Chapter Nine #2
Steve just laughed. “We aren’t 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. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions and calling you those names.”
The other two nodded. “We are sorry, too. We don’t honestly know what goes 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 wouldn’t want anyone judging him.”
I sat back and stuck out my hand. “I appreciate it.” They shook my hand and left, and I turned to find Rowan watching me with a look I couldn’t place.
He looked at a seat in front of his desk. “Come join me down here so I don’t have to yell.”
“Sure.” I gathered my stuff and walked down the stairs to the front of the room.
“I wanted to apologize for opening my mouth. I shouldn’t have put your business out in the open. I should have realized that most of these wolves are lower or unranked wolves and they wouldn’t understand what it takes to protect a pack.”
“It’s honestly okay.”
“But now that we are alone, how did everything go?”
“I thought you were going to visit my father and his pack.” I sat down. “I figured he would have given you all the details.”
Rowan nodded. “I was going to. But then your father took off the day I was going to show up, and things came up on my end, so I skipped it.” He wiped his face. “I didn’t realize you took this course.”
“When we spoke, I hadn’t decided what course I was taking yet. This kind of landed in my lap.” I smiled, staying a little ambiguous.
He got this look in his eyes; he was a very smart man. “Your father helped you pick the course?”
“Yeah.” I smiled and winked. “He said it was a good way to make money from the humans and learn how to build my own security system for whatever pack I land in.”
Rowan tilted his head. “Whatever pack you land in? Have you not found your mate yet?”
I sucked in a breath. I didn’t want to lie to this man. But I didn’t trust where we were. “No. But it’s complicated already.”
“What do you mean?”
“Alpha Vince’s son, Brandon, was certain I was his mate. When I came back he turned out to be wrong…” I trailed off and bobbed my head back and forth.
“He didn’t take it well?”
“Let’s just say he still doesn't think he’s wrong.” I chuckled.
“So, back at your father’s pack?” He urged, but I looked around the room and grimaced. He looked around, and I watched understanding hit his face. He ripped a paper out of his book and started writing.
“Everything was handled.” I smiled.
“It’s okay. I’ll get the story from your father.” He handed me the paper, and I sat back down. “So, what are your goals for this semester?”
I laughed as I opened the note. My eyes widened when I read, ‘Call me tonight. We can discuss everything after you seal your room.’ I met his eyes, and he nodded. I just nodded back.
“I want to do everything I can. I want to make enough money to cover my expenses for next semester. So I need to start now.”
“Expenses?”
“Yeah.”
“How much are your expenses?” He furrowed his brow as I wrote my own note on his paper.
“About four million.” He was taking a drink from his water bottle and choked.
“What, why?”
I scratched the back of my head. “I paid for every student to have ten grand on their food card. I don’t think it’s fair that any student would have to take time out of their day to work to pay for their meals.
They should be automatic.” I met his eyes.
“I knew my dad could help for this semester, but I don’t want to depend on him going forward. ”
“You paid for every student to have ten grand on their food card?” I just nodded. “But they have a basic food plan included in their tuition.”
“It was removed about ten years ago.”
“WHAT?”
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 inner workings 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 fact slapped me with a bucket of cold water.
I’m sorry Megan. Nix’s voice was subdued. I don’t know what is happening. He is affecting me.
Is he your mate? Her words were soft, almost hopeful.
I don’t think so. I can’t smell him.
“Amy?” I jolted back and shook my head a little.
“Sorry I was talking to my wolf.” I stood. “Was there anything else, sir?”
His hands tightened into fists and he closed his eyes. “No.” He growled out. The food plan thing must have really pissed him off.
“Okay.” I walked to the desk and dropped off my note back to him and turned to leave while he read it.
‘I have two phones. My personal one that I use in everyday life, and another my father gave me that won’t be traced.
Knock once for the personal phone and twice for the untraceable one for our phone call.
’ I was almost at the door when I heard two knocks.
“Have a good night Amy.”
“You too Rowan.” I left the classroom and shut the door behind me. I‘d barely made it down the hallway when I heard a scoff from behind, and I turned to see a group of three girls standing a few feet away. “Yes?”
“You stayed late after class with Professor R.” The redhead walked over to me and glared. “Why?”
I stepped back a step, so I wasn’t breathing her air and raised my eyebrow. “I don’t think that is any of your business. I don’t even know you.”
“My name is Nina.”
“Okay, I still don’t know what that has to do with me?” I turned to leave, and she grabbed me.
“I’m Alpha Nina from the Blackfang.”
Nix was sprinting to the surface before I could think of a solution. Her words fell from my mouth as my fangs descended. “If I were you, I would remove your hand from my arm before I rip it off.” My voice dropped low and my eyes flashed.
She smirked. Her eyes flashed a soft blue as her fangs descended.
“No, I don’t think I will. I don’t know who you are, but stay away from him.
” She released her aura, and it slammed into me.
She was strong, but not nearly strong enough.
“Do you understand? You will stay away from Professor R. He is mine.”
My eyes connected with the cool, calculating look of someone else over their shoulders, and I just smirked. “He’s your mate?”
“He will be.” She squeezed her fingers around my arm and I growled. “So stay away.”
“He’s my teacher.” I looked at her with my golden eyes, Nix’s voice combining with my own. “How do you expect me to stay away from him?”
“I command you to switch your classes.” Her order washed over me and I couldn’t stop the laugh.
“I don’t think so.” I pulled her hand from around my arm, noting the bruise.
I squeezed her hand in mine and she buckled to her knees.
She screamed and the other two girls took a step, but I was quicker.
My aura slammed out, and they dropped to their knees.
“I don’t care that you are an Alpha. I don’t care who you think is going to be your mate, as that is designed by the goddess herself.
What I do care about is that you tried to force me to change my class.
” I leaned down and got right in her face.
“But jokes on you, because you are a weak Alpha.” I tossed her to the ground.
“Leave me alone.” I turned to flash a smile at Rowan standing behind the three.
“Take it up with him if you want him to be your mate.” The three whirled to face an angry king, and I left to grab food.