Visions of Wolves

Returning for answers

After the whole incident I had two days left to hang out with Alex before heading back home. There had been more sightings of rogues on the perimeter and on nearby farms so he spent most of the day in his office with Jay, Adam and other important members of the village. 

It was alright though, I was still quite tired and drowsy. In the evenings we stayed in his room watching TV and relaxing. By the time my trip was over I felt much better, amazing actually. Jay explained that while I wasn’t going to be able to shift, the marking process does transfer certain abilities.

My eyesight was better, I felt stronger, more flexible and my skin looked amazing. I felt like I was healthier than I had ever been. Even my body seemed more toned.

Saying goodbye was tough, almost harder than last time. Even Alex seemed to get a little teary. He asked me if I had considered moving to the village yet, which I had, but I wasn’t quite ready for it. I told him I would give it one more year to properly pack up my life, see my family and friends as much as possible and then move. He also promised that once he knew the village was safe we could travel together, I wouldn’t be confined to the village but it would be home. 

It was a compromise that he couldn’t refuse. It also meant we had more time to figure out how we were going to announce that I was now his marked mate and technically Luna of the pack. Adam, Jay, Ally, Aoife and Mabel were the only people who knew besides us. I had stayed clear of anyone else, ducking behind doors and wearing Alex’s hoodie so that people wouldn’t suspect his scent on me. It was getting complicated. 

Aoife helped too by creating rosemary soaps that masked the scent fairly well, but not well enough if I was close by. With the new rogue sightings it really wasn’t the time to let the village know their Luna was human. Aoife had also given me a few exercises to try at home to improve channeling my power. 

I wanted so badly to tell Alex about the vision I had when I woke up in the infirmary. My Luna ceremony. But the anxiety got the better of me. I’m not ready to be responsible for a whole village of people, I can’t imagine ever being ready for the kind of responsibility. 

Alex announcing to his pack that I was his mate would also put pressure on him to have the Luna ceremony, but he has enough on his plate as it is. Plus he was already being overly sensitive about marking me and how that went. Then there was my fear that it was simply a dream, I had imagined it and not actually seen the future. No. This was going to remain a secret, for now at least. But I am more inspired than ever to learn about the pack and possibly earn the honour of Luna. Despite my best efforts though, I can only make a candle flame flicker and not even go out. Proving myself worthy was going to be tough.

My visions were becoming more vivid too. They no longer made me feel faint, I just sort of spaced out momentarily. It was little things mostly. I knew a bird would splat on me, so I kept a step back or that it would rain all weekend despite the sunny forecast.

The hardest one to explain was knowing that Casey had been promoted at work before she did. I had dreamt it and it was so vivid that I congratulated her when she walked into my place - but before she even told me the news. 

She had told me before that she has big news so I just shrugged it off as a good guess. However it's clear I have to be more careful not to make that mistake again in the future. Casey even noticed I was different. That I looked better than she’d seen me in a long time. 

It was so hard not to tell her about everything that had happened. She would have loved the Harvest Festival, both parties actually. She had always been the more spiritual between the two of us and I wanted to tell her so desperately about the bonfire and dancing. I’d love to show her one day too. If Alex would allow. If I was to eventually move there I would have to have people visit at least once in a while.

I told Casey all the bits that I could. But on my first night back we spoke for hours and went through two bottles of wine. Casey’s eyes were barely open but she still wanted more so I headed to the kitchen for my emergency bottle. Apparently the shifter’s blood meant I could hold my liquor better too. I’d have to tell Ally that, maybe even challenge her.

I was stretching for the top cupboard when Casey gasped and rushed over, lifting up my top that had ridden above my midriff while I was reaching.

“Teal what the hell happened here? You look like you got mauled by some beast!”

I couldn’t help but snort in response, I kind of did. I shrugged it off and lowered my shirt back down to hide it.

“That’s an old scar, I did get bitten once.” Not quite a lie, not quite the truth.

“I’ve never noticed that before.” She glared at me.

This was also a good point. We often went swimming together at the local pool, she had seen me in a bikini multiple times. I was going to need to be more careful when my family was around. Fortunately when I eventually got the wine bottle down the questioning stopped and the drinking continued. 

I left her passed out on the couch and headed back to my room. She would join me when she eventually woke up and felt like she needed to be somewhere comfier.

That night my visions started peaceful. Lying in the shade of trees on the floor of a forest with Alex. Sitting by a fire with Aoife and drinks on the balcony with Adam, Ally and Jay. But then they started to go dark. I saw someone approach me in the street, somewhere I didn’t recognise. His eyes were recognisable but I could quite put my finger on it. The next minute I’m in a basement type room with only a small window at the top of the wall. My hands are tied and my head is stinging.  

I woke up in a sweat, clutching at my chest while my heart pounded so hard it felt like it was bruised. Something about that vision felt very wrong. Every couple days the vision would come back again as though trying to warn me.

I had tried to tell Alex, but the first time I called him one of his friend’s growing up had just found his mate and he was so excited I couldn’t quite bring myself to worry him. I also knew there was no immediate danger, I could wait until the right time to tell him and I just wouldn’t go anywhere new or alone at night.

The next time it happened I called, but there had been an attack by rogues on the outskirts of the village and he was so flustered and worried about the families there that I couldn’t bring myself to say it again. 

Eventually I just let it go and kept a diary of any of the recognisable points in the visions that would help us predict when and where it happened. I made notes on things such as what the person who approached me was wearing and the colour of the chairs at the cafe I had just walked out of.

Work kept me busy so time flew by, even the heat I experienced this month was easy to ignore with so much on the go. Suddenly I had two days left to pack for my visit.

“Hey you,” I answered the call from Alex. My phone was wedged between my ear and shoulder while I sorted through my laundry.

“Hey, you sound busy? Can you chat?” Came Alex’s voice from the other side of the line. We had barely spoken all week. We were both so busy we kept missing each other so I was more than willing to make the time.

“Yes! Of course. We keep missing each other. I miss your voice. I feel as though this month has flown by, I can’t wait to see you this weekend.”

Alex paused. “Yeah Teal, look, about this weekend…” My heart dropped. I slumped down on the bed and grabbed the phone with my hand, barely able to breathe. Did he not want to see me? 

“I’m worried about your safety. About you coming to the village. We think a neighbouring farm might be rallying the rogues but we have no proof and no real leads. I’m distracted and I worry that I will be inviting you right into the lion’s den…”

I tried to will the tears back but the first warm drop slid from my eye down my cheek.

“You don’t want to see me?” Was all I could muster. I know it was a silly question, what he was saying was reasonable. But I was so looking forward to seeing him and the others. Above all I needed to see Aoife, I need to ask her to help me unpack these night terrors or visions whatever they are. Thinking about them brought back a rush of fear that left a cold sweat down my back.

“Teal, my love. Yes I want to see you. How can you even ask that? I’m worried, please understand. This has nothing to do with us. It’s about safety.”

“Have the rogues been in the village again?”

“No, but there have been more sightings around the village and we’ve had some anonymous tips.”

“Well then, I would be safe in the village?” I bargained. 

“Teal…” he whispered followed by a deep and sorrowful sigh.

“Alex please. I’ll stay indoors and I won’t get in your way I swear. Please!”

“Teal, I really don’t think-” he whispered again before I cut him off.

“So you mark me and then ditch me? Is this how that works?” Dammit. I regretted it the minute I said it. I wasn’t angry with him, I was just disappointed and taking it out on him. I’m scared about the visions I have been having, I need to see Aoife, I need to be in his arms.

The line was uncomfortably silent. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I’m just disappointed. I know you mean well…Alex? Are you still there?” I asked sheepishly.

“I’m here.” He shot back. “I’ll meet with Jay and Adam, we can discuss the risk and then I’ll let you know the decision.” He was so formal, clearly I cut him deep. This wasn’t my mate speaking, this was the Alpha. 

“Ok,” I whispered in response. It was all I could muster without sobbing as I spoke. 

“Good night Teal, love you.”

“Good night Alex, I love-” and the call ended. 

An hour later, after a good cry in the shower and strong cup of tea I decided to text him.

I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I was just disappointed. I will trust your decision but I’d really like to see you and everyone.

I saw him typing almost instantly.

I don’t like fighting with you. I’m with Jay and Adam now, we’re going to tighten security and get Ally to chaperone you during your stay. But one hint of an issue and we are putting you back on a plane - no questions asked.

Thank you! I understand. I swear I won’t get in your way. 

You know it was never about getting in the way right? It’s not about me not wanting to see you, I hate that it even crossed your mind. I want you to be safe and I want to enjoy the time I have with you - which might be limited this week.

I know, I know. Sorry. Again. I’ll take what ever time you can spare. 

Ok then, so we have a deal?

Yes! Thank you. See you on Saturday. Good night Alex.

Love you Teal, see you Saturday.