Alpha Divided

I spun, stomping back toward my cousins’ house, but Raphael stopped me.

Are you okay? He asked as he gripped my arm.

No, I snapped, jerking away from him.

That was rude. I needed to calm down, but this whole seeing the future thing had totally thrown me for a loop.

Itook a breath and tried to calm down. I'm sorry, but I'm so beyond not okay. We need to go back to your house.

He looked from the lit up windows back to me.

I swear. We need to go back. I just... I started walking again.

Okay. Okay. We'll go.

I was already walking. Nothing could drag me back there.

In my normal visions, I was always removed—distant from what was happening. This was like living the same moment twice. Or almost the same thing. Like déja vu on crack.

But what was even more disturbing was seeing the a*s-Hoel with Luciana. Was he the reason she wanted me here so bad? Was it revenge for ruining his attempt at a coup? Or was he really teaming up with Luciana?

If someone had asked me a few hours ago if that was even possible, I would've said the idea was nuts. Luciana hated the Weres. But if I trusted the vision—and I did—Mr. Hoel was standing in the schoolhouse right now. With her. At a coven meeting.

If Mr. Hoel was plotting with Luciana, I had to tread carefully. He'd almost gotten four of the top alphas killed. He'd sold our location to the vampires. His endgame had always been about power, and I'd bet my life that his plan was still the same. Everything I'd overheard during my vision backed this up. He was making another play to get more power, take down the Seven, and out supernaturals to the rest of the world.

Only this time, he was using Luciana to divide the pack. Same story, different day. So, how could I beat him this time? The stakes were higher. Fighting the witches would only result in lots of people dying on both sides.

That wasn't the way to come out to the humans. Showing them our violent side would make them afraid. It'd be witch hunts all over again.

So many scenarios ran through my head that I hadn't even noticed Raphael had stopped walking until he spoke. What the hell happened back there? Why did you chicken out?

I wasn't ready to talk about it, but I guessed it was unavoidable. No. I just...no. I didn’t know how to put what happened into words. I had the worst déja vu. It was like the matrix had a huge F***g glitch.

A glitch in the matrix?

This was going to sound totally insane. Hearing what future visions were like was totally different from experiencing one.

I needed more visions like I needed a hole in the head.

I waited until we were down the road a little ways. I didn’t want to be overheard. “I guess I had a vision. We went to the schoolhouse, but as soon as you put your ear to the wall, they knew we were there. Anyhow, it was turning into a bad scene- Luciana and the others were pissed. Then I jolted back to where we were right before you asked me if I was okay for the second time. In the exact same spot.”

Aslow grin spread across his face. See. You can do it. See the future. We should start testing it out. We should—

I tuned him out as I stared up at the stars. It was a clear night, and now that we were far away from the meeting—a quiet one too. If I closed my eyes, I'd bet I could forget the last fifteen minutes had happened.

For about the millionth time, I wished Dastien were here.

Oh no. I had to get word to him. He had to know that the pack was in danger.

You wouldn't happen to have a cell that works? I asked. Even if I couldn't really talk to him, he needed to know that Mr. Hoel was here and working with Luciana.

No service out here. And Luciana is the only one who knows how to turn our phone on. But...

I knew it. He'd been holding out on me. Please. Just this once. I need to talk to Dastien. He has to know what I just saw.

The only landline that's always turned on is in Luciana’s house. She's busy at the meeting and Daniel's at our house—

You mean Daniel has a working phone? And he hadn't told me? He was so going to hear about this.

And Internet. All of us have to ask permission before we make a call and she goes over the log on every phone bill.

What was this? A fascist regime? No wonder they hadn't told me about the phone. The more I learned about Luciana, the more I confirmed that she was a complete psychopath.

I'll be gone before she gets the next phone bill. You can put all the blame on me.

He thought for a second, and I crossed my fingers. Short of leaving this compound, I wasn't sure what to do. But getting worc to Dastien was imperative.

This way, he said finally, and I let out a sigh of relief.

He paused in front of a white house four houses down and across the street from his own house. I'm going to get you the portable from inside. Probably better if we stay out here in case she comes back.

Sure. Even given the circumstances, I was nearly giddy with the thought of hearing Dastien’s voice.

Raphael reappeared a second later with the phone in his hand. Be fast. I don't know how much time we have before the meeting ends.

I nodded. I appreciate it. I quickly dialed Dastien's cell.

Meredith answered. Dastien’s phone.

Why did she have his phone? Hey, it's me.

Tessa?

Yeah.

Oh my God. Hang on. I'l get him. Just give me one second. I heard doors slam as she moved through the building.

What's going on? How is he? Why do you have his phone?

I heard her and Chris arguing but it was muffled, so I couldn't hear what they were saying. A second later, Chris’ voice came on the phone. Hey. So, Dastien’s been a mess. He's locked in the feral cages. We're heading to them now. ll put you on speaker and hopefully he'll change forms.

My heart dropped. What do you mean he's in the cages?

The lack of the bond has been really hard on him. Just hang on a sec. Let me get him for you.

The sound of doors clanging closed echoed through the phone.

Allright, Chris said. I'm putting you on speaker.

Dastien? I said.

Oh thank God, Meredith murmured, her voice sounded tinny.

“Chérie”

I gasped at the gravelly tone in his voice. What's going on? Why are you in the cages?

He muttered something in French.

I really was going to have to learn his language. English, I said as I rubbed my forehead. There were too many things going wrong tonight.

He paused his ramblings and switched to something I could actually understand. It’s hard for me, this distance thing, Dastie said. “I was okay at first, but I just... I was going to break the deal—go get you—so Dr. Gonzales drugged me. I woke up here. Its easier as the wolf.if I order something as a human, it's hard for everyone. They have to obey... How are

you?"

I winced. I was better than he was that was for sure. I'm okay. Worried about you now.

How are they treating you? Are you eating enough?

I'm fine. I'm having some weird vision stuff though. I just wanted to talk to you. I don't have long. The coven'’s having a meeting and I'm using Luciana’s phone—the only one on the compound.

“Merde. That doesn't sound like a good idea”

I'm glad I took the risk. You need to not be in the cages. I closed my eyes and pictured him. I wished I could actually see him I'd been able to reach him over distances a few times before, if I concentrated, but with the bond silent...

Don't worry about me. I'll be okay as soon as we're back together. He was lying. I didn't need our bond to know that. If he'd been knocked out and locked up, he was so far beyond fine it wasn't even funny. What's wrong with your visions? he asked. Explaining that would take way too much time. It doesn't matter. The important thing is that Mr. Hoel is here, spouting his usual bull and plotting with the coven. This is bigger than we thought.

Dastien let out a string of curses.

And if you're in that cage, then you're not keeping an eye on the pack.

Raphael tapped the back of his wrist. I turned away from him.

I've used up all my time. You've got to figure out what's going on in the pack. If Mr. Hoel is back, then that means there could be another revolt on the way.

“Merde. You're right. I'm going to do better. Its hard, but... I have a few ideas about what he might be planning, but joining forces with the coven? There's a piece that we're missing, and you can't come home until you figure it out. I think—"

You need to get off the phone. You're pushing it, Raphael said.

I shot him a look. I know, I said to Raphael. I've got to go, Dastien. It's not safe for me to be on the phone.

Go. Be careful. I love you.

I love you, too.

“Bye, cherie’

Bye. I hung up and gave Raphael the phone and he disappeared inside Luciana's house.

Raphael came out and started speed-walking to his place. The farther away we get from here the better.

I tended to agree with him. I had to jog to keep up, but I didn't mind the exercise.

Tonight had been a real awakening, and not just because of the vision. I'd been hanging around my cousins’ house, content to learn witchy things with Daniel, but there were bigger things going on. Before, I thought that might be the case, but now I knew and my priorities were changing.

First on my list was figuring out what Luciana and Mr. Hoel were up to. I also needed to make more friends around here. I needed to see if I could figure out a way to get some of the coven members out from under Luciana’s thumb.

Iwasn't sure if I'd find a new leader. Rosa and Grams had both said I wouldn't, but I wasn't giving that up entirely. Even if I had to be some kind of touchstone, I couldn't be in two places at once. And I really would rather be with the pack.

By the time I got back to the house, I was emotionally exhausted. How could so much be going wrong? I certainly hadn't caused all the issues within the pack but, man, my timing sucked.

I blew out a breath and went into the dining room. The table was cleared of dishes, but everyone had returned to their seats She did it, Raphael said.

Did what? Daniel asked.

She saw the future.

I rolled my eyes. The earnest tone was grating. I didn't exactly see the future. I lived a few minutes of it, and then I was suddenly back in real time.

You think time travel is more plausible? Shane asked with a smirk.

I opened my mouth then shut it. No, I said with a laugh. I guessed that's what 'd made it sound like, but the idea was funny. Sorry. It was definitely a vision, but it was really jarring. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what happened.

How did you know it was a vision?

Iwent to the spare fridge, pulled out the tray of lasagna, and cut off a big piece. As it was nuking, I got myself a soda. I didn’ Not until it was over. But I guess I was dizzy when the vision started.

Dizzy? Cosette asked.

Yeah. It was the only indication. I touched Raphael's arm and this dizziness came over me—like the ground became a tilt-a- whirl. When the vision ended that feeling came back, only stronger. I swear it was like the earth moved. And then I was back to the first time I grabbed Raphael's arm. I shook my head as I bit into a piece of garlic bread.

Daniel leaned across the table toward me. That's a hell of a lot better than my mother's visions of the future.

How so?

“She only gets vague images. Sometimes just an impression of one object. It can be a little useless, and most of the time we can't figure out the meaning until whatever the event was has passed. But from what you're saying, you actually live through it. So you actually know what's going to happen if you go down that future path. He leaned back in his chair. Think about hoy that could benefit the coven. We'd know exactly how to deal with every bump in the road."

It might not be that easy. The microwave beeped and I grabbed my food. It had dried out a little, but still smelled good. The thing is, I don't know how to control it. I don’t know if it was actually tied to Raphael or if it was just something that happened. Before, I could touch an object and see what it had been through. Or, for people, sometimes I'd see what they were thinking or feeling. Now if I just get visions willy-nilly, with no warning, how am I supposed to control that? How can I make myself have one or not? I took a big forkful of pasta and meat sauce, but no one said anything. They just stared at me. waved the fork around. That wasn't a rhetorical question. I actually want someone to answer.

Cosette shrugged. I have no idea. I assume it's possible, but I don't have visions, nor am I close to anyone who does. We're going to have to do some trial and error.

Since your lessons weren't going well anyway, Daniel said, and Claudia started cracking up, we'll put a stop to those and star doing vision stuff.

Okay. I shoved another bite into my mouth. This was going to be a nightmare. What about Tia Rosa?

Our crazy aunt who left the compound? Raphael said. What about her?

She removed the spell that Luciana put on me last time. That puts her pretty high in my book, and I think she might know “more than she’s letting on. She came by and said she'd be able to help.

She doesn't have visions, Daniel said. We would know if she did.

But she has some sort of ability. And her sister did. Rosa was Grams’ sister so, technically, she was my great-aunt. She said she'd help me, but that I needed to go see her.

Yeah, Claudia drew out the word. She and Luciana don't really get along.

That made me trust her even more. “Again, I'm not seeing this as something wrong with her. I definitely don't get along with Luciana, and if we'd stayed out there tonight, we would've had a massive confrontation.”

Thank God you had the vision then, Raphael said. None of us can afford to get on Luciana’s bad side.

We are on her bad side, Claudia said.

Raphael rolled his eyes. “Fine. I don't want to be even more on her bad side.’

I nearly laughed at the exchange.

So, what's the plan? Do I start touching things?

I don't think that'll work, Elsa said. She didn't speak up often, but I liked her style—only talking when she had something of real value to add to the conversation. You have to start doing things. Making choices. When you take the wrong path, fate wil put you back where you belong.

Fate? That seems risky.

Fate got you your mate, Elsa said.

Girl had a point, but that didn't make it any easier to swallow. There had to be a way. The others chatted a bit while I sat anc ate. One by one, they left as the night wore on, until it was just me and my cousins.

Even if I hadn't learned more spells, I was learning more about magic and life at the compound. The magic part seemed like a total crapshoot. Not anything that we could rely on, but maybe Rosa had some tips.

Fine. Then tomorrow I'm going to go ask Luciana for permission to visit Rosa.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a terrible idea? Raphael said.

“It is a terrible idea,” Claudia said.

Thank you—

That's why it's so brilliant. Claudia cut him off before he could finish. Let's take some risks. It just might work out for us. This is more like it. A little adventure never hurt anyone. Or it could go horribly wrong. But, if making decisions was what would set off visions of the future then I needed to take control. None of this waiting around business.

Dastien was suffering and I wasn't having a good time either. It was time for me to kick a little Luciana a*s.

The first real step started tomorrow. I just hoped I was making the right choice.