I jolted back, and he raised his hands. “Sorry. What did you say?”“The included basic food plan was removed ten years ago.” I said it again. “Why are you confused? You work here.”“I don’t, actually. I volunteer here. Like I said, this is my hobby, and I enjoy this kind of thing. And it’s not like I have a pack or anyone other than the council to worry about.” He tossed out the words so carelessly, and I winced. “Does it bother you?” I asked, but he brushed me off. “I’m not privy to the interworkings of the school, so I didn’t know.” His eyes flashed, like his wolf was fighting for control. But I couldn’t 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. “I can’t believe you gave us ten thousand dolla
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Nina stepped closer to me. “Who are you to talk down to me?” She snarled in my face, but I couldn’t help the laugh.I raised my hands again with my basket hanging from one. “Listen, who I am isn’t your concern. But it just seems very convenient that you are taking credit for something that was supposed to be anonymous.”Nina stepped closer. “Just because Professor R stood up for you doesn’t mean I’m afraid of you. Professor R is a man. And like any man, his attention will drift, but let me make myself very clear, he’s mine. He might support you now, but he will come back to me.”I looked up, met her glare, and started laughing. “What the fuck does he have to do with you claiming to donate money?”She stepped closer. “I just want you to know that just because he stood up for you today doesn’t mean he will cover for you now.”I had to bend over; I was laughing so hard. “He 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, ‘Announcements’. I just nodded and turned back to the line to wait my turn to pay. “Good evening students.” Alpha Vince’s voice came over the speakers, and I had to stop my eyes from rolling. “It 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.” I turned wide eyes to Wendy, and she winced. “He wouldn’t.” I whispered, but knowing him, he would. He would one hundred percent claim the donation for Brandon or himself. “Let 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 made it back to my room, and I wanted to collapse. I dropped my bags at the door, and took off my shoes. I grabbed the bags and put everything away. I left the sushi to have for dinner and put the rest into the fridge. I grabbed my laptop out of my bag and set it up to watch a show while I ate dinner. Once I was finished eating, I took a quick shower and had crawled into bed when I remembered I had to call the king. I groaned as I pulled myself out of the bed to the safe. I punched in the code and unlocked the lockbox inside, and grabbed the phone. I crawled back into bed with both of my phones. Ronnie had saved his number into my main phone, so I had to get the number off one for the other. I saved the number under King Rowan, pulled my main phone in, and then dialed.I was hoping he wouldn’t pick up. I checked the time, as the phone rang for a third time and realized it was nearly midnight. I winced as the phone call connected and a deep voice, rough with sleep, answered. “Hello?
The next few weeks flew by. With classes, training and the calls with everyone, I was insanely busy. Most nights, I did my homework, ate a quick dinner, and crawled into my bed. The calls between Rowan and I became a weekly event. Usually, on the day of class, we would talk about what was going on in the packs. He told me about the unrest. More and more packs were being targeted for some unknown reason. But my father’s pack was targeted the most. One Friday, I got a call from Cass. “Hey! How’s mated life treating you?”“Honestly, it’s been amazing. Greyson has been so supportive.”“I’m so happy for you.” I truly was. “You deserve the world.”“Thanks, but I didn’t call to catch up.” Cass’s voice dropped low. “I was told not to call at all, but since I wasn’t commanded, I think Ronnie understood was I was going to do.”“What’s wrong?” My stomach dropped. “We have been attacked three times since you left, Amy. All rogues, all knowing our old security runs. Ronnie, Greyson and you dad h
I scoffed when I turned away from the door and walked back to my bed. “What did he just say?” Rowan asked again. “He said that he wanted to be with me and dating and fucking my sister was a mistake. The romantic of the year here.” I plopped down on my bed and steered the conversation back to the problem at hand. “Anyway, I think I know why the attacks amped up.”“We are going to revisit this declaration of this boy. But why?” I could hear him settled back into a chair. He must have stood up at some point. “Because the shaman and his newly awakened daughter, just fled to my father’s pack.” I whispered it. I knew my magic was still in effect because I could feel it, but I still felt the need to whisper it. I could hear the groan of wood on his end of the call. “Please tell me you are lying.”“I wish I could.”“The shaman had a child?” “A five-year-old daughter.” I bit my lip.“She’s too young.” His voice held disbelief.“Yet, I held her as she had her first vision before I left Vinc
I walked out of class and headed straight to the forest. I needed a run. I was frustrated. These past few weeks have been frustrating, and I didn’t know why.Yes, you do. Nix’s voice was amused. “No, I don’t.” I ran the rest of the way to the forest trail. I needed the wind on my fur, the dirt under my claws. Megan rolled her eyes at me. Yes, you do.I stumbled to a stop and threw up my hands. “No, I don’t.” I screamed and had a few people stare at me. I shook my head and apologized to everyone. I ran the rest of the way and shifted into Nix. She took off. She wove in and out of trees, jumped over fallen ones and skid under bushes. “You know why you’re angry. You just don’t want to admit it to yourself.”Just get to the point, Nix. Rowan. Megan sat back on her haunches beside me. You haven’t seen or heard from him since the last call. She looked over at me. You have had a sub in class and he hasn’t called you back, so you haven’t called him.Well. He should have called me back lik
Vince turned to look at Brandon. He looked at its stumpy fingers and shook his head. “Why would you bring up the brotherhood in front of the wench?”Wench? Is he trying to be a fucking pirate or something? Nix snorted and rolled her eyes. Vince is stupid.But I watched him. Something was off in the way he watched us. Ever since I ripped off his cheek. I think…I think he likes us, Megan. She snapped her head to mine and then gagged. Absolutely the fuck not. She shook her head. But Nix watched him. I think she is right, Megan. Everytime he says something, his eyes flick to us. He is looking for our reaction. She gagged again. No, you two have to be wrong. We ripped off half his face.I think…I think he likes us because of it. The thought made my stomach clench. Sick fuck. “Wench? Dad…common we all know she is going to be dead soon. So why does it matter?” Brandon snorted as he passed me, kicking out, but I jumped up and snarled. “I would watch your self Bran. She is feisty. She alr
I sat still. I knew I couldn’t run away without being caught, so I would sit, watch, and wait. I was going to hold back on any magic use until I was somewhere else. Since Rick said the forest was covered in magical traps, this was once I was out I would be safe. I just needed to get out first. Rick narrowed his eyes. “You aren’t going to come quietly, are you?” I just settled on the ground. I wasn’t stupid, but I wasn’t going to just fall in line, either. He chuckled and turned to Morgan. “Watch my son. Don’t let him get close to the wolf.” Morgan nodded, but Vince was already turning away. “Rick, come with me. You can carry me back here with our shit and the pup.” Rick’s eyes tightened again and then he nodded. He smiled. “Yeah. Poor thing has to survive another week.”He shifted and left the clearing while Morgan and Brandon glared at me. “Are you seriously still going after Amy’s mom?” Brandon sagged against a tree. “I mean, I get it. She’s hot. And the power of the women in tha
Vince yelled as he tossed me to the ground. Morgan kicked me as soon as I hit the dirt, chunks of grass and twigs flying, the swift kick to my stomach sending me into a tree. I yelped as my shoulder broke, along with a few ribs, but Vince just looked at me with surprise as a chunk of his face slowly knitted itself back together. I looked at him through hooded eyes, but I watched with satisfaction as his cheek slowly rebuilt itself. Blood poured from his left side of his face. The lip hung loose, cut adrift from the portion of his cheek. I ripped away. His teeth were visible, and the surprised look in his eyes made the slow healing a little easier to deal with. Brandon looked at his father with wide eyes. “Are you okay?” He went to move closer, but that was the moment I spat out the hunk of meat I had in my mouth, as if his blood was poison. Vince didn’t look away from me. I sat up and wretched, like I was going to vomit. His blood and bits of flesh clung to the inside of my mouth.
I heard them all shift and start after me. One after the other, I heard a growl and then charging feet. Even Rick, who knew I was going to be out here, was charging after me. Rick, fucking Rick.Why would he want me to see all of that? Megan’s words were ragged. She was waning, but Nix was pushing her body to the brink. I think he needed us to see that. Maybe this started as a couple of friends, and he thought they were joking. Or it was a what if, and then he fell in love with Shelly?Nix panted but hummed her agreement. I think it was probably in the middle. He thought they were just assholes joking around with the women they were using, and then he found his mate. But he didn’t want to let go of his friends. Until his pup came back branded. Megan finished, and Nix agreed.I feel bad for him. Her words made us stop. But Nix pushed on. This about it, you’re trying to stay loyal to your friends but faithful to you mate and you think that witchcraft is probably fake and then suddenl
Morgan shrugged. “You should have kept your pants on. You only had to keep it in your pants for a few years, and you can’t even do that.” Morgan leveled him with a look. You can blame Shannon all you want, but let’s not pretend she is the only one you’re fucking.Brandon glared at him for a minute before laughing. “True.” He sighed. “But Shannon was the only one Amy had to deal with.”Morgan level him with another look. “Again, it isn’t her fault you decided you wanted to drain Amy of her power. You could have chosen anyone else.”Brandon sighed. “True again, but she is so fucking strong.” He grabbed his dick. “And she is so fucking stuck up. I was going to enjoy draining her.” Rick laughed. Fucking laughed, but when he turned, I saw it. A flash of something in his eyes. He didn’t want to be here. What the fuck is going on here? Megan called back to us, but neither of us knew. “Shut the fuck up.” Vince called back and everyone quieted. “Verity. How fucking long now?”She sighed as s
The world blurred past us. The trees became blurred sticks as we wove in between. Bushes became wider obstacles that we jumped over. The animals, the birds, they knew something was happening, and they stayed quiet and out of the way. Megan passed the borders of the pack lands, she weaved between the border patrols that were following their routes, and others that were just out for friendly hunts. We finally slowed to a stop to catch our breath and to figure out where to go. She looked around. Nix receding back beside me and collapsing. Are you okay? I hurried to her side. Yeah. She huffed and sagged against me. I pushed too hard, that’s all.I cuddled her to my side, holding her up as she caught her breath, and I realized the sun had set. How long did it take us to run here? Nix huffed out a breath. Not long. Around two hours. Why?Why is the sun setting? I looked around and the woods were definitely darker. Megan looked up, and we saw it. She checked the sun, but there was nothi
I drove past the pack members that had lined the street. All of them were waving and bowing, giving my mother a farewell deserving of a luna, not just another pack member. But she has stepped up where Vince’s mate failed. My mom helped with the pups. She made sure they were taught properly. She fought for the females of this pack. And wolves never forgot their debts. I drove down block after block of our pack, saluting to my mother, who wasn’t even here to see it. I waved as I drove past the guards at the beginning of the land, and then we were out. My mother’s body double disappeared, and I called for the jet to get ready to take a flight to the coast and come back. “Who are we taking?”I laughed. “No one.” There was silence on the other end. “Take you families for a vacation to the coast if you like, my gift to you.” I looked at the dash. “I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. Get everyone to the hangar to leave and I’ll transfer you twenty thousand to have a nice weekend. Make s
We made it back to the house and my mother was ecstatic, dancing her way to my room. We shut the door, and she twirled. “Where do I go?” She turned to me and I just gave her a look. “I know I’m going to the cabin. I just mean how? Won’t the pack notice if I don’t leave?”I waved my hand. “I’ll use magic to pretend to drive you away and I’ll leave your car at the airport and run back. Just pack your essentials and we will go over.” I kissed her temple. “But let’s be quick.”“Why?” She sat on my bed and I pulled out black clothes. She just lifted her eyebrows. “What are you going to do? Rob a bank?” I laughed. “I need a shower and descenting spray.” I rummaged through my bathroom, but my mom stood and went into my closet. “What are you doing?”“I put the extra spray in here, foolish girl.” She came out with a bottle. “Now tell me why.”“Rick.” She just twirled her finger. “Rick what?” She handed me the bottle, and I put it on my counter. “When he told me to go home for the day. He to
Vince looked at me, then he turned to Morgan with a raised brow. “Well, then…” He sat back. “There isn’t much of a choice, is there?”Morgan turned to me. “Amy, you can’t be serious. I raised you. I was your dad.” My eyes flashed and Nix was in front in a second. “Repeat those words and I will call the Cath Báis for pure arrogance from you. You barely looked at us when we were a pup. You did everything and anything to take our mother’s time and attention from us. And when I finally shifted, you stole our bonding night.” Nix chuffed a warning call. “So think before you open your mouth again, beta. If you step on my father’s legacy and my mother’s hard work, then I will not hold back. I will rip you to shreds and reunite you with your mate.”Morgan paled. “Nix…I didn’t mean-”“You dodn’t mean to take credit for work you had no hand in. You didn’t raise me. You didn’t pay my way. You didn’t even house me. Amy bought the house. Amy’s money paid for everything for her and her mother. You