โAnd you?โ I turned to another girl, one that had to walk back to the campus naked. โIโm Micca.โ The tint red head turned to me and smiled. โNina used her status as an alpha to command that I follow her. Iโm a beta from a neighbouring pack and my father asked me to stay on friendly terms with her.โ โWhy?โ I rubbed my forehead. This was all insane. Why does this she-wolf have so much sway over people?โProbably because Iโm a female beta, which means Iโll more than likely transfer out of my pack when I meet my mate. Itโs really rare that a male beta transfers in. And he doesnโt want me to get on the bad side of any luna I could have to serve. He told me to be friendly with all ranked females, for,โ she made quotes with her fingers. โAn easier transfer.โI snorted and turned to the last girl. This one was stunning. Dark skin, dark eyes, and braids down her back. She nodded once and pushed a braid out of her face. โToya.โ I watched her eyes darken a bit before she shook herself. โI have
โWhat does that even mean?โ Nina rolled her eyes. โAnd what does that have to do with you being here with her?โToya slapped the table, stood, and whirled. โIt means you are a selfish vapid alpha and the man that is stuck mating you will either be just as ignorant and unworthy as you, or he earned a punishment from the goddess herself.โNina reeled back. โWhat?โโNo one chooses to be your friends Nina. Not unless they are just as cruel and annoying as you are. We are all told by our parents to deal with you because of your rank and nothing else.โ Toya spun back and sank into her chair.Nina blinked back what looked to be tears. โThora? Micca?โMicca turned to her. โIโm a beta, and keeping open and decent connections with all alphas is a good career move for me.โโYou canโt be both of our friends.โ Nina glared and pointed at me. โItโs her or me. Make your choice.โMicca stared at her for a few seconds before she sat back down. โI guess Iโm choosing her.โ Micca nodded towards me and I s
Nina dropped to her knees as I slowly got to my feet. She growled softly as I turned to face her. โThe thing is, Nina. That Iโm the stronger alpha.โ I rolled my head on my shoulders. โNow I donโt say that to brag, just to state the obvious.โ I finally looked at the girl that was on the ground and I knelt. โI also wonโt stand for you to bully any of my people.โโThey are my people,โ Nina growled, but I just tsked her.โNot anymore.โ Nix came closer to the surface and our voices combined. โIโve claimed these wolves.โ โYou canโt claim an alpha.โ Nina tried to look up. โI technically canโt claim any of them, but I have.โ I patted her head. โI donโt want or need to have an alpha on the floor in front of me. But I need you to realize that I will not be pushed around. I am not your normal prey and I will not bow down to you.โโYou will.โ She whispered it, but I caught her words. So I got lower, and I whispered directly to her. โEven if you are selected by the council to become the mate of
The words hung I the air. One of the girls at the table whispered, “I can’t believe she called him and said it directly to him.”Another scoffed. “She is smart. Would you rather Nina had that in her back pocket, willing to warp it and use it against her?”Rowan’s voice was holding back a laugh, and he cleared his voice. “Let me get this right. You called me, your king, to tell me that you said that if I punished you for not bowing down to my nonexistent weak mate, that you would what rebel?”“No. Not rebel. Just not respect or follow you lead.”He snorted out a laugh. “Amy, why are you wasting my time?”“While I can appreciate your busy schedule. I figured it was a smart move to explain the situation directly to you, so that in the future, no one could use my words against me to you.” I crouched down in front of Nina again. “Plus, I respect you enough to say my feelings
There was a silence that descended over the table while we finished our meal. We all we a little shell-shocked about everything.Then Wendy turned to me and leaned in. “You have the king’s phone number?”Her comment broke the silence, and we all laughed. I waved my hands in the air. “It’s nothing. All alphas get his number.”Toya cut a look at me from the corner of her eyes. “I don’t have his number.”I nodded. “Your father does.” She nodded. “I got his number because during the summer there was an emergency that I needed to request permission from the council to protect my pack, and my father was out of commission. My father’s beta gave me the number, and the King told me to keep it.” I shrugged it off. “I figured, after what I said, I would rather he heard it from myself, that Nina. There is no telling how she would have twisted it.”Everyone nodded and Th
I turned to face the second woman. “And you?”She paled as she dropped to her knees. “I listened to her because she is my luna.” She pressed herself to the floor, and I wanted to step on her.I dropped low. “What pack are you from?”“The Dark Forest pack.” The girls behind me all took a breath. But I threw my head back and laughed.“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” I tucked my aura away and waited for the two to get up.“What?” The luna sat back on her heels.“You are the smallest, and poorest pack and you feel you have to right to judge anyone?” I held out my hand.“What did you just say?” The luna released her weak aura, but I used my own to block hers from reaching anyone else.“I said your pack is weak, poor, and disgusting. Because it breeds women like you who think that just because they are ranked in your
I didn’t realize that everyone was staring at me until I disconnected the call. I turned back to everyone and just huffed out a breath. “Keep checking everyone in.”“It’s too late.” Wendy was almost in tears.“No. This king will handle it.” I was certain of that.“Are you sure?” Hanna grabbed my hand and I nodded.“I am.” So we all turned back and kept checking people in.“Alpha Amy?” Someone we checked in called back to us.“Yes.”“The doors are locked.” Everyone froze and then one girl started to sob.“Please. Everyone.” I raised my hands, waving the tablet in my hand. “I swear to you that you will not be expelled.”“You can’t promise that.” Someone called out, and the room erupted in to crying.“Listen.” I raised my hands. “There is ver
The call dropped, and a few seconds later, the doors opened. Vince was fuming as he stood there. Hand clenched around the door handle. โGet inside now.โ His voice was low, but no one moved. I pushed through the crowd and smiled as I touched everyoneโs shoulders. I made it to the door and met Vinceโs eyes. I could tell he was livid, but I just smiled. I turned to the crowd, giving Vince my back, and I raised my voice. โFile inside and find a seat. Like I said before, no one is getting expelled.โ Everyone moved at that. One by one they passed me and they bowed before moving past me into the auditorium. โYou will regret this.โ Vinceโs voice was low, But I heard the words he didnโt want me to hear.I turned and faced him. I tilted my head as I let Nix come to the surface. โFor a weaker alpha to threaten me and my wolf, it takes a lot of courage.โHis eyes widened as I stared him down. โDid you just say I was a weaker alpha?โ His voice barely contained his rage.I leaned in so that he wa
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
But Megan ignored him. He stood and crowded the bars, drawing in more air and her scent. โFuck.โ Then he turned and spun away. โIโll be back with your next meal.โ He walked to the door, grabbed a tray he had left there, and came back. He pushed the food through the tray slot at the bottom of the door. Megan popped up. She walked over slowly, watching Vince. She stopped short of his hands. Then she pawed the food tray the rest of the way to her. We walked Vinceโs eyes almost completely disappear into his pupils before his wolf took over. His eyes flashed to a soft chocolate brown, and there was a deep rumbling in his chest. โYou smell good.โMegan rolled her eyes and sniffed the food. Each item had to be sniffed, tasted and then we had to wait for any reactions. But as soon as Megan sniffed the meat, she pulled back and swatted the tray against the bars. Vinceโs wolf watched her, and then he smirked. โSmart girl. Most donโt notice the silver.โ Megan let out a low growl before she tu
There was a bang, and a door slammed open. โAlpha.โ The guard at the door called, and instantly we were all on guard. โLeave us.โ He motioned for the wolf to leave, and he strolled down to my cell. โHello.โ He watched me with hooded eyes. โStill vicious?โ Megan growled, causing Vince to chuckle. โI find it interesting that you arenโt afraid of me.โ We barked out a laugh. โWhy would I be afraid of you?โVince froze. โYou speak?โ Megan rolled her eyes and turned out back on him. โStupid male.โ She tossed her head, glaring at him over her back. He chuckled, then turned back to the door. He grabbed the chair there and pulled it over in front of my cell. โWell, you kept your mouth shut the first day we met. I assumed you were mute.โ I huffed out a sigh. โI nearly bit half of your face off. My mouth was very much open.โHe threw his head back and started laughed. โYou did. I will give you that.โ Vince leaned closer to the bars and Megan lifted her lip. โYou donโt like me, do you?โโSho
โYou are going to let me die here?โ Megan let her words sound incredulous. Rick walked to the bars. โI donโt want you to die. But I have no way of getting you out of here without being seen or found out. If I could save you and only lose my own life, I would do it. You donโt deserve to be hereโฆโโBut?โ Megan cut in. โBut I have a pup and a mate who would be executed if I went against Vince.โ He grabbed the bar and I heard the sizzle of his skin against the silver. โI canโt risk them. I hope you and Amy will understand that.โ He pulled back and turned away. โWait!โ Megan called after him.He turned. โThe guard is coming back in a minute. Be quick.โโWill you come back to speak with me?โ She tried to get close. โI have so many questions.โRick looked back to the door. โI can try. But Rick doesnโt like random people coming in here.โโThen why did you come in now?โ Megan pushed. โBecauseโฆโ His shoulders sagged. โBecause I felt like a monster and I felt like I neede3d to explain. If I
He knows. Nixโs words were soft, her eyes fully focused on the man in front of us. What are you talking about? Megan turned back to us. Heโs scum.Nix shook her head. Look at him, Megan. Truly look, and push away your hatred towards Brandon, Vince, and well, all the male population. Megan snorted but turned back.What am I looking for? Megan sighed, but focused. I stepped closer, trying to see what she was seeing.Nix was focused on Rick. Look at his skin. He is sweating, heโs pale, but his eyes are focused. His handโฆ She trailed off.Heโs clutching at his neck. Megan tensed beside me. โWhat happened first, Rick?โHe turned his haunted eyes back to us. โWhat?โMegan sighed as she crept closer. โWhat came first? You working with Vince? Or Abby getting branded?โโDoes it matter?โ He slammed back against the wall and dropped to his ass. โIt changes nothing.โโIt matters.โ She growled. โIt matters to me, and I know it will matter to Amy.โ โWhy?โ He dropped his head into his hands. โIt