Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Amelie

"I do have one more question. Why did Alpha Mason kick me out of the Pack and take my shop?" To be honest, I think that almost hurt worse than the fight. I worked so hard on making my business successful.

"It wasn't something he wanted to do, but politicly he had to. Once he realized what was going on, he knew that it could cause his whole Pack to be destroyed. He is the Alpha and makes the decisions for his Pack, but as in all packs, the elders hold power too. Karen was part of the elder council. I'm sure she kept this from you." As dad spoke, so many things came rushing into my head. She was worse than Tate in my eyes now.

"OK, that explains a few things, but I'm still confused." I need him to explain it properly. I felt like Karen and her son committed a crime. It shouldn't matter if she were a council member or not.

Dad nodded his head leaned back in the chair and continued. "If you had stayed as part of the Pack, she could have manipulated the Elder Council to force Alpha Mason to punish you for attacking her and her son. She may have been planning to say this was all a plan from Logan and me to take over the Timber Wolf Pack. By Mason stripping you of your pack status and property, he took that power away from Karen and Tate. It was his best play to keep things under control." I had always looked at myself as an ordinary member of the Pack, never knowing the underlying threat others saw me as. It all made more sense now. Tate was always a bit controlling, but it got worse when his mother moved in with us. She did not trust me, and it didn't matter if I was her son's mate or not.

I sat there, my mind wrapping around this new information. "Inari, do you think Karen planned this all along? Should I have killed her when I had the chance?"

"Let the moon goddess deal with her. You did the right thing." She was so sure my actions were correct. Her words and calm tone eased my anxiety.

Then it hit me. I had to ask one more thing, "what happened to Tate and Karen?"

Logan growled. Dad snarled; well, whatever happened to them pissed them both off. Finally, dad answered, "Karen was sent to the pack hospital to recover; she lost vision in her left eye from your attack and had major lacerations to her face." Dad and Logan both had a satisfied look on their faces. Dad's face quickly shifted and became tense again. "Tate was locked in a cell. Yesterday Alpha Mason informed me that Karen had left the hospital and Tate was missing. The guards were drugged with wolfsbane and marshmallow. We have increased border patrols and informed the Druit Guard that Tate and Karen had become Rogues. James is out right now giving orders to the border guards. He insisted this be the first task as heir."

I look down, embarrassed I caused a major insatiate between three packs. "I am terribly sorry, everyone. Dad, please let Alpha Mason know that I appreciate all he did for me. I don't want what Tate and Karen did to affect him or his Pack. It's not fair."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, kiddo. Our negotiations with the Timber Wolf Pack will continue." Dad gave me a reassuring smile and stood up. "OK, everyone, let's give Amelie some space to rest. She hasn't fully recovered yet."

Mom and Celeste both kiss me on the head before walking out the door. Dad and Logan put their arm around their mates' shoulders and walk them out. Hope takes my hand and finally says something. "I love you, big sis." I can see she's holding back tears. I feel horrible as I know she just found her mate and then pulled herself away from her happiness to save me.

I squeeze her hand back, "go spend time with Philip. I'm fine now." She nodded her head at me and turned to the door. So finally, I am alone.

"Inari, what did we get mixed up in? What did I ever do to upset the moon goddess to the point of deserving this kind of punishment?" My strong facade crumbles, and I let the full realization of what I had been through over the past seven years and few days sweep over me.

I can feel Inari's heartbreak at my words, "No, she has a reason for everything. Trust me, I can feel it. We are going to be a part of something bigger than we know." I know she is trying to reassure me, but she seems to have lost it a bit.

"I think that might be a stretch. I almost caused a war." I try to bring her back to reality. We both know what we will have to do next, "we will have to do the ritual soon."

"I know, I'm ready. I will still be here, but I won't be able to come out fully. It's OK. I've come to terms with it." I know she is trying to be brave, but I can tell she is hurting.

"I don't want to lose you. I know you will just be sealed, but I'm scared it will kill you." I am terrified to be without Inari. She was my only friend and comfort during those hard years. I don't think I could ever handle losing her. "It was so hard when I was locked up. I could feel you were in so much pain, but I could not help you. I don't want that to happen again."

"Amelie, we don't have a choice. First, the ritual will have to be completed. Then, we can talk to your father once we have recovered. I have a feeling he is expecting the conversation." I knew she was right, but I was still scared.

We sat in silence for a bit. Both of us are coming to terms with our emanate further. Then there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," I said softly. In walks, Becky pushing a small cart with food. I smile at the sight of the sweet girl and the smell of food. I hadn't noticed I was ravenous.

As soon as she sees my smile, she is beaming. "Miss Amelie, Luna Celeste, and Luna Ann asked that food be prepared for you. I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to be the one to prepare it and bring it."

I let out a little giggle, "Becky, that is more than fine. Thank you so much for taking the time to prepare it for me. What's on the menu this time! I am starving!" I seriously cannot remember the last time I ate.

Becky stands up straight, and with all the pride she can muster, she lifts the cover off. "It's a simple dish since you are in recovery. Chicken and rice with a mirepoix blend, to drink I have personally brewed ginger and chamomile tea to aid in digestion." She looks over, looking for my approval of her simple rice porridge and tea. I can tell she didn't want me to eat just any old porridge and put thought into it, even the tea.

"That sounds like just what I need. Thank you so much." I set up more in my bed, pressing the button to put the bed in a more upright position as I also move over the bed table over my lap. Becky quickly brings over the giant bowl and pours me tea.

"Becky, I think the portion size might be a little off." I look at the bowl with wide eyes.

Becky gasps and looks at the bowl and then at me, "I'm sorry, Miss Amelie, I can make more."

"No. Becky, the other way. This is too much." I laugh. She is honestly too adorable.

I see she relaxes, "Oh, I guess I got a little excited. You don't have to eat it all." I nod and take a bite. Honestly, I was so hungry that I would probably eat mud if I thought it smelled good. This was not mud. It was wonderful. The sweetness of the carrot, the savory onion, and the crunch of the celery kept the simple chicken and rice porridge from being bland. Thank you, Becky! I was glad she took on the challenge.

"Um… Miss Amelie. I a um… just wanted to tell you that there are many of us glad you are back now. I mean, no offense, but we Omegas identify a lot with you. We are normally looked down on and treated poorly by most packs. I know you are not an Omega like us, but not being a child of destiny is hard too, and you are always standing proud and pushing forward no matter what happens and…. Ummmm... I find it inspiring and want to be like you." Becky looks at me, knowing she just spilled out all her emotions in a mass of word vomit, and she knew it could sound insulting, especially to a member of the Pack Alpha's family.

I know she does not mean to insult me but wants to show how much she respects me. I could never be upset with her because I knew her true intent. "Thank you. I appreciate the kind words and the food." She relaxes again. The tension is gone from her face.

"Well, until you are fully recovered, I will be personally handling all your meals, I insist! Roth has permitted me to pause my apprenticeship to stay here." I can feel her loyalty and determination radiating off her.

"Alright, I can live with that, but I'm going to be the worst critic!" I narrow my eyes and purse my lips, looking at her.

She giggles at my goofy look, "Yes, ma'am. I better get back to the kitchen. Mind link me if you are hungry, no matter the time. It's my job to keep you fed." With that, she wheels the little food cart out of the room.

It feels good to be home.