Chapter Seven
Iheard laughter from Rick out in the outer office. Brandon stood, lightening fast, and jumped over my desk. His fist hit my face a few times before he was hauled off of me. My face was on fire. I was pretty sure he broke my cheek or eye socket.
Rick was grunting with the effort to hold him back.
Alannah screamed and ran from the office, probably in search of someone.
But I just stood and started laughing. Both men froze when they heard my soft giggles.
Brandon looked horrified when he looked at my face.
I assume it wasn’t because of him actually hitting me, so it might have been how my face looked. I just laughed.
Nix and Megan growled and I could feel them push power into me, but I stopped it. Not yet. I whispered to them.
Amy! Nix snapped. Let us heal you.
I sent them calming thoughts. I need photos first. I need proof.
Megan growled. Bullshit. Just let us heal you.
I shook my head. I will, just not yet.
Vince burst into the room and froze. “What’s going on?”
Rick let go of Brandon and stepped back. “Your son attacked Amy.”
Vince looked at me and winced. More for show than actual sympathy. He turned to Brandon. “You attacked your chosen mate?”
I snorted. “You seem to be just as brain dead as your son.” I felt something drip from my chin. I couldn’t tell if it was blood, tears, or something else. But I just sank back into my chair.
Vince turned to me. “What happened?”
“I called off the mating last night. Brandon made his choice, and it wasn’t me. I hope he and Shannon have a long happy life, if he makes it past the inquiry.”
Everyone in the office froze. Rick drew in a quick breath, but the sound was a little murky.
He could have been just breathing normally.
I shuddered as I felt something in my face shift.
It was the most unnerving feeling. My side started to ache, and I didn’t know why.
So I stretched and then screamed as a rib that I hadn’t realized was broken popped through my skin.
Rick rushed to my side. “Shit.” He grabbed my shoulder as I doubled over. I started laughing again, but that quickly turned into coughing. I looked up at Brandon and I smiled. Red painting my teeth. He recoiled.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Brandon looked at me with disgust, like he wasn’t the one who did this to me.
Rick dropped next to me. “Wrong with her? She was in here doing her job. What is wrong with you? You jumped an unarmed female from your own pack with zero reason for the provocation.” Rick tried to lift me into the air and I swatted his hands.
I laughed harder, coughing up more blood. “What’s wrong with me?” I tried to catch my breath. “I wouldn’t worry too much about me. I’d worry about yourself.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He snarled, but Vince held him back.
I wiped my chin from the blood. “You attacked another wolf without a proper challenge or reason.”
Brandon screamed. “You fucking know why I hit you.” Vince turned on him.
“Shut the fuck up.” He turned back. “What happened?”
I stood, locking my knees so that I wouldn’t shake. Nix and Megan pushed a little more at me, but still I held them back. Please guys, I have a plan.
“Your son happened.” Rick scoffed.
Vince rolled his eyes. “I can see that…I’m asking what caused him to attack you.”
I snorted, but I had to cut it off, because it hurt. “Is my nose broken?” I looked at Rick. He winced and then nodded.
“Yeah, it’s pretty bad. I think we need to get you to the infirmary. You aren’t healing properly.”
I nodded. “Makes sense. I haven’t been feeling well.” I groaned as I stood. The rib pushed out more, and I screamed again.
“What happened?” Vince stepped in front of me and I growled low. He raised his hands. “I’m sorry but I need to know before you leave.”
I rolled my eyes, but I think it was lost, as they were pretty swollen.
“As I said, your son chose a mate…it’s not me.
But he tried to come in here and pretend that everything was still fine, like he hadn’t embarrassed me in front of the entire pack last night.
I asked him if there was some kind of brain damage.
Rick laughed. He attacked.” I turned to look at Brandon.
“I don’t care if his feelings were hurt, or his pride was wounded. The king will be hearing about this.”
Brandon scoffed. “Like he is going to do anything, he won’t be alive much longer.”
I tilted my head and pretended I didn’t hear his low words. I turned to Rick. “Let’s go.” Vince opened his mouth, but I raised my hand. “Are you refusing to allow me to see the pack doctor?”
Vince looked me over, and I could tell he was considering it. “I just want to make sure you are okay.”
I glared at him. “I’m sure. You can either allow us to pass.
Or you can speak to the king about refusing to allow me to pass.
” I waited for a second before I leaned in.
“Or I will just command you to move.” My eyes met his, and I could see the burning hatred in his eyes.
We stared at each other for a few seconds before Brandon laughed.
He stepped closer. “Do you think you can command my father? Look at you. You can’t even heal. I was able to beat you into the ground, and you didn’t even fight back. You are weak. Weaker than we thought, obviously.”
I smiled. “Step back.”
“Or what?” Brandon snarled and raised another hand. Vince watched, probably interested to see how this was going to pan out. “Get down on your knees and beg, and then maybe I’ll allow you to leave.” He stepped closer. “Maybe you could finally loosen up and put that mouth to use.”
I could feel the command in his words, and I turned to Vince. “You are going to allow your son to bully people, still? Are you seriously going to stand there while he commands me to do that?” I shook my head, completely disgusted. “You haven’t learned a thing.”
Brandon swung, and I released my aura. I steadied myself against the desk as the power struck out, causing everyone in the office to drop to their knees.
I looked down at Brandon and I smirked. “Guess I’m still more powerful than you are.
” I limped closer to him. “Brandon, I command you to never command another wolf until my command is lifted.” Brandon snarled.
“One more fucking word and I’ll turn you mute. ” His mouth snapped shut with a click.
Vince struggled against my aura for a second before he settled on to his knees. “You can’t do that. He’s an Alpha. He needs to be able to command wolves.”
I struggled to breathe in. “Yeah, he lost the right when he couldn’t fucking hold on to his anger.”
“You have no right!” Vince screamed, but then settled.
“As his victim, who he just tried to sexually assault, in front of you, our Alpha. I do. I won’t lift the command until the king makes his ruling.
” I turned to Rick and pulled back my aura enough for him to stand.
“Get me to the doctor.” Vince growled this time, and I turned back as Rick got to his feet.
“One more word or growl from you and you will share his fucking fate.” Vince glared at me.
“If you are smart, then you would keep him in line and no one will have to find out that the Alpha to be can’t fucking command anyone.
” I let the other option hang there unsaid.
“You wouldn’t.” Vince’s eyes tightened, and I allowed him to see my true face. I felt the pain, the anger, everything bleed out and allowed the pool of rage to burn behind my eyes.
I leaned in. “Try me. I know a ton of wolves who would leap at the chance to become the new Alpha. Succession is given, but battles for power are still a thing.” I limped closer.
“Do you truly think Brandon is strong enough to stand in a battle for power? I allowed him to attack me. Every hit was a choice.” I lowered myself to his level. “Your son hits like a bitch.”
Vince was smart enough to stay silent as I stared at him. “Go to the doctor and get checked out.”
I looked up at Rick, who came to my side. “Smart choice.” Rick helped me to my feet. “Let’s go.” I kept my aura up until we left the office, and then I tucked it away.
“You stupid girl. You just put a target on your back.” He pulled me down the halls.
I chuckled. “I already had a target on my back. Now it’s just out in the open.” We swung outside, and I spotted Alannah running back with a guard. Rick waved them over.
“The Alpha handled it.” The guard looked at me for a second before nodding. He spun on his heels and left us there. Rick turned to Alannah. “Go on home. Work’s done for the day.” Alannah looked back at me.
“Are you okay?”
I smiled. “I’m good. Go get ready for dinner.” I turned to Rick. “Get me to the doctor.”
He nodded and just lifted me into his arms. He ran the rest of the way, slamming through the door. “Doctor!”
“Bring her over here.” I heard a man call, and then I was face to face with him. “I’m Dr. Carson. But call me Luke.”
Instantly I was back on the table, having this man cut my pup out of me. I growled so viciously that Rick paled. “Are you okay?” His words were soft, and panicked. I stared at the doctor, who froze.
Luke raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, I know I’m new, but I’m just here to help.”
Nix scoffed. Eat him.
Megan laughed. But she shook her head. He’s innocent. Even back then, it was Brandon that Alpha commanded him to hurt us.
I don’t care, he killed our pup. Nix snapped.
But he allowed us to hold him in the last seconds. I called back to her, and I watched as she settled.
Fine, but just this time. Nix stalked off into the trees and Megan followed.
I’ll watch over her. Send a call when we can heal you.
I turned my attention back to Luke. I felt my chest tighten as I remembered him covered in our blood. But I shook from the pain. “It’s fine.” I whispered to Rick, and he laid me down on the table.
“What happened?” Luke got to work checking me over. “Rogue attack?”
I scoffed. Rick looked towards the door. “Alpha.”