Chapter 77: Chapter 15

HALEY

Virgil has started calling me Moon Flower. I might be a dork, but I kind of like it. We attend our last class together, then he walks me to my sixth-hour class, which is just a few doors down from his.

My last class of the day is Home Economics with Glory. I’m there to learn to cook more, and she wants to get better at sewing. Natalie and Kenna just so happen to be in this class with us.

I glance at Natalie and notice she still lacks the mate mark. I wonder if what Owen did to her made them wait. It’s highly likely.

I focus on Natalie and find that to be the case.

“Haley, quit staring at Natalie. They’re giving us dirty looks,” Glory nudges me.

I shake my head to clear it, then look back to Natalie. I can see she’s in a lot of pain. I want to say something to her, but what could I possibly say?

I decide to focus on whatever the teacher is doing and let Natalie be.

When I get home, Uncle Ryan pulls me into his office.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Haley, have a seat, please.”

I choose the sofa, rather than the two chairs in front of his desk. He grabs one of the chairs and turns it toward me to sit in. At least I know I’m not in trouble.

“Haley, what I’m about to tell you is something you probably already know.”

I pinch my brows together, it’s likely, but why do people keep saying that? First Virgil, now Uncle Ryan?

“When you blank out, Glory and I have made a point to get you to kind of snap out of it.”

Oh, that. Well, at least they’re telling me about it.

“Today, Glory asked your friend Virgil to help get you out of your blank outs too since you’re not going to be around each other as much.”

Oh, really? I’m sure my brows are in my hairline, but I stay silent.

“Glory informed me that you and Virgil are quite close and that he is trustworthy.”

This is so weird.

“Uncle Ryan, why is my daydreaming such a bad thing?” I ask.

“The reason we do this is because the Oracle specifically told me to tell no one about you, that you’re a novelty. I would never question a direct order from the Oracle. Since I didn’t tell your friend, I’m hoping she lets it slide.”

“She said not to tell anyone about me? Why?” I ask.

“She didn’t tell me. I have a few theories that I’m working through. However, because your mark subtly glows when you blank out, it would be better if no one saw that. It’s not a normal occurrence and usually it means you’re blessed by the Moon Goddess somehow.”

I wonder what his theories are or if he actually does know and is just waiting for me to tell him at this point.

“Thank you for letting me know. Don’t worry about Virgil, he is trustworthy,” I assure him.

Uncle Ryan leans back into his chair and crosses his arms.

“I think I should meet this Virgil. He’s from the camp, correct?”

I give him a nod.

“Yes, he is.”

“I’ll give Alpha Redd a call and have them over for dinner soon.”

I swallow, nervous at the idea of my boyfriend at the same table with my protective uncle who’s also an alpha.

“Okay. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?”

“Not necessarily. Is there anything you want to talk about?”

I shake my head no.

“Glory brought up learning to drive. Are you interested?”

“Holy sh—smokes, really?”

Uncle Ryan just chuckles.

“When do we start?”

“We can begin on Sunday. We’ll make it a regular thing, but just in my territory until you get your permits. You’ll have to start studying the manual, it should be online.”

“This is so awesome!”

I jump up and hug him. He laughs at my excitement.

“Thank you, Uncle Ryan.”

I’m so excited that I rush up to my room to tell Virgil all about it. Unfortunately, he doesn’t answer the phone so I send him a text then start on my homework. It’s simple get-to-know-you stuff, but still, homework on the first day of school…ugh.

Virgil finally calls me back and I tell him about the plan to get my permit.

“That’s great. Did your uncle talk to you about anything else?”

“Oh, yeah. He told me about how they asked you to ‘help’ me when I blank out.”

I roll my eyes.

“Good. I didn’t want to conspire against you, but I don’t mind helping you out. It’s not like it’s that big of a deal.”

“Uncle Ryan seems to think it is. He said the Oracle warned him not to let anyone know about me, but she didn’t tell him why.”

“That’s weird. I’m supposed to start studying the Oracle soon, but I’m still going through the alphas.”

“He really does make you study a lot.”

“Not really. I go at my own pace and I can tell him no at any time. I just like having all this information at my fingertips. What I’m studying now is because he wants me at the next summit. Last year he took Freya, she’s the previous beta’s daughter. Anyway, she met her mate so she’s at the Ramirez pack now.”

I try to picture everything he’s telling me but it’s hard until I tap into Alpha Redd then follow him through the summit.

“We’re coming to dinner tomorrow. Your uncle wants to meet me and he wants to talk to Dec about the camp.”

“So, we’ll have a little time together while they talk?” I ask.

“I hope so.”

The next day I get my wish. Dinner goes smoothly as Virgil is very respectful. Unfortunately, I’m not seated next to him, but I get to catch his eyes every once in a while. After dinner, Glory goes up to her room to finish homework while Virgil and I walk to the training center. No one is here so he pulls me to him and kisses me.

His lips are so soft, but his body is so strong that I melt into him. I want to show off my skills a little so I slip out of his grasp with a giggle. He shakes his head and follows me to the mat.

“Are you sure you want to do this? I’ve been training with one of the strongest alphas there is.”

“That’s cute, but so have I.”

I take my stance, ready for his attack.

“All right, Moon Flower. Just don’t expect me to go easy on you. I’ve been wanting to get you pinned under me for a while now.”

My cheeks heat up from his rare but hot innuendo, but I stay focused.

Virgil lunges for me, but I slip out of his grasp. He stands straight to crack his neck, then lunges again.

I see it coming, but it’s really fast. He gets me to the ground, but I use my legs to trap his arm and his neck, then flip him into a submission hold.

“I kind of like it here.”

“Ugh, dirty.”

I release him, then get to my feet.

Virgil stands but shoots for my leg. I try to move, but I’m not fast enough and he ends up tripping me.

I fall straight on my back, knocking the wind out of me.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. Haley, are you all right?”

I wrap my leg around his neck and pull him to the mat. I turn him into a living pretzel.

“I’m all right. Just got the wind knocked out of me for a minute there.”

He taps, then grabs me while still on the ground. He rolls us so I’m under him on the mat.

I reach out to kiss him and his body relaxes as he kisses me back.

“You’re really good,” he says after breaking our kiss.

“I’m good at submission holds and getting out of them, not so good against a physical attack, like a punch or a kick. I can dodge them, but I’m not very good at returning them.”

“Use your elbows and knees. See, like from here, an elbow to the neck would hurt like hell.”

I slowly move my elbow to see if I’m doing it right.

“Just like that.”

We get to our feet and he rushes me again. I get him into what’s called a figure four around his right shoulder.

He grunts but tells me, “From here another elbow shot to the axillary cavity or the neck, whichever you can reach, would cause a lot of pain.”

He taps my leg and I let him up.

“You know this is pretty much an embarrassment. I’m considered one of the best fighters at my pack.”

“Everyone here calls me tough nut. I was up against Beta Kenneth and he nailed me with a wild swing, I still turned around and made him tap.”

I get into my stance.

“Again.”

Virgil is really fast. He catches me off guard, but I get hold of his left arm.

Using his body weight, I jump up and wrap my legs around his other arm.

He pulls his left arm free and I fall, but he grips my legs and turns. He maneuvers me so I’m bent backward with my torso between my knees.

“Shit.”

“Are you going to tap?” He asks breathlessly.

“No. I need to figure this out, this is a new one.”

“Let go of his arm. Trap his neck,” Alpha Redd comments.

I try to look for him, but I’m too bent to see him.

I let go of Virgil’s arm. He tries to get into a better grip, but I trap his neck with my legs and force his head sideways.

From here, any pressure could paralyze or snap his neck so he taps.

I let go and he helps me up, but holds his knees to catch his breath.

“That was pretty impressive.”

Uncle Ryan beams at me with so much pride I almost want to cry.

I look to Alpha Redd.

“Thanks for the tip.”

“It was a pleasure to watch. I’m almost tempted to see how you’d fare against an alpha.”

I look to Uncle Ryan who’s trying to hold back a smile.

“I’m game. I always like to go against new people. It’s not a challenge or anything, so if…”

I let that die down. Like I could win against an alpha, let alone one as well known as Alpha Redd.

“Have you gone against a wolf?”

I shake my head no.

“Start training up and get used to fighting naked men and I’ll put you to the test. Deal?”

Uncle Ryan growls.

“She’s fifteen.”

Alpha Redd responds as casually as he’s been the entire time.

“I get that, but if she’s fighting for real and that guy shifts into a wolf then back, is she going to blush or is she going to kick his ass?”

Uncle Ryan moves his hair out of his face.

“I see your point. I’ll start training her against wolves, but they’re not shifting back, at least not until she’s eighteen.”

He looks at me.

“Deal?”

“Deal.”

Virgil side hugs me.

“Good match. I’ll see you at school.”

I side hug him back and we follow the alphas as they leave the training center.

~Walk slower.~

I look up to Virgil and he gives me a smile. I stay beside him and he pulls me to his side.

~Goddess, I want to kiss you.~

~You’ve kissed me a few times tonight.~

~I want to never stop kissing you.~

We make it back to Alpha Redd’s truck and Virgil sneaks a peck while Uncle Ryan is talking to Alpha Redd.

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

I wave as they drive off. Uncle Ryan side hugs me and we walk back into the house.

“He’s a good kid. I approve.”

I slightly chuckle then Uncle Ryan leaves a kiss on my head.