Chapter 490

The anger dissipated, and I felt I could think clearly. I took a deep breath as Megan ran to the cabin; we shifted as the back door opened. My mother stepped out, frowning. “Where have you been?” she growled softly. “I woke up, and you were gone.”

I snorted. “I went for a run.” I tried to slip past her, but her hand shot out.

“That’s all?” Her eyes tightened, but I kissed her.

“Let’s sit down for breakfast, and I’ll go over what happened.” She watched me a moment, then nodded. We entered the cabin; Wendy was serving the girls breakfast.

“Hey,” Wendy said, raising an eyebrow. “You went out early.” I nodded.

I turned to the girls. “Once you’ve eaten, can you do me a favor?” I kissed Carly’s head.

“Of course,” Carly said, bouncing and smiling.

“Yes,” Abby smiled.

I looked her over and rubbed her head. “How are you feeling today?”

Abby’s smile widened. “Great. Better than any of my best days!” She looked up with wide, happy eyes. “Am I really cured?”

“You tell me,” I laughed. “You just said you feel better than ever before.”

She nodded. “I’m not tired, and there’s no pain.”

Rick and Shelly appeared in the dining room doorway. I winked at them over Abby’s head. “Any symptoms at all?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She thought before shaking her head. “I feel good.”

“Then I think we have our answer.” I looked up at the couple. “How do you both feel?”

They looked at each other, then Rick entered. “Amy, I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you. You saved my family.” He grabbed my hand. “Saving my pup would have been enough, but then you saved Shelly, and I knew Abby would be safe. I never expected you to save me, not after everything I did to you.”

“Rick,” Shelly said, grabbing his other hand, but Rick shook his off.

“You saved me even when I didn’t deserve it.” He dropped to his knees. “Wraith told me what you did. I hadn’t heard from my wolf in almost two years, and I didn’t know why.” He looked up, tears in his eyes. “He was busy saving me, and I was too stupid to realize it. But now he’s caught me up on everything, starting with what you did.”

“Rick,” I said, pulling him up; Shelly wrapped her arms around him. “You don’t have to thank me.” I nudged him, and he met my eyes. “You might think you’re unworthy, but I disagree. And…” I paused as he shook his head. “…neither does the goddess.” I patted his shoulder. “Can you get the others? We need to talk, and the girls have agreed to play upstairs.”

I looked at the girls, who were shoveling food into their mouths. “Be done in a minute,” Abby mumbled around a full mouth, making me laugh.

“It’s okay, sweet girl. I’m going to shower, and then we can reconvene.” I patted both girls and headed upstairs, meeting Lynn on the landing. She looked anxious. “How are you doing?”

She took a breath and straightened. “Honest answer?” she asked, and I nodded. “I still hear his breathing in the dark, but I’m better.” I nodded, raising a hand to touch her shoulder, waiting for her nod before rubbing her arm.

“Bright side?” she asked, looking at me. “We’re leaving today.” I watched her tense. “He’ll be dead within the week.”

She shuddered. “I don’t know if I’m ready.” Her voice was a whisper.

“You are,” my mother’s voice rang out. We turned to see her coming up the stairs. “And if you aren’t, Amy can help you eliminate the threat. But,” she grabbed Lynn’s hand, “you are stronger than you think. You can do this.”

Lynn took a deep breath and nodded. “I can do this.”

My mother nodded. “You hold the power to your own destiny. You can take back your life.”

Lynn nodded, then turned to me. “I’ll be ready.”

“Good.” Then I left them to shower.