Her Secret (part 1)

Jerica’s POV

We’re on the road to Diamond Heart. I’m in a car with Reo driving and Pam in the back seat. Caleb is driving the car Tabitha came in with her. I’m so happy that Pam wanted to come with us. I’m glad Hunter is gone and the king alpha is fixing the pack but I definitely feel better that Pam is out of there. We talk about light and simple things on the way. My life is about to change in so many ways that I need simple for just a little while. We’re almost there when Reo reaches over and takes my hand. I saw him fidgeting the whole ride debating holding my hand. It was so cute. I was too nervous to take initiative and grab his. I’m shocked he got shy though. Still, it’s sweet. He squeezes my hand and I look at him. He winks at me and smiles. How did I get so lucky?

Finally, we get to Diamond Heart Pack’s border. Reo’s patrols let him in quickly. Their land is gorgeous. And it looks like they have a little town within the pack. A small shop, diner, movie theatre, clinic and large hall. It’s great. The houses are beautiful yet simple. Then we get to the pack house. It’s huge. Three stories tall, and so pretty. It’s made like a log cabin. Rustic and in touch with nature. I’m going to love living here. We park and head inside. Caleb shows Pam to her room but Reo takes me to the first large living room area to the right where there are two people standing and waiting. Reo grabs my hand and takes me to them.

“Mom, Dad, this is Jerica, my mate.”

Mom and Dad. Should have known. Before I can say anything his mom has me in a bear hug.

“Oh Sweetie, it’s so nice to meet you! I’m Tammy but you can call me Mom, and this is Joe.”

“Dad to you. It’s nice to meet you.” His dad says as he then gives me a tight hug. I’m gonna cry, again. They’re already acting as if I’m their daughter. To have that parental feeling again is so great.

“And Baby, this is my little sister Blair,” Reo says as I look up and see a very beautiful blonde walk in with a handsome brunette man.

“And my beta Kevin. Also known as Blair’s mate.”

I get a hug from Blair and shake Kevin’s hand.

“I’m so glad to meet you. I’ve waited a long time for a sister.” Blair says. “We’re gonna be the best of friends.”

“I’m so glad to meet y’all as well.” I can’t help but be a little shy. I’m not use to all this attention and being liked.

“I’m gonna take her up stairs. Tabitha will be coming here in an hour or so to talk. I’ll let you in on everything afterward.”

We say our goodbyes and Reo takes me to the third floor where his apartment is. When we walk in it looks like we walked in to a separate house. There is a living room, a door to a porch, a kitchen with a sitting area in kind of a breakfast nook with large windows looking out to the forest, and down the hall there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. We walk into the master bedroom and there is a large walk-in closet and master bath with a huge tub and large stand up shower with three different shower heads on the top and sides. It’s the nicest room I’ve ever seen. After the tour we go back to the living room and sit on the couch. Reo grabs my hand and starts the conversation.

“How are you feeling? I know this is a lot on you. And I want you to know that you can tell me anything. I’ll always be here for you and I’ll always be on your side.”

“I appreciate that. I don’t know how to feel. I’ve always wondered about my birth parents and to find out I might be a witch, a powerful one at that, is crazy. But mainly I’m happy to be out of that hell hole and here with you. I don’t feel the mate bond like you do but I do feel how you care about me. And your family is great. To be a part of a family again. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

“You’re my world now. I’ll do anything for you.”

“I’m sorry it’ll take longer than you’re use to before mating.”

“Don’t even think about it. It’s fine. I have you, that’s all that matters. Yes, I want to mate you and my wolf is going crazy for it but we understand.”

“What’s his name?”

“Red. You can meet him later tonight if you want.”

“I’d love that.”

We sit and talk for a while. He knows all about my life and I know some of his but I want to hear about growing up an alpha’s son and in this wonderful pack. His childhood, having a little sister. What was it like getting Red. I want him to tell me about when he became alpha. And he tells me everything I want to hear. He has some great stories of him and Blair growing up. And Kevin’s dad was Joe’s beta so Reo and Kevin grew up together. Reo tells me all about his businesses in the city and how they care for the humans there. He has a construction company, a mechanic shop and owns the city library. I’m very interested in the library. They hire humans in every business. Reo has to go periodically to check on things and do office work. There are offices on the top floor of the construction building that houses offices for the heads of all three companies. He tells me on the days he goes to town I can go and work in the library and that excites me so much.

After talking, I notice it’s been more than an hour and Tabitha isn’t here yet. Reo tells me he linked her to wait so we could talk more. He’s so considerate of me and making time for me. He lets me know she’s on her way up now. I’m about to find out about my birth parents and some major information about myself.

Tabitha knocks on the door. Reo gets up and answers it and he leads her to the living room. She sits on the recliner next to the couch.

“So. I can feel your power but after speaking with my elder I was able to find out that you are the last of the Raven family. Let me explain. The Ravens were the first family to be blessed with powers by the moon goddess. Making them the most powerful witches. It was three sisters. The goddess then blessed others with magic just not as strong and the Raven sisters helped keep everyone in line. Years later, due to jealousy, black magic evolved. The Ravens tried to defeat it but evil can be strong. Three against hundreds was too much, even for them. One survived and made it her mission to teach virginal witches and promote goodness and to protect the weak. She had one child who had one child. As you know, like wolves, we can live long lives, so all three were around 200 hundred years ago during the first war with the vampires. The youngest survived. I believe she was 30 or so years old at that time. When she was about 210 years old. Did I mention we also keep our youth? Our youth stays even longer than wolves.” She winks at Reo and laughs. He just smiles and shakes his head. “Anyway, she married a human. I don’t know of any of her relationships before that. At that point, the vampires had been planning another war for years and was looking for her. After talking with my coven’s elder, who knew your mother. She said your mother was in this territory for a while, it’s where she met your father, and left out of the blue. My elder didn’t know she was pregnant. We assume that she knew she was being chased and they left. After having you it seems they put an enchantment on you to make you seem human till your 21st birthday. Since it’s so close and you’re so powerful us witches can sense your power already. Kinda defeats the purpose of the enchantment put who would’ve known? You must be very powerful. They must have left you at the pack thinking the wolves would protect you as a human, again, who would’ve known it was one of the few bad packs. We’re guessing they captured your father and made her vulnerable. The need to protect those we love at any cost can do that. All the witches felt the moment the last Raven was killed. We couldn’t sense you till now. Once you turn 21 your powers will return and we can teach you.”

“Wow. That’s, that’s a lot of information to retain.” I think my head is going to explode with this knowledge.

Reo is holding me now. Just letting me absorb the details I just got. He’s not talking. He’s just letting me process. He’s my support and I really need that right now.

“Well,” Tabitha starts again. “One of the many good things that come from this is witches feel the mate bond if they are mates to a wolf. It’s rare that we are but when we are, we feel it.”

I’ll feel the mate bond? That’s great. I can’t help but smile at Reo. He’s smiling back. I can tell this makes him very happy as well.

“When is your birthday?” Tabitha ask.

“In one week. On Tuesday the 17th.”

“We’ll plan a big party for you then,” Reo tells me.

After smiling at Reo I look at Tabitha. “I do have a question though. Do you know my parents’ names?”

“Yes. Neil Harrison and Sabrina Raven.”

“Thank you.”

Tabitha gets up and we stand as well and I give her a hug. She bows her head to Reo then leaves. Reo suggest that I go soak in a bubble bath while he gets dinner. We’ll spend the night together just the two of us and let me rest and soak up the information I just received. He said he’d let his parents know everything as well. I thought that was a wonderful idea. A nice long bubble bath sounded really good to tell the truth. So I went and enjoyed my new tub in my new home where I was no longer a maid. I was free. I was cared for. Was about to receive power beyond my wildest dreams. Things we’re about to get crazy. Hopefully, it’ll be a good crazy.