Back and Better by NighttShadee
Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen “Meda”

Amira POV Days have turned into weeks. Weeks have turned into months. And this entire time... I'veheld Meda close as if she’s everything to me. Which she is. My mates have been... Okay. We've allbeen incredibly busy.

Today they're all coming back to the Blood Warriors pack. About a month ago I completed trainingwith the Red River pack, and left

I've had a month of peace to care for little Meda. For my mates, time apart has been torture. Forme? It's been an absolute blessing.

But today... Today is the anniversary of my parents death. I'm in the car, heading back to red river-going to the cemetery where they were buried.

As soon as the cemetery comes into sight I feel tears threaten my eyes, but push them back. I willnot be weak. I refuse to be.

Carefully taking Meda out of her car- seat in the back, I start walking over to their grave stones. Assoon as I get there, I take a seat beside them.

There's a storm brewing, but for once it's not a product of my will. Nature is taking it's course. I takea deep breath, closing my eyes, and suddenly feel a hand on my shoulder. A calming hand.Motherly hand. Not the hand of my mates, but... I look up, and into the eyes of the moon goddess,who smiles at me before sitting herself in front of me.

“They loved you very dearly, you know. They simply didn’t know how to show it” she tells me,wiping away my tears. I nod.

I do believe that they loved me. That doesn’t mean that what they did is okay, but it does helpknowing that at least they felt something for their daughter.

The moon goddess holds out her arms, motioning to Meda. “May 1?” “Of course,” I respond,carefully shifting Meda and handing her over.

“Such a sweet child. Such a calm and mild energy. She's already rather attached to you as if youwere her mother.”

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “What should I do about that?”

The moon goddess looks into my eyes. “Let her. Teach her that her birth parents passed away, buttreat her as your own. Just like you're already doing.”

“But I don't think I'll be a good mother. I mean, my parents didn't exactly raise me. I raised myself.”“Exactly. You raised yourself. You already know how to raise a child. And regardless of that, yourmotherly instincts are fantastic. You'll do very well with Meda.”

Well, if the moon goddess says so, who the f**k am I to oppose? “What about having a father?”

She offers me a small smile. “You already know the answer to that, sweet Amira. Your mates. Theywill all be fantastic fathers, but only with you by their sides.”

She hands Meda back to me, and I place her comfortably on my lap. “I'll be seeing you quite soon,sweet girl. Until then, continue on as you are.” The goddess reaches out and strokes my cheek, rightbefore disappearing. With a sigh I say my goodbyes to my parents, and head home with little Meda.Upon driving up to the Blood Warrior packhouse, I see all three of my mates cars parked outside.Damon has been away on business for about a month, and the other two have been running theirpacks from their own pack houses. f**k me.

I take my time stepping out of the car and walking into the house. As soon as I get in I don't hearany noises, which to me is an opportunity to dash to my room.

Unfortunately I'm intercepted by the three pricks that are my mates. “f**k” I mutter, just as Damonapproaches me. He goes to engulf me in a hug, and I step back. “Watch it! I have a baby!" “Speakingof babies, I've missed you, babygirl” Christian says. “May I hold her?” Erebus asks.

Meda has already begun stirring, and looks like she’s starting to wake up. I carefully hand her tohim, and she fully wakes up.

She glances at Erebus, who is attempting to figure out how to hold her, glances at me, glances backat Erebus, and starts crying, holding her arms out to me.

"Here, give her back. I'll show you how to hold her” I offer. Erebus nervously hands her back to me,and I chuckle because the big bad Alpha and b**m dominant gets nervous around a baby.

I take her and place her on my hip, showing him the most comfortable way to balance her. Shequiets immediately in my hold.

“Having her on your hip when she's awake is easiest. If she's crying, try bouncing her slightly. Drawlittle patterns on her skin with your fingers, gently, and make shhhh sounds. It's the same soundthat babies are accustomed to hearing in the womb, so it calms them down.”

Erebus nods, taking in the information. I don't want to freak Meda out by completely letting her goagain, so when I hand her to Erebus and he properly holds her, I come up right next to him andplace my hand on her arm, rubbing my thumb up and down. She looks at me and I offer her a smile,which she returns. Then, looking tentatively at Erebus, she smiles widely when he makes a funnyface. She giggles and I chuckle.

"Hold up, is this how to get your attention? Holding the baby so you have to be near us?” Christianasks. f**k. It totally is. “MY TURN!" Damon yells.