Chapter 72: Chapter 10

HALEY

Uncle Ryan treats us to a fancy dinner at a high-end restaurant for our birthday. The celebration includes cake, ice cream, and beautiful gifts.

A month passes. Uncle Ryan still rushes into my room when I have a nightmare, or rather, a vision. However, he no longer presses the issue.

He’s also stopped watching me so closely.

On Saturdays, I stay to train longer than my group is required. I’ve started taking on the more advanced guards. I’m not the greatest fighter, but no one can keep me pinned.

Kenneth thought he would give me a go and he couldn’t pin me either. He did land a pretty hard blow, but I got right up.

“You’re one tough nut. I want you to start focusing on attacking. We all know you can defend yourself.”

I’m so excited about my training that I tell Virgil all about it. He has started calling me pretty much every night. We talk about random things, but mostly about what he’s learning from Alpha Redd.

We visit the Blackburn territory at the beginning of February to celebrate the alpha’s birthday. It’s a boring sit-down dinner, except listening to some of the linked conversations is quite interesting.

I look at Alpha Ramirez. He gives me a soft smile then turns his attention back to the party. I see him fighting over and over again, winning every time.

I see Owen being doused in freezing cold water then scalding hot as he’s tied to a table. What’s that about?

Uncle Ryan grabs my hand.

~Try not to do that in front of other alphas. I’m not sure if they would figure it out, but the Oracle told me to keep you a secret.~

~Is that why you decided to stop watching me so closely? Because of the Oracle?~

Uncle Ryan looks at me with a smirk.

~You know I’m here for you, Tough nut.~

I give my uncle a subtle nod. The dinner ends and we return home.

I notice Natalie has been hanging out with the girl that almost wore the pudding. I should really start learning people’s names. I hear Virgil linking Alpha Redd, informing him how the strays are doing and it makes me smile how much he cares.

I’m seriously crushing on him. Was it a mistake to turn him down?

Bianca waves at me in the cafeteria. I look at her and decide to take my tray to sit beside her. She’s always been nice to us and waves in the halls in passing.

There’s something off about her, though.

I sit down and an extra person tickles my senses.

“Congratulations,” I tell her as Glory sits beside me.

“Thank you.” Her hand goes to her still flat tummy. I stare at her hand for just a moment and see her giving birth to a little girl at the Redd Pack hospital surrounded by Natalie, Luna Kya, Dr. Mason, and the Starlight Sister. Weird.

“So how are you two doing?”

“We’re fine.” Glory is confused by the interaction and gives me a pointed look. Normally we sit alone in a corner somewhere.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Bianca tells us. Her pretty black curls are pulled back into a braid and she’s practically glowing.

“Bianca, has Damon found his mate yet?” I ask, curious if he knows or not. Natalie is only sixteen, so I seriously doubt it.

“No, not yet, but he’s still young, there’s time.”

“So are you, but you’re already expecting.” Damn, was that rude to say?

Bianca laughs.

“Finn, my mate, is twenty-two and we have a pretty stable life. He’s the pack beta.”

“But Damon keeps getting challenged…?” I bite my lip to stop speaking. I’m not supposed to know that. At least I can put a name to Damon’s beta now, I do see him in a lot of my visions.

Bianca gives me a curious look, but shrugs it off.

“Damon seems to be handling everything just fine.”

“Damon has always been nice to us. I bet he’s a good alpha,” Glory comments and Bianca smiles.

Natalie sits at the table and makes the introductions.

“Haley and Glory. This is Kenna from the Ramirez pack.”

We say hello, but Kenna only nods. Ah, that’s her name, better than pudding girl.

Pretty soon we’re joined by Virgil, Jason, and Able. Virgil is across from us and doesn’t hesitate to include us in the conversation. His legs are also long and they keep touching mine, which I really don’t mind.

“Virgil. Have you seen Martha at all? I really miss her,” Glory asks and the table gets silent. Only Bianca and Kenna are clueless to who we’re speaking of.

“Yeah. She’s still keeping the camp under control. There were a few problems with rogue males, but nothing she couldn’t handle.”

I already know what he’s referring to. I wonder if she’s aware of the guards or not. I really should get over there to see her.

The bell rings and everyone scatters to get to their classes. Virgil catches up to me.

“Haley.” He looks to Glory.

“Do you mind if I steal her for a minute?”

Glory looks to me and I nod. She leaves then Virgil turns to face me.

“You know, don’t you?”

“Know what?” I answer not quite sure what he’s referring to.

“You know what’s going on at the camp. Alphas Redd and Weston send patrols, but since the new year, things have been worse. Especially at night.”

I remember the vision of the camp being ransacked, then shake my head.

“You do know.”

Virgil looks into my eyes and steps forward holding on to my forearms. He’s watching for any reaction, but I’m not thinking straight. All I can think of are his firm hands on my skin.

His face softens and his fingers subtly move upward.

“Haley. I never did thank you.”

I have to clear my throat before I can speak.

“For what?”

“For convincing me to go. If not for you, I would probably still be at the camp, along with my family and the rest of the strays. Who knows how many of them would’ve been killed.”

“I…” Crap, what do I say to that?

His thumbs start to slowly caress my shoulders.

“There’s something about you. I can’t put my finger on it, but…”

“I’m just a troublemaker that’s going to be late for class.” I force myself to step out of his grip.

“I’ll see you around, Virgil.” My shoulders still buzz from his warm touch.

“I’ll call you later, troublemaker.” I slightly chuckle then give him a nod before heading to class.

My thoughts are scattered, and I don’t think I can handle my math class today. Overwhelmed with worry for Martha, I find an empty bathroom stall to sit in.

I see her handing out food and giving orders like always. She’s making out with one of the guards from the Ramirez pack. ~Ooh, go Martha.~

I see her raise her shotgun at a rogue male. He puts his hands up and backs away.

Virgil is running guard with Jason. That’s new. It feels like it’s further in the future.

I focus in on Jason just a touch more. ~Yep, future. He has a mate mark.~ Things must not be that bad.

Weeks turn into months, and before I know it, it’s summer. Over time, my visions have become clearer and easier to work through. I see Natalie get attacked by Owen, and no matter what I do, the outcome is the same.

That’s one future I can’t change. Even warning her makes no difference, and it still happens, so I let fate take its course.

I watch the camp get ransacked, but different decisions produce different outcomes. It’s times like these that I wonder if I can change the future, or even if I should. Fate may not be so forgiving of interference.

It’s the end of May, and time to celebrate Uncle Ryan’s birthday. Glory and I help Louisa set up for his party that will include three other alphas and their families. However, Alpha Ramirez shows up alone, as does Alpha Redd, excusing Luna Kya as she’s away at school.

Alpha Blackburn and his mate Nora show up with their son Thomas. The party isn’t a sit-down situation, like at the Blackburn Pack. We wanted to do something fun, so we’re barbecuing with Kenneth and his family and a few of the guards including Xavier, Link, Hank, and Logan.

They’re Ryan’s group of friends. Cambry is also here serving drinks.

Thomas is actually really funny and has us cracking up. He’s in the eighth grade, and I can’t wait for him to be at the high school with us when school starts back up again. I don’t know where he gets his humor from—his dad is so serious, and his mom is a ditz.

Another party pops into my vision, and I see Natalie with Alpha Redd’s beta by her side. Her mother is there, and I focus more on her. I don’t even know her name, but I watch as she runs her hand across the foreheads of two pups, her palm glowing different colors with each one.

The oldest is a boy. I hone in on him and watch Natalie train him to control his fire. She calls him her cousin, but that can’t be right?

I dig deeper to see Natalie join a new family, the Masons. I guess that makes sense—the doctor and Kya did teach her how to heal, they must’ve gotten close.

My shoulder gets bumped, and I slam into the wall. “Ouch. Damn it, that hurt!” I rub my shoulder where it hit the wall.

Glory cocks her brow. “Sorry, but you were doing that staring off to space thing again.”

“Shit, my bad.” Uncle Ryan clears his throat behind me. I turn around. “Sorry, Uncle Ryan. It slipped out. Am I bruised?”

He looks over my arm. “You’ll be fine, but you’ll be tired after you clean up all the dishes from the party. That mouth.” He grumbles as he walks away.

“Thanks a lot, Glory.”

“It’s not my fault you cursed in front of him. Look, everyone already left, and you were too rude to say goodbye.”

“It’s your fault for shoving me into a wall.” I continue to rub my arm. Glory rolls her eyes. I start grabbing the dishes to take to the kitchen. Glory helps make a pile, but leaves me to load the dishwasher, which I have to do twice.

After everything is put away, I crawl up to the bedroom and hear Glory linking Uncle Ryan. ~I think they’re getting worse. I had to shove her pretty hard that time.~

~Did anyone see her?~ Oh my Goddess, I can hear him! Wait, they’re talking about me?

~I don’t think so. Thomas was distracted, then they left.~

~What about during dinner?~

~I didn’t notice. What do you think is going on with her?~

~I have a theory, but it’s up to her to talk when she’s ready.~

~Do you think she’s in danger or anything?~

~No. I think she’ll be fine, but we still need to keep a close eye on her.~

I’m in shock. One, I can hear their linked conversation, two, they know, and three, they’re working together to keep my secret, secret. I’m torn. Should I tell them?

I don’t really fully have control, but I’m getting better. Maybe once I have control, then I’ll say something. At least I know they’re looking out for me.

I grab my towel and take a soak in the tub before turning in.