Chapter Fifteen
Idouble checked the house at Vince’s pack to make sure it was still secure.
There were boot prints on the front door, and cracks in the glass door, indicating that someone had been trying to get in.
Thank you for werewolf proof glass. I used a little magic to fix the glass door and then the house before I sealed my bedroom and closet doors.
I grabbed my second phone, the only one I could contact my dad with, and left the other. There was really no reason to bring it around any longer. I sent a quick message to my dad, letting him know I was about to head to his old pack house. Then I headed downstairs.
Toya was waiting near the front door. My mother and Lynn were still walking around outside, but it was Carly’s patient face that had my steps slowing. She looked up when she heard me and smiled, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. “You’re leaving again?”
I nodded. “I have to.” She nodded. “You understand, right?” I walked over and sat next to her, pulling her to my side.
She nodded but picked at her little fingers. “I know.” She sounded so small. “I just miss you.”
“Oh sweetheart, I miss you, too. Once all of this is over, I promise you will have me every day. We will spend our days here, in the pack, and traveling. You’ll get to go to school and make friends.”
She perked up at that. “I can go to school?”
“Of course!” I ruffled her hair. “Once all of this mess is cleared up, we’ll be able to do whatever you want.”
She smiled, but I watched it slip away. “You promise you will be careful? Even when it’s all done?”
“Of course, baby.” I leaned over and kissed her temple. Then I stood up. “Give me a hug before I leave.” She jumped into my arms and I squeezed. “Be good for Wendy and Grandma Ainsley, okay?”
“Okay.” She pulled back. “When you come back, can we visit my daddy?”
“Of course.” I put her down on the couch. “I’ll see if I can get him here to sit down with you and catch up…how does that sound?”
She nodded. “Good.” She paused, and I watched her eyes glaze over, turning white.
Toya walked over as she noticed the shift, too.
“Be careful, tri-spirit.” Her voice was deeper than normal.
“The end is near, and if you aren’t vigilant enough, you will lose your life.
The Shaman has seen the different paths that can unfold.
Keep her words close to you. All it takes is one misstep, and all is lost.”
I looked at Toya, and I could see her mind spinning. But I just raised my shoulder. “I will.” Carly’s eyes cleared, and she smiled at me.
“I’ll miss you too, Aunty Toya.” Carly launched herself up into Toya’s arms and she hugged her tight.
“And I you, little mouse.” Toya clutched her to her chest. “I cannot wait to have pups of my own because I know you will be a good big sister to them.” Toya kissed her head. “You are just as much mine as you are Amy’s. You know that, right?” Toya pulled back and Carly laughed.
“I know.” Then her face grew solemn again. “Watch over her.” She looked back at me. “She is going to need a lot of support and guidance.”
Toya smirked. “As she always does.” They laughed together and then Wendy walked into the room.
“Abby is waiting for you upstairs.” Wendy stuck a thumb and pointed back up the stairs. “She said something was ready?” Wendy sounded confused, but Carly looked excited as she wiggled out of Toya’s arms.
“The tea party is ready!” She squealed.
“What?” The three of us asked at the same time.
Alannah came out of the kitchen laughing. “Abby asked me to help her throw a tea party. Carly is the guest of honor.” Alannah winked at us. “But Wendy is right. Ternen just delivered the snacks and drinks upstairs. Everyone else is already at her table. They are just waiting on you.”
Carly squealed as she ran upstairs. I watched her go before I quickly looked at Alannah. “How are you feeling?” I walked over and raised my hand, waiting for permission before I touched her swollen belly.
She laughed. “I thought you and your mom were just joking about my stomach, but just look at me. I’m a balloon.
” She chuckled again as I felt a kick. Her face grew a little serious.
“I didn’t realize how tired and sick I had felt until I woke up today.
I woke up rested, happy, and strong for the first time in months.
” She rubbed her stomach. “You saved us, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to thank you enough.
But my pups will know how much you did for us. ”
I kissed her cheek. “You deserve to be happy.” I stepped back. “Stay close and stay safe.” She nodded once before Toya and I turned and left out the front door.
Lynn was waiting with my mother outside. They both looked up as we left the house. She started to shake a little, but Toya and I both pretended not to see. “Ready to go?” I asked.
My mom smiled and rubbed her shoulder. “Lynn wanted to ask a favor.”
I walked over and waited. “Okay…”
Lynn shuffled for a few seconds. “I know that this is just a bandaid. And it won’t help me process anything that has happened.” She was stalling and trying to explain herself.
“Just ask.” I tipped my head to the side and waited.
She met my eyes and I saw panic there. “I’m terrified to leave. So much so that my wolf is digging into me. She feels safe here, and we haven’t felt safe since leaving our pack.”
That was a kick to the stomach. “Understandable.” I looked at my mom. “I failed you.”
Lynn shook her head. “No. Amy you didn’t.” She grabbed my hand. “You had things you had to do.”
I nodded. “But I should have kept a better eye on you and what was happening.” I rubbed my thumb over the side of her hand. “I owe you.” She shook her head. “Just tell me what you need. Do you need to stay here? Done. I won’t make you leave.”
She shook her head more vigorously. “It’s not that.”
“Then how can I help?” I watched her fight with her words. My mom stepped closer to her and rubbed her back.
“You can do this.” My mom’s words seemed to bolster her.
Lynn met my eyes again, and I still saw the panic, but something else was there. A hidden strength she probably didn’t even know she had. “I want you to command me to not be afraid.”
I reeled back like I was slapped. “What?” My gaze snapped to my moms, but she was focused on Lynn. “Lynn…”
“Before you say no, can you listen to my reasoning first?” She rushed out. I watched her for a second and then nodded.
“Of course.”
She shuddered. She was obviously worried I would have said no before she could try to reason with me.
“I’m terrified to leave.” She started. “But I need to leave. I can’t stay here for the rest of my life.
I have a pack, a position in that pack, and potentially a second chance out there.
But mainly…I need to take back my strength.
Derek needs to die, and I need to see it through.
I won’t be able to move on without it. He has become my boogyman.
” Her face morphed into a mask of hatred.
“He doesn’t deserve to have that much power over anyone.
Including me. He took a bond that was supposed to be sacred and turned into torture.
” She looked lost as her brain forced her back to that place.
I squeezed her hand, and I watched her eyes struggle to focus back on me.
“If you take the fear away, then I can function. I can do my job. I can keep my rank and dignity in our pack. But most of all.” She looked down to the ground.
“If you take the fear away, when I see Derek, I won’t be back there in that dark room.
He won’t have power over me anymore. And I will be able to kill him. ”
“You can kill him now.” Toya tossed out softly. Her support was unwavering.
But Lynn shook her head. “Physically? Yes. I can.” She seemed to gain a bit of strength from that.
“Mentally? I don’t know if I am strong enough yet.
But we have run out of time.” She lifted her hand.
“I’m shaking this hard just thinking about leaving my room for a night.
Being back in the pack terrifies me because if they see what I have become, they will shun me. ”
“That’s not true.” I whispered to her. “And I think deep down you know that.”
Lynn sighed. “In my heart, I know you are right. Our pack is amazing, but in my mind.” She shook her head. “In my mind, in my wolf's mind, we are trapped. Cornered. And she is willing to kill anyone that comes too close.” She met my eyes.
“You are afraid of yourself.” My words surprised even me, but Lynn nodded.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone just because they patted my back.
Or walked too close at night.” She stepped closer, and I watched a tear trail down her face.
“You can remove the command after everything is done, and I swear I will go into seclusion until I am healthy enough to be around the pack safely. But right now, we don’t have an option. ”
I looked between Lynn, Toya, and finally my mother. “Mom?”
She looked at Lynn. “While I have raised you to not command a wolf unless necessary. There are always exclusions to the rule.” She lifted a hand and I watched Lynn tense. “Her fear is doing her more harm than good.” She turned to me, waiting for my answer.
I swallowed past a lump. “Lynn, I command you to not be afraid.” The words felt like tar, but then her back straightened. The fear in her eyes vanished. And for the first time in a long time…Lynn smiled.
Lynn turned to my mom and hugged her. “Thank you…for everything.”
My mom squeezed her back. “No, thanks needed. I’m going to be your Luna.”
Lynn shook her head. “You already are my Luna.” Then she stepped back and looked to me. “I’m ready.”
“Good.” I turned and hugged my mom. “Keep an eye out for the trackers.”
“Stay safe.” She pulled away and cupped my face. “Tell your father I love him.”
I nodded once, and then I turned to Toya and Lynn. “Follow me.” I headed towards the cliff. Toya trailed after me, but Lynn hesitated for a second.
“Aren’t we going back to Vince’s pack to get to the plane?” There was no fear, just confusion.
I shook my head. “No. There is a faster way.” I went to the edge and found the ledge.
I stepped down and started down the path to the cave.
The waves below had dampened the steep steps, but Toya and Lynn followed closely.
Once we reached the cave, I slipped inside and waited for the two to squeeze in behind me.
“How the hell did you find this?” Toya shook her head in disbelief.
“I came from the other side last time.” I squeezed through the crack and started down the stairs. I walked slowly until Toya and Lynn were both through the crack.
“Holy goddess…” Lynn looked around. “This is under the cabin?” I nodded.
“Crazy right?” I laughed as the two nodded. “Let’s go.” I started running.
“Where are we running to?” Toya called out to me, and I just laughed.
“You will see.” We ran for a long time, but I felt the shift as we crossed the magic barrier.
“What was that?” Toya and Lynn called out as they crossed.
I laughed again. “Magic.” We ran for a little longer before the terrain inclined. We made it to the hatch, and I pushed up.
“Did this lead away from Vince’s pack so we could get closer to the airport?” Lynn followed me up and then Toya joined us, hunched over. “Where the fuck is this?” Lynn sounded genuinely confused.
I shut the hatch, and I felt the magic lock it in place. No one was crossing this way. I turned and went to the side of the gazebo. I pulled the wall out and slipped outside, and took a deep, clean breath. The familiar trees comforted me.
Lynn slipped out first and froze. “No.”
Toya nudged Lynn forward so she could slip out. She looked around. “Where are we?”
“My dad’s pack lands.” I smiled as the back door of the pack house opened. I saw a familiar face lean out, and I started running. I heard Lynn and Toya follow, but I was focused purely on the face that had slipped back inside the dark house. I pushed the door open and jumped.
“Baby girl.” My dad caught me, and I started to cry.
“Daddy.” I sobbed into his shoulder as I heard a gasp.
Toya dove past me into someone’s arms. “Father.” She choked out. “Momma”
“Our sweet girl.” A woman’s soft voice quivered.
“Lynn.” Uncle Ronnie called out, and I heard him give her a pat on the back. “You look sick…you doing okay?”
I pulled back and smiled. “Uncle Ronnie.” Lynn gave me a grateful look as I pulled him into a hug.
“Hey lady bug.” He hugged me tighter.
“I’ve missed you.”
“And we have missed you.” My dad reached out for a piece of my hair and tugged. “You are hard to get ahold of.”
I snorted. “For a dead man, you have been very demanding.” Everyone laughed.
“Amy?” Toya called and I spun. “I want to introduce you properly, to my parents. This is Amy.”
“The girl that saved my baby.” Toya’s mother pulled me into a hug.
“Momma.” Toya laughed. “Leave her be.”
My dad called out. “Roderick?”
Toya’s father looked over at us. “Yeah.”
“Amy is going to go over everything that happened these last few years in my office, if you want to join us. We would be happy to have you and the other Alphas with us.”
Toya’s dad nodded. “I’ll grab the rest of the guys and meet you in your office in five minutes.”
My dad nodded, then turned to me. “Let’s head up.”
I looked around. “Cass?”
“She is watching over the caves.” Ronnie patted my shoulder as we turned. “When you’re done going over everything from the last couple of years, I’ll do the same with you.” I nodded.
“Has a lot changed?” I followed them up the stairs, and we passed dusty room after dusty room. I kept looking around, and then my dad pushed open his office door. Sheets covered everything, and that made me stop dead. “I guess it has.” I looked around and my dad started to pull off the first sheet.
He nodded. “We had the Omegas cover everything before we left.”
“But why does everyone think you are dead?”
My dad snorted. “Magic.”