Chapter 472

It was late by the time everyone had left. I ate my food in small bites, between attending to the children, but everyone was fed before I sent them home to sleep. The children would wake up tomorrow energized, enough to last until next weekend.

I sighed as I shut the door, then turned back to everyone sprawled around the house. “Are we ready?” I yawned, turning to Alannah. “Did you get all your laundry done?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I just threw it back into the bags.” She gestured to the pile by the stairs.

Rick pushed himself up from the couch. “I’ll grab our stuff.” I nodded.

Shelly sat up and gathered a sleeping Abby. “It’s time, baby.” I dispelled my magic and opened my arms.

“Give her to me. I’m going to feed her some power as we cross, so when I remove the curse, she will be strong enough to fight it with me.” She swallowed, overcoming the lump in her throat, and nodded.

“Okay.” She slid Abby into my arms, and I began to feed her energy. “Are you going to be okay doing this?”

I nodded. “Yeah.” A yawn escaped. “I’m tired, but once we’re out of here, I won’t have to worry about work or anything tomorrow. So it’s fine.” Shelly laughed. “No work, but a war.” I shrugged.

“Meh.” I smirked when she laughed harder.

She shook her head. “I’ll help Rick with everything.” I nodded and walked around, sealing the house. No one was getting in while I was gone. Once that was done, I went upstairs to the bedroom, sat on the bed, closed my eyes, and focused fully on Abby. I heard everyone coming and going, dropping off bags, but it faded into background noise.

“Amy.” Someone grabbed my shoulder, and I jumped. I looked up to find everyone standing around me. “Are you okay?” Rick sounded concerned.

“Yeah. Just tired.” I stood. “Are you ready?” Everyone nodded. “The first night will be a little cramped. But I hope you guys don’t mind. I figured Carly and Abby can share her room tonight. I already spoke to Toya and Wendy, and they decided to share a room, so one of you can take Toya’s room. But one couple will be in the living room.” I looked between them. “I’ll let you guys decide. But tomorrow Toya and Lynn will be leaving with me, leaving Wendy in her room, and my mom in mine. The couple who takes Toya’s room can stay there, and the other will take Lynn’s.”

They all nodded. Abby sighed. “I get to stay with Carly?”

I chuckled. “You do, until everything is safe again and you can come live at your new home.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “Will it have a backyard? Our home here doesn’t have one, and I want to plant a garden.”

I nodded. “Of course you can have a garden.” I looked at everyone else. “Are we ready and have we decided?”

Shelly nodded. “I know Abby will be safe upstairs, so we’ll take the living room. I don’t want Alannah sleeping on the couch pregnant.” Alannah looked like she might cry.

“Thank you, but we are omegas; we are just happy to be safe.” She waved her hands. “It’s enough to be safe with our pup.”

Shelly shook her head. “We already decided. Plus, Amy already said that omegas aren’t treated like lesser beings in her father’s pack.” She grabbed Alannah’s hand. “We want you two to realize that, starting tonight.” Shelly grabbed two bags. “Let’s go.”

I nodded, locked the bedroom door, and sealed it before opening the closet. Toya, Wendy, and my mom were already waiting. They walked past me and started grabbing bags. Within a few minutes, everyone was settled in their rooms, and we were all downstairs.

“I have everything you told me to grab at the kitchen table.” My mom nodded toward the dining room, and I followed her in.

I looked down at Abby. “Are you ready?” She nodded. “Do you feel strong enough to fight?” I slid her onto the table while Toya grabbed a small pillow for the couch for her head.

“Fight?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. This is a battle, just like any other you might face in life. Do you know what a battle is for?” She shook her head. “We go to war for a few reasons: our freedom, our families. But every battle we have is for one thing: our lives.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

I shook my head. “Wars are made up of many battles, and like I said, it could be for a million reasons. But my dad always said a battle is for your life. You’re fighting to live, to survive, to thrive.” I laid her back down. “Are you ready?”

She took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”