6. Heed the warning

Liberty pov

When I exit the training facility I see Madeline sitting outside waiting for me. The moment she sees me she gets to her feet and wraps my arm over her shoulder. Tears burn in my eyes, Madeline waiting for me, literally supporting me is amazing. I’ve never had friends in my corner. 

My family yes but never friends. Previously even Cooper felt as if it was an obligation because I’m his sister and not because he’s proud of me. Things are changing and even though on most days I don’t want to get out of bed and train the appreciation and respect it’s earning me makes it worthwhile. 

Never had I missed true friendship because I didn’t have them. Viera being ‘nice’ to me was good enough. This life I see her as she really is a mean vile hypocrite. 

“You shouldn’t have let Danny get to you. I bet he’s still pissed that you beat his crush up yesterday,” Madeline sighs.

“I know, but when he grabbed me something snapped,” I answered truthfully. I still don’t know if it was Naveah who snapped or if it was my deja vu of being so defenseless while I was dragged away, abused and tortured. 

At the door of our family home, Madeline hugs me and leaves. With a groan I enter. The moment I set foot in the living room, they stop talking. Mom, Dad and Cooper were definitely discussing something important. 

“What were you discussing?” I ask them but mainly looking at Cooper. 

“Dad and I spotted signs of rogues while patrolling the border,” he answers.

A flashback hits me, in the dungeon Viera came to see me. 

“Remember during the second round of the selection for the academy? That Daddy had to break all the rules and save you from that rogue? I don’t think you could forget that. You should have been eliminated for that intervention. 

But we all know that daddy secretly added you to the list even when you failed every selection criterium. But remember the rogue incident? That you claimed you couldn’t reach your wolf and nobody believed you because you’re such a shitty fighter? I just wanted you to know you were right. 

I added wolfsbane to your drink during lunch. Just a few drops is not enough to kill you but enough to keep you from your wolf.” 

I stared blankly at her, she smirked and left. Up until then I’d considered her a friend but I was clearly wrong. I was so far gone her confession didn’t even sting, she was just one of the many people who had in some way sabotaged me, betrayed me and now flaunted their deeds in front of me. Rubbing it in, knowing that they won and won't face any consequence.   

But that was my first life. Things will be different now. I have the knowledge to prevent things from happening. But I can’t outright tell them that I know things, or what will happen in the near future.  

“Dad, Cooper, about the rogues, I don’t think they’re here by coincidence," my voice trails off. How am I going to convince them?

“It’s a gut feeling based on some rumors and maybe it’s a complete coincidence but please look into who is in charge of the patrols when the rogues attack. My gut says the attacks are less frequent and severe if Beta Carlo is in charge of the patrols.”  

Dad and Cooper stare at me as if they see water burning. 

“That is a very serious accusation you’re making,” My father stares at me. His eyes are stern and he seems to be searching my face for truth. 

“Liberty, is that why you got into a fight with Viera and Verity yesterday?” Cooper asks, looking at me as if he senses there’s more going on. I can’t blame him. Suddenly I’m training as if my life depends on it while before I just let the days slide by. Dreaming of my future, of my mate, not paying attention to the world around me.

Dad sighs heavily, “Liberty, I’ll pay extra attention to them and the rogue situation. But until you have proof of what you just claimed I don’t want to hear from you about this again.” 

“Thank you dad for heeding my warning,” I gratefully smile at him. 

“Let’s play backgammon Liberty,” Cooper changes the subject.

In his room he gets out the board and sets it up. We spend the evening chatting about things we never talked about before. It hurts to realise that we missed so much of each other's lives because I lived only for my future, never in the now. 

/We should thank the Moon Goddess in our prayer for our more meaningful second life,/ Naveah suggests 

When we’re done playing Backgammon I get up to go to bed. Cooper gets up as well to hug me, “Liberty, I don’t know what happened to you that made you change overnight but it’s a good change. I’m proud of you. Keep it up. Don’t worry about Mom, Dad and me, focus on getting into the academy. We’ll manage ourselves.” 

In bed I pray to the Moon Goddess to thank her for my rebirth. For the chance to actually live my life instead of letting it slip by. The friendship with Madeline though still fresh feels more genuine than any other friendship I’ve had before. The connection with Cooper and my father is also more meaningful. The relationship with my mother is harder as she finds it unbefitting for a girl to be training so hard.

My mind goes to MacKenzie, the omega who I considered my friend. I now realise that she was not a friend in the way Madeline is. She never stood up for me but she was loyal. She took care of me and when Blake was born of him with an unmeasurable amount of love. 

MacKenzie was devoted to Blake. In the end I failed them both. I couldn’t protect them from Hartley and Candy. I will have to do better for MacKenzie and come to terms that I will never give birth to Blake in this life. The sadness of Blake never growing up envelopes me and it takes a long time before I drift off to sleep.

Groaning in pain I stretch my sore, painful screaming muscles. The mirror shows me that I’m healing up nicely. “I won’t let Viera, Verity or Danny seduce me to a fight disguised as spar today,” I promise myself and Naveah out loud. In response to my promise Naveah wraps me in her pride. 

On my way to the gym I decide to pick up Madeline so we can walk together only to discover that I don’t know where she lives. So much for being a good friend. I’ll walk her home after training.

In the training area I see that even if I’d known where Madeline lives I would have knocked on her door for nothing. She’s already here practising the moves Gamma Heath explained yesterday. 

“Good morning Liberty!” she enthusiastically greets me, “I thought I’d get here early so I can help you make up for missing yesterday's class!”

“That's great!” I smile as I drop my things and go over to the sparring mat.  

She talks me through the forward sweep. The forward sweep is to be used carefully during spars as it targets the front of the legs instead of the back. Taking someone down with a forward sweep can result in knee and shin injuries. While we are all werewolves and especially with a little help from a doctor we heal it still hurts like hell and is inconvenient. 

Slowly others start coming in minding their own business and finding a spot to warm up and practise the forward sweep. 

“Goodmoring Madeline,” Verity’s nails on a chalk board voice sounds,” Viera and I would like you to team up with us during the trials,"  

“I’m definitely teaming up with Liberty. Thank you for your offer though,” Madeline politely declines and turns her back to Verity.  

“You know you're chances with us are higher than with her," Verity tries again. 

Madeline jumps and high kicks in Verity’s direction, forcing Verity to step back ”Last fight I saw you and Viera neither of you could defeat Liberty. Now move on, go pester someone else to join you and Viera.”

“Morning Folks! Gamma Heath enters the hall and starts the training.