CHAPTER 21: FAMILIAL TIES 1

LOUISA

“So?” Tammy mutters as we head back to the cottage. “How are we going to go about this?”

“We?” I ask, surprised as I turn to look at her.

“I might not agree with your decisions but that doesn't mean I am going to abandon you. That is your forte.”

Ouch.

She is still pissed. Still, I can't be mad though. She is not wrong.

“I don't know,” I say in answer to her question. “There are so many things going on in my head right now. I know I need a plan to separate her from my father… but I don't know how to go about it. And I still have my kids to worry about.”

“What about them?” she asks.

“What do you mean “what about them?” ? Where am I going to keep them while I go face my parents?”

“I didn't understand… Why do you need to keep them anywhere? What is wrong with the cottage?”

“I can't leave them alone, Tammy” I scoff at her. “You have no idea how mischievous they can be. Hell, the last time I left them alone, they managed to break into a pack that kills rogues on sight. Only the goddess knows what would happen if I did so again.”

“They are twelve, Lou. I am sure they are mature enough to handle themselves.”

“I am not worried about them not handling themselves, I am worried about the kind of trouble they can get into.”

“Fine then, I will arrange for someone to watch over them,” she offers.

“I am…” I start only to fall silent.

“What? What now?”

“It's just… I am not really comfortable leaving my kids in the care of a stranger.”

“Well, you don't really have many options now… do you? Unless you want to take them to that meeting, you know… exposing your kids to the very one you grew up in. The same one you ran away from. Is that what you want? Do you want to expose them to your father? Do you want to put them right under Gaines's nose?”

“No! Of course not! But-”

“But nothing. You might have had a go with rogue life, thinking you can do as you please and damn the consequences, thinking you can handle them or run... but this is the reality. You have choices and you make the best of what you have. And yes, you might not like it. But you make the choice anyway. So, I will arrange for someone to look after them while you are meeting your parents and you are just going to have to trust that I won't risk their lives.”

“They are my best friend's kids as well as my Alpha's. I won't risk their lives. Trust me, okay?”

I take a deep breath before I nod.

“Okay. Okay, I will trust you. Thank you, Tammy.”

“Don't mention it,” she says as she stops walking. “Besides, I am still pissed at you.”

“You go get dressed and ready. Prepare your kids too for your… short absence. I will go arrange for their caretaker. And don't forget, we still need a plan to handle your father.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“See ya,” she says as she turns and heads the way we came while I head back to the cottage.

“Moooom!”

“Where have you been?!”

“How could you leave us like that!”

“We were worried!”

“Oh,” I say with a smile as I close the door and see them frowning cutely at me. “You were worried huh? What about the many times you two vanished without telling me? Or have you two forgotten how we ended up here? And what do you two have to worry about? Didn't you say you loved this pack and wanted to stay here?”

“Love is a little too far,” Leo says with a smile. “We said we liked the pack and didn't mind staying here. We never mentioned anything about living it.”

“Yeah,” Lia adds. “And besides, you are supposed to be the responsible one. How could you just leave us like that? Without a word?”

“I am sorry, my loves. I had a short meeting with the Alpha. Speaking of that, I am going to have to leave for a short while again.”

“Again? Why?” Lia demands. “Are you okay?”

“I am fine my darling,” I say as I run my fingers through her hair, calming her. “We just have some things to sort out before we are officially part of the park.”

“Really? You have agreed? We can stay?” Leo rushes out.

“Yes, beautiful boy. We can stay. I suppose it can't be that bad.”

“Thank you, Mummy!” They cry out as they both fall into my arms. “This is the best day ever.”

“I am glad you two are happy about this. But like I said, there are still some things to handle. Tammy is going to get someone to watch you while I am gone -”

“Tammy?” Lia asks. “The woman from yesterday? You knew her.”

“Yes. She is an old friend.”

“Hmm.”

“Why do we need anyone to watch over us? We are big enough to watch over ourselves,” Leo demands.

“Hmm, maybe. But I don't trust you two.”

“Hey!”

“Why not?!”

“Really? Are you two seriously asking me that?? Every time I take my eyes off you two, you go and do something stupid or reckless or both. Take for example, breaking into this pack!”

“I thought you said you had already moved on from it!” Leo whines. “You said we could stay!”

“I have and we can,” I reply. “But that doesn't mean that it couldn't have been worse. If Travis were a different man than he is, you two could have been killed. Do you understand that? You would have been dead before I even realized you were missing.”

“We are sorry, Mommy.”

“I know you are but you are going to have to do a lot more than apologize. When your caretaker gets here, be obedient. Don't give them any trouble. You don't want to be kicked out of the pack just like that, do you?”

“No, mama. We don't.”

“Good.”

One down, and another to go