~8~

His mom always had something to say about work, maybe some adorable pup that had been chaotic or a sweet blunder that had happened.

But today, her only response was 'fine' and Bryan straightened up. His mom was about to say something important and he wondered what it could be.

His mom was never the type to beat around the bush so he knew that he would be finding out pretty soon.

"I want to move out of the Pack House." Fiona blurted out with a soft smile to ease the blow of her announcement. 

Bryan reeled back, realizing that she hadn't said that they were both moving.

"W-What? Why?" He demanded, his eyes wide.

She had weathered through the months of Amy ripping their family apart with her stupid decisions and now when it was almost over, she was just going to move out?

"Because I want to Bry." Fiona murmured, still keeping her bright expression. 

Bryan still couldn't wrap his head around it. "But you wanted this so much, you literally gave up everything you had in the city for this, I don't understand." He frowned.

Fiona reached over to take her son's hand. "I'm not leaving the Pack, I feel like I lost myself while trying too hard to be a part of the Pack and I just want to find myself again."

"You don't have to come with me, you're an adult now you know, you and Amy are free to make your own decisions because I won't be the one to suffer the consequences of your actions anymore." She continued in a soft voice.

Bryan found that his voice failed him, his mom was the only constant in his life, she was the strongest person he knew.

The fact that she let it get this far only showed that she had been trying to remain strong for them.

He got up and came around to hug her. "I think you can do whatever it is that makes you happy and I will support you all the way." He told her firmly, leaning back to see her fighting back tears.

"Thank you." She whispered, her smile wobbly.

"So how soon are you moving?" Bryan asked, going back to his seat so that they could keep on eating.

"During the weekend." Fiona said carefully, hiding a wince.

Bryan's eyes went wide at this, if she was moving so soon, it meant that she had been planning this for a long time.

"I know you won't come with me." She smiled, "But make sure to visit your old mother."

She had guessed right, he didn't want to leave the Pack House, for a number of reasons.

"Of course." He smiled.

"So you think I'm old?" Fiona fired at him, catching him off guard.

Bryan burst out laughing at the teasing twinkle in his mom's eyes. "I don't know mom, you just said it yourself."

His mom made a face. "Do you want to remain in this apartment all by yourself?"

Bryan thought this over, he could understand why she would ask that. The apartment was pretty big, there was no use of him staying here anymore.

"I think there are still some empty smaller apartments up on the third floor, I could make a petition to the Alpha." Fiona said reasonably. 

"That's fine, thanks mom."

"Will you be fine all by yourself though?" She asked, concern written all over her face.

Bryan was worried too and it wasn't about fending for himself, even if he didn't have a job, the Pack would not only provide the avenue for that but also provide shelter and feeding, two of the basic amenities needed.

But he did have a job, one that paid quite well too and he was able to save up because he didn't really have to pay for rent or feeding.

But he didn't want to worry his mom, he was an adult now, he would figure stuff out for himself.

"Of course, don't forget I'm all grown up now." He reassured her, getting up to help clear the table.

Dinner was over and he insisted on doing the dishes, telling his mom to go get some rest, he could tell that she must have been really stressed out these past few weeks.

It was no surprise that he hadn't guessed that she was packing, he never went to her room anymore and the only time they spent together was during meals.

It wasn't this bad before Amy was jailed but it wasn't like he always hung off his mom's arm, he was far too busy writing in his room.

He almost couldn't believe that he would be living all by himself now and on the third floor too, even closer to Kieran's office.

Not like it would change anything, it would be nicer for his apartment to be closer to the top floor, he couldn't easily duck into his room whenever he wanted.

Bryan finished up the dishes and went straight to his room, he had to do a lot of packing too.

He didn't need to move immediately but it would be too strange living all alone in what used to be a family home.

The space that his sister left was large enough, he wasn't about to add his mom to that.

He would move roughly the same time she did, even though he had made up his mind to go up to Kieran's office tomorrow, he was still nervous.

This would be the perfect excuse to avoid him for the next couple days, Lord knew he needed the time away.

After showering and hopping on his bed, he forced himself to text Kieran back, keeping it as vague as possible.

He simply said that he would be busy for the next couple days and wouldn't be able to come tomorrow. 

Now that that was out of the way, he rolled over to get enough sleep.

He would have to be up early tomorrow to start packing up, he would also need to help his mom out.

They had a lot of effects which needed to be sorted out, Amy's stuff was still here too, he wondered if his mom would carry them along.

Was that the reason she chose to move out?

He doubted it, Amy wouldn't agree to live with their mom when she got out of prison, knowing her, she would move right back to the city.

He didn't care what she did, he was only worried about how his mom would take it.