NOVEL NEXT Chapter 322: Late is better than never
Lucretia knocked at Amanda's door, and she bit her lips when she saw the parents opening. How unlucky, she hoped to see Amanda directly.
«I wanted to help, but I don't know how,» she explained, bowing her head in shame. She had disturbed them late in the night, but they didn't seem displeased.
«Renato is with that woman, and she sent me out, so... What... Where can I go?»
«Come in,» they said. «Amanda can help you. The wounded are mostly in the infirmary. I'm sure they need some help.»
«Oh, thanks,» she said, walking in.
«You can bring this as well,» they added, packing some first aid equipment in a bag.
«I'm late,» Lucretia sighed.
«Late is better than never, child.»
Amanda came down the stairs after hearing the voices, and she observed how Lucretia was stacking towels and bandages in two bags. The battle was over, and that brat had realised how to be useful... Even so, most wolves were already recovering in their homes.
«What are you doing?» she inquired. «And what happened at the residence? Where is my brother?»
«He's with that woman,» Lucretia said, walking out, followed by the other girl. «She sent me away as if I was a pest.»
«Yeah? What a surprise.»
«She said to go help the wounded, but I couldn't find them.»
«Okay... We can go to the infirmary. There are a few wolves who need help, and we have a single doctor. The pack is dissolving, so there isn't anyone who thought about helping yet.»
«Dis-solving?» Lucretia repeated.
«Yes. Since we have no Alpha, we can't be a pack.»
«But... Oh, but...»
Lucretia bowed her head, stopping her walk. Amanda turned, halting as well to see what was the matter.
«My brother abandoned me,» Lucretia whispered, her eyes fixed on the ground. She could see her shoes, and also Amanda's gumshoes. «He left and abandoned me here.»
«Well, mine didn't,» Amanda sighed. «My brother didn't abandon me.»
They both stood in silence for a few moments until Amanda thought it was the right time.
«I'm telling you this not because I want to pour salt on your wounds. But you need to open your eyes, Lucretia. Your brother abandoned you, and he abandoned the whole pack. It's his fault if we're dissolving. And he was too lazy to take care of you, so he spoiled you rotten. It's better for you if you wake up now.
Things won't be easy, especially without a family. But it will make you stronger, believe me.»
«I... I saw what Armando did to you. I'm so sorry, Mandy. I didn't think that it would turn out like that. I didn't even know you had become an Omega. I couldn't sense anything, so I thought my brother let you go.
That he forbade you from going out just like me.»
«What would you have done if you knew?»
«No-nothing,» she confessed. «What could I even do?»
«You're just like your friends. It's easy to hang out with someone when things are going well, isn't it?»
«I'm sorry,» she whined.
«Sorry or not, now it's over. We won't be part of the same pack in a while, so you don't need to talk to me if you don't want to.»
«I... I want to,» Lucretia said. «I don't have anyone else! My brother abandoned me, and yours is pretending to be sick so that woman can take care of him! I'm alone!»
«Alone? Wait, are you sure Renato is pretending? Maybe we should go check on him. What if they need some medicine?»
«I left them enough already. We really shouldn't go there now. He's tough. A few wounds shouldn't be a big problem to him.»
«No, but... How many wounds are we talking about? I don't think he would stoop as low as to pretend just so that Samantha forgave him!»
«Hmm... I don't know, but she told me it will be all right.»
«Then it's good,» Amanda sighed. «Let's go check on the wounded, now. They might need us to help. Even some encouragement.»
«Yes, yes,» Lucretia replied, trailing after Amanda. «Do you think my brother will come back?»
«I bet he will, but it would be better if he doesn't. Most of us won't welcome him anymore.»
«But he's the Alpha.»
«He was. Until he ran away while we were in danger.»
«You're so mean, Mandy.»
«And you're biased, Lu. You better change your attitude, or you won't survive two days in the harsh world.»
«Okay,» she murmured, rolling her eyes. Her attitude was just perfect: confident and mature. Why did she need to change?
«You don't have your brother backing you up, now.»
«Oh, right...» Maybe, confidence wasn't fit to show to everyone.
«Also, don't even think of making things difficult for Samantha.»
«That woman?»
«Yes. She's Renato's mate.»
«M-mate?» Could that day turn any worse?
«Yes, they're fated. And you will see him transform into an obedient dog with her because she's a little angry with him. I hope it doesn't shock you too much, but it's like this. He won't risk losing her for nothing in the world, not even his pride.»
«I don't believe you!»
«Don't say I didn't warn you later.»
«Oh, don't be silly!»
«Silly? Wasn't I a freak? Isn't it normal for me to be silly?»
«You're not a freak, just a little strange,» she said.
«You said it to me, Lucretia. Don't you remember anymore?»
Lucretia stopped on her steps, hit by that sentence.
«Oh,» she moaned. «I did.»
She looked at Amanda with wide eyes, feeling the weight of her words on her shoulders: both the words she had said in the past and those pressing on her tongue.
«I'm sorry, Amanda.»
«Are you? Or is it just this situation? I think you're just afraid to be left alone, so you're clinging to me.»
«Maybe I am, but I still am sorry. I've been a jerk with you.»
Amanda smirked before turning the corner. They had reached the infirmary, finally.
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«At least, you know it,» she said, shaking her head. «It's a step in the right direction.»