Chapter 85: She Can See the Future

Maeve

The village was buzzing with activity as I followed Mom into the center of the rows of cottages and buildings housing the shops and market. Gretchen had bundled her up in a thick, heavy red wool coat and a matching hat, the color a stark

contrast to the snow and white-washed buildings. Mom was barking orders to the warriors who had surrounded a group of a dozen or so weary-looking people, strangers.

“Who are they? How did they get here?” I turned to Gemma, who shrugged, her face lined with suspicion.

She had heard the commotion from her house and came to fetch us, but the warriors had beaten her there, and we were already in the driveway when Gemma arrived. She had given George to Gretchen and then followed us down to the village, where the warrior had gathered the unfamiliar group into the snow-covered market square.

“They shouldn’t be out here; it’s freezing. Take them up to the castle. Offer food and water. Now!” Mom’s voice rang out through the square.

She sounded every ounce the queen, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I watched her commanding the warriors. The group began to move, the warriors herding them away. But an elderly woman had stopped walking, separating from the group.

She was looking past me, her eyes fixated on something behind me. I turned to look over my shoulder in the direction of her gaze and saw a young woman standing at the edge of the market square, her black hair dappled with snowflakes.

“Who is that?” I asked Gemma, who turned to look.

“Oh, that’s Hanna.”

“Hanna of Red Lakes?”

Hanna’s gaze shifted from the elderly woman to me, and I quickly turned back around, a blush rising to my cheeks. I vaguely remember Hanna from when her family visited. She was a year older than me, but aside from a formal introduction when their family arrived, I didn’t think I’d seen her for the rest of their short-lived trip. She had been nowhere to be seen when Aaron fell from the tree.

“Yeah, she’s Rowan’s mate. I’m sure someone told you,” Gemma said.

“I feel like I’ve only been told snippets of what’s been happening here, Gem. Who are these people? They didn’t come by boat. That means they would’ve had to come through-through the forest? How is that possible?” The old roads were so overgrown now; it would take so long for anyone to get through that way.

Gemma glanced at me, somewhat shocked. “Did your dad not tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“Maeve? Is that really you?” A familiar male voice cut through

the air, and I found myself paralyzed by surprise. It couldn’t

  1. be.

“O-Otto?” I said, my voice wavering as a man walked toward me dressed in warrior garb. He stopped walking a few feet from where Gemma and I were standing, looking.me up and down. I wasn’t sure I recognized him at first, but then his mouth twitched into a wide smile. “Oh, my Goddess. How?”

“Oh, Maeve. It’s so good to see you!” He closed the distance between us, taking my hand in his and squeezing it. “I heard you were home. I’ve been busy, I should have come up to the house right away but it was my son’s birthday,”

“Son?” I was stunned.

Thadn’t seen Otto in fifteen years, not since he went with the expedition party to explore the Eastern Mountains that separated Mirage and Winter Forest. We all thought he was dead, along with Gemma’s mother, Seraphine.

“I have five children. My wife, Shelly, she,” he paused, looking between Gemma and me to where Hanna had been standing.

I turned to look at her again, an unusual feeling creeping over me. Her gaze was still locked on the elderly woman, who was being rounded up with the rest of the group.

Otto patted my shoulder, then jogged back to the other warriors, stopping

asked as she turned, tucking her gloved hands into the pockets of her jacket. “Do you know that

replied, walking toward us as if

words, her voice sounding so

is she

“Where’s Rowan?” she asked, looking

he went to the castle

Hanna took us by the hands, the feeling of her skin against mine sending a ripple of familiar energy through my body. I almost let go but

before, and not when

the heavy snow falling from the deep gray sky. It was late afternoon, and the sun had already

the grand foyer, taking my hand and leading me away from Hanna and Gemma. “I’m sorry I

while. And then… do you know who these people are? Has anyone

now in the library. I think we should go see

“Why?”

tracing a circle in the

the people Una talked

guided me toward the library. I wondered cynically if we were ever going to have an ounce

long library table, his hands folded neatly on the surface and his

blanket and given her a steaming cup of what smelled like chicken soup, which immediately made me

nodding tightly as Troy stationed us against the wall near the door. Mom was seated next to Dad, still in her red coat, but she

me, looking me up and down with interest before turning back to Dad, settling herself back

closed her hands around the mug

Her voice contradicted her appearance. She was small, old, and frail, but

on the table, looking

you are and why you’re here,” Mom said stoically

who we are,” the woman said, pointing a shaky finger

your Alpha?

the old

Who prevailed?” Dad asked.

them killed

title, exactly?” Mom’s voice had a tinge of unease to

So anyone could be the Alpha, any man that is. Carl is the clear choice because he has powers, although they aren’t strong. But

nervous sweat forming along my brow as the room seemed to

the dark-haired girl from the market? I need to speak

shook her head,

I said, not meaning to

you everything you need to know if I can speak with the girl.

“Why?” Mom asked defensively.

us. She is the true leader of Lycenna, as her mother should have

and Dad stood, motioning to Troy to get Hanna from the

girl of which you speak, is Leera’s daughter, is she not? Leera was my niece. My sister left the pack when Leera was just an infant, hiding away somewhere in the West. If that dark-haired child possesses even a fraction of the powers

chair falling against the floor behind her. I couldn’t help but flinch, my stomach tightening into a contraction as I watched Mom lean forward, her hands

is it to you? Why

of our pack, those true followers of Lycaon. The rest-Carl and his people well, they will bend to the Dream

you not noticed? She even has a familiar. I can feel it. The dog I saw in the village, is

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