Chapter 373

I pulled into the driveway and watched Ternen and Alannah park. Rick took off to grab his wife and daughter and said he would be here in five minutes. I got out as my mom walked out, and we waited in the drive while the two got out of the car.

I snapped a barrier around us and waited for the pair to join us next to my car before I asked my mom. “How did you know I needed an excuse to get them to come over?”

My mom chuckled. “Nix is smarter than you give her credit for. She came to tell me when you all were at lunch, but I waited a bit when I knew I could maximize the effect.” I turned to her, but before I could say anything, she turned to Alannah and Ternen. “Hi. I’m Ainsley, Amy’s mom. You must be Alannah and Ternen.”

They nodded. “We are.” Alannah bowed, but my mom stopped her.

“Sweet girl. I haven’t been a luna for years now, and even when I was, absolutely no one had to bow to me.”

Alannah straightened and looked between my mom and me. “Our luna demands it.”

My mom scoffed. “That’s because she is an insecure, chosen replacement. And the only reason she is luna is because she got pregnant with Brandon and ran. She came back once Brandon was a pup, and Vince couldn’t lie to his father any longer.”

We all dropped our mouths open. “Seriously?” I looked at my mom.

She nodded. “Vince was looking for an alpha female to marry, but then our beloved luna, who was actually a low ranked gamma, showed up with a pup in her arms. The alpha made them mate.” My mom looked at her nails. “He’s only kept her around because she doesn’t care about the cheating or his plotting.”

“Is there a reason we are waiting out here?” Ternen looked around, slightly confused.

My mom smiled. “I’m waiting for Rick and his family. And Amy here has made it impossible for anyone to overhear us out here, but not inside unless we are in her room.” My mom turned to me. “Are you planning on bringing them to the cabin?” Her gaze was sharp.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I know we won’t have the space for everyone, but we have the bathrooms to support everyone, thankfully.”

“Plus, camping would be fun for a young girl who has never been allowed to do anything,” she finished.

“Hopefully. And I’m hoping her and my girl get along.” I smiled as I heard another car pull up. “We will have to make lists of everything we need.” My mom nodded.

“We will also need extra supplies…” My mom looked at me.

I bit my lip. This would be too much to slip through my closet. Then I remembered the tunnel to dad’s pack house. “I have an idea.” But I turned to see Rick, his mate, and his daughter coming up the driveway. “Hey Rick.” I waved and walked down. “This must be Shelly,” I held out my hand, and she smiled, but I could see the shadow in her eyes.

“That’s me.” She shook my hand and then turned to her daughter. “This is Abby.” I looked down at the little girl with dull red hair. She had dark circles under her eyes and a missing tooth right up front.

I dropped down to her level and stuck out a hand. “Hi Abby, I’m Amy.” She smiled and shook my hand.

“Hi.” She looked at me with tired but curious eyes. “You’re beautiful.”

“So are you.” I grinned, but she looked down, sad. “What’s wrong, darling?”

“I’m not beautiful. I’m sick.” She looked back up. “Sick people can’t be beautiful.”

“Who said that?” I tilted my head at her. “I think that some of the most beautiful people are sick. Do you want to know why?”

She looked at her mom. Shelly nodded and then turned back to me. “Why?” She dropped her head to stare at the ground before I could answer.

“I think some of the most beautiful people in the world are warriors.” I reached out and lifted her face. “Because being sick, like you, is a battle. Getting out of bed can be a struggle, right?” She nodded. “But you fight to do it every day. You get up, get dressed, and go about your day no matter how bad you feel. That is strength, true strength, and I think that makes you beautiful. Never let anyone make you feel bad about being sick. You can’t help it, and they don’t understand how something as simple as getting up can take your breath away.”

“Do you really mean that?” She looked at me with wide, bright green eyes.

“Absolutely.” I smiled at her, and she smiled back. I stood up and realized that Rick and Shelly both had tears in their eyes. “Well, now.” My mom sniffled. “Who’s ready for dinner?”