Amora POV: My Pack

As soon as I step out onto the porch Kya captures me into a hug. I can feel the start of a baby bump under her shirt, it makes me smile knowing she will finally have a baby of her own. I worried about her after her miscarriage two years ago, they just weren't common among our kind. I thought she might never try again, no one would make her after a loss like that, but four months ago she decided to go to the city for her heat and now she's the happiest I've ever seen her.

"Amora, I know this can be scary, but you are strong and brave and I know you will be okay."

My eyes start to water when she kisses my forehead. I know I'll be back in a week, but this almost feels like 'goodbye', instead of 'see you soon'.

I hug her again so she won't see the tears in my eyes. When she pulled back to look at me she smiled, almost sadly and said, "Be safe Amora. I love you."

"I love you too." I replied as I walked down the steps, probably looking more sure than I felt.

I looked back at the house that my sister raised me in since I was thirteen, and would now raise her daughter in, hopefully I'd raise mine in this house too. I loved this old house.

My sister is an artist and painted her art all over the outside and inside of this house. The moon and stars she painted in my room is what really made this place feel like home to my wolf after we lost our mother.

I turned and finally shed those tears I'd been holding back, as I walked through the pack lands.

Everyone was milling about like it was a normal day, which was weird because to me it definitely wasn't a normal day.

Most shifters were doing their chores. Everyone had chores in the pack based on our abilities. All who had young children were given duties that would be accommodating to the demands of being a mother.

I could see a couple of mothers pushing their babies in strollers around the park, chatting about some cute things their babies have recently done. I smile knowing that will be me someday soon.

"Casey, come back here!"

I turn to see a mom chasing her toddler and laughing, while Casey, I presume, runs across the grass with the biggest smile and only one shoes on.

I was so distracted I didn't see the pups coming my way. They tumbled together, right into my legs, making me stumble and fall as I was trying to avoid stepping on them. I started to laugh out of surprise. Looking at them I realized they must be freshly shifted pups. Not much older than six, when pups shifted for the first time on their birthday.

A shadow passed over me and I looked up into the dark brown eyes of my best friend Riley. She held her hand out to me to help me up.

"Sorry about that Mo," the childish nickname I would never out live, "they get out of control at this age", Riley giggled.

"It's all good. I honestly didn't even recognize Lilly and Launa in that form", I replied

"Yeah they've been terrors ever since their first shift last week", Riley said with a sigh, "Mom was at her wits end so I took the twins off her hands for today."

Oh Goddess, what would I do if I had twins!? I must have had a weird look on my face because Riley asked me, with concern scrunching up her brows, "Are you okay?"

"Just nervous", I replied, to which I received an understanding smile.

"Of course you're nervous. It's going to be your first time, but once you get back, I'll be here waiting to hear all the juicy details", Riley said with a smirk.

"Ugh! Shoosh!!" I just laughed and rolled my eyes at her.

Riley was a year younger than me and hasn't been to the city yet, so she was eager to hear all about it.

We hugged tight and said our goodbyes, Riley's caramel scent calming my nerves. Riley hurried off after the twins, her loose black curls shifting side to side across the light brown skin of her shoulders. The twins were a lighter tan with short, straight, brown hair. They took after their mom, whereas Riley must take more after her father.

I finally turned away and headed to the edge of the forest to meet Alpha Avenix before leaving...