Chapter 4

OLIVE

“You’re a… a nymph.”

“DING DING DING! We have a winner!” she exclaims, pretending to ring a bell.

“But… I… how?” I stutter.

“Well, when a nymph is born, we come from the trees or flowers. No birds and bees involved!” she explains.

I choke. “No, I didn’t mean literally!”

She giggles. “I know, I just wanted to see your reaction. It’s quite entertaining!”

“Okay… So, what’s your name? And why do you think I can smell you?” I ask.

“My name is Daisy.” She pauses, thinking about my second question. She crosses her arms and taps her chin with her finger.

“As for why you can smell me, my guess is… you’re not a full-blooded werewolf.” She nods as if that settles it.

“What do you mean? You think I’m a hybrid? I’ve always lived with packs. My mom’s a wolf and so are her parents.”

Daisy takes a moment. “Well… what about your dad?”

“My dad, he’s… well, he’s… Honestly, I’m not sure what he is. I’ve always just assumed he was a werewolf. I never thought to question it.”

I frown, wondering if I could really be a hybrid.

~It would explain a lot,~ Raven chimes in.

~Not now, Raven! I’m having an identity crisis here!~

~What? We are the odd one out, after all. It seems only fitting to be a hybrid.~

She does have a point.

“Can you tell what I am?” I ask Daisy.

“I’m afraid not. All I can tell is you’re not a nymph, Fae, or even an elf.”

~Well, that narrows it down. For all I know I could be part centaur!~

“Have you ever asked your mom?” Daisy interrupts my thoughts.

~Mom, of course! She would know… I hope.~

~Ha! Maybe she slept around and doesn’t even know who our dad is,~ Raven says.

I mentally glare at Raven. ~But seriously… How do I ask her what I am without bringing up my dad?~

~There is no way. We storm in there and we demand to know everything about our dad. I want to know what he is and if he has any cool powers!~

~Raven, seriously. You know how Mom looks when we’ve tried to bring it up before. She’s heartbroken, knowing her mate is out there somewhere but choosing not to be with her.~

~I don’t know if I can even bring myself to ask. What would I even say? “Oh, Mom, today I met a nymph who thinks I’m a hybrid. Care to explain?”~

~Sounds good to me.~ Raven chuckles.

I mentally roll my eyes.

“Are you talking to your wolf?” Daisy asks.

“Yes, sorry about that,” I respond.

“Please, don’t be sorry. I find it fascinating! What abilities do werewolves have?”

“We can shift into wolf form, of course. We are a lot stronger and faster than any humans. Pack members can mind-link to one another.

“Alphas can use the alpha command on their pack, which makes the wolves submit and obey. I’ve heard the Alpha King can use his command on any wolf and alpha too.”

I consider telling her about my secret abilities but decide against it. I barely know this nymph!

“Wow! That is so fascinating! I’ve never met a wolf in all my four hundred years. It’s so cool to learn about another species.”

“Wait, what!? You’re four hundred years old!? But you look about my age!”

“Uh, huh.” Daisy nods. “We have long lives.” She shrugs.

“So, what abilities do nymphs have?” I ask curiously.

“Other than our incredibly long lives, I can send messages to other nymphs through the trees and teleport.

“I can call upon nature to help me and we have the ability to heal, but only when we are at a healing spring, which is what this spring is right here.” Daisy gestures to the spring.

“That’s insane!” I’m speechless.

“Oh! I can also camouflage myself when I’m out in nature. It helps to make me less detectable.”

Daisy and I spend the next few hours chatting about our species. We laugh and joke about all the odd things our species do. It’s nice, it’s like having a real friend.

As the sun starts to set, I decide to head home before it gets too dark. I wave to Daisy and promise I’ll be back soon to talk.

I make my way back the way I came, through the cave and forest. Just as I’m coming out of the forest line, I spot a large group of she-wolves.

~Great,~ I think to myself. I try to keep my distance when a breeze blows past me.

The group of girls sniff the air and turn their attention toward me. The tallest of them all steps forward. I guess she’s the leader.

She’s probably about five foot ten, with long blond hair and full fringe, and bright-blue eyes.

She has golden skin. If she wasn’t about to be a bitch, I would think she is incredibly beautiful.

She has another, more timid girl—identical to her, probably her twin—clinging onto her arm. It looks as though she is trying to pull her away.

“You! What are you doing here?” the leader says.

“Errrrrrrrr.” I struggle to find words.

She and her posse start to walk over to me. The girl is looking down her nose at me. Her friends are snickering and whispering behind her, all except the girl still clinging to her arm.

“Please, don’t do this. Let’s just go for a run and leave the girl alone!” the shy girl begs, but her words fall on deaf ears.

“Come on, spit it out! Or do I need to drag the alpha into this?”

“I’m a new pack transfer, just got here today.” I try to smile, hoping it might help.

“Does the alpha usually get involved with new pack transfers who are minding their own business?” I blurt out, then instantly regret it.

My mouth is going to get me into trouble one of these days.

She narrows her eyes at me. “He does when his sister brings it to his attention.” She smirks.

“Why do you smell so weird?” She scrunches up her nose.

~Here we go.~

“Uhhhh, I don’t know.” I shrug.

She steps closer, trying to intimidate me with her proximity. Her sister is still trying to pull her back.

“I don’t like you, and I don’t like your smell. If you come near me again, there will be trouble, understand?”

I lower my head, pretending to be submissive. Raven growls in disapproval. The girl lifts her head and smirks.

“Good girl, now get lost. I don’t want your stink on me.”

I turn and start walking toward home.

The girl turns back to her friends and laughs. “Ew, what a freak!”

Her friends join in the laughter. One pipes up, “Oh my goddess, Amber. I think she almost shit herself!” She cackles.

~Amber, huh? I’ll remember that.~

“Amber, why do you have to be so mean!?” the shy girl asks.

“Oh, get over it, Alice. She could have been a rogue for all we knew.”

I growl low, quiet enough so they can’t hear.

I decide to take what I think is a shortcut home through an alleyway. A scent fills my nostrils. I’m trying to place it when suddenly someone appears in front of me.

“Who was THAT!?” Daisy asks.

I stumble backward, almost tripping.

“Woah, what the fuck, Daisy! What are you doing here!?”

She grabs my hands and giggles. “Let’s just say you’ve officially piqued my interest! Have your kind always treated you this way?”

“Only since my wolf emerged… I guess my scent changed, and so did the way everyone treated me.”

“Wow, that’s just fascinating. Well! The investigation continues…”

“Sorry? Investigation?”

“Yes, silly! I’m going to find out what you are! I haven’t been this excited in a century!”

“Right. I guess I should be flattered?” I frown. “Although, I would appreciate any help you can give to help me figure out the mess that is…me,” I say, gesturing to all of me.

Daisy cackles. “Oh, Olive, you are funny!”

“Sure. Anyway... I’ve got to head home, and so should you. You can’t be spotted. Wolves don’t take kindly to unexpected visitors.”

“Aye, aye, captain!” Daisy salutes. “I’ll be seeing you again soon, Olive!” Daisy smiles before vanishing into thin air.

~Teleportation, huh... So cool!~

The rest of the walk home only takes fifteen minutes. Pushing open the front door, I sigh, deflated. My mom comes around from the kitchen, chirpy as ever.

She takes one look at my tired state and rushes over.

“Livi, is everything okay?” she says as she guides me to the sofa.

“I’m fine. I’ve just had a long day.” I smile.

“But I’ve got some good news. You’re looking at the new waitress for a cute, little coffee shop in town!” I say, pulling an over-the-top smug face.

“NO WAY!” Mom jumps up, excited. “Congratulations, my sweet! Now that calls for a celebratory glass of wine!” She rushes over to the kitchen, opening cupboards, looking for wine glasses.

She pulls two out and comes dancing over to me with a bottle of white. She pours two large glasses and hands me one.

“To my incredible daughter and her new job,” she says, making me feel embarrassed.

She raises her glass to me before we clink them together.

We drink our wine, snuggled up on the sofa with a blanket, and watch our usual easy-watching shit TV.

Maybe it’s just the wine that’s starting to hit, but my mind replays what Daisy said—that I could be a hybrid.

~Could it be true? Is my dad really something other than a werewolf?~

~Ask her,~ Raven prods.

~I don’t know how! I don’t want to see her upset.~

My mom is staring at me with concern but doesn’t say anything.

“Mom?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

~Ahhhh, how do I find out about my dad WITHOUT asking about my dad!?~

“Could you…tell me about my dad?”

~I decide there’s no way to ask without bringing him up. So might as well dive straight in.~

“Your dad?” Mom looks shocked, but sighs.

“Your dad? Where can I start?” She sighs again. “Umm, well, we met when I was out walking of all places. I guess you’re a lot like me in that sense. We both like nature.” She laughs.

“The most incredible scent hit me. It was dark and alluring, mysterious yet welcoming, like home.

“I followed the scent for a short while, then, across the field, I spotted him.” She smiles, reminiscing.

“As soon as our eyes met, the mate bond clicked into place. I ran to him like a crazy lady. He looked a bit uncertain, maybe even scared at first.

“He was even slowly backing away! But as soon as I reached him and we touched, we were inseparable.”

“For about a year, it was just the two of us, living happily. Then I found out I was pregnant with you. I thought I couldn’t possibly be happier, until I held you in my arms.

“You changed everything, Livi. You completed us. You completed me.

“Dominic was an amazing father. He spent all his time playing with you, taking you out, teaching you to see the magic in the world.”

“His name was Dominic?” I manage to choke out, tears threatening to spill over.

“Yes, Livi. He would’ve done anything for you. And then the time came when he had to. His father sent him a message… He told him that if he didn’t come back, he would destroy you and me.”

“But why?” I ask, bewildered.

“Your grandfather is a powerful man, Livi, and a cruel one. We couldn’t underestimate him. Your father saw no other choice. To protect us, he had to leave and go back to your grandfather.

“I haven’t seen him since. But you need to know, he loves you so much. He did this to keep us safe.” Mom’s eyes start to shimmer with unshed tears, her lip trembling.

Any other questions I had vanish from my mind.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry you had to go through this!”

She pulls me into a tight embrace. “Don’t be, Livi. None of this is your fault. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, do you understand?”

I nod, wiping away my tears.

We stay like that for a while, just holding each other.

“Alright.” Mom sits up, lightly patting her thighs. “It’s been a long day and you have school tomorrow. We should get some sleep.”

I give her one last hug before heading to bed, the thought of school looming over me.

~Please, Goddess, don’t let me run into Amber tomorrow.~