Page 9

As usual, they all bowed their heads while their mother prayed. Amelia, her mom, is a very religious woman and she did her best to bring them up in a Christian way too. After prayer, they all dug into the food.

"So, how did the shopping go?" Valentina asked while trying to slice her stubborn beef into several pieces.

"Went well. Sandra helped me. I brought everything I'll need." She responded with her mouth filled with tater tot casserole.

"I'm so glad you took some time off work to come to stay with us," Amelia said, "We don't get to see you more often. These past three weeks have made me really happy, now I'm just sad that you're going back to work already."

"No, mother, I'm not going back to work. I’m leaving Oklahoma to go to New York."

Her parent's eyes widened together, glanced at each other before they focused their attention on her, "New York? Why?" Her mother asked.

"I've been in Oklahoma all my life. I want to see new places, get a different breath of fresh air, meet new people, explore new things, and have some fun..." She shrugged, "It's like a vacation of some sort for a week or two."

"Wow. I'm surprised. You always talked about how you hated traveling and making long distant journeys. We never thought you'll leave Oklahoma." Her father remarked, chewing on the salad in his mouth.

"Never thought that I'll be dying soon, either." She mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." She was quick to reassure her father, "What I meant is that I think it's time I tried new things."

"We're definitely in support of you. Who knows, you might find a young man," A wishful smile clouded Amelia's slightly wrinkled but very beautiful face, "get married and have sweet beautiful children."

Valentina snorted out loud, "As if. Anyway, I agree with mother. For once you aren't working your ass off for that jerk boss of yours. Who knows, you might bag a hot dude."

"Well, that isn't the first thing on my mind, that's for sure. But if it works that way, it's all good too." Ismena lied, swallowing the sudden lump that formed on her throat. "Anyway, this meal tastes very delicious, mother. I have missed your home cooking."

She smiled warmly to her mother who returned the smile, "I'm really glad that you are here, Ena. When is your flight leaving?"

"In three days."

The clatter of spoon dropped back in the plate filled the air. Amelia took her daughter's hand into hers from across the table, and squeezed gently, "I'll make sure I cook more of your favorite dishes in the next three days."

I'm dying. Tears prickled the back of her eyes, but she blinked hard to keep them away. "You're gonna get me fat, mama." She teased.

"A little fat won't hurt, you will still be beautiful."

She squeezed her mother's hand, "I love you, Mama."

"I love you too, my baby." Amelia grinned lovingly at her.

NATURIAH

Hours later, Alphose was in the house of Eline, a packmate and a friend. She'd offered him sex wholeheartedly when she got the slightest hint of his uneasiness, and he'd taken what she offered. Their packs are like family, they always help each other out especially when it comes to their changeling nature.

Sexual contact when needed is freely given with warmth and genuine love for a packmate, and the males respect their women for it.

Alphose kissed Eline's forehead with gratitude and respect before he rose from the bed, and began putting on his clothes.

She dressed too and offered him dinner with a warm smile. He'd accepted. Together, they walked to the kitchen sat down on the chair, and watched her make omelets. His cougar is calm again, he is feeling more relaxed than he'd felt in a long time.

Eline has always been a good friend of his, so he told her about his run-in with a potential mate, and what the Alpha King has to say about that.

"He's glad she's dying?" Eline winced, "That's harsh, even for the Alpha King."

"It's not, really. You know why he hates 'normal' people. His experience with them was not been a good one."

She nodded, "I hated them too, hell, I did before," a smile feathered her lips, "but not anymore. Not all of them are like... 'them'. Besides, Kara and Nomah are my good friends now and I love them so much."