The Revelation

SPENCER

“Roy and Sheila were requested to stand in front of the pack for questioning. It’s just a formality as we need some answers, would you like to come?”

I was praying she would. She said she accepted all of me and things had been more than wonderful between us but just in case, I didn’t want to push it.

“Will Uncle Clade be there?”

Her concern for Clade was more due to the fact that he had not come home or answered his cell.

“Yes, I believe so. He’s immersed himself nicely into the pack, I guess discovering people you’ve known for years being shapeshifters has more than piqued his interest.”

“Can your Mom watch Levi?”

“Actually, Levi would come. Our epsilons are in charge of taking care of our pups.”

“Epsilons?”

I thought for a moment, “Epsilon is a rank, just like alpha, but lower. Alpha is the head or leader of our pack but epsilons are our scholars, the ones who nurture our young, teach them the way of their wolf—like Mom, who actually up until now, was never required to fulfill her role.

Now that Levi is unofficially mine, she will join them in taking care of our son. Epsilons are usually the mates or chosen partners of higher ranking pack members, they fall under the luna’s—Chad’s wife’s—jurisdiction.”

“And what rank are you?”

I smiled. I loved that she was asking questions and taking an interest.

“My father is the beta—second in command—so that would make me a beta too, though I get the easier job because I’m his son.”

“So if Fitz passed, you would fulfill the beta role?”

“Yes. Many, many years ago, our ranks were what helped us thrive as a species. These days, the lines are less defined due to the rarity of finding your mate.”

“And what does that make me?” She tilted her head to the side in question, the same way Levi did when he was curious.

“Harper.”

“I know, but what am I?”

“You’re Harper.”

“No… I mean, do I get anything exciting when we…you…ya know…b-bite me?”

“You don’t get superpowers, sweet cheeks, you just remain you. When I mark you, my scent imprints on you, our souls become one and we are tethered together—forever— in life and death. You wanted to become a wolf…didn’t you?”

“No.” She rolled her eyes as I grinned playfully. She so wanted to become a wolf.

“You will become my leta or luna beta, you become second in our hierarchy and offsider to the luna.”

“But wouldn’t your mom assume that position?”

“No, because she is not my father’s true mate.”

“Oh God, there’s so much to learn.”

I threw my arms around her, pulling her to my chest and pressing a chaste kiss on her forehead. “Yes, but you will get there. So, will you come?”

She nodded. “Yes, I will come.”

“Levi?” I called out. He waltzed in with his arm loaded with cars and his helmet on sideways.

“Yeah, coach.”

I stifled my chuckle. God, he is gorgeous.

“Feel like meeting those wolves we’ve been learning about?”

His eyes grew wide with excitement and wonder. “Can I take my bike?”

“Yep, ya cars too—if you want.”

He smiled back with a wide toothy grin, “I love living here, Mom, best move ever.”

“Sheila, you finding your mate was an unforeseeable but exciting revelation—congratulations,” Alpha Chad praised. We had all gathered to hear the proceeding and any explanation offered.

“Thank you, Chad. Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are.”

I noticed that Sheila’s usual attire was gone. She stood in front of the pack, her entire body covered.

I guess now her body was for her mate’s eyes only.

“Before we begin, do you have anything to say?”

“Yes, actually I do. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak, despite no longer being connected to the pack. First of all, I would like to apologise for my past behavior, especially the disrespect I have shown to Spencer’s mate…,” she focused in on Harper.

“As it turns out, I yearned so badly for someone to love me that I made all the wrong choices. Until Roy I had no concept how it truly felt to be completed, I’m sorry.” Roy collected Sheila’s hand and smiled down at her.

“Seems we both owe you all an apology. Mine is for my brother and any other Hunters that have ripped your family apart, they were misguided and wrong.”

“How many wolf lives have you taken in your time as a Hunter?” Alpha jumped right in, directing his question straight at Roy.

Roy sighed. “None, sir. I was not—as my father put it—strong enough, weak, and useless.”

This seemed to please the curious crowd.

“You are stronger than he would have ever understood,” Sheila comforted from beside him. It was weird to see someone you knew to be a selfish person switch personalities completely in the presence of her mate.

“Did you and your clan come here seeking the small boy?” Alpha queried, not willing to derail from the proceedings.

“Yes, my father left his entire fortune to Leivon Maddox, in the hope that his grandson would be more gifted in bloodshed than his predecessors—my brother and me.”

“How come we could not scent the distinct Hunter bloodline on Leivon?” I cut in. I had questions I needed answers to.

Roy smiled. “Because he has not passed into puberty yet. When that happens, you will. However, when you mark Harps, I suggest you mark Leivon too. Your essence and life force will entwine with his and will sedate the natural urge to fight ingrained in his genetic code when he reaches relevant age.

“Usually, that would be the time we start to train. If he is also mated to a wolf, she can replace your mark, but if he is not, then life continues as it should.”

“How is it that you know this? You should not possess such knowledge,” I bit suspiciously.

“I’m ashamed to admit that my father held a wolf captive for many years. She was caring and beautiful, a soft delicate soul—she and I became close friends. I was privy to secrets guarded by your kind, but she is the reason I fought against my lineage. I loved her, and she died because of our friendship. I came with my brother out of the need to protect not just my nephew but all wolves.

I have thwarted my brother for many years, forcing him to fail at every turn. I had full intention to do it again, but he grew suspicious of me, and this time I did not know of the plan to swipe Leivon. If I had known, I would have stopped him, but I chose to keep Leivon safe and by my side, offering scent markers for you all to track.

“Being a descendant of a Hunter bloodline, we are taught to track, which is how Blue knew Harper and Leivon were here—though I never expected what awaited my arrival…”

He again doted on Sheila. “I mean you all no harm and I wish to take my beautiful mate here back home to continue my work and bring about a new order, one where we protect your kind and not destroy it.

Considering our violent history, it may be hard to succeed at first but as Kalau—the wolven elder my father held captive—said, ‘when your heart is in the right place and your mission is true, you will succeed in whatever venture you undertake. But it’s the sacrifices you make that changes not only the minds of those around you but the world as a whole.’ I miss her dearly.”

When Roy spoke, his words were genuine. They rang with truth; he fully believed that he would be able to accomplish this utopia for all.

I mentally praised him for that. “There will be bloodlines willing to fight against this ‘new world order’ you dream of,” Alpha pointed out.

“I know.” Roy nodded. “I have already amassed a large group loyal to our cause, others mated to humans. It seems by hiding amongst the human race, wolfkind has been able to replenish some of what has been stolen. It’s not a lot but I feel nature is trying to repair the damage incurred by the massacre.”

As you know, wolf to wolf non-mated couples can reproduce, as can wolf to human non-mated couples, though that breeds out the gene, but with true mates—being a wolf to wolf or human to wolf—the gene carries on. In order to continue life, I believe nature is pairing more wolves to humans as true mates, to right the population decrease.”

This information had my mind spinning; this strange man had studied my kind closely, he seemed to understand the importance of our survival.

“Anytime you are in our hometown, please stop by, I will give you the address. You can see for yourselves the progress we have made within our community.”

After hours spent at the pack house and many conversations between pack members and Harper, even a friendly farewell to Roy and Sheila, we were finally back at Clade’s, with him in tow.

Harper was preparing dinner as an overstimulated Levi threw billions of questions in my direction about life as a shapeshifter.

It was nice to be able to talk about things so openly, free from fear or judgment, just acceptance.

Harper placed a beautifully cooked roast on the table and Levi continued his endless line of curiosity.

“So, cowboy, how would you feel about moving in with me permanently?”

Harper was mid-cutting into her meat when my question forced her to press down so hard, the knife went skidding across the table and onto the floor.

“Jesus, kid, you trying to kill someone?” Clade teased, filling the awkward and surprised air with laughter.

“Would Mom come?” Levi continued, unfazed by Harper’s sudden reaction.

“Of course, I would love both of you to move in.” Harper sculled back a large gulp of water, her face burning red.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, don’t you, kid?” Clade smiled, backing me completely.

Levi thought for a moment, his head tilting to the side as he pondered so adorably. “Yes, I would like that, only if Rusty sleeps in my room and we can build a bike track with jumps and stuff for me to practice on.”

“Well, cowboy, you drive a hard bargain, but I think we can accomplish that. I’m going to need help though. You’re not opposed to shovels and hard work, are you?”

I held my hand out for him to shake, just like two men sealing the deal.

“Nope, I can do that. We’ll pack tonight,” Levi comments. Harper’s eyes were the size of the moon.

I laughed. “How about next weekend? I’m sure Clade needs some time to say goodbye.”

Levi slipped out of his seat and stood beside Clade with his hand on his shoulder. “Papa Clade, you know I love you and I’ll come back and visit, but it’s time I be a man and move out.”

All of us couldn’t hold in our smiles as the adorable words and actions came from my remarkable pup.

Clade pulled him in for a big bear hug and rustled his hair. “I’ll miss ya, monster, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Who am I to stand in your way?”

Harper, who still had not spoken a word, pushed her chair out and moved onto my lap with tears in her eyes.

“I love you,” she whispered with the deepest red hue flushing her cheeks, chest, and the tips of her ears.

“I love you,” I replied, pushing my lips against hers.

This was it, what I wanted most in this world was actually happening. My mate, my son, my family. There was just one thing left to do.