“Can they? Stop him I mean.” Mrs. Monroe asked
“I can” Devin said
51
ALEX
I finally stir from my sleep. Man it feels good to sleep and not dream. I feel rested and alive again. Immediately, I think of the way Devin kissed me earlier today. Wow! Wait, where is Devin? I know he’s here somewhere. I can feel him now. It’s like our souls are connected. I can hear him now, outside in the hall. I can hear my mom too.
“Mom,” I called out. The door opens and I see her come in.
“Hey baby, how are you feeling?”
“Much better now. I haven’t been able to rest hardly at all lately. Were you talking to Devin?”
“Yeah I was. Camille, Brian, Collin, Chad, and Mike too.”
“They’re all here still? Mike’s Camille’s boyfriend you know.” I said
“Yeah, she told me.”
“Did they tell you what’s going on?”
“They did.”
“What do you think? That we are all crazy?”
“No, no honey. I believe all the stories.”
“You do?”
“Your great great grandfather came from the reservation. He left when he was a young man because he fell in love. She wasn’t of the chiefs’ line but he loved her the same. He wouldn’t give her up, so he left the tribe. But he did pass down the stories, as did your grandfather. So I suspected when you told me of the dreams you were having.”
“Wait, if he left and he was supposed to be an alpha didn’t that interrupt the order of things?”
“No, he would have never jeopardized the tribe. He had two brothers. He was the middle, so the oldest was the one to carry on the line.”
“Oh. So, what do you think of Devin?” I asked mom
“He’s a very handsome young man.”
“Yeah, he is” I sighed.
“He will also be very loyal and protective of you. He will make a fine husband and father.”
“Huh?” Alex said in disbelief of what her mother said.
“Well, I know all about the bond that’s between an Alpha and his mate. It’s forever and it’s pure.”
“I can’t believe you’re being so understanding about all this.” I said.
“Well, I couldn’t have picked a better partner for you. I wish it was a little later in life, but at least I know you will be loved and respected.”
“He kissed me today.” I blurted out.
Her mom grinned at this sudden confession from Alex. Camille had been right.
“Yeah, I heard about that.”
“Camille?”
“Yep.”
“Figures.”
“You know you don’t have to be in a hurry to do the bonding ceremony. You can wait as long as you need to. Both of you have your whole life in front of you.”
“I know.”
“We can have a real wedding too you know. So you won’t miss out on the experience of all the work that goes into planning your only daughters wedding.
“Yeah. Well I guess I had better get busy then.”
“Hey, I’ve at least got to finish high school before I’m married. We can get married after that and then we can go off to college together.” I told mom
“Sounds like you’ve already been planning it.”
“Mom, did they tell you about Stephen?” I asked remembering the danger at hand.
“Yeah.”
“I’m worried about Devin. I don’t want him trying to dream walk and then something happen to him.”
“Maybe it won’t come to that. I think they are going to try some other things first.”
“I sure hope they work.”
“Me too. I’ll let you talk to Devin now. I know he’s pacing a hole in my carpet out there as we speak.” Mom said
“Ok mom. Love you”
“Love you too baby”
“Hey mom? Where’s dad?”
“He stayed to finish up things at work so I could come home to you.”
“Does he know?”
“Not all of it. But I’ll tell him after he gets home.”
“Do you think he will be ok with it? I mean Devin and me.”
“No, you’re his little girl. But I think I can keep him from trying to kill Devin. Once he gets used to him being around, it won’t be so bad. It’ll help when I tell him about the rules against pre-marital sex.”
“Oh god mom!” I said as I tossed one of the throw pillows at her. At that she slipped out and sent Devin and the others in.
52
ALEX
“Hey guys. What’s the latest?” I asked as they came in. Devin came around the bed and scooted up next to me, put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into the curve of his body.
“Well, dad called and said that the bags were ready, so I sent Chad, Brian, and Collin to get them. He went to talk to Stephen’s dad today but he couldn’t find him, so we’re going over a little later. Someone’s going to be with you when you sleep. That way if you have any dreams someone can wake you up.”
“K,” I said
“What did your mom say?” Camille asked
“That you blabbed about my make out session with Devin. Other than that not much. I guess she’s all up on this tribal stuff. Can you believe it? She could’ve told me.”
“Well first of all, I bet you already told her about kissing Devin before she told you that I told her. I know you too good Alex so don’t try to lie about it.”
“Fine” I grunted
“Second, she kind of did tell you about the tribal stuff.” Camille said
“When? You mean when I came to her about my dreams.” I said sounding exasperated. “Well, that doesn’t count because she acted like it was a joke.”
“Come on Alex, you have the coolest parents on the planet.” Camille said.
“Yeah, I know.” Alex did know that she couldn’t ask for better parents. Most parents would have totally freaked by now.
“Hey, why don’t you try and get some rest?” Devin said to me.
“I don’t want to sleep right now, I’ve slept all day. Besides I want to spend some time with you,” Alex said rolling her eyes to meet Devin’s.
“Well, you won’t hear no complaints from me,” Devin said as he nuzzled her neck.
“How long before the boys get back with the stuff from the Medicine Man?” I asked
“Bout an hour,” Devin said
“Ummm,” I responded as I cuddled closer to Devin already slipping into a sleepy haze.
“So, when are you two going to do the bonding ceremony?” Camille asked.
“Camille”, I groaned.
“What?” Camille said trying to sound all innocent.
“When are you two doing the ceremony?” Devin directed the question to Camille and Mike. I couldn’t help but giggle at that. “Finally someone who can help me handle Camille” I said.
“Soon,” Mike said. “I can’t stand not touching you.” Mike told Camille.
“Hey now, what makes you think I want to be bonded to some big fuzz ball?” Camille teased Mike.
“You know you do.” Mike said as nibbled at her neck, and she giggled.
“You wish,” she said
“Umm Huhh,” he said, totally agreeing
Chad, Brian, and Collin made it back with the dream catcher and the medicine bags. Devin placed them where his dad had told him to put them, hoping that they would work. Now that this part was finished it was time to deal with Stephen.
“Ok, we are going to go now. Camille is going to stay the night with you.” Devin said.
“Dad and I are going to talk to Stephen and his dad.”
“Please be careful,” I said to Devin.
“I will, there’s nothing to worry about. Once dad talks to his dad, I think it will all get taken care of.”
“Well, I hope so. But please don’t get in a fight.”
“Stephen’s not that stupid.” Devin huffed
“I wouldn’t bet on it
,” Mike said.
Devin took my hand, “Don’t worry everything’s going to be ok. Now get some rest and I will call you in the morning.”
“Call me tonight before you go to bed?”
“What if you’re asleep?”
“I just want to hear your voice once more tonight.”
Devin bent his head to press his lips to mine, “Okay I’ll call.”
53
Devin
Devin arrived back at the reservation. His dad and the Medicine Man were waiting for him.
“Hey son, I just got off the phone with Bobby. He’s expecting us.” Arthur said as they got in the car with Devin.
“Is Stephen there?” Devin asked
“Not right now, but he’s expected home soon.” Arthur told Devin.
When we arrived, Stephen was still not there. Dad and Old Man Crow were in deep conversation with Bobby and Eagle Eye. They were explaining to them all the events that have passed. I paced restlessly.
“This is nonsense” I grumbled. “They won’t listen. THEY encouraged this!”
“Please Devin calm down and let’s try and solve this.” His dad said.
“The things you speak of are not possible,” Eagle Eye said.
“Do you not remember where the spirit came from. Do you not know how evil this man was?” Old Man Crow asked Eagle Eye.
“I know no such thing.” Eagle Eye snapped.
“The spirits are here to guide and help us, not harm us.” Eagle Eye argued.
“I’m telling you that this spirit is evil and should never had been invoked.”
“Listen, I will talk to Stephen”, Bobby said. “I’m sure he will stop. He would never want to cause any harm to this girl. I don’t believe that it’s possible, but none the less I will ask him to stop.” Bobby said
That was the best we got before we left. They had been in deep discussion for the next hour, going over the history of the origination of this spirit. I knew what he had to do. I had to find Stephen and have a little talk with him. Stephen hadn’t showed up while we were here and I knew that Stephen would never listen to Bobby.
Once back at the reservation, I decided to take a run. A real run. I would be able to track Stephen down then. And I did. I ran hard to get close to where Stephen usually took his runs. Once I spotted Stephen, I shifted back. Stephen was waiting for me.
“I knew you would come.” Stephen said, “I saw you all at my house earlier. You trying to make trouble for me Devin? What’s the matter? Has your little mate second guessed her choice in wolf?” Stephen was blatantly trying to start a fight with me. This was to be expected from him when we were in a crowd where he knew nothing would happen, but he was standing here deep in the woods trying to start a fight.
“Stephen, I’ve came here to warn you.” Devin said.
“Warn me about what?” Stephen asked. That your little mate is a handful? Well, I already know that,” Stephen said making rude suggestions with his hands. A low grumble resounded around them. I was furious.
“You better watch what you say about her Stephen, or I will make you take it back.”
“Yeah, you might try Devin, but I’m beginning to think that you’re all bark and no bite.”
“You’re hurting Alex with this dream walking. I’m telling you right now to stop it or I will.”
“Hurting her! Huh, maybe hurting your chances with her. We have such good times in her dreams. That is after I manage to kill you off. She can’t help but fall into my arms.” Stephen said with a smirk on his face. I desperately wanted to wipe it off.
“What you’re doing is dangerous Stephen. This is not about you trying to take her away from me. She has already accepted me as her mate. She knows everything and has agreed to the bonding ceremony. What you’re doing is physically hurting her. Every time you grab her or hurt her in her dreams, it really happens to her. She’s covered in bruises where you are constantly knocking her down and holding onto her. I’m asking you to stop it. If you won’t stop then I will take matters into my own hands. I won’t let you hurt her any more. I try to be diplomatic and handle things the way my dad wants me to, but I won’t hesitate to be the enforcer on this.”
“You’re a liar and a sore looser Devin. I wouldn’t hurt her. I need her.”
“What do you need her for?” I asked
“To carry on the line, of course. I don’t know if there’s anymore out there. I sure don’t want to have to go hunt one down. So, I’ll just take yours.” Stephen explained to Devin like it was the most logical thinking.
“You need help Stephen. What you’re messing with is dangerous, and you’re in over your head.” Devin tried to reason with Stephen, but he could see that he was getting no where. Something was wrong with Stephen. He needed to warn his father that it may already be to late.
“Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I’ve heard this speech 10 times already from my father and the old spirit man. I don’t need to hear it from you.” Stephen snapped
“Fine, but I will protect her.” I said.
“Fine” Stephen snapped before shifting into wolf form and sprinting away.
I shifted back to my wolf form and left. I had to get back to dad so I could tell him about Stephen. If both sides could work together on this, maybe we could prevent any more harm to Alex. And to Stephen it appeared.
54
STEPHEN
Well, it looks like I have to move my time line up now. Devin will badger me into the ground until Alex is finally mine. Stephen thought to himself.
No doubt they have already spoken with my dad. That’s alright though. He may be mad at me right now, but once I secure the future of our pack and condemn Devin’s he will be grateful then. After all someone’s got to have a back bone in this family. I’m sick of living as the cast offs. Oh how soon the tables will be turned. Devin will be crawling to me begging to join my pack, but I’m going to refuse. It will be just punishment. Ah, I better get busy. I will have to prepare for a longer journey tonight. I’m not coming out until Devin is dead and Alex is mine. For Good!
55
DEVIN
I told my dad and Old Man Crow about my visit with Stephen tonight.
“This is far worse than I could have imagined,” Old Man Crow said. “The boy is losing himself to the spirit. If he’s not careful he will be lost forever. I will call Eagle Eye and see if I can talk some sense into him.”
“Dad, will you call Bobby and tell him too?” Devin asked.
“Yeah, I’ll call him now. You might want to call Alex and make sure she’s ok. My spirit is uneasy tonight son.” Arthur said.
“I feel it too.” I replied.
Alex picked up on the first ring. “Hello, Devin?” Alex breathed into the phone
“How’d you know it was me?” I asked.
“Who else would it be?” She answered
“Good point. There better not be any other boys calling you this time of night.”
“Only you,” Alex giggled
“You okay?” I asked her
“I miss you, but I’m okay.”
“Have you been to sleep?”
“Not yet, I slept half the afternoon, and I’m not tired yet. Camille and I are watching a movie.”
“Well, that’s good. Can I talk to Camille for a second?” I asked her
“Sure” she hesitated, “What’s wrong Devin? What’s happened. Did you see Stephen and his dad?” Alex asked with the sound of panic reaching her voice.
“Yeah, we saw them. Stephen’s out of his mind. He’s sick and he doesn’t see it. He’s been messing with some bad stuff. I’m just worried about you. I want to make sure that Camille keeps and eye on you tonight.”
“She will, you shouldn’t worry.”
“Can I talk to her?” I heard her tell Camille that I wanted to talk to her and then I heard Camille’s voice on the phone.
“What’s wrong Devin?” Camille asked
“Listen, I just wanted to make sure that you are extra careful abou
t watching her tonight. I’m sure Stephen will try something. He’s not himself, and he’s dangerous. He doesn’t believe he’s doing anything to Alex.”
“I will,” Camille answered.
“If you get tired, call me or get her mom. She has to be watched tonight.”
“Ok, I’ll make sure.”
“Thanks Camille”
“No problem, here’s Alex back.”
“Devin, should I be scared.” Alex asked
“No, I think the stuff we put in the house will help. It’s just we have to figure out how to stop Stephen. He’s in more danger than he knows.”
“Okay, but please be careful.”
“I will, you sleep tight and I’ll call you in the morning.”
“K, I’ll be thinking about you.”
Devin chuckled, “and I’ll be thinking about you too.”
Dad came into the room as I hung up with Alex.
“Is she ok?”
“For now, but she’s not been to sleep. I’m sure Stephen will try something tonight.”
“Me too,” Dad said “Bobby said that Stephen hasn’t came home. He’s going to look for him. I think he’s worried now. I believe Stephen has fooled them this whole time. I don’t always agree with Bobby, but he’s not a bad man. He wouldn’t have allowed this if he knew it was dangerous”
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