Chapter 2

The Greeting

The drive in theory wasn't supposed to take that long. However, with her anxiety running on high and the fact that she was almost full-term, Claudia was starting to get restless. Her foot bounced as she rubbed her swollen stomach. Her mind raced, thinking of how to tell her childhood friend of the impending doom.

"Claudia, baby, you have to calm down. The doctor reminded us that any amount of unnecessary stress would cause you to go into labor. We don't want any issue with this one," Noah whispered placing the hand, not on the steering wheel on his wife's stomach. His mind trying hard not to think back to their previous attempts.

"I know, hon, I just can't help it. You know that our clan isn't known to produce well. All the stress eventually gets to us at some point or another," she sighed thinking back to her linage.

Growing up she had always been taught that it would be close to impossible for any female in their family to get pregnant. Having been born with one of the more unique gifts, it was determined she'd have the most issues. The gift of premonitions, mainly those of death and grieving, put a terrible strain on her body. So this pregnancy was the thing of legends in her family.

"We're here," Noah said, turning into the driveway of the Hale property.

At the end of the drive sat a beautiful building, with dark brown shutters and gorgeous medium grey bricking. Dozens of windows covered the house, some open and others partially covered. Flower beds hid the corners of the house, and apple or orange trees were scattered across the front lawn. Behind the house held a few gardens and miles upon miles of forest, with trees so tall you can see them past the roof of the house. A place perfect for the wolves to run around in during the full moon or when one needed to burn off some steam.

Situated in a swing, on the large porch of the house, is none other than Talia Hale. In her arms was a dainty little girl with dark hair on her head and a light blue bottle in her mouth. Talia had her hair pulled up into a messy bun, and baby vomit sprinkled across her shirt. Despite looking exhausted she had a bright smile plastered on her face as she cooed at the infant in her hands.

"Hello, my friends. How are you today?" She asked without looking up from the tiny child in her lap.

"We are well, dear. How is little Cora doing?" Claudia replied, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Superb, she's such an angel. What brings you here so early in the morning?" Talia's jade green eyes flickered to Claudia's chocolate ones.

Dread filled the serine features on Claudia's face. Her light and happy thoughts being replaced by those of pain and torture. She could feel the tears in her eyes threatening to pour down her face. Yet, she held them back and took a deep shaky breath. She focused on the problem at hand.

"We need to talk, preferably in private," Claudia whispered.

Talia nodded and stood, pulling the bottle out of baby Cora's mouth. She hefted the infant to her shoulder and started patting her back in slight strokes, trying to wiggle a burp loose, she inclined her towards the door, gesturing them into the house.

Claudia made her way through the large oak door and into the dazzling house. The hallways were lined with pictures capturing the surreal joy and love radiating through the Hale family. Snapshots hung along the walls arranged specifically to tell the story of their lives. The children growing up, family portraits, action shots, and even beauty shots covered the long walls.

They stopped at the second door on the right, placing them in the Hale Library. The room itself was gigantic. Thousands of books lined the shelves, each shelf holding books of fantasy, science, romance, and mystery. Whatever book anyone in the family wanted or needed ended up in the room once it was bought. Five tables sat in the center of the room with chairs placed perfectly against them. In the very back corner of the room held yet another door that led to Talia's personal study.

"Sit down, make yourselves comfortable. I'm going to lay little Cora down and talk to Thomas about making breakfast for the rest of the house. Probably have Olivia and Laura help him. Maybe I can con Julie and Peter to help as well. I'll return shortly," Talia called, and just like that she disappeared into the mansion.

"It's going to be alright," Noah whispered, placing his hand on Claudia's shaking thigh.

"You don't have to whisper in here. The room is soundproof, darling." She smiled at the confused look on her husband's face. "They needed somewhere to hold family meeting s without all the werewolves in the house hearing them. Plus, Talia needed an office. So, they had this room specifically built for that purpose."

Claudia laughed holding Noah's hand in her own. She rubbed at her stomach absent-mindedly, trying to focus her thoughts. It was at this point that her gift was one where she could project her thoughts to others. This was defiantly going to be a difficult conversation.

"Noah-" Before she could say anymore there was a knock on the door. Noah climbed to his feet and opened it revealing a young boy with stunning green eyes, the exact shade of his mother's, and shaggy black hair. He looked up at the man than over to Claudia, a question in those bright orbs.

"Come on in here, Alexander," Claudia laughed holding out her hand to the boy.

Alexander shuffled past Noah and towards the man's wife. The boy's eyes shining as he placed his hand on Claudia's baby bump. His lips turned up into a smile when the baby gently kicked against his hand.

"Hello little Mieczyslaw, I can't wait to meet you."

"Alexander, go wake up your siblings," Talia ordered ruffling the little boy's hair. He nodded rubbing the bump one last time before taking off through the house. "Sorry about that. Now tell me what's going on." Talia settled herself into her chair, before leaning forward.

"I had a vision today," she paused looking at her friend, who only nodded for her to continue, "It showed a fire. One that consumes almost your entire family, humans bad wolves alike. It'll be here, with you all locked in the safe room, children and adults curled together crying. You are at the center of the room, everyone looking to you for guidance. Your arms are crossed as if you were praying."