Chapter 929 Chapter 929
Marie went back to the truck and picked up the first box she came to. She felt better doing something. She was surprised that the princess was also helping. Marie took the boxes to her, she went through what was in them and then designated Blaise and Webb as to where to take them.
She’d heard talk that the man from Pike’s group, who was a friend to Gia’s mate, had said there was a price on Rayne’s head. Marie didn’t know who would want to harm such a nice woman, but she hoped they would find out and put a stop to it.
Rayne was standing there smiling at her when she set the box down. “You make it look so easy.”
Setting the box down, she smiled. “I guess that’s a plus to being half-bear.” It was the only thing she’d appreciated all of her life, that she was strong and useful. Aside from her strength, there were no advantages to being a bear that would never actually be one.
When Rayne looked at her, she didn’t see judgment. “What happened to your family?”
Marie looked at the truck to see that Blaise was still setting boxes on the floor from it. “My mother was injured, and we were being hunted.” She looked at the floor for a moment. “No one told me who was hunting us. One-forms or our kind, I don’t know.” She sighed and looked back at the woman in front of her. There was such understanding on her face that it made Marie’s heart ache. “She didn’t want to be the reason the others were caught, so she told them to take me and go. She said that she would find them later. She never did.”
“That was very brave of her. To save you like that.”
“I was a baby.”
“Was your father there?”
Marie looked around. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk about it; she just didn’t want to see the sadness in the princess's eyes as she did. “No.” She shook her head. My mother was a captive, and he helped her escape. He was a one-form. I don’t know how long they were together.” None of this, she remembered. When Cassius’ family found us, I was a newborn, and she was alone.”
“I’m sorry you went through that.” Rayne gave her an understanding look. “I'm glad you’re with us now. If there is anything you need, let me know.”
Marie nodded and reached into her pocket and pulled out an elastic. “I’ll get the rest of this unloaded.” She quickly pulled her hair back while trying not to look at her again. It happened every time she spoke about her mother. She shouldn’t feel a loss, because she never knew her, but she still did. Giving the princess a forced smile, she turned and went over toward the truck.
“Blaise, can I borrow you for a moment?”
Blaise looked at Rayne and immediately stopped what she was doing and went to her.
Marie started stacking more boxes on the floor behind the truck. She glanced over to see Rayne and Blaise both looking at her.
Blaise looked at Rayne, who nodded. With a creased brow, Blaise started back toward the truck. She stared at Marie as she took long strides to reach her.
“Do me a favor. Look broody.”
Marie didn’t understand what she meant.
Blaise waved her hand around. “You know, look all serious, like you’re overthinking something.”
Marie frowned, still unsure of what was happening. She looked at the box she still held and then moved it out of the truck to set it down.
“I see it.” Blaise spun around and looked at Rayne, then back at Marie. Before she could ask what was happening, Blaise stepped over the box and grabbed Marie’s face between her hands. She stared at her with such intense focus that Marie was afraid to breathe. When she slowly smiled and relaxed her face, Blaise’s eyes rounded. “I have to call Griffin.”
Rayne was standing behind her now. “We have both Griffin and Edda’s DNA on file now.”
Marie’s heart slammed inside her chest. “Did you say Edda?”
Rayne nodded, and Blaise spun back toward her.
“That was my mother’s name. Edda Ballard.”
“Damn.” Blaise grabbed her shoulders and gave her a slight shake. “I have to call Griffin.” She released her and walked away quickly.
Marie looked at Rayne. She laughed softly—probably because of the look Marie was giving her.
“I’m pretty sure she’s calling your mother and half-brother right now.” She gave her one of her amazing smiles.” I need to go speak with Devin. I’ll be back shortly.”
Marie watched her leave. Mother and half-brother? She looked around at where she was. This was not a dream. She was really here.
“Are we taking a break?”
Startled by Webb’s voice, she turned around slowly and looked at him.
“Are you all right? You’re very pale.” He dropped the dolly and walked over to her. “Rhogue? What’s happened?”
Marie blinked. “Um –” She looked at the door the two women had gone out and then back at him. “Rayne had to go speak with the prince, and, uh, Blaise had to call Griffin and Edda.” She put her hand on her chest because she wasn’t even sure if it was still beating in any sort of rhythm. “My-my half-brother and mother.”
“What? Oh my god, siblings.” He shook his head. “Are they sure? Are you sure?”
She wasn’t sure of anything right now. “Edda was my mother’s name.” She touched her cheek. “Blaise said she saw it in my face.”
His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “With your hair pulled back, you do have the same bone structure as Griffin.” His eyes widened. “The feminine version, I mean. I wasn’t here when Edda was, so I don’t know what she looks like.”
Marie looked at the box she’d set down and then sat on it, hoping that whatever was in it, she wasn’t going to crush anything. “I can’t believe this is really happening. How do I know if she is?”
He squatted in front of her. “They can check for DNA makeup.”
She looked at him.
“All of us on the teams donated so they could study the differences between clans. Griffin’s will be in the system.”
“They said Edda’s was too.”
He gave her a soft look that made her heart pound again. “Let’s not panic until they have answers, okay?”
Marie drew in a slow breath and nodded. “Okay.”
“Webb, we need you on the roof on watch. Grab someone else to take with you.” Amari was standing in the doorway. “Something is happening, and we’re doing one last planning session.” She looked at him for a moment. “Grab a walkie and shout if you see anything, Care Bear.” The door closed.
“Care Bear?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Amari thinks I’m too nice.”
“Nice is never bad.”
“I know.” He looked at the door and then back at her. “Want to come stand on the roof and get some air while I watch?”
She nodded. “Yes. I’d love some fresh air and no one staring at me.”
“I can’t promise that, but I’ll do it from afar.” He smiled, and she had no choice but to return it.