Page 60 of Loving Amari

Little Aaron approaches in his pajamas, scratching his head. His curly hair is a complete mess. His pajama shirt is on backward, the tag visible at his throat.

“He’s fated to Nala,” Aaron says matter-of-factly, his voice still rough with sleep.

I look at him, my brow furrowed. He speaks with the certainty of someone far older than he looks. “Yes, I know.”

Aaron straightens. “I’m going to go check on her for him.” The same certainty his mother has when she’s decided something.

I suppress a chuckle because this is not the time to be laughing at a child’s misplaced heroism. The situation is toodire, too dangerous. But there’s something admirable about his loyalty to his friend’s fated mate, even if that loyalty is rooted in his own feelings for the girl.

I watch as Angie’s son starts to walk off with purpose in his steps, but Jacob, his stepfather, catches him by the back of his shirt with one large hand. He lifts Aaron clean into the air like he weighs nothing.

Aaron kicks his feet, glaring up at Jacob.

“Hey, I was just going to check on her!” Aaron protests, still kicking.

Angie suddenly appears beside them, appearing from the shadows where she’d been studying spell books. “You need to sit your bad ass down before I put you into the same nap.”

Aaron’s shoulders slump and he stops kicking immediately, the fight draining out of him as he listens to his mother. E

She mutters something to him about needing to stop coveting that lion shifter. “She doesn’t belong to you and you can’t take a mate from a mate.”

“I know, Mom,” Aaron says, his voice small, almost in embarrassment. His cheeks flush slightly.

Jacob keeps hold of him, his grip careful. “Come help me look through some spell books for solutions.”

He walks back over to the table with Aaron still dangling from his grip like a kitten being carried by its scruff, then sits him down in one of the chairs. Aaron crosses his arms but stays put.

I smile at them having their family moment. Even in crisis, the love is clear—and it’s what I’m missing. I was supposed to be doing this with my own kids right now, making sure Noki and Tofi started bonding again, working through their sibling rivalry. I want this over. I want to go home to Carla and our children, back to the life we’re building.

Angie approaches with a spell book in hand, sweat at her temples from the magic she’s already worked tonight. Her black hair is pulled back in a messy bun, strands escaping around her face. “I have the spell to end the possessions, but this spell says only for one, so it looks like I’d have to perform it one at a time.”

One at a time. There are dozens of possessed children in this academy.

Aaron stands up from his chair, eavesdropping as always. The kid has supernaturally good hearing, even for a shifter. “I can help, Mommy.”

Angie rolls her eyes, but there’s pride hidden in the gesture. “I know.”

“And thank Mother Fate my sisters are at home,” he continues, relief evident in his voice. “I only stayed because of extra trials. Hopefully they’re okay.”

Jacob puts a hand on his shoulder, the large palm nearly covering Aaron’s entire shoulder blade. He eases him back down in his seat. “They’re fine at House of Zorah. The brothers take good care of the pack.”

“Yeah, they do.” Aaron grins, some of his usual spunk returning. “And they’re a little crazy about it too.”

Jacob chuckles,

Leah steps forward. “Let me see the spell. I can help.”

Kade nods. “And teleportation seems to work as well. I’ll do my part.”

Angie passes the book to Leah so she can study the spell, then walks over to Torin. She kneels beside the sleeping boy, her expression softening as she looks at his peaceful face. “These children have been through enough, now this.”

“It’s a good thing they won’t remember anything when they’re free from it,” I point out, trying to find some silver lining in this nightmare.

Angie rolls her eyes at me, the gesture sharp and sarcastic. “Yep, I’m ready to be Wintermoon’s scapegoat. Lovely.” She raises a sarcastic eyebrow and I chuckle despite the tension.

Bobby approaches me with the enclosure in his hands. “Do we still need this?”

Angie nods without looking up from Torin. “Yes. The minute those spirits leave the children, Nathaniel will come to try and put things back into place. We’ll be ruining his plans to come after Solomon.”