The Alpha's orders were put into action the next day. Soldiers were doubled at the border and inside the pack too. The woods were restricted, and we couldn't leave our cabins alone. But trainees still had to report to the training grounds. A bummer, because I didn't feel like leaving my room this morning. I hadn't stepped out since I came back yesterday, even when Mom and Dad knocked on my door. I knew they wanted answers for what happened at the cliff, but I wasn't ready to face them or anyone.
But when I caught a whiff of Mom's cooking, I had to come out.
Mom and Vira were in the kitchen when I entered.
"Good morning," Vira said.
I ignored her and reached for a glass of water. She stared at me intently. In an effort to ease the tension, I asked, "Where's Dad?"
"He's escorting the Alpha to visit the Valeblood pack, to get to the root of this," Mom said.
Valeblood pack was the one we shared our borders with, but those wolves didn't look like Valebloods.
I watched Mom and Vira cook. They kept stealing glances at me until Vira couldn't hide it anymore.
"What was Dexter's mom talking about yesterday?" she asked.
I stared at both of them before shrugging.
"I don't know."
"You didn't know there would be an attack at the border?" Mom asked.
"No, I didn't."
"Are you sure, Rhea?" she pressed.
"Yes. How would I have known?"
I guess it was fear. That's why I lied by default. This is my family, yes, but I know they don't think I'm normal. I'm weird. Something's wrong with me. And if I tell them about the dream, what would they think? That I really am cursed.
Mom didn't look fully convinced but she let it go.
After breakfast, Vira and I headed to the training ground. Rohan was already in action. I spotted Selene sitting alone, away from the omega forum, face blank. We hadn't talked since the healing den. She probably didn't want to, but I took a deep breath and approached her.
"Hey," I said, sitting beside her.
A moment of hesitation. "Hey." She still didn't look at me.
"How's he doing? Has he woken up yet?"
"No."
A moment of silence.
"Selene, listen… I know I shouldn't have left him there, but there was nothing I could do. I had to run for help. I already feel so guilty. Please don't make me feel worse than I already do."
"What do you mean? I'm not mad at you about that."
"Really?"
"Yes. I know there was nothing you could do."
"So why are you mad at me then?"
She hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm not mad. I'm just upset he's hurt. That's all."
I didn't quite believe her, but I didn't push it.
"What's he doing here?" Selene asked suddenly.
"Who?" I asked, but I already knew.
Aidrac was standing at the entrance of the training ground, looking awkward. He hadn't been here in years, so you could imagine the surprise on everyone's faces. Vira ran to him and threw herself into his arms, a sight that made my skin crawl. She didn't let go until Rohan cleared his throat very loudly.
Then Rohan pulled Aidrac aside to talk. What the hell was he doing here? The Alpha's son didn't need training or maybe he was just here to see Vira. Half the girls were surrounding her now, giggling and swooning. That extra attention that came with being mated to power.
"Attention everyone!" Rohan shouted, face in a scowl. He looked angry. Everyone went silent.
"Look who decided to rejoin us: our own... heir." He said the word "heir" with so much sarcasm it practically dripped.
"Aidrac will be training alongside us as a soldier trainee."
The murmurs began.
"Silence!!" Rohan barked. He was fuming.
"He is to train with us, same as everybody else. His status changes nothing here. Not during training. Is that understood?"
We all replied yes.
But it's hard to see the Alpha's son as just "everybody else." Especially when he wasn't even training. Just sitting and observing. And Rohan, who usually wouldn't stand an idle trainee, said nothing. Meanwhile, I got reduced drills because of my injured arm, so I sat and watched half the time too.
Then Aidrac walked up to me. He stopped a few feet away, hesitating.
"May I?" he asked, nodding toward the space beside me.
"Sure," I said, and he sat down.
Now I felt awkward, especially with his sharp blue eyes on me.
"How's your arm?" he asked.
"Healing."
"Great," he said. Awkward silence.
"My mom said you asked about me at dinner," I said.
"Yes, I mean you weren't there, so I had to ask."
"Oh." I couldn't help but notice Rohan shooting a nasty look our way….or was it just at Aidrac?
"That attack must have been quite a scare for you," Aidrac said.
"Why do you think so? Because I'm weak? Because I'm a coward?" I asked, sharper than I intended.
"My dad was scared too," he said quickly. "That's why."
So even the Alpha was afraid.
"I didn't see them because he wouldn't let me come," Aidrac added. That explained why he was the only one unharmed. He didn't fight.
"Did he also tell you to rejoin training?" I asked.
"Yes," he said with a sigh.
"Welcome back, I guess."
Rohan shot another dirty look at our direction. This time I was sure it was at Aidrac.
"Rohan doesn't seem to like you," I said.
Aidrac rolled his eyes. "Well, that makes two of us."
"Any history between you two?" I asked.
"What—other than the fact that he's a miserable Gamma who can't find love and hates on everyone?"
I chuckled.
"He really is miserable," I agreed.
"Yeah," he muttered. "Listen... I want to talk to you. Can you meet me at the healing den at sunset?"
I was caught off guard but said, "Sure."