I looked at Amber. The memories of that day so many years ago played in my head.
I opened my arms and wrapped them around her, engulfing her in a big hug.
"I know, sis, but trust me, I know what I'm doing." Amber sighed and hugged me back. I knew she was pouting without seeing her face.
As we parted, Amber and I took our seats.
"So now that we've gotten this figured out, on to more pressing matters. Where is my mate?" I asked looking at Natasha.
"I told you, James, she's near. She will come back when the time is right. Your warriors won't find her because I covered her scent. Alpha, you're going to have to trust me. There is a plan for all of this but for it to work, Avery needs to stay away. At least for now."
What plan could possibly demand that Avery stays away from me?
"When will she be home?" Lisa asked.
"I can't say, only time will tell. But she's safe, and trust me, it was just as hard for her as it is for you. If not harder." She said in a soft tone.
'Natasha is telling the truth. And Avery will be back, we just have to wait'
You know why, don't you Blade?
'I do'
"Fine. What do we do until then?" Natasha stiffened and her eyes went dark.
"You prepare for war. We never know when Crow is going to hit so it's better to be prepared."
Natasha said and I felt a chill that made me shiver slightly. Something told me that he'd hit pretty soon.
"I'm going to go back home for a while. Next time I come, Carlos and Lydia will be with me and Cameron, the Beta will be in charge of our pack. In case you need me sooner, just call." Natasha said as she stood up. We shook hands and said our goodbyes and then she left.
"It's going to be pretty nice having a break from that woman." Alex said.
"Oh come on, she's been helpful and a lot nicer than I have ever seen her." Lisa said.
"Yeah but she's erratic and sleek." Jackson said and Alex nodded at the statement.
"So be it. Neither of you can possibly say that we could've done this without her." Trish said in a cocky tone.
"No." I said.
"We couldn't have done this without her, at least not as fast. Yes, she's a snake and a real bitch at times, but she also has good intentions when it comes to this family. And she would never put Avery in harm's way." I continued. Natasha had helped us a lot. Sure this is all happening because of her father and she probably feels some kind of guilt over the fact, but she could've kept it a secret. She didn't have to share anything with us let alone help us, but she did.
"Oh right, what did your letter from Avery say?" Trish asked in a giddy voice.
I thought I saw Alex tense at her question but he quickly gained composure.
Making me wonder what his letter said. I hadn't thought about the fact that my siblings got a letter as well, but I did want to know what she had written.
"I have mine here, I'll read it." Amber said as she picked out the letter from her back pocket.
She cleared her throat and took a few deep breaths, probably to keep herself from tearing up.
I saw her puffy red eyes earlier and assumed she had cried. I was planning to talk to her about it after the meeting, but I guess now I know why.
"Dear Amber,
I don't know where to begin. You're my sister. There is no other way to describe it. You are the epidemy of what I believe a sister to be like, to act like, and to love like.
I am truly sorry if my leaving causes you any pain. Trust me, I'm not doing much better myself. But I had to leave. I couldn't stay. I would have put everyone in danger and if something were to happen to any of you on my hands, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Believe me when I say that this is for the best.
You're one of the most fun, outgoing people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
You have a heart of gold and you use it well.
You have the patience of a priest and the mouth of a sinner.
You confided in me with your biggest secret. The amount of trust I knew from that moment that you had for me was overwhelming to say the least. Whatever we shared and will share in the future, I will carry with me to the grave.
As I will always carry you with me wherever I go. Now and always.
Love from a very proud sister.
Until we meet again." The room was silent. Not a single one dared to speak. You could hear their breaths. Their heartbeats. Their sniffles and the wiping of tears. Had it been any quieter, you would've heard the tears drip down.
Amber, however much she tried to cover her sadness broke down when she started reading the letter for the second time. She barely made it through half before the first tear rolled down.
Jackson had his arm around Lisa while Alvin had his around his mate. Both guys had bloodshot red eyes and sniffled as well.
I was digging my nails into my hands, not to keep from crying, but rather to keep my anger from surfacing. I had noticed my temperament was more unstable than ever before. Something I needed to get control over before I do something stupid.
I am the Alpha of this pack. I have to be the strong one, the front, the pillar, and the fighter.
Not the Alpha that breaks into a fight with the werewolf who pushes his buttons. Not the Alpha that hits things, breaking them and unable to control his fucking rage.
A low growl came out as I tried my best to contain the infuriating storm bring inside me.
They heard it, but they didn't react. Amber simply took my hand and looked at me in the eyes.
I felt even that comfort soon ceasing to bring me down.