Chapter 16 - Amelia

Stephen was right. Captain Darren did not look happy with getting glitter shot at him. I don’t blame him. Though at its core, the gesture was very sweet. 

The Bloodmoon wolves wanted to show their support and congratulate their Captain on his mating to the Alpha heir. There are far worse things people can do to you and claim it was in good fun.

Like that time Ignazio and Gastone ran my clothes up the school flagpole and said it was just a joke. Or when Zelma and some other she-wolves decided to douse me with olive oil and then throw feathers at me. 

They’d laugh their heads off at me and take pictures. But when Ivan showed up, they were all ‘it was just a joke’ and apologies. Zelma tried to claim she tried to stop it. 

And now I’m going to continue being stuck with her moving to Bloodmoon with Stephen. Which we apparently will be going tomorrow. Or at least that’s what Darren said before he rushed out of the lounge.

I hope everything is okay. Darren looked panicked. And I don’t think he’s the type to usually panic about anything. 

I nudged Stephen and nodded to Collin. ‘Ask him if I can return home… I mean to go to my family’s home to get my things before we have to leave for Bloodmoon.’

“Collin, sir?” Stephen shot his hand up to get Collin’s attention while others were already swarming him, wanting to ask questions.

“One at a time. Fuck, you wouldn’t be all chaos and shit if Darren was still here.” Collin grumbled.

“He said the injured go first and then those of us with mates. Yes, that will mean if you, like me, have a mate waiting back home, you go home tomorrow. You single fuckers will have to wait another day.” Collin shouted above the noise.

It apparently answered most of their questions but mine.

“Collin? I have a question for those of us who have mates from Madonie. Can we get permission to travel to Madonie and retrieve some of their belongings?”

This time Stephen didn’t wait for Collin to acknowledge him before asking his question.

“Yes, I wanted to know that too. It would also be nice to have a chance to meet my mate’s parents.” Tanner called out his arm around the she-devil’s waist.

Collin sighed. “Yes. I suppose that should be fine. Let me check with at least Beta Alexander of his father first. Then you two can carpool over.”

I paled. I do not want to be in a car with Zelma, but I can’t really protest. We are the only two with Bloodmoon mates. It would be wasteful to take separate cars. 

“I’ll drive. I know where Amelia lived.” Zelma volunteered in her sugary-sweet voice.

“Oh, I’m sure you’re very familiar with her family home.” Stephen snorted.

Zelma’s eyes narrowed at me. She knows I must have told my mate that she used to fuck around with my brother and how she used to treat me. 

As Zelma started to take a step closer to me, her gaze was interrupted. Stephen had moved to stand in front of me. 

“I’ll be polite because Tanner is a nice guy. But don’t think the shit you got away with in Madonie will fly in Bloodmoon.”

Stephen warned. “We do not take kindly to bullies in our pack.”

“What’s going on? Stephen? Zelma? Someone want to fill me in on what the beef is here?” Tanner questioned. 

“Your packmate is just being mean to me. I don’t know why. I was just going to congratulate Amelia on finding a mate willing to take her.” Zelma put on the victim tone, but her words were cutting and held double meanings.

“Oh, you want to play that? Fine. Gloves off, bitch.” Stephen growled.

“You want to know the issue, Tanner? Let me fill you in.” Stephen smiled, turning his attention to Tanner.

This is very much not like my sweet Stephen. I haven’t seen this side of him yet. I kind of like it. 

‘He’s our mate and will protect us.’ Faith nodded in approval. ‘If we could speak, we should be the one doing the talking.’

“Your mate is a bully that used to fuck my mate’s brother. And the malice coming off her is like cheap perfume. You better make sure she keeps that attitude in check.” Stephen scoffed.

Zelma went pale as she got outed. “Tanner… that was before I met you. You wouldn’t hold it against me that I had a boyfriend before you.”

Tanner sighed. “I don’t care that you have been with someone else. I’ve had girlfriends too. What I care about is the bully part. I think we should speak privately, though.” 

Tanner nodded to Stephen as he took Zelma’s hand and led her away. Zelma looked worried. Good. 

‘You didn’t have to do that.’ I sighed, slipping my hand into Stephen’s.

‘Yes, I did. I will not let anyone mistreat you. And Tanner has the right to know the type of mate he has. Better he knows now than back in Bloodmoon where she might say the wrong thing to the wrong person.’ Stephen assured me, squeezing my hand.

“Okay, well, that was fun. So… you can take a separate car.” Collin rolled his eyes.

I moved a little closer to Stephen because I didn’t know. It’s just a habit that I expect people to side with Zelma. 

Collin cocked his head at me.

“No sweat, Amelia. You aren’t in trouble or anything. If Stephen hadn’t spoken up to Tanner about what the girl is really like, it would come out eventually. And probably get the girl hurt. Like saying stupid to or about Princess Hana.”

‘Who is Princess Hana? And why would Zelma risk saying something about what I assume is your Alpha’s daughter?’ I questioned.

‘She’s our Alpha’s adopted, human daughter.’ Stephen explained.

“I’ll assume Stephen is filling you in. Enjoy going to your house today. I’m sure you’ll like Bloodmoon. My mate and I will have to have you guys over for dinner.” Collin smiled before wandering off.

I could see how Zelma would screw up and say something wrong. We don’t have any humans or hybrids in Madonie.

Or well, we didn’t. With André becoming Alpha we… I mean, they… will now be run by a hybrid. 

A couple hours later, Stephen and I were getting into a borrowed jeep. I hadn’t gotten my license yet. So Stephen was driving, and I gave him directions as necessary.

Rather than driving to the coast, we only went to the capital and my family home there.

My heart clenched as we pulled up, and I saw it in such disrepair. Windows had been broken, and there was some highly inappropriate graffiti on the walls. 

I suppose I can’t blame people. They probably saw Ivan taking the Gamma role after our father’s murder as him approving of Ignazio’s actions.

But I know my brother. He wouldn’t have supported Ignazio. Anything he did was probably to protect me.

‘You okay?’ Stephen’s warm voice drew me from my thoughts as he squeezed my hand.

I nodded, climbing out of the jeep.

‘Yes. I just haven’t been home … since my parents were alive. Ivan sent me away before they were killed so I would be safe.’

With Stephen at my side, I took a breath. Finding our still hidden spare key, I walked inside. I cringed as I saw the place had been trashed. Art smashed and torn off the walls, broken vases, and more graffiti. 

I let out a gasp and rushed forward into the living room when I saw my family portrait smashed in the fireplace.

I fell to my knees, crying as I pulled what was left out. You could barely make out our faces from the smoke damage, and over half the picture was burned away.

I felt warm, loving arms engulfing me and knew it was Stephen. I turned into his embrace, still crying.

Crying about the damage to my family home. Crying because I’ll never see my parents again. I'm crying because this may be the last time I’m even in this home.

‘I’m so sorry, Amelia. I’m sure there must be more pictures and mementos. We’ll find them. And you can bring as much as you want with us and send for anything else.’ He promised, kissing my hair.

I sniffled a little but gathered my emotions. ‘Thank you. We should get my stuff, though. We still have to drive back.’

Stephen nodded, helping me to my feet. Slowly we made our way through the house. I filled a suitcase with as much of my clothes and personal supplies as possible. 

I was thankful to find my family’s safe still untouched in the back of my parent’s closet. I took a photo album and a few pieces of my mother’s jewelry. I could send for the rest like Stephen suggested. 

I spent the evening when we got back to our room looking through the album with Stephen. Trying to not be embarrassed by most of the pictures of me. 

I was thankful that on the flight to Bloodmoon, I didn’t have to sit anywhere near Zelma. Things seemed to be a bit tense between her and Tanner. I can hope that they can move past it for their mate bond, and maybe she can grow as a person.

I was thankful to have Stephen there to hold my hand. I’ve never been on a plane before, and it terrified me. So having him calm me helped. 

Plus, he’s rather comfy to lean against. Unlike traveling on a commercial flight, we didn’t have to change planes. I ended up sleeping during the flight. I only woke up when we made stops to refuel.

‘Amelia… wake up beautiful. We’re here.’ Stephen’s voice filled my head as I felt him nudging me. 

I grumbled, sitting up rubbing sleep from my eyes. I smiled a little. Who wouldn’t smile when you’re greeted by Stephen’s sweet loving face. 

“I told my parents I would be arriving today with a surprise. I didn’t want to tell them about you over the phone. So let’s go surprise my family.” Stephen smiled, offering his hand.

Taking a deep breath, preparing myself to meet my new family, I took his hand. It felt strange that we left before dawn in Sicily, and after a twenty-hour flight, we arrived near sunset.

Many families were waiting on the tarmac. As people exited the plane, I saw she-wolves rushing, throwing themselves at their mates.

Collin’s mate was pretty and, despite throwing herself into his arms, was shy about the sudden outburst as she blushed.

I looked around, trying to spot the family from the picture on Stephen’s phone. I blinked, frozen with nervous energy as I spotted them. A little girl barreled through the crowd hugging Stephen’s waist.

“You’re alive! I lost ten bucks on you. I said you’d at least come back injured.” The little girl taunted, but I could tell how much she cared.

Her eyes went round as saucers as she looked at me. The family link clicked into place now that we weren’t thousands of miles away. 

“OH MY GOD! MOMMY! DADDY! HE HAS A MATE!” Suzie shrieked, launching herself at me.