Chapter 20: THE SPY II

There was a tangible and deep pregnant silence in the air, which perfumed the whole room. Arnold leaned heavily against the wine-washed wall, twirling the empty goblet around his fingers, as he thought and deliberated on his daughter's statement. He had stood up abruptly when she had reported her findings; findings that were quite difficult to believe.

'Peter's son was mated to a human?' He couldn't believe it. It was very rare for a werewolf to be mated to a human in their part of the world, not to mention an Alpha. And for once he doubted his daughter's findings. Maybe the human was his ride for now, that is, till he found his mate. He thought. He remembered that he had also flirted around till he met his own mate.

"Are you sure?" He finally asked, staring down at his daughter whom he had always been proud of, but couldn't admit.

"Yes Dad.. I had even…" She was saying when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. For a second, Maya thought that it was her brother, Curtis, who was knocking. She hoped not. She wanted to bask under her father's attention for this short while. I'm not asking much from this dumbo. She thought, referring to her brother.

"Come in.." Arnold said, sensing it was his mate. He had told her earlier to prepare coffee for him, whilst he waited for his daughter.

The brown polished wooden door opened and Jan, Arnold's mate and wife came into view carrying a pot of coffee in one hand and a folding card table in the other. Arnold went up to her, took the card table, opened it, and placed it for her. She set the pot upon it.

Maya saw a thin spout of steam jutting from the pot and smelt the good scent of her mother's coffee. She wanted some, but she knew that she should not ask with her father waiting to drink; experience had thought her so. She would have to wait, till he invited her.

The first time she had tried it; she was 16. She had returned from her last exam in Grade 11. Stumbling into the kitchen, tired and hungry, she had met her parents smooching near the counter. She had apologized profusely and rushed out of the kitchen, her cheeks reddened in embarassment; but not before snagging a bottled water which was standing alone on the sink.

Sitting on the pavement, outside her room, she had ruminated on the thought of her mate and how he would be. She had hoped that their marriage would be like her parents'. Although her father could be very cold and strict; he was very gentle to her mother, his mate. Her thoughts had run wild as she thought on who could be her mate among the males in her pack. She would have to wait till she was 18. It was still long. She had thought. As she still contemplated on this, she had heard her mother call her through the pack's link. Her father wanted to see her.

When she had walked into her father's study, he was talking with his beta. She had taken a seat on the sofa, while waiting on him. And as she waited, staring around his office which was filled with landscape drawings, the scent of coffee which her mother had earlier brewed and kept for her father's meeting with his beta, wafted into her nose. The scent had captured her attention and stayed. She had wanted some so desperately, even on an empty stomach.

Her mother only brewed coffee for her father, so she hadn't had the opportunity to taste it. As soon as the beta of her pack left, she had summoned courage and asked her father if she could have a cup of coffee. To her surprise then, he had given her a go-ahead; or so she thought.

As she had tried to drink the coffee which she already poured out in the mug, her heart bursting in happiness for being brave this time, her father had stopped her. Taking the cup from her, he had emptied the hot content on her face. She had screamed in agony and rushed out of the study to her room, as pain assailed her.

Although she had healed fast enough then, she still had the scare on the right side of her face. Her father had never said why he had done that, he never rendered an apology too. But Maya had learned then, that she had to be invited first before taking coffee. It wasn't the same for Curtis though. He drank coffee more than her, whenever he wished.

"Maya, come have some coffee." Jan said to her daughter, taking note of her disheveled hair and hungry look. Her daughter was really famished. She thought. It was nice that she had kept some food for her, out of the reach of Curtis. Her son was really a monster-eater.

Maya swallowed her spittle, as she heard her mother's statement. She looked to her father; for a sign. A go-ahead sign to take a mug of coffee. Her father's grunt gave her the answer she desired strongly to hear. Stepping around the pillar, she took a mug and poured some coffee from its pot. She sighed in relish, as the hot content burned her tongue in sweet pain, going down her throat in quick succession.

"How was the journey?" Jan asked, directing the question both to her mate and her daughter.

"Well, your daughter seems to think that Peter's son is mated to a human." Arnold stated, pouring for himself a cup of coffee.

"But that's impossible." She said, looking at her daughter; willing her with her gaze to explain the situation.

"I thought the same. It would be bad if we make wrong arrangements based on incorrect findings. We can't afford to make mistakes now." He continued, taking a sip of the coffee.

"Maya…." Jan called out to her daughter.

"Mom, I'm sure of it. I heard them talking." Maya replied, taking a bold stance.

"Who..?" Jan asked

"His son and his wife." She replied hastily.

"Melvina??.. How did that happen?" Jan asked in amazement. She couldn't believe her daughter could be so daring. "Couldn't they perceive that your scent was different??" She continued.

"No they couldn't. I gave her the witch's potion." Arnold said.