“I’ll use magic to make myself look hurt.” I cracked my neck. But Rick froze.
“Amy…” His voice was worried. “Shush.”
I turned back to him. “What?” He waved a hand around the air. He slowly mouthed the words. ‘Your house is bugged.’ I laughed. “It’s okay. A few weeks ago, I made a big show of cleaning the house up and removing Morgan’s and Shannon’s stuff, when Shannon started to spread the rumor about her and Brandon. I ‘found’ all the bugs and tossed them into their boxes. Pretending I thought they were just the knickknacks that they had hidden them in. The house is clear now.”
He sighed and nodded. “Why didn’t you use the magic before and just heal yourself?”
“I needed Vince to smell the blood. If it was just magic, he would’ve pretended that it wasn’t that bad and used that as a reason to advocate for me to stay. I couldn’t let that happen.”
Rick shook his head. “Why did you need to transfer? I mean, we are all just running.” We met everyone in the living room. Abby ran over to me and gave me a hug.
“Can we go see Carly?”
I tapped her nose. “Not yet. But tonight we will.” I turned to look at Rick as I backed into the kitchen. “It’s a little different for Alphas. I needed to transfer so that I can ‘rebuild’ my father’s pack. I couldn’t start a pack, or claim the land without transferring out of my current pack. If I hadn’t gone thoughthe proper channels and transfer then Vince could have claimed rights over it.” I pulled out the steaks I had thrown into the fridge last night. I started for the back door, but before I stepped out into my backyard, I used some of my magic to make me look hurt again. I stepped out and started the barbeque. “Rick?”
He came out. “Yeah?”
“Can you and Ternen man the grill?” I heard the doorbell. “I think I am about to have a lot of visitors.” He grinned.
“Sure thing.” He went to stand beside the grill as it heated up. “Do you have tongs and seasonings?”
I nodded. “I’ll send Ternen out with everything.” I walked back inside. “Ternen?”
“Yeah, Amy?” He trotted over.
I nodded for him to follow me to the kitchen. I pulled the steak seasoning my mom made out of the cupboard, a plate, and tongs. I grabbed two beers from the fridge and handed it all to Ternen. “Can you go help Rick with the steaks?”
He brightened. “Of course!” He turned around and headed outside as the doorbell rang out again.
I ran to the door and then turned back to Abby and winked. I hunched over a little as I opened the door. It was Corzone and his mate. He was carrying his son. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I stepped aside. “Come on in.”
He walked in. “I know you’re leaving tonight. But I was hoping…” He trailed off.
His mate stepped up beside him. “Carson, he’s gotten weak again.” She looked down. “Can you do whatever you did last time?”
“Of course I can.” I opened my arms. “Is it okay if I bring him upstairs?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Corzone stared at me for a minute. “He is my only pup. My life.”
I nodded. “I know, and I would never do anything that would hurt him. I swear it on the Goddess.” He stared at me for a minute longer, then handed me the little boy.
I pretended to struggle to the stairs. I turned back to Alannah and Shelly. “If anyone else comes while I am upstairs, let them in. I’ll try to be fast.” They nodded.
“Of course.” Shelly gave me a knowing look. “Take your time.” Then I went up the stairs and started the first of many healings.
It was late by the time everyone had left. I took my food in small bites, in between children, but everyone was topped up before I sent everyone home to sleep. The children would wake up tomorrow charged with energy, enough to make it to next weekend.
I sighed as I shut the door. Then turned back to everyone sprawled around the house. “Are we ready?” I yawned as I turned to Alannah. “Did you get all of your laundry done?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I just threw it back into the bags.” She nodded to the pile by the stairs.
Rick pushed up from the couch. “I’ll grab our stuff.” I nodded.
Shelly pushed up and grabbed a sleeping Abby. “It’s time baby.” I shook off my magic and opened my arms.
