9

Dear Amelia,

This isn’t the beginning of our story, but it is the start. As I’ve said before, Devyn was the only person who didn’t bully me growing up. He was my first friend- though our friendship kind of ended by the time we were old enough to start school.

Anyway, while I was wallowing in self pity, Devyn was taking care of the tribe on my behalf. He was a new alpha, who just fought in a war, and was taking care of two packs. He was admirable. When I found out he was taking care of the tribe for me, I went to see him. I wanted to thank him, and I didn’t care how late it was.

I’ll never forget how he hugged me. It was like he needed it to stay alive. Like he was afraid of letting go. Maybe I was to. I was too focused on Devyn that I didn’t even notice Jacob was there. When he left, I threw my arms around Devyn again. I needed that hug more than anything. There was a strange sense of peace in my heart knowing Devyn was alive. It was the only thing that was right.

In all the years we’ve known each other, we never hugged. Except that time when I asked him to support me in the war and forgave him for not protecting me when we were growing up. But when I saw him and hugged him, it was like something clicked into place. Like I knew I needed him if I was going to survive. I didn’t want to let him go.

I didn’t know it back then, but that moment solidified something between us. Something deeper than friendship. We needed each other. And although we didn’t say it out loud, we promised to be there for each other.

I told him I was pregnant. I never could keep things from Devyn. Whenever we did talk growing up, I always told him everything. I was always comfortable with him, even if he wasn’t comfortable with me. There was always this unspoken understanding between us, that we would never hurt each other. That we could always trust each other.

That night, as I went to my parents house, Victoria visited me. She told me I’d be pregnant for 25 months. Can you believe I carried Tristan for 25 months? I was so hoping for a short pregnancy. I figured since I was a hybrid, the pregnancy would either be as long as a wolf’s or a vampire’s. Not more than two years. At least it was a short pregnancy with you.

Victoria also told me that some, not all, of my powers would fade since they served their purpose of getting me through the war. The date of my coronation was also set by her.

On the bright side, Victoria was allowed to return to her home since Markus died. She was no longer banned and confined to the Forbidden Woods, or Willow Lake. Creating Markus is what got her banned by the other gods in the first place. I guess him being dead made them happy.

~Mom

MJ. B