“Alynna,” the woman’s voice was soothing. “You really don’t know, do you?”
She looked up at the woman, her face confused. “What are you talking about? Why won’t you just tell me what’s going on here?”
The redhead sighed. “Alynna, were you adopted? Did you know who your parents were?”
Alynna nodded. “Of course I know them! Well, I know my mom’s definitely my mom. When she died, my uncle kind of adopted me, became my guardian until I was of legal age.”
“And your dad?”
“I didn’t know him.” Alynna went quiet. “Yeah, well, I’ve learned to live without a father so I don’t think about him much. My mom implied that she left him, but I never got a straight answer.”
There was a brief spark of surprise in the other woman’s eyes. “That may explain it! You see Alynna---” But before she could explain further, the door flew open. A dark, shadowed figure stood in the entryway.
“We need to take her to the Alpha,” the figure said, looming over the doorway.
The redhead turned her head towards the door. “Mr. Vrost, please. We need some privacy here and it’s my duty to smooth things over with Ms. Chase.”
“It’s my duty to keep our Regal safe and obey his orders, Ms. Gray. He wants her in his office now,” he said, his voice even, but commanding.
She nodded. “Could you give me a few minutes please? She’s not feeling very well and I want to make sure she’s presentable for Grant.”
The man nodded and tossed her a set of keys. “Alright. Five minutes. But if you’re not out by then, I’m coming in here to get her myself.” Without another word, he turned around and closed the door behind him.
The woman turned back to Alynna. “Look, I’m sure you’re very frightened. But if you could please trust me, things are going to be ok. I’ll do my best to help you, but you need to keep an open mind, alright?”
Alynna wanted to cry again, this time, out of the small sliver of hope the woman gave her. “T-t-t-thank you…I don’t even know your name.”
“Oh goodness! I’m sorry!” she exclaimed. “Cady Gray,” she held out her hand. “Officially, I’m Mr. Anderson’s Personal Executive Assistant, but most people here like to think of me as VP of Human Relations,” she chuckled, as if sharing a joke.
Alynna raised her eyebrow. “I’ve heard of Public Relations and Human Resources, but not Human Relations. Is that a combined role?”
“Err…” Cady stammered. “Something like that. But I think I’ll let Grant tell you more.”
Cady helped Alynna remove the chains and get cleaned up. Alynna was shocked to find out she had been out for almost 10 hours and it was already late evening. She was still wearing the rumpled jeans and blouse from that morning, and she cleaned up as best she could before following Cady out of the room.
***
Grant Anderson sat at his work desk, staring the files in front of him. “Are you sure Dr. Falkner?” he asked the older man standing beside him.
The man nodded. “I’ve run the tests thrice, just as you asked. Same results each time.”
Grant said nothing, but leaned back and massaged his temples with his fingers. “This could complicate things.”
Dr. Falkner sighed. “It doesn’t have to. You’re still 10 years older than her and Michael’s chosen one.”
“It’s not that, Doctor,” he sighed. “The clan’s been after me to produce an heir. And now that--”
A discreet cough interrupted Grant. “Primul, she’s here,” said Nick as he entered the door.
“Thank you Nick,” Grant nodded to Dr. Falkner who then sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. He then turned to Alynna. “Please come in and have a seat, Ms. Chase.”
Alynna walked in, feeling self-conscious, but Cady had assured her she looked fine. The redhead ushered her into Grant’s office, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and then left with a nod to the men.
Being in this particular room made her decidedly nervous, but she held her head high. She sat down on the other chair, giving Dr. Falkner an acknowledging nod. Nick took his place on Grant’s right side.
There was uncomfortable silence until Grant cleared his throat and began to speak. “Tell me, Ms. Chase…Alynna,” he began. “Did you ever meet your father?”
Alynna felt her anger begin to simmer at the deeply personal question. “I don’t think that’s any of your business, Mr. Anderson,” she huffed. “But if that’s going to make this interrogation go faster, then let me answer you…no, I have not. My mother died before she was able to tell me anything about him.”
“And you didn’t ask her? Before she died?” he pressed.
“She was a little too busy fighting cancer, so, no, I did not,” she said in a defensive voice.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Grant responded, his tone sincere. “And for the nature of these questions. But perhaps we should just cut to the chase. Dr. Falkner,” he turned to the older man. “Could you please give Ms. Chase a copy of your report?”
Dr. Falkner gave her a reassuring smile and gave her an envelope. “Hello my dear. I’m Dr. Tom Faulkner and I was the one who processed your test. There’s a summary at the beginning, but you may skim through the whole thing if you wish and ask me any questions as well.”
Alynna raised an eyebrow at the doctor and Grant, but took the report anyway. She opened it and started reading.
Grant sat in his chair, trying to gauge the young woman’s reaction. He watched as her face registered annoyance, mild curiosity, disbelief, and then anger.
Alynna’s hands began to sweat and she felt faint. There was also a sinking feeling in her stomach, which seemed to grow as she read more of report. DNA results positive…Non-human…Lycan 100%. Lycan? That was like a werewolf, right?
“No,” she said softly, looking at Dr. Faulkner. It took every ounce of her control not to look at Grant. “It can’t be. This is a joke, right?” She glanced over at the two men. This was some sort of hidden camera show and they were actors. She continued to stare at them, waiting for them to break character. But their faces remained serious.
Dr. Faulkner took his glasses off. “I’m afraid DNA tests don’t lie my dear and we have some of the best here, far more sophisticated than any human tests.”
Her hands shook as she closed the folder. “So let me get this straight…what you’re saying is that my father…was a werewolf?”
“Yes,” the doctor confirmed. “We do prefer Lycan, shifter, or varcolac in our native Romanian.”
“So I’m half Lycan?” she asked. She couldn’t say werewolf out loud, as if doing so would make it more real.
“On the contrary, Ms. Chase,” he stated. “You are full Lycan. You have the same biology as any of us.”
“But how can that be?” She already had a hard time believing she was half wolf. Or that werewolves existed. Oh God, that sounded crazy. Why wasn’t she fighting this harder? “My mother was fully human, according to these test results.”
Dr. Faulkner and Grant looked at each other and the younger man nodded. “It’s very rare. In fact, I believe you’re the first one in about two generations, but...uh…” the old man struggled to find his words. “Your parents were what we call True Mates.”
“True Mates?” she echoed.
He nodded. “You see, Lycans breed and have children much like any species. However, once in a while, a Lycan will meet someone – could be human or Lycan – that he or she is destined for,” he shrugged.
“Like soulmates? That’s like…magic and stuff, right?” she asked. “Wait, what other types of people exist aside from Lycans? Witches? Vampires?”
“Er…yes…and no,” he explained. “First, no, vampires aren’t real I’m afraid, so I hope you’re not too disappointed, especially if you love those novels and movies.”
Alynna cracked a weak smile. “I was never a fan.”
“But,” he continued. “Witches and warlocks, yes. We have a, uh, tenuous peace with them and
they do tend to stay away. But I digress,” he said. “We like to think magic and science are somewhat interconnected. Exactly how, well...we’re not sure yet, but we keep our minds open and continue to do more research. The explanation behind True Mates, for example, could be magic-based or evolution-based. Sure, we could all be destined for that one person, but also our bodies, seeking the best possible partner, choose mates that are most biologically compatible and could produce the best and strongest cubs. The past research on the subject is very limited, but some of the material we do have say that True Mates will know each other by scent, something particularly pleasant for them and gives them a physical reaction when they first meet. We do know one thing for sure,” he said. “Not taking into account physical contraceptives, True Mates will always produce offspring with the first coupling.”
Alynna gulped. “So what you’re saying is…my parents had sex once and nine months later…surprise?!”
“Most likely, yes.”
There was another pause. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with all this information,” she confessed. “I’m a were- er – Lycan. Do I get superpowers? Do I have to shave more?” she said with a nervous laugh. She could have sworn Nick Vrost cracked a slight smile, but she chalked it up to her imagination.
“Well, it explains a lot of things. But, I’m afraid there’s more.” The doctor looked slightly nervous.
“There’s more?” She could hardly believe there would be more to this story. “Wait, I’m not half-unicorn, am I?” This time, she thought she heard a slight cough. Nick definitely had to stifle a laugh that time.
“Uhm no…you see there’s the matter of who your father was…you see he was a…the…” Dr. Faulkner looked towards Grant.
“What he’s trying to say, Alynna,” Grant interrupted. “Your father, he was...he used to be our leader. Michael Anderson.”
Alynna practically jolted from her seat. “Michael…Anderson?” she looked at Grant. “He’s…he was your…”
Grant nodded. “Yes. Alpha of Clan New York before me. My father.”
She sank back down to her seat and buried her face in her hands. “No. My mom never said…she didn’t even…” Alynna felt tears forming in her eyes, but mustered up every bit of courage to stop herself. Michael Anderson. Finally, a name to a shadow that had loomed over her entire life.
“She probably didn’t know,” Dr. Faulkner explained. “It may be even Michael didn’t know.”
Shock, sadness, hurt, and anger went through her at lightning speed. She looked up at Grant. “There must be a mistake…run the tests again…” she stood up and began to pace. “So no one knows about me right? Then that’s good. No one has to know. I’ll live my life like this never happened. Or maybe I’ll move to Alaska…” she babbled, scratching her head.
“Ms. Chase, have a seat please,” Dr. Faulkner said. “You seem mentally stressed. I can prescribe you something to calm you down.”
“I am calm!” she said, whipping her head back. “Listen, I’ll just go ok? I’m not part of your…group or clan. I don’t want anything. I’ve been on my own for years and I’ll be ok.” She turned to Grant. “Hey, so, like…thanks for keeping me on the up and up, and you have a nice life. I mean you are a billionaire so that’s no problem. Not that that matters to me! You’re famous and everything so that’s not a secret. But like I said, I don’t need anything, so you don’t have to worry, I’ll even sign a…it’s not a prenup I guess, but whatever would be the equivalent in this…situation.”
“I think we should bring you back to Medical,” Dr. Faulkner stood up.
“No!” she turned towards the door. “I’ll be fine…I can catch a cab…”
The doctor and Nick looked at Grant, who just sat there, staring. “Take care Ms. Chase,” he said. “But do let one our guards call a cab for you.”
“Uh sure…” she nodded as she walked out the door.
“Grant!” Dr. Faulkner scolded, looking at the younger man in disbelief. “You may be Alpha now, but I was your father’s best friend and second in command. You know you can’t let her just leave, not just because she knows about us!”
Grant shook his head. “I’m not, Tom. Nick will have someone keep an eye on her then report to me. She seemed to have warmed up to Cady, we’ll send her in later. But she needs…time to process this new information.”
The older man sighed. “Maybe she’s not the only one.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Don’t worry Mr. Garson,” Alynna assured as she bid her new client goodbye. “I’ll start right away.”
“Thank you, Ms. Chase,” said Tom Garson. “And whatever you find out…just give it to me straight ok?” he said before he jumped into the waiting cab.
“Well, that was a first,” she stated out loud. Her first male client. Mr. Thomas Garson suspected his wife, Lydia, of cheating on him. Mr. Garson seemed like an ok guy and she really hoped Lydia wasn’t cheating. But, she was paid to find these things out and report back to her client.
She took the long route back to her apartment from the coffee shop, going up a block further so she could stop by her favorite bakery to get some bagels and cream cheese. Today was an asiago cheese bagel with honey pecan cream cheese kind of day. Of course, this was the fifth time this week she’d had that bagel, but, who the heck was counting anyway? As she walked into the bakery, the delicious scent of fresh-baked bread called to her. Although the scent was familiar, today it seemed different. Aside from the yeasty scent, she could smell rosewater and something sweet, like sugar cookies.
“Good morning Alynna,” greeted Mrs. Aaronson, the kindly old Jewish woman who owned the bakery. “The usual?”
She nodded without a word. As the old lady began to prepare her order, she thought back to the report that was sitting in her apartment and some of the things she had read about it. Enhanced senses…particularly taste and smell. It seemed after she read that, she began to pick up a lot more things. The first day, it has almost been overwhelming. She could not only smell her next-door neighbor Mrs. Patel’s cooking, but also the scent of the patchouli oil she regularly rubbed on her wrists. She walked outside, which was a mistake as New York City practically assaulted her nose. Garbage, food, people, animals all mixed together and she almost passed out on the street. She able to calm herself down enough to get back up to her apartment, and after some time, she gained some control and was able to keep some of the scents out of her sensitive nose.
She gave her thanks to Mrs. Aaronson and left with a paper bag in her hand. As she approached her apartment building, she felt a weird sensation, like a prickling along the back of her neck, before that familiar, masculine scent hit her nose.
“What are you doing here?” she groaned. She really just wanted to go home and devour her bagel.
Alex stood on her stoop, casually leaning against the entryway to her building. He looked devastatingly handsome, with that smile on his face and his honey gold eyes twinkling. “Oh you know, I was in the neighborhood.”
“A likely story,” she hopped up the stairs to get to where he was standing. “Can I get by now? Or is this not a free country anymore?”
“Alynna,” called a soft voice from behind. “I apologize for the intrusion, Alex just drove me out here and I asked him to wait here while I made a call in the car.”
“Cady,” Alynna acknowledge the pretty redhead standing behind her, her demeanor taking on a less chilly tone. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Well,” Cady began, “I was wondering if we could talk? Sit down somewhere, maybe have lunch?”
Alynna crossed her arms across her chest. “Now seems like a good time. So, what do you want to say?”
Cady sighed. “Please Alynna, I just want to speak with you and maybe we could come to an understanding?”
“Understanding?” she said in an incredulous voice. “I thought Mr. Anderson and I already had an agreement. I would stay away and not demand anything of him or his company and he wo
uld leave me alone.”
The redhead raised an eyebrow and squared her shoulders. “Actually, I was told that Mr. Anderson agreed to no such thing. You walked out without as much a by-your-leave.”
Alynna’s eyes narrowed, realizing she my have had slightly underestimated the woman. “I don’t care much for Mr. Anderson or the flunkies he’s had tailing me these last couple of days. Surprised? Yes, I knew about them and they had the subtlety of heat-seeking missiles. Now please leave.”
Alex guffawed, but Cady paid him no mind. She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, her phone rang. “Gray,” she answered in cool voice. Her face changed slightly and then put her hand over the receiver of her phone. “I’m sorry, I have to take this call.” She walked back to the car and slipped inside gracefully.
“Heat-seeking missile, eh?” Alex asked, moving closer to Alynna.
“Do you mind?” she asked, as she stepped back. Unfortunately, she miscalculated the distance of the next step and she began to fall backwards. Before she could even let out a yell, strong hands wrapped around waist, pulling her back. The momentum shot her forward, and she fell against him.
The wonderful scent filled her nostrils, wrapping around her very being. It was obvious that it was Alex she’d been smelling the whole time, something she chalked up to her newly enhanced senses.
They stood for a moment, his warm hands on her waist. Her shirt had slightly ridden up, and the fingers on his right hand grazed her naked skin. It was like a hot brand, and her heart began to beat faster. She braced herself against his chest. “I’m fine now. You can let go.”
She heard a slightly growl rumbling from his chest, but he released her. However, they stood close to each other, and once again, that delicious, earthy scent lingered between them.
“Alex,” Cady called from the car. “We have to go. Now. I’m sorry Alynna, I have an emergency. I’ll come by another time, ok?”
“Duty calls,” he said. Alynna stood aside to let him by. Alex winked at her and passed by, but not before he let his fingers brush hers slightly.
Fated Mates: Book 1 of the True Mates Series Page 3