“I’m getting ready to sit with you a while longer, Mom,” I told her.
“No. I mean, why are you letting her go?”
I lowered my head. “I’m needed here, Mom. Things have happened and the pack is on the verge of breaking apart.”
“It’s always that way,” Mom said, somewhat dismissively. “Staying here while Amber leaves would be one of the greatest mistakes of your life. And while I love you, dear, you’ve made a great many of them already.”
Her sudden defense and support of Amber confused me. “I thought you preferred Olivia.”
“Don’t bring up ancient history,” she said. “And don’t deflect.” She sighed. “I do apologize for overhearing your conversation, but I did hear it. I know you want to keep the pack together, but the pack is stronger than you think. It’s held together without you all this t
