Digging for the truth

CONNOR

"I apologize for Cassie's rude behavior, Connor," Agnes started off as soon as we stepped into my sun-filled office. Agnes touched her forehead slightly, revealing that Cassandra’s behavior had embarrassed her.

"She's certainly feisty," I said, directing them to be seated on the plush leather chairs. "I understand she doesn't know how to behave in a pack dynamic. You've been living in the city?" It would certainly be a challenge to train Cassandra in all things pack related. Something I looked forward to immensely.

Agnes was a beautiful woman, the resemblance to Cassandra obvious. But Cassandra had inherited her father's temperament, unmistakably Joel's daughter. Agnes’ big brown eyes held many secrets, and as she sat with her arms folded across her chest, it was clear she wasn't about to give them up easily. A tight smile forced its way onto her lips.

“Yes,” she said. “Cassandra grew up in Miami.”

Joel glanced at Agnes from time to time, the tension radiating off him in palpable waves. His grip on the armrests of the chair was tight, as if he was holding himself back from saying something. There was a story between them, a history that made me curious, but it wasn't my place to pry.

My primary concern was Cassandra. I wanted to know everything about my mate, and that included understanding her mother. There was something important Agnes was keeping from me, and I needed to find out what it was.

"Did something happen in Miami that made you come here?" I dove right into the important aspect, watching Agnes closely. My werewolf hearing picked up a slight rise in her heart rate. A faint change in her scent lingered in the air. She was skilled at hiding her emotions, schooling her face, but I had honed my ability to read people.

"No, not really," she said, her gaze dropping to her lap. The fabric of her skirt rustled softly as she shifted in her seat. "I was worried about Cassie."

"Oh?" I tilted my head. "Why?"

"I sensed the change in her. All these years, I tried to convince myself that she was human, that she wouldn't inherit the werewolf gene. But I was wrong." Agnes turned to Joel, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and concern. "I had to bring her to you, to her pack."

Joel remained silent, stone-faced. The tension in the room grew thicker, almost suffocating. Miles, my wolf, huffed in the back of my mind, his thoughts echoing mine. 'Why did she take her away in the first place?'

"Tell me, Joel, did you know about Cassandra?" I prodded gently, hoping I wasn't overstepping my bounds. But as the alpha, it was my duty to know and understand.

"No!" Joel growled out, his voice harsh with hurt. "Do you think I would abandon my pup on purpose?" The pain in his words tugged at my heart.

Agnes cringed visibly, seeming to become smaller. “And I told you why I ran, Joel. I am terribly sorry.” Tears were brimming in her eyes.

I got up and went to her, kneeling next to her, and placed a hand on her knee. “You brought her back to her pack. It was the right thing to do.”

“Your father did not approve of our… relationship.” Agnes faltered, uncertain what to call it. “He came to see me when I lived in Santa Barbara.” She looked over at Joel. “I never told you this, Joel, because it wouldn’t have made a difference, anyway. But Alpha Troy came to see me and basically threatened to exile you, strip you of your status as beta. I couldn’t let that happen.”

I went to pour a glass of water and handed it to Agnes. “Yes, my father could sometimes be narrow-minded. He didn’t condone inter-species relationships. Even if it was a soulmate bond.” She didn’t have a visible mate mark, I noted when I knelt next to her.

“You should have told me, Agnes.” Joel said. “I could’ve convinced Troy.”

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was terrified that Troy would kill me. So, I ran.”

“I wouldn’t have let Troy hurt you. You are my mate – were my mate, Agnes!” Troy looked at Agnes with bitterness. “But I guess you never loved me enough to trust me.”

Agnes reached out a hand towards Joel, her fingers trembling as if pleading for his understanding. "Joel, no," she whispered, her voice filled with desperate hope. "I loved you, still do. But I was consumed by fear, for me, for Cassie, and for you."

Joel's head shook in disbelief, sadness in his dark eyes. He rose from his seat and walked towards the window, the cool glass meeting his forehead as he leaned against it.

"I hope you can work through your issues," I interjected with a heavy sigh, breaking the silence. "But there's something I need your help with."

Agnes, visibly relieved that I didn't press further, let out a small sigh of relief. Her heart rate gradually slowed. Yet, I knew that no matter what, I would eventually find out the truth. I was a patient but persistent man.

"When I came to your house last night, Joel," I continued, "it was because Cassandra's scent led me there."

Joel turned to face me, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "She's your mate?" he asked, surprised.

A smile spread across my face. I couldn’t contain my excitement and joy. Agnes gasped, her eyes widening at the revelation.

"I think you'll need more than just our help, Connor," Joel remarked dryly. "She's in denial about her true identity. She barely listened when I tried to explain things to her."

Agnes, quick to defend Cassandra, spoke up. "You can't blame her, Joel. It's my fault. This was an overwhelming shock for her." You could hear the guilt and worry in her voice. "But she's so young, Connor. And would your pack accept her because of me?"

‘The elders will be a problem, Connor,’ Miles, the worrier, chimed in nervously. I silenced him firmly.

"Don't worry about the pack, Agnes. I'll handle them," I assured her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But did Cassandra have someone special in Miami? A boyfriend, perhaps?"

Agnes laughed, the sound light and melodic. "Goodness, no. She was too focused on her studies. If she had anyone, she would've told me. She had a few friends, mostly girls from college."

It was such a relief knowing I didn't have any rivals. "I'm glad to hear that," I replied. "I want her to be mine without obstacles. But Joel, should I wait before telling her? Give her time to adjust?"

Joel looked concerned. "Yes, please give her time, Connor. Let her adjust at her own pace. When she shifts for the first time, she'll understand everything."

I nodded, realizing how important that moment was. I wanted Cassandra to embrace who she really was.