Cassy, you didn’t have to come. I already know you’re still pissed at me.”

  “No, I wanted to come, and you’re right, this time. I have been making excuses to Sam for the past six years and I won’t do it anymore. I was furious the way he threw you across the air. No one will ever do that to my child. I’m sorry, Amber.” Helena said, grabbing her hand and holding on to it.

  Amber squeezed Helena’s hand, then shrugged. “As I said, Helena, I’m used to it. I just don’t want Sam or my children to have to grow up like that. The Council does a lot of good for everyone, but the men forget about their own families in the process, and I just won’t let that happen to mine. If it means giving up on my wedding, I will. My kids come first, and I won’t let the Council mess up my life again.”

  It took Amber two hours, but they finally made it to the biggest mall around. Amber pulled into the parking lot, found a spot, and parked. She sat there for a moment looking in the mirror, and staring at Cassy. “I’m sorry, Cassy. You’re my best friend and I treated you like shit the last time.”

  “I’m sorry too. You’re right about this, Amber. When I saw what your father did to you, I wanted to rip his head off. I don’t want my nieces or nephews around that. I had a near-perfect home life, and I want you and the children to have that too. Now, let’s go charge up your mates’ cards and mine.” Cassy laughed, getting out of the car.

  Amber got out of the car laughing too, and noticed Mila smiling at them. “You have been quiet. Did I do something wrong again, Momma?” Amber hugged her, pulling her along with everyone as the guards trailed behind them.

  “No! Actually, I’m quite proud of you. I don’t think any of the Council knows what’s going on, but after the way your father acted, I’m sure they have a clue. I just hope it opened your mates’ eyes.” Mila smiled, patting her hand as they walked into the mall.

  “There’s nothing I can do about that, Momma. They have to choose what they want. I love them and I don’t want to let them go, but I won’t risk our children for them or anyone.” Amber smiled and walked into Bloomingdale’s.

  For the next three hours, Amber shopped, picking out a present for every single member of both packs with Cassy helping her by remembering all the names. They had them shipped to Amber’s home so she wouldn’t have to travel with all the items.

  “Hey Amber, let’s grab a hot pretzel and a drink. I’m starved after all that shopping,” Cassy said, walking up to the pretzel shop. Suddenly, Amber felt it. Her mates were at the mall. All of the ladies looked at each other knowing their mates were there.

  “Crap, can’t they leave us alone for the day! I mean, really, we have two guards, and we can fight,” Cassy growled, ordering pretzels and drinks for all of them.

  “No! Remember we’re the helpless ones even though we raise the children and suffer their foul moods!” Helena barked, as the men rounded the corner, followed by the Council members and their wives.

  “Crap! I can’t even shop in peace!” Amber moaned, as she and the rest of the ladies sat down at a table, waiting for the men to approach. Amber noticed that her dad had two black eyes along with a split lip, but she said nothing, looking down at her pretzel.

  “Amber, we would like to offer you an apology. We have overstepped our bounds, and our wives have pointed out to us that we have done the same thing your father did in the past. It seems we also need to take some lessons in parenthood, but we would still like to move National closer to your home. I can promise we won’t interfere with your home life as much as possible. I have six boys at home. I have a lot to make up for, and I think I could do that in a nice little town like yours,” Mr. Black said, looking down at his wife and smiling.

  “You see, Amber, what my husband says is true. You just pointed it out to all of us. I, and the other woman, agree that it’s time we started thinking in terms of family and traditions, not power. The men have agreed, and we would like to start a women’s group where we can put our ideas of family together. This way, everyone would benefit from it. Of course, we would love if you would help us,” Mrs. Black pleaded.

  Amber stood up, smiled, and bowed her head in respect. “I would love to help you and I would welcome a group of friends in my home any time. So, if you need any help moving or anything, please let us know. I know that Otis runs the biggest realty operation around our town, so he could show you just what you need for a house,” Amber said.

  “I didn’t know that. That would be great! Maybe tonight at dinner he can bring me some pictures of houses. The other woman and I would love to get this moving started. We hate the big city. It gets so stuffy. Now we’re going to let you get back to your shopping and we’ll see you at eight for supper?” Mrs. Black asked.

  “That would be great. I can’t wait, and I’ll make sure Otis brings his listing with us so you can all look. We even have Liam’s laptop so we can take some virtual tours, if you like?”

  Amber watched as Mrs. Black and the other women nodded, and then pointedly dragged their men off in another direction. Amber sat down and then burst out laughing. “Okay, I didn’t see that coming.” Amber shook her head, smiling at Mila, who also had a grin on her face.

  “You knew, didn’t you?” Amber asked her mom, but she already knew the answer.

  “I see my mate coming. I will let you young things shop some more. My feet are killing me. I’ll see you again before you leave, Amber. I’m proud of you!” Mila hugged her from behind, then her mate scooped her up in his arms and walked away.

  Amber smiled, hoping in years to come that that would be her and her mates.

  “So where are we going next? We got all the pack members done for Christmas presents?” Cassy asked, as Teddy slipped in behind her, rubbing her shoulders and whispering in her ear.

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’m shopping with my best friend, you jackass. They messed up, not her!” Cassy yelled at Teddy, glaring at him.

  “Cassy, it’s okay, you can go. At least we made up, that’s the important part.” Amber smiled.

  “But I don’t trust those assholes behind you. Look at what they did. You can’t even have the wedding you wanted because of them!” Cassy growled at her brother.

  “Cassy, my children are more important than a dream. It was long time ago. I’ll be fine.” Amber watched as Teddy dragged a protesting Cassy towards the exit. Helena stared at her as her father came up and sat in Cassy’s seat next to Helena. Helena scooted over, away from him.

  “I have a lot to make up for. I’m sorry I let my beast take over back there, Amber. I didn’t know my own strength. I could have hurt you or the babies and I sorry. It’s going to be hard, but I want to try to get to know you again. I have to talk to Helena, but I want to move my family closer to you and yours, if you don’t mind?” Guy asked, staring at her.

  “If you’re moving here because of the Council, father, I don’t want any part of it, but if you’re moving near me because you want get to know me and my future children, I would love it. I won’t have my children influenced by the Council, Dad. I know they’re going to try and back away, but I also know it will be hard for them to do. I’m going to watch them like a hawk and you too. If I see one thing interfering, I’m going to raise holy hell and I don’t care if it embarrasses you.” Amber glared at her father.

  He nodded, looking at Helena. “Can we go back to the hotel and talk?”

  Helena stared at him, nodded her head, and then walked away from him. Amber’s father trailed behind Helena, leaving Amber alone with her mates who surrounded her at the table.

  Amber didn’t say a word, picking a piece of her pretzel off and stuffing it in her mouth. She waited.

  “Did you get any shopping done for yourself?” Otis asked, looking at her from across the table.

  “Nope. All I got was presents for both packs. Your moms sent me the lists and Cassy helped me. I had them delivered to your home. They should arrive next week. I even picked up decorations for the tree I wanted to do for the pack house, and the stockings I want to have stuffed for all the children. But no, I didn’t get around to me. I wanted to make sure my pack was covered first.” Amber got up, throwing away the pretzel. She grabbed her drink and headed for a little store that she had noticed that carried her size in all sorts of clothes.

  “You got everyone a present and got all the decorations all ready?” Lux asked.

  “Yep, used the account you and Liam set up for me. So, all I have to do is get presents for our family and I’ll be set. I also want to hit that one store Mary was talking about before we leave.”

  Amber walked into the Little Shop, which was the store’s name, and saw the dress she wanted for tonight. It was elegant, but sexy. It was a deep red silk. It hid all her flaws and enhanced all the right parts of a woman’s body. Amber grabbed it, along with jeans, underwear, stockings, and a few other dresses. Her men waited while she piled on the clothes. When she was finally done, Amber walked up to the register ready to pay. Lux handed the sales lady his credit card.

  Amber grabbed a bag, while her mates grabbed the others.

  “Ralph, would you run these to the truck? We’ll meet you at the baby shop.”

  Lux asked the guard, indicating the bags, including the one she held. The guard nodded obediently, casting a quick glance at her mates, and then he trotted off with the shopping bags.

  “So, when will we leave to go home?” Amber asked, walking to the baby store.

  “The jet is ready. We thought we would leave in the morning. This way, we could have lunch with the pack,” Liam replied, wrapping his arm around her waist as they entered the store.

  Amber walked around the store, but nothing called to her. Turning, she started to walk out. “We better get going. I have to take a shower and get ready for tonight. I also wanted to make sure we have all the listings for the houses for the Council members’ wives.” Amber made her way towards the mall exit.

  “Didn’t you see anything you liked at the baby store?” Lux asked, walking next to her. Amber shrugged. “They say it’s bad luck to buy anything for the baby before you’re three months pregnant. I thought I’d wait. They have an online store I can take a look at later.” Amber handed Lux his truck keys, getting in the front in between Liam and Lux.

  No one said anything as they drove back to the hotel. Amber’s heart broke. They were really leaving and going back. Grabbing the dress that she had just bought, Amber made a bee-line to the bathroom, but Lux stopped her, picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom.

  “Lux, I’m not really in the mood. I just want to get dressed and get this night over, okay,” Amber whispered into his chest as he sat on the bed with her in his lap. Liam took the dress from her hand, setting on the chair near the bed. Both he and Otis kneeled down at Lux’s feet, staring up at her.

  “We have some apologies to make to you, baby.” Lux said, looking down at her. “We let things slip out of our hands and we’re sorry. We’ll be there for the babies and you, we promise.”

  Amber squirmed in his arms. “I’m sorry, Lux. I have heard those words before, from my father, and look where it got me. I don’t want any more promises. They just get broken. You’ll have to prove it me when the time is right.” Amber slipped out of his arms, grabbed her dress, and headed for the bathroom.

  “Amber?” Lux called.

  Amber stopped and looked over her shoulder. “I’m here, Lux, I won’t run again. I’m too

  tired to run, and I won’t risk my children. So, don’t worry. You have your mate.” Amber went into the bathroom, hanging her dress on the door as she slowly slipped out of her jeans and sweater.

  She turned on the tub. “God, it feels like a week has passed since I left this bathroom,” she said, talking to herself. Groaning as she got into the tub, Amber noticed the bruises on her arm and groaned more. “Great, just what I need!” Amber sank down into the warm water, since it wasn’t good for the babies to be in hot water. She heard the bathroom door open.

  Amber watched Lux and Liam come into the bathroom, staring at her.

  “What’s wrong?” Lux asked kneeling down by the tub.

  Amber tried to hide her arm under the bubbles, but Liam saw it and growled.

  “What the hell is that on your arm?” Lux asked, raising her arm and inspecting

  it.

  “It’s nothing, guys. I’m bound to have some bruises after that toss in the air. They’ll heal.” Amber shrugged, pulling her arm away and slipping it back under the water.

  Lux stood, scooping Amber up out of the tub, and carrying her back into the bedroom where he laid her down on the bed.

  “What are you doing? I just got in the tub and you’re soaking the bed sheets!” Amber tried to get up, but Otis held her hands above her head.

  “We are inspecting our body. Now hush,” Lux snarled, as he picked up one leg, looking at every inch of it. Liam did the same with the other, their hands rubbing her body to make sure there were no hidden bruises. Then they proceeded to inspect her stomach and breasts. Lux and Liam pulled and squeezed. Their tongues lapped up the water drops, sliding down her body.

  “That’s not inspecting.” She moaned as they flipped her over. That’s when she heard their gasp. Amber tried to look behind her, but Otis held her still, snarling

  “I think that asshole got off to easy. Look at her back. It’s all black and blue,” Liam snarled, touching her lower back. Amber flinched a little, making them even madder.

  “Lux, he didn’t do this. If you remember, I fell on my arms and breasts. This happened when I was running in the woods. There was a trap and I jumped over it, falling over a branch!” Amber squirmed looking back at their faces.

  “So, you did this running from us?” Lux snarled.

  “Yes,” she whispered, laying her head back down on the pillow.

  Otis released her arms as her other mates got up, pacing the floor. “This can’t keep happening, Amber. You could have been seriously hurt, or killed. I’m not going to mention the fact that you could have hurt the babies! I mean, come on, we already lost one. Do you want to lose these babies too?” Lux’s voice grew fiercer, louder.

  Amber shrank back. She felt like he had just slapped her. Amber took off running towards the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it. She couldn’t catch her breath as she hopped back into the tub, wrapping her hands around her body. She could hear her mates yelling at each other.

  Amber sunk down in the tub, washing her hair and body. She dressed quickly, slipping on the dress and her shoes. She slipped out the bathroom. They were still arguing when she pressed the elevator button. When it opened, her guards were there, waiting for her. She pushed the button for the main floor, then Amber turned to her guards.

  “I’m going down a little early. I need some air, so don’t worry. I’m not leaving the building.” Amber smiled at her guards. She knew they could see the bruise and her swollen eyes, but she didn’t care.

  Amber made her way out of the elevator, walking towards the lounge that was attached to restaurant.

  Helena sat at the bar with her guards.

  “Hey, what are you doing down here by yourself? I would have thought my father kept you busy,” Amber grumbled.

  “He tried. I locked him in the bathroom, got dressed, and came down here. He

  might be sorry, but he’s still a jackass. No offense,” Helena grunted “So, what’s your excuse?”

  Amber turned around, showing her back and Amber heard her gasp. “How did that happen?” Helena asked, looking into Amber’s face.

  “While I was running from my mates, I saw a trap and tried to jump it, but I didn’t make it so I turned so I wouldn’t land on my stomach. Well, you see what happened. Now, Lux is again accusing me of trying to kill the babies. I just couldn’t stay. They were fighting upstairs, so I got dressed and came down here to think.” Amber sat down next to her, ordering a diet Pepsi.

  “Boy, aren’t we a sorry pair.” Helena laughed and Amber joined her.

  Amber where the hell are you, now? Lux demanded.

  I’m sitting down here in the lounge talking to Helena, oh mighty alpha!

  “I swear if he barks at me one more time, I’m going to turn him into a toad.”

  “You’re going to turn who into a toad!” Lux growled behind her, still in his jeans, his eyes glowed red.

  “Back off Lux. I took my guards, I didn’t go anywhere or run! And I didn’t try and kill our babies again. Are you happy!” Amber demanded, and glared at him.

  “Let’s go. We’re not done talking!” Lux’s alpha voice crawled over her body.

  Amber’s head flew back, and her body listened viscerally, pulling her towards him.

  “Lux don’t, please.” Amber pleaded as tears ran down her face.

  He didn’t say anything, but picked her up. He stomped up to the elevator and

  entered it, pushing the button. He waited, not saying a word until the elevator opened. He walked into their bedroom, slowly removed her dress, and lowered her to the floor.

  “Why did you leave Amber?” Lux stared at her naked body. Otis and Liam stood back watching.

  “What else is there to say, Lux? You’ll always blame me for the child we lost, and I couldn’t stand to hear you three fighting. You’ve won. I’ve given up. Is that what you want to hear? Do you want me to crawl and ask forgiveness?” Amber got down on her hands and knees, crawling to him, her head lowered.

  “Is this better, or do you want my body, too? I can lay on the bed for you.” Amber got up and walked to the bed. She lay down, her ass up in the air in a submissive position, waiting.

  “Get up Amber, and come here,” Lux sighed, sitting down in a chair.

  Amber made her way towards him. She stepped up to him.

  Lux grabbed her and cradled her in his lap. “I was wrong to say what I did. You make me crazy. I have never felt so at a loss as when you left. Otis and Liam were arguing because they knew I’d said too much, and they were right. I guess we all have our problems, baby. Please be patient with me. I’ll try.” Lux stared down at her face, his hands holding her tight.