26. Finley
Finley
Iwas enjoying the peace and quiet of Zander's home, but it didn’t take long for the others to join us. Mason pulled me from Zander's arm, ignoring the growl that came from him, and curled us both up in the large overstuffed armchair.
"You know, snuggles, you are hard to get a hold of with all the others around," Mason murmured against my ear. "I had to brave the dangers of pulling you right out of an alpha's arms!"
I rolled my eyes at how dramatic he was being while the others found their spot. "Zander has news to share with us from his meeting today," I announced.
Hearing this, everyone turned their attention to the alpha in question.
"I wanted to wait until tomorrow, but my wise mate warned me that we have no idea what tomorrow might hold if today was anything to go by," Zander muttered.
"My contact is old enough that they were around before the war between the elves happened.
As far as they know, there has never been an elf that's been turned by a werewolf. By vampires, yes, but nothing else has been recorded or shared in the materials we have access too. They’re sending me books on the light elves' history since the Senate took all of that to safeguard in the vaults. "
"Holy shit, how close are you to the Senate for them to allow such a thing?" Lane asked.
I watched Zander feeling is internal struggle as he made the choice on how to answer.
Giving him a little nod, I let him know that I already knew the answer, but I wasn't going to share it if he didn't want me to.
The Organization kept files on all the prominent supers in the world that we needed to be watchful of if a job ever intersected with them and Zander was one of them.
"It's my mother… Senator Morwyn Vaughan is my mother," Zander announced.
The others shifted in their seats and looked at one another in surprise.
"That certainly explains a lot," Colt responded, running his hands through his hair.
"I always wondered why you were allowed to do what you do, proclaiming you’re a werewolf all over the world with your music.
It always seemed odd that while the Senate wanted us to be integrated, they didn't want all our secrets told. "
"You're right on that. I have to get approval over everything I want to say, especially if it's on live TV or the radio, but I've been known to deviate if there’s something that needs to be corrected," Zander shared with a grin.
"As much as it has been a ball and chain in my life, it's moments like this where it's helpful.
Mother was able to get me what I needed and shared something that will be somewhat helpful when Finley comes into her power.
Oh, she also handled the issue with the marshalls as well, so they won't be bothering us any further. "
Perking up at the idea of getting some answers, I leaned forward. "What did she tell you?"
"If you are a full elf, which I do believe you are, then even though you’re soon-to-be thirty, you are still considered an adolescent.
This means that until you come into your powers, you are unable to reproduce.
Even if you've gone into heat, your body isn't ready to host a child, so it won't allow it to take root," Zander informed.
My jaw dropped at this; the thought of children hadn't even crossed my mind since I’d never planned on having any.
I'd been given an implant by the Organization to stop pregnancies from happening since it would remove me from being able to work.
It was never going to be my path in life was actively operating as an assassin.
"So does that mean the birth control I'm on isn't needed until after I've 'matured'?" I questioned.
"The moment you had your first shift that stopped being effective.
Werewolves don't process medicine the way humans do; our bodies burn off their benefits too fast. We also don't get sick or contract viruses like humans do.
We run too hot for it to survive," Lane interjected.
"That’s what our company is working on—medication that can be used on supers when needed.
If a wolf, or any shifter for that matter, gets so wounded that they can't shift to accelerate their healing, there’s nothing we can do for the pain.
Even the strongest drug only lasts for a half hour at the most."
I thought back to our training and the education the Organization had given us on dealing with supers.
Poison wouldn't work like it did on humans; we’d been taught to always take off the head, hit the heart, or burn them so they didn't come back.
With what Zander just explained, this made more sense; the poison or toxin would get burned off too fast to kill, so t it wouldn't finish the job.
"Mother believes that your elf heritage is why you could be turned into an omega," Zander continued.
"Being a super already made you more compatible to the werewolf mutation.
Something about elves' natural disposition being peacekeepers and nurturers, while still being strong fighters.
This might be why you feel so divided in your nature.
So far, you've lived your life like an elf warrior, but the omega nature is now pulling on that gentler side of you. Both are true, but one outweighs the other at the moment. Hopefully, once you’ve matured into your elf nature, it will help to equalize the omega side of things. "
Even though what he said made sense, it still meant I was going to be dealing with this for the foreseeable future since I had no clue when my birthday was.
"Did your mother have anything to say in regards to any other known elves?" Lane asked.
Before Zander could even speak, Elias cut in from where he had been pacing behind the couch. "Isn't anyone worried that the Senate now knows about Finley? Didn't we just say that people shouldn't know about her being an elf? Hell, her being an omega makes her enough of a target," he snarled.
It was becoming exponentially clear to me why Elias had become one of my Sentinels; my safety was always his first thought no matter how it might affect the alphas.
"Do you think my mother would cause harm to my mate? I’m her only child, so the chance of having any grandchildren or carrying on our family line rests with me!
" Zander snapped as he leaped to his feet. "There is no way that I would allow anyone to take Finley from me no matter who they are. You aren’t the only one who’s concerned about her safety! "
"Really, if that were true, why didn't you tell us about your mother from the start? Seems like you don't trust us enough to share when it involves our mate!" Elias challenged.
Zander let out a warning growl. "She isn't your mate yet, beta."
Shoving out of Mason's arms, I shot to my feet.
"Stop it!" The room stilled, and they all turned to look at me, taken aback at my outburst. "All of you in this room are mine— regardless of whether I bare your mark yet or not.
I refuse to let you fight over your place beside me when I need all of you.
Elias is one of my Sentinels. It's his job to always think of the worst case and voice his concerns, just like Noah will always be the first to pick up on what I need without having to ask me. Each of you has a role to play in my life as well as a spot in my heart. We’re new to each other and this dynamic, but I already know that I won't be able to survive this new life and supernatural world without you.
As for Zander's mother, I already knew about that.
I've known since the moment I met him that he was tied to the Senate.
If I thought there was danger, then I would have spoken up, but I trust my mate to look after me and all of us. "
Looking thoroughly chastised, Zander and Elias calmed down and backed off each other. I was glad even though I knew it wouldn't be the last battle between these two men. They were too similar for friction not to happen every so often.
"Snuggles is right," Mason spoke up. "I’m still not sure what role I fill in this group, but I do know that I trust each of you to watch her back if I'm not there. If the Senate comes for Finley, we’ll deal with that together, but I choose to believe that Zander reached out to his mother who happens to also be part of the Senate and wants the best for her son and his new mate. "
I smiled at Mason, pleased that he’d spoken up on this matter and saw my logic.
"I think it's best if we all head to bed; it's been a crazy day.
If I could impose a request, I would love to have us all sleep together like we did in my nest." Everyone nodded or murmured their agreement, making me smile even bigger.
"Like we could ever say no when it makes you that excited." Noah snorted as he stood and held out his hand to me. "Come on, love, let's turn in for the night."
In the closet I found pajamas, and in the bathroom everything else I might need for daily life.
Zander wasn't kidding when he said that he wanted this to be my home as well.
Curling up in the middle of the bed, the others joined, finding whatever space they could to get close to me or at least touch some part of my body.
Now that I knew what this felt like, I wasn't sure I could sleep any other way.
Soft kisses along my skin woke me up with a smile, I rolled into the body behind me, breathing in the bright evergreen scent. "Good morning," I murmured.
"Good morning, little one, did you sleep well?" Colt asked as he kissed his mate mark on my neck.
I stretched out and rubbed my eyes before opening them, not feeling ready to start my day just yet. "Mmm, I slept the sleep of the dead."
The scent of something sweet drifted its way over to me from somewhere in the house, making my stomach announce its desire to enjoy whatever it might be.