Chapter 3

The Actions We Must Take

Talia stared at the pregnant woman in front of her, different expressions flashing in her green eyes as her emotions settled on sorrow. She was used to dealing with the horrific visions that Claudia brought to her, but this had sent her reeling. Tears were threatening to fall past her lashes and she had to take deep breaths to hold her wolf at bay. She hadn't had issues with her control since she was a child, learning how to restrain the wolf within. Her heart was shattering with every beat that it took. She couldn't process the fact that she was eventually going to lose her life and those of her loved ones all in one night.

Claudia reached out and took her friend's hand in her own. She knew the pain that Talia was in, knew of the sorrow that she was feeling. She wanted nothing more than to take back her words, but she knew they needed to be said. Claudia knew that the Alpha needed to know what was set to happen. She herself didn't know the catalyst of this dreadful situation, let alone the perpetrators. All she knew was that it was set to happen.

Both women turned their heads to the man sitting with them when he cleared his throat. His gaze flickered between the two females once he knew he held their attention. A small smile filled with melancholy graced his visage.

"I know this situation isn't the best, but at least now we know and can take steps to stop it. This is the reason you come here every time you have a vision, Claudia. So that you can help put a stop to it so that you can change the future. The way that you described it, Olivia looked like she was just out of high school and you even said you didn't see Derek, Alex, or Laura. So, hopefully, they were in school. They're only just a few years apart in age. So, if Olivia looks as if she just graduated that would mean she would be eighteen, that's eight years from now."

"He's right. The pups can only start school once they have their wolves under control. Laura's in school now and Derek and Alex should be starting soon. We have time to get ahead of this and figure out what the hell is going to happen to cause this," Talia said rubbing her hands over her face. She stood and started pacing the length of the room. "Do you think you could name all the people in that room?"

"I don't know, honestly. I recognized Olivia, Thomas, Peter, and Julie and their three, Cora though she was a lot older than she is now. You, of course, but there were others there I can't place." Claudia mumbled her hand on her chin as she thought. "There were like twenty people in the room, half of which I just didn't know."

A knock sounded through the room, which made all of them turn towards the sound.

"Momma, I'm sorry to interrupt, but daddy sent me to tell you that breakfast was ready," A little girl said poking her head through the door. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and her chocolate brown eyes glistened as she looked at Claudia. The girl stepped farther into the room stopping in front of the pregnant woman. "Mrs. Claudia, may I touch your tummy?"

"Why yes, Laura of course you may!" Claudia laughed as the child placed her little hand on her stomach. Though the baby moved, it didn't kick as it had done with Alex. "How old are you now Laura?"

"I'm ten!" Laura replied in glee. She looked up to Claudia, confusion clear on her face, "Why isn't the baby kicking for me?"

"He's probably asleep, dear. Whenever I'm awake and moving about he's typically asleep. The movements that I make will lull the baby to sleep since he's still in my tummy."

"Why don't we all head into the kitchen to eat?" Talia asked ushering everyone out of the library and into the hall and towards the kitchen.

The table was set and filled with adults and children. Talia's brother and his wife were settled at the end of the table with Jackie, their youngest child settled in Julie's lap attempting to shove some food in her mother's mouth. Julie just grinned at the one-year-old as she scooped some eggs into the plates of four-year-old Jacob and Jimmie's plates. Alex and Derek were sitting in front of both of the blonde-haired boys, laughing at something that Olivia had said. Further down the table was Thomas's sister June with her husband Oscar. The four took the remaining seats Laura sitting in front of her sister beside her cousins, while the three adults took their seats at the head of the table.

Alex looks up from his plate once the three took their seats. He turned his head towards Claudia, his eyes widened as he looked her way. He could feel the headache as he was sucked into a different setting. Events flashed before his eyes, cars speeding down the road, a woman screaming in pain. Then the scenery changed and he was in a hospital with people running around and through him. A woman with fiery red hair was yelling and cursing as a doctor stood in front of her. He could feel the joy and happiness mixed with pain and agony as a baby cried out taking in its first breath.

He gazed at the baby that was brought into the world and almost cried when he realized who the doctor was holding. His entire world rerouted around that single being and he took a shuttering breath. His mommy had told him stories of a wolf finding its mate, and in most cases, it was later on in life. It was extremely rare that one would find the one destined for them so early in life. Yet, here he was at seven years old gazing into the eyes of his. The one he was meant for, this baby that was set to be his was going to be here today.

Alex tried fighting his way forward when he heard his name being yelled, yet he was stuck more like glued to this image. His subconscious wouldn't let him leave this place just yet, and truth be told he could stay in this moment forever. He didn't want to leave just yet, he wanted to take in every detail of that baby.

"DON'T!" Claudia screamed as people jumped to their feet, attempting to rush towards the boy. Everyone froze in place, turning to glare at the woman who was struggling to her feet. "We finally know why he's not maturing as a wolf. It's because he's not one."

"What are you talking about?" Peter growled his eyes flashing gold as Claudia walked over to his nephew. "I can smell the wolf in him."

"He maybe part wolf, but he's also a witch."

"It's time," Alex gasped snapping out of whatever it was he was in. He turned to look at the woman standing by him. A huge grin plastered to his face as he reached up to her stomach. "He's coming."

"What did you-" Claudia was cut off by a rush of water falling between her legs. "Fuck!" She yelled

"Claudia!" Noah yelled rushing to his wife's side. She leaned on him as a contraction passed. "Start counting the minutes!" He screamed to no one in particular.

Peter rushed to them pulling Claudia into his arms and rushed her outside to the cruiser. He placed her in the front seat and fastened her seat belt as Noah hopped in the driver's side. He started the car as Talia ran outside with Alex and Derek at her heels. Claudia screamed as another contraction hit way too early for her comfort.

"That was only for two minutes!" Talia yelled, "Get her to the hospital now! I'll stop by your house and grab your bags on my way to you."

"I'm coming to," Alex said grabbing his mother's hand. She turned to tell him no but saw the purple flashing in her son's eyes. She nodded at him and they climbed in the car, following to cruiser down the driveway and onto the main road. "I finally get to see my Mieczyslaw." The little boy muttered as purple eyes faded back to green and a smile cemented to his face.