The Alpha’s Dark Heritage

Chapter 8

***Nina***

Mateo entered the room, and my heart raced at the sight of him. The chaos of the council meeting came flooding back—my vision, the overwhelming sense of impending doom, and my own helplessness as I had fainted. I could still hear the faint echoes of screams and growls mixed with the haunting silence that followed my collapse. The red eyed thing that had lured me into a vision and the aura that surrounded him. His unnatural smile that would have me fear another encounter with him.

A weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my chest, reminding me that my visions had happened during an attack which endangered the lives of many.

“I’m gonna help Sam with any injured and see how many we lost.” Ryan stop and left the room.

Seeing Mateo covered in blood sent a whirlwind of emotions within me. “You’re sure none of that is yours?” I asked, my voice trembling as I desperately sought his reassurance.

He glanced over his shoulder while drying his hands and locked his blue, concerned eyes on mine. “Nina, I promise you. This blood is not mine.” His steady voice felt like a lifeline in the storm of my thoughts.

“I’ll speak with you later Nina.” My brother Asher said. “Make sure she gets back home safe.” He turned to my mate who nodded at his request.

I nodded slightly, feeling my pulse begin to calm just a bit. But despite his words, my mind continued to race. Recently, my visions had become more frequent and vividly chaotic. They came to me in disjointed images and flashes of danger—glimpses of my pack members in peril.

Alone with just my mate I spoke, “Mateo, I need to tell you something,” I said, lowering my voice to keep the urgency contained.

He turned fully toward me, concern etched across his features. “What is it?”

“I’ve been having more visions lately,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s like a floodgate opened, and now I can’t control what I see. I feel like something is coming—something dangerous.”

Stepping closer, the warmth of his presence enveloped me like a protective shield. “What did you see?” he asked, worry flickering in his gaze.

I briefly explained the dream I had with my sister and Crowley. I told him that it felt more like a vision then a dream. “It was like I was there only in her body and seeing through her eyes. I heard things and felt things, I could even speak while I was her,” I admitted, frustration mixing with fear. “It was unclear, but during the meeting , it felt like I entered another realm. I can feel that we are all in danger —” I paused, a painful memory clawing its way back to me. “Then his smile, and nothing felt right. But the scenery was beautiful. It was familiar but it was like a deception.”

Mateo stood at the bedside, “You’re strong, Nina. We’ll figure this out together. You’re not alone in this.”

“I know,” I replied, but the doubt still lingered in my heart, casting a shadow over my resolve. The overwhelming nature of my visions bore down on me, and the threat of the red-eyed wolves loomed closer, adding to the ominous feelings swirling within me.

“I’m going to just go wash up. I don’t want to get any of this blood on you.” As I watched him retreat into the bathroom, I felt a momentary alleviation of my tension—grateful for his presence. However, that moment was shattered by Isaac’s unexpected appearance as he walked through the door.

“I just heard about everything,” he remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and impatience.

“You didn’t hear the fight?” I replied, bewildered by his nonchalant demeanor.

“It seems that you didn’t either,” he shot back playfully, his gaze sweeping over me from head to toe. I could sense his underlying worry as he took in my appearance, the remnants of anxiety clear on my features.

“I was a bit preoccupied,” I said, sarcasm coloring my tone, but deep down, I felt a sharper pang of guilt. I should have been in more control of my gift.

“Did you examine Mateo’s grandfather?” I asked, trying to divert the conversation from my own shortcomings.

“Not exactly,” Isaac began cautiously, “I was on my way there when I ran into Sally.” A hint of distraction colored his voice, drawing a smile to my lips at the thought of my brother’s mate capturing his attention.

“Oh,” I said, now understanding the reason he hadn’t heard the chaos earlier. “If you ever want to talk, I’m here,” I offered, sensing a deeper tension coiling within him.

“It’s fine. I’m just confused,” he replied, a frown knitting his brow. The stress in his posture hinted at something weighing heavily on his mind.

“What are you confused about?” I probed further, sensing that something deeper lurked beneath the surface.

He shook his head, a reluctant smile playing on his lips. “Nothing. I’ll wait for you, and we can examine Mateo’s grandfather together. I ran into Asher on the way here; he wants us both to meet him. He wants to talk to you, me, and Nevins.” His tone had shifted to serious, sending a flutter of unease through me.

“Okay,” I nodded, my mind racing again with the questions I had for my brother. But more importantly, I needed to confront whatever it was I had experienced during my vision.

As Isaac turned to leave, the door clicked shut, leaving me alone once more with my turbulent thoughts. The aftermath of the meeting hung over me, contrasting sharply with the looming threat overshadowing our pack. I couldn’t ignore the mark on my wrist, a constant reminder of my connection to my gift and all its burdens. It burned against my skin, feeling both mystical and foreboding, as though it had now become a part of my fate.

“What does it mean?” I murmured to myself, tracing the mark lightly with my fingertips. I recalled the ancient texts I had studied—none offered clarity on my current predicament. All of this felt so profoundly unsettling.

Determined to gather my thoughts, I sank into the chair in the corner of the room, my heart racing wildly alongside the chaos in my mind. My visions and the consequences tied to them dominated my thoughts. They felt like ominous whispers warning me of the threads of fate yet to be unraveled.

“Nina,” Mateo called from the bathroom, breaking through my reverie.

“Yes?” I responded, a hint of apprehension creeping into my voice.

“Do you want to talk about your visions now? I can sit with you until you feel ready to go,” he offered, stepping out with a fresh shirt, droplets of water glistening in his black hair.

I felt a surge of gratitude for his willingness to stand beside me. “I think I need to go through this with you. You've always been my grounding force,” I said, my voice steadier than before.

He nodded, fully understanding the weight of my situation. “I’ll always be here for you, no matter what,” he promised, kneeling next to my chair in a gesture both simple and profound.

“Thank you, Mateo. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I admitted, the warmth of his presence swelling my heart with gratitude.

As I gazed into his eyes, I couldn’t shake the weight of my responsibilities settling upon my shoulders once more. It was a beautiful burden to bear, yet daunting all the same. “I’m afraid, Mateo. I don’t know how to control this gift. I thought I did or at least was getting the idea of controlling it. What if it leads to more chaos?”

“Then we’ll face it together,” he replied confidently, and his unwavering belief ignited a spark of hope within me. “We’ll find a way to balance your powers. You’re not just some oracle tossed into the dark. You have people who trust you, and I believe in you.”

As he spoke, I felt something shift deep inside me. I realized I wasn’t alone in this battle. My family, my people, and especially Mateo would be there to confront whatever uncertainties awaited us.

“I have to go,” I finally said, determination surging within me. “I need to meet my brothers. We have to figure out what to do next.”

Mateo’s gentle smile brought a sense of comfort, and in that moment, I felt a tug at my heart, a reminder of the journey ahead. Together, we would carve our path, and despite the darkness threatening to engulf us, a flicker of hope ignited within me—a belief that we could alter the course of our fate.

With renewed determination, I got out of the bed, and gripped Mateo’s hand tightly. “Let’s rain check on the meeting your mother. Tell her I’m sorry but can’t wait to meet her properly.”

“My mother will understand.” Mateo said and placed a kiss on my forehead.

As my mate walked me to where Issac waited for me, I couldn't shake the feeling that something awaited us—both in the darkness gathering beyond our borders and in the light swelling within our hearts. Ready or not, we would face it all—together.