Reality Check

by Sophie Martin

  His father’s sad eyes met his and the older man gestured for his son to follow him out of the shed. They went to a small bench under the oak tree they had in their garden and sat there. His father was silent for a moment before he spoke.

  “Your great-grandparents were part of a wolf shifter pack in Scotland. They lived there their entire years and your grandfather was born there. He met his soul mate when he was just a boy, before their first shift, and they grew up knowing they were perfect for each other. But then they hit puberty and all of their peers started having their first shifts one after another. You grandmother was a daughter of their alpha and a strong wolf herself, so she was one of the first ones to shift. But the time kept passing and your grandfather hadn’t shifted. All of the other boys his age did it, then those younger than him, and then even younger ones still. But your grandfather hadn’t. He was getting close to eighteen and he started to suspect that he wasn’t a late bloomer at all but something else entirely. He suspected he was a non-shifter.

  “See son, non-shifters aren’t humans. They are shifters born with the inability to shift into their beast. It is so extremely rare that almost unheard of. Also in the old times they had often been perceived as abominations. So when his birthday started encroaching and it was clear to him that he was indeed a non-shifter, he confided in your grandmother. Your grandma was a good woman and loved your grandfather very much, but she knew her father, the alpha, would shun his mate from the pack or maybe even kill him, when he learned about his secret. That’s why she convinced her mate to run away with her. She was barely sixteen at the time, but she was strong-willed even then. Your grandfather knew she was right, and agreed. They ran and never looked back.

  “Wolf shifters don’t usually have many children, so it wasn’t a surprise to them that they only had me. It also hadn’t come as surprise when I couldn’t shift either, and had even less shifter features than my dad. For all intents and purposes, I’m mostly human. My senses aren’t much stronger than your everyday human and I can’t really feel the wolf inside me. My dad, he could sense it and felt its sadness at being trapped, but I couldn’t.

  “When my parents ran away, they decided to live like humans and amongst them. They didn’t want to risk other shifters hunting your grandfather for who he was. So I grew up as a human and married a human woman, your mum. When you were born, your grandparents said they could smell a wolf in you, but it was faint and grew even fainter as the years passed, until nothing was left of it when you went to school. I wasn’t worried about you shifting when you reached puberty, but kept a close eye on any signs of approaching shift just in case. There weren’t any, though, and you were just a normal, happy kid. I didn’t see a reason to tell you what we were. I don’t understand what changed. For all I know you should have never been any different than humans. You should have never discovered about being a shifter. What happened?”

  It was all almost too much to take in, but Dominic reckoned he owed his dad some explanation.

  “Would you believe if I told you I got drenched in a fairy dust and it woke up my abilities, which have started growing stronger since then?”

  “Um, no?” his dad asked, rather than answered. Dominic rolled his eyes.

  “Well, that’s exactly what happened. Jim is a fey and I accidently got in contact with his pixie mating dust, which is what a fairy dust really is. Apparently, it has almost no effect on humans, but for paranormals, it’s like an incredibly potent drug. It made me show signs of being a werewolf, and since then I started feeling this weird thing inside me. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I had to know the truth.”

  “God, son. I have no idea what to say.”

  “Yeah, that makes the two of us.”

  “I think we should get in contact with your grandparents,” stated his dad, shocking Dom once again.

  “Wait, what? I thought they were dead.”

  “Um, no, they aren’t. But shifters age differently than humans, so they had to move somewhere where nobody knew them. And seeing how your mum has no idea about the paranormal world, we couldn’t exactly keep in touch, you know?”

  “You mean they’re alive?”

  “Yeah, and well, as far as I know. We keep in touch online. They live in Hawaii now.”

  “God, will the surprises never end?” asked Dominic rhetorically. He guessed since he was a paranormal now, he better get used to it. There were more things on heaven and earth… As Jim kept telling him. Dominic had to learn to keep an open mind.

  * * * *

  Jim felt mightily uncomfortable staying alone with Dominic’s mum. He knew it had to be done—he was pretty sure Dom’s dad was hiding something—but it didn’t mean he had to like it.

  Ever since coming to the human realm, Jiminy didn’t have many face-to-face interactions with humans. Sure, they did have their own business, but it was Tim who dealt with most customers’ issues. Jim was the shy one when it came to humans. Or rather, he was too impulsive, and Tim was worried that he would say something to reveal their secret, so he kept Jim away from most humans he dealt with.

  Jim was okay with that. He knew they told their family they would look for their mates here, but Jim wasn’t in any hurry. He wanted to get a feel for this world before trying to meet someone. As it was, he did meet somebody and it was totally unexpected. So now, here he was, sitting with said somebody’s mother and trying to think about a topic of conversation.

  “So, you’re dating my son?” asked the woman bluntly, saving him the effort of thinking what to say.

  “Um, yes?” He said it more like a question. Dominic told his parents that Jim was his really good friend, but apparently Anna knew better.

  “Tell me, then,” she said, her voice suddenly serious. “This genetic condition is it really nothing dangerous? Or was he trying not to worry us?” Her voice shook and Jim suddenly noticed she was clenching her hands so hard her fingers went white. Even though Jim had no experience dealing with humans, he knew a worried mother when he saw her. He moved to sit next to Anna and put his hand over hers.

  “It’s not dangerous in the least. It’s not even an illness, rather something unique in his genetic makeup that makes him special. It shouldn’t interfere with his life in any way. It’s possible one or both of you were a carrier of this gene without even realizing it.” He said the little white lie knowing it was impossible, but would reassure the woman. “Besides, if there was anything wrong with him, you would have noticed it already, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s just…” She paused for a moment, as if weighing her words “He is our only child, you know? We tried for more kids, but we couldn’t conceive. The doctor said there’s nothing wrong with either of us, so we simply didn’t have luck…” Jim thought it was probably due to the fact that wolf shifters weren’t known for having many kids, but kept it to himself. “But he was always extremely healthy, never even getting a common cold, so when he said he had some condition…I don’t know, I think it was a shock for me. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to him.” She took a deep breath and smiled at Jim. “But enough worrying. If you say nothing is really wrong with him, then I believe you. So now, tell me more about yourself.”

  Jim inwardly groaned at the change in subject. He wasn’t good at these face-to-face conversations with humans. Sure, he knew he shouldn’t reveal the whole we’re paranormal secret, but he wasn’t exactly sure how to prevent it. What could tip the human off that there was something not-human going on? He didn’t know, and it made him nervous.

  “There isn’t much to tell, really. My twin brother and I recently moved to the same building where Dominic lives. We own an online business. I only just started dating Dominic, so I’m not his boyfriend or anything. We’re just trying to see if we’re compatible. That’s all.”

  “And yet he told you about his condition…” noticed Anna slyly. Jim didn’t have an answer to that. Fortunately, at that moment Dominic and his father came back from ou
tside.

  “Are you interrogating Jim, Mum?” asked Dom from the doorway.

  “Not in the least, darling. We were just chatting, weren’t we dear?” she asked Jim, and he had to nod in agreement.

  “Very well, then. I’m really sorry, Mum, but we must go. I need to get in touch with Uncle Joe about his coming back to work. I’m not sure how well suited I am to be a private investigator, after all.”

  “Don’t be silly, son. My brother was really impressed with your investigating skills. He wants to hire you full-time, even when he’s back,” Anna huffed.

  “Wow, really?” Dom seemed surprised.

  “Yeah, he thought of hiring you and Joel, and backing off for good. He says you two can handle the firm after a little more training.”

  “Huh,” said Dominic, deep in thought “I’ll have to discuss it with him. I’m not sure if I agree.”

  “Call him, then. I’m sure you two can figure this out.”

  “Yep, thanks Mum.” They said their good-byes and went to the car. Jim waited until they were on the move before asking.

  “So, did you get any answers?”

  “Yeah, and I never saw them coming,” answered Dominic, getting into the explanation of what he had learned.

  Chapter Ten

  “Okay, so let me get this straight,” said Tim as they sat in Dominic’s apartment, drinking coffee after relating the whole story, “your grandparents are shifters, but your grandfather cannot shift for some reason?”

  “Yep,” answered Dom.

  “And even though he can still feel his wolf, your father cannot?”

  “Mhm.”

  “And so he decided to live among humans, and married one? So you’re only half-shifter?”

  “It would seem so.”

  “Wow.” Timiny sagged into his chair. “That’s pretty messed up. I’m surprised you’ve even felt the effects of the mating dust so strongly, then.”

  “Yeah, about that…” Jiminy interrupted, “I think I have an answer to it.”

  “Do you?” Both men turned to him and he shrugged under their scrutiny.

  “It’s just a theory, mind you, but it’s as good of one as any.”

  “Okay, shoot,” said Dominic, pushing away from the table and balancing on two legs of his chair.

  “So, when you went into a heat, I told you it was a sure way to recognize a wolf shifter, as they’re the only paranormal race showing signs of it, right?”

  “Yeah, go on.” Dominic waved his hand before taking another sip of coffee.

  “I don’t remember if I mentioned it, however, that there is also another thing when it comes to a mating heat in wolf shifters.”

  “Pack hierarchy!” exclaimed Timiny suddenly.

  “Right.” Jiminy nodded, and when Dom simply looked at them without understanding, he continued his explanation. “There is a certain connection between the strength of mating heat and the wolf’s place in pack hierarchy. The stronger the wolf, the longer and more intense the heat. Judging by yours, I’d say you’re at least a beta. But as your wolf was locked so deeply inside you that you couldn’t even feel it until then, it is possible that you could be an alpha.”

  “Yeah,” Tim interjected. “That would explain your wolf’s very strong response to mating dust. As Jim told you, the mating dust’s purpose is to bind a pixie to the strongest possible mate. Therefore, it has much stronger effect on the more powerful paranormals. Your wolf being an alpha or beta, even though locked deeply within you, responded to the mating dust, which woke him from that slumber. It would explain everything.”

  “Yes,” added Jim, “and don’t forget what your dad said about your grandmother being the alpha’s daughter. It sometimes happens that a wolf’s strength runs in a bloodline. You could have inherited the alpha-ness.” Dominic grimaced at the made-up word, then sighed, finally steadying his chair on all four legs.

  “So, where does it leave me?”

  Both twins looked at each other before Jim sighed and shrugged, answering. “I have no idea, to tell you the truth. As I said, it was just a theory explaining the waking of your inner wolf. I don’t know what to do with this information from now on.”

  “Riiight.” Dominic frowned. “Dad said it will take him some time to get his parents’ response, and even longer before they could come here to help. In the meantime, the stupid beast within me is getting more and more agitated with each day. What the hell am I supposed to do?”

  “It is?” asked Jim in a small voice, and it was suddenly clear he was feeling guilty. Dominic felt some guilt for his outburst himself, and he leaned forward without thinking, trying to reassure the other man.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “I’m so sorry, Dom. It is all my fault. If not for me, you wouldn’t have known about the whole werewolf thing and you would live a happy life as a human.” Jim dropped his head in shame.

  “Hey,” said Dominic, reaching out and lifting Jim’s chin, “don’t think like that, sweet. My life might have been human, but it definitely wasn’t happy, more mundane and boring. I wouldn’t change us meeting for anything.”

  “As nauseatingly sweet as it is watching you, I think you’re missing a point here,” interrupted Tim with a strict expression.

  “What?” Jim looked at his brother somewhat distractedly. It was Timiny’s turn to sigh, and he rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand, trying to explain.

  “Look, Cricket, I know you weren’t really one for studying other species’ history, but there is something really important you’re forgetting right now.” He looked at Dominic with a really serious face and explained. “There were instances throughout shifter history that shifter children were lost and then were being raised by humans. Unfortunately, it never ended well, from what we know. There are certain things that only a shifter can teach another shifter, and one such thing is control of your most basic instincts. The ones that do not have it might become really dangerous, and it is even more important when it comes to stronger ones like alphas and betas. You telling us your beast is getting agitated is not a good sign. It could end up in tragedy if you don’t get control over it. Unfortunately, as I said, it is a thing that only other shifters can teach you.”

  “Oh, fuck!” was Dominic’s only answer.

  “If, like you said, your grandparents won’t get here for a while, it means we need to find someone else to help you.”

  “Tyler,” said Jiminy.

  “No!” was Dominic’s immediate answer. “No way. I don’t like that prick. I’m not letting him teach me anything.”

  “But, Dom, he’s the only shifter we know!”

  “No! Over my dead body!” Dominic was adamant.

  “Well,” Tim interrupted the argument with the same serious expression, “if you don’t let Ty help you, it might very well come to that. And to our dead bodies as well, and many, many other people’s. It is a fact not known to humans, but some of the serial killers that were never found were indeed shifters gone feral. It is an irreversible process when a shifter loses his or her humanity and turns into a creature of instinct, and more often than not, very violent. They sometimes go on killing sprees, leaving dozens of victims.”

  “Oh, shit.” Dominic gulped. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

  “Afraid not.”

  “Crap!” Dom grimaced, but finally decided after taking a deep breath. “When it comes to a choice between dealing with an asshole tiger and becoming a crazy killing machine, I very reluctantly choose the tiger.”

  “A trip to Ty’s it is, then,” stated Jim in a fake-cheery voice.

  “I think I’ll pass,” said Timiny. “As entertaining as it would be watching the two of you pigheaded shifters bickering, I have a lot of work to catch up on. I’m sure the two of you can handle it just fine without me.” He stood up and went to rinse his cup.

  Jim asked in a quiet voice from behind him, “Are you sure you’re going to be all right here
on your own?”

  “Yeah, don’t worry about me, bro. I’ll be fine working on some of the craft’s projects. You go and cheer your new boyfriend.” He turned, grinning widely.

  “He is not my boyfriend.”

  “Yet!” added Dominic, standing up. “Better let’s go and pack some stuff to visit your friend. I hope they won’t mind us popping in like this without warning.”

  “Nah, Jason said to come visit anytime, remember?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t think he meant so soon, and with a serious problem on our hands.”

  “He dealt with worse.” Jiminy seemed decided. “Let’s go pack!”

  * * * *

  Standing on the now-familiar doorstep, Dominic had a sudden feeling of déjà vu.

  “I still don’t like coming to him for help,” he said with a barely-there pout in his voice. Jim looked at him and his eyes sparkled with mirth.

  “I always heard about cats and dogs not liking each other, but I never knew it also applied to tiger shifters and werewolves.”

  “It’s not about him being a tiger, more about him being annoying as all get-out.”

  “But that’s all a part of my charm,” said Tyler, opening the door suddenly. “To what do we owe this pleasure?” he asked with a somewhat strained expression on his face.

  “We have a problem and we hoped you might be able to help,” answered Jim, trying to prevent an angry retort from Dom.

  “Don’t we all?” asked Ty, more to himself, waving them inside. “I have to warn you, though, that you chose not the best moment,” he said, leading them to the kitchen.

  As soon as they entered, both Jim and Dominic saw what he meant. There were three men sitting at the table. Toby put his hand over Jason’s in a protective and calming gesture. They were both visibly tense, watching another man sitting across from them. The stranger was young-looking, maybe in his early twenties. He was slim and not very tall, with golden locks of hair falling on his shoulders and clear gray eyes surrounded by dark lashes. Even though Dominic was sure he had never seen the guy before, there was something strangely familiar about him. Apparently Jim had the same idea, as he blurted out a question in his usual blunt way.