“It’s one week,” I said after we both caught our breath.

“Right. We can keep from killing them for one week,” she agreed. I had to laugh.

“I think your pregnancy hormones are acting up again, Red. Do I need to mindlink Shelly to come over and work her magic?” I asked. Shelly had been named the pregnant wolf whisperer of the pack. After having three pups of her own, which was a lot for a werewolf, she was familiar with what hormones and feelings could do when mixed. More than once she was the only thing standing between a pregnant wolf and the destruction of the world. Amie giggled.

“I think I will be okay without her. Let’s put the dishes into the washer and stroll around the garden for a bit. It will calm us down.”

“Or, we can put the dishes in the washer and then work off some of the frustration with wild sex,” I suggested.

“No wonder you are the Alpha, love. You have the best ideas,” she told me and kissed me.

The following day we all met up to eat breakfast in the pack house. I was on high alert, not only was I watching how my mother and Sara behaved around Amie, but I also kept an eye on how they interacted with the pack. My mother had once been the Luna for many of the people in my pack. Some of them came up to greet her and exchange a few words, but most were happy just giving her a nod in passing. They were picking up on the tension between us and it was clear whose side they were on. While they gave my mother a polite nod, they would smile at Amie and stop and talk to her, asking how she was feeling, if there was anything they could do for her, or just to say hi. It didn’t ease the tension at the table, but it eased my irritation. We were finishing up breakfast and I was looking forward to getting away from it all by having a meeting with Jake and Sam about adjusting our border patrols. We had received information that twenty of the remaining members of my brother’s pack had been his closest warriors. I was afraid they might do something stupid, like trying to retaliate for his death. Amie leaned in and gave me a kiss.

‘I’m sorry about this, but I’m doing it for you,’ she mindlinked me. Before I could ask what, she stood up.

“Tamara, I think it’s high time for you to talk to Finn, you can use our office,” Amie said.

“What?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Sarah…” my mother started.

“Sarah and I will be in the pack living room. I will make sure she is safe and that no one bothers her. This is not a request,” Amie insisted. I would have liked to argue, but I knew from the tone of her voice I could argue with her all day and she wouldn’t budge on this.

“Let’s go,” I said and stood up. I suppressed the need to sigh and kissed Amie.

‘Don’t let her out of your sight,’ I mindlinked Sam.

‘Already figured that out,’ he answered, looking determined. I felt a little better knowing we were in our pack, surrounded by wolves I trusted. Still, I didn’t want to let Amie out of my sight. She gave me a smile which didn’t mask the determination in her eyes. I looked at my mother and indicated for her to follow me as I headed towards my office.