Cassidy

I look at my father and see him tearing up. How long had it been? No one had mentioned my mother's name since she passed. Knowing how hard it was to lose your mate and out of respect for their leader no one had given their children the same name either. Was it mere coincidence? Had my mate's father known my mother?

"That's just like him. That was my mate's name. Last time I saw your father was shortly after her passing. He had come to see me for a reason but I was distraught over her passing. I never knew what he had come to me for but before he left he had told me my help may be needed in the future and I would know when it happened. I am guessing he named you lass."

Hearing that my father had been the one to name me, and that it was after this man's lost wife I was touched and saddened all at once. I knew there was more to talk about, for both of us, but seeing his sadness I let him have a moment of silence. Seeing how much he still loved his wife after all these years, I wondered if I would ever be lucky enough to have that. Having grown up hated by the towns people after my powers showed up the first time I had thought I would always have just my mother. Now though, I wasn't sure.

I let Gareth grieve while I finished the food Wilder had given me. It wasn't anything extravagant, a simple turkey sandwich with barbeque chips, but compared to what I had eaten the rest of the day it was a feast. By the time I was done he had already placed a drink down for me and resumed his position. I tasted it and it was my favorite, root beer.

"Wilder, I know this is your home but as this may take awhile I need you to make sure everyone in the town is taken care of while I am busy here."

I can tell Wilder does not seemed pleased by this request but I am unsure why. Yes he is being asked to leave his home but as the leader's son isn't helping out part of his duty?

"Yes Father."

The old man waits awhile after he leaves before resuming our talk. As if not wanting him to hear something. Which just confuses me more.

"Now that my brat is out I have a few things I need to tell you before he comes rushing back. As our existence is fairly unknown to humans I doubt you know much about us. So I am going to be blunt and quick on a few things for you. Bear with me lass as I know you are possibly already a wee bit overwhelmed. Us wolves live longer than normal humans. Your father the exception but then again he was far from a normal human. I don't know for sure how he lived so much longer, even longer than a lot of us wolves, but he did. How long exactly I am unsure of. Wolves inherit their leadership as long as they prove competent enough. We also have a single mate in our lives. We only have the one. Once they are gone we will grieve the rest of our lives and not have another. You are my son's mate."

"I'm sorry, I am WHAT?"

"His mate, lass."