Chapter 137: Chapter 31

LEXI

I brush my mom’s short silver and black hair. I remember her always doing this for me.

She begins to stir then slowly opens her eyes. I look over her wrinkled face.

“Alexis?” she whispers.

“Hi, Mom. I heard you were sick, so I came to see you. Can you sit up?”

She nods, so I help move the back of the bed up.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m tired, baby.”

“You wouldn’t be if you faced the truth.”

“Alexis,” my dad says from the opposite corner of the room.

I look to him.

“That’s not what she needs right now.”

“You’re right.” I look back to my mom. “She needs her wolf, just like I do.”

My mom’s eyes go wide.

“I don’t blame you, Mom. I understand your fear, but you took something away from me without giving me a choice. Now you’re taking yourself away from all of us without giving us a choice. Did you even consider what would happen to us? Did you ever think about Dad and his feelings? He watched us grow up from a distance because you never thought of our feelings. Ethan and I grew up thinking our dad didn’t care about us. You never once told us the truth.”

“Alexis, enough. Your mom is weak and tired.”

“And you’re cowering in a corner instead of touching her and trying to bring her wolf back.” I look back to my mom. “That’s your mate. Do you even care that you’re killing yourself and he will likely die because of you?”

My mom has tears rolling down her face with her eyes tightly shut.

“Monsters. All of them are monsters. My daughter is corrupted. Earth Goddess help me.” She rambles and shakes her head.

“Like she helped me, Mom? Like she put my wolf to sleep? How do I fix what you’ve done to me?”

She continues to shake her head and cry, and it pisses me off more and more. I wouldn’t be in the situation I’m in if not for her. I would’ve been a wolf this whole time. I would know that I belong to this world instead of just now learning of it. I would probably have a mate that loves me, not Cole, but still a mate…

“How do I get my wolf back?”

I grip her tiny shoulder, and Dad takes mine to pull me from her. He spins me around, and I sob into his chest. I feel his silent tears hit my face.

“Hush, hush, princess. Your mate will have to wake your wolf. Your mom can’t.”

He makes a grumbling sound like Cole does, and it calms me down. He kisses my hair, and I look up at him. He looks so much like Ethan. He wipes my face and half smiles at me.

“I’m sorry. You’re going to have to trust your mate. Danielle doesn’t know. I’ve asked her.”

I turn back to my mom. She’s facing the other direction, still whispering to the Earth Goddess.

“This was a waste of time. I get she was hurt, but it’s been like thirty years.”

“She’s traumatized. Time doesn’t heal all wounds. Some scars never go away.”

“You’ve never hurt her.”

“No. I could never. Not even when she took your wolf.”

Dad looks to my mom. “Danielle. It’s okay. The monsters are gone. I’m here, love.” He whispers, then releases me and steps toward her slowly with his hands up in surrender. “I’m here. The monsters are gone. It’s just me, Wyatt. I’m here, love. You’re safe. The monsters are gone.”

Mom slowly turns over. “Wyatt?” she breathes.

I tear up, knowing I probably just traumatized her even more. Damn, I’m a shitty daughter.

“I’m here, love. Rest, darling. Just rest. I’m going to take Alexis home. You rest. I’ll be back.”

He continues lulling her until she calms down and closes her eyes.

“Home?” I ask after Dad tucks Mom in, careful not to touch her except for a soft kiss to her forehead.

He guides me out of the room. “Yeah. I have a room set up for you at my place. Your Uncle Cooper is happy to have you in the territory. You can also meet the rest of our family, if you would like that.”

“I have more family?”

My dad nods. “Of course. We’ve all watched over you your whole life, not just me.”

This is incredible. I had no idea that I have grandparents and an uncle. Haley was right about everything she told me. I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised, but everything is moving so fast.

I thought a lot about Cole on the way up here. Mostly I thought about how much my life has changed since he walked into it. I miss him. Oh Goddess, he’s probably with Dara now. I wonder if he thinks of me? Maybe Dara keeps him too busy to think of me. I don’t want him to get to know her more, I want all of his attention on me. He’s had plenty of time to get acquainted with her, yet he spent days at a time with me. It felt right. I belong with him, not her. She’s not even a wolf and may not even want to become one. I do. I want my wolf, it’s mine, it’s part of me, of who I am.. or at least who I’m supposed to be. One person has already taken her from me, I can’t let someone else take her. I wonder if Dara would walk away, bow out gracefully. Is that just wishful thinking?

“Princess, is everything all right?” my dad gets my attention just outside of town.

“Yeah. I’m just thinking about my wolf. I really want her. I want to be what I was born to be.”

“I know the feeling. I wanted my mate, then I found her broken. I wanted to be the alpha of our pack, but I had to let that go. I wanted to be a father. Even that was taken from me. Just once I would like to have what I was supposed to have.”

“You do understand. Dad, whatever happens, I want you in my life moving forward. I hope you can make it when Mom passes. Goddess, my mom is dying and all I care about is my wolf. I’m so sorry about upsetting her earlier. I guess I was holding more resentment than I thought. I can’t blame her, but I can still dislike what she’s done to our family.”

“I like to put the blame on the monsters of her pack. Her alpha was an evil asshole. I met him once when I was younger. If I would’ve known, I like to think I would’ve ripped his heart out and used it as a soccer ball. That’s after castrating him, the sick bastard. Alpha James, that’s the alpha king, he broke his neck after making him submit in a challenge. That’s how he became the alpha king.”

“By winning a challenge? Was Mom’s alpha the king before that?” I’m so confused.

“No, no, no. There was no king for hundreds of years. The previous one was betrayed by his own beta. The heir was lost because the alpha king was forced to become a rogue.

“When Alpha James became an alpha by winning the challenge, his power was bestowed upon him, but he is more powerful than any other wolf there is. He was the alpha heir and destined to mate the Oracle.”

“So Alpha James is a descendant of the original king?”

“That’s correct. And your mate is his son, the Alpha prince. Though I don’t think he’s the next king.”

I remember Cole telling me his job. “No, you’re right. Cole is the destroyer.”

Dad nearly swerves off the road. “There hasn’t been a destroyer in centuries. Only the Goddess herself chooses the destroyer. Cole has met the Goddess.” He mumbles the last part as if he’s impressed.

The pack house creeps into view through the trees and I relax knowing it’s not as grand as the mansion at the James Pack. But I’m nervous as hell to meet people that are supposed to be family.

A group of people begin to gather outside and Dad stops the car. “Looks like everyone wants to meet you. Don’t be scared, they all know what our lives have been like. They understand and they know about your wolf. They even tried to help me fix it, but obviously we never could. I’m sorry princess, we tried.”

I swallow then look out the window. “Thank you, Dad. I guess I’m ready when you are.”

Dad introduces me to his whole family. Riley and Savannah are my grandparents. Cooper and Rebecca are my uncle and his mate.

Then I have three cousins; Tanner is seventeen and the next alpha, Melissa is fifteen, and Jane is twelve and just recently had her first shift. Jane tells me all about it and, not gonna lie, I’m pretty nervous to go through a transformation. The family is incredibly nice and welcoming.

Alpha Uncle Cooper has a barbecue in my honor and I have never felt so welcome in my life. I’m saddened that I missed out on all of these incredible people. I wish Ethan were here to meet everyone.

“Dad. How long does a heat last?” I ask, hoping I can convince Ethan to come meet everyone.

Dad gives me a puzzled look. “Anywhere from three to six days. It depends on the she-wolf. Why do you ask?”

“I was thinking about having Ethan come up here to meet everyone, but his mate is in heat.”

“Ethan already has met everyone. He stayed here for a few days after he left home. They all got along, but he got overwhelmed by people telling him that I’m a good guy. He was still mad that I wasn’t there for you two, probably still is I reckon.”

“Oh.” I hang my head. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sure Haley and I can help him change his mind. She is pretty amazing. Hard to wrap my head around, but still amazing.”

The crowd suddenly gets quiet as a new figure joins the festivities. I get to my feet when I see the flowing flaming hair.

“Dara. What brings you here, my lady?” I ask. Everyone looks upon her in awe and respect. I think they realize who she is.

She gives me a half smile. “Alexis. Everyone. Please pardon my intrusion.” She looks around the room until her eyes land on Jane. “You already have your wolf, little one?”

Jane looks to her parents then nods. “Yes ma’am. I shifted two days ago.”

Dara smiles at her. “I have a gift for you.” Her palm glows orange and she swipes it across my cousin’s forehead. She turns to the crowd. “This little one’s parents please?”

Uncle Cooper steps forward with Rebecca.

“She will need to learn to control her gift as quickly as possible. I am sorry for arriving late. Her gift should have been before her first shift. The Ramirez pack, the Weston Pack, the Abbott Pack or the James Pack all have blessed that can teach her. She will require their assistance. They will know her gift.”

“My lady. What gift did you give her?” Grandpa Riley asks.

“Hers is the gift of fire. I would ask that no one fear her. No one treat her differently. She is special to our Goddess which is why she was chosen. There is one other fire blessed, however, he sees his gift as a curse. I implore you to watch over her that she may never feel that her gift is a curse.”

Dara squats in front of Jane and holds both of her hands. “I promise you that your gift is a blessing and can be used for good. If you ever feel otherwise, seek out the packs that I mentioned.” Dara kisses Jane’s forehead. “Congratulations on your first shift, little one.” She stands then begins moving toward the door.

“Dara.” I call out.

She gives me a slight nod. “Alexis. I will see you when you return.”

My dad places his hand on my shoulder. Dara looks to him. “Your mate will join our Goddess. Do not fear. Our Goddess understands her struggle and is most gracious and forgiving. When you join her, your souls will continue to be united, however, you will be united in peace and in love in the realm of our Goddess.”

My dad’s lip quivers and his eyes fill with water. “Thank you, my lady.”

Dara nods then leaves the party without another word.

DARA

I am glad I took a moment to watch Alexis tonight or I would not have found the fire blessed. I am happy for Alexis to have found her family.

I have had few conversations with her brother Ethan. He is not pleased with their father. I do not wish to interfere.

I feel conflicted for blessing the girl. Gifts are supposed to be given before they get their wolf because the gift is not active until that time. However, that is not what conflicts me. I believe she will be able to learn to control her gift as long as her family seeks out the other blessed.

I am conflicted because I do not want her to feel as Ian does. I hesitated when I felt her presence.

Fire is generally thought of as dangerous. The other gifts are thought of as harmless by others. No one really thinks about vines wrapping around someone’s throat and strangling them while thorns pierce the neck. Or that air can be pulled from someone’s lungs, preventing them from taking a breath until they suffocate.

A well-placed ball of water could easily drown someone. No one thinks of it, except for the blessed. We understand that our gifts are sacred. Except for Ian, the cursed.

I blink to the beach and search for Ian’s fire. I fear telling him about the girl might cause him to be displeased with me. I would understand. However, I do not wish to give him a cause to detest me.

“Are you looking for someone?” Ian asks from behind me. Startled, I turn around.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I’m not scared, just surprised,” I reply.

He offers his hand and leads me to his bonfire. The warmth from both his touch and the fire seeps deep inside me.

“So, what did you do today?” Ian asks, making room for me between his legs.

I sit down and he begins running his fingers through my hair.

Closing my eyes, I revel in the sensation. “Not much. I’ve been searching for the blessed. Otherwise, my days are pretty boring. What about you? What did you do today?”

“I went to the Redd pack to see my dad. He’s designing a house for me. I got permission to build. Can I show you?”

“Yes, I would like that.”

Ian takes my hand and leads me further down the beach.

We reach a pile of boulders and then turn into the woods. After a five-minute walk, he stops at a clearing.

He wraps an arm around my shoulders as we look at the space. My arm naturally goes to his waist and I lean close as he describes his plan.

“Do you like the spot? It’s out of the way enough that there aren’t too many visitors. I plan on keeping it small and simple, but lavish enough to feel like home. I want a wraparound porch and balconies, and I want to top it with a widow’s watch.”

“It sounds lovely. How many rooms are you planning on having since you require a balcony?”

“I think at least two, maybe three. That way, I can invite guests to stay.”

His hand moves up and down my arm, causing me to shudder.

“I think the widow’s watch would be my favorite spot.”

“I hoped you would like that.”

I look up to see him smiling.

“You value my opinion?”

His smile drops and he turns to look into my eyes.

“Of course I do. I value you.”