CHAPTER NINE

When I arrived at the house, Daniel and Jason were already gone. Heather was waiting for me in the living room. The worried look on her face let me know Daniel had mentioned something to her about our morning‟s episode.

I was still not ready to confront Daniel with his actions this morning. My heart already was breaking into a thousand pieces. Before I confronted him, I wanted to make sure there was nothing else he was hiding. Especially, concerning my mother.

Heather was in shock for two reasons. One, I went to see Richard, and two, I showed her a picture of my mother and the family I never knew existed.

“Do you think your mother was a descendant from these people? Why would they disown her?” Heather‟s questions matched my own.

“I don‟t know. But there is only one way to find out.” I jumped up from the sofa.

“Let‟s find out where the Qualla Reservation is located. Maybe we can go there and find out more information.”

“I hope it‟s not something bad. But I am curious.” She was on my heels, following me to my computer.

I sat down and began typing the word Qualla in the search engine. A second later, a couple links came up, one of which gave me the map and information on the Qualla Reservation. They were located in North Carolina, not more than an hour‟s drive. Well, according to my driving time.

“Well, I have a plan. When Daniel and Jason get back, we‟ll take my car and make a trip there tomorrow. Heather,” I turned to face her, “please don‟t say anything to Daniel about this. I hate keeping secrets from him. This time I just want to have my facts straight before I approach him. He won‟t let me go there alone.”

“Love, neither would I. I understand, and I won‟t say a word to either of them. Do you think you can keep your thoughts from him?”

“Yes, I think so. I‟ve had some pretty good practice lately. Although, it is getting a little harder. The closer we become, the harder it is. How about you?”

A smile crossed her face. “Well, let‟s just say I know how to keep Jason‟s thoughts preoccupied.”

I frowned slightly, and then realized what type of thoughts she might have had. My eyebrows rose in surprise.

“OH!” I blushed. “So that‟s how you do it.”

Heather laughed loudly and nodded. “See, there‟s always a way around it.

Whenever you think you can‟t control the thought, just push another one in its place.

He‟ll never know the difference.”

I nodded and laughed with her. This time I had a comrade willing to take on a secret adventure. Now, more than ever, I wondered how much more my father had hidden from me. First hiding the fact of what he was, and then finding out what I am.

Now, my mother. Charlotte‟s words burned against my thoughts. Remembering the time she said, “I know what her mother was.” Did she really? Daniel had told me she was human. No one mentioned she was of Cherokee descent. I was excited and frustrated at the same time. He had promised not to keep any secrets from me. If he knew about my mother, I was going to give him a mouth full as soon as I found out.

“I‟ll confront Daniel with this once I find out all the information. I want to visit this Reservation. Maybe we can talk to someone there, and find out if they knew my mother.

Hopefully, someone will recognize the people in the picture.” I glanced at the picture again.

“Do you want to go now?” Heather‟s voice was excited.

Well, it was a good idea. Why not? I hit the print button and took the paper up immediately. Glancing at my watch, it was still before noon. I estimated Daniel and Jason would probably be home before dinner. I grabbed my purse. Heather followed me out the door. She was as curious as I was. It may be nothing but an adventure. Then again, if the trip proved to be a valuable one, someone would answer for his or her secrecy.

Heather was no help at all with the directions. We ended up getting lost on the highway several times before I found the right turn off. After an hour and a half, we finally pulled in to the Qualla Reservation. The sign was the exact same sign as the one in the picture. It was hard to believe my mother stood here, no telling how many years ago.

The bottom of the sign had the word “Information” printed clearly and in large letters. Underneath an arrow pointed down another long dirt road. I made the turn as my heart raced a little faster.

Heather and I remained silent as I pulled up in front of an older house. The house was a log cabin and its wood exterior was still in good condition. The front porch was huge. It had several ceramic pottery items scattered about, and a few plants hung from the porch rafters. In the front yard, there were two teenage boys tossing a football back and forth.

Heather and I climbed out of the car. One of the young men held onto the football as both of their attentions were now on us.

“Can I help you?” the young man with the football asked.

I was a little surprise to see he actually had long hair. It was coal black and in a ponytail. He was very handsome, striking for a youth of his age. He had to be around eighteen or nineteen, I guessed. His muscular development and deep voice gave it away.

“Yes, I hope so.” I pulled out my picture. “I was hoping to find someone here who could tell me about this picture.”

Both boys walked toward us. The one with the football spoke first.

“My name is John, this is Kyle.” He extended his hand.

“My name is Julie and this is my friend Heather.” I shook his hand.

The two boys greeted Heather, and John‟s attention went back to the picture. He reached for it. I handed it to him happily hoping for an answer. He studied the picture for a moment. The expression on his face was more or less shock. I didn‟t know if it was because he recognized one or more of the people or because he didn‟t.

“Do you know who they are?” My patience was thinning.

“Hang on. May I borrow this a minute? I know someone who can help you. I‟ll be right back.” John said as he turned and ran into the log home.

A few minutes later an older gray haired man walked out. He was a true Cherokee if I had ever seen one. Tall, lean and quite built for his age. He was a very sturdy and proud man. His dark eyes narrowed as he looked from me to Heather. My breath froze; he was the same man in the picture. Pushing through the screen door, he took another step and I watched as his dark eyes widened. Still holding the picture in his hands, he glanced at it one more time.

“I‟m Willie Redbird. My grandson tells me you‟ve come to ask me about this picture?” He waved it in the air.

I nodded, almost afraid to speak. Heather moved a little closer to me, and we watched as the elder man stepped sideways down the two-step porch. He moved over to stand in front of me and studied me carefully.

“This,” he pointed to the man in the picture, “is me. This,” he pointed to the woman who stood on the right side of my mother, “is my daughter, the one in the middle is my granddaughter.” He studied my response carefully.

I opened my mouth. No words came out. I was in utter shock. The news I wanted to know stared me in the face. This was my great grandfather. There was so much I wanted to know. So many things I wanted to ask. My sudden elation was shot down prematurely. What if she had been thrown out of the tribe? What if she left for some strange reason? I had to hope for the best at this point.

“The woman standing in the middle….” I tried but the words caught in my throat.

“Is your mother? I see the resemblance. Our line has a way of keeping itself, especially the women.” He eyed me over again. “Well, even if your blood did get a little thinned with the white man‟s, you still carry our blood in you. Strong too.” He reared back on his heels. “I guess you could say I‟m your old grandfather. Well, great grandfather that is.” The lines crinkled around his eyes as his face broadened into a smile.

“My …” I was speechless. “My great grandfather?”

He twisted his lips and frowned slightly. Apparently, he realized my shock all too well.

“Maybe we‟d better go inside. You are looking a little flush.” He turned to his grandson. “Boy! Get the girl here a glass of that tea. I think she‟s going to need it.”

Turning back to me, he motioned with his hand for me to follow him.

Heather and I walked up the steps into the home. It was cozy and warm. The feeling of warmth and love hit us as soon as we walked inside the small cabin. It was exactly like I would picture it. The walls were covered with Native American Indian paintings, beautiful pottery was scattered all around, and a colorful throw covered the chair.

Willie motioned for Heather and me to take a seat on the sofa. He sat down in what I figured was his favorite chair, a rather old recliner positioned in front of television. It looked as though it was one he was not willing to part with. John came in with two glasses of tea. He handed one to me, then gave Heather the other glass.

“Well, I‟m guessing by the shocked look on your face you didn‟t know anything about us,” he began.

All I could do was nod. My emotions were having a field day.

He eyed me carefully again. “Uh-huh. I guess I‟m not surprised. I saw very little of my granddaughter after she married. Her mother, your grandmother, married one of them too. Not to my liking at all. Not at all.”

“I never knew my mother.” I began. “She died giving birth to me.”

“Yes. I heard about that. It was…” He stopped short.

“It was the white man‟s poison that killed her.” A rough husky voice announced as a tall towering figure moved into the room.

The rugged hard looking man who stood in the doorway looked very much like a warrior. It was hard to believe how muscular he was. He leaned against the doorframe to what I considered was the entrance to the kitchen. His muscled dark arms flexed as his crossed them over his chest. His coal black hair hung long and loose behind his shoulders. The black eyes peered deep into mine, sending chills down my spine.

“Taylan!” Willie snapped as he turned to him.

“I make no apologies. It is the truth and you know it!” he roared.

“Taylan, Boy!” Willie snapped again.

Taylan remained quiet. The black eyes flamed with anger, offering no apologies or sympathies for his conduct. There was something dark about him, but I couldn‟t put my finger on it.

“Well, now…” Willie began again. “Taylan here is your cousin. He‟s let‟s see, your Aunt Tess‟s younger son.”

I eyed Taylan carefully. There was still something about him that I just couldn‟t figure out. Even his smell was different. It was a stronger scent, mostly woodsy and earthly toned. He smelled like someone who had been hunting in the woods for a very long time.

“Taylan.” I nodded to him. Taylan remained expressionless and motionless, not really acknowledging me as I had hoped.

“I could better explain everything and introduce you to the rest of your family Sunday if you like. Tess would be the one who would want to fill you in on your mother.

She would have me by my neck if I didn‟t bring you. I‟m sure you have a lot of questions.” Willie sat back in his chair ignoring Taylan.

“Yes, I do. I would love to come back Sunday and meet Tess. What time shall we be here?”

“Oh, I‟m thinking around five or so. Meet me here and we‟ll drive out to the reservation. Tess and the other women will probably put together a welcome home for you. It will be their way of welcoming you back into the family. You still have our blood running through your veins.” His eyes twinkled.

I blushed. Smiling politely, I wondered if he knew exactly the kind of blood that ran through my veins. Did he know my father was a Lycan? Was this why he was so upset that my mother married my father? I wanted to ask all these questions here and now, but I realized it was later than I had expected. My questions would have to wait until Sunday. Still again, I wondered if he even knew of the Lycans.

Heather and I rose to our feet. Willie walked with us to the front door. I turned to him as I reached the porch.

“I promise I will come back Sunday. Five it is?” I smiled.

Willie nodded and gave me a wave. His eyes looked sad, but at the same time, I could understand his sadness. I gave him a gentle smile. Turning, Heather and I got in the car and we headed home.

We discussed the adventure and the questions we had found answers to. Heather noticed the same thing about Taylan that I did. She confirmed my thoughts; there was something about him. He smelled different. We just chalked it up to being outside for a while, bringing with him the smell of the woods. However, we didn‟t notice anything in particular different with John or Willie.

Heather and I contemplated on how to tell Daniel. I told her I would manage to tell him tonight before we go to bed. My only hopes are they he really didn‟t know about my mother‟s family. If he did, I was going to have a major confrontation with him. No lies.

No secrets. No deceptions. I was done with my family hiding things from me. Daniel had promised me no secrets, and I was intent on holding him to his promise.

Daniel and Jason arrive home only moments after Heather and me, which gave us just enough time to make it inside the house. Heather went to her room and showered. I did the same. I still needed to discuss Daniel‟s earlier actions with him. Having a different smell on my skin would cause too many distractions and questions on Daniel‟s part. He was sensitive when it came to smells, and I knew he would be asking me questions before I was ready. Tonight, when we were finally alone we would have time to talk openly, and discuss his abrupt behavior this morning. My face was not bruised, but my feelings still carried the sting of his anger.

After Heather and I were dressed and ready, we made the trip for dinner to the Maxwell home. I managed my thoughts nicely. Keeping Daniel preoccupied with other thoughts as Heather had suggested. He of course, ended the evening too soon. I almost wanted to laugh out loud, but contained it to only a chuckle.

After the quick trip back to our home, Jason and Heather, tired and exhausted from a very long day, headed to bed. I guessed they would be asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

Once I changed out of my clothes and returned to the bedroom, it was no surprise to find Daniel waiting in the middle of the bed. I ran my fingers through my hair as I walked toward the bed. Daniel still had some explaining to do.

“Julie, I am sorry about what happened this morning.” His voice was soft.

“Daniel.. ” My voice was firm.

“I know and believe me, I cannot understand what was going through my mind.”

“So you took it out on me?” I winced and then released a huff of air from my mouth.

“NO!” His expression was one of surprise. “It was just an overreaction to you hitting me. Julie, I truly would not do anything to harm you. It was not my intention. I promise I will never do that again. You have to believe me. It is just all this rage I feel inside. ”

“Then why don‟t you talk to me about it.” I moved closer to the bed.

Daniel looked away and then slowly his eyes shifted to me again. “I cannot.”

For whatever reason, Daniel was holding something back. His thoughts were cautiously covering something up. I couldn‟t tell what it was he had planned, but whatever it was he was determined to keep it from me.

I couldn‟t blame him at his point. I had my own secrets. But there was one I was ready to confront him with.

Climbing into the bed, I pulled the covers over me. Daniel moved closer to me and gently pressed his head against the side of my face nudging me to allow him access to my neck.

“You know, I was hoping we could talk.” I began.

“Mm-hum.” He mumbled now nipping at my neck.

“Daniel, “I ignored his advances. “Did you say my mother was human?”

He stopped, pulled back slowly and looked deep into my eyes.

“Yes, why?”

“Do you know anything else about her? I mean where she was from. You know, things like that?”

“No. I only know what I was told by Martin and my father. Martin just told us that she was not like us.” He was now wondering where I was going. “We only guessed that meant she was human. Why?”

“Heather and I found a picture of my mother this evening.” I didn‟t see any reason to tell him Richard was the one who gave me the picture. “She was standing with two people from the Qualla Reservation in North Carolina. Did you know my mother was a Native American Indian?”

He propped himself on his right arm and stared at me in disbelief.

“An Indian? No, Julie. I was totally unaware about your mother. How did you find out?”

“We made a little road trip.” I rambled out.

Daniel‟s expression changed immediately. The shocked look on his face was quickly replaced by a frown. I watched his eyes slowly change from that soft brown to a deeper darker brown. He was upset. His disapproval of my road trip was apparent.

“Julie.” His tone controlled. “I do not want you to go off somewhere like that ever again. You are taking too many risks.”

“Heather was with me.” I announced defensively.

He glared at me. “I do not care who was with you. If it was not me, then you need to stay where you are the safest. Julie, there is a war going on. The clans are in the middle of a war. Werewolves are hunting Lycans. What were you thinking? Do you know what kind of risk you put yourself into? What kind of risk you put our child into?” He snapped out, still controlling his tone although still somewhat harsh.

I studied his face for a moment. Yes, I could see his point of view, but at the same time he wasn‟t seeing mine. I wanted to know about my family.

“Daniel, don‟t you think I have the right to know? I have the right to know about my mother. About who she was. About my family that I never knew existed. Why do you think I took a trip like this?” I argued.

He shook his head. “I understand this. I do. BUT what was the reason you did not tell me first. I would have gone with you.” His voice sounded sad. “Julie, when are you ever going to learn to trust me?”

His words cut deep again. My heart dropped inside of my chest. Staring into his eyes, I saw the hurt and the pain.

“I do trust you.” I spoke softly.

“Then what was the reason? Julie, if this was so important to you, a part of your life, then did you ever consider I would want to share it with you? When are you going to understand what I am to you? You are mine. Everything about you concerns me.”

I waited a moment. No answer or reply was coming to me. I was hurt. I felt Daniel‟s pain. There was no denying that I was having a difficult time allowing him to be that much a part of my life.

“You need to learn to trust me. Please. ” He begged.

“Daniel, I can‟t explain what I was thinking. I just wanted to know about my mother. I met my great grandfather. He was the one in the picture with my mother. He invited me over Sunday, for a family gathering. You will go…right?”

Daniel contemplated his answer for a moment as he hazel eyes stared into my eyes.

He knew how much it meant to me to meet my family.

“Of course, I will. I want to meet this family of yours. Besides, from what I am gathering, you are already fond of this grandfather.” He twitched a grin.

My eyes widened in excitement. “Yes, I am. I can‟t wait for you to meet him. He is so awesome. He is a true Cherokee. Daniel, there is so much to learn.” I rambled on excitedly.

“Yes, I can tell.” He leaned closer and kissed me on the forehead. “We will go together. I want to know everything there is about you. My mystery woman.” He smiled.

My heart was overjoyed. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulling him closer, planted a huge kiss on his lips. He pulled back from me a little shocked. A smile twitched on his lips. Daniel‟s thoughts were pretty encouraging as well.

“Now, let‟s take a look at those thoughts you‟re having. Shall we?” I purred softly.

He reached over and turned the nightlight off. The rest of the night there were no more conversations. Only wonderful moments of love and passion were what we shared. Even in the darkest hours, there always seem to be hope.