a werewolf too."

She paused staring me emotionless. "Trent? You mean your brother Trent? The kid that's like the younger male version of your mother? No..."

It was still hard for me to believe too.

I nod. "He transformed for the first time last night. It was a shock to all of us. I didn't expect it at all. They want to figure out why he turned into a werewolf. That's why they want to know if the man you...had intimate relations with was a werewolf." I blushed saying it.

It's not every day you ask your grandmother about her life in the bedroom.

With a raise of a hand, Bennett interjected. "But wait. My second notion is that man wasn't a werewolf. From examining the story of Diana's first encounter with him, he can't be a werewolf." Bennett muttered. "Werewolves can only have kids with their mates. Either that man was her mate and died shortly after the consummation, or he was completely human. There is a higher probability for the latter."

"So you're saying Celeste's grandfather is most likely human." Greyson clarifies his father's confusing notions.

Bennett nodded. "Probably."

It's either yes, or no, there's no room for a probably! Everything is so confusing. In my head I'm imagining the game Guess Who? and it isn't ending the way it should because the person we are trying to identify keeps changing outfits.

"If it helps, the man I slept with was kind of hairy. Then-

"Gran don't even finish that sentence." I warned her.

"No please continue." Greyson snickered and I glared at him.

Bennett turned his head as if hearing something and got up.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

Greyson took my hand in his and got up as well. "Your mother is here...so if your sister. They are walking towards the house."

"How do you know?"

As soon as I get up from the sofa, Bennett disappears from the room, already on his way to welcome them. Or that's what I think he's going to do.

Greyson taps at the corner of his ear. "We can hear her coming. Werewolf ears remember?"

Animalistic sensory skills, I almost forgot.

With a clunk, Gran lifts her feet up onto the table and melts back into her chair, making herself comfortable. Her action reminds me so much of how Trent puts his feet up on the car dash board. "This isn't hot anymore. Where can I find the microwave?"

My eyes widen. "Don't let her anywhere near our kitchen." I warn Greyson.

The house would burn down if no one watched her.

Greyson tilts his chin to face her. "Stay here Diana."

"Please call me Gran. My grandkids call me by that." She sends him a warm smile. There is a spark of wonder in her eyes. Something tells me that she has a slight fascination about the beast of her legend and isn't aghast about what he is.

"Vincent keep her company. Make sure she gets what she wants." Greyson told him.

"She will want to kill me." Vincent chooses to stay half way across the room from her.

Gran heard him. "I'm plotting as we speak!" With that Vincent winces and sends Greyson and me a plea.

"You'll be fine. What can she do?"

Vincent looks horrifies and Gran smiles innocently at Greyson like a devil in disguise.

"Gran, behave."

She rolls her eyes. "Are you my other mother now?"

"Gran, please..."

She sighs. "Alright honey, because you said please."

"Thank you."

The female figure was not my mother, it was Charlotte standing next to Bennett.

"Where's mom?" I asked her.

She was wearing a graphic t-shirt from one of the concerts she attended with her friends last spring and a pair of shorts. A backpack was strapped on her back and a half empty refillable bottle was tied to one side. On her head was a pair of sunglasses and her long hair was neatly tied up to a ponytail.

She looked like she was ready for a five mile hike.

"Over there. She pointed at the direction of Leo's large figure.

Underneath him was my mother passed out,

"Mom!" I yelled running after her. As soon as I got to Leo, I pushed him aside like it was no big deal. "What the hell did you do to her? And what is that smell?"

It smelt revolting that my eyes started to water.

Leo groaned as he rolled himself to his hands and knees, then on his feet.

"Your mother is not much of a girl scout."

"What happened?"" Bennett, Greyson, Charlotte and three new audience members-Laura, Robert and Debbie-arrived on the scene.

"Oh dear, we're going to need 3% hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and liquid soap pronto. That nasty skunk smell is hard to remove." Laura said muffled by her palm over her mouth and nose.

Charlotte plugged her nose between her fingers. "Leo tricked mom to join him and his parents to go on a search party mission looking for you. I told her Trent had already headed out into the forest as soon as he got the phone call from Leo. Mom and I meet them in the woods and some hectic stuff happened."

Robert shook his head. "Your mother wouldn't listen to our directions. She went across a shrub of poison ivy, almost stepped on a snake and aggravated a skunk."

"Mom's never been the outdoorsy type." Charlotte defended.

"She fainted after she took a whiff of the stench." Debbie said. "I think the skunk incident was in our favor. We were able to swim her down under the water and she woke up struggling, but hit her head on stone and fainted again."

"Oh my goodness, we should make sure she's alright!" Laura read my mind.

"Mom," I bent down and hugged her despite the smell.

I was so happy to see her again. She looked like she has lost a lot of weight in the past few days. It was probably because of all the stress. "Mom wake up." I patted her cheek.

"Get Dr. O'Dell." Greyson ordered someone, I don't know who and it didn't matter as long as my mom will get treatment.

"Where's Gran?" Charlotte asked. "Leo told me that she was already here."

"Inside with Vincent." At the mention of her scorned-not-really-lover, Charlotte's lips flinched.

"Oh," was all she said.

We brought my mom to one of the guest bedrooms and laid her on the bed. Gran saw us and followed us at her own pace. Vincent followed behind her keeping a far distance from her. Charlotte caught his attention as soon as the two were in the same breathing room. My stubborn sister remained to ignore his presence and Vincent respected that. He didn't attempt to talk to her although it looked like he was dying inside.

"I'm going to go and burn these clothes now." Leo said already peeling off his shirt.

Greyson closed the door after him, while Leo was just about to peel his pants off. "Remind me to talk to him about walking around the house in boxers." He tells his dad.

"It's not like you don't do it too."

"That was before." He took a glance my way.

"Charlotte," Mom's voice silenced the room of people.

Everyone held their breath and watched as mom opened her eyes and squinted at the ceiling. "My head..." She grasped her forehead and groaned. She hissed when she touched the bruise forming.

"You called, Alpha?" Dr. O'Dell entered and walked straight to mom's bedside. She eyed Bennett, waiting for his explanation of the current situation. "What's your prognosis?"

Mom turned her head to identify the people talking. Her eyes connected with mine. "What the hell? I'm hallucinating."

All eyes turned to me. "Mom?" I muttered.

She gasped and tears dribbled down the corners of her eyes. "Now I'm hearing things."

"Sounds to me like she has some mental illness." Gran told the doctor. "You should prescribe her anti-depressants before we lose her!"

Dr. O'Dell sneered disapprovingly at Gran. "You're not certifies to give out prescriptions Ma'am."

Gran frowned. "Who you calling Ma'am? You look as old as I am you old hag!"

Mom covered her face with both hands. "Mom, will you shut up! You're making my head hurt more!"

"Then why don't you roll of that bed and ask this shaman lady to give you some pain meds."

"Do you have a history of substance abuse?" Dr. O'Dell asked Gran.

Fangs protruded, but they weren't from any of the werewolves in the room. My grandmother pounced on the poor doctor and it took four grown men to detach her from Dr. O'Dell.

"That woman needs to be placed in a cage." Laura muttered under her breath.

"I heard that Twinkle toes!"

"Out, send her outside!" Bennett ordered.

Robert and Vincent grabbed her each under her arms and dragged her out of the room, closing the door behind them.

"Charlotte," mom called out. "What's that awful smell?" She was still unaware of where she was.

I walked up to her and grasped her wrist, removing her hand away from her face. When she saw that it wasn't Charlotte, her eyes flooded with tears.

"Celeste, is that really you." She touched my check and warmed her hand. "Am I dreaming? Are you real?"

I nodded and grasped her hand with both my own. "I'm real. And we're together again." I whimpered.

Her voice became horse. "But how?" She pulled me closer so that we could hug.

"You were brought here." Bennett said, again interrupting yet another moment between me and my family.

Mom looked over my shoulder and the overwhelming group of people in the room.

"Debbie, who are these people?"

"Umm." Debbie said awkwardly. She looked at Bennett and Laura hoping for them to do the honors and explain to my mom the chaos of what she was about to hear.

"My name is Greyson, it's nice to meet you." Greyson didn't hesitate to introduce himself. He wasn't shy about wrapping his arm around my waist and rested his head on top of mine either.

Mom's face hardened at every action Greyson made. "Celeste, who is this?"

"I just intro-

"Shut up, I am talking to my daughter."

Greyson stiffened next to me. I thought it would be a wise idea to detach myself from him. He didn't protest when I did. Taking a step back to hide from my mother's wrath, Greyson paled at the rejection.

"Mom, remember that legend that Gran told us about?"

"Not you too! My mother has brain washed you. That's it! We're leaving this instant. And-where the hell have you been all this time!" She shouted. "You look fine! Did you deliberately tried to scare me? I'm so-my god, Celeste. I would never have expected this outlandish behavior from you! Did you meet up with that boy somewhere? Did he persuade you to leave with him? That something your grandmother would do!"

Despite her headache, she swung out of bed and abruptly got up. It was clearly a bad idea, because she swayed as soon as she stood up. Greyson, being the closest, caught her first and carried her back to the bed. Mom heaved as if she was about to vomit and clasped her mouth to keep the bile from coming out.

"Don't touch me!" Mom struggled in his arms. "You better not have done anything to my daughter!"

Greyson carefully placed her on the bed, but she pulled her legs together like a frightened child.

"Mom, relax." I said soothingly. "We can go once we've taken care of your headache."

Greyson looked at me as if I were mad. I knew he was about to tell me that I wasn't allowed to leave.

"I'm just trying to calm her down. I don't mean it." I rest my hand on his shoulder to assure him.

"We're not staying. I'm not staying in this town for another minute." Mom declares.

She attempts to get up again but this time both my sister and I stop her.

Charlotte holds her breath. "Mom you stink like really bad."

The smell finally returns to her senses and mom recoils from us both. "I smell like garbage." She gags.

"I can help you with that as soon as we get your head checked out. I heard you had a real nasty hit." Laura smiles.

"You look familiar. Have we meet before?" Mom tilts her head to the side and winces when her head aches that direction.

"Umm." Laura awkwardly giggles. "Maybe long time ago."

Everyone except Debbie looks slightly shocked. "Don't you remember Tracey? Laura was a freshmen when we graduated high school together. We were in the same volleyball team together."

That surprises all of us. Laura never mentioned knowing my mother.

"Laura...oh my god, I remember now!" Mom looks at her in happy astonishment.

"How's it been?" Laura stands right next to me, causally placing her arm over my shoulders in a friendly gesture.

Mom notices this. "How did you two become acquainted?"

I hear Laura take a deep nervous gulp. "Greyson is my son."

"He's your son." Mom repeats. The amount of control she place in not blowing up on Laura's face was spotless.

I did the math in my head. Laura was taken 25 years ago when mom had already left Paradise Valley. Mom had no idea that Laura's face was pictured on the missing person's bulletin like mine probably was 25 years ago.

"Uh-huh." Laura chuckles dryly. "Oh! I would like you to meet my husband." She quickly averts the topic of Greyson.

Bennett walks over and stands on my other side. He nods his head in a short form of hello. "It's nice to meet you Tracy. My name is Bennett. Your daughter has told us a lot about you."

This certainly makes things more awkward. It's like a scene from Meet the Parents.

"That's odd, because Celeste hasn't said a word about knowing any of you." Well, that's because I didn't know then before I got kidnapped. "Can any of you help me get to my mother's house? My kids and I need to start packing."

Gran looked alarmed. "But Tracey-

"No buts mother. You are clearly fine. I don't think you need me and the kids to watch over you anymore and you have a full house of people watching over you already." Mom takes hold of the bed rail trying to find some balance. "Let's go girls." She takes my hand.

Greyson moves between us glowers at my mother. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

"Move aside young man." Her eyes press together trying to withstand the pain in her head.

"I advise that you let me check your head Miss." Dr. O'Dell cautions.

"I'm fine."

"Don't be unreasonable," I scold her.

For the first time since ever, mom looks at me coldly. "I'm being unreasonable? You scared me half to death running away from home to be with this delinquent!"

"My son is not a delinquent!" Laura bursts.

"I can't stand this screaming." Mom clutches her head.

"Let me see to you." Dr. O'Dell begs. "I think you might have a concussion."

Worry bites me and I look at Greyson for support. His fists clinch together and his jaw is tense. Laura takes another harsh remark from my mom and Greyson snaps into action. "Sit down and do as the good doctor tell you." He seethes and mom is stunned silent.

But it doesn't last long. "I-

"Can't you see your daughters are worried about your well-being? Look at you! I've never seen someone so worn-out as you!" The truth hurt.

Mom did look like she had crawled out of the apocalypse. Her clothes were drenched. She had dirt on her jeans and she smelt like skunk. Her complexion wasn't faring better either. She looked tired and her skin was pale. Even more so than Gran.

"Honey, why don't you let us care for you first and then we can fight about this later." Debbie bustled.

"Yeah mom." Charlotte whispered.

She looked slightly shaken watching our mother the past few minutes explode into an angry volcano.

Mom's eyes softened at my sister's plea. "Fine. But as soon as I'm checked out. We are leaving." She looks at me disappointed. "When we get home, we shall have a word."

I nodded.

Dr. O'Dell was finally able to exam mom's condition. She informed us that mom had hit her head pretty hard and had a small hairline fracture on her skull. The doctor wanted her to be monitored over night to make sure she is going to be okay.

"You're not leaving." Greyson said when we were alone.

"Clearly you got that fact down to a T." I muttered.

He pulled me against his side and nuzzled his head into my shoulder. "When you mom feels better I'm telling her we are going to get married."

"Wow, hold on their buddy. I still haven't consented. You have me forced to stay by your side remember?"

He smirked. "Says the girl lying next to me in bed every night."

Much to my annoyance, he was right. I've grown to get used to him sleeping next to me. He hasn't touched me inappropriately, but on some occasions I would move into his side of the bed out of habit. I'm a clingy sleeper.

"Shut up."

He smirks. "Don't kid yourself, mate. You are starting to open up to me."

"In your dreams."

"And what good dreams they are..." He turns around and walks away, heading to his office.

NOTE: Dec 24, 2016

HAPPY HOLIDAYS YOU FREAKISHLY AMAZING PEOPLE!!! I'M BACK!!! I've graduated and I'm ready to write again after a year of constant chaos. I have edited this book again so you will find some changes to the style of writing. This book has been closed off from the public but I have made it visible once more. SO YOU BETTER BE GRATEFUL, you marshmallows! Let's make one thing clear though IF YOU COPY MY BOOK...I WILL FIND YOU.

BE WARNED. xo