Chapter 92: Chapter 30

VIRGIL

“Hey. Where’s Martha?” Dec asks as I kick off my shoes on the front porch of the pack house.

“She found her mate. He was a rogue outside of Memphis. He’s a huge Elvis fan, he even wears his hair the same way. She’s trying to convince him to come up here. He has a motorcycle and a cottage, and she still has her sawed-off, so she’s fine. He was a pretty decent guy.”

“That’s good for her. I still have a connection, hopefully she gets him to come up here. But if not, I know the alpha there is a pretty good guy. I’ll have him look for her.”

I nod then crack my back and stretch. I’m pretty tired from driving for so long. Finding rogues isn’t easy, but the Goddess told me to help those in need.

Martha set off to help the rogues, so I accompanied her. Actually, I drove. Dec was so relieved when I came back from my ordeal with the Moon Goddess, he embraced me and told me to never put him through that again.

I apologized to him, but he just told me he was glad I was back. I told him about the Moon Goddess visiting me and he didn’t look at me like I was nuts. He actually encouraged me to go along with Martha’s plan, then funded it all.

“Miss Regina is making dinner now. Or Alana and Chase are grilling some steaks if you want to join us. I’m just on my own now,” Dec offers.

“I was actually planning on just going to Bruno’s and catching up with Jason and Abel after I shower.”

“They’re not here.”

I tilt my head. “Where’d they go?”

“They’re at the Weston pack.” I can tell Dec doesn’t want to say something. If it’s involving the Weston pack, I can only imagine it has something to do with Haley.

“That’s fine, I’ll just eat with Miss Regina and catch up with them tomorrow.”

Dec scratches the stubble he’s been growing. “They’re not going to be back for another month, they’re part of the Weston pack for the time being.”

I stand up straight and look him in the eye, not in a challenging way, but with sincerity. “Dec, what is going on?”

“Well…the vessel.”

I cut him off right there. “Dec, that was almost two years ago. You can say Haley’s name. I still love her, but she was just a scared pup back then. She was right to do what she did. I don’t blame her and I’m certainly not afraid to hear her name.”

Dec relaxes a little. “So, Haley had a vision that Erwin Grey is going to attack their pack, we’re talking war. They asked for some extra help from us and the Ramirez and Blackburn Packs.”

“Holy shit! When is everything going down?” There’s no way in hell I’m staying here knowing she’s in danger.

“Haley said the beginning of summer, they wanted time to get used to fighting together. I sent them over in March. Jason found his mate in…Kennedy, no, Kenya… Ugh, fuck it, Finn’s little sister.”

“Kenna. You were close though. Summer Solstice is in like three days. Are you sending me over?” He better say yes.

Dec shakes his head. “It’s volunteer. Damon sent seven, including Freya and her mate. Deke sent four. I sent six.”

I rub my chin as I think through who they might have sent. “Do they have a healer?”

Dec shrugs his shoulders. “I’m not sure if Realta will be there or not. She and Ryan have a thing going.”

“That’s not a guarantee. You know that she’s not supposed to interfere. I’m going to go talk to Doc and see if he’s willing to help out. I’m leaving as soon as I’m finished packing.”

Dec nods and I rush through a quick shower. I dump my dirty clothes in exchange for some clean ones, then stop at the hospital.

“Hey, Virgil. You’re back. How was Tennessee?” Doc Mason greets me.

“It was beautiful. Did you hear about the Weston pack?”

He nods. “I did, but they asked for the volunteers to be there for an extensive time frame and to be linked. I can’t do that with all of my connections and my duties here.”

“Otherwise you would go?”

“Of course. Ryan Weston is a good guy. They have a pack doctor that really knows his stuff, but during a battle a healer is good to have.”

“Great, let’s go. I’m sure Alpha Weston will just be happy for your help. Dec said it’ll all go down at the beginning of summer, that’s in three days.”

“Tell you what, give me three days and I’ll head over myself. If the Oracle says she needs me sooner, I’ll go. All right?”

“Sounds good. Thanks, Doc. I’ll see you in a few. I gotta get over there.”

He shakes my hand and I leave him to see to his patients.

I drive with my foot heavy on the accelerator, not even stopping to eat. The territory is dark when I arrive and Kenneth stops me at the gate. “Virgil. It’s been a long time. What brings you here?”

“I’m here to help. I just found out or I would’ve been here sooner.”

“You have great timing. We can use all the help we can get. I’ll take you to the pack house and get you settled in.”

He waves to one of the guards then hops up in my truck. I already know where to go, but Kenneth still guides the way.

I park outside then grab my duffel bag. The guards are all still awake and hanging out. Jason has his arm around Kenna who spots me first. “Virgil!” She gets up followed by everyone else.

I get hugs from Freya and Kenna. I shake hands with my friends and buddies from my pack.

Kenneth introduces me to anyone else I don’t know then leads me to a bunk. “Ryan has been starting training at six with a half-hour warm-up run before, but the training center is always open. He can induct you tomorrow morning. It’s good to have you here.”

“Doc. Mason will be joining us in three days, unless Haley wants him here sooner.”

“Awesome. I’ll let Ryan know. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I shake his hand then strip down to some pajama pants to join the rest of the guys. They’re watching a movie and munching. I grab a handful of popcorn and plop on the ground in front of Jason and Kenna.

Abel tosses me a beer and I relax with my new pack for the time being.

HALEY

I yawn and stretch, preparing myself for training. The sun hasn’t quite risen yet, which suits me perfectly as I prefer getting my run in early.

Spencer and Uncle Ryan are already awake, chatting over bowls of protein oatmeal. I’m not the biggest fan of this meal, but it’s beneficial for training. Besides, we’ll have a proper breakfast later.

I grab a bowl and start eating.

“Haley. Virgil showed up last night,” Uncle Ryan warns me.

I stop eating, my mouth still full. I glance between the two men, then swallow.

“I’m glad. He’s a great fighter. We’ll need him for the attack in three days.”

“Three days?” Spencer asks.

“Mhmm. Just before sunrise. Dr. Mason will be arriving just in time.”

“Dr. Mason is coming? That’s good news. I guess Kenneth didn’t tell me that part yet.”

“He decided last night. It’s a good thing he’s coming. Dara might still be too timid to be around all the fighting. Spencer, are you still taking Glory and Realta to no-man’s-land today?”

“That’s the plan.”

I nod my head. “Can you have Glory find me a new pair of chucks, please? Mine are pretty beat up.”

“You got it, sis.”

We finish eating and head out to the field to start our run. I kind of go off on my own, running in a different area, needing time to think.

I never thought that Virgil would come, but I’m glad he’s so honorable. He will definitely tip the scale in our favor. I still love him.

I’m excited to see how attractive he’s become, but terrified that he hates me for what I did to him. Oh Goddess, I would be devastated if he hates me.

I shrug off all thoughts of Virgil and finish my laps. We have a battle coming up and I can’t be distracted just because he’s here.

There are a few warriors already in the training center working out when I walk in. A big one with no shirt turns around at the sound of my entrance and my heart stops.

I take two steps, then freeze. “No! Oh, please Goddess, No!” I beg with every fiber of my being. My heart shatters and I drop to the floor, crushed.

“No, please! Please, please, no.” My nose tingles and tears are already falling.

Virgil kneels before me. “Haley. Say the words.” He chokes out, tears clouding his eyes.

I shake my head. “I can’t,” I barely squeak out.

He kisses my forehead and it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt. I want his kisses forever. “I love you too much, Haley. I’m so sorry.”

Tears fall like rain down my cheeks and my arms wrapped around me are probably the only thing keeping me from falling to pieces. “I, Virgil James, reject you, Haley Summers, as my mate.”

I fall even more to pieces, not knowing how that’s even possible. Virgil sniffs. “Haley, please. You have to say it. Come on, baby, say it.”

My whole jaw quivers. I lick my lips and look up into his stricken face. He gives me a nod.

“I, Haley Summers… Reject you…Virgil.” My voice breaks. I take in a shaky breath, then let it out. “Virgil James…as my mate.”

The world falls around me and I weep.

Virgil grunts and his left hand goes to the ground, keeping him from falling over. I’m whimpering and sobbing, but the pain of the rejection only lasts a short while. Losing Virgil as my mate is the worst pain I’ve ever felt.