Page 14 of Heart of the Hunted
"Ignore Bella. Nobody else thinks the same way as her," Amberly said, as she walked along beside Natalia.
"I know they don't," Natalia told her.
"From the sounds of it, everyone is sick and tired of listening to her," Amberly said, then quietly added: "I'm going to speak to some of the others to find out what she's been saying about us."
"Don't bother, it doesn't matter," Natalia said truthfully.
"I know it doesn't. I just want to know, that's all," Amberly said.
"I don't think you do," Natalia told her. "Whatever she's been saying, I don't think you'll like it. It's more than likely going to upset you even more than you are now."
"I'm not upset," Amberly said adamantly.
"You're not?" Natalia asked, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I'm pissed off,” she said angrily. "How dare she say anything bad about us, especially you."
"Whyespecially me?"
"Because of everything you've done for us all. She has no right bitching about you when you've done nothing but make everyone feel welcome and safe," Amberly’s hands were balled into fists as she spoke.
Natalia couldn't fault Amberly's reasoning, but she still didn't think it was a good idea. Natalia didn’t know what had been said about them, but she knew whatever it was, Amberly would end up getting more upset.
"Please don't bother on my account," Natalia told her. "She's more than welcome to say whatever the fuck she wants. I really don't care."
Amberly looked over at Natalia to see if she meant what she said, which she did, before saying: "Okay, I won't."
At the end of the day, Bella's opinion of her didn't matter. As long as everyone in the group stayed safe, Bella could say whatever the fuck she wanted about Natalia. That's all that really mattered nowadays anyway.
Amberly didn't say another word about the matter. Instead, she walked quietly by Natalia's side for the rest of the day.
