Chapter 29: Twenty-nine.

"Oh. I see," Sammy stated in shock, before recovering quickly and adding, "I'm afraid you still shouldn't be in here."

Alice smiled, "So you say, however, should he not be hibernating?"

"Brown bears arent actually true hibernating animals. They don't sleep all winter. The process they go through is called torpor. Besides, that's wild bears, bears in captivity rarely do even that due to the easy access to food. Though, they do get a bit more dopey," Sammy explained, going into vet mode as a defense mechanism, while stroking Gomez on the head.

Alice sat down beside her, "And you're his adoptive mother I see," she said nodding, "It's admirable you know? Taking care of those who can't care for themselves."

"Thank you," Sammy nodded, sensing no ulterior motive from the woman, only admiration.

"It's also something I know you were deprived of when you need it," Alice went on.

"I survived," Sammy shrugged.

"I can see that too," Alice smiled, "But, there is something you don't seem to realise, Sammy."

Sammy lifted her eyebrow, waiting for the elder woman to enlighten her.

"You weren't the only one deprived." Alice sighed, "My son, was a wonderful child. Bold, confident, a clear Alpha in the making. However, as he grew, he became full of himself, selfish and arrogant; not traits normally found in any wolf. He has treated Michelle disgracefully, and you even worse. We are a species who typically live for our loved ones. I think Martin was simply wired wrong. But, as much as he was my son, you are my granddaughter, and he put you in harm's way. In doing so, he also risked the safety and well being of my other children, and their children. That I cannot forgive. But most of all, I cannot forgive him, because he deprived all of us, of you. He should have brought you home to us."

Sammy couldn't speak the words caught in her throat, she had grown so strong and unyielding from protecting herself at being unwanted, it was startling to hear that it wasn't the case at all, that she was wanted, just hidden.

It didn't feel real, or even possible.

It had taken her a magical bond and his eternal persistence to let Daniel in, the thought that she had more family out there who wanted her... That seemed utterly imagined.

"Now tell me," Alice continued talking, "I want to know about this mate of yours? Henry and Sebastian have very skewed ideas when it comes to the true reality of a mate bond. No small thanks to your father, I might add. Please tell me you aren't planning on giving the man too hard a time?" Alice went on, forging ahead with an impromptu get to know you session.

She had sensed her granddaughter was uncomfortable with the revelation she had given her, and rather than push it further, she opted to make things easier instead.

Sammy suddenly laughed at Alice's enquirey, as it pulled her from the internal war of emotions she was trying to decipher. The movement was enough to even disturb the slumbering blanket that was Gomez. In the end he moved off her to pick at his fruits when she finally calmed and turned to face her bemused grandmother.

"I suppose as long as you don't count a trip to the grooming parlour and a rectal exam in his lupine form, a hard time, then no he has had really it easy," she smirked, beginning to laugh again.

"I'm sorry, what?" Her grandmother asked horrified, and somewhat lost.

"To be fair, he was posing as a random wolf, to trick me into spending time with him, and I had him sedated after he took a reaction to the worming medication I'd given, it was only a temperature check, not a full exam." Sammy qualified, "I didn't know about werewolves at the time, Mrs. Gray. Just like he doesn't know I also dosed him for fleas and ticks." She added with a wink.

Alice, couldn't help it, her horror very quickly morphed into amusement, at her grand daughter's description.

"Oh dear goddess, you are definitely one of mine," she laughed out, smiling genuinely, before her curiosity got the better of her, "And, the grooming parlour?"

"Okay, that I knew about him, but he had shed his coat all over my bed and ruined my new sheets. It was purely revenge. I had hoped to get him out to play fetch with my neighbour's kid, but then well, he ate my shoes." Sammy laughed. "We are good now though, I think."

Alice's face was alight with glee as she stared at her granddaughter, "Oh, you two sound fun, can I meet him? But wait, where is your mark?" She asked pointing to her own neck, where Sammy could see the faint lines of a scar.

"Oh," Sammy blushed, "We, erm, I'm not quite ready for that. Abigail explained it's kind of like a wedding only for just the two of us, and way more permanent," she said as Alice nodded along in agreement, "With everything that has happened, I just want... I don't know, I'm just not ready yet."

Alice moved to Sammy's side and wrenched her into an embrace before she could be stopped.

"You've been through a lot, Dear. I'm sure your mate understands." She said softly.

Sammy couldn't help it, the sudden rush at her system of being wanted and comforted was too much, and she started to cry.

Her grandmother cared, and with every stroke of Sammy's back, her heart broke a little at not having known this woman sooner, she could have used her influence growing up, Dax could have too, she thought idly.

Sammy was pulling away uncomfortably before too long, unused to such a display of motherly affection. Even when her own mother was alive she was treated more of an accessory than family.

She wiped at her eyes awkwardly with her sleeve, apologising for her outburst.

But Alice told her not to be silly.

"Sammy, I know Henry has mentioned to you already, but we really would like you to come home," she ventured cautiously.

Sammy tensed, forcing a smile, "Mrs, Gray, please, as I told Henry, I am home."

It was Alice's turn to tense, "I let you away with it once, Young Lady, but not twice. You call me Grams." She stated with an authority that revealed her Alpha female status.

But, Sammy didn't bow to any Alpha.

"With respect, that's too personal. Yes, you may be my grandmother, but I do not know you. I'm just not comfortable with such familiarity. I'm sorry, I know the fault is not yours, but my trust is hard to earn, Mrs. Gray," Sammy answered respectfully, but firmly.

"Then take your brother up on his offer, and come and get to know us." Alice countered unaffected.

Sammy smirked, "Oh you are smooth, I will give you that." She said getting to her feet and offering Alice a hand.

"But, I can't. I refuse to put myself through walking the halls of his house. I will not wonder a home, thinking of what could have been, had he deemed me worth the effort. I do not need to see the *'this is what you could have won'* prize. It's too much, and I will not put myself through it. Kindly respect that I have been through enough." She said, as she heaved Alice to her feet. "I am not opposed to getting to know my relations. It's actually something I'm quite curious about. But not there. Not in his house."

Alice watched Sammy as she spoke, and nodded, a feeling of guilt and weight settling on her chest for pushing.

"Alright, I will make you a deal then," she said a moment later with a sly smile, "You call me Grams, and I will ensure everyone comes here to meet you. I will be a shield between you and their nagging. What do you say?"

Sammy looked at the woman as she held out her hand for Sammy to shake expectantly, and she smiled reaching to take it, deciding she would give a little, to get a little, "Thank you, Grams."

"Excellent, now we best go find your brother, Sebastian. I left him at the office kicking up a fuss to see you." Alice answered.

"What?" Sammy asked, instantly worried.

"Oh, they didn't want to let members of the public roam around unchecked. But, no one ever watches the little old lady, when the strapping young man is kicking off, so I came to find you."