Page 77 of Sinful Mates

“We never saw him again. Tobias tried to catch him, but he thought the madman killed us and panicked. When we woke up Tobias was beside himself and we didn’t understand until Tobias explained what he did. It wasn’t long after we killed the drunk man and Theo was no longer human, that Tobias felt drawn to Theo like a moth to flame. Theo was the same. Back then it was frowned upon for a man to love another man. They fought their own desires for years, until Tobias accidently lost control and marked Theo, making their bond stronger till they no longer cared what others thought.”

I glanced at Theo before getting up and going over to him.

“So, Tobias didn’t feel the bond until after Theo had been changed?”

“Correct, that’s why the council is wondering if there is more to you than meets the eye. No werewolf has ever had a bond with a human; they have fooled around with humans even got a few pregnant but never an established bond. It is unheard of. Did you know your father, Imogen?”

I shake my head. I know nothing of the man, don't even know what he looks like and from what I gather, he isn’t worth knowing. I know my grandfather hated him for I am assuming abandoning my mother. Mom never really spoke of him and if she did, it was when she was extremely drunk. I know they knew each other for a while before she fell pregnant but that is it.

“Not to worry, I’m sure we will find some answers somehow.”

“So, werewolves who mate with humans, they can fall pregnant, so it creates a half human half werewolf, correct?”

“Sort of. They won’t be able to shift but they do get some of the benefits like longer life span, most will have short temper and are stronger. For a werewolf child to be born, only two werewolves can bring a full werewolf into the world. Same with vampires, they can create a hybrid with a werewolf but with a human the child comes out more or less human. We aren’t sure why that is. I think it’s a safety mechanism; humans’ bodies have to stop the world becoming overrun with supernatural creatures though their DNA is slightly different and what humans consider rare blood types. Whereas a vampire and werewolf or hybrid child will crave blood and be able to shift. It is all very confusing, I will try and explain more later but for now, we really need to see what we can find amongst your things,” she says standing. Tobias and Josiah walk back out heading toward the front door.

I grab my joggers that are near the front door and slip my feet into them. Tobias waits while Josiah and Caroline head to the shed. Tobias moves closer and takes my hand before kissing my fingertips. I brush my thumb over his lip, and he relaxes slightly before keeping a strong grip on my hand and pulling me with him toward the shed. Caroline lifts the roller door, just as I get there, and we all make our way to the back of the shed which has an office behind the glass door. I noticed it the few times I have been in here, yet never actually went in. Not needing the reminder that my mother isn’t here any longer. That I’m already painfully aware. But I must admit after talking to Caroline, I’m a little curious to see if there is actually anything hidden amongst my mother’s things.

As soon as I step in, the first thing I smell is the old table my Grandfather made for my mother. I love the smell of lacquered wood. I run my hand along the top of it, the wood smooth and familiar under my hand. My family spent many Christmases around this table, and it holds a lot of memories. It is my mother’s favorite possession and now mine knowing what it always meant to her. Tobias starts opening boxes and Caroline waits along with Josiah, obviously feeling awkward about going through my things.

“You can start opening boxes, I don’t mind. It will be faster if we are all looking,” I tell them. They look relieved but I can tell they don’t want to overstep. I grab the first box I lay my hands on, pulling it off the shelf and placing it on the table. Caroline does the same next to me and we rummage through the boxes.

I continue opening boxes, until we find every document stored in the room, my birth certificate and even an old phone and address book of my mother’s. When we finish stacking the boxes and putting them away, we stand around the old table flicking through the various documents. Like I thought, my birth certificate holds no answer, just my mother’s name. Josiah turns page after page of a small hardcover notebook. It has a floral design on the front. Josiah suddenly drops the book and gasps, it lands on the table facedown. I pick it up and a photo falls from between the pages.

“What?” I ask. Grabbing the photo, I stare down at it. I don’t see anything wrong with the photo at all, it’s just a photo of my mother with me, and some man I don’t recognize. I must admit the resemblance between him, and me was uncanny, with his blond hair and blue eyes we even have the same nose and lips. Wait a minute... I gaze at him a moment. Is he some relative of mine? Did mom have a brother she never told me about?

Josiah shakes his head. “Do you know this man?” He points at the photo. I shake my head and Tobias strides over, peering over my shoulder and staring at the photo. I hear him growl and I glance over my shoulder at him. His eyes are narrowed and have turned to pitch black orbs. Fear courses through me. His anger isn't directed at me this time, but I can't help the shivers work their way through my body.

Caroline comes over and takes the photo from my hand wanting to see what they are so bothered by. She drops the photo, her hands going to her mouth. “It can’t be him,” she whispers. I’m completely baffled,; obviously, they recognize the man in the photo. But I have no recollection of this photo even being taken and I’m around ten years old in it. I know if I had seen this man before I would have recognized him.

“Can’t be who? Who is he?” I ask. They don’t answer and just stare. My unease grows. Why can't I remember this? And more importantly, what is with their reactions? Josiah picks up the photo and puts it in his pocket. Tobias ushers me out of the shed, his father having my birth certificate, not that it is going to do any good with the lack of my father’s name. He also takes the floral notebook.

“Who is the man, Tobias?” Tobias moves closer putting his arm over my shoulder before turning to his parents, ignoring my question.

Caroline's eyes dart to the side, refusing to meet my own, and Josiah pats Tobias on the back, walking toward their car, grabbing Caroline’s hand, and tugging her along with him. Tobias walks me up the front veranda and we climb the stairs. I wait until his parents are out of view, and turn to him.

“What the fuck is going on Tobias, who is he?” It’s another fucking secret! They know they can tell me and save me from all this confusion.

Tobias growls at my tone of voice, but I’m sick of no one telling me what is going on. “He was a member of the council. He is also the same man who turned Theo and his parents.”

I stare at him. What? That didn't... Should I really be surprised Caroline has lied to me just as her sons keep lying to me? I want to strangle the lot of them. “But Caroline said she never saw the crazy vampire doctor again.” Was there more to the story she was hiding from me?

“Look, that's all you need to know right now. My mother didn’t lie, we haven't seen him since. He left the council before we even knew about it. We only found out he was a council member, upon visiting the council for the first time. His photo hung in their gallery. He went missing the year he changed them. We thought he had been killed by hunters because no one, including the council, has seen him since. But that photo proves he is still alive.”

I stare at Tobias. In all the time I'd known him, he'd never been that forthright with answers. He actually answered so much with that one sentence, and despite the situation, relief flows through me. Maybe it won't be impossible for us if we can be honest like this. “If he is alive, why is he in a photo with me and my mother, and why don’t I remember meeting him?” This is all becoming too much and so god damn confusing.

“I’m not sure who he is to you, but my parents will find out. Shit, they forgot to take your blood.” Tobias strides inside and goes to the wine rack. He presses down on the wooden top and it springs open, the lid opening to reveal a hidden compartment. He takes something out. It is a bulky phone; he turns the screen on and dials a number. I stare dumbfounded. I thought they didn’t have a way of contacting anyone out here? Clearly, I was wrong. And just like that, another secret.

Someone must answer. “You forgot to take a blood sample.” I can’t hear the other half of the conversation, but I know he is talking to his parents. “Okay, I’ll bring her over on Thursday.” And he hangs up the phone.

“You have cell service out here?” I ask, annoyed. I want to take the phone and smack him with it. How many cracks would it take to get to the brain of a stubborn asshole werewolf? I’m dying to find out. And maybe it would force him to start telling me the whole truth more often.

“It’s a satellite phone. On Thursday you are coming to meet the council so they can run some tests.” My throat burns with rising bile, and my stomach threatens to expel everything I've eaten for the last week. I don’t want to go to the council to meet the same people who will decide my fate. What if they decide it is time to forcibly change me themselves and I have no way to escape?

Tobias, seeing how nervous I become, places the phone back in the cupboard before closing the lid and wrapping his arms around me, pulling me to his chest. I relax against him, and he rests his chin on top of my head. “Don’t be scared, I won’t let them hurt you, Imogen.”

Hurt me? He wants to do worst to me than that because he can't bear to treat me like a real person and not just a possession. “No, you will just let them kill me,” I say, stepping back and away from him. He sighs before turning and heading toward the living room.

Theo is still in the exact same position on the armchair by the fireplace. A perfect statue. I’m worried about him, but everyone keeps saying he will be okay. “How long will he remain like that?” I ask, placing a hand on his shoulder. He doesn't even blink at my touch.