“Do you have a date?” my mom wanted to know. I could practically hear her wiggling her eyebrows.
“I do,” I said. “It’s not James,” I added to make sure I didn’t get her hopes up.
“I guessed as much. I have heard about his little trick with Cindy and him refusing to set a meeting with you. I’m not particularly happy with him, but he is my Alpha. He may be a good alpha, but he is, and always has been, a horrible mate.” There was a pause.
“Mom?” I asked.
“I have something to ask. I don’t like it, but I promised I would,” she told me and she really didn’t sound happy about it.
“Sure. You can ask me anything,” I said.
“The former Alpha and Gamma couples would like the chance to talk to you. They asked me to see if you would be willing to set up a meeting call with them. Your dad and I would be in the meeting as well, and if you want to bring someone that is fine as well. Like your Alpha,” she told me. The question threw me for a loop. They had all been my aunts and uncles growing up. Two extra sets of parents for Elder and me. But it had changed. Maybe it was time to mend the bonds, or at least catch up with them. I didn’t miss how nonchalantly my mom had suggested Finlay to be my support, as if anything else was just not enough.
“Can I think about it?” I asked.
“Of course you can. You can say no as well. Me and your dad are happy to tell them to go where the sun doesn't shine if that is what you want,” she told me and I heard her smile. I laughed.
“That won’t be necessary. I just want to get back home and have all this situation with James over with before I commit to it,” I told her.
“Good call. The rejection may change things,” my mom agreed.
“Is that pumpkin? Put her on speaker,” I heard my dad in the background. “Hi, pumpkin.” he said as mom put her phone on speaker.
“Hi dad. How are things?” I asked.
“Never mind me. How about you? Elder told me about the game and that you ended up hurt.”
“Just a little. I had to take a hit to get out of a bad situation. Nothing to worry about.” He grumbled something I couldn’t hear.
“We will let you get some rest. Thank you for calling us, Armeria. Take care of yourself, have fun tomorrow and say hi to your Alpha and congratulate him on his victory from us,” my mom said.
“Thank you, mom. I will. I’ll call you after I have talked to James.” We hung up and I leaned my head on Finlay’s shoulder. “Mom says hi,” I told him. He chuckled.
“I think your mom likes me,” he said, sounding proud.
“I think so too. My dad does as well,” I agreed.
“Will you agree to talk to the others?” he asked.
“I think so. If they are still interested after I reject their Alpha. Will you be there if I do?” I asked.
“Nothing could stop me. Now it’s time for a nap, just relax and drift off. You will feel better by the time Matilda wakes us up for dinner,” he told me. I knew he was right.
Chapter 61
Finlay
The first thing I did when I woke up the following morning was to go and knock on Amie’s door. She looked half asleep when she opened the door.
“Finn, is something wrong?” she asked, followed by a yawn that would have dislocated most people’s jaws.
“Nothing wrong. How are your ribs?” I asked. She stretched, turned from side to side and then shrugged.
“They don’t hurt at all. I guess Hugo was right. How about your side and your arm?”
“That’s not important. You are sure you are fine?”
“I’m sure, and it is important,” she insisted. She started unwrapping the bandage I had on my arm after my brother had clawed me.
