The Unknown Lycan Princess - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Beth’s POV
This is a small world indeed. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact my mom knew Ethan’s mom when they were younger. No wonder Jess and I got along so well. I am really starting to think that everything does happen for a reason. I was a little engrossed in my peanut butter and pineapple snack when I heard Arthur ask a man on the other side of the table from him what he had found out about my father.
“Well Alpha It is a little odd to be honest. He was born and raised by an ex army captain in a small town in Kansas. He and his wife, Sarah Bradford, met in high school and were high school sweethearts. Got married right after high school and soon she fell pregnant with their son, Nathan. It was around the time that she was about halfway through her pregnancy with their son and he just up and disappeared. It was strange because all the people that we could talk to said that they were the happiest couple they had ever seen and he was so excited to have a son. The next thing we know he pops up in a town in Ohio and that is where he met Erica and she got pregnant with Beth. Their relationship was a whirlwind to be honest. One second they don’t know each other the next they are expecting Beth. Quite fast for a human courtship if you ask me. Then not even when Erica was pregnant with Beth 2 months he is also with his current “wife” and her children. The youngest being his daughter who is 2 months younger than Beth. Technically he isn’t even married to this current woman. He never divorced his first wife. Technically he is a missing person. I don’t understand how he has not been discovered yet.” The man said.
“Thank you Duncan. Erica, do you have any insight about this information on Beth’s father?” Arthur asked. I know now that the man’s name is Duncan. My mother looked at Arthur with tears in her eyes.
“When I met Dustin Carter he was an odd one. I met him at my job at the time as a waitress at a diner while I was going to school. It was like my body wasn’t my own and I slept with him within the first week of meeting him. It was strange for me because I had saved myself for when I found that special someone. For some reason though as soon as I saw Dustin it was like my body and mind couldn’t connect with each other. My mind was telling me no something isn’t right, but my body didn’t get that memo. I felt like I was trapped in my mind while my body did the deed. I had only ever been with him that one time. It was like after that one time he didn’t have any s****I interest in me. He still acted as if we were a couple even though we never really talked about it.
I was starting to warm up to him when I found out I was expecting Beth. When I found out I was pregnant I had gone to his apartment to let him know. I wanted to surprise him because he didn’t know I had the day off. I got to his apartment and the door was still slightly open. I walked in and noticed a trail of clothes that led to the bedroom and that is when I saw him with his current woman. They were apparently celebrating because she just found out she was pregnant. My heart had dropped to the pit of my stomach when I heard him say at least one of us was able to do something right. I must have gasped or something because they were both startled, and the smirk on his face was so horrid. It was like he knew I was there or something.
I ended up throwing my pregnancy test in his face and walked out. We really have never been civil to each other. It was a miracle he even was a part of Beth’s life. He wasn’t going to at the beginning and then one day he walked into my place of work after Beth was about a year old. He was bruised and bloody and said that he needed to be a part of Beth’s life. I have seen him talking to a man before several times. I mean it was odd because every time he talked to this man his attitude towards Beth and I was better, but not for long. It wasn’t until what happened to Beth a few months ago that he finally showed his true colors to us and Beth decided that she didn’t want to see him again.” Mom said. I was in tears hearing about everything she went through because of me and my father.
I got up and ran around the table, well as best as my pregnant belly would allow, and threw myself at my mom. “It’s ok sweet girl. It wasn’t your fault. I wouldn’t change anything that happened in the past because if I did I wouldn’t have you,” mom said. My mom was the best and she deserves so much more than what happened to her. I sent out a little prayer to the powers that be that my mom had a special someone out there waiting for her to make her their world.
“When you say your body didn’t feel like your own can you explain that a little more?” A beautiful red haired woman that was beside Duncan had asked my mom. “Sorry my name is Patricia but you can call me Pat. I am Duncan’s mate. I have an idea about what may have happened, but I need to hear a little bit more description. Like did you have a bad taste in your mouth or was it a sweet taste or none at all. Also did you have anything to eat or drink prior to this meeting.”
“Oh. Hi I’m Erica. Nice to meet you Pat. Umm let me think. It has been nearly 20 years. I remember I had stopped on my way to work to get a coffee. I remember it had an off taste but not really too off. More like it was bitter or it was a stronger brew than I had ordered. When I felt like my body wasn’t my own I had that bitter taste back in my mouth. When I saw Dustin it was like my body was on fire or something and only his touch could take the burn away. As soon as we were done the feeling went away and then his touch almost burned me and I didn’t want him to touch me anymore after that.” Mom said.
A few looks were made between everyone and I couldn’t stand the silent conversation that we apparently weren’t a part of and said, “Ok. I know you guys are enjoying leaving the ‘humans’ out of the conversation, but we insist on knowing what you are mind linking about.” My face was stern and I even crossed my arms across my chest to show my displeasure at their silence. I turned to look at Ethan and he was at least smart enough to look repentant.
“Sorry your majesty. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I wasn’t sure how to bring up my theory without it leading to more questions than answers.” Pat had said. I was a little confused at her calling me your majesty.
“It’s just Beth. I am not royalty.” I stated in a duh tone. Damn these pregnancy hormones are making me cranky. “I’m sorry that wasn’t a very nice tone to use with you, but I am not royalty so please call me Beth.” I corrected myself. “Actually you are but nevermind. We will get to that in a minute. Erica, what you described to me sounds like you were under a spell. More specifically a love/fertility potion. They used to be widely popular with royals or alphas who were in arranged marriages. It allowed for the continuation of the royal or alpha line. Especially with witches and vampires. King Roman’s father banned them a couple centuries ago. Apparently the elders had been tired of waiting for him to find his beloved and tried to force his hand. Thankfully he was strong enough to fight through the effects or our world would be very different than it is now indeed. My question is who was brave enough to go against the orders of their king. Especially ever since the Queen’s disappearance. It is practically suicide.” Pat said the last more to herself.
“You know. Deep down I always did wonder if it was something unnatural that happened. It makes sense now. I feel a sense of validation now knowing that it wasn’t my choice to fall for a man that despicable.” Mom said.