The next day, Hunter and Jacota kept their suspicions about Phoenix to themselves, even though Margo knew there was something unusual. Phoenix Flame didn't exist.

"Are you meeting your dad's pack today?" Hunter asked his mate as they sat together on the couch.

Jacota shrugged, hugging a cushion to his chest.

"I don't want to."

"I understand," Hunter smiled, but he didn't. His mate's anxiety and panic is something he has never had to deal with before. Well, not as intensely as Jacota. Though his mind is open in regards to mental health and being with Jacota has made him more aware and able to help. He knows what not to say and what not to do.

Today, Jacota woke up in a dark part of his mind. He felt empty and sad for no reason, but he is used to these days, the days where he feels emotionless, pointless to the universe, and lacks any form of motivation. Even though his mind sank into a black hole, he has Hunter, someone other than his family who cares about his well-being.

"Wanna go for a walk?" Hunter asked.

Jacota shook his head.

"We could crawl into bed and watch a film?"

The God shook his head once more.

"We can make a picnic and have it in the garden, eating until our heart's content?"

Jacota smiled, and Hunter knew he forced himself to show it.

"Or..." he continued, "we could sit right here."

"I get that you're trying to help, but I'm just not in the right frame of mind," Jacota sighed, fidgeting with his sleeve.

"I know," Hunter said and stood up. "Maybe myself and Sam should go and trace Phoenix. Spend time with William, he can keep you company." He leaned down to kiss his mate's lips but Jacota moved his head, and Hunter kissed his cheek instead. "Hey," he cupped his chin. "If you need me at all, just tell me, and I will come straight home, okay?"

Jacota nodded, knowing heat was hurting him, but he was in no mood to cope with the affection.

"I'll see you soon." Hunter then left to fetch William but found Sam when he reached the kitchen. "Oi."

The Beta wolf bounced over with a respectful grin. "Yes, Alpha."

"Where's William?"

"College."

"Oh," Hunter said tapping his chin. "When will he be back?"

"I don't know," Sam shrugged.

"I should talk to Scott about Jay," Hunter said, running a hand down his face as if to clear his thoughts. "We're going to find out where Phoenix is staying, and who he has been staying with."

"Who's we?"

"Me and you, idiot."

"Right," Sam chuckled. "Okay, but Scott already spoke to me about Phoenix. His Beta wolf followed him home last night."

"Really?" Hunter didn't look happy.

"Yeah, he's on the field, discussing it with his pack."

Hunter grabbed Sam's shoulder and shoved him towards the garden.

"Why didn't you come straight to me?"

Sam hurried in front, not wanting to get a slap on the back of his head.

The boys jumped over the garden fence and almost landed in the middle of Scott's pack who sat with Margo and Anthony.

"Before you say anything," Hunter said, sitting in between his parents. "Phoenix is now a member of my pack. You shouldn't do things which involves him behind my back."

Anthony chuckled and ruffled his son's hair, earning a scowl. "You're bossy today."

Margo reached behind Hunter and nipped her husband's elbow as a warning to bite his tongue.

"We didn't want you to have to deal with another betrayal. We know you and Jacota trust him, but we want to know that you'll be safe when with Phoenix," she said, patting Hunter's hand.

"Why did you tell Sam and not me?"

"Jacota needed you," Scott spoke, which brought Hunter's attention to his pack.

Flynn sat next to a short male with long blonde hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and sun-kissed skin. The short man sat next to two women, both with short hair and summer dresses. Hunter was sure they were related. They had the same pixie nose and deeply set eyes. Then, the final person was another female with black hair down to her thighs, dark skin, grey eyes, and a flower sitting neatly behind one ear.

Scott's pack had an aura so wise, Hunter felt like the knowledge of how humanity began could be seen in their eyes, the gateway to the soul, as Flora would say.

"You followed Phoenix last night?" Hunter said, returning his gaze to Flynn.

"I did." Flynn looked at his Alpha, in case he wasn't allowed to say more. Scott linked his fingers and Anthony knew it was time for another story from Scott.

"As soon as we heard that Phoenix was a Gamma wolf, we knew he wasn't just a werewolf." Scott paused, thinking of how to explain. "So, centuries ago, demon's first entered this world, looking for the Vampire world, which is how I found out about the other worlds. Anyway, it was a battle, and we thought we killed them all, but one demon stayed and settled down with a werewolf, who happened to be a Gamma wolf. The werewolf community was disgusted and set out to kill every Gamma wolf they could find, making up that they are bad omens and cause destruction and death in peoples lives, which is why Gamma wolves are so rare."

Sam's mouth hung open.

"What happened to the demon and Gamma wolf couple? Were they killed?" he asked.

"No, they escaped and allegedly gave birth to a hybrid of a demon and a werewolf. We know that the Gamma wolf who was the father of the hybrid was the only Gamma wolf left in Britain. Werewolves have been very careful not to let any Gammas pass the border since, even though it's viewed as a myth to many, just like the Gods were when we all disappeared."

"So, you think Phoenix is a relative of the hybrid?" Margo asked, amazed that she didn't know the tale of the Gammas.

"Yes, and I know Hunter has reason's to believe he isn't just a werewolf either."

All eyes moved to the teen who expressed how shocked he felt with wide eyes and deep frown lines.

"Yeah, uh," Hunter cleared his throat. "Phoenix heard Brad's pack even though they were miles away. Jacota couldn't even hear them."

"That would make sense," a female voice said behind them, making them jump and Veronica smile like a child up to no good. "A demon's hearing is great, but combine it with a werewolf, and that is a combination I would choose any day." She sat down, flashing her black eyes to Scott's pack who didn't bat an eyelid at her demon qualities.

"Just when you think life can't get any weirder," Anthony sighed, rubbing his eyes. "So what now? Shall we go and get Phoenix and tell him that we know he's a hybrid?"

"No." Hunter stood up and stretched. "Let's wait until he tells me; then I'll know that I can trust him."

"But-" Margo hushed Anthony as Sam and Hunter climbed back over the fence.

"He has a point," Margo said, and Scott's pack nodded in agreement. "If Phoenix feels confident enough to show his true self to Hunter, and the rest of the pack, then Hunter has been a successful Alpha in making his pack feel like a family. We can't intervene with everything he does."

"I know, I know." Anthony looked up to the sky, hoping for some sunshine. "It's just hard after what he has been through."

* * * * *

William wasn't sure why he decided that today was the day he would go back to college. Maybe he was looking for some normality in his life after weeks of madness. His brother is a God; his dad was a previous God. He is living in a house full of werewolves, angels, and demons. His life will never be the same, yet he sat in his sociology class like nothing had changed.

His friends sat around him, laughing and joking about parties, what they were doing at the weekend, and what their plans for the next weekend will be.

"Are you coming, Will?" a guy said, waving a hand in front of his face.

"What? Sorry I wasn't listening."

"Are you coming to the beach with us on Saturday?" he asked, and everyone stopped to look at him, noticing how distracted William had been today.

"Maybe," he said and pretended to write down notes from the teacher.

"You should come," a girl said who has always fancied him and always failed to hide her flirting. "You never hang out with us anymore."

"I've been busy," Will shrugged.

"With what? And why doesn't Jacob come to college anymore?"

"It's Jacota, and he's just not-"

"Jacota?" A few of his friends started laughing. "Why are you calling him that?"

"Because that's his name. Anyway-"

"Why doesn't Hunter come anymore? I know that they're a thing or whatever, but why did they dump their education?"

The teacher started talking again, and some of William's friends turned to pay attention, but the guy who sat next to him didn't move an inch.

"Well?" he said, expecting William to talk.

"Whatever Jay does is up to him. Their relationship is none of my business, and it's none of yours either."

"Alright man, I was just asking," he chuckled and picked up his pen. "You haven't been yourself, you know. We're worried, that's all."

William then realised that maybe he would never be himself again. His entire life has turned upside down. Being friends with other humans is far too risky when he holds secrets that are too dangerous for them to know.

"I shouldn't be here," he muttered, loud enough for his friends to hear, but before they could respond, William packed his things and left, ignoring the teacher who asked if he was okay, ignoring his friends who shouted after him, and ignored the other humans who walked through the corridors, oblivious to the real world and what goes on outside of their blinding societies.

Nothing in William's life is normal, so why should he pretend that he is just an average human? He doesn't fit in with the wolves, and he doesn't fit in with his own kind. Will sits in the middle, alone and overwhelmed.

He pushed his way through the students and out of the glass doors, ready to run into the woods and scream like nobody could hear him, but he bumped into someone and almost tripped on the steps.

"Steady," Sam said and grabbed his arm. "I asked your dad, and he said you finish in half an hour. Did you finish early? And I thought I would meet you because it's a long walk back to the house and nobody is free to pick you up, apart from my wolf taxi. How was your first day back? Boring I bet. Maybe I could come back to college too, so you're not feeling isolated-" Sam stopped when he became aware of his rambling, and aware that William was staring at him. "You okay?"

William looked down at Sam's hand as it stayed firmly locked around his elbow.

"Thank you for meeting me."

"You're welcome."

William moved out of the way of other students who passed in and out of the door, still feeling a little stressed, but it mellowed when he saw Sam.

"Would you like help with keeping everything a secret?" Sam asked, somehow understanding why William was worrying. "I've had to pretend I'm human all my life. It's weird going through education when life means something completely different to you than the rest of your classmates, and you can't even talk about it."

"I don't think college is for me." William looked up in time to see Sam nod. No judgement ever passed through his eyes.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked and guided him down the steps and through the car park. "Can we go to the shop first? I'm so hungry. Want anything? We can walk home too, so you have time to tell me about your day. I think-"

While Sam continued his high-speed conversation, William didn't feel so alienated. Yes, he is the only human struggling in a family full of the supernatural, but he has people who are willing to be there for him and help him, even when he doesn't ask for it.

William thought, before crossing the road, that he should be a little more like Sam. Happy and carefree, no matter what.