Chapter 41.

Chapter 41.
Amelia’s POV.

I wake up before the babies and go to the kitchen to get their bottles ready before going back up to the nursery, I pull out the girls clothes for the day as River begins to stir in her crib.

After dealing with the babies my mother comes in to take over, I head outside to sit in the garden until Ella’s awake. Maybe she’s right, maybe I’ll find my mate when the packs all show up for the birth announcement. I lay back closing my eyes day dreaming of what my mate could be like, I hope he’s nice and kind hearted. I focus on the sun beating down around me warming my skin as I doze off to the amazing floral smell that dances in the wind.

I feel Ella lay down beside me and I open my eyes looking over to her, she lets out a deep breath as she lets her body fall back.
“Have you heard from Loral yet?” I ask softly as she shakes her head and I feel defeated.
“Everything is set up and ready for the birth announcement?” She asks rolling over to face me.
“Yes we are ready for this weekend and we’ve had some answers from the other pack attending already.” I answer softly.

“Where’s Bella?” I ask abruptly breaking the silence.
“She’s inside eating breakfast, she’s having a hard time understanding what has happened.” Ella says as I see her face drop. They’re just children and this is all so confusing to them.
“Maybe we should take her out shopping today, spend some time with her and let her get to know us.” I suggest as she nods and we both sit up.
“Thats a great idea, lets go find her.” And with that we are off to the kitchen.

Ella goes to find the little old woman we met the other day to ask if we can take Bella for the day, I’m sure she won’t have an issue with it seeing as she’ll be working all day anyways.
“Hi Amelia!” She yells as she runs over to me with Ella walking just behind her.

“Steele is going to meet us at the car to come with us.” Ella says softly pulling Collin’s keys out when all of a sudden a sparkling glimmer comes fluttering over quickly as we both stop in our tracks to watch it. Loral appears in front of us as my heart pounds and I know it’s not good.

“Loral! Did you find anything?” Ella asks as the small child now clings to my leg not understanding what’s going on.
“I found Matilda.” She says coldly as Ella’s eyes go wide waiting for her to continue.
“So wheres Amber?” I ask abruptly, Loral pauses not wanting to answer and I can tell she’s struggling to spit it out.

“Just say it.” Ella says just above a whisper.
“She’s dead.” Loral’s eyes hit the ground as I see Ella’s go dark like the forest at night.
“How.” She states through gritted teeth and Loral takes a deep breath before talking.

“I found them in the forest just outside your pack, Matilda was beside a steam holding something crying hysterically as I walked up.” She pauses while Ella’s eyes drop.
“She drowned her in the stream to keep from losing her to you and the pack, I found a suicide note in Ambers pocket. I guess Matilda was going to kill herself next but I got to her first.” She finishes while pulling on her fingers as I see Ella clench her fists to either side of her.

“Where is she now?” Her voice doesn’t even sound like her own, the anger that seethes out is terrifying.
“She’s locked in my cells with my troll guards watching her.” Loral answers as Estella takes off and you can feel her anger pour off her in waves.

“Take Bella shopping with Steele, I’ll catch up with you later.” Ella yells as Loral runs behind her.
“Well looks like it’s just me and you.” I say looking down at the small child still wrapped around my legs as she nods happily smiling. We meet Steele at the car as she’s pulling a bunch of stuff out from the back seat.

“I know I have a booster seat somewhere.” She mumbles to herself as we come up behind her.
“My names Bella.” The small child blurts out when she see’s Steele making her jump.
“Oh hello Bella, my names Steele.” She answers in a bubbly voice making Bella bounce around happily.

“I’m just making room and looking for the booster then we can go, wheres Estella?” She asks pulling another box out before finding the booster.
“She’s with Loral, they had an emergency, so it will be just us today.” I answer softly as she nods and I hear footsteps behind me, I turn quickly to see Enzo walking over.

“Hey babe, Collin said you were going off the pack lands?” He says hugging her from behind as she begins handing the box’s to him.
“I’m taking Amelia and Bella shopping.” She states motioning over to the small child playing in the grass patiently.
“Ok well, be safe.” He says giving her another kiss before taking the box’s and going back inside. She puts the seat in and helps Bella get her buckle on and we are finally on our way.

Steele makes small talk the whole drive as Bella sings quietly in the back to herself, it doesn’t take long before we’re pulling up to the little street lined with shops.
“Do you know where any of the kids stores are?” I ask Steele as I help Bella from her seat.
“Yeah, follow me there’s only a few but I’m sure we can find something she likes.” She says as we start walking over to all the little stands.

We come to a small shop with a few racks outside full of sparkly pink clothing, I hear Bella gasp when she see’s it running over to a little pink dress in the front of the others.
“It’s so pretty, can I get it. Please, please, please.” She says excitedly jumping up and down as Steele laughs behind me.
“We can get what ever you want.” She answers as they start looking through the racks.

“I’m going to check one of the little shops over here, can you please keep an eye on her?” I ask Steele as she nods continuing to help Bella and I turn to go in to a small shop across the little path to find some things for the little woman who’s been raising Bella, I find lots of stuff I think she will like adding it all to my small basket till its overflowing, next I go over to the hand made soaps and lotions.

“Do you need any help dear?” A tall skinny woman asks coming over to me as I shake my head looking through all the products.
“No thank you, I think I’m ok. I’m just getting gifts for a friend.” I answer as she nods coming over to help my anyways.
“They all come from different packs, each soap is made locally to the pack the ingredients are found in, we have traders who bring us the supply’s to sell in the store.” She tells me as I quietly listen choosing a few scents I like before heading to the check out.

I finish up and head back to the store I left the girls at, walking in I see Steele carrying a huge pile of clothing as Bella skips along in front of her tossing stuff on top of the pile making me laugh.
“Ok Bella it’s getting late and you have found lots.” I say smiling at her as she nods and we go to check out all of her things as well.

“Holy kid can shop.” Steele says laughing as we carry all the bags back to the car. Bella falls asleep on the drive back as Steele and I continue talking about what happened with Matilda, I didn’t want to say anything else in front of Bella. It hurts thinking about how I didn’t even get the chance to know Amber, we’ve lost siblings we’ve never even met and regardless it still hurts especially now that I’ve been able to experience the bond Ella and I share and the one I will share with Bella.

Enzo meets us outside to help bring all the bags to Bella’s room as Collin laughs watching us come in with everything and I smile in return. I go to find the little woman as I search the house not coming across her, I finally find her in the kitchen wiping down the counter.
“Oh I found you.” I say letting out a deep breath.
“Whats wrong, is Bella ok?” She asks frantically making me giggle.
“Bella is fine, she has lots of new clothes and is asleep upstairs in her room.” I say as she nods walking over to me.

“I got you some stuff today while I was out.” I say handing the bags to her as her face drops and she looks like she’s about to cry.
“Oh you didn’t have too.” She says looking in to the one bag.
“I wanted to, we’ve lost so many of our sisters and we have Bella because of you. I just wanted to get you some new things now that you’re apart of our family.” I say softly as she burst in to tears and I pull her to me tightly.

“One thing, I didn’t catch your name.” I say as she holds on to me still crying.
“Gretchen.” She answers softly as I pull away from her.
“Ok Gretchen lets bring this stuff up to your room and go find Bella.” I suggest as she nods wiping her tears before we head upstairs.