Chapter 80: Chapter 18

HALEY

I have a lot to think about. The thing that troubles me the most is how to tell my family what’s been going on.

I’m only planning on telling Uncle Ryan, Glory, and Virgil to start with. Maybe Natalie too, since I know her secret, but we’re not exactly close. Despite the late hour, I decide to call Virgil right away.

“Hey, my Moon Flower. Did you have fun at the party?” I love it when he calls me that.

“Not really, but I did meet Ralta and I got along with Kenna, which was a first.”

“That’s good, the Kenna thing. How was the Goddess?”

“She’s a bit odd, but she was necessary. Apparently, I have a block on my memories.”

“Uh…okay?” I notice he doesn’t deny my observation of the Goddess.

“She said I blocked a memory from my childhood and…it’s prevented me from…reaching my full power.” I pick at my blanket while I wait for him to respond.

“Your full power? Did, did she gift you?”

Here goes. “Not like she did your brother. I was born with my ability. I have visions of the future. I’m, I’m the moon’s vessel to be the next Oracle.”

“That’s why you stare off sometimes, because you’re seeing the future? And how you know about D?”

“That’s correct. I know things and see things that happen to other people. Like how I knew you would bring Luke to the mall. I think it’s also why I can hear links that I’m not part of.”

“Ha! I was right. You do know things. You’ve always known things.” I chuckle at his excitement. “So being the moon’s vessel is why you have to reject your mate when he comes along.”

Okay, knife to the heart. I swallow the discomfort. “That is why. Although I don’t know the reason, I do know that if I mate, I’ll die and Glory will too.” Virgil is quiet for a minute. I lick my lips then change the subject. “I asked Uncle Ryan if I’m allowed to date and he said he trusts me to make that choice. He also said you’re welcome in the territory, you know, if, if you ever want to visit.”

“Does that mean we don’t have to be a secret anymore?” He sounds so hopeful.

“Yes. He figured I meant you when I asked.” I squeak out.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. As far as visiting, I’ll have to see if I can borrow Jason’s truck sometime.”

I can’t help the smile on my face. Virgil and I stay up talking past midnight. “Moon Flower, I’m sorry, but I really need to get to bed. I have training early tomorrow.”

“Shit, I do too. Plus a driving lesson. I didn’t realize how late it is. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be, I love hearing your voice. I’ll call you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.”

“Sweet dreams.” Well, that’s one down and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Tomorrow I get to tell Glory and Uncle Ryan.

Training goes rough for Glory. Her opponent gets her pinned and my mind floods with memories. Glory is pinned under Alpha Roberts. She appears to be around ten, so this has to be after our parents died. “Please alpha! I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

He slaps her face and I rush toward him. “Leave my sister alone you asshole!” I get hold of his arm and try to shake him off of her. She’s able to crawl away to cower in the corner. Her face is red and tears are spilling like a broken dam.

Alpha Roberts grabs hold of me and throws me to the floor. “Since you always seem to defend her stupid ass, you can take her punishment.” He tries to pin me, but I get out of his grasp and rush toward Glory.

“Glory, get out of here.”

Alpha Roberts grabs me by the hair and crushes me to him. He grips my throat. “Glory leave. I want some alone time with your sister.”

Glory is shaking and still crying, but she stands tall. “I’m not leaving my sister.”

“GLORY LEAVE MY OFFICE NOW. Don’t worry, your sister is going to join you as soon as I’m finished with her.” Glory can’t resist the alpha command and leaves the room with sorrow in her eyes.

Alpha Roberts turns me around. “You’re the feisty one, right Haley. You’re the one I want anyway.” He shoves me to my knees, but I fight and slip away from him. He uses his whole body to pin me down. He sniffs my neck and I continue to squirm under him. “Ah, you smell so sweet.” He licks my neck. “Taste sweet too. I don’t usually go for the young ones, but your spirit needs to be broken before I hand you over to your new alpha. My brother has plans for you and your sister. He likes his girls young and so do his buyers.”

He releases me to work on the zipper of his pants. I slip away from him and kick at his crotch. He catches my leg and pulls me toward him. He backhands my face sending me to the ground. “GET ON YOUR KNEES YOU LITTLE BITCH!” Like hell I’m going to do anything he says. He jumps on top of me. I feel a flashlight or something in his pants digging into my leg.

“The more you squirm, the more fun I have.” He grips my throat then a bright blue light shines in his face, blinding him. It doesn’t last long but it’s enough. I take the chance and get out of there as fast as I can.

Glory is outside the pack house fighting walking away.

“Glory! We have to get out of here, now!” I catch up with her and grab her hand. We run for the border not bothering to look back.

I’m shaking and sweating as the present returns and I’m outside the training center with Uncle Ryan and Glory. My stomach turns and I retch. I fall to my knees and try to catch my breath. I look between their worried faces and tears fall freely.

The Goddess said I wouldn’t like what I remember. Uncle Ryan carries me home and Louisa runs a bath while Glory helps me strip down. They don’t ask and I’m not about to tell.

I step into the hot water and curl my knees to my chest. I release all of my fear, pain, and disgust. The bastard is dead. Alpha Redd snapped his neck.

Closing my eyes, I replay the entire fight from start to finish, silently cheering Alpha Redd on as he tears flesh from the enemy’s body. He breaks his leg and multiple ribs. The bastard shifts back at Alpha Redd’s command.

Alpha Redd knows he has won, but he doesn’t give the enemy the option to submit. He orders him to relinquish his pack, which he does.

Then I listen as the bones in his neck snap and break.

I watch the life leave his eyes as his pitiful body falls facedown in the dirt. I let out a breath and finally breathe, knowing he’s gone.

A knock sounds at the door.

“Haley, honey. I brought you some tea. May I come in?”

“Yes, Louisa.” I barely speak, but I know she can hear me.

She opens the door and sets a mug on the side of the tub. “You’ve been in here for quite some time.”

I take the tea and sip it. It’s warm and comforting.

“Would you like me to warm up the water or would you prefer for me to help you out?”

I only then notice the cool temperature of the water. “I’ll get out.”

She leaves the room and comes back with my robe. She moves the tea aside then helps me stand.

My legs are shaking and I’m not sure if it’s from the cold water, the position I was locked in, or my frayed nerves.

Uncle Ryan is waiting on the other side of the bathroom door. He looks at me with so much worry it nearly breaks my heart.

“Would you like me to carry you to your bed?”

My legs are still pretty numb. “Yes, please.”

He scoops me up and Louisa opens the door and moves my covers aside.

Uncle Ryan kisses my forehead and tucks me in. “Please stay,” I whisper out.

“I asked Virgil over. Alpha Redd is bringing him now,” he tells me as he sits at the edge of his couch.

“Thank you, that’s just who I need to see. Will you let me know as soon as Alpha Redd gets here?”

Uncle Ryan knits his brows. “Alpha Redd?”

“Please, Uncle Ryan. I need to speak to the both of you.”

He sits back on the couch. “All right. I’ll inform my guards to ask him in.”

Glory comes in and runs her fingers through my hair and I fall asleep. She shakes me awake.

“Virgil and Alpha Redd just crossed into our territory. You need to get dressed if you want to talk to them.”

I hug Glory as tight as possible. “I love you. Thank you for being my sister.”

She hugs me back. “I love you too.”

She pulls back and I know she’s worried about me. “Get dressed. They’re almost here.”

I nod and she leaves me to change.

Virgil is pacing as I come down the stairs. I run right up to him and throw my arms around him.

He holds me tight and rests his cheek on my head. “Your uncle said you were pretty messed up.”

I reach up and pull him down for a kiss. “I was. I’m so glad you’re here. You make me feel so much better.”

“Oh, come on. You asked Alpha Redd here for a reason, get to it already.”

I snap my head toward the voice I didn’t plan on hearing for a while. Realta has her arms across her chest and she’s tapping her foot.

“I don’t remember saying I needed to speak to you.” I hold tighter to Virgil to steel my nerves.

“Haley,” Alpha Redd gently warns. “This is the Starlight Sister, Realta.”

Uncle Ryan’s brows go to his hairline. I guess he didn’t know.

“Thank you, Alpha Redd. I’m aware of who she is.”

I look back to Realta. “I have a feeling I’m going to be seeing you a lot. Not waiting for my birthday?”

“I know you’re upset, but don’t forget who I am, child.”

I stay in Virgil’s arms, unmoved by her attempt to intimidate me. “Your memory returned faster than I thought. We have work to do.”

I grunt and roll my eyes. “Well, I guess since you invited yourself, you might as well join the party.”

I look up to Virgil. “We’ll talk later?”

“I’ll help Glory and your grandmother.”

I kiss his cheek, not bothering to correct him. “Thank you for being here for me.”