128 Legacy In Chains

Natalie

The phone was still in my hand when it started ringing again. My pulse jumped. For a split second, I thought it might be my mother’s number.

But no.

Alpha Cain.

Carson’s father.

I held the phone out to Willis. “Your Alpha,” I said dryly.

He took it immediately, posture straightening as if Cain himself had just stepped into the room.

“Good morning, Alpha,” he said, his tone suddenly crisp and formal. His entire body seemed to lock into discipline. “Yes, sir. No, sir.”

I listened, catching pieces.

“He went to campus this morning to check the…” he started, trailing off. So Carson wasn’t here.

Then Willis’s voice sharpened. “Alpha, she isn’t safe there. They came at her full force—”

That was fear. Real, unguarded fear, buried in his tone like a fault line.

A few more “Yes, Alphas" and he ended the call.

Then he turned to walk away, phone already halfway back to his ear.

“If that call has anything to do with me,” I said, stopping him cold, “you make it in front of me.