Chapter Six
Iran through the front door of the pack house, scaring the Omega that was cleaning the front entry.
She screamed as I slammed through, but I kept running until I made it to the office.
Alannah was pale, shivering behind her desk.
She looked at me with wide eyes, panic clear on her face.
Rick’s door was closed, but Ternen was rubbing Alannah’s back in small circles. Something was wrong.
I shifted back and I opened my office door, turning back to look at them, and nodding inside.
Alannah was out of her chair before I could blink.
I waited for Ternen to join us before I shut the door.
I hugged Alannah and took a deep breath, but all I could smell was Ternen’s rancid smell.
I pushed them into the chairs across from me and sat at my desk, pulling out my laptop. “Good morning.”
“Morning Amy.” Ternen tried to smile.
“You two look stressed. What can I do to help?” I typed out a message on the screen.
Amy- What is going on? You look like you are going to puke.
I turned the computer to Ternen and Alannah.
“Nothing.” Alannah sighed. “Rick is just having a rough morning. Abby is really sick and Vince came in a lot earlier. Something about needing to speak to him.” Alannah leaned in.
“Are you still trying to organize his files?” Her eyes flicked to mine and I nodded.
“Yeah, I wanted you to look at the filing system and leave any notes you have on the notepad.” She nodded and hunched over the keyboard. Ternen looked over at the computer and then turned back to me.
“I don’t know what that all is. Rick’s filing system haunts most of us Omegas.” I could see that Ternen was trying his best to act normal.
“I don’t doubt it. It’s insane.” I laughed with him until Alannah sat back and pushed the laptop back to me.
“It looks good, but I did tweak a few things.” She slid her fingers through Ternen’s and smiled.
I nodded and pulled it back to me. “How was yesterday? Were there any more breaches?”
Alannah nodded. “There were a few alarms when you were off.” She turned to Ternen and started explaining the security system in place while I read her message.
Alannah- Vince walked in first thing this morning. He stopped at my desk before Ternen came in and took a deep breath. Then he just smiled at me and knocked on my desk. He was going to say something as Rick walked out.
But something is going on with Rick. Abby is really sick, and he was looking for you this morning. He was panicking. I think he’s worried that she’s going to die.
I’m terrified Vince scented the baby. Ternen received a text a few minutes ago about a new posting at the border. And Rick and Vince were screaming at each other less than ten minutes before you ran in.
Shit is happening and I don’t know what to do or think.
Help us.
I looked up from my screen, and I met her eyes.
I smiled, and I did my best to reassure her.
“These suggestions are great.” I sat back and pulled the laptop into my lap.
“I’m about halfway through digitizing his box of insanity.
” Alannah forced a laugh, and I smirked.
“But I’ll add these into the system tonight.
” I looked up as I shut the laptop. “You guys should come over for a barbeque tonight.”
Alannah looked at Ternen. “Do we have anything we need to do tonight?”
Ternen thought for a minute. “Just laundry.” He looked back at me and grimaced. “Our place doesn’t have a laundry, so we have to go to the one on main.” Alannah turned to me with a pout.
“Sorry Amy.”
I smiled. “It’s okay. Why don’t you just bring your laundry over to my place and we can wash it while we have dinner?”
Ternen’s eyes widened a little. “Are you sure? It’s a lot.”
I nodded and swiped a hand through the air.
“It’s totally fine.” I leaned on the desk.
“To be honest, it’s been too quiet in the house lately, so you two coming to do your laundry will be great.
” I turned my desktop on. “When Rick is free, I’ll see if he wants to bring Shelly and Abby and make it’s good night. ”
Alannah nodded. “That sounds great. I know they have been worried about Abby. But maybe getting out for the night will help.”
I blew out a breath. “Maybe.” I looked at the clock.
“I also don’t want to spring it on Shelly last minute.
” I looked at Alannah. “I know Rick is with Vince, but do you think you can call her and ask if she wants to come tonight? I won’t ask for an answer until she talks to Rick, but this way she has a heads up and can get Abby situated for when he heads home. ”
Allanah hopped up. “Of course.”
I turned to the computer and started working for a few minutes before I sighed. I couldn’t put this off any longer. I turned to my laptop and opened it. I groaned as I hesitated. Alannah was at my door before I knew it. “Are you okay?”
I dropped my head back and banged in against the chair a few times. “Yeah… I just have to send a message to a friend and I’m…”
“Freaking out?” She looked at me with a smile.
“Is it that obvious?”
She nodded. “If you know what to look for…yeah. What’s the message about?” She leaned against the door frame, ready to help. I loved that about her.
I opened my mouth before my brain caught me, then my mouth snapped shut before I blurted out the truth. “I have to message the king, and that in itself is stressful. But I also promised my friend I would message her…and I know she is going to ask about the mating ceremony.”
“What about it?” Alannah came in and sat.
I looked behind her and then back at her. “Ternen?”
She sighed. “Went to his job for his last day before his new placement at the wall.” She sounded devastated.
I just nodded. “Also, before I forget. Shelly and Abby are happy to come over to your place tonight. Shelly told me to tell you she will make a potato salad.” I opened my mouth, but Alannah was already shaking her head.
“Before you start, she already told me to tell you she has already started the potatoes and you can’t tell her no. ”
Well fuck. “Seriously?” She smiled and nodded.
“So that’s one thing you can cross off. No talking to Shelly.” She snorted at the look I gave her. “So the king? Why do you need to message him?”
I sighed. “I’m guessing you haven’t heard.”
She shook her head. “Heard what?” I heard Rick’s door open, and I knew it was my time. I forced tears to my eyes and Alannah leaned in. “Amy? Are you okay?”
I heard soft footsteps creep closer. I shook my head and sniffled. “No.”
She stood and came around the desk. “What happened?”
I let a tear fall, and the saltiness hit the air. “Brandon…” I shook my head and squeezed out a second tear.
“Amy.” She wrapped her arm around me.
I wiped at my face. “He was cheating on me with my sister.”
She gasped. “No.”
I nodded. “I figured it out a few weeks ago. But I was willing to look past it.”
“Why?” Alannah dropped to her knees beside me and I heard a faint growl from outside the office. Vince apparently didn’t like her questioning that. “Why would you allow someone to treat you like that?” She grabbed my hand. “You are so amazing, and strong. You deserve to be treated like a queen.”
Nix preened with her words. She is right about that; you know. We deserve to be treated as a queen.
Megan laughed. You are a queen.
What are you talking about? I shook my head. “I’m no queen.”
Alannah scoffed. “You are strong, resilient, and an Alpha. A born leader. You are a queen, just not the queen.”
See. Nix snorted as she pranced around the clearing. She sees things perfectly clearly.
“I gave my word to mate with him…but I just can’t anymore.” There was a soft intake of breath outside my door.
“What happened?” Alanah patted my hand.
“He showed up after I asked him multiple times to handle Shannon. I kept telling him she loved him and that she was telling everyone around the pack that they were going to mate. I didn’t want to hurt her. But I also didn’t want his reputation to take a hit.”
Alannah puffed up her cheeks. “You are better than I am.”
“What do you say that?”
Alannah looked around, not realizing Vince was outside.
“If it was me…and someone other than Brandon.” I snorted.
“I would have walked away as soon as I found out. Vow or not. He wouldn’t deserve my time, my acceptance, or my love.
And even if Brandon is my Alpha or soon to be Alpha, he doesn’t deserve you.
” She looked up at me and I could see her sincerity.
“If he doesn’t love you enough to stay faithful before you’re mated, he won’t stay faithful when you are. ”
I let out a tiny sob. “I know you are right. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. He slept with my sister, and I know I was saving myself for our mating night, but he couldn’t wait?” I shook my head.
“Oh, Amy.” She pulled me into a hug.
“I can’t stay here anymore.” I shook my head and then pulled away to look at her face. “I’m requesting to transfer back to my father’s pack again. At least the ability to look at the pack lands and see if it’s safe.”
Allanah pulled back, but I heard footsteps walk away from the door. Good. “Is that safe?” She looked scared for me but I just smiled.
“I can’t stay here.”
Alannah sighed. “What if the king says no?” I wanted to smile because I knew she was asking for the cameras.
“Then I transfer to Toya’s pack.” I pulled back fully and wiped my face. “Or another pack. Anywhere but here.” I blew out a breath. “I’m okay. Go see if Rick is free yet, and if he is, can you send him in? I’m going to put on my big girl pants and send off my message and then call the king.”
Alannah stood. “If you are sure you are okay…” She hesitated.
I nodded. “I am.” I wiped my face again. “I can’t mope around all day and cry about my shitty luck. I need to do something about it.”