Abbie's POV
The moment I walked away from Armand, I knew it was just a matter of time before discovering the absolute truth.
I hid while ensuring Anthony was cared for somewhere else to keep him safe, and I followed Armand without anyone knowing. I saw how he argued with Jen and Tara. I hid while hearing how he stormed toward Taylor's room.
But my biggest disappointment was when I peaked a little and saw the way he argued with a so-called friend of mine.
I can't tell you how turmoiled I felt at the moment. I wanted to rip her apart but couldn't blow my cover. It was enough trouble trying to get in there unnoticed and hiding my scent.
But if it weren't for me, Merida would have forced herself out and done it on my behalf. I knew better, though; we cannot be too hasty. Armand is a piece of work, but I get why he did it now. He had the hots for this chick. I mean, I don't know how old she is, but she looks young. Which I don't get, so I'm still confused. If she could do magic, it simply meant she could disguise herself from her true identity or make herself look younger. Either way, I have to think of what to do before I take a wrong step.
He was in love with that so-called Matisa. Whoever she is, I have to warn Hunter that something terrible is about to happen. And holly shit, she can do magic? I thought she was just a damn normal human, but no... I always have to get stuck with the weird ones.
But as I returned to our pack house holding Anthony's hand, he sensed my turmoil. He tugged at my hand and made me look at him. "Abbie, are you ok?" he asked, making me smile at him.
"I'm fine, Tony. Hey, uh... I was thinking, do you want to make some cookies with me before Hunter gets home?" I asked, making him smile.
"Yes! Can we make those big chocolate chunk cookies Hunter likes?" he asked enthusiastically.
"Definitely! We can make some of those tiny sugar cookies you liked, too, if you want. Wanna help make them?" his eyes grew wider as he jumped up and down and smiled.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... oh, thank you, Mom!" he says, hugging me, making my eyes widen in shock.
"Uh... I mean... thank... thank you, Abbie," he says, embarrassed with his words.
"You get kiddo. Come on, let's go get started." I said, not wanting to correct him. It felt nice, actually. I wouldn't mind officially adopting him if Hunter and I ever got married.
I took his little hand in mine and went to our room. While I had him wash up and put his stuff away, I went downstairs to the kitchen, where the girls were more than happy to lend me ingredients.
Then I carried everything in a big shopping bag and assembled everything.
As we began to mix a nice batter for the double chocolate chunks Hunter likes, I saw Anthony was a bit nervous about helping me. So, to make him feel at ease, I put music on.
Anthony began to feel more confident, but out of nowhere, his hand slipped, making him drop the bowl on the kitchen island, causing it to splash all over him. Some went on my hair and cheek, making me gasp.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Abbie, I didn't mean to; I'm so sorry!" his little voice trembled, and his lip quivered, making my heart sink.
We both froze for a second, him on the verge of crying. Then I hear Merida laughing away in my head, making me burst into laughter.
"Are you... mad?" he says, but my stomach hurt so bad I couldn't stop laughing, making me hold my stomach.
I nodded and waved my finger 'no,' making him look up with puppy eyes as I pointed to his shirt. He looked down and around, making him burst into laughter.
"You... you have cookie batter all over!" I said, making him laugh.
"You have some in your hair, momma!" he says, not realizing his words. And though I felt so emotional about him calling me mom again, I didn't want to kill his mood. So I continued to laugh.
"We made such a mess! There's... There's a big chocolate chunk in your hair, baby!" I said as I took it out of his hair and showed him, making him pause. His eyes teared up, looking at me as if he wanted to cry.
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" I asked, knitting my brows.
"I miss my grandma, Abbie. I don't remember my mom. I... I always wanted a mom. I wish you and Hunter were my real parents." he says, sinking my heart.
I hugged him tightly, making his little face buried in my stomach. "Oh, Tony. Hunter and I might not be your biological parents, but you are one of us now, sweetie. You are a Black now. Don't ever doubt it, ok?" I said, making him hug me tighter. I kissed the top of his head, holding him in my arms.
Before I knew it, we mainly had everything cleaned up. We began a new batch and danced and sang along to the music when Hunter came in. He smiled from ear to ear as he looked at us dancing.
I smiled from ear to ear, seeing him back. I couldn't help but run to him, hugging him over his neck and kissing his lips.
"Look at you two! What's going on in here, huh?"
"Hunter, Abbie, and I are making cookies. Do you want to try some? She made your favorite." he says, lifting a plate where Hunter's favorite double chocolate chunks were displayed.
Hunter grabbed a cookie and took a big bite off one, making his eyes roll back as he moaned in pleasure.
"Oh my god! These are so good, Anthony. Did you make them?" Hunter muffled, making Tony chuckle.
"No. Abbie made them. I helped stir the batter, though. Do you like them?" he asks with a gleam.
"I love them. You guys are really good," he says, taking the cookie in his mouth. He wraps his hand around my waist and kisses my lips.
"Listen... I was thinking, why don't we spend the rest of today inside, huh? I can have someone bring takeout, and we can watch movies. What do you guys say?" Hunter says, making me smile as I look at him like a dummy.
"Yeah!" Anthony chimes with a bright smile.
"Yeah? Awesome. Let's do this! First, you have to help me, ok?" Hunter says, kissing my lips and then going to grab Tony, hugging him tightly and ruffling his hair. Tony chuckles, hugging him tightly.
"First, we gotta get rid of this damn sofa!" he says, making my eyes widen in shock. "What?" I asked, a bit shocked. I have been eyeing this awesome sofa in a furniture place nearby, but he's reluctant to get rid of his hard-ass leather sofa.
"Yup, I asked Henry to get rid of this thing. He should be here in a bit with the new one."
"New one?" I asked, raising a brow. "That's right, baby-that monster thing with the recliners you wanted. I called the old man at the furniture place, and he should have it sent in a bit," he says, making my mouth gawk openly.
"Ok... hold up!" I said, holding my hand up and making them look at me as they moved stuff out of the way. "Who are you, and what have you done with my Hunter?" I asked, making him burst into laughter.
"Baby, I'm right here. But, I just think you're right. I was thinking about the last time you were mad at me, and you made me sleep in this thing. My back really hurt. You're right. This thing is a killer. So, I just thought it was a good idea to get the one you wanted." he says, shrugging his shoulders.
The alarm dinged, and I squinted my eyes for a second before going over, placing my gloves on, and taking out a new batch of cookies.
I have no idea what he's up to, but the way things have been so crazy, I know a lot is stressing him out. The last time I talked to Livie, she said they had found the main culprits behind all the disappearing girls. She told me that there was a much more sinister reason for their disappearance, not just using them as sex slaves.
I can only imagine how much weight Hunter has on his shoulders. It's not just taking care of our pack, but, trying to find these girls, bringing them home, and bringing an end to all this must be awfully hard.
I want to help, but I feel like I am useless. If only I could do something about it and ease all the weight on his shoulders.
For now, I just want to enjoy and give him this joy of wanting to do something nice for me.