Eventually, Ray found two cups and made us a cup of tea each. I didn’t actually understand why he was making tea, but I didn’t say anything. I just found out my brother was a werewolf, and he had just found out that Colton was my mate. I guess it wasn’t such a bad idea.
Ray finally sat on another stool opposite me and pushed me a cup of tea towards me.
We have a lot to talk about Layla.
I nodded, looking down into the steaming mug. Yes, we do.
An uncomfortable silence engulfed us. It seemed Ray didn’t know how to start, and honestly, I didn’t either. Our Gran always said, the best of problems were solved with patience and a cup of tea.
I didn’t know if that was the case in this situation.
I glanced at Ray to see him looking over at the fridge. He was looking at a picture of our parents stuck to the metal by one of those alphabet magnets.
It was when they went to Barbados, instead of attending Ray’s graduation from high school. They didn’t even come home to celebrate that he got accepted into the best college in North County, because they were too wrapped up in each other and still are.
Do you miss them ? I questioned him, breaking the ice.
Ray shook his head. No… It’s their fault we’re like this.
Like what ?
He didn’t answer, instead he brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip. After he set the cup back down on the counter, he looked at me.
Why didn’t you tell me you were marked ?
Why would I ? It’s not something you just blurt out to someone, so don’t take it personal.
I know it’s not, but I just hated finding out like that, he said moodily.
Why haven’t you told me you’re a werewolf ? I asked, imitating his question slightly.
He rolled his eyes, a fragment of the old Ray coming out. It’s not something you blurt out to someone, don’t take it personal. I didn’t know you already bloody knew about werewolves.
Until very recently, I corrected him. Tell me how it happened.
He shrugged. It was summer last year. I’d just finished my exams and wanted to let off steam at some clubs. I ended up getting wasted and on my way home this girl attacked me in the street. It was a full moon.
It happened just like that ?
So, she was a moonwalker ?
Yeah, funny thing was though, she was watching me all night and she actually waited until I was alone. I remember when she just shifted in front of me, I thought I was going crazy, but I think she purposely chose to attack me. After I was bitten she took off and left me. I haven’t seen her since.
Why would you think she purposely chose to do it ? I asked, silently thankful that we were talking now.
He shrugged. It’s just something she said before she bit me, anyway, I woke up the next morning running a fever. I didn’t know what the heck was going on and just assumed I was sick. But it got worse and for two weeks I thought I was going to die it was that bad. When a moonwalker bites you, the bite becomes infected, it starts to poison you. My body was changing, preparing it for the first shift.
He seemed lost in thought as he told me this. I could see the pain etched in his face as he thought back to it, I didn’t like seeing it.
Colton said someone in our family is a pureblood. Is that true ? I asked.
He nodded. Yeah, that’s true. Being both is confusing. When it’s close to the full moon I’m as agitated as a moonwalker and I want to kill. I want to lose control like they do. But with also being a pureblood it makes me aware of everything and my humanity. Let’s just say, my wolf is a moonwalker, but a little bit tamer.
I took a sip of my tea and tried to imagine what it would be like, but I couldn’t think. It sounds…
Crazy ?
I nodded. Yeah.
I know. When I shifted for the first time, it was Toby who helped me get through it and made sure I didn’t hurt anybody. It was very weird finding out he was a wolf too. I only met him in college a month before. Being a pureblood means you’re connected to other pure wolves. Toby felt my pain of shifting. Afterwards he stuck around to help me deal with it. He persuaded Colton to protect me because of my pureblood heritage.
Why do you hate him ? It sounds nice that he let you in his pack Ray.
I don’t really know…I guess maybe it has something to do with the next thing I’m about to tell you. This is something you cannot repeat to no one, this is between us only. You can’t tell Colton.
I nodded slowly, frowning. Wondering what else he could possibly tell me. What is it ?
After I shifted, Toby suggested I go see some scientist friend of Colton’s, to find more about my blood. Mike, the scientist, knows a lot about werewolf bloodlines. But when he tested my blood he found out that we are from a bloodline that nobody knew about. Are you still with me ?
I nodded my head. I felt dazed, but I think I was getting it. I think so.
I decided that day that the only way I was going to survive what I am was that I learn everything I needed to know. I spent the year researching and hunting for answers. Actually, I became obsessed with finding out anything about our family. I even went to see our Gran in Ironer Bay, and what I found out was pretty shocking. I’m telling you this because as my sister, you have a right to know too.
I’d never seen Ray like this. He seemed so serious and it had something to do with our Gran now. Tell me.
When I went to see our Gran, she knew immediately what I was. I’d never felt so relieved that she knew, that I had someone in our family that knew something. I asked her how and that’s when she told me about her mother. Ray paused, looking thoughtful. Her mother was the pureblood in our family, she was the reason for me being half pureblood and the reason why you’re mated to Colton. Our Gran told me that her mother came from the purest line of pure blooded wolves to ever exist, kind of like royalties.
Ray smiled while I sat in the state of shock at what he was revealing to me. I was still getting used to the idea that werewolves existed and now I realised this was far deeper than I ever imagined. Ray was clearly excited about telling me this. This was the reason why Colton and I are mated.
Is Gran a werewolf Ray ? I asked with a raised eyebrow, I couldn’t imagine her being one. She was crazy enough.
He shook his head. Nah, Grans mother tainted the bloodline by getting with a human. It was a way of protecting herself. She was the last full werewolf of our bloodline to exist. Gran’s just half, which explains her craziness. He grinned making me laugh a little.
How do we have pureblood in us ?
Well, wolf blood is complicated. Gran told me when royalty blood as strong as her mother’s is tainted by human blood, it thrives to bring itself back. It chooses who it wants very carefully. Apparently it completely bypassed dad and chose us. We have pureblood inside of us.
Who knew blood could be so clever and who knew my brain could last this long without exploding ?
I had never heard anything as crazy as this before, but things were starting to make sense in a weird kind of way.
What does it mean to have pureblood inside of us ? I asked.
It means that we can bring our bloodline back if done rightly. You’re already mated to Colton, who is a full pureblood. If you two go on to having kids, your children will be purebloods, royalty. Through our blood, we have been given certain traits. For you, it was the mating thing, for me it was the ability to be an alpha.
I frowned. How does that work, you don’t have a pack ?
I don’t know what it means, and it’s just what Gran said. Ray suddenly laughed at my facial expression. You look like you’re ready to be taken to a nut house.
I feel like I should be.
Yeah, I know. I was pretty freaked out when I found out about everything too. But, promise me you won’t tell anybody about what Gran told me. Gran said it’s too dangerous and we need to protect ourselves.
I gave him a look. I won’t tell anyone.
You might feel tempted to tell Colton.