Chapter 94: Chapter 32

HALEY

Uncle Ryan is hunched over a map of our territory. The warriors and a majority of our guards surround him. Virgil looks up and winks at me as I approach.

He and Able move to the side, allowing me to get closer. The rest of the warriors follow suit.

“Haley, what can we expect from the Grey pack?” Uncle Ryan gets straight to business.

“They’ll be coming from the southeast. We’re going to need everyone that can be spared. There’s going to be about three hundred of them ranging from fourteen to eighty-four. He’s called in favors to get that many behind him. There will be no women, since they’re basically pup makers in his pack.”

Growls echo all around me. “The eastern border might get a few trying to be sneaky. They’ll come in three waves of one hundred, thinking they’ll catch us by surprise.”

After strategizing and finalizing plans, the warriors leave. Uncle Ryan pulls me aside. “How are you feeling?”

“Pretty broken, but it’s getting easier every minute,” I tell him truthfully.

“I saw you two talking earlier. I’ve never known mates that were in a relationship prior to being mates, nor mates be friends after a rejection. I’m not going to pretend to give you advice. The only thing I can say is be careful.”

I understand his concern. “He’ll be going back to the Redd Pack when this is all over. I won’t see him anymore except in passing.”

Uncle Ryan’s eyes soften and he exhales a breath. “I only hope that your mate is as good, if not better than Virgil. I honestly have nothing bad to say against him.”

I shake my head. “No, you wouldn’t. Next to you, he’s the most perfect man I’ve ever met. Even as kids, he always treated me with respect.”

Uncle Ryan gives me a hug and we go back to training.

The next two days we focus our attention on our southern and southeastern borders. We look for any easy or likely places the intruders are likely to pass through. Virgil suggests setting up bear traps outside the territory.

Uncle Ryan likes the idea and gets volunteers on it.

Later that night, Doctor Mason shows up and shit just got real. The attack is coming and there’s no more time to waste.

“Kyle, I’m glad you could make it.” Uncle Ryan reaches out to shake the doctor’s hand.

“Thank you for having me. I hope you don’t mind my aversion to being inducted into your pack. I have many ties at home.”

“I understand. I’m just glad you’re here. I’ll have you with Haley. She can guide you to wherever you need to be.” Uncle Ryan points me out and I step forward.

The doctor nods his head to me, then to Virgil who’s standing beside me. “Hello again, Haley. Virgil.”

“Doc.” Virgil gives him a nod.

“I’ll set you up at my place tonight as my guest.” Uncle Ryan very generously offers and leads him away.

I move to follow, but Virgil grabs my hand and I spin into his chest. “Sorry, baby. I just wanted to say goodnight.”

~Haley, invite Virgil to dinner, please. I need to speak with him.~ Uncle Ryan tells me.

~Uh, sure. Is there a reason you’re having me ask?~ Doesn’t he know how hard it is to keep my hands and eyes off of Virgil.

~Yeah, I forgot about that. He’s only been in the pack for three days.~ Uncle Ryan admits.

I look up to Virgil. “Uncle Ryan would like you to join us for dinner. He needs to speak to you. You can sit beside me at the end of the table, in your usual spot.”

His lips curl into a smile. “Thank you.” He takes my hand and we walk silently back to the house.

~Haley? Can you hear me?~ Alpha Redd contacts me.

~I hear you, alpha. What can I do for you?~

~When will the battle take place?~

~Morning after tomorrow. About an hour before sunrise.~ I visualize Alpha Redd and smile at his plan. He really is an awesome guy.

“Virgil, I think I want you running the second group. People tend to follow your lead and listen when you tell them to do something,” Uncle Ryan says over dinner. “I’ve watched you during training and no one has bested you. You even seem relaxed like it’s easy.

“Declan has trained you well, but you’ve also learned from him. My guys are good, but you’ve beaten them all. On top of all that, I know you and trust you to make necessary decisions. Are you okay with that?”

“Alpha Weston, I’m honored…may I make a request?”

“Of course Haley will be in your group,” Uncle Ryan answers before Virgil even gets out his request. Virgil smiles to himself, but nods. “I want you in charge of the second wave. I’ll take the first and Kenneth will take the third group.”

“Uncle Ryan.” I grab his attention and he hums in question. “Alpha Blackburn needs to be notified that they’re coming through his territory around midnight. Also, Alpha Ramirez offered to have his guards at the ready. If we have him watch our northern and northwestern borders, you can bring those guards down.”

“Is that a suggestion or is it what I need to do?” he asks.

“It’s what you need to do. Also, Realta, Freya, and Geoff need to be in the first wave. Kenna and Jason need to be with Virgil.”

“What?” They both ask at once.

“She needs to be with you, Uncle Ryan.” I tell him and he growls. “Realta. With your powers, you could do some major damage.”

She shakes her head. “The Earth Goddess made me mortal. I’m no longer a Starlight Sister.”

“I can’t have you anywhere near the battle, love. I’m sorry, but you’re too precious to me. I can’t lose you.” Uncle Ryan tells her.

I wonder why she doesn’t know that she still has all of her powers. “Realta, your powers weren’t taken. Didn’t you know?” I ask her.

“My mother, the Moon Goddess, asked if I would give up my powers. My sister Dara came to Earth because I can no longer bless the earth children, only a Starlight Sister has the power to do so.”

“Right. What’s your point? I would assume that just means you can no longer gift them. Natalie has powers, why not you? Did they say they took your powers away?” I point out.

Realta looks down to her lap as she thinks everything over. She calls forth her power, but nothing happens. She looks up at me with doubt, but she knows better and tries again, failing again.

“Here.” Virgil says before he breaks his own finger with only a grunt.

“Goddess!” I cry out, but Realta is already healing him, and the doctor is out of his chair.

“Dec had Chase break his arm to get Natalie’s attention. It worked then too. Of course, Luna Kya was pissed,” Virgil comments offhandedly.

Realta lets go of Virgil’s hand and shoves at his chest. “You ass!” She covers her mouth and looks to Uncle Ryan.

“Sorry, my love,” she says, realizing she cursed. Virgil, Glory, Blaine, Spencer, and I all start laughing so hard we have tears in our eyes.

Eventually, everyone at the table is laughing. Realta’s face is red, and Uncle Ryan rubs her back as she hides into his chest.

“You’ll be by my side the entire time and in human form. Okay, my darling?” She nods, her head still in his chest.

“Ryan. Doctor Juarez and I will need to have two triage tents set up and all of the hospital staff ready to go. There are always many injuries during a battle.”

“I’ll get the pack on that tomorrow first thing,” Uncle Ryan looks around the table. “All right, everyone get some rest. We’ll divide up the groups tomorrow and start running drills together.”

Everyone does as told, some of us telling Louisa and Edgar goodnight.

Virgil stops me at the bottom of the stairs. “I just wanted to say goodnight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Virgil.” I wrap my arms around his abdomen and lean in to give him a hug.

He holds me tighter and kisses my forehead. “Your mark doesn’t glow anymore.” His finger glides over the place my mark should be.

“I know you still have visions.”

“I have more control now?” I suggest, having no reason as to why the mark would stop glowing.

He softly hums. “Maybe. It’s too bad. I always thought it was really pretty.”

He kisses the spot again, staying a bit longer before he lets me go and I see him out. I lean against the door and close my eyes just to breathe.

~Goddess, I love him. I love him with an intensity I can’t describe. It’s like he’s everything to me. If I had nothing but him, I would be content.~