The Two Alphas' Fated Witch

Promises

"Are you sure this is going to work?"

Mrs. Santiago, Cassie, and I are speed walking down the orchard. Even with the slowly fading light, I can see how right Mr. Santiago was. The vibrant reds, greens, and yellows of the apples hanging in their short, stubby trees almost seem like oversized holiday lights. There's a hint of tang and sweetness in the air. I love walking through Santiago Orchards during this time of year. It's always so festive, yet tranquil. Memories of hide-and-seek games and tractor rides dance in the back of my mind, but I have more important things to think about.

Like the fact that I'm still doubtful about this plan, and we are only two minutes away from all the guys now. I can see Mr. Santiago gesturing to the Macintosh in front of him, explaining something to the lean form of Eric and the broader form of Joey. Dylan is actually closer to us, hanging back. He starts heading towards us the moment he sees us three making our way to them, much slower now.

Before he gets to us, Cassie whispers, "Trust me, they won't be able to go back. We'll be safe, but first, we have to get them away from Papa and Dylan."

"What's that about me?" he asks, catching the tail end of our conversation.

"I was telling Ali how I was worried about you," she lies effortlessly. She goes up to him and pouts. "You don't usually hang back from a tour. What's up?"

"Yeah, well, like I said in the text, those guys are getting antsy. They keep glancing at the house every five seconds, like they're wary of something." He looks over his shoulder at the two. Helping prove the point, Eric's head turns towards the house. However, once he sees we have arrived, and more importantly I have arrived, he nudges Joey, who turns towards us as well. A short conversation goes between the two and Mr. Santiago, and they make their own way to our group.

"Sorry, hijo. The dishes took a little longer than expected," Mrs. Santiago says as the others come to join us. Probably answering something Dylan asked. But I'm too focused on two pairs of hazel and brown eyes, both of which are locked onto my own. Wow, they do look worried. Did they think I would really up and leave them?

"No problem, mi corazón," Mr. Santiago replies, "You made it before nightfall, and that's what matters." He goes to his wife, puts a strong arm around her shoulders, and kisses her cheek. They've done this a hundred times, but I still get that "aww" feeling every time I see it. They are the most loving couple I've ever known, and the perfectly-content smile on Mrs. Santiago's face just shows it all the more.

I smile as well, momentarily forgetting what I here to do. It's only the presence of Joey standing right next to me that brings me back to my agenda. His eyes are almost as dark as the trees surrounding us, and a slightly raised eyebrow shows me his concern as the Santiagos keep talking. "You alright?"

His question kind of stuns me. I knew they'd be worried I'd bail, but I figured once we joined them, they would be relieved and back to normal. However, it's clear he's still worried. "Of course. I told you I'm safe in this house, and it was only a few minutes. Why wouldn't I be?"

"We felt you were getting stressed in there," Eric's voice responds from my other side. Turning towards him, I realize his eyes have a few more blue flecks in them than normal. They're usually more brown, and they were darker when he was angry earlier today. They must change colors depending on his mood. How interesting...

"Oh, right. That. Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

I nod. "Yeah. Sorry I worried you so much."

Their expressions show their disbelief, but before Eric can inquire further, Mr. Santiago asks "So, shall we continue the tour?"

"How about a quiet walk for a bit, honey?" Mr. Santiago looks towards his wife, but she just sighs, closes her eyes, and cuddles closer to him. "We haven't walked along the orchard in a while. And the weather is perfect for a stroll, don't you think?"

This man practically melts into his spouse, and all he can seem to do is nod. He looks towards the rest of us, simply asking, "Shall we?"

As the married couple takes the lead, Cassie grabs her brother's arm and starts chatting with him about something. He tries to resist, glancing my way, but she must've said something important, because he snaps back to her, blushing madly. I know that look. Dylan has a new crush then, huh?

The Santiagos probably expect us to follow, but once they're all a good distance away, I sigh and turn towards the boys. Their serious faces tell me they were expecting this. "Alright," Joey begins, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Eric stands beside him, and both sets of eyes lock onto mine. "Are you gonna tell us what's going on now?"

Well, we have to get this done at some point. I sigh.."You guys were right about earlier. I was a little stressed. I found out some stuff about myself that I never knew, and it brought back a rather painful memory." I wrap my arms around myself, but it's not due to the cold. "I know I promised you I would explain everything once I knew, but I need you two to promise me some things before I can."

Their eyes don't leave me for a second as I say this, and a stern look comes across their faces. "Ali," Eric asks, his eyes turning dark again, "What's going on?"

But I shake my head and continue. "I need you to promise me two things before I can tell you that."

"And what would those be?" Joey cuts right to the point.

I exhale, then begin. "First, you have to promise that what you learn tonight remains secret between us. No one else can know."

I wait for a response, but all I get are the same stone-faced expressions. "And the second?"

"That you promise you will not ever harm myself or any of the Santiagos."

Their eyes widen in shock, but my own serious tone must reflect in my face as well, because they remain silent for a few minutes. Glances are shared, and Eric frowns a lot, but finally he sighs and responds, "Fine. I promise."

"As do I."

A sigh of relief escapes my lips. The time it took for them to finally give me their answers felt like torture, and towards the end, I thought they might refuse. Luckily, my paranoia was wrong. This time.

"Thank you. Now, let's finish this tour and catch up to the others." I start towards the Santiagos, who are making their way back to the house, as we've been talking for a while. The sun has now completely set, leaving us all surrounded by the dark silhouettes of the apple trees.

"Wait," Eric exclaims, stepping in front of me, "After all that, you aren't going to tell us anything?!"

"Sorry, but I'm a bit new at this, so I don't have all the answers. Mrs. Santiago and Cassie can give you a better understanding of everything, so just wait a bit longer."

"Ali, what-"

"Did you enjoy the orchard?" Mr. Santiago calls out, cutting Joey off. He and his family are almost upon us at this point.

I can tell the guys are too annoyed to reply, so I answer for them. "They couldn't stop asking about the different varieties you have, they were so curious!"

"So that's why you only made it this far!" His boisterous laugh echoes into the night. "Glad you enjoyed it."

"Yes," Joey replies, finally deciding to stop boring holes into the back of my skull. "Thank you for the tour."

"It's the least I could do for you two!" Gazing at the quickly multiply stars, he yawns and stretches. "Well, I believe that's all the light today will give us. I assume you guys will be headed back now?"

"But it's not even seven o'clock, Papa!" Cassie looks between Eric and Joey. "Surely you'd like to stay a little longer?"

"I'm sorry, sweetie," Mr. Santiago says before they can reply, "but I think this walk took a bit out of me." He yawns again, emphasizing his statement.

"That's okay, honey. Why don't you go get some rest?" Mrs. Santiago kisses her husband on the cheek. "I'll take over hosting from here."

"You sure, Rosa?"

"Of course. You've been working so hard these past few days. I'll join you in a few."

He nods, kisses her back, says goodnight to everyone, then leaves.

Dylan starts to yawn as well. "I think I'm gonna join him." He turns to me, smiling and sleepy, and places a hand on my shoulder lightly. "Glad you're okay, Ali. Talk to ya tomorrow?"

I nod. "Definitely. Night, Dyl!"

As father and son head back for the house, Cassie and Mrs. Santiago look at the boys, then to me. "Is it done?"

I nod.

"Good." Suddenly, Cassie grabs both guys by the ears and starts dragging them towards the house.