Chapter Eighteen
Ifelt them leave this time; I don’t know how, or why, but I knew my grandmother and Carl were gone before I turned. “It’s done.” I turned to my friends. “Who’s staying?”
Toya and Wendy looked at each other and then back at me. Wendy stepped forward. “I called my mom. She made a bag for you guys to grab for me. We thought having Toya with you would be better.”
“No, not better, but I need to figure out what pack I’ve been sent to. I could call and ask for leave after I know where, that way we can make sure we are set for the next while.”
Wendy nodded. “I already told my mom last night that I have a position under you and to let the Alpha know. She was ecstatic and the Alpha already agreed.” She looked at me weirdly. “The Alpha pair really likes you.”
I snorted and waved her off. “I’m likeable.” She snorted, but let it go. I crouched down to talk to Carly. “Are you going to be okay while we are gone?”
“How long are you going to be gone?” She bit her lip and looked up at me.
“We are going to be quick. We need some stuff.”
“And food.” Toya jumped in. I looked up at her and she raised her shoulder. “I meant to tell you after breakfast, but shit happened. We are almost out of everything.”
I nodded and turned back to Carly. “What do you want for dinner?”
She looked at me as she thought. “Can we have tacos?”
I tilted my head. “Tacos?”
She nodded. “If you’re home for dinner.”
I booped her nose. “Tacos it is.” I looked at everyone else. “Are we ready to go?” Hanna and Micca nodded. Toya reached over, patted Carly’s head, and nodded. “Are you okay?” I focused back on the child in front of me, and she nodded.
“I’ll be okay. Just don’t forget me.” She whispered the last words, and they broke my heart.
I kissed her forehead. “Never.” Then I stood. “Wendy…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take her in and we will find something to do. We will be good, won’t we pup?” Wendy held out her hand and Carly walked over to her, slipping her hand into hers. “What about we go see if we can find something to play?”
“Daddy has a box full of games we can play.” Wendy smiled down at her and they walked to the cabin, leaving us in the grass.
Once I was sure they were safe inside, I turned to the rest. “Shift. We will run back to school to see the mess we left behind.” I sighed and then shifted to Nix. She shook out our fur and waited for everyone else to shift. Then we ran towards the school. This was going to be a long run back.
We stayed silent though the entire run, all of us too wrapped up in our own mind to say much. The first scent of the school hit our nose when we were about twenty minutes away and Micca pulled up short. She barked, and we all turned back, coming back to where she was waiting.
“What’s wrong?” I rubbed my side down hers, trying to comfort her.
“When we get back…everything we know is going to change.” She shook her head.
“What do you mean?” Hanna came over, rubbing down her other side.
“These last three years we have lived in a little cocoon. We saw each other every day, sparred, grew into the people we are today. But as soon as we get back. Hanna and I are leaving. I don’t know when the next time I’ll get to see you again is.
” She looked at me and Toya. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this to end.
” She settled on her back legs and stared off towards the school.
“We will still talk every day. Still do FaceTime.” Toya came over and flicked Micca’s face with her tail. “You are being foolish if you think we are going to fade away.”
She sighed. “I know, but it’s just not the same.”
“It won’t be.” I nudged her. “But it can be better.”
“How do you figure?” She sighed.
“We aren’t the same girls that left home three years ago. We are stronger, smarter, and more mature. Plus…”
“Plus?”
“Plus, you can find your mates.” I finished.
Her head snapped to me. “I can find my mate?”
I nodded. “You are old enough to ask for a mate transfer. If you don’t find your mate, you can start touring packs.” I nudged her. “You can start at Hanna’s pack, or Wendy's." I stood and turned back to the school. “Now, we can figure it all out, but we have to face the music right now.”
Toya trotted next to me. “Are you worried?”
I rubbed my side down hers, calming myself as much as her. “A little. I don’t know where you’re going to end up. Lynn has been quiet and I’m worried about her mental health. But we have a mission.” She nodded then Hanna and Micca joined us. “But we can’t focus on what could happen. Let’s go.”
We ran to the tower first. I wanted to handle our stuff before we faced the music.
But as we ran into the building, I saw that luck was not on our side.
Vince, Brandon and Rowan were all waiting for us.
I shifted, gesturing for everyone else to wait, since I was the only one able to retain my clothes.
“Alpha Vince, my King.” I bowed my head a little to both. “Brandon.” I smiled. “What can I do for you?”
“Where have you been?” Vince stepped closer to me, but I just raised my brow.
“Handling something personal. Why?”
“You ran out of graduation.”
I snorted. “Graduation? You mean the ambush that was waiting for me coordinated by the council?” Vince reeled back as if I slapped him.
I felt the skin around my eyes tighten. “Did you think I was too stupid to see it for what it was? My father has been dead for almost two years and now they branded him a traitor. I think that’s laughable. ”
“Amy.” Rowan started, but I growled. I couldn’t even stop it.
I took a deep breath. “Sorry my king.” I watched him flinch at the words. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.” I bowed again and I could see his resolve harden.
Nix sighed. Erubus just warned us. They have to play their role.
I heard a scoff and Verity came from around a corner. Rowan looked at her, and his eyes grew hazy. Then he snarled and whirled on me. “I understand you are angry about what happened yesterday, but you do not get to lash out at me, pup.” His words were icy.
I froze. Did he just call us a pup? My words were whispered to my wolves.
Yes, yes, he did. Nix words were like steel.
He has his reasons. Megan tried to calm us down.
But I was too far gone. “Pup?” I shot him a glare.
He smirked. “Yes. Pup. What else am I to say, when you are supposed to be an adult, but you throw tantrums like a child?” He stepped closer to me.
“I would think really carefully about your next words.” Rowan shot a glare to Vince.
“Alpha Vince here has been talking to me about a position he is going to offer you, but that would only work if you're free and not in a dungeon. Isn’t that right, Amy?” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Alpha.” I corrected him.
“What?” He raised an eyebrow.
“It’s Alpha Amy, King Rowan.” I pulled my shoulders back. “Since you want me to follow the rules of old, then I expect you to do the same. I am an Alpha in my own right, and demand the same respect that any other Alpha commands.”
“You don’t run a pack.” Verity snarled.
But I laughed. “Have you even read the old laws? Being a pack Alpha isn’t a requirement for our title to be used. The acting monarch had to respect our power. While the king has his own power and rules over the packs, the Alphas are the one keeping him in power.”
“Is that a threat?” Rowan’s words were deadly.
I smiled sweetly. “Of course not, my King, just a gentle reminder. And anyway, your fiancée is also just wrong.”
Rowan’s eyes tightened. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that other than the obvious fact that she has zero idea what the old laws say, she said I am not a pack Alpha. But I am.”
“No, you’re not.” He tossed out, his face scrunching.
I tilted my head, and I felt my eyes narrow. But then I smiled. “I’m sorry you are confused, my King.”
“Amy.” Brandon grabbed my arm and I watched Rowan grind his teeth. His jaw clenched so hard, one of his teeth must have cracked. I turned to Brandon and I patted his arm. “Stop.”
“It’s okay. I’m not doing anything except for standing up for myself.” I turned back to Rowan and Verity. “I’m tired, I have to clear out my things here, and still need to head home, so can we speed this up please.”
“What are you talking about?” Verity glared at me as she moved to grab Rowan’s arm.
I smiled, but even I could feel it was patronizing. I looked at my friends and Toya stepped next to me. “Verity, as the next queen, I implore you to read the laws you are going to uphold.” I sighed. But I grabbed Toya’s arm, mimicking Verity and Rowan. “Toya and I are technically pack Alphas.”
“No, you’re not.” Verity snarled, but Rowan really looked at me. And I saw the moment it clicked.
“There it is.” I pointed at his face. “You remembered.”
“Rowan…what is she talking about?” Verity looked up at the king.
“A surviving Alpha inherits the packs of their fathers.”
“Bingo.” I smiled. “I’ll even bring you a cookie.”
Verity smiled. “But everyone in your packs is dead.”
“What’s your point?” I shook my head with a smile. “I still inherit the accounts, the contracts, the lands, the properties, and the title. And with the title comes what?”
“The respect…and the procedures that the King must follow when speaking with a pack Alpha.” Vince came over with a smile.
“What does that mean?” Verity stomped her foot.
“It means-” Vince started.
But Rowan interrupted him. “It means that if I want to speak with Alpha Amy, I must contact her and let her know I’ll be visiting beforehand. And that I have to use her title. Also, she will be included in any vote.”
“Toya and I will also attend the Alpha conference in a month.” I smiled at Verity.
“But that’s…”
“Only for Alphas.” Toya finished with a toothy grin. She walked over and rubbed her fur against my side.
“While this is nice, catching up, and all, is there a reason you’re here?” I looked around and waited. “Alpha Vince? Brandon?”
He smiled, looking down at me. “We are here about the job position in the pack. Brandon told you to think about it. I wanted to come and see if you had.”
I smiled up at him. “Sorry, with everything that happened yesterday…” I trailed off and glared back at Rowan. “I haven’t had a minute to think about it.”
Vince nodded. “Where did you go yesterday?”
I looked out the door. “We went for a run.” I allowed my face to settle into this wistful look.
“Yesterday, the council and the King’s fiancée tried to paint my father as a traitor.
Shifting the blame from them onto a dead man.
And doing it on my graduation day and birthday as a way to hold me back is more than telling. ”
Verity sighed. But she pulled away from Rowan. “You act like we are targeting you.”
I snorted. “You can act like you’re not, but everyone has seen the truth.
Toya specifically.” I grinned as Toya glared at her.
I watched as she paled and shot Rowan a look.
I saw his eyes tighten, but he pretended not to notice.
Toya shot me a look, but I gave her a tiny shake back.
Now is not the time to handle her. “King Rowan, is there a reason you are here?” I redirected everyone’s attention.
“I am here to reassign Alpha Toya.” He looked at her. “But Alpha Amy is right, as you inherited your father’s pack, so you have options. You can go into a pack, or decide to rebuild your own.” He sighed. “Alpha Amy also has the ability to rebuild her father’s pack.”
Vince stepped forward, almost in front of me. “Amy has a position in my pack already. She doesn’t need to rebuild.”
I leaned out. “Actually.” I interrupted. “I want to rebuild. But I would like to discuss it with the King.” I looked at Verity. “Alone, with Toya, if that is at all possible.” I smiled.
“But the position?” Brandon grabbed my arm and I smiled.
“Let me see if my idea is even possible. Then I’ll let you and Alpha Vince know my decision.” I turned to Rowan and lifted a brow. He nodded once and then turned to the elevators.
Verity glared at me. “What you want to discuss with Rowan, you can discuss with me. I’m your Queen.” She followed, but Rowan turned back.
“Verity.” He shook his head. “Stay down here. You know you aren’t allowed up to the penthouses.” He turned to me and nodded toward the doors. “Are you coming?” I nodded. Toya and the others trotted after me to the elevator. He crossed his arms, and I smiled. I pointed to Micca and Hanna.
“Those two have to pack up the rest of their things, and then head back to their packs. Toya has hers and Wendy’s things to pack, but she also needs to be in our conversation, as my idea includes her.” He just nodded, then pulled out a key. I lifted a brow.
“It calls the elevator directly to me.”
Toya’s mouth dropped open, her tongue rolled out in surprise, but I just laughed. I turned to Hanna and pointed my finger at her.
Hanna groaned. “Seriously? You can’t just be normal?” She stomped her paw on the ground. “I’ll send you the money when I get back to my phone.” I just nodded, then turned back to the elevator that had just opened.
“Do I even want to know?” Rowan shook his head.
“Wendy asked a long time ago why we never see you heading to or from your place. I said you probably had a code or something that calls the elevator down. Like Sterling had. She thought you had your own private elevator. And Micca thought you ran the stairs, but she didn’t want to join the bet. ” I smiled. “I won.”
We all crowded into the elevator. Two full-grown adults, and three wolves. It was a tight fit, but it was only for a minute. I hit the penthouse button and then Micca’s and Hanna’s floor. I stood back against the wall and watched the door slowly close.
Vince’s face was dark. He didn’t like not knowing my decision.
Brandon’s face was worried, his eyes focused solely on Rowan.
But Verity’s face was pale. She was worried about what exactly I was going to say to Rowan.
I let my face drop. Her eyes darted to mine and I let her see exactly what I planned to do.
“Rowan.” She called, but the door shut just as she reached for it.