6. Heed the warning

Liberty pov

When I exit the training facility I see Madelin sitting outside waiting for me. The moment she sees me she gets to her feet and wraps my arm over her shoulder.  

“You shouldn’t have let Danny get to you. I bet he’s still pissed that you beat his crush up yesterday,” she 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 when I was dragged away, abused and tortured. 

“You’ll catch up with the rest of us physically soon enough. It wasn’t fair of Gamma Heath to give you and Danny the same number of repetitions. We all know he’s a lot stronger and better trained than you are. So basically he gave you a harsher punishment.” 

“I didn't think of it that way,” I admit to her, wondering if Heath favoured Danny or didn’t think about it and just punished us both?

Madelin brings me to the door of our family home, hugs me and leaves. With a sigh I enter, the moment I set foot in the living room silence falls. Mom, Dad and Cooper were definitely discussing something important. 

“You look haggard dear," Mom starts, “Are you sure this is good for you?” 

“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. 

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 go down. They won’t believe me and I guess the Moon Goddess won’t let me.

“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. 

“Liberty, is that why you got into a fight with them 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.

My father 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 another squeak about them.” 

“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.  

He wins easily, it doesn’t matter to me. 

When I get up to go to bed he gets up and hugs 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 Madelin  though still fresh feels more genuine than any other friendship I’ve had before. 

MacKenzie was an Omega and I always felt better than her. She was nice and caring and now I’m ashamed to say that our friendship was more of a one way road. She invested so much more than I did. Only to be thrown to the rogues by Candy. This time round I’ll treat her as an equal and keep her safe I vow.  

   

I wake up with sore muscles, which isn’t unexpected. I check my face in the mirror and see that I’m healing up nicely. Thanks to Naveah and Olwyn’s ointment. I stretch my muscles and promise myself that I won’t let Viera, Verity or Danny seduce me to a fight disguised as spar today. 

On my way to the gym I decide to pick up Madelin 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 Madelin 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 what Gamma Heath explained and what her tips, tricks and take aways were and we get down to practising.  

Slowly others start coming in minding their own business and finding a spot to warm up and rehearse yesterday's moves. 

“Goodmoring Madelin,” Verity greets Madelin, ignoring me,”Viera and I were wondering if you were planning to team up with Liberty for the three person challenge or if you wanted to join us?” 

“I’m definitely teaming up with Liberty. Thank you for your kind offer though,” Madelin politely declines and turns away from Verity to continue practising a high kick and block with me.  

“You’ll never make it through the selections if you team up with Liberty. She’s a worthless fighter and has no strength or stamina either," Verity pushes Madelin.

Madelin jumps and high kicks in Verity’s direction, Verity steps 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.”

Verity pouts, scowls and walks away. 

Secretly I count this as a double win. Not only did Madelin chase her off but I didn’t get pulled into a fight. I feel a smile cross my lips. 

“Morning Folks! Good to see no one is fighting each other today. Let’s begin today’s training!” Gamma Heath has entered the hall claiming all attention. We spend the entire day throwing spears, shooting arrows and practising combat with an assortment of weapons. 

While I’ve definitely gotten better I still suck at everything but hand to hand combat.