A/N: OMG! 18 reviews? O.O Holy fish sticks! I've never gotten that many for ONE chapter before…It's insane!(But I LOVED it! :D) 215 all up…I'm speechless…Just…wow!

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. : Chapter 26: Tangled Webs : .

"He's your brother."

If I'd been the type to faint, I'm pretty sure I would have.

"He's my what?" I demanded, on my feet, clenching and unclenching my fists. I can only assume that I looked pretty pissed. Yeah, unfortunately for everyone else, I've never been the damsel kind of girl. "You cheated on Daddy?"

My anger skyrocketed, to the point where I wouldn't have been all that surprised if I'd breathed fire. Hey, with the rate things are going, maybe I'm part dragon too?

"Evangeline." Mother frowned at me disapprovingly. "You really should start waiting until you've heard all of a story before you start overreacting. I was not unfaithful to your father, ever."

"Then how…?"

She reached out and snagged my hand in hers, pulling me back to the bench and down beside her. I was so numb and confused that I simply let her.

"I never said Samuel was your half-brother."

"I don't understand, how can he be…"

"I fell pregnant before Oliver and I had married." She started, dropping her eyes from my face down to our joined hands. She began idly tracing a finger over mine. "Joshua and Allison were already married, and had been trying for a child for months without success." She paused here, and smiled sadly, running her finger lightly over a small scar along the inside of my index finger.

"I was scared then. Never had I had anything to do with anyone who wasn't Wicca. Nor had I ever felt the things I was feeling for Oliver. It was all so strange and forbidden to me. It might surprise you to know that, once, I was afraid of breaking rules. You got that habit from you father."

I squeezed her hand, and took a breath, trying to let my anger and insecurities go. What would it take for me to be…happy again? To not feel this anger? I'd noticed that the older I got, the more anger I seemed to retain.

Anger like that of wolves...

"Everyone is afraid of what they don't know. Some just channel it differently."

She chuckled softly. "Perhaps, darling, perhaps. But Oliver saw that I was not ready, he told me I could get rid of the child, if I wished it." She looked up at me then, her eyes piercing mine. "I could not kill the babe. But I could not keep it, either. I performed a ritual, in secret, that transferred the fertile embryo from my womb, to Allison's. Giving them their first and only child, Samuel. Not what I'd have named him but…"

I blinked. "This Wicca crap is even more confusing then the werewolf crap. But here I was thinking you were the devil's mistress. That was a very big sacrifice to make, Mum."

The smile she gave me did not reach her eyes. For the first time since…well, since I could recall, I felt sorry for the woman next to me.

"It wasn't, not really. Not to me, anyway. I was relieved I was no longer the one to carry him, no longer the one who would be responsible for him. I know it cost Oliver, though. I know he wanted that child, but he gave it up for me, because I was not ready. It was he who made the sacrifice, not I. and one day, I'm sure you'll understand the 'Wicca crap'. That day is just not this day."

"Did he know?" I asked softly, trying to bring myself to understand all of this, trying to open my mind to the reality of werewolves and Wicca. When would that day come? I didn't really know if I wanted to understand it or not, though I loathed being confused. It's not easy accepting, let me tell you, especially when I didn't want it to be real. "Did Daddy know what you did?"

She shook her head. "No, not in detail…But I…I think he suspected what I'd done. He gave me his permission to get rid of the babe, and the next day, I was no longer carrying him. Then a week later, Allison informed us she was pregnant. Somehow four weeks along, yet she hadn't known until mere days ago. Your father was a smart man. He knew that Allison should've been unable to have children. It was common enough knowledge, or rumour as it were, little places like that thrive on gossip. And when they had no more afterwards…Yes, darling, I think, deep down, that he knew what I'd done."

"I think Daddy would've been happier with that then if you'd just aborted, er, Sam." I frowned. "Though I can think of a few times in the past, and probably right now, that I might've wished that you had. Insufferable git that he is. And that was when he was my cousin! Now I have to think of him as a brother? Swell."

She chuckled. "Hush, darling. You wished for no more secrets, so, I'm giving you what you want."

"I could've done with a few things kept to yourself, Mum." I informed her dryly. "My life is plenty complicated enough on it's own without you helping." A tanned male face appeared in my mind; smiling as if he'd seen the sun for the first time…I shook my head to dispel the image. How many times had he smiled at me like that?

Yes, definitely plenty of problems.

Mum just gave me knowing look. "Yes, yes I will agree with you there. You've weaved yourself quite the tangled web, haven't you, my child?"

I stared at her suspiciously for a moment, tempted to tell her that I hadn't been the one to weave it. These issues of mine weren't really self inflicted…not all of them anyway.

But I dismissed saying that and instead murmured. "Why do I get the feeling you know more about me then your letting on?"

She pushed her large sunglasses up her nose a tad and stood, beginning to leisurely stroll along the practically-deserted path again. "Because, darling, I'm your mother."

I fell in step beside her. "I don't like it when people know things about me that I did not tell them myself. I prefer my secrets kept close and as quiet as possible."

"This is a reason why you stress so much, darling. You have far too many secrets, and your being a hypocrite. You do not wish secrets held from you, yet you will tell none of your own? Anyway, I would still be able to tell, even if I was not Wicca and have other help in such matters."

I tensed. "How can you tell?" Weakness, weakness, weakness!

She paused, mid stride, and looked at me, sliding the glasses down her nose so she could peer at me over the top of them. "It's in your eyes, my darling. They are…so haunted, so lost. They tell me what you feel, even when it does not look like you are feeling it. You'd have been an astounding actress." And with that, she kept walking, heading back to the car park.

Slightly stumped for words, and remembering again why I avoided this woman's company so much, I trotted after her. That wasn't entirely true, or not this time around. I had almost enjoyed lunch and our walk. I don't think we've spoken so much and on such friendly terms since before Daddy and she split up. I'd learnt so much in the short hour and a half we had been in each other's company.

Admittedly, I could've done without learning quite so much. But it was nice to know that she had loved Daddy, and that their whole marriage wasn't some kind of joke or the got-the-girl-knocked-up kind of marriage. And Sam was my brother? And I've vowed never to speak to him, or my sister, ever again. And now we'd actually have something to discuss. Go figure.

I'd been so lost in my own thoughts that I hadn't realised we'd made it back to the restaurant and were now standing next to a sleek, silver Porsche 911 that I realised stupidly was Mum's.

"Nice car." I muttered, running my fingers over the smooth surface of the hood.

She shrugged. "So the sales man told me. I know little of cars and such technology, I come from a little different era, darling."

"When?"

She smiled wryly. "A time before Porsche was invented. Never ask a woman her age, dear."

It made me smile, and I nodded. "So…is this it? Will you go back to Europe now?"

"So keen it get rid of me?"

"Surprisingly, no. I actually wouldn't mind if you stayed a while…" I bit the inside of my cheek, wondering what had possessed me to admit that.

Mum smiled and approached me. "I would stay, darling, but I have a plane to catch this evening and a meeting to attend tomorrow in Rome. Never fear, though. I will be back. And I hear they do have phone service in Rome, all you have to do is call."

I was shocked to realise how disappointed I was that she'd said no. "Okay."

She tilted her head to the side and brought up a hand to stroke my cheek. "You know, for all I have succeeded, I believe I failed where Mothering was concerned. I regret that. And I commend you and Tasha for turning out as good as you have, for growing up yourself."

I blinked, unsure why my vision was blurry. "You taught me the important things." Lessons hard learned, but learned nonetheless.

She kissed my forehead. "My special one. You have so long to go before you find your peace, but persevere, my daughter, and it will be waiting for you. You life is your own, you will always have the right to choose. It is the way I wanted it for you. But if ever you need something else, I can unbind your magic, if that is what you want."

"I don't want that." I said quickly. No, no, no, no, no. No, I don't want that.

"If," She emphasised. "It is simply an option that is there for you. Be strong, my darling girl, you'll not fail. Oh. I almost forgot. Here, take this." She reached into her overly large handbag and pulled out a round pendant on a long, gold chain.

"What is it?" I asked, reaching out to take it from her. I ran my fingers over the design carved into the otherwise flat golden surface. My eyes widened when I recognised the design as being that of the pack's tattoos.

Eyes of melted chocolate, boring into me…Stop! It!

"It will help you understand, darling."

For the briefest of moments, she embraced me tightly in a hug that warmed what remained of my soul. Then she was releasing me, kissing both my cheeks and unlocking her car.

"But, Mum! What if…" I called after her, feeling panic clutch at me. "What if I need help, or to know something else? What if…"

"You know all you need to know to get through this, darling." She grinned as she slid into the car. "Besides, I believe you do actually have my number."

And with that, she wasn't there any more. I stood there, like an idiot, watching the flash of silver disappear around the corner.

"My life just gets better and bloody better." I muttered to myself as I forced my body to remember how to move and started over to my Enzo. I clenched the pendant tightly in my hand. "Half Wicca, half werewolf, a full-brother, and fully insane. Fan-bloody-tastic."

At least now I was on speaking terms with my Mother…

oOo

When I got back to the house, I found it livelier then what it had been when I'd left it.

Tess had arrived and Benny was awake. Currently, Yas and Tess were chasing the three year old around and around the living room, while he squealed in delight and Mutt yapped excitedly at their heels.

CJ was back in the kitchen, having returned to her cooking, and she smiled at me when I came in.

"You don't look half bad, actually. I was expecting tears. Or fury…" She said to me as I dropped my purse on the table and slung my coat over the back of a chair. "How'd it go?"

"It was…different, to say the very least."

"As is, different bad?" She asked, cautiously, pausing in her stirring.

I shrugged. "I haven't quite decided that yet. What're you making?"

She banished the wooden spoon, which had thick mixture dripping off it, at my nose. "Choc-chip cookies, and no, you can't have any until their cooked."

I poked my tongue out at her, and she quickly retracted the spoon. But I wasn't Yas, I wasn't likely to try and lick the thing while she still had hold of it. "You take out all the fun. You know the mixture is better then the end product."

"Not with my cookies, it isn't." She pinned me with a hard glare, to which I held up my hands in defence and surrender. No way was I taking on the wooden spoon. Do I look stupid? …On second thoughts, don't answer that.

"Alright, okay, I'm leaving."

"Good."

I chuckled as I left the kitchen, only to nearly collide with Jay as he was coming down the stairs, phone tucked between his ear and shoulder.

"Woah, hey, baby girl." He reached out and steadied me, then pressed a kiss to the side of my forehead and grinned.

I was about to answer him back when he frowned and took the phone in one hand. "No, man! For gods' sakes, werewolves! I said werewolves, and I meant werewolves! Were-wolves!"

My eyes widened in panic. "Jay? What are you doing? Who are you telling?"

"What? Hang on, hang on! Baby girl, calm down. I'm just gettin' it through Tyler's thick skull that I mean actual human-change-into-wolf werewolves and not rabid dogs or anything." He paused and Ty must've said something else to him. "No, Tyler! I thought you were supposed to be some sort of genius? I've told you, they don't phase under the moon. The lunar cycle has nothing to bloody do with it!"

"Why are you yelling at Ty?" I asked dryly, feeling much calmer. I'd be in big enough trouble as it was if they ever found out I'd talked, without the whole damn agency finding out that werewolves and vampires do exist.

Wonder what the punishment for breaking that little rule is? Bet Samuel would go berserk. The question as to what Jake would think also entered my mind, though I didn't acknowledge it. I had to stop letting him in my head! Was he doing this on purpose? Was it some kind of voodoo shit that went with having some idiot imprint on you?

"Because he's being a complete idiot!" Jay snapped back, then sighed dramatically. "He says hello."

I smiled, mentally shaking myself out of my thoughts and having to take a second to remember what conversation I'd been having. "Hey, Ty. Tell him I found that little extra on my baby, tell him it rocks."

Jay opened his mouth, then closed it, then growled like a dog. "Look here, you hick lab rat, I said…"

I don't know what else was said, because Jay turned and marched back upstairs. Bewildered, I wandered back into the kitchen and sat down.

"What in the name of all that's good and holy is going on?" I asked CJ, who was now making little balls out of her mixture and half flattening them on an oven tray. "I leave for two hours and return to find the place has become a nut house?"

She chuckled. "We're just having some problems convincing Tyler that we've not gone crazy. We need him to get a message exclusively through to Maddy and Dan. We'll also be needing plenty of equipment, and whatever else Jay has in mind to request of him."

I pulled at my fingers, cracking my knuckles. "I really don't want you all to get caught up in this-what if it goes pear shaped?"

She shrugged, pressing the little balls down with a fork. "Then it goes pear shaped. We know the price, Evie. Don't worry about us. We're family, through and through. Ty is only having trouble understanding the other side of things. Werewolves apparently don't fit anywhere in any of Darwin's books."

Tyler was a man of science, and science didn't believe in such things like magic.

I half-smiled. "Poor guy, as if Ty doesn't put up with enough crap at the best of times…"

"Hey, give him a lab and he'll be happy…providing Jay doesn't explode while he tries to explain things." CJ giggled. "We've explained the whole situation to Tess, to, by the way. In case you were wondering."

"Oh thank god. I really didn't want to have to go through that again. D'you know how difficult it is to tell someone something mythical actually does exist?"

She gave me an amused smile. "I can imagine. And I'd say Jay is finding out…"

We both winced and giggled at the string of most un-gentlemanly like language that drifted down the stairs.

"I don't think it's going very well…"

"Ah, you know Tyler." Yas announced as she dropped, puffing, into the chair next to me. "He's as stubborn as an ox."

"It's because he's from Texas." Tessa Ashfield said, smiling cutely as she sat down with us, too. Tess would tease occasionally, but she'd never mean anything nasty by it. She was the softest, quietest spoken girl you'll ever meet. With her dark skin and dark brown eyes, 5'3 and more brains then the average professor, Tess was quite the girl.

At the moment, her black hair supported blonde streaks. They were green when I'd last seen her. Shy to a fault, but still a teenager, still young in the mind.

"Hey, Tessie, love the hair, girl." I grinned at her.

She smiled at me, almost shyly, as was her way. "Hey, Evie. I missed you."

"Missed you, too, believe me."

"Yeah, the guys told me all about your, uh, holiday?"

I chuckled, but there was no real humour in it. "Next holiday I go on, I think I'll take overseas."

She grinned a bit. "You did always have the habit of bringing home the oddest souvenirs."

"What can I say, it's a bad habit."

"Right, well." We all looked up at Jay as he slouched back into the kitchen, dropping his phone down with a glare and taking a seat on my other side. "Tyler Johnson is the most difficult person I think I've ever had to deal with."

I laughed. "But did you get through to him?"

"Of course I did," He said, seeming offended. "I'm me, am I not? I'm brilliant, of course I got though to him. It just took longer then I'd thought it would."

I rolled my eyes.

"He'll get a call through to Mads and Dan ASAP and he's gonna work on some new weapons for us, and pack us up a few little care-packages while he's at it."

"New weapons?" Yas asked, intrigued.

"What for?" CJ demanded.

"Ladies, please." Jay held up a hand. "Current weaponry won't hold up against our discoveries, so I've left the idea with Ty."

I frowned at him. "You won't be needing new weapons, Jay. We're not going to the res anytime soon."

"I wasn't referring to your relatives, baby girl." He reached over and clasped my hand in his larger ones. "I would never go hunting them down. Unless they did something to really piss me off. But there are other things out there, and I'd rather be prepared for everything. Call it piece of mind."

"You're not going hunting for anything. Besides, the magical community is just about indestructible." I reminded him. "It takes a hellofa lot to take down a vampire, they need to be ripped up and burnt according to the journal, remember?"

He smiled. "I don't think they'd go very well if someone were to hit them with, oh, I don't know, a bazooka. Do you?"

I smirked and shook my head. "You're such a trigger happy moron."

"Yep. And proud of it." He grinned back.

CJ sighed, and then muttered to herself. "And I wonder why Yas is like she is."

A/N: So…. What's the verdict? Hope you enjoyed that one :)

Thank you all once again for the feedback on the last chapter, it was better then I'd ever thought :) Please keep it up, it's the best encouragement!

Wishing you a lovely time, where ever you are and whatever time it is,

Love,

~Meg xx