Chapter 28: Twenty-eight.

Sammy was sat on a giant slab of rock, with Gomez on her lap, well what could fit of him on her lap.

The council members all returned to their packs and she was left alone. It seems since she herself was half werewolf, she fell into a different category and no longer required an interview to determine how trustworthy she was. They were no longer interested in her comings and goings. As she was hardly going to out herself for lab tests and disections.

If only everyone else would be as disinterested in her. But, at least here she found some peace.

Daniel hadn't left her side for three weeks. Not until Sammy herself called Shane and asked him to intervene, before she told Abigail that he had allowed her favourite bear cub to be exposed to the danger that was their beta's territorial temper.

Under such a threat Shane gave in quite quickly, and told Daniel he was needed in the pack house today.

It wasn't that she didn't like having him around, the truth was she had very quickly come to adore him, but she needed some space. Sammy needed time to think without Daniel second guessing every emotion that flitted across her face and then probing to discover what was running through her head.

Martin Gray had been executed the following day, after her revelation, and Sammy couldn't seem to feel anything about it. Her general apathy over it all concerned her. But, there was no guilt, no sympathy, no grief, no happiness, or relief. Just a terrifying numbness, that she struggled to process. Of course every time she questioned herself, or tried to organise her emotions, Daniel was quick to notice her discomfort, and distract her.

Normally with mind blowing sex, so she wasn't complaining too much.

But all the same, her father played on her mind again afterwards.

Sammy had refused to answer his request for a last visit. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with the man who had fathered her, yet somehow no matter how hard she tried to move on, his ghost would lurk in the back of her psyche. Seeping through her thoughts when she just wanted peace.

Meanwhile, Henry had also been persistent in asking her to at least come 'home' for a visit,especially over the festive period.

Sammy however, had been persistent in refusing, after all she was home, and had no desire to visit that other place.

But, he kept calling. This alone was another annoyance.

Dax agreed with her on that front at least.

She had updated him on as much as she could, without the werewolf parts, and she loved how he already didn't like Henry; coming in after all these years and trying to usurp his role. *He was her annoying, protective and devilishly handsome big brother, no one else.*

The whole conversation had made Sammy laugh and smile, Dax had her back, and he always knew how to cheer her up again when she was down.

But now, she was here lost in her own tumult of thoughts. Memories of her childhood taking on new meanings, like when her father took her camping in the forest under the stars. He spent the evening telling her about the wonders of running free, the joy of being in the wilds of nature. Then when the moon rose, he told her a fairy tale about a special race of people who were blessed by the woman in the moon.

It was all linked to his life as a werewolf. A link to her own heritage that he had tried to teach her. But why? Why when he then just turned around and walked away.

It was beyond confusing, and Sammy longed for the simplicity of the before; the calmness of her ignorance, and the peace of her solitude.

Though, she did admit to herself she would give up the solitude to keep Daniel.

Adjusting to her new normal was hard, she wasn't just care system raised veterinarian, Sammy Gray, anymore. She was Sammy Michelle Gray, half werewolf, mate to Daniel Weston, sister to the Gray brothers, who seemed intent on invading her life, whether they were welcome or not, and keeper of a secret new reality, that she hadn't even begun to fathom the implications of properly.

It was exhausting.

So, she was spending her lunch break, with the most undemanding male in her life.

The orphan bear cub.

And Gomez, was not complaining in the slightest.

She was so lost in thought, she was startled at the sound of a woman's voice.

"Hello?" She called, "Can I come in, or will I get maimed by your... friend."

Sammy frowned questioning if she had heard correctly, "Sorry, the pen is off limits to the public." She yelled back.

Then an older woman, with white hair appeared from through the trees, "I wasn't really asking permission, just being polite."

Sammy was taken aback for a moment, before she stated, "You need to leave, Ma'am. You aren't quite cleared to be here."

The woman however peered curiously at the bear, then looked at Sammy and smiled.

"Less of the Ma'am, dear. My name is Alice Gray, you however, can call me Grams."