My Surprise Mate

After breakfast, we walked to the packhouse to wait for Apollo.

"There's my princess!"

Adria squealed as she took Kyra from my arms.

"We will be in my office until Apollo arrives,” Dane told her as he grabbed my hand and led me upstairs.

I looked around as we walked, "Dane, where is everyone?”

It was unusual to see the packhouse empty like it was.

"Training."

That was good, at least we would be better prepared when Devin shows up.I say when and not if because I have a gut feeling he will.

"You aren't supposed to be back yet!" Ash said playfully, joining us the rest of the way to Dane's office.

"I know, and technically I'm not. Apollo will be here soon, so we are waiting for him."

Ash nodded in understanding, "Zayd informed me this morning so I could alert the patrol.”

"How are Genesis and Blaze doing? I haven't seen them much lately.” I questioned Ash.

Since I was released from the hospital, Dane had limited visitors, claiming we needed some time for us.

"Blaze has been antsy lately not being able to see Kyra all the time, and Genesis is fine."

I smiled at the thought of Blaze not getting to see Kyra.

He could be very stubborn when he didn't get his way.

"Has anyone found out more information on the prophecy?"

I hadn't heard anything about it at all lately. noticed the brief look that passed crossed my arms over my chest as I looked at Dane.

There was something he wasn't telling me.. again.

"Apollo is here and being escorted to the office now," Dane told me as he stood from his seat.

I hated not being able to mind link anymore. know I spent my whole life without a wolf, but I had really become used to the perks once I got mine.

It still makes me sad to think about, but there is nothing I could do to change that... don't think anyway.

And if I could go back in time, I would still help Dane and we would still have the same outcome. The office door opened, pulling me from my thoughts, "Holly!"

Apollo smiled as he pulled me into a hug. felt my eyes begin to burn with unshed tears.

"Hi, Apollo.”

He held me back at arm's length as he looked over me for any traces of injury. noticed how tired he looked with dark circles under his eyes.

It almost looked as if he had aged overnight.

He didn't seem as huge as I remember.

Not that he is weak now, but maybe a little thinner.

Once he was satisfied, we sat down on the couch together.

"You should take some time off from the search.You look tired.”

I gave him a small smile.

"I'm so glad that I have had the chance to meet you and spend some time with you. will never be able to thank you enough for letting me know my granddaughter as well.”

His eyes showed nothing but sincerity.

"I feel the same, but what's wrong?"

I felt as if he was telling me goodbye or something.

Apollo cleared his throat as he glanced around the room, "I have problems between my mate, Devin's mom, and me.She isn’t handling this well, and she knows when I find him, I will kill him.It is going to break us both, but I know that it must be done.There is a chance we won't survive this.But enough of that!"

He turned to me, "How do you feel?"

My mind was whirling at his words.

Why wouldn't they survive Devin's death? I knew it would be hard for them, losing a child, but why did he sound so sure that they wouldn't survive?

"I feel fine.Honestly, though, I miss my wolf.It feels like a part of me is missing.”

A tear slipped down my cheek and Apollo gently wiped it away, "I can only imagine how that feels, but remember you are strong.Think about everything you made it through in your life without your wolf.You have always been strong, and that isn't going to change now. needed to hear that.l already knew I was a strong person, and Dane is always telling me, but hearing it from my dad was different.

It gave me hope that I could handle this.

"I know there is something else bothering you.You can talk to me, ya know?" he said as he searched my eyes.

I sighed as I looked from him to Dane, "I fear I won't be accepted as Luna anymore, but how can I be a good Luna without my wolf? I'm not strong enough to protect anyone, I'm not fast, and I can't smell or hear like everyone else.How can I possibly help lead the pack? And if that wasn't enough, how am I going to be able to help Kyra with her transition?"

I kept my eyes down, knowing I wouldn't little bit, and he did his best to reassure me it didn't matter, but the fear was still there.

The fear of being rejected.

"It does not matter if you have your own wolf or not.You are a royal regardless. know it is hard for you right now, but trust me when I say you will make it through this just fine.You have a great mate; his family and this pack love you dearly from what I have seen.As far as Kyra is concerned, you are a great mother, and when you cannot help her, you have myself, Dane, Adria, Zayd, Genesis, Ash, and so many more that will gladly help.You aren't alone any more honey."

Apollo's voice was strong and confident as he spoke.

I felt his hand on my chin as he gently lifted my face, "And you, as a strong Luna and Royal, never bow your head, submit, or avoid eye contact.No matter how hard it may be, you are not weak.”

I knew what he meant. had been staring at the floor, afraid to look them in the eyes as I spoke. couldn't stop the tears as they streamed down my face.

Apollo pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me.

"It's good to cry sometimes.Crying cleanses the soul, as my mother used to say.”

He kept me in his arms until I was finished.

I can't say how good it feels to have a dad that cares.I just hope that he is wrong, and he lives.I don't know what I would do if he died.

"Is there anything more you can tell me about the prophecy? Or, anyway, to get my wolf back?" I questioned hopefully.

"I'm sorry but I have told what I can remember and, unfortunately, I have never heard of someone getting their wolf back," he turned to Dane, "did you find that.”

Dane ran his hand down his face as he sighed, "I believe it was Dr.Winters, but when questioned he only laughed.He would never deny it or admit it."

I saw anger flash in his eyes as he thought about his conversation with Dr.Winters.

"Where is he? I would like a chance to question him.” Apollo stated as he stood up.

"He's dead,” Dane stood waiting for Apollo's reaction.

"So be it,"

Apollo reached his hand down and pulled me to my feet, "You did what needed to be done.l fully understand.I must be going, but I will stay in touch and visit again soon.If you need me, don't hesitate to reach out."

He planted a soft kiss on top of my head as he gave me another hug.

"I'll see you to the border,” Dane said as he followed Apollo out of the office.

"I will meet you in the kitchen babe," Dane told me before he disappeared down the hall.

I sat in the office alone, letting my own thoughts run wild as the silence surrounded me. didn’t want Apollo to die because of Devin, but I didn’t want Devin alive either.

It wasn't safe for Kyra if he was.

Though Apollo's words did help me, my insecurities were still there.l wasn't sure how I would ever get past them.I needed to start working out, and I needed to find something I could do to help the pack.

As I sat in the silence an idea hit me, but I would need to talk to Dane about it later.

With new hope in my heart, I headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Adria turned and smiled at me as I entered, "You look happy.”

I was happy.l could hardly wait to talk to Dane about my idea.

"I am...I understanding.I was thankful she didn't push me to tell her what I needed to speak to him about.Hopefully, he would agree, and then I could talk to her about it. A gentle breeze flowed through the kitchen as Dane walked through the back door.

I jumped from my seat and ran to him, "I need to talk to you.”

His brows furrowed, "Okay, you okay?"

I nodded, grinning at him.

"Kyra is taken care of, don't worry about her.I'll bring her home later,"

Adria said as she slid a pan of cookies into the oven.

We walked back to the house hand in hand, stopping briefly to watch some men training with Ash, before heading on.

I led Dane to the couch as soon as we walked in; all of a sudden I was really nervous.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" he waited for me to respond.

"Umm...well I decided that I want to find a way to help the pack and I have always wanted to work with kids.l was wondering if you would be okay with me taking some online classes to become a teacher. don't really care what age I work with or if another teacher is needed, but I can work part- time somewhere to pay for my tuition.l don't expect you to pay for it when it was my idea...”

I trailed off as I saw the amusement on his face.l felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I looked down. "I was rambling..."

I admitted, causing him to chuckle, "Yes, a little bit. What did Apollo tell you in the office?"

I quickly looked up, making eye contact, and smiled.

"Better.Now I would love for you to take classes if that is what you want to do.We most definitely could use another teacher, and I be damned if you go to work to pay for it.I squealed as I threw my arms around his neck, "Thank you! I will finally be able to contribute.”

He smiled at me as I stood up, "I need to tell Adria and Genesis! I'm so excited! I will look into classes first thing in the morning.”

Dane pulled me back into his lap, "Tnmmm...you can tell them later.Right now, I have you all to myself."