Surprise Surprise

Sam threw the blanket a side, bolting upright from the couch and lunging towards the door. No man had ever talked to her like that. And she wasn’t about to start letting them do it now. She could feel a deep anger burning like a fire as it raced through her veins, her rage building as it coursed through her. Her vision became red, her thoughts bent on one thing, throttling the man who just put her in her place.

“Samantha, stop!” a deep commanding voice rumbled behind her. Dani lurched forward, grabbing ahold of her left arm, stopping her before she could reach the door.

“Let me go Dani.” Sam spun around, accentuating each word through clenched teeth. Her anger was palpable, radiating in waves from her body. She jerked at her arm, trying to rip it from Dani’s grasp. Yet Dani refused to let go. Their wills locked in a silent struggle for superiority. This was a battle Dani couldn’t afford to lose. 

“Samantha...You aren’t going anywhere,” Dani’s copper eyes began to glow a golden color as the will to fight grew. She watched Sam closely, waiting for her reaction. Suddenly bringing her arm up, she successfully blocked Sam’s retaliatory right hook. She gripped the other arm, swiftly spinning Sam around and locking it behind her back. Sam grunted, attempting to pull from Dani’s tight grip. She thrust her head back, smashing violently into Dani’s cheek as she narrowly missed a direct hit to her nose. Dani’s vision swam, but she fought to clear it, never faltering in her determination.

        “CALM DOWN! You aren’t going anywhere until you do.” Dani blew a loose strand of hair from her face, regretting handing Sam the full glass of mead while the guys were present earlier. 

“I...AM...CALM...”Sam growled, her blue eye darkening and her green eye turning a deep emerald. The air surrounding them buzzed with an electric feeling. Sam suddenly jumped up slightly, then crouched, successfully flipping Dani over and onto her back below her. Landing with a thud, Dani clutched onto Sam’s arms, refusing to give in. Her chest heaving, her lungs desperate for any air at this point, Dani noted the copper ring glowing around each iris of Sam’s eyes. She clenched her teeth, her resolve growing. She knew Sam when she became like this, and she knew her strength. This was not going to end well. Sam attempted to jerk both hands free, but Dani held fast. It was then that she noted the pendant, outside Sam’s shirt. She knew now what had happened, and how to control it. 

“Sam, they are just trying to be helpful. ” Dani lightened her grip on Sam’s left forearm, but did not let go, “I will go with you, but I need you to move your pendant back under your shirt.” She held eye contact with Sam, her nerves on edge, ready to spring at any sign of attack.

Sam blinked, not realizing that the pendant had moved out from under her shirt. “Fine, but they aren’t touching my horses.” Dani slowly released her left arm, keeping her guard up for any movement. Sam moved to place the pendant back under her shirt, resting it safely between her cleavage. Once the pendant touched her skin, the copper rings began to fade, her eyes slowly returning to normal. The electric feeling dissipated. Dani began to relax as Sam’s breathing started to return to normal.  

“You okay now?” Dani released Sam’s arm, letting the breath go that she didn’t even know she was holding. 

“Yeah...Thanks,” Sam closed her eyes, calming herself like her mother had taught her years before. “I’m Sorry Dani.” She helped Dani up from the floor of the trailer, noting the small red mark on her friend’s cheek. Sam grabbed her ball cap from the hook on the wall, placing it on her head. “Now,” she smiled mischievously,  a wicked idea running through her mind, “let’s show these guys who they are dealing with.” If these guys think they are rescuing damsels in distress... They found the wrong damsels. We are Daughters of Freya! We are Shieldmaidens!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After leaving the girls’ trailer, the brothers split up, each working on their own chores. Ethan moved towards the horses, linking Jaime to come and help him out, while Toby moved around the campsite, collecting wood and straightening up. Alex took it upon himself to head to the pack house and inform his father about what had occurred. 

“WHAT?!?” Roared Alpha Michael, slamming his closed fist against the desk, his office doors shaking with the anger of his voice. Alex did his best not to flinch as he stood at attention before his father. His father’s face was red, the veins in his neck bulging. He slammed his hands on the desk as he stood, his chair slamming into the wall behind him. “Were my orders not clear?”

“They were clear sir.” Alex responded, preparing for the worst. He knew his father would be angry.  “The men were patroling as ordered.”

“Then what happened?” His father slowly stalked around the desk, his eyes burning into his son. “How did she get hurt?”

“According to Sam, Sir,” Alex kept his eyes forward, “it was an accident Sir.”

“Oh, it's Sam huh? An accident?” His father leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms, staring at his son. “What kind of accident? There were patrols. We gave them the safest place on this ranch.”

“Ethan and I found her on the ground,” Alex attempted to explain, making sure to keep the soldier like stance in front of his father’s desk. Shoulders back, chin up, eyes forward. “We simply assisted her back into her trailer and tended to her injuries.”

His father sat quiet, staring out the window of the office. “You can go.”  Alex nodded and moved to the door. He paused, his hand falling from the knob. 

“Sir, there is more.” Alex took a deep breath, turning back to face his father. 

“I know,” Alpha Michael continued to stare out the window as Alex returned to his side. 

“You know?” Alex stepped in front of his father, no longer concerned with protocol. “You told us she was human.”

“It was for her protection.” 

A deep voice rumbled from the doorway Alex. He growled, spinning around, his claws extended, his extensive training immediately taking over. He never heard footsteps or even the office door opening. No one has ever been able to sneak up on him, not on the training grounds, not in battle...ever. 

Behind him stood a gentleman, just slightly shorter than himself, ruggedly built, with silver hair. His sky blue eyes locked with his own. In his hand was a wooden cane with an intricate carved ivory top.

“Alexander,” his father stood up, placing his hand on his son’s shoulder, “I want you to meet Kevin Collins.” The gentleman nodded as he entered, the cane clicking on the wooden floor, making his way towards Alpha Michael, the two shaking hands. 

“It’s been too long Michael,” Kevin reached out, grabbing Michael’s hand, Pulling him into an embrace. Michael smiled, thumping the man named Kevin on the back.

“Too long.” Michael released him, then turned towards Alex. “Alex, Kevin is Samantha’s father.” 

“Sir,” Alex nodded, eyeing the man. He could sense the wolf in him, a powerful aura emanating from him. More powerful than any Alpha he had ever felt, even his father’s. 

So Sam is a wolf.. Zander danced in his head, howling with joy.

She smells human. I haven’t sensed any wolf in her.  Alex retorted.

You will see..Zander teased before disappearing into the darkness. Alex scowled.

“Thank you for helping her Alex.” Kevin extended his hand towards him, “I am in your debt.”

“No thanks is needed Sir,” Alex shook his hand, nodding his head as he maintained eye contact. Kevin’s gaze never faltered. 

“I think an explanation is in order.” The Alpha motioned for his guest to have a seat on the brown leather sofa situated in front of the tall floor to ceiling window as he returned to his chair behind the desk. Kevin nodded, his face set in an unreadable mask. Alex stood near the bookcase on one wall, his steel grey eyes moving from his father to this mysterious visitor.

“She isn’t human is she?” Alex finally broke through the silence, looking for a reaction from either man. Kevin was the first to respond. He sighed, placing his cane next to him against the couch. 

“No...” He sat back, crossing his left leg over top the right, resting the ankle on his knee. “She is not a human Alex. And she doesn’t know”

“Alex, do you remember the stories you were taught in school?” Alpha Michael questioned, his eyes snapped up to Kevin then quickly back to his son. “The ones your mother used to tell you and your brothers when you were younger?”

“Which ones?” Alex pushed further, leaning against the bookshelf, unsure of where this conversation was headed. He had never seen this side of his father. 

“The ones of the old Gods and Goddesses,” Kevin chimed in, his eyes distant as he stared out of the window, looking at the sunset. 

“The Old Gods?” Alex repeated a confused look clouding his eyes. 

“Yes, like Odin, Loki, Eir, Freya...” Kevin answered, “do you remember the ones I’m talking about? Do you know the stories?”

“Yes I do. But they are just old bedtime stories.” Alex shook his head. The old Gods didn’t exist. They were just night time stories told to children. The only Goddess was the Moon Goddess. The one who destined each werewolf with their destiny and their mate. Surely this Kevin and his father couldn't be serious.

“Samantha is...special Alex.” Alpha Michael spoke, noting the look in his son’s eyes. “Kevin is a Lycan. He is one of the oldest remaining Lycan families left. I have known him most of my life. We grew up together, trained together, and even got in trouble together.  He is my best friend... and taught me everything I know.” Michael looked at Kevin, like a brother looking at a brother. Kevin smiled at him, his blue eyes holding a sadness to them.

Alex looked back and forth from Kevin to his father. A Lycan? Alex knew there were only a few Lycan families left, but most of the older families kept to themselves. They were considered almost like Werewolf Royalty. He couldn’t believe that his father was actually friends with one. Why hasn’t he ever mentioned this Kevin before?

“Samantha’s mother was a special being, unlike any woman I have ever met. It was like I was in a trance when I first met her.” Kevin continued, “She is the reason I had to leave the pack.” He had a far off look in his eyes, as he stared up in the clouds. “She chose me, so in turn, I chose her.”

“What do you mean? Left the pack?” Alex could feel his anger growing. Was this Kevin a rogue? If so why was his father so friendly with him? 

“When Kevin met Amanda, she had saved his life after a rogue battle. Kevin was the strongest warrior in this pack. He trained everyone and led us to become what we are today. I tried to make him my Beta, but he declined, stating simply that he could better defend me as a warrior than my second. When a band of Rogues, attacked our pack, Kevin led the warriors. He saw that I was in danger, and risked his life for mine. Kevin was injured...badly, but saved me. She appeared out of nowhere. She saved him, and brought him to safety after the battle,” Michael stated, his voice hinting at a grim outcome. “The rogues were defeated, and we found him after the battle.”

“They thought I was dead,” Kevin continued, “I sure as hell should have been dead. The rogues really did a number on me. But Amanda saved me. She came to me after the battle, and told me that I was one of the bravest warriors they had ever seen. And because of my selfless act towards my Alpha, I was given the choice to be saved. But I fell in love with her, the mate bond was so strong. And she felt it too.” Kevin paused, looking out the window, into the sky. He took a deep breath before continuing. “The Gods gave us a choice. She chose me. She chose a mortal life with me. Freya gave her a pendant, the one Sam wears now, to help keep her secret. It hid her scent, allowed her to walk in the mortal realm without being detected. But it also helped control her, well, her traits.” Kevin explained, lifting his cane, looking at the ivory top.

       “When Sam was 8, Amanda was killed at a rodeo.” He looked up at Alex, his eyes dark, almost black. “ That’s when I noticed Amanda’s traits were passed down to Sam. I have tried to keep her safe. That’s why I had my “accident” and retired from the rodeo circuit. Sam has no idea of what I am, or that I do not need a cane to walk. She does not know of her mother’s ancestry either. She has been kept secret and hidden ever since. The pendant hides her from anyone who might look for her. It controls her powers until Dani can help her understand and control them better.” Alex met Kevin’s eyes, noting the concern and fear in the proud Lycan’s eyes.

“What is she?” Alex asked, his heart racing. He needed to hear it. This story was just too much. "What do you mean her mother became mortal? What is going on here?" 

        “She is a hybrid.” Kevin stated, looking directly at Alex, sending a chill down his spine. “She is half Lycan and half Valkyrie. She is a Daughter of Freya the wife of Odin the King of Asgard. She is an immortal.”