Chapter 84: Chapter 22

HALEY

Virgil is leaning against Alpha Redd’s truck when we pull into the camp. I survey him from head to toe. Even bundled up in winter gear, he looks attractive.

~Wow. Looking good there, handsome.~

His lips curl into a smile. ~Hurry up and get out here so I can see your beautiful face.~

“Glory, pretend to be me and walk up to Virgil like you’re thrilled to see him,” I instruct her. Realta laughs. She decided to join us after all.

“He’ll know.”

“He better. Just pretend to be me. Please. He once boasted that he can always tell us apart.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine.” Glory exits the truck first and smiles at Virgil. She gives him a once-over, then starts walking toward him.

“She’s doing a really good job. He might not pass,” Uncle Ryan comments.

“I’ll bet our boy does,” Realta counters.

“What’s the bet?”

“If I win, you take me on a date. If you win, I take you out,” Realta answers confidently.

“You’re on.”

~Hey, my Moon Flower. When are you getting out of the truck? I’m dying to feel you in my arms,~ he links before Glory even reaches him.

I burst into laughter, then exit the truck. “Uncle Ryan, you owe Realta a date.” I rush around Glory and Virgil lifts me up with a hum. I cling to him, then kiss him before he sets me down.

Alpha Redd steps out of the truck and nods at me. “Haley.”

“Hi, Alpha Redd. You remember my sister Glory,” I introduce, since he never really uses her name.

He nods at her as well. “Damon and Nat are already chatting with Marla.”

“Martha,” all three of us correct him in unison, then burst into laughter.

Virgil takes my hand and leads the way to a group of chairs around a warm fire pit, likely courtesy of Natalie. Martha stands to give us all hugs. I introduce her to Uncle Ryan, and Natalie introduces her to Realta. Alpha Redd needs no introduction as they’ve met before.

“There is one more alpha that we have an alliance with who will be helping, but he has no ties to the camp so he has chosen to stay away for your comfort,” Alpha Redd begins. He nods at me. I guess it’s my turn to shine.

“Martha, I have quite a lot to tell you. First, I want you to know that I’m not just a regular she-wolf. I’m actually the vessel for the Oracle, which is how I’m able to link with you. I’m also gifted with visions. I can see the past and the future. Sometimes, I can see changes in the future, and that’s what we’re trying to do.

“That’s a lot to take in, kiddo.”

“Oh, I know. Believe me. Everyone here is aware of who I am, which means that I trust them. Glory, Virgil, and Natalie trust them. We hope that you can trust us enough to consider what I’m planning, because everyone here is in danger.”

Martha gets a concerned look on her face and she begins to fiddle with her necklace. “That’s beautiful,” Realta compliments. “May I see it?”

“Glory made it for me.” Martha removes the necklace and hands it to Realta.

She covers it with her hand and I see a white glow, but I don’t think Martha does. She hands it back. “I’m a sucker for moonstone. It’s so beautiful.”

I clear my throat as Martha puts her necklace back on, much more at ease. “Martha, I’ve had a vision regarding the camp. It’s going to be attacked and there won’t be enough guards to stop it.” Her jaw drops as she looks toward the direction of the camp.

“I have a plan to keep everyone safe, but the only way to do that is to leave.” Martha is about to deny my request, but I cut her off. “It’s the only way. I’ve tried many different scenarios, but it’s the only one that saves everyone. I need you on board and I know that it’s a huge thing to ask, but the alphas are willing to help.”

“You expect me to just tell everyone to pack up and leave. You know I can’t do that. They would never do it,” Martha interjects. Glory reaches out to hold her hand. Martha looks to my sister and slightly calms.

“I know. I’m prepared to offer incentives. First off, the human women will be allowed to stay with their pups.” I can see she likes the sound of that. “We’re not just going to be grabbing everyone at random, I will be assigning everyone a place to go that will lead in some way to meeting their mates.” Martha nods so I look to the alphas before I continue.

“And finally, I intend to find the alpha heir. Once I do, anyone that has been waiting for him will be able to leave their assigned pack if they wish, no questions asked.”

Martha looks to all of the alphas and not one of them flinches. Alpha Blackburn links to tell me that he agrees to my terms, as do the rest.

While Martha is thinking everything over, Alpha Redd leans forward in his seat. “Martha, I have a few questions regarding the alpha heir. We alphas never heard mention of him until the strays came into our packs.”

“Shoot.”

“Why is he so important that these people would risk their lives against the winter and living off the land instead of going to a pack?”

“Because the alpha heir is the king of the alphas.” All three alphas lean forward to hear this story. “The original rogue alpha was betrayed by his own kind, the alphas that took over. We wait for our true king,” she says as she looks at me.

“He has more power than any other alpha alive. It took a coven of witches to break him.”

“So how will you know the heir is who he says he is?” Alpha Ramirez asks.

“Well, he’ll be able to command an alpha, but also because of his mate. Only the king can mate the Oracle.” Virgil’s hand tightens around mine and I squeeze right back. That’s why I have to reject my mate, because I’m truly destined for the king of all alphas. Realta said I would get a second chance.

“How is that possible? There had to have been other vessels prior to Haley,” Glory asks.

“There would have been, but they would also have a mate. Since the Oracle is the same one that’s been, none of them found their mate because none of them rejected their first mate,” Realta answers in a bored manner. She looks to me. “Get it now?” I nod my head and wipe a traitorous tear away.

“So the alpha heir is a descendant of the Oracle and the Alpha King, while the new Oracle is a descendant of her twin?” Glory asks, seeking clarification.

“Yep,” Realta answers nonchalantly.

“So Haley is like a princess… And Haley’s first mate isn’t the alpha heir…” Glory’s voice trails off.

~You could’ve told me all this.~

~You never asked.~

I growl in frustration, but I’m not foolish enough to challenge a Starlight Sister.

Instead, I rise to my feet and storm off toward the camp.

Virgil catches up to me almost instantly.

“Hey. Talk to me, what happened?”

“Realta. She knows things, but she’s not very forthcoming with the information.”

We stop at a tree and he pulls me close.

“Come here.”

I lean into his warm body and he rubs my back to comfort me.

“I don’t think she’s allowed to interfere. The things she does are pretty small when it comes to changing the way things are. I’m sure she already knows what’s going to happen but we have to get there. She’s not taking your place as the Oracle, but she does know what you need to learn.”

I grunt and rest my head on his firm chest.

“I guess I need to find out if Martha is on board.”

“Let me know any way I can help, Your Highness.”

I grunt again.

“Please don’t call me that. Vessel and Oracle are bad enough.”

Virgil chuckles.

“Fine, I’ll stick with Moon Flower. My Moon Flower.”

I hum and smile up at him.

He holds my face and kisses me deeply.

He takes a moment to look into my eyes.

“I’m in love with you, Haley.”

My mouth falls open and my heart soars.

“I’m in love with you too.”

My heart then plummets like a stone.

“What are we going to do about our mates? I know yours is waiting for you. Mine is too, poor guy.”

“We’re still young. Maybe I’ll piss you off and you’ll grow to hate me.”

I shake my head.

“I could never.”

Virgil’s fingers glide through my hair.

“I guess we’ll have to see what plays out.”