Chapter 33: The Memory

Amara, Rory and Gabriel arrived back in Casper and went home. Rory gave Amara a kiss goodbye before getting into his car and heading off to school. She went upstairs to change into a black long sleeved shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes before heading over to the pack house for chores. She spent a good portion of the day cleaning and such with Benjamin before she had to go to work, where she'd already put in her two week notice.

While at work, a couple of school girls came into the shop and asked how she was doing after being suspended. Amara laughed, saying she was doing just fine. Jake, her boss, kept talking about how much he was going to miss her and she brushed him off each time, talking about how she'd visit often.

"So why are you moving? And where?" Jake asked.

Amara looked around the store, not seeing anyone who could eavesdrop on the conversation. "I'm going to Scotland, but do not tell anyone."

"Scotland? What the hell for?" he whispered.

"I found my mate."

"And he lives in Scotland?"

"No. He did, but he's moving back."

"But why?"

Amara looked around again, careful to see that no one was listening in as she folded t-shirts. "He's going to be Alpha of his pack."

"And you're gonna be the Luna? What?!"

"Shh, keep it down!" Amara giggled. "Long story short, he was the Alpha, then he passed the title down to his younger brother Malcolm but...Malcolm feels unfit for the role, so Rory is taking it back."

"Rory? Your mate's name is Rory?"

Amara nodded. "Yes, but not a word of this to anyone."

"My lips are sealed," Jake said.

As the work evening turned into night, Amara finished up her jobs and left the store. As she drove home, she had a Marilyn Manson CD in and was singing along to the songs playing. Tom and Henry were following her in Tom's car and as soon as she got home, she waved at them and they took off. Amara went inside and cooked herself something to eat, then she went upstairs, almost running into Luna Skye.

"Oh my goodness!" Skye yelped.

Amara took a step back and raised a brow. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I was distracted and didn't hear you coming." Amara nodded and walked around Skye towards her room. "Miss Jenson?"

Amara stopped, silently cursed and turned to look at Skye. "Yes?"

Skye approached cautiously. "I'm going to be straight forward. Malcolm has urged that I try to get to know you."

Amara scoffed. "Oh yeah, that'll be the day," Dakota said.

"Why?" Amara asked.

"You are to be the future Luna. And...well," Skye began fidgeting with her fingers, "he told me not to burn bridges."

Amara thought this was rather odd behavior coming from a woman who threw a temper tantrum about no longer being Luna, let alone flat out called her a curse for being a black wolf. She tilted her head to one side, wondering just how much sway Malcolm held over the woman. Was it because of the mate bond that she was so compliant? Did he order it as an Alpha? Would Rory ever try to persuade Amara in those ways to do his bidding? She hoped not.

"I see. Well," Amara sighed. "I suppose I better get practicing on my diplomatic skills. Are you hungry?"

"I could eat," Skye responded cheerfully.

"Alright. Let's go downstairs and I'll scrounge us up a snack, then we can get acquainted."

The two women went down the stairs and Amara started digging around in the pantry for something to munch on. When she found something, she held the items out to Skye.

"I'm not sure what kind of snacks you have in Scotland, but uh...I hope these will do," Amara said, holding up a bag of pretzels and cheese dip.

"Oh, pretzels. I love pretzels," Skye managed with a smile.

Amara nodded and popped the dip in the microwave to heat it up. When that was done, she pulled it out and set it on the island counter before opening it as well as the pretzel bag. The two girls started dipping in and began having a conversation.


Rory drove into the driveway of the Forrester mansion and got out of his car before walking up to the house. He rang the door bell and waited for someone to answer. The door popped open after a bit to reveal Amara and she smiled.

"Hi, baby..." she cooed, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him.

"Hello, mo caraid," he said, kissing her. "How was your day?"

Amara pulled him into the house and directed him upstairs. "It was okay. I uh, did chores, did work at Hot Topic, came home...had a heart to heart with your former mate."

Rory's jaw dropped as he looked at Amara in shock. "Seriously?"

"Uh huh. Though it was a bit awkward. I still don't like her that much but Dakota and I have decided not to rip her head off."

Rory burst out laughing and held her hand. "Remind me never to piss you off."

Amara suddenly stopped in front of her room. "Rory?"

"Hmm?"

She bit her lip and looked at the floor. "You...would you ever try to manipulate me into doing something I didn't want to do?"

"I don't follow."

"Malcolm convinced Skye to come speak to me. Now how he did it, I'm not sure...maybe because of the mate bond or he ordered it as Alpha. I don't know but...would you ever do that to me?"

He frowned and rested his hands on her shoulders. "You're asking if I'd ever demand you to do something in my Alpha voice?"

Amara nodded. "Yes. For example...when Malcolm told Skye to be quiet on the plane. Would you ever command that I...what's the phrase you guys use? Haud my wheesht?"

He burst out into laughter. "Haud yer wheesht. But no, I can't imagine ever telling you to shut up. And if I did, well, I suspect it would only make you upset." Rory stroked her cheek. "The last thing I want to do is make you upset."

She smirked shyly up at him. "Okay, because I should warn you. Alpha demands don't work on me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean...if Gabriel were to command me to do something, I have the option of disobeying him."

Rory's eyes blinked wildly. "Really? That's amazing. With all Alphas? With your father as well?"

"No, it became that way when I first shifted."

"I see. So, another black wolf quality, huh?"

Amara shrugged. "I guess." She opened the door and they both walked in. "So what are we going to tell the Oceans Howl Pack about me being a black wolf?"

Rory sat on the bed and intertwined his fingers. "I think the information should be on a need to know basis."

Amara scrunched up her face at him. "Meaning?"

"Meaning the pack doesn't need to know. Graham and Ewan will need to know, but they'll-"

"Who are Graham and Ewan?"

"My Beta and Gamma."

"Ooooh. Do you think they'll be alright with knowing?"

"They'll come around. I'll make them come around."

Amara chuckled and sat on the bed with him. "You're so sure of everything, aren't you?"

"Yes, I suppose I am. I was taught to be absolutely sure of any decisions I would make. There's very little positive in second guessing one's self constantly."

She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. "But sometimes it is necessary to second guess, isn't it?"

"Sometimes, yes. I have to admit, I was very unsure about you at first."

"You were?"

"Yes. Darragh was almost adamant that we were mates even before you turned eighteen. I was convinced it was just your abnormal scent driving us both crazy, but..."

Suddenly she laughed. "I drove you crazy, huh?"

A low grumbling laugh escaped Rory's throat. "Oh, Miss Jenson, you have no idea how crazy you made me from the moment you first walked into my classroom."


Mr. Shaw sniffed the air a bit as he settled his things on the desk. Lots of juvenile scents from teenagers were present but there was one that stood out though it was quite faint. He couldn't make it out very well over all the scents so he decided to ignore it despite how good it smelled.

"Well, this is our first day, Rory," Darragh said in Mr. Shaw's head. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," Rory replied in his head. "Nothing will catch me off guard today."

"Not even who this black wolf is? I can't believe they have one in the pack."

"I know, but let's not carry judgment, Darragh. "

"But they're wild and unpredictable. And ugly. Everyone knows that."

Mr. Shaw chuckled and shook his head. Just then, the wonderful scent he smelled earlier appeared once more as he made his way to the blackboard.

"Do you smell that?" Rory asked.

"Yes. It smells wonderful. What is that?" Darragh inquired.

As the smell got stronger, Mr. Shaw turned away from the blackboard, having forgotten that he was going to write his name when he saw a student at his door. Long, black hair, dashing emerald eyes and a small but strong looking frame of a girl was staring back at him and he almost dropped his chalk at her beauty and smell.

"Oh my Goddess..." Mr. Shaw thought.

"She's pure bonnie, Rory. Who is she?" Darragh asked.

"A student," Rory realized based on the fact that she was wearing a back pack, panicking on the inside.

There was no way he was going to allow himself to think inappropriately about a student.

"Hello. I'm Mr. Shaw, your new math teacher," Mr. Shaw said.

"Um...uh...hi, I'm Amara Jenson," the girl said.

"The black wolf," Darragh said.

"Now now, Darragh. No judgments," Mr. Shaw thought to his wolf.

"The only judgment I'm passing is how much I want to rut with her."

Mr. Shaw did his best not to blush. "It's nice to meet you, Amara," he said.

He watched a shy smile spread across her face before she sat down and for the life of him, he could not stop staring. She smelled and looked like perfection itself. How could someone that bonnie be a black wolf? Her emerald green eyes shifted to meet his and Rory felt his mouth go dry.

"So, um...you're from Scotland?" Amara inquired quickly.

This made Rory chuckle. "You caught the accent, huh? Yes, I'm from Scotland."

"Huh."

The girl looked back down at her math book, and yet Mr. Shaw kept his eager blue eyes on her. He began to study every visible part of his student. The way her hair fell across her cheeks when her head was lowered. The way her keen eyes darted across when she was reading. How her plump lips parted as she breathed. Rory found that he was absolutely fascinated by this young beauty but he couldn't figure out why. Suddenly her eyes lifted and locked onto his. Amara looked a little intrigued.

"Um, not to be rude, but...is there a reason you're staring at me?" she asked him.

"Oh bollucks, way to not be creepy," he thought to himself.

"I apologize, Amara," he replied. "I know it's a little inappropriate, but I was informed you have a black wolf and you're...not what I expected."

"Word gets around fast, I guess," she practically snarled.

"Oh no. You've offended the lass. Apologize," Darragh urged.

Before Mr. Shaw could say anything, the beautiful smell disappeared and kids started coming into class.


It was Amara's first day back at school and she decided to go in early to avoid the stares and whispers of the crowd, but she had stopped at a Starbucks to get some white chocolate mocha coffee. As she made her way towards math class, her thoughts immediately went to Rory.

Her math teacher and boyfriend.

This was surely going to be something until his two weeks were up.

Amara clasped onto her scent suppressing necklace tightly. Gabriel, Rory and Amara had decided it was best to hide that she had mated with someone for now, for once one is mated, their scent changes to let others know that they are taken. And considering Mr. Shaw was now mated as well, it was best not to let people put two and two together.

The smell of cinnamon and ginger wafted into her nose and she smiled. It was her mate's scent and she loved it, hovering at the math class door. When Amara walked in, she was greeted by Rory's award winning smile and she beamed right back at him.

"Mr. Shaw," she greeted casually, sitting down at her desk.

"Amara," he answered with his face still bright. Amara took a drink of her coffee and as she set it down, Rory came walking over to her. "Amara, do you think you could help me with something?"

"Yes, of course," she replied. "With what?"

He made a "come hither" motion with his finger and she got up, following him to the classroom's supply closet. Rory opened it and they both walked in. When Amara turned to face him and ask what he needed help with, he pulled her close and kissed her softly. It made her giggle as she put her arms around him.

"Mr Shaw," she chastised playfully. "We shouldn't be doing this at school."

Rory laughed. "I'm sorry, I can't help myself, mo caraid. Besides, we have a whole half hour before anyone shows up. We could get so much done in a half hour."

Amara raised a brow suggestively. "Oh really? What did you have in mind, baby?"

Rory wiggled his eyebrows at her before chortling and kissing her again. "Like you need to ask..."