Chapter 19 - Amelia

‘It’s okay, Amelia. My understanding is that things get wild during heat. That’s why our pack has a rule that mated couples are put on quarantine during heat. So we’ll stay here until your heat is over.’ Stephen assured me, hugging me as we stood in the middle of the one-room cabin.

I nodded, leaning into his embrace, feeling that urge already trying to boil to the surface. ‘I really hope there aren’t a lot of heirlooms here. I would feel terrible if we broke anything.’ I frowned as I looked around the quaint space.

Stephen chuckled, placing loving kisses on my neck as he unzipped my dress. ‘No heirlooms to break.’ He assured me as the dress slipped to the floor.

We spent the next week in that cabin, rarely bothering to get dressed. Even though Signora Walterson did bring us clothes when she dropped off supplies and, with some embarrassment of her own, a large box of condoms. 

After my heat was finally over, we returned to the Walterson family home. No one said anything though I can tell they were all thinking it. Wondering if during my heat I had gotten pregnant.

It’s not unheard of. Many she-wolfs end up pregnant after their heat. The whole point of heat is to procreate. I wouldn’t know for sure for a few weeks anyway. But I’ll make an appointment to be sure closer to when I could find out.

Stephen frowned as he looked at his phone, finally able to check it. ‘Is something wrong?’ I questioned, peering over his shoulder.

‘I have seven missed calls from Captain Darren.’ Stephen explained, turning his phone so I could see the missed calls.

‘Well, call him back.’ I encouraged him.

Gulping, Stephen hit the call button. “Captain Darren. I’m sorry I didn’t have my phone. We were in heat quarantine.” Stephen explained. 

“That’s fine. We weren’t actually trying to talk to you.” I could hear Darren explain. “André wants to talk to Amelia.”

“I’m putting this on speakerphone. You’ll have to speak for her of course.”

Why would Alpha André want to talk to me? Stephen raised an eyebrow but set his phone down and hit the speaker button. 

“I have you on speaker, sir.” Stephen confirmed. “Amelia is here with me.”

“Amelia! Hey, girl! So first, congrats on surviving the baby-making week. I’m sure it was lots of fun. Honestly, I wish same-sex couples got heat. Then I’d have an excuse to lock Darren away with me for a week of sex.”

Stephen and I were both turning bright pink with embarrassment as Alpha André spoke so casually.

“André, knock it off. You’re calling on official Alpha business. That means you don’t casually discuss heat and sex in general. “ Darren sighed.

I sat up straighter. ‘Official Alpha business? What’s happened in Madonie? Is Ivan okay? Are my people okay?’ I started to question.

“Okay, hold on. Amelia has a lot of questions.” Stephen sighed.

“What do you mean by Alpha business. Has something happened in Madonie or to the Madonie people? Is her brother okay?” Stephen questioned on my behalf.

“Ivan is fine. We put him on house arrest at the Furlan coastal home.” Darren started to explain.

“We figured it was unfair to leave him in my papa’s jail, but we couldn’t reinstate him to his power or let him walk free as many are still angry about what happened. As the only survivor of that regime, the people don’t like him.” André explained.

I sighed in relief. ‘I’m so glad that Ivan won’t be kept in jail. And he always loved our home on the coast. But when what’s happening?’

“Thank you, Alpha André. We appreciate that you have given Ivan at least that much freedom. Amelia says their family home on the coast was his favorite. But this doesn’t explain why you called.” Stephen sighed.

“Well, I’m getting there. Amelia, I need a Gamma. I need a Gamma of Madonie. One that lives, breaths, and bleeds for the people. I need you.” André passionately pleaded.

I went pale. ‘Did André? Did he just? Is he asking ME to be his Gamma? But I’m a she-wolf and Ivan’s sister. Won’t the people hate me? Not to mention they were never very kind to me.’

“Alpha André, she is concerned that the people may not like this. She is Ivan’s sister, and well, they weren’t the kindest to her growing up.” Stephen voiced my concerns.

“She suffered the most at Ignazio’s hands. And everyone who had been under Melania’s spell. The people that Amelia identified and used the potion to save. They remember what she did. They remember it was her who saved them.” Darren explained.

“I can’t make you accept Amelia. But I need you with me, girl. You know this pack. You know who’s two-faced and who I can trust. So please, you can’t see it, but I’m giving the puppy eyes and pout. Please come home and be my Gamma.” André pleaded.

An Alpha is begging me to come home and be his Gamma. I looked at Stephen because this choice affects us both. Stephen smiled softly and nodded at me. ‘Tell them to send a plane.’

“She says yes, Alpha André. Just tell us when you want us there.” Stephen answered.

We both winced as André squealed with delight. “Darren will text you with all the details. Pack your things, Stephen, and we’ll see you two very soon. Arrivederci!” André made a kiss sound, and then the line went dead.

I lept off the bed and let out what was the best squeal of delight and a howl. ‘I’m going to be Gamma! I get to take my father’s title! There’s never been a female-ranked wolf in Madonie! Just she-wolves mated to ranked wolves. Oh, my Goddess. Stephen! This… this is incredible!’

I was so happy it took a moment before things started to dawn on me. Stephen smiled up at me but wasn’t jumping with joy alongside me.

He’ll have to leave his family, pack, everything he knows to be with me. I frowned, my joy faltering as I slipped onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

‘Stephen? You are okay with this, right? If you don’t want to leave Bloodmoon, we can call them back.’ I offered.

Stephen shook his head, wrapping his arms around me. He sighed, pressing his forehead to mine.

‘No. You deserve this. It is your birthright. You were meant to rule Madonie as their Luna. How can I speak against you getting to still serve your people as their Gamma.’ 

‘But you are my mate, not Ignazio. My life is tied to yours forever. And if remaining in Bloodmoon is what you want, then we will. I boarded that plane, intending to start my life here with you. That doesn’t have to change.’ I offered.

‘This is a huge opportunity for your Amelia. And I mean for both of us, really. You would serve your birth pack, proving to anyone who ever doubted how amazing you are. And while you work with Alpha André, I will serve as Gamma to Captain, or I’m not sure what his title is now, Darren. I should count myself lucky to work for him.’ Stephen assured me.

‘But?’ I asked.

‘I’ll miss my friends and family. But I’ll have you, and that’s all I want and need. You are all I want and need in life.’ Stephen smiled, pressing a sweet kiss to my lips.

“Ugh, you just got back from quarantine and are still kissing? You aren’t going to have sex with the door open, right?” Suzie startled us both. 

I blushed, moving off his lap as Stephen sighed, annoyed. “No, Suzie, we aren’t going to have sex. Goddess, you need to learn to think before you speak.”

Stephen took my hand, helping me up. “Come on, we should tell my family.” he smiled.

“Tell us what? What’s going on?” Suzie shouted as we walked past her to find his parents in the living room.

“Mom. Dad. We have an announcement.” Stephen smiled, holding my hand.

“Well, you can’t already know if she’s pregnant. So you aren’t announcing we are grandparents.” Signora Walterson concluded. 

“No, mom. It’s not that. We received a call from Alpha André, the Incubi heir who has taken over Madonie.” Stephen started to explain.

“As Amelia is of Gamma blood and someone who has earned his trust Alpha André has offered her the title of Gamma. His mate, Captain Darren, will be sending details for our travel arrangements. But we are moving to Madonie.” He explained.

I wasn’t sure how they would react, but his parents jumped from their seats with joy, hugging us. 

“That’s so wonderful. Congratulations. Our son and his mate will be Gammas.” Signora Walterson teared up as she hugged us tightly.

“Edith has always wanted to see Italy. Now we’ll have a good reason to visit.” Signore Walterson smiled.

“That’s so cool! I can’t wait to visit! Italy always sounded so romantic and awesome.” Suzie grinned, brimming with excitement.

It took a couple of weeks, but we packed all of Stephen’s things and were on a private flight back to Madonie. I was eager to help rebuild my pack and start a life in my family’s home with Stephen.