“Mom, you really didn’t have to help me.” I looked back at her, and she laughed. “Did you really think I was going to allow you to move into your dorm without me helping?” My mom carried a box up the steps. “I mean, kinda…” I laughed as I unlocked the room. I dropped the box in my hands and turned to look at her. “It’s just for a little while. It’s not like you won’t see me again.” My mother dropped her box on the bed and turned to me. “I don’t think that’s true.” “What? Mom, come on.” I shook my head, but she grabbed my hands. “Listen to me. I don’t have power like a shaman or like your grandmother, but I have this feeling. Somehow, I know you won’t be coming home.” I stared at her, and I could see the pain behind her eyes. “I might not come home, but I will still see you. I’m not going to just up and leave you, Mom.” She wiped at her eye. “You promise?” “Of course, I do.” I grabbed her and hugged her. “What is really bothering you?” She pulled away and looked at my face. “I miss him.” “I know, Mom. But we have a plan, right?” “Yes. Yes, we do.” She wiped her face. “I just never thought I would ever have to go a day without either of you in it.” “And you won’t. I will call you every day, and if you ever need me, I’m there. And we can have a weekly standing appointment to see each other and do something.” “Okay.” My mom smiled and headed to the boxes. “Is there anything else downstairs?” “Nope. This is everything.” I grabbed a box and started to unpack it. “Are you nervous?” My mom took her box to the bathroom, and her voice echoed back to me. “A little, if I’m honest. I don’t know who the surprise teacher is. I honestly don’t know if this course will even be something I’ll enjoy.” My mom popped her head out. “Then why do it?” I stopped and looked up from the box. “Because Dad’s life is on the line. Your life is on the line, and my happiness doesn’t hold a candle to that.” “Amy.” She came out of the bathroom and walked over to me, cupping my face. “Your happiness is the most important thing to us.” “I know, but your life, Dad’s life, the pack, is the most important thing to me. And I’m an alpha. I do what I have to do to make sure the pack thrives.” My mom shook her head and kissed my forehead. “Try to be happy, baby. That’s my only wish for you.” “I will be once we figure everything out.” She nodded and headed back to the bathroom.

I emptied the box I was working on and moved to the next. Soon, my room was taking shape. The bed was made, the desk set up, my closet full. I had my regular computer at my mom’s, in my safe. I left it there, saying I was going to buy myself a new one. That way, if anyone saw my new computer, they wouldn’t question it.

My father had texted me on my new phone, too. But this one I would keep in the safe worked into the closet. The only good thing that werewolves ever did was became so paranoid that every closet had a safe. But this one was a little tricky. So I bought my own lock box that I stashed in the safe. That way, if anyone broke in and got into the safe provided by the university, I would have an extra layer of protection.

“Do you really think this is necessary? The lock box in the safe?” My mother shook her head. “The university should have a universal code that unlocks every safe.” My mom nodded, and I saw the moment when that information actually clicked in her head. “So anyone could potentially get into your stuff.” I nodded. “Anyone on the staff, anyway. This way, my stuff is still protected.” My mother pulled the lock box out of the safe and double-checked it. “Werewolf strength?” “Yeah.” I nodded and took it from her hands, sliding it back into the safe and locking it with a new code. “You really thought of everything, didn’t you?” My mother wrapped her arm around me as she stared at my closet. “No, but I tried.” “What do you think Vince is going to do when he sees your clothes?” She chuckled. “Probably lose his mind, but I refuse to strut around here in designer labels for no reason. I’m an alpha, not a pony to prance around.” I shook my head. “Plus, if I have to dress up, I’ll have a reason to come home.” My mom shook her head and kissed my temple. “Don’t poke the bear too much.” I just laughed. Too late.