Chapter 74: Chapter 12

VIRGIL

Haley looks back at me one more time before they drive off. I’m so excited she said yes, but keeping it secret is tough. I want to show her off to the world.

I don’t know why she labels herself as a troublemaker. She’s not. She never has been. Jason and I hug Martha then make the drive back to the Redd Pack.

We head into the pack house to wash up for dinner. Little D runs up to me. I toss him up and he laughs as I set him back down.

“Were you good while I was gone?”

“Mhmm.” He holds up a dumdum. He only gets those when he’s well behaved.

“Did Miss Regina give that to you?” He nods. “Save it for after dinner.” I muss his hair and he runs off to play.

Anna is in the kitchen learning how to make pies with Hannah and Miss Regina. I kiss her head. “Hey stink. What flavor are you making?”

“It’s apple,” Anna’s soft voice answers. I’m so glad she talks now, even if it’s only a whisper.

“Sounds delicious.”

“It will be. Go wash up, you smell. Tell Jason to wash up too,” Miss Regina shoos me away.

I chuckle. “Yes, Miss Regina.” I grab Jason and we both head for the showers.

It’s amazing the differences between pack life vs. camp life. Everything is so much easier in a pack, but camp life is slower paced. Either way is a lot of work and they only run smoothly because of good leadership.

I couldn’t imagine life as a rogue, though technically while I lived in the camp I was rogue. Oh well, I’m part of a pack now. I dry off and throw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

I sniff my dirty shirt to see if it smells like Haley, but it mostly smells like sweat. Ugh, no wonder Miss Regina told us to shower.

My phone chimes a text.

Haley

Hey. We just made it home.

I smile because my girlfriend thought to let me know she’s safe.

Virgil

Good. We just made it back and I just got out of the shower…

Maybe I shouldn’t write that. I erase the last part.

Virgil

Good. We made it back not too long ago. Anna is making apple pies to go with dinner.

Haley

Yum! I want a slice. I miss her. Does she talk now?

Virgil

Yes, but still a whisper. She’s gotten much better.

Haley

I’m glad. Gotta go. They’re calling me for dinner. 6pm sharp every night.

Virgil

I’ll remember that. Enjoy.

Haley

You too. Lucky, with those apple pies.

I laugh then put my phone away. They’re not allowed at the dinner table and Alpha Troy does not mess around.

After dinner, I read to little D and the smaller pups. Alpha Redd stops in and whistles to get my attention. I look up and he tilts his head toward his office.

“Two pages left.” He nods then goes into his office. After the story is bedtime for the little pups anyway.

I say goodnight then head into the office. The door is open and Alpha Redd is pouring through a tome. I knock on the frame even though he already knows I’m here.

“What’s that one?” I ask as I step into the office and take my normal seat with my leg across my knee.

“It’s one about healers.” He points to a volume on his coffee table. “That one is your next adventure. I want you at the next alpha summit with me since Freya is gone now.”

“Am I allowed? I’m only seventeen. Don’t you have better more experienced guards?”

Alpha Redd shrugs his shoulder. “Alpha Weston took over his pack at your age. I don’t think age matters as long as you have a clear head and use it. You’ve come a long way in your training and I want you to see the summit firsthand. Nothing really happens anyway. We just pretty much mingle and eat.”

“Alpha Redd, why do you have me studying so much and no one else? Please don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful, but others could benefit too. Jason for example.”

He leans back in his chair. “Maybe, but first off, you know I’ve told you to call me Dec. I respect you as a peer, you’re not a pup anymore. Second, there’s just something about you that makes others want to follow your lead. I think you have the potential to be more than just a stray. Also. I’m reading these damned things and it gives me someone to talk to that isn’t my dad. You know how he can take a half hour to say something that should only take five minutes.”

I laugh at that. Alpha Troy has such a dry personality it’s almost funny. He’s a great guy though.

“So what am I studying this time?” I ask as I reach for the leather-bound book. It’s not nearly as antiquated as the tomes.

“It’s about the summits and all the current alphas and their lunas and betas are on this drive. It’s so you know who you’re dealing with and what to expect. My Father and I have both added notes and pertinent information,” he says.

He tosses me the thumb drive. “After that I’m going to have you study up on the Oracle. We’ve had the same one for about two hundred and fifty years now. She should’ve been replaced a long time ago but the vessels haven’t worked out. The Moon Goddess doesn’t play around when it comes to the Oracle. I should probably take a look at that tome before I hand it off to you…” We both chuckle.

“Dec. Do you think the Moon Goddess is a real being? I mean I know we are her children and the mate thing, but…” I let the thought drift off.

“She’s real. As real as you and me.” The way he says that with complete confidence makes me wonder what he’s experienced.

I nod and flip through the pages. “I’ll get on it.”

“How was the camp?” He asks as he pulls out his tablet. I know he uses it to take notes.

“It was interesting. They are getting more and more intruders, especially at night. They’re not rogues. Martha said she would meet with you, but it has to be near the camp. She doesn’t want to leave everyone vulnerable. If you’re willing, of course.”

“I’ll get in touch with Ryan and Damon. They can join in since they’re part of this too.”

“That might be intimidating for her. She’s not used to being around alphas, let alone three of them.”

“What do you suggest?”

“Maybe take Luna Kya or some she-wolves that you trust. Or even take some of the strays. She trusts us because we all love her like an auntie.

“The twins are at the Weston pack, and Natalie is still linked to the Ramirez pack. I’d be willing, I’m sure Jason would too. Martha doesn’t mind the extra help guarding them as long as they keep their distance.”

“That all sounds like good strategy. What else happened today?”

I kissed a girl for the first time and now she’s my girlfriend. I can’t say anything, though. Haley wants to keep us a secret.

Goddess, I want to brag about her so damn bad. “Alpha Weston’s nieces came, so they helped out. When their escort came to get them, he found his mate there. She looked like she’s ready to pop any day.”

Dec’s eyebrows raise to his hairline. “Damn, really?” I just nod. “Did he accept her anyway?”

“I think so. She packed her things into his truck. We couldn’t really hear, not that it was our business anyway. He’d have to be a hell of a guy if he did.”

“Nah. If it were me, I’d still take her. A mate is a mate.

“I got super lucky with my Kya. I almost lost her, but even after all the stupid crap I did, she came around and forgave me.

“I try to make it up to her every day. She’s my everything. You’ll see once you meet your mate.

“She’ll be your whole world and you’ll never want to let her go. Speaking of, I should get back to her. It’s not long before she goes back to school, so I need to be with her as much as possible.”

We both stand and I grab the tome to take back to my room. “Thanks, Dec.” He claps my shoulder and we part ways.

Little D is already asleep when I slip into our room. I tuck him in then lay out in my bed and call my girl.

Heh, my girl. Finally, after all this time! Goddess, she’s always been the most beautiful, smartest, kindest, fiercest, feistiest girl I’ve ever known.

I’ve liked her since the day Martha brought the girls back to the camp.

“Hey. It’s late, what are you up to?” Her voice is still melodic even though it’s quiet.

“Sorry about that. I’ll let you get to sleep.”

“No. Don’t go. I’m glad you called. I… I was hoping you would.”

Phew. I was worried she would be too tired to talk.

“Oh yeah? Well, uh… So… H-How are Xavier and Paulina?”

She slightly giggles. “They’re fine. They were arguing the whole drive home. She’s very independent and he just wants to look out for her. It was a pretty awkward ride. Glory and I were linking the whole time just to distract each other.”

“You two have a link, I knew it. People wonder how you two seem to know what each other is thinking. They all think it’s just because you’re twins. I never said anything, but it’s so obvious.”

“What are you talking about? Don’t you have a link to your siblings?”

“No, not at all. That actually doesn’t happen. Links are only from parent to child.”

Haley is silent as she thinks. “Haley? I won’t tell anyone.”

“Do you think it’s because we’re twins?”

“That would make sense to me. You’re identical so you have the same DNA and shared the same sac, right?”

“That would be correct, sir. How is it you’re able to tell us apart? Do you know how rare that is? There’s only been a handful that could.”

“Well, you two have subtle physical differences. Glory’s features are a bit sharper. Also, you have different personalities and you carry yourselves differently.

“You’re confident and she’s timid. Plus, you’re always looking out for her. Not to mention you have different styles and very slightly different smells.

“Your lips are incredibly soft.”

She giggles and it makes me smile. Goddess, those lips. “So if I acted like her and dressed like her, would you be able to tell?”

Oh, Goddess. I hope so. “I guess you’ll have to try me sometime and see.”

Damn, I’m setting myself up here, but I’m confident. I’ve never been wrong about them before.

Haley takes a minute then softly asks. “When will I see you again?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I could come hang out one day. That is if your uncle would let me.”

“You would have to have a reason…”

“You’re my reason. So, why the secret?”

I hate that she doesn’t want anyone to know that we’re together, but I respect her enough to oblige.

“I don’t have an answer. I’m sorry, I just… I guess I want something for myself just once. I have my own room, but everything else is shared. I don’t even have my own birthday.”

“I can understand that. All right, it’s our secret.” I hear her muffle a yawn. “I’ll let you get your rest. Besides, I have to get some studying in. Goodnight, Haley. Pleasant dreams.”

“Goodnight, Virgil. Pleasant dreams.”