Chapter Seven
2037 Words
Bardik walked out onto the training fields surprised to find one of the dummies missing its head. He shook his own at the sight, he would have to talk with the men about this. It was something they couldn't continue to have. If the equipment is damaged, they need to speak with him or his father so it can be replaced quickly.
Gabriel approached Bardik, "I see Isabella was out here," he said pointing at the headless dummy.
Bardik looked at Gabriel, he was surprised to hear it was his sister. He knew that she was strong, but didn't realize that she would be that strong! "How do you know it was her?"
Gabriel smirked, "For one, I can smell her," he said. "And two, there are her footprints," he pointed down at the ground. "And either Alyona or Irina came out to her."
"You're really good at tracking," Bardik remarked, impressed by Gabriel's actions, "I think you'd make a better tracker than a warrior guard. You interested?"
Gabriel was surprised that Bardik noticed this about him and smiled gratefully, "Of course! I only tried out for the warriors to support Killian, he's wanted to be a warrior since we were pups!"
Bardik put a hand on Gabriel's shoulder, "Come on, let's go change your ranking with my father," he said.
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"You seem distracted, mate," Fillan said to Kane as they sat down for lunch. The cafeteria was bustling with the usual teenage banter. Kane's parents had wanted him to go to the mixed school. So he could learn to be empathetic to humans. He didn't mind the only thing he had to do was be sure to keep his status quiet. That was one thing about humans they thought they were the only beings in the world.
Kane looked at his friend and gave him a wry smile, "You could say that," he agreed.
His mind had been filled with the dreams he had while he was sick. And the unknown female that filled his thoughts almost incessantly.
"Want to talk about it?" Fillan asked.
Kane looked around he would have to wait to discuss this back at the packhouse. "Not here, bro," he shook his head. Then lowered his voice even more, "Pack business," he whispered.
Fillan gave him a knowing look, shaking his head in agreement, and then moved onto his next topic, "So, are you going to the prom?"
Kane shrugged, he didn't really want to go now that he was pretty sure he knew his mate was near. But how to find her? "I don't know, man. Are you?"
Fillan's eyes twinkled, "Hell yeah, I am. I found myself a sexy, single, she-wolf that wants to go," he winked. Then turned his attention to his tray, which he had loaded with a massive amount of food.
Kane just shook his head, his own tray full, but he just simply wasn't that hungry. His mind was on that mystery woman in his dreams. It was like that dream foretold his future, he even had more of his arm tattoo done.
Kane looked at Fillan, "Do you think dreams can tell the future?" he asked. His question made his friend stop shoveling his food in.
"Maybe," He replied, his mouth full of pizza.
"Dude, it's Italian, not see food," Kane shook his head.
Fillan swallowed his mouth full of food before answering, "Why do you wanna know that?"
Kane shrugged, "Just some crazy dreams I had while I was sick," he was playing with his food.
Fillan studied his friend, "You cool man?"
Kane just nodded, he wanted to find the answers to this question and a few more. He just didn't know where to start. He was about to ask when he heard Ashley and Sheila come up behind them.
"There's my big, bad, Alpha," Ashley whispered in his ear.
Kane turned, "Hey ladies," he greeted them with a broad smile.
"So," Sheila began sitting beside Fillan, "are you two going to the prom this spring?"
Fillan nodded, "I am," he said, his mouth full of food again, then pointed his thumb at Kane, "But I don't know about him."
Ashley looked at Kane, "I thought," she started to speak, "Never mind." She put her head down she had hoped that Kane would be taking her. She knew that he wasn't her mate, but she was really attracted to him and thought they were great together.
Kane looked at Ashley, "I'm sorry, Ash," he tried to say, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand.
Ashley stood up, "It's okay, really," she said, holding back the tears that were threatening just beneath the surface. "I have to go," she left the table, turning quickly so her friends wouldn't see her tears.
Sheila looked from Kane to Ashley and then Fillan and shook her head, "So, who are you taking?" Sheila didn't care who the boys were taking, they weren't her type. They were her friends and that was it.
Fillan gave a wolfy smile, "Grace," he answered.
Sheila's eyes bulged at the name, "Grace?"
Fillan nodded, he looked at Kane's cupcake longingly, "You gonna eat that?"
Kane just shook his head, "It's a wonder you don't weigh a million pounds!" He pushed his tray towards his friend and stared in amazement as he finished off not only the cupcake but the slice of pizza and the carrots on Kane's tray.
"What? They made us run in gym class today," he uttered. The other two laughed at his poor excuse.
Kane looked at Sheila, "If I wanted answers about some odd dreams I had, where would I go?"
Sheila smirked, "The only place to find those answers, would be Dreamers." She stood up, "Now, I'm going to go find Ashley and make sure she's okay."
Kane nodded, he felt bad but didn't want to lead Ashley on. He loved her, but even after their make-out session, he didn't really feel anything for her. Especially since he could smell his mate in those dreams. That intoxicating fragrance should be bottled! Kane stood shortly after Sheila getting ready to leave.
"Hey man, I'm gonna head. See you later?" He asked. Fillan just nodded, his belly full he was content. He had one more class, and then he could leave too.
*********************
Kane walked down to the ocean, being by the sea was always nice It was like a mini-vacation whenever your troubles caught up with you. The crisp air from the February day, reminding him that it was still very much the off-season. As he sat on the cool sand, he almost wished it was warm enough for a swim. He stared out at the waves watching as they crashed against the shore. His thoughts taking him to the dreams of the mystery woman.
He wanted to go speak with the women that ran Dreamers, but he was nervous about it. He didn't want them to think he was some kind of weirdo. He was working his thoughts through his head, trying to find the right words for his questions. When he finally had his thoughts sorted, he stood from the beach and brushed the sand from his pants. "I guess there's no way but to do it."
"When do you think he'll be here?" Aislinn asked her long-time friend, her purple eyes glinting with glee. She couldn't wait to meet this Alpha.
Circe smiled over her cup of tea, picking up the shortbread cookie and taking a bite before answering, "Soon."
Aislinn rolled her eyes at Circe they had been friends for many years and they knew each other well. They both would have visions of the future, and this one was interesting, to say the least.
The doorbell chimed, and Circe set down her teacup, "There he is." Circe stood. Today's brightly colored tie-dyed top and skirt swirling around her as she walked towards the door.
"Hello, young Alpha," the kind old lady greeted.
Kane looked surprised that she would greet him like that. Not many knew what he was outside of his own pack.
"Uh, hello," he returned, "I was told I could come here if I had questions." He looked around the small shop, he was feigning deep interest in one of the dream catchers on the wall. It was masculine in its make and had the image of a wolf in the center. The dark blues and greys of it catching his eyes.
Circe gave him a patient smile, "Of course."
He looked around nervously, to make sure that there was no one around. "It's about some rather, uh," he rubbed the back of his neck. "Detailed dreams," he mumbled.
Circe patted his hand, "Young Alpha Kane, you can tell me as much or as little as you would like," she assured him. "Come on," she took him by the elbow, "We can discuss this back here," she said as she led him into a small room off the back of the shop.
Aislinn looked up as they walked in, "Hello, young Alpha Kane," she greeted. "Pleasure seeing you here," she handed him a cup of tea. "Drink this,"
He took the small cup and sipped it politely. When the tea hit his tongue he looked at the ladies and narrowed his eyes. The taste was peaches and apples, just like his dream mate's scent!
"How did you know?" he asked.
The women exchanged innocent looks, "Know what, dear?"
"This tea, it tastes like," he paused, "Like the scent of the woman from my dreams."
"We don't dear, but the tea does," Circe replied calmly.
Kane sat quietly for a minute before he began, "I had dreams while I was sick."
The ladies just sat there, listening to the young man. Giving him the chance to speak and work through the torrent of thought that were swirling in his mind.
"These dreams were rather, uh, explicit."
"Well, young man, that we don't need to know about," Circe smiled gently. "What is your question?"
Kane looked from Aislinn to Circe, "Was it real?"
It was Aislinn's turn to smile, "Yes."
"So my dreams told my future?"
Circe chose her next words carefully, "To an extent," she answered him truthfully.
"Where is she?" He asked softly he wanted, no needed, to find her.
Aislinn and Circe exchanged a small look, there was more to this than he realized. "That, we can't tell you, young Alpha."
He looked crestfallen at their response, "Why?"
"Because you'll need to find her yourself," Aislinn said softly.
"When will I find her?" he was frustrated. Now that he knew he had a mate and that she was nearby he wanted her.
"There are a few things that must happen before you will receive her," Aislinn said.
Kane sighed heavily, "But I will have my mate, and she will be happy?"
Circe and Aislinn shared that look again, "You will be able to help make her that way," they promised.
Kane stood, "Thank you, ladies."
"Young Alpha," Circe called, making him pause, "Take the dream catcher on your way out."
Kane was about to protest when she put her hand up and gave him a stern look, "No arguing."
"Thank you, Miss Circe," he smiled at her.
He left with the dream catcher and made his way back to the packhouse. Once in his room, he hung the dream catcher above his bed and stared at it. The wolf howling in the center reminding him of someone, he just wasn't sure who.
**********
The triplets were giggling in Alyona's room, "Ugh, when are we going to find our mates?"
Irina smiled, "I don't know, but I can not wait."
Isabella looked at them, "What's the hurry? I am in no rush!"
Ally sighed dramatically, "I know you aren't! I just wish you would tell us why," she flopped over to her belly and studied her sister, trying to figure her out.
Bella crossed her arms, "Because mates are overrated and only want to dominate you."
Alyona gave her sister's a sassy smirk, " Oh, I don't know, maybe that would be fun!"
Bella shook her head, "No, I would rather be the one in charge."
- Writer
