34 Amber’s Awake
Olivia POV
Ace leans in close as everyone chatters around us. He is close enough that I can feel his breath on my neck. “After breakfast I was wondering if we could take a walk. I’d like to meet Danica if she’s up for it, he says. I can’t see his smile, but I can feel it in his words. I smile knowing he is teasing my wolf.
“You had better say yes, Oli. I want to meet our mate in my form too,” she says. I can’t help but chuckle at how eager she is. “Of course you can meet him in your form. He is going to think you’re beautiful just like I do,” I say. “Danica would love that. She is very excited for you to see her in the flesh, so to speak.” “Bring our pup too. I want to see her with my own eyes,” Danica says.
“Danica wants us to bring Della. She wants the chance to bond with her.” “Right after breakfast,” he says before returning to his plate. A few minutes later Ace pulls his phone from his pocket. I can only hear one side of the conversation, but by the sounds of it, Amber is finally awake. He disconnects the call, shoving his last piece of toast in his mouth. I stand at the same time as he does. “Olivia, you aren’t finished. You should finish your breakfast. You can join me when you’re done,” he says.
“I’m full, besides I want to meet Amber.” “Can I go with you to see nana,” Della asks. I reach my hand out to her after checking her plate, and she jumps up to take it. We make our way through the pack house and I notice a few stares when Ace takes my free hand. I roll my eyes when I notice Ebony sitting with a group of women. Despite hoping we can make it outside without a scene, she stands and starts toward us.
“Ace, why don’t you take Della to the hospital? I’ll catch up with the two of you in a minute.” I can tell he wants to argue but thankfully he doesn’t. I don’t want Della to witness whatever is about to be said. “Alright” he says, pressing a quick kiss on my lips before heading for the door. Ebony tries to pass me to follow him, but I step in her way.
“What do you think you’re doing? I need to speak with Ace about something important,” she says. I growl and she takes a step back. “First, it’s Dr. Morris to you. Second, he is my mate. Third, you have nothing to talk to him about since you were fired.” She glares at me and I wait for whatever witty retort she is about to say.
“You think you’re special, but you’re just a half-breed. He deserves to be with someone like me. I have liked him since we were pups. From what I hear, you didn’t even know you were a wolf until you were seventeen. That’s pathetic,” she says. “Are you done?” She looks confused by my question.
“Your opinion of me doesn’t mean sh*t but just so you know this half-breed will be the one that Ace is buried inside of tonight. It will be my mark that adorns his beautiful skin. You will never have what is mine.”
“Now, if you don’t mind, I need to catch up with my mate and pup. Enjoy the rest of your sh**ty day.” I turn to leave but she grabs my arm. When I whirl on her, Danica is pushing to the surface. “I suggest, if you want to keep your hand you take it off me of what I did to you in the supply closet will seem like a love tap.” She
releases her hold on me. She goes to open her mouth, but a low growl has her dropping her gaze to the floor.
I look up in time to see Xavier approaching us. “What the hell is going on here? Are you harassing another pack member, Ebony,” he asks. fight the urge to roll my eyes. “I was just heading to the hospital to check on Amber. Ebony was reminding me of how to get there.”
She immediately lifts her head and looks at me confused. “Thanks again, Ebony,” I say, before walking away from both of them. I don’t need him fighting my battles. He can’t undo all that’s happened by trying to defend
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34 Amber’s Awake
me now. Besides, I can defend myself. Hopefully, after we meet with the witch, he and Evelyn can just keep their distance if we decide to move to the pack.
I also hope Ebony got the message this time. Ten minutes later I’m stepping into the pack hospital. I wonder what it will be like to work here if we decide to stay in the pack. My mind goes back and forth with what ! really want but now is not the time to focus on that.
“Can I help you miss,” a feminine voice asks. I turn to see an older woman with kind eyes waiting for an answer. “I’m here to see Amber. I know where her room is but thank you.” She nods, and I make my way
toward her room.
When I reach the door, it’s slightly cracked, so I can hear the conversation. Part of me wonders if I should give them privacy, but part of me wants to make sure that she truly is as kind as Ace said. I won’t allow her to hurt my mate and pup. “I am so sorry, Ace. I should have been stronger,” Amber says.
He takes her hand in his as Della climbs up beside her. “We will talk more when little ears aren’t listening, but you have nothing to be sorry for, Amber. You have always been kind to me. You are not responsible for your husband’s or daughters’ actions.” “Thank you, Ace. I hope now that Bart’s gone you’ll let me spend more time with Della,” she says, holding my pup close to her side.
“Of course, you can spend time with her. I also want you to meet Olivia, my true mate,” he says. “I can’t believe Candace lied about you two being mates. I know you say I don’t have to be sorry, but I don’t know how else to feel when my daughter caused you so much pain,” Amber says.
I figure now is as good a time as any to make my presence known. I knock before stepping inside. Della practically jumps off the bed before rushing toward me. “Mommy, come meet nana” she says, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward Amber’s bed. “Mommy” Amber whispers.
I expect her to be angry that Della is calling me mommy but instead she smiles. “You must be Olivia. I’m Amber Ace’s.” She stops herself from finishing. “Ace’s mother-in-law and Della’s nana. I’m Olivia. It’s very nice to finally meet you. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
A tear runs down her cheek as she offers me her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad that Ace found you. He
and Della deserve to be happy after all my daughter put them through.” It’s strange when the strength of her
words washes over me. “Danica, what the hell was that?” “That’s the power of perception I told you about.
That is the feeling we will have when someone is being truthful,” she says.
“Are you alright, Olivia,” Amber asks, her voice laced with concern. “I’m fine. I’m just glad that you’re alright. You gave everyone quite the scare yesterday.” “No one has told me anything. Did you figure out why I passed
out. I assume part of it was because I rejected Bart,” she says. Ace looks at me and then down at Della.
“Ace, why don’t I take Della for a walk while you talk to Amber about her blood work.” He smiles before he
rounds the bed and press a kiss on my lips. Della giggles and I scoop her up in my arms. I lean her down so
she can kiss Amber before I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “We won’t be long.”
Ace POV
As soon as the door is closed, I turn to face Amber. How anyone could harm such a sweet woman I’ll never know. “Based on your expression, it must be pretty bad. Am I dying,” she says, attempting humor. “Hey that’s not funny Amber.” “Ace, I have just rejected my mate who has been a ba**ard most of our mateship. I have two daughters who are despicable wolves. You have a new mate. She isn’t going to want your fake mate’s mother around, and I don’t blame her. I might be better off,” she says.
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< 34 Amber’s Awake
“Did you hear anything that Olivia or I just said to you? She wants you around Amber. We all do. I don’t care if Candace is a b**ch and no longer my wife. You will always be my mother-in-law. Now I don’t want to hear you say such things again. We are family and nothing is going to change that.”
I take a deep breath just about to tell her that the man the goddess chose for her has been poisoning her when the door to the room bangs open and two people I had hoped not to see again walk in. “Mom, oh my goddess, what happened,” Candace asks with faux concern. She rushes over to the side of Amber’s bed while Collette stands stock still by the door. What the hell are they doing here? Does Connor know they are here?
I close my eyes and reach out to Connor through the Alpha link. “Connor, Candace and Collette are here.” “I’m sorry I should have linked you. They showed up at the gates demanding to see their mother. I have no idea who from the pack told them, but I couldn’t deny their request. However, if Amber wants them to leave you have my permission to call the guards” he says. “Alright, thank you,” I say and cut the link.
When I open my eyes Candace is staring at me. “I assume you were checking with Alpha Connor about us being here.” she says smugly. I ignore her comment. “Amber, do you want me to give you privacy or do you want me to stay while these two are here?” “These two, how dare you speak about me like I’m beneath you. You are the human, remember. I dumped you for someone better. So don’t act all high and mighty because you found your mate,” she says.
“Enough Candace. You will not speak to my son that way,” Amber says. “He isn’t your son anymore. He is nothing to you. I am your daughter,” she says. “You stopped being my daughter when you turned into a conniving mean-spirited woman who lied about being mates with Ace and abandoned my grand pup,” she says, offering me her hand.
I take it as she turns back toward Candace and Collette. “The two of you can leave. I have my family right here,” she says, motioning to our joined hands. Candace looks like her head is about to explode and I can’t help but smile that she is getting exactly what she deserves.
