Page 32 of Lightning Strikes

“I need to eat, and nap… And drink some more ginger ale.” I chuckle and rub her leg.

“I’m sure they’ll have everything we need when we arrive.” I look up at the rearview mirror and tilt my head at Russell.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll call the alpha and request a meal with… ginger ale.” He sends us a questioning look and I nudge Angela and she sighs.

“I’m pregnant. First pup and all that.” She waves her pale hand around in front of her. “Just ignore me when I’m cranky and bring me snacks, apparently.”

Paul tightens his lips as he twists around again and blinks at Angela. “In that case… Let me call the alpha.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and has a low conversation as I continue to stare at the ceiling with furrowed brows. I listen to the one-sided conversation, and apparently Ang has been assigned personal guards now.

They truly take care of their shifters here… It’s a blessing in disguise. We wouldn’t have been rushing the move if Angela didn’t get pregnant… And if Carolina never came along, I imagine she would have been mated to Adam by now, pregnant withhispup, and stuck. As much as she thinks she would have been able to talk him into leaving to raise their pups, I doubt he would have.

She would still be left to raise the pup on her own. But I would still be there, always. No matter what, she’s always come first.

Paul sets his phone on the dash and claps his hands once. “Well, looks like you’ll be getting friendly with Russell and me. He’s assigned us to you and you’ll have two more that you’ll meet in the coming days. He’s also expressed how in your… condition, he is offering for you to stay here instead of traveling back and forth to move. He will cover moving expenses and send out trucks to move all of your items, if you so wish. It’s not mandatory or anything. Just an offer.”

Angela frowns and chews on her lip. She runs her fingers through her hair, quickly braiding it over her shoulder as she mulls it over. I for one am all for her staying. Mom can stay with her while I finish up my two weeks of work, dad and I can pack up, then load up the trucks when they arrive and we can charter a private plane since we have Scout and Max. Not sure if I want to deal with two young animals on a long drive. Is it too soon to make that decision? Maybe we should check out the pack and the alpha first…

“Something to think about and talk over throughout the weekend. No need to make the decision now, baby.” I run my fingers over her pale and clammy face and she sighs and nods. My mom is still scribbling in her notebook and I’m sure Angela would like a quick nap. So I stay quiet and think about how I can convince Angela to stay here for a few weeks and get settled in. Personal guards, her own house, and a job she will love… I don’t see any issues.

All she has to do is call up Melissa and Cassie to let them know she’s already found a house and decided to stay, to go ahead with their plans and hire help as soon as possible… I know she will feel terrible about ‘abandoning’ them, but it’s time to put herself first. They can handle the office.

Honestly, I don’thaveto show back up to work… I can use up my sick days and vacation time and be paid to just not show up. We have enough humans on the force to not worry about my patrols.

I glance over to my mom and cluck my tongue at her so that she looks at me. “What do you think we should do?”

She snorts at me and sends me a look. “We have plenty of time to talk about it. I think we should wait until we see the community and have our meetings with the alpha and the current healer.” I sigh as I curl my arm around Angela’s shoulder so that she leans on me for a better sleep.

I use my left hand to wiggle my phone out of my pocket so that I can send a message to dad to update him. This pack is sounding better and better.

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