Chapter 90: Chapter 28

HALEY

Realta has been absent for quite some time. She’s always come and gone as she pleased, but she’s never stayed away this long. Even her star hasn’t graced us with its presence for months.

I’ve tried reaching out to her, but I get no response. Envisioning her is impossible. Uncle Ryan is really worried about her, but he also has other things that should be at the forefront of his mind.

Even though Uncle Ryan asked for them to arrive before April, the warriors arrive even earlier. The mates ball is in two weeks, but the warriors are not preoccupied with trivial events. As a reward for their service, I think I’ll point them in the right direction once the battle dies down.

Alpha Blackburn has sent four of his warriors; Cain, Gev, Kent, and Sasha. Kent and Sasha are mates. Alpha Redd has sent Jason, Able, Kevin, Pauley, Luke, and Cambry. Of course, Cambry volunteered and dragged Luke with her.

It’s so good to see her again and Audrey is beside herself with joy to have her sister back in the pack, even if it’s only temporary. Alpha Ramirez has had to delay his warriors except for one. Spencer came right away, but the rest will be here next week because of the issues with the surrounding woods.

“Glory!” I look through the house for her, but I can’t find her anywhere. Louisa is in the lounge watching her soaps.

“Louisa, have you seen Glory?”

“She went to help the warriors get settled,” she tells me without even looking away from the TV.

I rush to the pack house and catch her just as she gets to the steps. “Hey. Do you think the warriors would like some brownies and cookies?”

“Sure.” I couldn’t care less about the cookies but I take the basket from her and allow her to go in first. Uncle Ryan is going over ground rules when Spencer pushes through the group to stop in front of Glory. Her mouth is slack and her eyes are shining as she stares at her mate.

Spencer bows dramatically. His voice is gentle as he speaks to her. “I’m not sure if you remember me, but I’m Spencer. I’ve thought about you nearly every day since that party a few years back and I couldn’t figure out why. I guess now I know.”

“I’m, I’m Glory,” my doe-eyed sister timidly answers.

Spencer takes her hand and places a gentle kiss on the back. “Glory. Your name certainly suits you.” Glory smiles with a little bit of a blush.

“Glory. You and Haley take Spencer home. I’m sure you would like to get to know each other better. I need to get these guys set up, then I’ll be right over.” Spencer salutes Uncle Ryan. I wave at the few I know and leave the basket on the table for them.

Glory takes Spencer straight to her room, but I join them to keep things PG for the moment. He looks around her room at all of her decorations. “This room is so pretty. I love the purple and the flowers.” He checks out everything on the walls in great detail. Glory sits on her bed with her legs curled under her. I plop beside her to remind her that I’m here.

“So Spencer, why did you come alone now when the rest of your pack isn’t coming until later?” I question him since Glory seems too shy to talk.

Spencer looks me over. “Wow, you’re almost as beautiful as my Glory here.”

I cock my brow, but totally get his joke. I puff out a small laugh. “Well thanks for noticing…but you didn’t answer. I could just find out on my own, but I would prefer you to tell us.”

He tilts his head to the side as he thinks about what I just said. Glory clears her throat. “You might as well know since you’re…you know…my, my mate. Haley is the vessel for the Oracle. She has visions. You really can’t keep anything from her.”

Spencer’s brows are in his hairline. “Okay, that’s fucking cool!”

Glory bites her lip. “Also our uncle doesn’t like foul language in his home.”

“Thanks for the warning.” Spencer turns around and wiggles in between us on the bed. He wraps his arm around Glory, but faces me. “Okay. So, I volunteered. Something happened with our Luna and I had a part in it, I didn’t mean for her to get hurt but ever since then I haven’t felt like part of the pack. Don’t get me wrong, Damon is a great alpha and he’s always been my friend, but things changed after that. I decided that once I find my mate, I would stay wherever she is.”

I prevent myself from just looking to see what role he played. He turns to kiss Glory on the forehead then looks back to me. “The only bad part is that my mom is the pack doctor so I’m not going to be seeing her anymore, am I?”

“Your mom is Marlena?” Glory asks. Spencer looks at her in question. “We came from the Roberts pack. I’m kind of a klutz. I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I absolutely love your mother.”

“You were in the Roberts pack, how do I not remember you two?” He looks between us.

“It’s okay. We really don’t remember a lot of people from that pack. Well, I don’t anyway.” Glory answered.

“Same.” I agree.

“We ran away after our mom died and our dad went rogue. We were ten. Before that, Haley and I pretty much stayed at home because no one wanted to play with the twin terrors.”

“I remember that nickname, Owen used to talk about you…shit, was I ever mean to you?” Glory and I just look at each other and raise our shoulders. “Well, I officially apologize. I remember seeing you two around my senior year, but that was toward the end.”

“Yeah, that’s when we found Uncle Ryan.” I tell him. “It would’ve happened anyway.” Spencer looks confused. “Sorry. The thing with Natalie. It would’ve happened no matter what. It would’ve just happened at a different time, even if you warned them.” He looks at me as if he’s not so sure. “I can show you if you don’t believe me.”

Spencer shakes his head and closes his eyes. He lets go of a ragged breath and opens his eyes. “I already lived it.” He looks at my face for any sign of deceit.

His back slouches into a more relaxed position. “Now, maybe I can move on knowing that I didn’t hurt her. She got hurt, but I tried to stop it. At least I know it’s not my fault. Thank you, Haley.”

I give him a nod and he sniffs. “I’m not the best fighter there is. I volunteered because it was a chance to be free. I hope you guys don’t hold that against me.”

We both shake our heads. “Of course not. We know what it’s like to feel like the outcast. That was pretty much our whole lives,” Glory tells him.

She reaches out to hold his hand, her other arm still wrapped around his shoulders.

She gives his hand a little kiss.

As he lifts her chin to kiss her, I move away to the armchair, looking away from the intimate moment of their first kiss.

The kissing sounds stop and Spencer rests his forehead against Glory’s.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I came here, but I already know you’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”

She kisses him again. I’m tempted to leave, but I can feel Uncle Ryan coming up the stairs.

His presence feels unusually powerful.

Maybe he’s trying to intimidate Spencer?

The door opens and Uncle Ryan walks right in.

He clears his throat, confirming my suspicion. “Spencer. I need to bring you into our pack. You’ll be staying in Glory’s room for the time being. I’m a light sleeper, so keep the noise to a minimum.”

He pulls out his pocket knife and opens it in front of Spencer’s face, making him visibly gulp.

I press my lips together to hold back a laugh.

Uncle Ryan cuts his palm and holds it out to Spencer.

He licks his thumb and traces it across the small cut.

The cut heals and Spencer is now part of our pack.

~Thank you, Alpha Weston. I promise to be good to Glory. I should tell you I’m not the best fighter but I’m willing to learn.~

Uncle Ryan cocks his brow. ~I’ll teach you as long as you put in the effort.~

“Haley. I need you for a minute.”

Uncle Ryan leaves the room and I follow behind. “You heard that right?”

“I did.”

“Tell me why he would volunteer, knowing I’m in need of warriors. Was he just hoping to find his mate or what?”

I pull up the vision of Natalie’s attack and find Spencer’s part in it.

I touch Uncle Ryan’s hand and let it play out.

Alpha Ramirez reprimands Spencer and he locks himself in his room.

I let the vision go and drop Uncle Ryan’s hand.

“He feels guilty for trusting his friend?” He concludes.

“Yeah. It would’ve happened with or without him. At least he tried to stop him.”

I don’t know why I’m defending Spencer, Uncle Ryan already knows.

Uncle Ryan nods.

“Yeah. I don’t fault him and since he’s Glory’s mate, I’ll train him personally. I don’t want him getting himself killed. You and Kenneth can fill in whenever I’m not available.”

Uncle Ryan opens Glory’s door and walks in.

I thought they’d be making out, but they’re just talking.

“Training is daily at six o’clock in the morning. You’ll run for a full half hour before training begins. Then you’ll be working with me, my Beta Kenneth, and Haley.

“Dinner is at six. Welcome to the Weston pack. Glory, clear some space for your mate.

“I’m not excited about my niece having a guy in her room, but I know what having a mate is like. Just be respectful in my home. After things are squared away you can decide if you want to go to the Ramirez pack or stay here.”

“I actually already planned on staying in my mate’s pack. I made my mind up a while ago. As long as that’s all right with you of course, alpha,” Spencer offers.

“Of course. I have business to attend to. Haley. Let’s let them have time to get to know one another.”

I follow Uncle Ryan out the door.

Glory and Spencer don’t emerge until dinner time and neither are marked.

I see the longing in Uncle Ryan’s eyes and I feel for him.

What the hell happened to Realta?

I try to link her, but I’m still blocked.

Is she even alive at this point?

I’ve called Natalie, but she hasn’t seen her either.

I wonder if the Oracle would be forthcoming?

I doubt it, but I try anyway.

~I have no knowledge of the Goddess’s whereabouts.~

~Thank you anyway, Oracle.~