by Rachel Jonas
… A friend.
I hadn’t referred to Blythe in that way in quite a while, but she’d been a big help to me the past few weeks. We still had a long, long way to go, but if I learned anything from what I’d gone through lately, it was to be more forgiving and less judgmental. I was a walking, talking billboard for a person who sometimes needed those closest to her to understand that things weren’t always so black and white.
Seemed my entire life had become one big gray area.
Wedged in the backseat between Rayen and Ori, I barely fit—their broad bodies taking up most of the space as the Jeep bounced and swayed. We’d driven about fifteen minutes from the academy, mostly silent. That was happening a lot lately—quiet spells that left me feeling awkward and wishing there was some way to fix what doubt had done.
Doubt concerning my place within the hive.
It felt strange even saying this because of what I felt for them. Since the first time I kissed each, realizing I was their mate, our connection had been strong, and it had only grown with the time that passed.
Still, according to Chief Makana, I could just as easily be the hive’s curse as anything else.
A small house came into view, nestled among dense greenery in a segment of the rainforest the guys hadn’t yet taken me to. The engine died and it seemed birds sang all around us. The incredible sights and sounds of the island were among the things I loved most about this place, but it was … different here.
Paulo noticed how my steps slowed as my gaze lifted toward the trees, searching for the source of the beautiful sound.
“Crazy, ain’t it?” he said with a smile.
Words would do it no justice. It was almost as if, here in this space, nature performed a symphony, harmonizing to a degree of perfection that defied reason.
“It’s Maureen,” Paulo explained. “The energy around her is always like this.”
I was astonished. “Always?”
“She’s deeply connected to Spirit,” he explained with a nod as we neared the porch. “Every generation, an individual is chosen to commune with Spirit, and it’s usually a member of the Sigo bloodline. For our generation, it’s Kai.”
I’d heard that mentioned before, but didn’t really know what it meant.
“He’s not as in sync as Maureen yet, but in time,” Paulo shared. “Part of it is her spiritual journeys to Mount Panluah. She visits around two to three times a year to restore clarity, and once, she came back with this sweet gray streak in her hair.”
“Wow, that’s crazy. How long does she usually stay gone?”
He shrugged. “Depends. Sometimes a few days, sometimes months. She just returned from one yesterday, which is why we had to wait to bring you by.”
My gaze shifted back toward the door as we approached it, and I swallowed hard as I climbed the short staircase. It sounded like this Maureen was quite intuitive, and I could admit to being a bit nervous what she’d find when she read me. Already, Malu and Blythe had both detected my energy was off. Who’s to say Kai’s aunt wouldn’t find even more wrong with me?
“Please, tell me she’s nice,” I whispered, which brought a laugh out of Rayen this time, and he peered up. The sun behind him darkened his handsome features.
“Maureen’s always chill,” he assured me. “You’ll love her.”
A strong gust of wind swept past, moving a song into the windchime that hung above our heads. I glanced there for a moment, and lowered my gaze when the door creaked open.
There, staring back at the five of us who darkened her doorstep, was a small woman with gray weaving its way through one of two long French braids that hung over her shoulders. I observed her, how that gray contradicted the youthfulness of her skin. No doubt, she was much older than she looked.
A row of beaded bracelets shifted on her wrist when she extended a hand to greet me.
“You must be Noelle.”
My heart raced, and I was terrified to touch her, fearing what she’d see or feel when I did.
But it would have been rude not to, so …
My palm pressed to hers, and I half expected her to snatch away, but she didn’t. Instead, a thoughtful smile curved the corners of her mouth.
“Ano-Luana,” she welcomed me. “Come in.”
Two entered in front of me, two in back, and then the door closed behind us.
I peered around Maureen’s space while each of the guys hugged and greeted her warmly. Where the outside had been painted white, with colorful flowers growing around the perimeter, inside was quite different. Walls painted beautiful shades of turquoise, purple, and yellow made her home feel just as bright and vibrant as the sounds that fluttered in through the open windows. Photos showcased in white frames lined the mantle, and I recognized several of Kai and the other Omegas right away—the awkward teenage years, ones with big grins with teeth missing, Christmas mornings in ugly pajamas. They were close to her, spent a lot of time here as they grew over the years.
“Have a seat, dear,” she said sweetly, gesturing toward an armchair angled toward the one she took.
Feeling a bit more relaxed about this than I did originally, I lowered to the cushion.
Maureen’s gaze shifted to Ori and her smile broadened, warming as words left her mouth.
“You look well,” she told him.
“Thank you. You look very rested,” he answered. “I take it your time on the mountain was peaceful.”
“Like always, but I’m happy to be home,” Maureen smiled, smoothing the length of her flowing, white skirt down her legs. “It’s always nice to see my boys.”
Ori gave a small nod and I noted the mixture of contentment and worry behind his gaze. I guessed Maureen noticed it too, because her head tilted as she observed him.
“You’re troubled,” she said evenly, keeping her piercingly dark eyes trained on the poised alpha who clearly meant to conceal his thoughts.
“I … there’s a concern,” Ori eventually stated, clearing his throat right after.
I took a breath and clasped both hands in my lap.
“Hm …” Maureen said thoughtfully. “The moment you stepped inside, I could tell the hive’s energy was a bit off. Has anything changed?” Her gaze shifted toward me after asking. “Aside from locating your queen.”
My brow twitched and the guys had similar reactions.
“How did you—”
“I just know,” she answered, cutting Kai off before he’d even had time to finish his thought.
There was silence in the room, and I could only account for my own speechlessness. Before this, I had honestly started to question whether I even still deserved that title, fearing I was merely a pawn in The Darkness’ scheme to weaken—and eventually break—the Omegas. Only, according to Maureen, I was right where I belonged.
Ori breathed an audible sigh of relief.
Maureen turned to face me again. “Have you begun to prepare for the ceremony, dear?”
My lips parted and then snapped shut again before I was finally able to ask, “What … ceremony?”
Maureen glanced around the room toward the guys, questioning them with her eyes, and then met my stare once again. “Did no one tell you? There will be a ceremony, making your union with the Omegas official within the tribe. That’s not to say it isn’t official now,” she clarified. “It’s mostly just a tradition. The tribe will be delighted to meet their newest member, and your family.”
The statement overloaded my brain. Not only was there some big ceremony—of which I’d be the center of attention—but my entire family was expected to attend as well?
“You haven’t told them yet.” Maureen’s intuitiveness revealed what I hadn’t shared.
“No, they … not yet,” I stammered.
Her eyes narrowed inquisitively. “You’re afraid?”
She was practically reading my thoughts, so there was no point in lying. “I’m not entirely sure how my father will feel about me being with … well … ”
A quie
t laugh left Maureen. “You think he’ll blow a gasket when he finds out his little girl has been mated to four strapping young men, am I right?”
I nodded and smiled a bit. “Yeah, basically.” I peered up at the guys as they watched with content expressions, listening to my conversation with Maureen.
“Well, you just get them here, and let Spirit do the rest. A father’s concern is only that his daughter be loved, respected, and protected.” She paused to nod toward the Omegas. “He’ll soon learn that you’ve got all that and then some, right here with my boys.”
Warmth spread within me, hearing her speak of them this way.
“I’d love to assist with the planning,” she offered, “seeing as how the four knuckleheads didn’t even think to give you a head start.”
Paulo scratched the back of his neck. “Things have just been a little crazy lately,” he explained, summing up the last couple months pretty accurately. “Plus, Noelle still has another term at the academy and—”
“You’re a student?”
I nodded, answering Maureen’s question when she interjected.
“How lovely,” she smiled, before her gaze returned to Paulo. “But that’s still no excuse for not letting a girl know she’s approaching one of the biggest events of her life.”
“It wasn’t just that,” Ori spoke up, sounding as though he didn’t quite know how to explain things. “We’ve had some … difficulties lately.”
“What sort of difficulties?” Maureen’s brow quirked with concern.
Ori was thoughtful for a moment before answering. “Trouble communicating through our tether among ourselves, with the other hives. Rayen’s had trouble shifting, Paulo’s noticed he’s weaker. We thought having our hive finally complete would strengthen us, but … that hasn’t been the case.”
Maureen studied his face, intrigued. “Did you experience any of this before establishing protocol.”
There was my favorite word again. She may as well have asked if he’d ‘performed his duty’ yet.
A slight twinge of redness in Ori’s face told of the heat that flashed beneath his skin.
“Well, we … I …”
“Relax. It’s fine if you haven’t gotten to that part yet.” Maureen’s laughter put Ori out of his misery. “I didn’t mean to pry. I only asked because I sensed in your queen’s energy that things had progressed a bit further, but … perhaps I’m mistaken.”
A look flashed my way and I cleared my throat discreetly. At that precise moment, Rayen lowered his gaze to the floor. At first, we thought the only issue that might arise would be a slight scolding from Ori for our impatience, but … maybe it was bigger than that.
Maybe doing things out of the order Spirit established had caused the hive to break down? But that didn’t make any sense? I mean … did it?
“Could that be what the issue is?” Paulo chimed in. “Maybe Ori needs to seal the deal to make the connection more solid?”
A cold stare flashed Paulo’s way when Ori seemed to get annoyed that he’d been discussed like he wasn’t in the room. Or better yet, like intimacy between us would be some sort of transaction.
Maureen shook her head. “No, once Spirit has bonded you, it’s done,” she clarified.
The Omegas were all quiet after that, maybe racking their brains like I was. It wasn’t until Maureen’s gaze shifted to me again that I looked up. The way she studied me so deeply, like I had my life story written on my skin, I knew she was doing what I feared she would.
Reading me.
I squirmed a bit in my chair, wondering what Spirit would say.
“You’re … different,” she finally commented. “The term ‘old soul’ comes to mind.”
The smile I gave was tight and forced. “I’ve heard that before.” And I had, mostly because my soul was old.
“May I see your mark?”
Again, I stalled. From what I’d been told, the Omegas hadn’t given Maureen any information about me, about us as a unit. So how could she know there was anything about my mark that would make it worth seeing?
When I hesitated, she laughed a bit. “Don’t be afraid. Chief Makana may be my brother, but we’re nothing alike. You can trust that whatever is discussed here today will not leave the six of us sitting in this very room.”
When she nodded, the kindness in her eyes reminded me of Kai, so I turned with my back to her. Lifting my hair, I revealed the odd symbols.
“Interesting,” she said to herself.
“Do you think you can help us?” Ori sounded desperate when asking.
“Not exactly,” wasn’t the answer I think any of us were hoping Maureen would give. “I’m not entirely certain there’s anything anyone can do except Noelle.”
My heart sank and despair crept in.
“You’ve been marked by Spirit and The Darkness,” she confirmed. “You’re a unique vessel. A vessel either entity can use—one for the greater good of humanity and supernatural beings alike, the other … for unimaginable destruction.”
I wasn’t sure she meant to sound all doom and gloom, but that was definitely the impression I got.
“We need to know what we can do,” Ori commented, the words leaving his mouth harshly.
Maureen continued to study me when I turned to face her again. “Well, you can’t do a thing,” she answered. “It’s like I’ve already told you. Only Noelle can decide.”
“Then, that’s simple, right?” Ori jumped in. “She’d choose to follow Spirit.”
Maureen’s head tilted ever so slightly. “There may be a finer line between good and evil than you realize,” she explained. “Sometimes, it’s a matter of perspective and intention. An action one may deem right and necessary, could bring you to the tipping point—the line that, once crossed, there’s no going back.”
There was a long breadth of silence following this revelation.
“I don’t accept that,” Ori’s voice boomed. “Give me facts and actionable steps. That’s what I can work with. Not parables and leaving things to chance. Tell me what we need to do to ensure she’s safe.”
My chest heaved with the heavy breaths that followed his statement.
Maureen, unfazed by the outburst, eased back in her chair, keeping her eyes trained on me. “I can’t do that, but the advice I can offer concerns the state of your hive.” Her gaze shifted to Ori. “Something has disrupted the balance, and as alpha, you’re responsible for figuring out what it is.”
Frustrated, Ori turned to face the window. “Is that all?”
Maureen seemed to sympathize with him when she nodded. “I’m sorry, but yes. There’s nothing you or I can do beyond trusting Spirit. In this war over your queen’s soul, as much as it pains me to say this … your only role is to watch, wait, and pray she lets Spirit guide her.”
Chapter Seventeen
Noelle
They were troubled.
Complete silence during the ride back to the bungalow, followed by more silence while we sat around the living room, were clear indicators.
A heavy arm tightened around my shoulders and I leaned deeper into Paulo’s side. Maureen had eased my mind with one breath, and then troubled it with the next. Sure, we at least had confirmation that Chief Makana was wrong. His suggestion that I wasn’t the true mate to the Omegas was false, but we also knew I could slip over to the dark side in the blink of an eye.
Apparently, the line between the two was finer than I realized.
The floor creaked beneath Ori’s weight as he slowly paced in front of the window. He, in particular, had been upset by Maureen’s vague foretelling of how our lives together would play out. There was also something that had been shared with only him, when Maureen called him back inside alone. He had yet to reveal what this additional information was, but based on his sullen mood, it couldn’t have been anything good.
The thigh not pressed against Paulo had been kept warm by Rayen, so when he stood, my gaze followed his impressive height into the air. He took slow step
s toward Ori and I watched curiously.
“I think we need to talk,” he said quietly. Something about the weariness in his voice, and the guilty look he flashed toward me, left me suspicious.
Ori’s brow quirked a bit when he looked his brother in the eyes. “Okay. My room,” he answered, just before their heavy footsteps echoed across the floor.
My heart fluttered and I felt torn. On one hand, fear of the unknown left me content to let Rayen confess what I thought he wanted to confess on his own. But on the other, he certainly hadn’t acted alone that night in the shower. It didn’t seem fair he’d be forced to have this difficult discussion with Ori, without the support of the other guilty party.
Me.
“Excuse me for a sec,” I said quietly to Paulo. He passed me a curious glance as I used his thigh to push myself up on my feet.
He nor Kai asked where I was headed when I trailed behind the two who’d just walked off.
I reached Ori’s door the moment he’d begun to close it. Feeling resistance when I pushed it open again, he let me slip inside. I caught Rayen’s eyes, and he appeared to be both confused and relieved. I was pretty sure I knew the cause of both.
“What’s this about?” Ori’s tone was only curious when he asked, letting his gaze volley back and forth between Rayen and I.
Beside me, Rayen’s shoulders tensed and we both breathed deeply.
“There’s something you should know,” he exhaled. “Something I believe may be the cause of our hive breaking down.”
“…Okay,” Ori said skeptically, crossing both arms across his chest. His brow pulled together, too, as concern filled his expression. Studying him, my stomach began to swirl with worry.
Rayen’s eyes shifted down toward his own feet. “Noelle and I… We… I violated protocol.” He forced the words out like he’d lose his nerve if he didn’t.
Dead silence followed, and I imagined the many ways things could play out from here. All of which involved Ori hulking out on us and making me regret following Rayen into the bedroom.
Only, the rage and pissed off expression I expected … they never came. Instead, Ori’s gaze lowered to the floor and he didn’t lift his eyes again.
