Chapter 7 Welcome to Shadowmist

Avril’s POV

Tori drives all day, determined to make it to Shadow Mist before nightfall. She seemed even more motivated when she heard that it was a co-Alpha pair. I could tell she was determined to do the same. I, on the other hand, just wanted to forget Jade Pack and move on. I know that if Tori becomes the Alpha, things will change for me, but that pack now gives me a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps I could find a chosen mate in Shadow Mist pack, since I for sure wasn’t getting a second chance after I rejected my first. Emerald whimpers at that thought. I can tell she misses Hyde, even after he tried to force himself on us. She explained that he was frustrated at his human’s lack of backbone when it came to standing up to his father. She again gives me a vision of the soft brown eyes I’ve seen so many times now.

I yawn as the sky darkens to dusk. How long had we been driving already? I hope the Alphas have a place for us to crash as soon as we get there. I’ve been working hard to keep us both awake as we drive without music. I think we’ve played every car game possible.

“We’re entering pack lands!” Tori squealed as if answering my question. As we enter through the gate, Tori introduces us to the warriors stationed there. The warriors, probably having been informed of our expected arrival this evening waved us through. “We need to meet both the Alphas first. Oh, this is so exciting!” Tori is practically jumping in her seat. We make our way to the large building that must be the packhouse, and park. The Alphas are in front of the door prepared to greet us. The man, Alpha Isaac, is tall and broad with silver hair and hazel eyes. He looks like a very serious man, or certainly what I’ve imagined a serious man to look. Alpha Everly, is a woman in her late 20s with dark brown hair, chocolate brown eyes and a pleasant smile.

“Welcome to Shadow Mist Pack.” She said warmly. “I’m so glad you made it in one piece. Let’s get you settled in, then we can handle the details in my office.”

As I start to get closer to the packhouse, I remember to cloud my eyes remembering Aaron’s words to me in the past. 

The best thing your opponents can do is underestimate you, he explained, never let them know your next move.

An Omega appears behind them and escorts us to our quarters in the packhouse. I let the Omega lead me to my room. I’m surprised to find that our rooms have our own bathrooms, unlike the packhouse at Jade Pack, which had communal ones for non-ranked members. Though it seems like Shadow Mist Pack is quite a bit bigger than our old pack. I’m about to use Emerald’s eyes again when a vision overwhelms me.

**

I see Alpha Everly’s eyes glow menacingly. They are now a glowing iridescent white, incredibly spooky. Light swirls around her as she brings vines up from the ground. There are creatures with red eyes surrounding her, pressed to kill. The creatures are pitch black, twisted and evil. While they fear her light, they are charged with one motivation: snuff out the light. She can’t do this alone. She needs help. I see a pair of hazel eyes before me. They close with finality. I see the same vision, but with a pair of bright blue eyes. There is a feeling of sorrow that washes over me.

**

I gasp with a start and open my eyes. These visions can be haunting. Somehow the image of the eyes closing doesn’t leave my mind. I wonder what Everly has to do with all this. Could she be some sort of special wolf? Does she know? I feel like I have many questions to ask her. Or information to give her…. I’m unsure, nothing seems to make sense. I feel as though, in a way, Everly and I are connected, but I don’t understand how.

As I’m pondering this, Tori bursts into my room. “Isn’t this pack awesome?” She exclaims. “The packhouse is so cool! I have got to make some changes to ours after I take over.”

I smile tiredly. “Baby steps. We just got out of that pack. Now you need to get strong enough, and gather enough support to take over.”

Tori looks at me sadly. “You don’t plan on returning, do you?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. I can’t shake the feeling that I don’t belong there. Most of my family turned on me, my mate certainly isn’t there anymore, and I feel like there’s something outside of Jade Pack calling to me.”

Tori sighs. “Don’t make any decisions yet, but if you do choose to come back with me, the position of Beta is yours.”

I smile warmly at her. “Thank you. It’s an honor that you even offered. I’ll let you know, but I have a feeling the Goddess… or perhaps one of my visions will make it obvious. Now we should head to the Alpha’s office so we can get all the ‘logistics’ straight.”

I keep my eyes blinded as Tori leads me to Alpha Everly’s office. 

“Good evening, ladies.” Alpha Everly’s voice is cheery and kind. “Let’s get all the paperwork done. Tori told me some of the story about why you are leaving Jade Pack, but I’d like to hear the details from you.”

I take a deep breath and delve into the treatment I received at the hands of Wesley and Alpha Steel: Starting with being kicked out of living in the packhouse despite being a ranked member and being unable to join in on any events and ending in being exiled and ordered to mate with Wesley whenever he wants. I also had to explain my visions and why I rejected Wesley in the first place. I could tell Alpha Everly was listening earnestly. She seemed to show great interest in my ability to see the future.

“What did you say your wolf’s name was again?” She asked.

I wasn’t sure why that was relevant but I answered, “Emerald.” 

“Hmm…” Alpha Everly muses. “It seems our wolves are sisters.” 

I tilt my head to the side. What could that mean?

Everly’s POV

The Goddess was right. I needed Avril to be here. She and I were connected in some way. We were both given a curse just so the Pantheon could give us some of their power. I had thought I was the only one. But my wolf’s sister was here in the flesh. My wolf was spinning around. 

“We are gemstone wolves.” I explain to Avril. “The Goddess choses to give us gifts, but every gift must come with a price. For you, you can see visions, but you’re blind.”

“I can see if I use my wolf’s eyes.” Avril admits.

“But can you see visions if you can use your wolf’s eyes?” I ask and Avril shakes her head. “I believe the Goddess sent you here so that our wolves could meet. Perhaps there is much we can learn from each other. Though I have a feeling the Goddess wants to spread our gifts amongst packs and not keep us all in one place, Shadow Mist is blessed to have you here for now. Let us know if there’s anything we can do for you.”

Avril thinks for a moment. “You said that our powers come with a price. Your power is nature from what I can tell.”

I raise an eyebrow. “How did you…?”

She points to her eyes. “But what is your price?”

I sigh. My price did give me great pain. “I can’t sense my mate.” I say softly. “My mate can sense me… though we try not to advertise this because then any old greedy wolf might try to claim me. Not that it matters anymore because Isaac is a good mate.”

Avril nods slowly. “I see. That’s why you took a chosen mate. Autumn mentioned something about that.”

I laugh. “Autumn does like to spill tea. She gets lonely in her tower. I try to visit her often, but I get busy. She is a good teacher. I wonder if she could help you with your gift as well. Though that may be a task for her brother.” I shake my head.” Anyway, I’m excited to have both you and Tori here.”

Tori starts to speak up. “I was actually wondering if you could help me with something, Alpha Everly.”

I smile. “Just Everly is fine while we’re in my office.”

Tori nods. “I can’t let my father and brother treat lower ranked members the way they do anymore. I want to challenge my brother for my birthright. I am the older twin after all.

I study her. “This is a difficult task, but based on how they treated Avril, I agree with you. Shadow Mist will back you, and Isaac and I will do whatever we can to make sure you’re ready.”

I don’t know what I got myself into, inviting these two to my pack, but I know I’m doing the right thing. I hand them a cup mixed with both mine and Isaac’s blood. “Welcome to Shadow Mist.”