Page 19 of Amaris Rejected

"This is a wonderful place to live, Charlie, and your secrets are safe with me."

Chapter 16 - Day of Reckoning

Amaris-Present Day

The road trip to Devon's pack is relatively uneventful. The northeastern part of the region is generally more mountainous, with beautiful scenery unfolding before us, featuring long stretches of flat grasslands set against a stunning backdrop of mountain ranges.

To begin with, Zoe is quite the chatterbox. I believe the child loves hearing herself talk. She and Devon keep up a steady stream of conversation until she starts yawning and eventually falls asleep. Before long, we find ourselves driving up to an elaborate log cabin-style pack house with river rock accent walls. The front features floor-to-ceiling windows on each level.

Devon lifts Zoe from her car seat and holds her close. Still sleep-dazed, she snuggles into his chest. Zoe burrows deeper as the pack members begin to pile out.

"Hey, Zoe," Devon cajoles, "Don’t you want to meet everyone? Here's your grandma." He holds her up in front of his mother, Luna Wright.

"Oh, Zoe!" Luna Wright coos. "You can call me GiGi! I’m so happy to meet you. If it's all right with your mother," she gives me a questioning look, "I have some cookies cooling in the kitchen." I nod my consent. "Come on in," she says, holding out her hands as if to take Zoe. Although Zoe has shown interest at the mention of cookies, she immediately shrinks back into Devon’s chest. "It's okay," GiGi lowers her hands, "let's take Zoe to get some cookies, Daddy." She smiles at Devon.

Turning toward the pack house, everyone follows behind us as we make our way to the kitchen. Zoe is the star of the hour, and I’m slowly swallowed up by the press of wolves trailing her. When we reach the kitchen, Zoe sits at the bar with a cup of milk and a chocolate chip cookie. The gooey goodness already paints her mouth and drips down her hand. Smiling, I wonder if Devon will soon sport a Zoe-sized chocolate handprint.

Standing beside Zoe as she enjoys her cookie, I grab one for myself and munch on it. Devon’s mother turns to me, her smile as warm as ever. "Luna, I’m so happy to see you again."

Nearly choking on the cookie, I open my mouth slightly while scanning the room. The expectant looks of those around me are unnerving. Taking a deep breath and swallowing, I turn back to Luna Wright and speak gently, though loud enough for everyone to hear.

"This is likely a good time to clear the air and avoid any misconceptions. I’m not the Luna of any pack, especially not this one." I continue as kindly as possible, addressing the room. "I’m sure there are many wonderful wolves here, but the truth is my mate, the Alpha, abandoned me three years ago. I think that pretty much removes me from the position."

Gasps echo around the room as I scan the faces of those gathered. Perhaps they were unaware of what happened among their leaders three years ago. My gaze shifts back to Luna Wright. "I am here so Zoe can get to know her father and his pack. But mostly, I’m here to ensure that Zoe will be safe if she visits in the future without me."

"Are you insinuating that my grandpup wouldn’t be safe here?" Former Alpha Wright sputters.

"Make no mistake about my intentions. I’m not insinuating anything," I state firmly. “But your family betrayed me three years ago. I don’t know who is to blame, but I know that no one, not even you, Alpha, stepped forward to insist that the fated mate bond and the marriage between Devon and me should be preserved. I. Don’t. Trust. You!” I pause to enunciate each word.

"Furthermore, since our last meeting, I’ve been blessed with the goddess-given gift of precognition or warning dreams. In one such vision, I’ve been cautioned about a she-wolf who has already harmed our family, Alpha. The death of my son, your grandpup, was a direct consequence of this she-wolf's deceit, and she still poses a threat to Zoe's safety."

A deadly silence descends upon the room. Zoe suddenly starts chattering, "Daddy? Can I have another cookie?" She smears chocolate across his cheek as she gently touches it. Laughter erupts around us. As all attention returns to her, Zoe preens, and the atmosphere lightens.

"Drink your milk, my darling," Devon coos, smiling as he wipes the chocolate from his face. "It’s time for little pups to go to bed."

"Amaris, may I care for her the rest of the night?" Luna Wright pleads. "I’ll watch her carefully, and no one else will be around her."

“I appreciate the offer, but I brought a nanny with us,” I reply, pointing to Trish, one of the warrior she-wolves I hired to care for Zoe during her visits to see Devon, both now and in the future. “Trish is skilled and trained not only in childcare but also in protection and warfare. You’re welcome to visit Zoe anytime, but Trish will be a constant companion.”

"Why don’t I show you and Zoe to your suite?” Devon suggests. “While Mom and Trish handle Zoe’s bedtime routine, I can give you a tour. Afterward, I'd like to head to my office for a quiet conversation. Does that sound okay?"

"Lead the way," I gesture.

After dropping off Zoe and her entourage in our suite, the next forty-five minutes are spent touring all three levels of the impressive pack house. The main floor features an open space with couches and a TV at the front, transitioning into rows of dining tables and seating. Behind that is a large breakfast bar, where Zoe ate her cookies earlier, followed by the kitchen. At the back, a spacious patio and party area lead to a lake with a man-made beach in the distance.

The second floor features studio apartments with ensuite bathrooms, where many singles reside. The third floor contains the Alpha and Beta apartments, as well as the Alpha's parents’ suite and a few guest rooms. Zoe and I are close to Devon in one of those guest apartments.

Our temporary lodging has two bedrooms, a sitting room, and an ensuite bathroom. The entire back wall consists of glass doors that open onto a balcony with a view of the lake in the distance. The scenery is magnificent, but Trish and I thoroughly inspect the room to ensure the door locks are childproof and that everything is toddler-safe.

“Devon, have you shown Amaris the medical clinic yet?” Mom asks. It’s located in the basement, where the security offices and prisoner cells are, along with our emergency shelter and food storage. Having all these resources in one place helps us be better prepared for emergencies and more resilient against attacks.

“Not yet,” he replies. “I intend to take her there after we put Zoe to bed.”

"We’ll give Zoe a bath and tuck her in while you finish the tour,” Luna Wright suggests.

“Thank you, Luna Wright,” I smile. "Good night, Zoe." I lean down to kiss her sweet face.

"Goodnight, Mama." She kisses me back. "Goodnight, Daddy," she whispers as Devon leans down to hug her.

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