**Unknown**

🐝Branwen POV🐝

 Watching the way that Annabelle's face lit up as she looked into her new bedroom was a gift within itself. I could see the her amazement and innocent wonder. I could feel the happiness radiating from her like a perfect summer day. Oddly, her scent was changing as well. Rather than the scent of earth after a fresh rain and cedar, it was now like apples with a hint of cloves and ginger. 

 I look over at Jasper and see his eyes widen as he sniffs the air. He looks at me as though to ask why, and all I can do is shrug. I don't know why her scent changed, nor why it seemed to change with her mood. I will look into it later. For now, I was going to watch Annabelle continue lighting up with joy. As well as watch my son fall completely head over heels with his young mate. The mate he had so patiently been waiting for.

 Who would have thought the innocent girl I found tidying Theo's grave would be Jasper's mate? And who would have thought that his mate would be a supernatural who had no idea that they were supernatural, nor one who did not know of their world. But, something tells me that our Annabelle isn't just any supernatural. She is something very special. And as we learn about her, she will learn about us.

 She was so sweet and innocent in her reaction to everything. The way her face lit up I've the full moon lamps was radiant. And the innocence in eyes when she asked Jasper to help her learn to set the timer was so adorable. But, none of us missed the acidic scent of fear that immediately followed as she apologized. 

 I had noticed in how jumpy and timid she was when I saw her this morning, but this..... This was different. The scent was intense, but mixed with it was the slight scent of hope. Jasper was too wrapped up in trying to make her feel calm while keeping his wolf under control.

 "You are perfectly safe here, Anna, I promise." he said to her before giving her a kiss on her forehead and walking out. I could tell that he had wanted to just wrap her up in his arms and never let her go. I was proud of his restraint, and told him so through our link. 

**I know it's so hard to do what you just did, but I am so proud of you. I'm going to get her settled and find out about dinner. I'll come find you in a bit**

** Thank you, mom. I will talk to you after. I'm going to take a quick shower.**

**Okay, darling.**

 I took Annabelle in to show her the bathroom. She was awestruck again. Jasper really had chosen the perfect room for Annabelle. Another sign that she was meant to be here.

  I can tell she is getting completely exhausted by everything and I didn't wamt to overwhelm her too much. 

 "Well, Annabelle," I say, getting her attention, " I am going to let you settle in and go down to the kitchen. Would you like to eat in your room or with everyone else?" When she doesn't say anything, I continue. "I know that you have been through a lot, so I understand if you don't want to eat with everyone right now. I can have your food brought up for you."

 She turned and hugged me. "That would be amazing Branwen! Thank you so much. For everything." She says. 

  I lead her to the bed and grab some pajamas for her. She immediately changed, seeming to forget that I was in the room. As she was taking off her top, I couldnt help but take a deep breath. Her body was covered in scars, fresh bruises and wounds in various stages of healing. Who could do this to her? Why did no one do anything about it? 

  It took everything that I had to keep my wolf under control. We wanted to rip apart the person that had done this to her. No one deserves to be abbused, especially a child. Sensing Annabelle's fear, I quickly pulled myself together.

 "Don't worry, you're safe here. If you want to talk about it, know that you can always come to me," I said before quickly hugging her and leaving the bedroom.

 We have to find who is responsible for this, my wolf, Wren said

We will. And once jasper is done there will be nothing left of them. I said.

 When I get to the kitchen I inform the staff that Annabelle will be eating in her room. I remind them that she does not know that we are werewolves either. They all respond with "Yes, Alpha." and continue to work. 

 Leaving the kitchen I mindlink Jasper to meet me in my office as soon as he gets a moment. While I wait for him to get here, I get online and start looking to see if anyone is looking for Annabelle. I have a strange feeling that the human authorities aren't, and from my search, I confirm it. So I decide to contact a couple of my fellow supernatural friends to see what I may be able to learn. As I finish sending the last email Jasper knocks on my door, and enters.

 "Hey, mom. How is she doing?" He asks.

  "She is doing okay, but I believe that we may have an issue. Sit down for a minute. And I need you to sit down and listen to what I have to say without losing it." I said. I need to know that he is not going to do something stupid before I tell him what I saw. And I want him to be calm so that we can figure out what to do in case none of my contacts come up with anything.

 "Okay" is all that he says as he takes a chair in front of me.

 "Before I left Annabelle's room I gave her a pair of pajamas to change into. Apparently she forgot that I was there, and started changing." I start.

 "Okay, and how is that an issue?" he asks.

 "I am getting there." I sigh and glare at him. "She is covered in scars, bruises, and other various wounds in different stages of healing. I did not ask her to tell me anything about them, or who did it to her. I have let her know that when, and if, she wants to talk about everything that I will listen."

 "SOMEONE WAS ABUSING MY MATE?" he screamed, jumping from his chair to go to the door. Thank the Goddess all the rooms are soundproof. I didn't Want Annabelle knowing that I was discussing this with him yet. And, I know that his reaction would terrify her if she had been able to hear.

  "You need to sit and calm down Jasper, and allow me to finish." I say.

  "What are we going to do? How can we find those responsible?" He says sadly.

  "I have reached out to the Luna's of the other two packs bordering us as well as Verian and Nova. I am waiting for them to get back to me. Once I hear from them, I will let you know. Until then, you are going to act normal and watch yourself. Maybe she will tell us everything herself. Well, at least the abuse part. I am still curious as to what exactly she is, and I know that she doesn't know. Another reason I reached out to everyone. It would be best to know what we are dealing with." I finish.

 "Fine, mother. I will wait. But, I want her to go to the doctor tomorrow."

  "She also decided to eat in her room tonight. Why don't you take the food to her and see if she would like company." I said. I'm hoping that Annabelle will be okay with that. Besides, it gives them time to get to know each other.

  Jasper's eyes light up. "You're brilliant mother."

 I chuckle to myself before telling him to go check on her. She's most likely asleep, but I know checking on her will help to calm him and his wolf. He practically skips out of my office. I shake my head and continue looking for more information on Annabelle. I also call Lisa, our main pack doctor, to get Annabelle in for a check-up tomorrow. 

 There was just so much that we didn't know. I need to find out when her birthday as well. I know that she is at least part wolf, I can smell it. Once a were-child turns 17 they recieve their were-animal. Not knowing what else she had within her could change not only when she will get her animal, but also her shift as well as any other abilities. With so many supernatural species, there are multiple options. Although it is very rare for a were to have a mate outside of their species, it is possible, and one night stands do happen.  But, I am 100% certain that Annabelle was not raised around supernaturals, especially were's. There is a chance she was raised by witches, but I think that that is unlikely as well. No, there was something odd about her and her upbringing.