5-Truth and lies

Axel, Maddox, Ellen and Lucy were going to Portland to find out the truth about Ellens wolf. Ellen was quiet the whole way. She had a sneaking suspicion that Aunt Bonnie put her wolf to sleep. But why? What is she hiding? What does she not want Ellen to know. Aunt Bonnie had told Ellen that her mother died giving birth to her and Axel and that Axel went to foster care because he was a wolf and Ellen was a witch. Aunt Bonnie could help Ellen, but she didn't know the first thing about raising a wolf. What didn't make sense about her story was, why didn't she find a wolf family for Axel? Why send him to a human family 4 hours away. There was a Portland pack and she was sure the Alpha would have helped find Axel an adoptive family. Something was not adding up, and Ellen was going to get to the bottom of it.

A few hours later, they arrived at Aunt Bonnie's house. It was a large White House with a deck that wrapped all the way around. There sat a perfect porch swing and a small black dog sitting on the swing. The dog hardly lifted its head when they arrived. Aunt Bonnie's house was full of books. Shelves and shelves of books all kinds of folklore, grimwars and history books. A few photos of Ellen and different people as Ellen grew up. One picture on the wall stood out to Lucy, she knew the people in the photo, but she didn't know-how. Lucy's parents died when she was only three. She had little to no memory left of them or her life before foster care.

Aunt Bonnie led them into the sitting room, where she served sweet tea and answered most of their questions. Axel spoke first, asking why she placed him with a human foster family who knew nothing of wolves. He was angry but kept his composure.

"Do you know what it's like being a 13-year-old boy, and you start hearing a voice in your head. I thought I was crazy!" Axel almost yelled. Aunt Bonnie looked defeated.

"I did the best I could. My sister had just died. She told me to keep you hidden that your father could never find you. He was an evil man who only thought of himself. He left your mother as soon as he met his mate. He didn't even say goodbye. He just vanished back to his pack."

"Did she know what pack he was from? Did she tell you his name?"Axel questioned. Aunt Bonnie stood and retrieved a box from the other room.

"These were all the things I found in your mother's house before she died." There was a weathered photo with Writing on the back ~Ellen and Theo 1998~ there were a few letters that Axel placed in his pocket and emerald medallion.

"What is this?" Axel asked.

"That was your mother's. She never took it off. She is wanted you to have it."

"Me? Why not Ellen?"

"Because she knew you'd need it more. Her second-born. She knew you'd be a wolf, and she knew she would die giving birth to you."

"But Ellen is a wolf too? Maddox can feel her wolf."

"Ellen has a wolf. She is not a wolf."Aunt Bonnie sighed, "it's a very complicated situation when you have a powerful white witch like your mother, and she gets pregnant by an Alpha who is not her mate." Everyone's jaw dropped open when Aunt Bonnie slipped up about the Alpha part. "Because your father never marked your mother, he left before he knew she was pregnant. she could not carry you to term, she could not deliver you, without wolf healing, she could not recover from the hemorrhaging that would come from childbirth. Once Maddox marks Ellen, her wolf will break through her mind. She will be able to shift, speed heal, and mindlink. She will become the first white witch wolf hybrid." Ellen's jaw dropped to the floor. She did not know she would be a white witch as well. She just assumed she was a hybrid. All while this was going on, Lucy was transfixed on the photo. Trying so hard to remember who these people were in the picture.

(FLASHBACK)

Lucy and her sister are playing in the backyard, singing and swinging. The couple from the photo is sitting on the patio watching. Her mother walks out with a tray of fresh cookies and lemonade. The girls come running, Aunty Jema, Uncle Drake, did you see how high we got!

(END FLASHBACK)

Lucy drops the photos it smashes them to the ground. Bonnie comes running over.

"Lucy, what's wrong?" Bonnie stops to pick up the broken glass.

"I.....I..... think they are my Aunt and Uncle?"Lucy stammers. Bonnie looks at Lucy and back at the photo, to Lucy back to the photo. Lucy explains her memory of the couple, and Bonnie stares at her in complete shock.

"Lucy, did you have a sister? Yes, she died in the crash." Bonnie runs and grabs another album from Ellen's childhood. She hands Lucy the photo.

"Do you know who this is?" Aunt Bonnie asks her. That's my sister, but I don't remember her name. I was so little.

"I think it's time we take you to your sister. She did not die in the crash. But she does have severe PTSD from the accident. She has been in a special supernatural healing facility for the past three years."

Lucy POV

I could feel the control slipping. Astrid was coming forward. I was trying so hard to keep all my happiness that my sister was alive, anxiety that she was in a healing facility and anger that I thought I was all alone for so long in check. I could feel my canines coming forward and my nails turning to claws. Astrid was screaming in my mind to find Lanie. When Axel's voice came through the darkness.

"breathe, Luc, don't let her win. You are in control. You are in charge. No one takes your choice from you!" he whispered. I could feel myself begin to breathe normally and my canines retracted, and my nails were my own again. I had to keep it together. Now was not the time to lose control! No pitty parties today! I turned to Axel, and when I went to say thank you, I noticed the look on Bonnie's face. She was shocked, like she had just seen a ghost. I tried to apologize, but the words were so quiet, I couldn't get them out. I thought Bonnie was staring at me, but she was staring at Axel. She said

"I didn't know this was even possible?" Everyone, myself included, asked at the same time what? "Axel, you are an ataractic wolf. I've never met one before; I've only read about them. They are some of the most rare wolves. Something is different. Usually, ataractic wolves are most effective on their mates. Since you are sure you are not mates, it doesn't add up. I need to get reading." and with that, she left the room.

"But I thought you were taking me to see my sister, I shouted." Ellen turned me.

"Visitors are only allowed on Sundays. We will go then. Why don't you take a rest, and I'll make us some lunch" and with that, Ellen and Maddox left the room.

"Axel, I cried. I don't know how much longer I can keep it together. I feel like my world is crashing down around me and everything we've practiced seems to be slipping out of my control."

"Lucy, you are so much stronger than you know. If what happened to you happened to me, I don't know that I would have been able to keep it together with the way you have.Remember how strong you are and that there is no emotion too big for you. Go rest, and we will go for a run after lunch."

I went to my room and lay down, but my mind wouldn't shut off. So much new information, how is this all even possible: with that last thought, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep. Thank the moon goddess because I couldn't handle any more nightmares. True to his word, Liam and Astrid went for a run. I did feel better letting Astrid out for some exercise. My mind was clearing, and I was feeling more in control.

Aunt Bonnie POV

After hours of reading, I finally found the old journal from my great great great Grandmother. Her youngest sister was mated to a Bennet wolf, and she wrote a lot about them.

Bennett wolves are the strongest, smartest wolves ever to live. They all have different gifts. Some are dreams of the future. Some can heal. Others read minds so many gifts undiscovered. Their bloodline is pure. However, they are of Alpha blood and being this pure makes their arrogance their downfall. Uncontrollable emotions. Their wolves will kill anything in sight when angry without the proper training. This training is usually passed down from Alpha to child.

Ah-ha! That's what's wrong with Lanie! I have a feeling Axel may be the key to fixing Lanie's wolf!

Lucy was a nervous wreck. What if Lanie didn't forgive her for not finding her sooner. What if she blamed her for their parent's death. Axel could feel Lucy's anxiety radiating like hot wind hitting his skin. He leaned over in the back seat of the car and ran the back of his finger along the inside of Lucy's arm; this always calmed her when she was sliding into one of her Panic fits. Lucy was always grateful for Axel's ability to manage her insane emotions. It was like they were connected somehow. She just figured that's what happens when you spend your whole life together.

The facility was excellent, the walls were painted mint with chocolate trim, and warm paintings hung on the halls. It was a calming atmosphere.

Lucy took a deep breath before she walked into the room. The others stayed in the waiting area while the girls got Reacquainted.

"Lannie? Ummmm... Hi, my name is....."

"Lucy, I know I've been waiting for you, little sister."

"I am so sorry I didn't know you survived."

" stop! you have nothing to be sorry for, I knew where you were, and I didn't come for you."

"Why didn't you come for me? I felt so alone for so many years."

There was a long silence before Lanie said anything. "I thought you were better off without me. My wolf and is...... Difficult."

"I know mine is too. Axel has helped me so much. Bonnie thinks he can help you too. She said he is a special type of calming wolf."

" An ataractic????? They are extinct!!! You only get an ataractic wolf when a white Witch and a supreme Alpha have twins. It's next to impossible. The last white Witch died 20 years ago, and she was single and unmated."

Lanie wasn't talking to anyone anymore, just herself. She did look crazy. Lucy was worried she triggered her PTSD when what Lucy thought was a nurse came in and started questioning Lucy.

"What happened? What did you say to trigger her?"

"I don't know. We were talking about our wolves and my friend who is a special wolf, who helps me control my emotions."

The nurse pulled out a syringe from her apron. She was going to inject Lanie with something. Before she could, Astrid came forward with a half shift and pinned her to the wall.

"You are making my sister crazy! You aren't a nurse!"

Seconds before Astrid was about to bite down, Axel and the others came running in. Axel tore Astrid away from the nurse, and Maddox restrained the nurse. Now that Axel was there, Astrid gave back control to Lucy. Lucy was trying to get the words out about what Astrid was telling her, but she was so overwhelmed.

" breathe, Lucy. Clear your mind. Remove the access noise and focus on my voice. Like you are telling me this story over coffee and scones."

" Astrid said, the nurse is making Lanie crazy, whatever is in that syringe. Is hurting Lanie's wolf, making her feral. She said that's why Lanie can't control her at all."

Aunt Bonnie took the syringe and emptied some of the contents on her arm, Then smelled it. A look of horror crossed her face.

" This is bad, very bad!"