July 11th

(Zachery's POV)

"How different is Evermoore compared to here?" I ask as Damien lays his head in my lap. We are sitting, well I'm sitting, in the grass behind his house. Patch and Midnight are curled up together under a tree sleeping.

"It's almost double the size. I kept getting lost the first week. Summer told me most get lost when they first move there."

"I remember how big it is. Summer was your mentor, correct?" I ask as I run my fingers through his blue hair as he closes his eyes.

"Yep. She's one of the only three Night Magic mentors there. I think she's planning to move to either here or the Dawson Coven."

"To help other Night Magic users?"

"Yes. Her niece will be taking her spot as a mentor. If she moves it won't be until at least January as she is still training Willa it be a mentor."

"I would ask how training differs, but different magic requires different training." I say to which Damien laughs a little.

"Speaking of training. How's learning to become leader going?"

"Slow and boring. Lots of paperwork." I groan at the thought of paperwork, "I've gotten roped into help planning where the few tiny houses are going to go."

"At least you want have to do it alone."

"True. I'll have you and Violet to help me." I say causing him to open his eyes and looks at me.

"Why me?" He asks not looking fond of the idea.

"Mom helped and now Nathan helps from time to time. Violet will be helping more than you." Paperwork is mostly keeping track of who is in the coven and what their powers are. Seeing who is leaving and who is joining the coven as well as keeping in contact with other coven leaders and the council.

"You are lucky I love you."

"I'm lucky to have you as my soulmate as I couldn't ask for a better one. I love you too, dork." I reply tapping his nose making him smile. When Damien first left he was closer friends with Ella and Hazel due to them being a few months apart in age. Add to the fact I was away at college. We have actually known we were soulmates since I visited him not long after his 18th birthday. We held off on dating as we were very busy and the distance. I was in my last year of collage and he was starting collage as well as still training under Summer. We spent that time just becoming really good friends. I've known since we started dating that he was planning to move back to the coven. That was part of the reason we finally started dating.

(Ella's POV)

"What's on your mind?" Keira asks as she flops backwards into Becca's bed. Currently the three of us are hanging out in Becca's room before we head into town. Della and Hazel are working. Amber and Violet are shadowing Pierce today while Sophia is on her way to cheer camp.

"Kaiden texted me a week ago to give me Alpha Kyle's number. He's leaving it up to me if I want to reach out." I tell her forgetting I've forgot to tell her things.

"Who?" Keira asks reminding me I never told her about the test.

"Kaiden is the husband of the Beta of the Amethyst Pack and Alpha Kyle is his brother in law. Not only that he is Ella's biological father which she learned almost two weeks ago." Becca tells her before I can say anything all the while doing her eyeliner.

"What?!" Keira asks sitting up and staring at me, "You found out who your biological father, but didn't tell me?"

"A lot has been going on. I've been working on two important commissions along with packing. This past weekend we had visitors."

"Are you going to reach out?" Becca asks turning to looks at me.

"I've been thinking about it, but I don't know what to say."

"Just say hi." Becca tells me before turning to Keira, "Get over here if you want your makeup done."

I unlock my phone and open messages while Keira hops up and walks over to Becca. She's really talented with doing others makeup. Any chance she gets she likes to do our makeup. For a time she was tempted to become a makeup artist, but decided to become a nail tech.

"Hi. This is Ella. Kaiden gave me your number." I feel so awkward as I send the text.

"He told me he was going to as I gave him permission to do so. Just to get it out of the way I know you are my daughter, but I did not know Addison was pregnant when she left." He replies very quickly.

"I'm a little surprised you replied so fast. Can I ask a question?"

"Taking a break from paperwork or as Aurora would say I'm procrastinating. Ask any questions?"

"What would you have done if you did know?"

"Not let her give you up. I would have raised you as a single father."

"Do you know why Addison would have left me the way she did?"

"To be honest, no. How did she leave you?"

"She left me outside of the hospital in town at the start of November."

As I wait for him to reply or not I get make a list of what I need to finish the commissions. As I finish the list my phone alerts me to a new text.

"Kyle will text you later. He's not too happy learning what his ex did especially knowing how cold it was back than around that time. This is Aurora, his wife, by the way. Hope you have a good rest of your day and I'm going to try calm him down."

From what I know my parents questioned the person's, who left me, sanity. It was in the low twenties that week. I was luckily found very quickly. Putting my phone away I tune intro the conversation going on between Keira and Becca.

(Kyle's POV)

Locking my phone I sit on the deck and lean back in my chair coving my face with my hands. Trying not to shout profanities as I don't know where the kids are.

"Love?" I hear Aurora asks she she walks into the office, "What's wrong?"

"After learning Ella is my daughter she told me she was left outside the hospital in Moonstone. It was the start November when temperatures were in the low twenties. Never thought Addison would do something like that." I say removing my hands and looking at her.

Aurora walks over and wraps her arms around my shoulders. Wrapping my arms around her waist I lean against her as she runs her fingers through my hair.

"What Addison did wasn't great, but you can't change the past. Are you going to let Eliza know about Ella being her niece?"

"I'll bring it up to Ella and let her decide if she wants to get to know anyone on Addison's side."

"We have to tell the kids."

"I know." I say closing my eyes dreading that conversation.

"Maybe talk to Marie first." She suggests.

"I will when she gets back from her trip with Ash. What would I do without?"

"Drive yourself crazy with paperwork." She replies before kissing the top of my head. It feels like the paperwork and emails never end. No has moved in or out of the pack recently, so should help lessen the load. We are in the process of planning houses though which do require a lot of paperwork.

"You barely do paperwork."

"Kaiden and me are the reason you and Cody remember to take breaks and eat when y'all are working on paperwork all day." Knowing she is right I just smile.

———

(Ella's POV)

"I can't believe you are officially move away Friday." Keira says as she helps me move one of the couches in the living room while Violet and Della move another. All of us girls are having a sleepover in the living room. Phillip and Zachery both went to stay with Edison as not to deal with all eight of us girls. Glinda is coming over and staying the night to keep an eye on us as dad and Nathan went to visit Nathan's old elven clan.

"You will visit, right?" Rose asks holding Raven to keep her out of the way. She kept running under our feet and the couches. Raven is a fluffy ball of energy.

"Yes. I'm only going to be three and a half hours away. Y'all act like I'm moving half way around the world." I say as Amber, Hazel, and Becca walk into the living room carrying blankets and pillows. We stole all the cover and pillows from everywhere in the house except Becca's room where Glinda will be sleeping.

"It feels like you are." Hazel says dropping the pillows she's carrying onto one of the couches.

"Who knows maybe one day Becca will move away to be with her soulmate." I comment.

"I saw him in town earlier today. His fathers are thinking of moving to the Winter Moon Pack, so maybe I'll join you one day." Becca says before throwing a pillow at me.

"Damien finally came back and now you are moving away." Violet says hugging me.

Violet has long brunette hair that usually keeps half tied up in a bun. Neither her or Damien got their mothers red hair, but they both got her green eyes. Amber and Sophia on the other hand both have red hair like their father and Edison. The only difference between the two is Amber added a blonde streak in her hair. Sophia is the only one of us still in high school, she's 17 and will be in her senior year this fall.

"At least I'll be closer." I tell Violet hugging her back. The others quickly join in on the hug which ends in use falling. We laugh as we try to get up and off each other. That's how Glinda finds us when she walks in. She just looks at us and smiles not saying anything as she heads to the kitchen.

Once we are free from each other we spread out the blankets and pillows all over the floor. After that is finished we each pick a spot and start playing games while talking. It's been awhile since we have done something like this and it feels a bit off without Sophia here. She has done cheer camp almost every year since she starting cheerleading in sixth grade.

———

July 12th

(Kyle's POV)

"Mom said you wanted to see me." Marie says walking into the office. Putting the building plans I was going over down I watch her walk over to the couch.

"How was the trip to the Starr Coven?" I ask getting up to go sit by her.

"Fine. Luckily Evelyn slept most of the drive. This isn't what you wanted to talk to me about though, is it?"

"No. You know how I dated someone before I met you your mom." I say sitting down beside her.

"Yes and that she left you for unknown reasons. She's not back is she?"

"No, but what I have to tell you has to do with her. You have an older half sister."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"You are just telling me this now? Does mom know?" She interrupts me asking and I can tell she's trying not to yell.

"It was only yesterday that your half sister reached out to talk. That's why I waited to say anything. I've only known for two weeks. Yes, she knows. I'll answer any questions you have to the best of my ability, but do not tell the other three. We plan to tell them, but we thought it was best to tell you first."

"Sorry for being so antisocial lately." Marie says looking at her lap.

Wrapping my arm around her shoulders I pull her close to kiss her head. "Cody was worse when we were your age." I say causing her to laugh before she starts asking questions. Marie is fifteen and for the most part is a good kid. She prefers to keep to herself a lot or spend time with her partner Ash. We have three more years before we have another teen in the house.

———

July 15th

(Ella's POV)

"You can pull this look off and don't look half bad, but why are you wearing a skirt?" I ask Carter after I get out of my car. Was not expecting Carter to being a skirt when I arrived at the pack. Let alone a neon orange one.

"Some of us guys made a stupid decision and lost a bet. We have to wear them for another hour."

"Neon orange is not your color." Keira comments walking around the front of her truck, "Though I think if it was neon pink it would be better with the hair."

"So I have been told." He tells her before looking back at me, "I thought she was giving you a ride, but you two came in two separate vehicles."

"Tell you why once the others are around. Who else lost the bet? Also, I thought you learned not make bets against Em?"

"Luca, Isaac and Peter. We knew what would happen if we lost the bet, just not that the skirts would all be neon colors. Alex found these somewhere." He says leading us inside after I remember to grab the painting for Nina and my gift for Ember.

Walking through the house we walk out into the back deck. Among those that I do know there are a few that I don't. Luca is wearing a neon blue skirt, Isaac is in a neon pink one and Peter's skirt is neon yellow.

"I don't want to be mean as I don't know you, but your skirt looks like a highlighter." Keira says to Peter, "My sister also has the same skirt, but it is forest green."

"So I have been told by my sister." Peter replies looking over at Melody who just smiles, "I'm Peter Thorne. The blonde with the space buns is my younger sister, Melody."

"Kiera Greenwood, one of the three resident mermaids in Moonstone."

With that everyone introduces themselves. Four are my younger half siblings, but I'm unsure if they know. Kyle says Aurora knows, but I don't get a chance to ask if he has told them. I can now see what they others have been talking about. Marie and me do look a lot alike. Jasper and Nicole are both blondes while Nicole's twin, Julian, has black hair like Marie and me. Keira sits near Melody and starts answering her questions about being a mermaid. While Ember is distracted talking to Kayla and Payton, who I quickly learn are sisters, I hand Nina the envelope that contains the painting. Both sisters have medium to light brunette hair with Payton's being slightly darker. Payton also has heterochromia, her right eye is blue and her left eye is light brown.

"What do mermaid tails look like?" Payton asks joining Melody and Keira's conversation.

"Usually they are two to three colors, but can also be a solid color. There have been records of some merpeople having up to five colors not counting the tips of the fins. The tips of fins are either white or black depending on what sex you are born. Female's are white while male's are black."

"What color is your tail? If you don't mind me asking?" Melody asks interested.

"Peach, baby blue and poppy with white fin tips. My sister's tail is pastel blue, pastel yellow and pastel green with black fin tips."

We all get into our own conversations and before long we are joined by a few of the adults. Technically most of us are adults, but it feels odd referring to them as the parents and grandparents.

"I see you made, Ella." Emily says.

"Yes. I got a new car, well new to me. Glinda, she's the mother of the coven's second in command and basically like my second grandma, signed it over to me as she decided to get a truck."

"It's good that you have a reliable car. Have you told the others yet?"

"No." I say as Alex asks, "Told us what?"

"I'm not leaving." I say shrugging.

"You moved here? Officially?" Luca asks making sure he heard me right.

"Yep. Decided to just under two and a half weeks ago. Thought I'd keep it a surprise." I say laughing at their surprised faces.

"Food is ready." Andy says popping his head out the backdoor.

Once everyone has gotten food we all spread out across the deck and the backyard. I'm introduced to the adults I don't already know while Keira gets introduced to everyone. It's a little odd meeting my biological father in person for the first time. If he didn't have a beard I would probably get him and Cody mixed up. Other than the beard the only difference between the two is hairstyle. I learn from Peter that they used to get mixed up before Kyle grew a beard.

Many different conversations happen while we eat. After they are done eating Isaac, Peter and Carter go to change out of their neon skirts while Luca decides to continue wearing his. Once they are back and everyone else is done eating it's time for Ember to open presents.

"I haven't seen this fully, but I trust Ella." Nina says handing Ember the envelope with the painting in it. The painting itself is of their wolf forms sitting on a cliff staring up at the moon with the silhouettes of their human forms sitting at the base. The background is of a sunset with the words 'Will you marry me?' in the sky.

As Ember opens it and looks at the painting Nina gets down on knee beside her holding a ring box. Ember breaks out into a smile upon reading what's on the painting before looking towards Nina.

"Yes." She says as Nina slips the ring on her finger before giving her a kiss.

Everyone gives them congratulations while Emily and Kaiden go into the house to get the cake and cupcakes. Instead of the cake having happy birthday written it had congrats.

"Nina told me she was going to propose and I knew you would say yes." Emily tells Ember.

"Of course as I told you that I planned on asking her on our anniversary in a week and a half." Ember says making Nina smile. Afterwards everyone sings Happy Birthday to her before cake and cupcakes are passed out.

———

(Luca's POV)

"Not that I don't think you rock it, but I'm curious. Why are you still wearing the skirt?" Timmy asks as we walk along a trail not long after Ember's party ended.

"I've thought about wearing a skirt a few times before, but never worked up the courage. I find it rather comfy. Though I don't think I'll wear one often I will most likely wear one again."

"I don't care what you wear as long as you are happy. I for one know I can't rock a skirt or dress. If you want to know that story talk to Kayla or Katlyn." He says putting his arm around my waist.

"I just might. I wonder if they have any photos."

"Knowing them? Yes." He says not sound thrilled about that idea.

We continue to walk for a few more minutes before turning around and heading back towards the house. For the most part we don't talk as we like just enjoying each other's company. Exiting the tree line we spot the others packing towels and other things into bags up on the deck.

"You two go get changed into swim wear if you want to go to the lake with us." Bri calls out when she spots us.

"Yes ma'am". I retort as we walk up the steps.

Bri swats at me with an annoyed look on her face. I laugh as I step out of the way and head into the house with Timmy. It's always fun messing with her.

(Ella's POV)

Once we set off it doesn't take more than ten minutes to reach the lake. As soon as we reach it Keira takes off the over size shirt she borrowed from me to use as a cover up and jumps into the water. Said shirt was actually stolen from Zachery about a year ago. It's been awhile since she has been able to swim in something other than a pool. The rest of us lay out our towels near the water but not too close as we don't want them to get wet. The guys set the coolers we brought, full of drinks, with us in the shade. Keira finally pops back up by the time the rest of us are entering the water. I sit on a rock that's just barely in the water to quickly braid my hair.

"Hey!" I say as Keira uses her tail to splash me.

"Hurry up." She replies before diving under the water.

Laughing I quickly tie off my braid before fully getting into the water. Luckily I know longer have to wear the wrist brace though I still have a couple of days of no shifting. When I get it where the water is close to shoulder level I feel arms wrap around my waist.

"You didn't jump." Alex sees as she comes up behind me.

"I'm used to Keira and Rose, mostly Kiera, doing it to me when we swim together." I reply turning to face her.

"When we were younger I would grab Luca's ankle scaring him." She says before releasing me to splash Bri as she swims by.

We all swim or lounge around the lake until it's time to head back. I'm glad my wrist is better even though I'm still forbidden to shift. It was planned that we would get back in time to at least dry off and change before dinner. Carter is the only one who couldn't get in the water due to his ribs still healing. Ember and me make sure to splash him though when he sits on the rocks.

———

July 16th

"Drive safe." I say as I hug Keira.

"Always." Keira replies as the hug ends. I know she would like to stay longer especially after finding out her soulmate is Melody which was a surprise to both of them. She could only talk her mother into giving her two days off to help as Macy has to go out of town tomorrow. With Macy out of town it means Keira is in charge of the shop.

"You will text, right?" Melody asks from where she is standing beside Keira.

"No, I'll also FaceTime and call. It'll be interesting learning about what it's like growing up in a pack." Keira says hugging Melody which surprises her.

Keira is only known to hug those she trusts and/or cares about. From what I've learned talking mostly with Peter, Melody while not a bigger hugger likes to cuddle which fits with Keira. Not long after releasing Melody from the hug Keira gets in her mom's truck to leave with promises to return and makes me promise to visit. She keeps making it sound like I moved further away then I did. Granted my family where the same way yesterday.

"Anyone up to go for a run in our shifter forms?" Kimber asks.

"As much as I would like to I can not." I say as the others agree to the idea.

"Why can't you?" Crystal asks.

"Hurt my wrist last weekend and I have a couple of more days before I'm allowed to shift. It's healed, but just to be on the safe side."

"You lived in a coven, so shouldn't you have a healing witch or warlock? I know the Starr Coven has a clinic for humans and a vet clinic." Ash says before explaining, "I'm half witch. My aunts are the leaders of the Starr Coven."

"We do, but it wasn't anything major. It was most likely I just bruised it."

Kaiden walks over than with Andy saying, "We came over to ask who all wants cheese on their burgers. Lunch should be ready in about an hour to an hour and a half. We figure y'all would all be off doing something, so might a well ask while y'all are all still around here."

"I'm okay." Jasper yells out when we all turn to look over upon hearing a yell.

"Please don't break anything!" Kaiden yells back.

"I will try not to uncle!" Jasper yells before turning back towards the tree.

"I don't think any of us are going to be ready when she shifts in three years." Kaiden tells Marie.

"I think dad will handle that better than when Nicole gets old enough to date as the baby of us."

"He wasn't ready for you to start dating."

"How do you feel about Melody finding her soulmate?" Marie asks seemingly ignoring that comment.

"My baby is all grown up." Kaiden replies pulling Melody in for a hug. She looks annoyed, but at the same time trying not smile.

"Dad, I've grown for awhile."

"You will still always be my baby and the same goes for you Peter." Kaiden says before he and Andy head over to Jasper and Julian.

(Emily's POV)

"Have you and Kyle told the kids yet?" I ask Aurora as we work on making the sides for lunch.

"We told Marie a few days ago. It's been a little hectic moving into the new main house and the fact we are building more houses. We plan on telling the other three when we get back home."

"How is the house?"

"It's nice. Jasper likes having a sunroom for all her plants. We just have a few more items to move which are already in boxes. Eric and Julie are moving back to the pack permanently, so we are going to try and get the rest out before they arrive."

We continue to chat about the house as we work. Aurora was the first elf I ever met. Everything I know about elves is from her. She is a water elf and only Jasper and Nicole are likely to have water elf magic like her. From what she's told me it's a 50/50 chance of a elf hybrid having elven magic.

(Ella's POV)

"Since Ella and me can't shift we will just take our time walking." Carter tells the others as they spread out to shift. Seeing everyone's wolf form or in Parker's case her cat form is fun. Those who are related look similar. Ember is a dark grey with black legs while Carter is mostly black with some dark grey mixed in plus dark grey paws.

It takes maybe ten minutes to reach the clearing while walking. As we walk Carter tells me about the different trails that are around the pack. Most connect to one another and the trail the patrol runs. He also explains the patrol to me now that I'm going to be living here. There are four leaders and they each have groups ranging in size from 8-12 members. Patrols switch out every 3 hours and are always going with 4-6 members at a time. Currently there are 6 patrol groups with the rogues and unknown shifters being spotted often.

Exiting the tree line I see that some of the others are still in their wolf forms. I spot Parker laying in a tree still in her snow leopard form. Carter and me find a place to sit among their group and join in the conversation.

July 18th

(Kyle's POV)

"Your mom and me have something to tell you three." I say sitting down beside Aurora as the kids find places to sit.

"You aren't having another child. Are you?" Jasper asks causing Aurora to laugh and shake her head no. What they will never is we never planned on having four, it's just happened, but we wouldn't change it.

"No, but you do have an older half sister. You met her this weekend. It's Ella."

"We meant to tell you sooner, but with moving houses and other things on our mind we never had the chance before now. It is understandable that you are upset that we didn't say anything sooner." Aurora says in her gentle way.

"Does Marie know?" Julien asks.

"Yes. They told me last week." Marie says walking into the living room and sitting down.

"She seems nice." Nicole says from where she has moved to sit on Marie's lap. Those two are pretty much complete opposites. Marie usually wears black or darker colors and Nicole can usually be found in one of her many pink frilly dresses. I think Nicole is the only who can talk Marie into wearing pastels. Nicole is the most outgoing of the kids.

We let the others ask any questions they have. Once all the kids decide to go off do their own thing Aurora and me look at each other and smile. This could have gone worse and we both know it.

(Parker's POV)

"I hope mom and dad actually decide to move here."

"You just want to be closer to Peter." Crystal says as she weaves a flower crown. She's not wrong.

"A little. If you found your soulmate wouldn't you want to be close to them?"

"Yes, but only after getting to know them. I don't want to go through the same thing again." She says putting the flower crown on my head.

"I know." I tell her pulling her into a hug. Her last relationship not only ended in a very out of the blue breakup, but the person within a week announced they dating someone we both considered a very good friend. I think Crystal's ex was cheating with the now ex friend, but I have no proof. Neither of them were soulmates, so that wasn't the cause for the breakup. Crystal and her ex were together for almost 5 years with the ex talking about proposing on their 5 year anniversary which would have been 4 months ago. Crystal's ex was also a childhood friend, but now nether the ex or the ex-friend talk to either of us. They both moved to another pack not long after they announced that they were dating.

"What would I do without you, sis?"

"Probably be lonely."

"I have other people I can hang out with." She says pulling out of the hug laughing.

"I know and here comes two of them." I say spotting Ella and Carter walking over, "What can we do for you two?"

"Just wondering if you two are staying for the get together with the Moonstar Coven." Ella says as her and Carter sit in the grass near us.

"Parker and me plan on coming back for it. Hopefully we will officially be moving here around then."

"You won't be the other cat shifter here. A family of three is talking about moving here." Carter tells us.

"Fun. Do you know what they shift into?"

"I know the son is a black footed cat, but I don't don't about his father. His step-father is a wolf shifter and has family here which is part of the reason for the move."

"The other part probably has to do with Becca." Ella comments.

"Who's Becca?" Crystal asks.

"My older step-sister."

"How many siblings do you have? I just have Crystal."

"Two older brothers, Becca, a younger sister, a younger step-sister and recently learned I have four half siblings."

"That's a lot. Whoever you marry, if you get married, in the future is going to have a lot of in-laws." Crystal comments.

"Don't remind me. Both this pack and the Amethyst Pack will have leaders related." Carter says.

"Wait, you two are together?" I ask as Crystal asks, "What do you mean related?"

"Not yet, but we are soulmates. Alpha Kyle is my biological father."

"That means one day we will be family. Peter is my soulmate." I tell her.

The four of us continue to talk until we get called inside for dinner.