The Mysteries That Follow You

Chapter 22

Kiana, Oscar, Luna Ciara, and Alpha Tyrell all stand outside Marie's hospital room. Spirits are higher now that Marie's condition is better. However, there is still a looming sense of dread tying itself around the group. Alpha Tyrell clears his throat. He scans his eyes around the three people standing with him then focuses them on Kiana. "I am glad Marie is doing better but I don't think you called me here just for that."

Everyone looks at Kiana waiting for her to explain. "You are right ...What I saw in her mind was horrible." A sob escapes Luna Ciara's mouth. She hasn't been able to hold it together for more than a few minutes. Alpha Tyrell holds her closer to him.

"Kiana, tell us what you saw" Oscar pleads to his wife. He could feel her tense up and stay rigid when she was healing Marie. Her powers aren't easy to bear but he can't fathom what she saw.

"She was there..." Kiana tightens her grip on her husband's hand. She hadn't noticed him slip his hand in hers. "She saw their deaths." A stunned silence falls over the group. No person let alone a child should have to witness their parent's death. Alpha Tyrell stares at Kiana.

"There is more isn't there." Alpha Tyrell states he is always a keen observer. Oscar and Luna Ciara quickly look at Kiana. She nods her head.

"It was Alpha Solomon and his beta." Luna Ciara gasped and Oscar and Alpha Tyrell growled in anger. The two men share a look. Alpha Solomon has already been on their radar for a few months now. His pack has been starting trouble with his neighboring packs. Hunting in areas he shouldn't, starting fights at official meetings, and employing many dark magic witches. Alpha Solomon hasn't broken any official werewolf rules so there isn't anything other packs could do without outright declaring war against him. Learning of this is setting off alarm bells.

"Can you tell us exactly what you saw Kiana?" Alpha Tyrell asks. For the next ten minutes, Kiana explained what she witnessed in Marie's mind. At the end of her retelling, both she and Luna Ciara are in tears.

"That poor child," Luna Ciara aggressively wipes her tears. After all that, Marie ends up in the foster system, even though she has two sets of godparents. She looks up at her husband and then at the ceiling. "We failed our promise to them, to her." She looks at Marie's room door.

"You are right," Oscar speaks up. "We did fail them but we will make it right. I think Kiana and I should formally adopt her." The idea had been on Oscar's mind since he received the news his goddaughter was alive. Luna Ciara looks taken aback, she is about to argue but stops herself.

"You're right Oscar." Her husband looks down at her surprised at her response. She gives him a soft, sad smile. She mindlinks him. 'I know what you are thinking but it is the right option. We already have two kids. One is turning 16 soon and the other is 10. Kiana has always wanted to be a mother. Plus Marie always liked their house more.' She ends with a little pout on her face. Alpha Tyrell smiles at her and shakes his head.

"You guys should start the paperwork with Leane. The quicker she is with family the better." Alpha Tyrell gives Oscar a look and the two say their goodbyes to their wives and then walk out of the hospital. Kiana gives Luna Ciara a grateful look. They hug and comfort each other. A part of their family has returned and their hearts are full.

~

Kaden is in his room finishing up his homework when his little brother walks in. "Hey, Kaden"

"Sup Mikey." Kaden spins his chair to the door where Michael is standing.

"Mom said she and Dad will be home late tonight." His little brother rocks back and forth on the heels of his feet. His father hates that he does it but Michael doesn't care.

"Okay, what do you want for dinner?" Kaden's mom usually cooks every night. When she is out working late or having a girl's night the men fend for themselves. His father would take over since Kaden can't even boil water. Since both his parents are out it's probably going to be takeout for dinner.

"Can we order pizza?" He gives Kaden puppy dog eyes. Kaden knew his brother would ask for pizza. It is his favorite food besides pie.

"Okay kiddo, make sure you finish your homework." Kaden shakes his head as he watches his brother fist-bump the air and walk away. Kaden turns back around and finishes his homework. When he is done he calls the pizza shop in town. He grabs his keys and heads to his car. Before he drives off he gives Marie a call. Hoping she will keep him company on his ride. It goes to voicemail and he texts her to give him a call when she is free. He drives into town and picks up the pizza. When he gets home he checks his phone and he has no messages from Marie. He calls her again and it goes straight to voicemail. He calls her several more times that night with no luck. This is unexpected from Marie, they have talked on the phone every night since getting each other's number.

He wakes up the next morning with still no messages from her. He is growing concerned about the uncharacteristic behavior. He rushes to the car after getting ready for the day. He drives to Darius' house to talk with him. When he gets there they decide to ride to school together. "Do you know if Millie had spoken to Marie yesterday?"

"No, I don't know, sorry man" Kaden starts tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. Darius can tell something is bothering him. "Do you want me to call her to find out?"

"Would you mind?" Kaden stops the tapping briefly only to begin again when he hears the phone ring. Millie answers the Facetime call looking sad.

'Hey babe what's wrong' Darius signs, immediately picking up on the unexpected moody look on his girlfriend's face.

'Something happened to Marie yesterday.' Millie signs and her movements are slow.

'I called to ask if you have spoken to her. I am guessing Kaden wasn't able to speak to her last night.' He points his phone to a still jittery Kaden who is trying to focus on the road and not on what Darius and Millie are saying.

'I will explain it to you when you guys get to school' Her expression is sympathetic for Kaden.

'Usual spot?' Darius signs and Millie nods her head and then ends the call.

"So something happened to Marie yesterday" Kaden whips his head so fast in Darius's direction. It is good they are at a red light Darius thinks to himself. "Millie said she will explain when we get to school," Kaden says nothing but picks up speed when the light turns green.

The boys get to school, and Millie and the girls are already waiting in the usual morning meet-up spot. Cleo is the first one to notice them. Specifically, she notices Kaden as he steamrolls through the crowd of teenagers arriving at school towards them. Before he can ask she begins "We don't know the specifics but yesterday when we got to the orphanage after school we saw someone carrying Marie to a car. She was unconscious in their arms." Kaden feels like a bucket of hot water was dumped on him. "Mrs. Leane, our caretaker, told us she started having a seizure that was induced by stress. She is in the hospital now resting."

"Why was she stressed?" Those were the only words Kaden could get out. His mouth was dry and his throat felt itchy. He now knows why she didn't answer but it's worse than he thought.

"Like I said I don't have details. All Mrs. Leane told us is that she's fine now but that's all." Cleo answers.

"I am sure Marie will give us a call and explain when she is feeling up to it. For now, we just have to wait." Cassandra says but that is better said than done. A grey cloud has set over the group as they worry for their friend.