Return to Wisteria (Book Three of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 23~Survivors~

Summer

       I hated how annoyed and anxious as August towed me around. What could be more important than pursuing Vincent!? When August pushed me through the doors of the gym, my entire being froze. I felt an immediate pool towards the group of people standing before me. Royal was acting like a damned lunatic, her howling and prancing not making any sense.

      My head started to pound, my ears ringing. I could barely hear August's voice; he sounded muffled and distorted. My mind suddenly became crowded with voices that I've never heard before. The voices sounded afraid and confused. This was too much! It felt like my head was about to explode from the intense pressure.

      I cradled my head as I fell to the floor. Our pack! Royal shouted over the voices. She took control of our body to let out a fierce howl. I tried to focus on her but my head was in excruciating pain. The voices in my head went berserk, all of them shouting Alpha in confused tones. Me? Where these my people? Was this my pack? 

       Yes! Royal yelled as we watched through watery eyes. The pack was kneeling before me showing me respect, approving of me. My tears fell faster, this was my pack. Someone started to screech from the back of the group. Go to them! Royal urged me. I tried to stand up but my legs were too weak.

      My movements were sloppy as I crawled towards the members. Faster! Royal demanded as the screams intensified. I waded towards the crowd, using my hand to guide me. The voices in my mind were almost as loud as the screeches from the back. Goddess, this hurts! 

     A frail hand grabbed on to mine.  Alpha, they said. Their voice came through clear in my mind. More hands touched me, each acknowledging me then disappearing. I can’t see past my tears, but I knew my group of members led me to the back. The pounding in my head slowly eased, leaving my body depleted. 

      The source of the screaming finally came into my blurry view. Royal took over again to let out another howl. I reached out towards the figure that was writhing around in pain. They quickly grabbed on to me, pulling me closer. “MAKE IT STOP!” they screeched. I tried to dry my eyes and concentrate. I pulled them onto my lap in an attempt to bring them comfort.

     They clung to me with a blind desperate need. There was one voice left in my head, it screams mirroring the person I held. I licked my cracked lips and tried to offer words of encouragement. Nothing flowed through my mouth. I was too overwhelmed! All I could do was awkwardly pat their back, getting them quiet down. They whimpered for a few more minutes, their breathing becoming slow and steady. 

    They rolled around in my arms, finally allowing me to see their face. They had large pouty pink lips, thick black brows, and dark brown freckles covering the bridge of their nose. Their high cheekbones protruded against their gaunt face. They're beautiful dark brown orbs were large and dilated. They looked around in a panic, their body stiff in my hold. 

    “It's ok.” I croaked. Their eyes snapped up to mine, the panic slowly disappearing. They raised their freshly marked left hand to caress my cheek. A new flood of tears came forward. My Delta was female.

     Her chaotic mind link quieted down to a soft whisper. Alpha, she said, her eyes clear. “I'm Grace”. she introduced herself. I chuckle through my tears, “I'm Summer.” Someone cleared their throat, breaking up our moment. “What the devil is going on?” Lucas demanded. He was standing in the doorway with the other founders who looked equally confused. 

    “These are survivors of the Wisteria Forest pack. Vincent hid them on a small compound in Tempe.” August said. Iosai scoffed, “That traitor hide them In plain sight.” “Well, this is glorious news if what you claim is true. How do we know they are really survivors?” Olivia questioned with cautious curiosity. “Summer has bonded to them. They have already established the mind link and… and she's found her Delta. This is her pack.” August explained, giving me and Grace a soft look.

    “Is that true Ms. Frost?” Iosai asked. I looked down at Grace, her smile encouraging me. She stood up and helped me to my feet, my balance was still a little off. “Yes. I have bonded with them. The Wisteria Forest pack is alive.” I confirmed. Autumn gave a tearful cheer from her spot on the floor. 

      The Founders exclaimed at once, their excitement rattling their old bones. “This is astounding!” Olivia shouted. Lucas cooed in agreement, his gaze roaming the crowd. “We will need to verify their identities in order to have their assets turned over to them. We'll have to review all of the names that were reported as dead." he grumbled. 

    “Goddess, that will take ages.” Iosai replied, his tone equally as grumpy. “I know someone who will be able to identify them.” I said, taking a shaky step forward. “Who?” Lucas chirped, his face lighting up. “Our mother,” I turned to address my brother, “Auggie, call mom.” August nodded and walked outside to make the call. 

       I looked back at the pack. My pack. This was so surreal. Autumn stood up and approached us. “Hi, I'm Autumn, Summer's sister." She said shyly. Grace towered over us; she was full head taller. Grace gave her a bright smile, her narrow cheeks sinking in further. "Hello, I'm Grace. I guess I'm somehow your sister's Delta." she said, holding out her hand.

      Autumn gently pushed it to the side and embraced her. Grace's face turned pink against her medium tanned skin. Goddess! She's so frail, Summer. Autumn linked me. I know, they all are, I replied. Autumn released Grace but held on to her hand. "Grace, do you think you could introduce us to the pack?" Autumn asked. "Oh, Oh! Of course!" Grace stammered. She grabbed my hand then proceeded to tug us through the crowd.

      We spent the next few hours getting to know the pack. From my count, there were fifteen original members. They ranged from Mom's age to older. There were roughly twenty people around my age and ten younger members. I was completely baffled. Three generations of our people were hidden away for decades on a compound, literally twenty minutes away. 

     August had stayed close by, his face closed off from emotions. He had told us that Mom was headed this way with Auntie Lila and Lily. Apparently it had taken quite a while to convince them that we were serious. Their plane would be landing soon. The Founders also sat back to watch our interactions. They happily accepted my request to have food sent down. 

     The pack sent me apologetic glances as they devoured their food. They were easy to talk to, never holding back any details about their captivity. The children became comfortable with their new surroundings. They ran around, their laughter soothing my frayed nerves. Holy s**t, these were my people! I still couldn’t believe it. I never thought this day would come. 

    “Summer, Mom’s here.” August announced right before she burst into the gym. Mom looked distraught, her eyes scanning the room. “Sophia?” she whispered, taking a step forward. A woman who was sitting on the side of me stood up slowly. “Lo?” she cried. They ran to each other, embracing each other with loud sobs. “Caitlin!” “Amber!” Aunt Lila and Lily yelled at the same time. Two other women ran to them, their arms wide.  

      The gym became loud with their reunion. “Alpha Frost, this is more than enough proof. Please send a list of all of the families present. We will let you and your family catch up.” Lucas smiled. He took his leave with the rest of the founders. “Where is Bethany?” Mom asked, wiping away her tears. Grace tensed up, her face crestfallen. “Mom passed away a few weeks ago. Vincent was bringing us less and less supplies. Then all of a sudden he stopped showing up.” Grace answered. 

    Mom placed her small hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp. “That sounds like it was around the time of the rogue attacks.” I guessed out loud, August nodded in agreement. “So, you are her daughter? What is your name?" Mom asked, her head tilted and focused on our interlocked hands. 

    “Yes ma'am. I'm Bethany's daughter. My name is Grace. I'm also Summer's Delta." she stated proudly. Mom quickly enveloped her in a tight hug, her head barely reaching Grace's chest. “Your mother was one of my dearest friends before we were separated. I'm so sorry for your loss.” Mom cried. Grace hugged her back, letting her tears fall freely. 

    Auntie Lila sniffled, “A Delta? I've never heard of a female being fated as a Delta.” Auntie Lily nodded, “Me either. She must be the first."  Mom wiped her face as she took a step back. “I don't understand. Deltas are very rare. How have the last three generations been blessed with one?” she asked. 

     Autumn chimed in, “According to our laws, a Delta is created when an Alpha is in need. Grandma Liatris was given a Delta to keep the pack whole. Maybe the moon goddess thought it would be a way to keep Lazarus by grandma's side instead of the Fallen.” Hmmm. “I see. So in terms of Mom, she obviously needed Uncle Donnie. He was someone who could bring her family together." August added. 

   “The moon goddess giving Summer a Delta is a double edged sword.” Autumn's tone turned serious. “What do you mean?” Auntie Lily asked. “It means that the moon goddess knows I'll need help. She sent me an ally.” I said quietly. “The moon goddess is preparing us for war.” Autumn finished. Grace frowned at me, her brows furrowed from confusion. I patted her shoulder and promised to fill her in soon. 

    “Mrs. Frost, my great grandfather would like to speak with you, if that's ok." Grace said after a few moments of awkward silence. “Elder Archibald is still alive?!” Mom and her sisters shouted. Grace chuckled and bobbed her head. We followed her to where her only remaining family member rested. Goddess, he was ancient. He was the oldest person within the pack. “PopPop, I've brought someone to speak to you.” Grace greeted him. 

     Elder Archibald turned slowly, revealing his clouded white eyes. “As I live and breathe. I might not be able to see you, but your scent is still the same. Come here, girls.” His old voice rumbled. Mom and her sisters rushed to his side, another round of tears falling. 

    The elder laughed while he successfully calmed them down with endearing words and jokes. “Tell us what happened to you. How did you end up here?” Mom pleaded, holding onto his wrinkled hand.  “Oh dear. I guess I should start at the beginning.” Archibald murmured. “During the attack, I was able to round up a group for evacuation. We were on the west side of the territory. Back then, there were thirty of us if I remember correctly.”

     Sophia nodded as she tapped his hand, signaling for him to continue. “We were hiding in the woods when we saw that the Council reinforcements started to arrive. I was leading our group back to get help when we were approached by a vampire. He said his name was Vincent and that he worked for the Council. He was very charismatic and even showed us his pin that had the Council insignia on it. He said he was there to help us.”

        Archibald let out a heavy sigh, “He told us that he would take us back to the Council to wait for more survivors. That is where I made the fatal mistake.” Sophia shook her head, “So, we followed him. He brought us to the compound where we were never reunited with any other survivors.” “He was so cruel. Every time he came with supplies, he would gloat about his master and how his plans were working perfectly. He never kept us updated on the real world or any real news about our pack.” Archibald added. 

      Auntie Lila traced the small Wisteria flower mark that was located on his inner wrist. “Where did you get this?” she asked. Sophia shrugged, “They appeared the morning after Vincent captured us.”  “I would often stare at mine, its presence made me feel like everything would be ok. I like to believe that it's Selene's way of helping us remember who we are. As long as we carry these marks, our pack will never be forgotten.”  Archibald admitted, his voice weary. 

    He gently cupped Mom's cheek, sporting a toothless grin. “I'm so glad we are back together again.” he sniffled. I sat close and listened to the elder tell stories about mom when she was younger. He joked about how wild grandma Liatris was and how he was positive that that trait was passed onto her grandchildren. My aunts and mother giggled, animatedly adding onto his stories. Mom’s face was bright and happy. She was finally at peace.