16 Chapter sixteen: why did you lie?

Belinda was in a constant state of confusion, shock, bewilderment. Going from a normal, rational, scholarly young woman to a werewolf!?? No wonder she fainted. Her ability to wrap her head around all THIS (whatever all "this" was) was too much. Her mother had never allowed Belinda to indulge in her imagination or fantasy world. Belinda was so locked into her rational world growing up that she would criticize her classmates when they checked out story books,even as an elementary student. Now here she was living as part of the story. "UGH!" she thought.

"What's the matter?" Juan asked.

"I think I am struggling to understand all this. Truly.It is like something out of a storybook...a fairytale. It cannot be real and yet it obviously is real." Belinda shook her head.

"I cannot imagine how surreal this all feels.But I assure you, my dear, it is very real." and he walked her outside where her father and grandfather stood.

"I am wondering why. Why did mother lie? Why would she keep this from me? Keep you from me?"

Rodney sighed and looked at his father. Roberto cleared his throat, "It goes back to you maternal grandparents." he sighed deeply. "Your mother's grandparents are full werewolf of a large American pack. Your grandfather was the Alpha and your grandmother was the Luna. They were leaders of one 9f the world's largest packs. They had one child, your mother."

Belinda was shocked beyond shocked. "That means mother is..."

"Yes, child, she is an ALPHA FEMALE. She was supposed to take over the pack but she had other plans for her life. She hated pack life and the whole destiny thing, especially mates. She left for college and met Rodney there. She was drawn to him as he is indeed her fated mate. She hated that they were mated. Hated the idea. We had sent Rodney stateside for a business degree as packs do run businesses in the human world to support the pack. Rodney would take over the pineapple plantations and cattle ranches eventually." Roberto smiled at Rodney and placed his hand on his shoulder. Rodney smiled back at his father and nodded. "Well, she finished her degrees and landed a job at the University. She told her parents she was not returning to the pack. Your grandparents were heartbroken and angry. Rodney stayed to finish his degrees and kept trying to convince your mother to embrace who she is.They had been intimate already. He thought the mate bond would be strong enough to convince her but ... well... " Roberto looked down at the ground. He closed a ed his eyes and sighed. Rodney now clasped his Father's shoulder and continued the saga.

"Belinda, I love your mother. I always have and I always will and while I was given a second chance mate, and I am loyal, your mother ...she ...she will always be my fated mate. She over rode the mate bond and rejected me. I was heart sick and nearly died." Her grandfather growled. "It's okay Dad. I am fine. Then I was told by her best friend about you...or rather her pregnancy. I tried to talk with her, she refused me. And when she threatened to kill you, I backed off. I have just watched and kept vigil over you." Rodney chocked up. Roberto looked up at Juan and nodded his head.

"When I was 16 I had a dream and our oracle said it was about my mate. You. I dreamed of you. I was told by the oracle you were the daughter of the Alpha just north of us, the daughter of Alpha Gracia. I went with my father when the treaty was drawn up that next year. I wanted to find you.I heard the sad story of a broken hearted Alpha and his lost daughter. But when I spoke with Roberto. excuse me, Alpha Roberto, he said you were not lost but being hidden by your mother. I wept. How was I going to find my other half, my Luna? "Juan sighed.

Roberto picked back up,"So, we discussed ways to bring you home. We didn't want to alert your mother. You, fortunately, have always had a beautiful heart and compassion so your father and I...we started the company to bring volunteers from America to help the Filipino people. We knew your mother had told you of my military career and that your father died doing research here so we hoped it would be enough to have you want to volunteer too. And thank the Goddess, it was! "

Rodney swallowed hard, "Belinda, I left to recruit you."

"And the dreams? "

Juan interjected, "That would be on me. I asked a witch friend of mine to reach out to you. I wanted you to know I was here waiting for you, only you. Always and only you."

Belinda was feeling very unsteady on her feet.The more she heard the more she had to know why her mother lied to her.

"I believe you all. Now the question I must have answered is why? Why did she run away? Why did she lie to me? "

"That my child," Roberto said,"is the question we all have been asking since before you were born."

"Then I must ask her." Belinda said, squaring her shoulders.

Juan chuckled as did Rodney. "You speak with such authority and make decisions just like the Alpha/Luna you are." Belinda blushed but held her resolve.

"Grandfather, " Belinda said and Roberto smiled. "I need your phone, please."

Roberto called to his Beta (Keith)," Take her into the office, get a long distance operator and let her call out."

"Yes,Alpha." Beta Keith responded and held out his hand to Belinda. Juan growled and Keith took his hand back. Belinda snickered and followed the Beta into the pack house.

It was time to get some answers.