Chapter Fourteen
Igot back to my room very late. I barely crawled into bed before I fell into a deep sleep.
I was running through a dark forest, searching for something.
I needed to find something, or someone. They needed me.
I could almost hear crying. It was pushing me harder, trying to reach them in time.
I heard a rushing and crash, a familiar sound, and I knew without the sea salt on the wind that I was by the ocean.
I bounded through the woods and I heard a twig snap, but no scent hit my nose. Somehow I knew it was Erubus with me. We ran through the woods.
The light barely made it under the deep canopy of this forest. It felt old, older than the trees I grew up with, older than the trees in the forest I ran near school.
I knew without even seeing it; I’d never been to these woods before, but I knew with clear certainty, I would come to know them. I would come to know them very well.
I had no idea how I knew this, or when it would come to be, but this dream was going to come true. I knew it in my bones. I searched the woods, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her. The moon goddess.
She was beckoning me towards her, so I pivoted and headed that way, Erubus following my lead.
“Where are we going?” His words tempted me to slow, but I knew I couldn’t. I needed to save her.
I pushed on, running at my top speed through the trees.
I kept searching. There was no way I could stop.
They needed me. I kept searching and Erubus kept trying to talk to me, and I felt like I was answering, but everything from my mouth was silent to my ears.
It was as if I wasn’t meant to hear my words.
I woke up with a start, sweat beading on my brow and my breath labored as if I’d been running through the woods. I gave a sigh as I dropped back onto my bed. It was just a dream. Even with that, though, I knew that there was something more to it. It was a warning.
I shook off my blankets. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get back to bed, and I went to take a bath. I hadn’t had one in a long time and right this second; I needed to relax. I heard my phone chirp from my bed, but I ignored it for now.
I slipped into the tub and closed my eyes, relaxing in the heat.
My mind kept flashing to the woods, to the sea, and what I might find there.
There was another chirp from my phone, I wanted to roll my eyes, It was four in the morning for fuck’s sake.
. Whoever needed me this badly would just have to wait.
I relaxed in my bath, avoiding my phone until the water cooled.
Then I drained the tub and took a hot shower.
I slowly got ready for the day. I did my hair and makeup and picked out my clothes.
Normally, I’d get some training before class, but since I already had my shower, it could wait until the end of the day.
I finally made my way back to my bed and my phone. I checked the time and saw it was around six. I opened my texts and saw, surprisingly, that Rowan and my father texted me. I checked my father’s message first.
Dad- Hey baby. I have some news that you aren’t going to like, but I wanted to be the first to tell you.
The rogues have been attacking more often. They have attacked not just our pack, but twelve more. The king is doing his best, but we are all stretched thin. We are looking at solutions, but everyone has agreed that you all are going to stay in school.
I love you, baby. Please, learn well.
He was telling me to buckle down and start trying to hack into Vince’s system. We needed to know the truth.
I switched to Rowan’s text without responding; I wanted to see what he said before I messaged either of them back.
Rowan-I know your father said he was going to reach out, but I wanted to as well. Mr. Oran will be taking over my class. I have to focus on these attacks and do my best to keep everyone safe.
I didn’t want to just disappear on you again. I know I promised you extra help with the class, but I am at my wit’s end here with these rogues.
I sent you an email that has my complete guide to the program you were looking to build for fun. I have a habit of writing everything down, and when I was learning the system myself, these were my notes. I hope they help you.
Don’t trust anyone.
This is war.
His words resounded in my mind. This is war. I stared at my phone for what seemed to be years, but was merely seconds before his next texts came through.
I tried Vince’s system myself, and it looks like you have to be physically tapped in.
Good luck.
The last few messages flashed on my screen for a second, and then they were gone, as if they had never been delivered. I held my phone in my hand, confused. But there was nothing else, no explanation, and no more little bouncy three dots to let me know there were more messages to come.
I messaged my dad first. And I knew I didn’t want him to worry, so I just sent him a quick voice memo. “Stay safe. Keep me updated. If something happens, I want to know.”
I knew he wasn’t going to let me know. But I hoped he would. I saw the three dots appear.
Dad- Worry about yourself babe. We will handle this on our side. These next four years will fly by, I promise.
I typed back a quick I love you and his response was quick. Then I flipped back to Rowan. What do you say to your king?
Again, I figured a voice memo would be quicker. “Thank you for everything. I will check out your email later, after class.” I paused for a minute. But then I opened my damn mouth again when I should have stopped after that. “Stay safe. Okay?”
I froze after I thought about what I just sent and I cringed as I saw the three dots pop up. He disappeared and then popped up again, almost as if he couldn’t decide what to say.
Then his message came through. It was a voice memo. I clicked on it and wished I could fall into a deep hole when I heard the amusement in his voice. “Are you worried about me?”
His question caught me off guard. It was almost playful. But his voice held something else, and I didn’t want to focus on it.
I hit the record button. “Yes.” I wanted to re-record it, so I released the button and without realizing it, it sent. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. No, don’t send.” I started to hit my back button on my phone with zero chance of it working.
I saw the bubbles pop up and I wanted to die. How did I end up here?
His memo popped up and I wanted to close my phone and ignore it, but I knew I wouldn’t.
I clicked it and his deep chuckle wrapped around me.
“I appreciate the worry, but I am a little disappointed. I know being king comes with responsibilities but I was really enjoying the semester at school.” My heart skipped a beat.
“And I was looking forward to our study sessions together.” I felt my face heat, but I had to slap myself. Stop reading into his words.
He likes you. Nix’s voice was certain.
Megan was a little more hesitant. He must like your company.
I scowled. I’m not the reason he said that. I denied, but both wolves scoffed at me.
Another message popped up. I clicked on it. “I have to go, but if you have any issues or questions, email me. I probably won’t be able to call or text, but I will make sure to check my email.”
I furrowed my brow at that. He can’t call or text but he will be able to email?
It sounds like someone is listening to his calls. Nix’s answer made everything click.
He has more security on his computer and so do I. We would be able to chat more freely. Something was going on, and he was being very cautious. I grabbed my computer and pulled up my encrypted email service. Rowan had shown me how to use it in the first class.
This was how he wanted our projects sent to him throughout the semester, but now. Now I think he wanted to keep our conversations secret.
I saw instantly I had three emails. One from my father, and two from Rowan.
I click on my father’s first.
Amy, things have escalated past a safe point. You can’t say this to anyone, but a lot of packs are in shambles. Three packs totally wiped out. Our pack has grown picking up the survivors, but everything is a mess.
I worry about you and your mother. Next time you see her you have to tell her everything.
Rowan has learned many things, the main being that our phones are tapped.
Every conversation we have while on our phones has to be vague and above board.
Stay safe, pup, learn as fast as you can and hopefully we can figure everything out.
I love you.
I had to reread his email three times. The fear that gripped me when I read over his email was intense, but this was my father. He wasn’t alone.
He had our pack.
But Rowan, Rowan was alone. And fresh fear gripped me. What would our king do if things went south?
I clicked over to his first email.
Amy,
I have attached my complete guide from when I was learning to hack.
Rowan.
I clicked and downloaded the file. I would crack it open after class. But I checked the time and knew I needed to leave for breakfast soon.
I clicked his second email.
Amy,
I’m sorry I was so vague, but I can only assume your father explained things to you. No one is safe. Trust no one, especially Vince and Brandon.
Everything has been turned on its head and these rogues are vicious and somehow they know everything about these packs.
If it wasn’t for your father’s quick thinking and working with his Beta to change everything about his security, they too would have fallen already.
You seem to be safe at school. None of the attacks are close enough to cause us to worry about your safety, but I want you to be aware.
You have already painted a target on your back with the she-wolves and I apologize for my part in it.
I did nothing to give anyone the idea that I was interested in them. But the council informed me today that they have sent out feelers to high-ranking she-wolves for mating opportunities.
I should have realized when Nina acted out with you the first week.
I could feel his frustration through the computer, and I felt a punch to my gut. He was starting the process of finding a mate.
You can throw yourself into the running if you wanted to. Nix’s voice was soft, but I knew she wasn’t interested. She had found her interest in Erubus, and even the king couldn’t measure up to that male.
I wouldn’t do that to you. Megan and I both know you are set on Erubus. If you don’t find your mate, he is who you would choose.
She settled down on her belly and sighed. Only if he actually gets his act together.
I laughed and turned back to the email.
I won’t be around, but I want to keep in contact. Let me know what happens, and I will do my best to respond as I have free time.
Stay safe Amy.
Rowan.
I closed my eyes as I shut my laptop. What the heck was happening? I shook myself as I packed my laptop away in my bag and headed to eat.