Chapter 40: Bad Timings

[Abe]
Everything was going wrong.

His plan was flawless. They’d strengthen their forces and sneak a large-scale attack - the largest one ever - on the Whispering Moon Pack, kicking their Goddess-less butts out of these sacred lands. They will make history.

Their secret weapon would bring down the giant Alpha during the battle. The victory was theirs.

But that conceited Oscar wanted to show off to Cole, boasting that he would disable Cole by getting rid of that smart*ss Beta. In the end, he only succeeded in announcing their secret weapon to the whole f*cking world.

Abe glared at the almost full moon, who was glowing peacefully back at him and forced the ale down his throat.

He managed to set things right with Oscar but then that fat Edgar and womaniser Wesley went yapping, revealing more of their secrets. His plans were thwarted. Abe would have to stretch his brilliant mind again.

He had just worked out a new, flawless plan when those nitwits from his pack used their stock of the weapon on Dove, confirming Abe’s involvement and making his plans useless once more.

He needed to start all over. New strategies and new weapons.

At this thought, he flung the half-filled glass on the floor and it shattered into a million tiny pieces.

With heavy breathing and bloodshot eyes, Abe stared at the red liquid as it slowly crept and spread across the floor like a spider’s web, gripping everything in its way and dragging them into the depths of his greed. He recalled the love of his life.

His magic power.

When Oscar described what happened to the rogue Omegas, Abe thought those idiots were lying to save their pride.

But it happened again today. And Abe knew what really went on with Clarissa and her nitwit friends and the extreme euphoria they experienced - he had witnessed it years ago.

A strange grin slithered across his face.

His magic power had vanished from the face of the Earth. And now, she has returned.

His last secret.



******


[Dove]
“Dove, wake up.”

My eyes jolted open and were pricked by the morning rays. I slowly sat up, wincing and blinking to clear the groggy feeling, as Cole’s outline walked around me, going about his morning routines.

He stopped in front of me, cleared his throat and said, “Get dressed.”

With one eye closed and the other half-opened, I looked up at him and muttered, “Are we going somewhere?”

Wrapping the covers around me, he hoisted me off the bed, dragged me to the bathroom and pushed me in. “Just put some clothes on, d*mn it.”

I frowned at my reflection. Removing the covers, I realized that I was completely naked. With a sharp inhale, I completely sobered up and heard him laughing outside the door.

“What did Jave say? Was it good or bad news?” I pulled my hair up in a working bun and then brushed my teeth.

“Neither good nor bad.” His muffled voice came through clearly.

My brows furrowed.

Then, he added, “Jave and Saul are not joining Oscar.”

I paused and widened my gaze at the door."That's good news!"

“But they are not joining us either.”

That's bad news, I thought and nodded at my reflection as though it was him. There was disappointment in his voice. I wanted to cheer him up, but my mind was blank.

The door opened slightly and my clothes flew in.

I gasped. “Cole! What the hell!” My hands slapped on my mouth. Then I let out an exasperated sigh with closed eyes, as he laughed loudly outside.


******


The improved moves require the warriors to become familiar with fire.

We tend to avoid the things that hurt us. But what we should do is actually learn about them, face our fears and stretch the possibilities.

“Hence we need to know about the fire and silver and find ways to tackle their powers. That way, the enemies can’t hurt us as much.”

Cole nodded when the group of elders finished explaining. Then, Jude took over and demonstrated the new moves.

My gaze went to Cole and lingered on him. With his feet apart, back straightened and arms folded across his chest, he looked like a colossal statue. The sight of him made me recall the night of our first kiss in the kitchen.

Quickly, I squeezed my eyes to push away the images sprouting in my mind. Then a wave of intense heat washed over me.

My eyes flared open to a bonfire.

Cole was at my side. “What’s wrong?”

I swung to him with quizzical eyes. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just… thinking.”

His eyes enlarged at me and he frowned. “Stop thinking.”

“It’s not within my control,” I hissed. What’s wrong with this ox? His demands are getting ridiculous. It was already a pain to constantly be mindful of the word ‘leave’ and not use it.

The giant stared ahead with indignation.

I was rolling my eyes when something peculiar caught the corner of my eye. I turned to it and was astonished to see the Gamma.

“Owin!” I was about to go forward to him when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I scrunch my nose at the Alpha with annoyance. He didn't look pleased.

“He’ll come over.” The grasp on my arm tightened.

My eyes fell on the werewoman walking closely with Owin. She looked strangely familiar. Her red curls and green eyes…

“Helia?” I blurted in amazement.

Cole leaned in and whispered, “Their daughter, Modis.”

Modis had Helia’s grace and Saul’s seriousness. Her short curls bounced rhythmically about her ears as she took cautious steps and her eyes were glued to the heavily bandaged man next to her.

Suddenly, Owin missed a step and his arm went swiftly around Modis’s shoulder, holding onto her like a crutch. Their faces came so near that they could almost kiss.

Then, Owin saluted, muttered something to Modis and focused ahead again. A hint of pink on Modis’s tanned cheeks caught my attention.

I turned to Cole, wide-eyed, and he nodded with a knowing grin.

Since Aeson had warned Owin off any strenuous activities, the young warrior decided to work on overcoming his phobia of fire instead. Cole made sure that he wouldn’t overdo himself.

He said to Modis, “Knock him out if you have to.”

Owin grinned with admiration at Cole and then glanced at Modis. “Do as he says.”

Modis chuckled softly. “You mind your own business, fighter.”

As they moved carefully to the bonfire, Cole hugged my shoulder and said, “Saul’s not happy. But he can’t stop her.”

“Modis was here the whole time?” I was flabbergasted.

Cole nodded. “She arrived after we left for Jave's.”

“Does Owin know?”

Knowing that I was referring to Modis's affection for Owin, the Alpha shook his head. “No. He thought that Modis liked me.”

“What?” I broke from his embrace, stepped away and slanted my eyes at him. “Why?”

Cole cast me a glum expression. “I did nothing.”

I returned an unimpressed look at him.

He exhaled with exasperation, then looked away and said, “Helia told Owin that she wants me as her son-in-law.”

“What?” I shouted. Oh my Goddess, I thought furiously, that explains her hostility towards me. She was after Cole for her daughter’s sake! That darn woman.

Cole turned away and rolled his eyes. Abruptly, he grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in for a hard kiss. When it ended, he gazed at me intensely. “You’re my wife so it’s done. Stop getting upset.”

Someone cleared her throat behind us. I quickly composed myself, turned from him and faced the person.

Megan was tapping her foot impatiently. “Cole, we don’t have time to make new gear.” She shoved a hand at the warriors who were sparring within a circle of bonfires. “And they need time to get used to it.”

Cole let out a heavy sigh. “Your suggestion?”

“Scarves. Jude wanted shields but scarves would be more versatile for our new moves.” Megan looked ready to strangle Cole, but I knew it was really Jude’s neck she was after.

“Scarves, then. I’ll talk to Jude.” Cole kneaded between his eyes as Megan skipped away.

“Scarves?” I finally asked.

The Alpha lifted his gaze at me and flashed a hopeful grin. “Megan found a non-flammable wool--.”

“Cole!”

We turned around and searched for the source of the voice.

Modis had left Owin at the bonfire and was sprinting towards us, pointing at something in the sky. Coming closer, she was wearing her father’s grim expression. “My father just sent a signal.”

Cole and I looked up in time to see a tiny white flash.