Chapter Twenty Five

Franklin sensed her fear. What had he said to make her suddenly afraid? He hadn't lived on Earth for a while, but he thought he mastered their speech. Had he said something a little too harshly? Surely, she knew that she was safe. If she was truly in danger of losing herself to her powers, he would have arrived sooner. She was still able to learn how to control her new abilities.

"I don't want to change, I mean, I know I've changed, but I don't want to become something else," said Anna. "Am I going to grow two feet or something?"

Franklin laughed. His daughter was so delightful. He hadn't been this happy since he spent time with her mother. He stopped laughing immediately, he couldn't become comfortable here. His people needed him. He thought he could leave the war, but during his absence, the evil Fae became stronger and nearly whipped them out. This war was his burden and no one else could hold the line between realms like he did.

"I guess that's a no?"

"Yes, your form will remain the same. You are only part Fae so you will not become taller and our females muscular tone is not as large as the males. You have nothing to worry about. All you need to do is learn how to use your abilities and keep them hidden when necessary."

Anna exhaled. She still didn't feel completely comfortable with accepting her Fae side. Her new found tempter disturbed her. She rather not deal with it at all. She thought about Christian; he tried to separate himself from his wolf and it nearly destroyed him.

"What about my new issue, my tempter?"

Franklin arched his eyebrow. Yes, he was aware of their tempers. Even a good Fae's patience was easily lost in certain instances. He remembered almost removing Carla's ability to speak in a certain argument. He simply wanted to let it pass, but she wanted him to agree that he was wrong. He usually gave into her, but today he decided to take a stand. She was the first creature in a long time to make him nearly lose his temper. Anna would be tested as well, but he knew she wouldn't allow herself to hurt anyone.

"It's a burden we all have to bear, but I assure you, your tempter is only half volatile."

Anna covered her face and laughed.

"Was that a joke?"

"Yes, did I do it, right?"

"You nailed it."

Franklin had a confused look on his face.

"It means you did well."

Franklin smiled.

"Wonderful, now let's begin."

Christian's feet pounded his treadmill as he ran on it. He had already run eight miles. He didn't plan to stop until he felt pain. Thanks to his hybrid nature, he could run for a long time. His wolf was more confused than anything else. Thankfully, it didn't know that Anna might not come back to them. He didn't want to risk shifting. His own emotions may cause more trouble in wolf form than his own wolf. By mile ten his calves started to burn, he gradually slowed down the treadmill and hopped off of it. He did a few stretches to relieve any potential soreness. His cell phone rang; it was resting on the place holder on the treadmill. He picked it up without looking at the screen. He gladly accepted any distraction right now.

"Is everything alright?"

Christian grimaced and mimed banging his cell phone against his head before he responded.

"Hello, Corin. Everything is fine. Didn't I just see you?"

"Well, I had to be sure. It's obvious that Anna's powers are growing."

Christian was not going to talk to his father about Anna. Christian knew Corin would use any excuse to keep Anna and Christian apart. Christian smiled. After all he had witnessed, Anna was sure to remind Corin of her new abilities to keep Corin in check. Christian thought about the trauma Corin faced and felt guilty about what he thought. His father did have a reason for his apprehension, but he had to move past it. Anna was not the same Fae that tortured him. Her father could have done anything to Christian just now, but he only wanted to help Anna.

"I'm not discussing my girlfriend's abilities with you, father."

Even though Christian never used the word father out of love and respect, Corin still appreciated it when he heard it.

"Alright, son. Can we talk about something else?"

Christian took a beat to ready himself for what Corin planned to say to him.

"Yes."

"I want to start making plans for your introduction."

Christian arched his eyebrow. What introduction? Christian and Corin had no ties to each other besides…Christian realized what his father meant. He walked to a nearby bench and flopped down on it. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Did his father really think that Christian was going to become the prince of his pack?

"What do you mean by introduction?"

"It's time son. Wolves are already talking; it's best we make your identity public. You won't rule for a long time. I have hundreds of years left in me. I only want to acknowledge you publically for now."

"No."

"What?"

"I said no. I want nothing to do with being a royal. You and I both know that once I'm announced everything will change."

Corin knew everything would change, but he would be right there with his son to make sure he wouldn't be harmed.

"Things will change; you can't hide from your birthright."

"What about Anna, you do know I plan to marry her someday. Can a Fae hybrid be an alpha's wife?"

Corin was silent. He didn't want to discuss politics with his son at the moment. He knew it would be hard enough for him to accept the official announcement to his pack. Anna was going to be a complication regardless. Bloodlines are still very important to packs. Christian's own heritage was already a factor. Yet Corin didn't care; Christian showed his strength at the Blue Lounge effectively. No wolf would dare question Christian's ability, but Anna's heritage would be an issue. She was the enemy now.

"Christian, I know you have strong feelings for her and I respect that."

"I don't just have strong feelings for her. I'm in love with her. My wolf chose her. Anna is not going anywhere unless she decides to leave, do you understand?"

Corin eyes glowed. Anna was liability to his son and the pack. She could destroy everyone in an instant with just a thought. His poor son was delusional. The Anna he fell in love with was gone. She couldn't reverse what happened to her. Sooner or later, Christian was going to look like a pet to her and that was going to break him. Corin was just trying to save Christian before she hurt him.

"Anna is not the same woman you…"

"Good bye, Corin."

Christian hung up the phone and threw it across the room; it shattered to the ground. Now he needed a new phone. He didn't need to hear his own insecurities out loud. How could a man he never known get under his skin so easily. Was this Corin's plan, infest Christian with insecurities until Christian started to believe them and make a mistake. When was Anna coming back? She wouldn't let Franklin keep her out too long, Monday would be here soon.

Christian stood up and walked to the pull up bar. He lifted his body up and used the tension in his muscles to distract him from his father and his own insecurities about Anna's change. Like before, he didn't plan to stop until his body ached. After that, he planned to see Taylor and go buy a new phone.

Taylor sat on the couch and half watched a talk show. He didn't really want to do anything. Being around Alexa took a toll on him. He tried to respect her wishes, but her lingering scents made him want to shift and find her. His wolf chastised him, it wanted out; he would make her come back to them. Taylor rubbed his face, his wolf was more Alpha than Omega, but physically, Alexa could kill him at any moment. He knew she wanted him too, so he planned to wait for her to come to her senses. If she felt what he felt after spending time with each other, it shouldn't take long. Taylor sensed Christian at his door and stood up. He walked to the door and opened it.

"Is everything okay, sir?"

Christian sighed. No, everything was not okay, but he couldn't afford to dwell on his issues for long.

"I broke my phone."

"Oh, that explains a lot."

"I know, can you take me to the store?"

"Of course."

Taylor put on his suit jacket and stepped outside.

"How do I even accept this," asked Anna?

"First you need to stop thinking that your Fae side is separate from you. It's always been there," said Franklin.

Anna nodded. He made sense, but this was all new to her. She was just introduced to the supernatural recently. She never expected that she would be affected by it in this way. If she ever decided to tell her mother about her new powers, would her mother accept her? She felt her father's hand touch her shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze.

"It's okay to grow and change, Anna. You're not going to lose yourself."

"How do you know?"

"Because you're my offspring and I believe in you. You have to accept yourself."

"Okay…"

Anna closed her eyes. She felt a force rising inside of her. A whispering wind sound filled her ears. She was changing. Her eyes jerked open and turned white. Her father wasn't completely honest with her about potentially losing herself; it was too late to go back. She exhaled. A strong wind blew around her and she lifted off the ground. All she could feel was power and it was felt so seductively overwhelming.

"Anna, that feeling isn't real. You have to command it. Power is nothing; it's why beings become corrupt seeking it, but never attains it."

Anna looked down at her father. He could see her struggling.

"Think of an anchor, anything or anyone that you can hold onto to keep you from losing yourself."

Anna thought of her mother, it wasn't enough. She thought about Kate's friendship, but she was still being pulled away. Was love enough? She thought about Christian and felt her power lose its hold on her. She thought about the first time she saw him in his office and how he pulled her up easily, the time in hardware store and the first time they made love. She remembered the last time they made love after they had switched back and the last thing she said to him before she left.

Come back, said Christian.

Of course I will…

"I accept," said Anna.

A large burst of light pushed out of her body for an instant and she slowly floated toward the ground. Her eyes returned to normal and she almost fall forward. Franklin appeared in front of her and caught her.

"You lied to me," said Anna.

"Parents lie," said Franklin. "I knew you could do it."

Anna lightly hit her dad on the arm to show her disagreement. He rubbed the top of her head and kissed her hair. He didn't know what he would do if he had to take her life. He knew she would prefer to die then to become a monster. Anna strength returned to her and she stood up and took a step back from her father.

"Don't ever lie to me again."

Franklin had never been afraid of anyone before, until he realized that he might lose his daughter.

"I understand."

"Good, now what else do I need to know."

Thanks for reading! Anna is now officially a fully connected Fae hybrid. I don't even know what that means yet, but I am going to have fun writing her story. Christian is still doing the best he can without Anna. Christian doesn't plan to ever accept Corin's offer to become a prince, but it will be a form of contention between them for a long time. Will Christian's decision ever change?

As always, I appreciate your reviews, comments and constructive criticism.