Page 72 of The Rabbit's Foot
“Of course I did. Why ever would you think I didn’t?”
Alp sniffled and scrubbed at his eyes. “I was a stupid kid. I thought seeing me meant something else, and when that didn’t happen, I figured I had to get away.” He choked out a laugh. “But everyone in the family saw me, and I was too caught up in my head to understand that.”
“You were a boy, love,” she soothed. “Could I have been a better mother? Of course, I—”
“No!” Alp insisted, his voice pitching higher as his nerves kicked in. He had so much to say, and he didn’t even know where to start. “You were an amazing mother. Don’t think that you needed to be better, because you didn’t. You made a home for all of us. It wasn’t perfect, but family never is. That’s why I’m calling you. Are you sitting down?”
“Yes. Are you sure you’re all right? You’re scaring me a little.”
“I’m fine,” he assured her. Then he told her everything that happened from the last time he’d seen her.
When he finished, she blew out a breath. “I’ll have to thank Cece for killing that son of a bitch,” she snarled. “Do wolves like chocolate?”
Alp barked out a laugh a moment before he dissolved into tears. “My mate was dead, Mom. I let him die.”
“Hush, and listen to me, okay? Promise you’ll hear what I’m telling you.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’ll try.”
“Good. That’s the best I can hope for. Shifters are more than animal, more than human. We’re the best parts of both. The problem is, we also have the failings of both as well. Mal is a First wolf. He has to deal with increased aggression. You’re a rabbit. For you, it’s a fight or flight. It’s not something you control—it’s an inherent part of you. But you told me yourself, you pushed beyond it and went after Hyde. See, you went against your nature, and that’s damned impressive.”
“But I couldn’t kill him!” Alp wailed.
She clucked her tongue. “Cece was right. You’re not a killer. You’re a nurturer. The people you’re going to be working with? They need that Alp, not the one who slays giants. Work with your strengths, not ones you wish you had.” She chuckled. “We’re more alike than you know.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Alp replied, scrubbing a hand over his itchy eyes.
“That’s how it’s meant, sweetheart. I will give my life to protect my family, because that’s how I am. You’ll stand up for the people under your care, just like Mal, but yours comes with hugs and kissing skinned knees, telling the girls about periods, and—”
Alp froze and stared at the phone a moment, then brought it back to his ear. “Wait. What?”
“Oh, did you not know that? I’m so sorry,” she said, but it was obvious she wasn’t. “I know this isn’t the perfect way to start a family, but it’s one you and Mal are building with kids and adults who need you to guide them. And if you ever, and I meanever, need me, I’ll be on the next flight out. In fact, if you all need help now, we can get a caravan together and head there. We might be small, but we’re scrappy.”
Once again, tears pricked at Alp’s eyes. “Mom, I love you so much.”
“And I love you too,” she whispered.
He cleared his throat. “So tell me what’s going on in your life.”
She chuckled softly. “Well, I hope you’re sitting down, because this will take a while. Your Aunt Ruth and Uncle Tyler had another litter. They’re up to twenty-seven kids. Oh, and….”
Alp smiled as he found a quiet spot and slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor. He leaned back against the cool surface and listened to his mother as she caught him up on his family, which he swore he’d never take for granted again.
* * *
The work was going smoothly. Well, as smoothly as it could with all the kids running around. Even when they put up barriers, somehow several of the rugrats bypassed them and were amusing themselves by looking at the machinery. Mal was grateful to see they hadn’t lost their sense of wonder. In fact, he asked the workers to take a ten-minute break once a day, so he could show anyone who was interested what was going on.
Today he watched as Damon strode through with Wylie, pointing to various things they were adding. Wylie nodded, then seemed to be asking questions. Damon answered them with a smile. He was right about one thing: this wasn’t the same Damon he’d known. He was always a good First, but now he was more… approachable.
“Mal?”
He turned and found Lydia behind him. “What’s up?”
She winced. “I need to run and get some Pedialyte. A lot of the kids could use the boost, and I didn’t get enough on my last trip to the store.” She clenched her fingers tight. “I can see why so many shifters died,” she snarled. “They didn’t give a goddamn about their health. Oh, they died? We can just get another.” She looked up at Mal, and he could see the hurt in her eyes. “I don’t even know him, and he’s dead and….” Her lip wobbled. “And I hate him so fucking much,” she whispered. “That’s not who I want to be.”
He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “That’s not who any of us wanted to be,” he told her. “Why don’t I go? You can catch a nap or head out,” he offered. “How much do you need?”
She frowned. “At least eight cases, and that’ll probably only tide us over for a week. Some of the adults could use it too. They’re almost all dehydrated. This will help them restore the electrolytes and keep them hydrated.”
