Chapter 87: Chapter 25

HALEY

Time passes in the blink of an eye. It feels like only yesterday that Glory and I trespassed into Redd territory.

Now we’ve graduated and are helping Uncle Ryan as he prepares a shifting party for Blaine before he leaves for the alpha summit. It’s been a year and a half since I last saw Virgil. Glory has stayed in touch with Anna, who tells me all about the Redd Pack.

I never bothered to look before, but it’s not surprising what she tells me. Luna Kya has graduated from college and has been accepted to med school. She’s also expecting and due during the break.

She plans on living off campus from now on, even though the classes are going to be much harder. As for Virgil… I have no clue. I don’t ask and Glory knows not to say anything other than he returned to his pack safely.

I still long for him every day. I’ve searched his future so many times in my mind to find it blank. I guess loving him is enough to keep him attached to my future somehow.

Alphas Redd, Ramirez, and Blackburn and their mates all attend Blaine’s shifting party out of respect as Blaine is the next alpha of our pack. He’s my favorite little cousin and I know he’ll be great when the time comes, I’ve seen it. Uncle Ryan has begun teaching him the ways of an alpha.

Blaine holds on to his pain, never even letting go of a whimper as his body contorts and his bones break and reform. After about five minutes, Blaine’s wolf shakes his fur out and howls. Uncle Ryan shifts then leads us on a run as a family.

Realta is kind enough to entertain the guests of the party by serving beer and burgers. She and Uncle are inseparable. She practically lives here and my guess is that they would be mates if they could.

Realta did establish a link with Uncle Ryan. The only time she really leaves is to teach the little pups how to control their gifts.

I’ve had practically zero contact with the Oracle, which I don’t mind. I spend my mornings and evenings on thoughts of the future and trying to find the alpha heir, which of course I can’t. Every time I think I’m close, he disappears and the white light returns.

I still have random visions that I don’t let slip in. I have control enough to wait until I’m alone to let them creep into my mind. I’ve started seeing alpha summits all across North America.

I’ve asked Uncle Ryan for access to his information so I can learn about these people. There are over one hundred packs that I will be responsible for keeping peace and high standards of living. There are a few alphas that are stuck in archaic ways that assume women are the weaker sex, which is shocking in our times.

The Oracle says nothing to them and allows them to continue being this way. When I take my place, that will be the first thing to go.

I have no idea what’s going to happen once I take my place as I can’t see my future, but the idea of staying with the Weston pack just doesn’t feel right. I’m assuming that since I’ll be mated to the alpha heir, we’ll have our own sort of pack or kingdom, or whatever.

All I can say is he better be a good guy or he’s going to feel my wrath and my boot. I’ve become a great fighter. I can land an attack with a lethal strike.

I even fight full on naked male wolves. Uncle Ryan wasn’t happy about that, but a few idiots were screwing around and I got annoyed and stepped in. I got reprimanded for overstepping my place, but I could still see how proud Uncle Ryan was of me.

I had to show him that I had not overstepped because someone was going to be severely hurt. Nakedness was no longer a big deal after that.

Oh yeah, I’m able to show my visions to others now. At first it was only Realta that I could share with, but after some practice, I got that skill down. I still hear links, but now I can hear multiple links at once and from far distances.

I try not to invade others’ privacy, but at this point, nothing is really private. I’ve sworn myself to a kind of code similar to a human doctor or what’s called a priest. Where I can hear your deepest darkest secrets, but I refrain from revealing any.

“Haley.” Alpha Redd gets my attention. I snap my eyes his way.

“When will you begin attending the alpha summit?”

“I’ve decided to wait until I’m at least eighteen before revealing myself to the rest of the alphas. I don’t really have authority at this point anyway, at least not until the Oracle passes me the torch.”

“You could go as Ryan’s guard. You’re a skilled enough fighter, I hear.”

“I haven’t forgotten our deal.” I remind him of the match he promised a few years ago.

He just chuckles and sips his beer. “Looking forward to it.” Luna Kya asks him about our deal and he explains, bringing up an old ghost; Virgil. I drink my coke to stop my dry throat from choking me. He still holds a place in my heart after all this time.

I love him and after a lot of consideration, I’ve decided that will never change.

Thomas Blackburn is huge. He, Glory, and Blaine are going nuts in the entertainment room so I excuse myself to join them. Blaine has a new game and he’s kicking Thomas’s ass.

Natalie joins me as we sit on the sofa out of the way of the craziness.

“Haley, do you ever tell people what their future holds?”

I look Natalie over and give her a knowing smile. “Soon.” She bites her lip and her cheeks color. “And yes, you both are.”

Natalie’s bright eyes light up even more. “How is Jason?”

Natalie slumps against the back of the couch. “I don’t know, I hardly talk to him anymore. He’s always with Virgil running errands for Martha and Dec.” I didn’t expect to hear his name again and I swallow the lump in my throat.

Martha has taken up a cause to find strays and rogues. She tries to bring them back into a pack, even if it’s not the one they started from. She travels across the country, but still calls the Redd Pack home, at least for now.

She’s one that will leave once the heir is found. She’s back right now for Solstice, and because… He…is Alpha Redd’s guard for the summit tomorrow.

Natalie and I both take a turn on Blaine’s game. She’s much better than me and whoops my butt. The night ends in laughter and camaraderie between the four packs.

I lay awake in bed, watching the summit. To my surprise, Erwin Grey shows up rather early. He waits in the lobby, somewhat off to the side, watching as the other alphas begin to arrive.

Uncle Ryan is vigilant as he scans the room. Meanwhile, Erwin hides behind a pillar, waiting for the opportune moment.

With the help of his guard, he grabs Uncle Ryan and pins him against a wall.

Uncle Ryan fights them off, knocking the guard out. He gets hold of Erwin’s throat and slams him up against the wall.

Uncle Ryan looks the subdued alpha up and down.

“Grey. You should’ve given up your pack two years ago when you were dealing with the human courts.”

Erwin Grey snarls, but manages to speak.

“I knew it was you, Weston. You and your little alliance messed up the plans I had with those filthy rogue she-wolves and human whores. You got me in trouble with the human authority. They couldn’t stop me, and neither will you.”

Uncle Ryan growls and tightens his grip on Grey’s throat.

“You couldn’t take me just now.”

He stands straight, a sardonic smile on his face.

“You think too highly of yourself. You’re so pathetic, I don’t even think of you.”

He lets out a breath of laughter, releases Grey’s neck, shakes his head, and turns his back to the weaker alpha.

I run my fingers through the front of my hair. Should I tell him?

I watch the scene play out in different ways, but they all have the same outcome: Alpha Grey is humiliated by Uncle Ryan. I decide not to say anything and let it play out as it is meant to be.

As the summit begins, I lock myself in my room and visualize what is transpiring. I listen to all of the linked conversations, except for one.

Virgil is speaking to Alpha Redd and his voice is enough to make me sweat.

The Oracle greets me and requests I stay for the gathering. I thank her and silently watch and listen.

I find it astonishing when she speaks to every alpha about anything major or relevant that has transpired throughout the year.

While keeping the links private and separate, she envisions any outcome related to what she’s viewed. She does this all while still listening to what is being said.

Not to mention she’s including me in all of this. To say I’ve gained a newfound respect for her would be an understatement. I’ve never remotely come close to doing anything of this magnitude. I’m in absolute awe.

~You will learn, child. My time is approaching. I plead that you keep your promise to the Moon Goddess. I am tired and wish to rest.~

The gathering concludes and the Oracle leaves, followed by the alphas. They gather together afterward to mingle then sit down to a formal dinner.

I wake up screaming and Uncle Ryan is sitting beside me on my bed. I catch my breath then lean into his open arms.

“It’s been a while since this has happened. Are you all right?”

I nod my head.

“I let it happen so I could see. I’m sorry for waking you. When did you get back?”

“Right about the time you started screaming. You didn’t wake me. Do you want to talk about it?” He asks as he rubs my back.

“Yes, but not yet. We’re going to need the other alphas, our pack is in trouble…”

Uncle Ryan looks at me in question.

“I can’t believe you turned your back on another alpha, and you call me tough nut.”

Uncle Ryan chuckles.

“You saw, huh?”

I nod my head with a smile on my lips.

“It was a sign to show him that I think he’s weak. It’s the ultimate form of disrespect from another alpha. As for our pack being in trouble, I trust you have a plan?”

“Of course…am I stepping on your toes though?”

He shakes his head no, and I can see the wheels turning as he tries to figure out what’s going on.

“At least you didn’t do it in front of everyone, that would’ve been even worse.”

Uncle Ryan hums in agreement.

“He’s going to retaliate. Where was your guard? Didn’t you take Link with you this time?”

“He gets car sick so he was hovering over a trash can outside.”

Uncle Ryan kisses my forehead.

“Get some sleep, Tough Nut. Try not to allow too many bad visions in.”

I nod and lay back in my bed. He tucks me in then closes the door behind him.

I can’t sleep, there’s too much on my mind, so I slide out of bed and go to my window. The Moon Goddess is shining bright tonight and Realta is sparkling and as radiant as always.

It’s a shame she can’t be Uncle Ryan’s mate, they’re so good together.

I know how much they love each other, it’s so obvious. Realta will get lost in thought staring at him sometimes. His eyes shine almost as brightly as she does now whenever he looks at her.

I make a wish to the Moon Goddess on Uncle Ryan and Realta’s behalf, not knowing if they even want it or not.

I doubt it would come to pass anyway, but I don’t doubt the capabilities of the Goddess.

“Goodnight Realta, Goodnight Moon Goddess.”