He stumbled over his feet. โWhat?โ He gave me a side look.โYou act like I shouldnโt have noticed. We are wolves. We live through our nose,โ Nix scoffed. โYou are right, but no one has ever asked me directly.โ โWhy not?โ We stopped and looked at him. โWhy has no one ever questioned why a wolf has no scent?โHe sat down and looked at me. โProbably because of my rank, or my size.โโWhatโs your rank?โHe tilted his head. โIโm an alpha.โI nodded. โAlphas donโt scare me.โโI see that.โ He huffed out a laugh. โBut most people are. The sane ones, at least.โ โAre you saying that Iโm not sane?โHis eyes widened a bit. โI didnโt mean it like that.โ He started, but we just laughed. โSure.โ Nix looked up to the sky. โI have to go.โโWhy?โ He stepped in front of us, but we just walked around him.โI have to get back to class. I ran out of my last class rather quickly.โ We started running, and Erubus ran after us. It turned into a game. We ran together, nipping and diving for each other. He t
He stared at me as he smirked. โI can only assume some of you have put it together. Yes, I am that Rowan. And yes, I am the king. But no, you donโt have to call me King. I would honestly prefer if you didnโt. In class, anyways.โ He winked and turned to his computer. He turned on the projector, linked it and then turned back to us while everything finished starting up. โBut there is one thing I have to do.โ He released his aura, and it slammed into us. It was the first time I actually felt someoneโs power enough that I had to fight to stay standing. He watched everyone drop to their knees, except me. I stood a fraction of a second too long. His eyes widened, and he pushed more power at me. I just winked back and got to my knees to keep up appearances. He gave a tiny nod in appreciation and walked the front of the classroom. โSince I am here for this class only. I do not want it to be known that I am here. For one thing, I do not want females throwing themselves at me, and second, I do
Rowan shook his head and made his way to the back of the class. โThis isnโt my typical first class, but I feel like we have certain things that we should go over.โ He slid on to his desk. โWe as wolves have a hierarchy for a very simple reason. The strong protects the weak. The high rank you have, the more people you have to worry about.โ He wiped his face. โAlphas have to know that there are better ways to get information, though.โ A man named Steven chimed in. I snorted. โOkay. Tell me how you would have done it.โโWhat?โ Steven turned to face me. โYou said we have to know there are better ways. How would you have done it then? The alpha was in danger. We didnโt know how deep the betrayal went. Within a day, we had a rogue attack that was organized, that multiple rogues were working together like they were in a pack. Without the information I could gather, my father would have been dead, the pack over run and demoralized. As the attack targeted women and children. So what would y
I shut my computer and packed it away. Everyone else was doing the same. โAmy, can you hang back a minute?โ Rowan called and I wanted to groan, but I just nodded and stayed in my seat. Everyone walked by me, and a few stopped by the side of my desk. โAmy?โI looked up and met the gamma from the beginning of the class, Steve. โYeah?โโWe just wanted to apologize for earlier today.โ I was shocked. โWhat?โSteve just laughed. โWe arenโt stupid enough to not realize that we spoke without knowing the full story. We judged you without knowing what you had to go through, or the decisions you had to make. Iโm sorry for jumping to conclusions and calling you those names.โThe other two nodded. โWe are sorry, too. We donโt honestly know what going into running a pack, but we know our alpha keeps us as safe as possible. And probably had to make some of the same decisions you have had to make, and we wouldnโt want anyone judging him.โI sat back and stuck out my hand. โI appreciate it.โ They sh
I jolted back, and he raised his hands. โSorry. What did you say?โโThe included basic food plan was removed ten years ago.โ I said it again. โWhy are you confused? You work here.โโI donโt, actually. I volunteer here. Like I said, this is my hobby, and I enjoy this kind of thing. And itโs not like I have a pack or anyone other than the council to worry about.โ He tossed out the words so carelessly, and I winced. โDoes it bother you?โ I asked, but he brushed me off. โIโm not privy to the interworkings of the school, so I didnโt know.โ His eyes flashed, like his wolf was fighting for control. But I couldnโt make out the colour before it was gone. His human eyes were a stormy gray, and I felt my lower body clench. Nix was panting in my mind, and Megan, my sweet girl, was sitting back and watching the show. You two are foolish. Her words were quiet, but there was a tiny bite to them. That cooled my thoughts of the king. Megan lost her mate before she could enjoy the feelings, and that
I walked into the main cafeteria that doubled as a store and grabbed a basket. I took my time going through the store first. The mini fridge I brought should be down to temperature and needed to be stocked. I grabbed an array of drinks, water, sodas, chocolate milk. Then I moved on to snacks. I had already decided to turn the top shelf of my desk into a small pantry for shelf snacks. I grabbed crackers, chips, sweet cakes, and a few apples and bananas. I moved onto the cafeteria portion for food. I saw something that caught my eye and I rushed over. They had small refrigerated dinner boxes. Sushi and teriyaki chicken that looks absolutely delicious. I grabbed a few boxes. Some for tomorrow and a few for dinner tonight. I was starving. Shifting takes a lot of calories to do, and Nix is on edge. Protein would help with that. Once I was full, I headed to the cashier. I stood behind a few people and zoned out until something caught my ear. โI canโt believe you gave us ten thousand dolla
โWho the fuck do you think you are?โ Nina stepped closer to me. โWho are you to talk down to me?โ She snarled in my face, but I couldnโt help the laugh.I raised my hands again with my basket hanging from one. โListen, who I am isnโt your concern. But it just seems very convenient that you are taking credit for something that was supposed to be anonymous.โNina stepped closer. โJust because Professor R stood up for you doesnโt mean Iโm afraid of you. Professor R is a man. And like any man, his attention will drift, but let me make myself very clear, heโs mine. He might support you now, but he will come back to me.โI looked up, met her glare, and started laughing. โWhat the fuck does he have to do with you claiming to donate money?โShe stepped closer. โI just want you to know that just because he stood up for you today doesnโt mean he will cover for you now.โI had to bend over; I was laughing so hard. โHe knows who donated the money. As does Alpha Vince and Mrs. Sandlewood. Somethin
I turned to look back at the white faced Nina and the screeching pack of girls around her. She was trying to battle back, but you could tell she had lost steam. Suddenly, there was a loud beep that went through the air. Everyone froze, and I turned back to Wendy and she mouthed the word, โAnnouncementsโ. I just nodded and turned back to the line to wait my turn to pay. โGood evening students.โ Alpha Vinceโs voice came over the speakers, and I had to stop my eyes from rolling. โIt has come to my attention that there are a lot of students claiming that they were the ones that donated the money to the student body. I wanted to clear up some facts, so that there were no more infighting.โ I turned wide eyes to Wendy, and she winced. โHe wouldnโt.โ I whispered, but knowing him, he would. He would one hundred percent claim the donation for Brandon or himself. โLet me be very clear about this. The person who donated the money wanted to stay anonymous. And anyone that has made the claim tha
I sat back, watching the grey curser flashing on the screen. I needed to answer him, but I was still a little lost on how to approach him. Itโs still weird knowing that Thoth is a man. When my dad introduced us, it was just vague information. Thoth will help you. No gender. No name other than user name. I asked over and over, but he stayed quiet. We talked about computers at first. But then our conversations grew deeper. He asked about my day, complained about his own. It wasnโt until I joked with him about telling Brandon that he was a human female that he finally cracked and told me he was a man. Another alpha my father was friends with. One he had grown close to from overseas. I shook my head to clear it. Whatever feelings I did or didnโt have for Thoth would have to wait. I wouldnโt approach any relationship until everything had been handled.NixtheGoddess: Hey. Iโm alive. Vince had captured me for a few days, but I got out. Iโm at work. I have a full day, but I will do a full d
Humans fall in loveโฆ The words bounced around in my head. There was no fucking way. I turned to look at my wolves, who were sitting comfortably. There is no gods damn way.Nix snorted as she looked at Megan. Sheโs really trying to convince usโฆwhen we share her fucking soul and already know the truth. Megan shrugged. I wasnโt going to point it out to her. She ran to her computer every night for months, talking to the man. If she wanted to be stupid, that was her prerogative. They both looked at me and I staggered back. YOU KNEW!Both shrugged. Look. Nix stepped closer and ran her side down the barrier. After Brandon. I wasnโt going to agree to any mate. But then you met Rowan.And while we both liked him. Megan pressed against the barrier, sending love. There were too many things holding you both back. Including us. What are you guys even talking about?Nix sighed. She pulled back and looked at her paws. I knew you loved Rowan. We both did. And before we realized Erubus was Rowan,
I sighed before I pulled up our chat screen. The dark screen was full of messages that I had missed.Thoth: Hey. You missed our chat last night. We were going to work on getting into the mainframe. Is everything okay?Thoth: Amy? Hey. Itโs been hours. Iโm starting to worry.Thoth: Amy? I called your dad. He said he hasnโt been able to get in touch with you, and heโs even starting to worry. Is everything okay? We are starting to panic.Thoth: Okay, listen, I know you are probably busy. Especially with the kids. I know you said that the king was in the past, but maybe you should reach out to Rowan about the kids. Maybe he can help.Thoth: Hey itโs been another day. Are you okay? I fully expect you to message me back today. I called you but you didnโt answer.Thoth: I just realized it might be weird that I called youโฆI got your number from your dad. I figured since we are friends, you wouldnโt care. Thoth: Okay, donโt be weird about me calling you.Thoth: Iโm panicking.I laughed at tha
I walked into the office early the next morning. I was exhausted still, but I had things to do. Alannah stood with a shout. โAmy! Youโre back.โ She ran over and hugged me. โI was so worried when I hadnโt heard anything from you.โโI just spent some time with my mom on an island off the coast. Cell service was bad.โ I sniffed her. โYou smell good.โ I pulled back, patting her back. โI like the perfume, what is it?โShe looked a little confused for a moment. โItโs vanilla.โI smiled. โIt smells great, but I can tell itโs wearing off. You might want to add a little, so it lasts all day.โ I winked at her as understand entered her eyes. โGood idea. Iโve been running around all morning, so I was really sweaty.โ She turned around and went to her desk, pulling the bottle from her purse and spraying herself. She turned to me expectantly. โHowโs that?โ โPerfect.โ I looked around. โIs Rick in?โShe shook her head. โHe left early yesterday after his meeting with the alpha. I think we werenโt fee
I opened myself up as I sat down and sent out a call. โSorry it took so long.โ I sighed as I sat down next to her. โYou were busy.โ Carlโs voice was sad, and as I looked over, both he and my grandmother looked worried. โBut you are here now.โโI didnโt expect both of you.โ I sighed.โDaddy.โ Carly called as she jumped up, but I grabbed her. โHeโs not really here, baby, remember? You canโt touch him.โ She trembled and then she sat back down. They settled across from us with the grave between us. โI forgot.โ She looked at him. โI miss you, daddy.โโAnd I miss you too, baby.โ He leaned over, then need to touch his daughter too much. โI heard every time you prayed to me.โ His eyes softened. โAnd I want you to know, baby. That if you want to call Amy mom, or if at any time Amy gets a mate and you want to call him dad, your mother and I wonโt mind. We will always be your mommy and daddy.โ The tears in his eyes were full of love.Carly looked at me and I smiled down at her. โYou donโt hav
I pulled into the house a little earlier than I expected. The grocery store was pretty empty. I only saw two workers. I grabbed my groceries and was out of the door before anyone said hello to me, which was fine. I needed a shower, and to see my girl. I brought everything inside and put it next to the closet. I left the door locked until I was ready to go over. I would do everything I needed to first because I knew if I went to the cabin, I was going to get an earful. I hopped in the shower and groaned. It felt amazing to have my shower again. I had bought new shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I had a brilliant idea as I was shopping. One that was sure to make Brandon go slightly insane. I smirked as I sniffed the strawberry scent I had missed the last few years. Nix and Megan both sniffed the air and sighed. I missed this smell. Nix purred in my mind.Megan nodded. It makes me feel at home. I finished my shower and got out, covering myself in more strawberry scented product. My
I ran past my house, and I wanted to turn in, to check in on everyone. But I had to run back and pretend I just got back in. I ran past guards and patrols, gaining speed. When Nix got tired, Megan took over. I kept feeding magic into our feet, and after a few hours of running back and forth, weaving through the groups of wolves, I was finally off pack lands. Nix? I turned back to my exhausted wolf.Yeah? She rolled over to look at me. Use the vacuum. She furrowed her brow. What the hell are you talking about?Remember when we were learning to change our scent? The candle changed it and the vacuumโฆMade it disappear completely. I nodded. Exactly. I donโt want anyone following our trail. She nodded and hopped up. I watched as she dragged herself to the clearing and I summoned the vacuum. Itg was funny to watch her blow out the candle and then turned on the vacuum. She got the switch on the third attempt with her claws. She grabbed the hose with her teeth and sat down with it pointe
I heard Vince call out behind us, but I pushed Megan to run fast. I felt the first trap try to pull strength from us, and I realized I hadnโt carved the rune onto Megan yet.Fuck. I pushed forward, shoving my wolves back. The instincts were telling us to run, to flee, but I needed to get the rune on to her skin or else we wouldnโt make it very far. Amy, we have to run. Nix screamed from behind me, but I still forced Meganโs body to freeze. I stretched out our leg and used a claw to cut into the skin. I could hear the footsteps coming behind me. Amy! There is more the Vince chasing after us. We have to go. She tried to push, but I held her back. Trust me, we need this or else we are cooked. I looked behind us as Vince pushed through the last trees, blocking our view. His face broke into a smile, but then he faltered as he saw what I was doing.โHey, what are you doing?โ Vince stepped closer and the smell of blood hit his nostrils. His eyes snapped to my leg. โIf you wanted to die, yo
The guard was pacing, nervous. He kept glancing back at me and muttering to himself. That put me on edge. Why does he keep looking back here? Nix stood and started to pace. I donโt know. But itโs not good. I moved to the clearing, checking on my magic. I had been funneling all of mine and Nixโs extra energy into our well. Building it until our flame turned into a giant bonfire. The magic was burning bright, and it took effort to keep it contained, my like my aura. How are you doing? Megan called back to me. We are ready. I shot back. I had been studying the book for days until I figured I could use a reversal rune to block the drain of our power. It will actually pull power from those chasing us and feed it into our bodies until we remove the rune. I had carved the rune into Nix and myself. Megan, I left for last. The door slammed open and Brandon strolled in. I wanted to recoil from the look on his face; it was so vicious. But I would never hide or cower from this man. โLooky l