“What does that mean?”
“It was a saying that was used back when your dad lived his first life. When he was killed in his first life, the attacker said the same thing. Like a mantra. And he never forgot it. So when Beck said it this time, he knew.”“So, we wait until this is figured out.” I sounded as defeated as I felt. I didn’t want this to continue, but I wouldn’t risk anyone’s life. “Yeah, but at least you have something to do.” Ronnie smiled over at me.“What do you mean?”He pulled the car over and hopped out. He went to the trunk and rustled around for a few minutes before coming back with a laptop bag. Once he settled back behind the wheel, he handed it to me. “This is for you.”“What is it?”“Open it.” He tapped the bag and got the car back onto the highway. I unzipped the bag to find a new, sleek laptop and a new phWe pulled up to the house, and I took a breath. I didn’t want to be here, but I knew I had to be. I had to face everything that was done. Even if it hadn’t happened yet, I knew, given the chance, they would do it again. Brandon was a foolish man that was easily swayed. And Shannon would kill just to get what she wanted, and that just happened to be my mate.A pathetic mate at that. Nix’s voice whispered in my mind and I snorted. Ronnie looked over at me with a lifted brow.“Nix just said something funny.” I took another deep breath.“You have to see this through.” Ronnie’s voice was quiet.“I know.” I take one more minute before I step out of the car. Before I could do much more, my mom was jumping into my arms.“I missed you so much, baby.”“I missed you too, mom.” I pulled away and smiled. “Let me at least get fully out of the car.”M
I pushed the door open, and a feeling of dread settled in my stomach. What happened if this didn’t work? What would I do?You can always reject him. Nix tossed out.I scoffed as I dragged my stuff in. “Yeah, like rejecting an alpha would go over well.”“Rejecting an alpha? Who would be that stupid?” Alpha Vince’s voice had a shiver going down my spine. I thought I would have more than one second before I had to face him, but how was I to know he was waiting by the door?“Some wolves prefer a lower rank mate, or freedom compared to the duties and responsibilities that come with mating an Alpha. Specifically Alpha’s that follow some of the older laws.” Lynn cut in, saving me but painting a target on her back.“You mean weak and stupid she-wolves?” His scoff had me rolling my eyes before I could stop it, but thankfully I had my face settled before I turned the corner into the li
I slowly turned away from Shannon, dropping her arm. I let my mouth drop open to keep my ruse going and to show my shock. “Why would he think I’m his mate?” I found Brandon, who was arrogantly staring at me with hunger in his eyes. I wanted to grimace, but I swallowed the need. “We haven’t even talked before.”“Shannon admitted to wearing your clothes around Brandon.” Vince smirked like that was the missing piece of information that would make me jump at the chance of being Brandon’s mate. But I just lifted my brow. “So?” I let it hang there. The simple word that held my disbelief.“Soooo. It means that it was your scent I liked, that my wolf was attracted to.” Brandon stepped toward me and went to grab my hand, but I pulled away.“Or…it was our combined scent that you liked.” I lied through my teeth. I felt a pang in my chest and I felt the pain radiating from my wolf. I sent a pulse of love to Megan. This was her mate, after all. It’s okay. Megan’s words were strong, but tinged wi
I held up my hands in mock surrender. “I told you it might have been a mixture of Shannon’s scent and my own mixing.” I shrugged my shoulder and turned back to the stairs. I gave a small wave. “I’m going to head up to my room now, unless there is anything else?” I looked over my shoulder and waited. But my mother waved me off. I made my escape with my suitcases, with Lynn trailing behind me. I stopped in the spare bedroom and opened the door. Lynn looked at me. “Me?”“Yeah. This is you.” I pointed to the far side of the room. “That’s the bathroom. But yeah, this is your room while you’re here.”“Thank you.” Lynn dropped her suitcase and stared at me expectantly.“What?” I stared at her with a confused look, but she still stared at me.“Take me to your room.” Lynn lifted her arm, gesturing me to continue, but I was still confused.“Why?” Now we were both frozen, staring at each other. “Because when I’m here, my job is to protect you.” Lynn slowly answered as she stared at me. “Rememb
“Oh, that’s good. Are you close to Amy?” Morgan turned to face me. But Lynn was already shaking her head.“No. I asked to come to this pack without realizing that Oakenfang was the pack her mother moved to.” Lynn’s eyes would meet mine, or my mother’s, for that matter. She was staring fully at Morgan.“Really?” Morgan tilted his head. “Then why did you seem so close to her when you two walked in?”Lynn smiled. “Beta, if you would have looked outside when we pulled up, I stood away from Alpha Amy and Beta Ronnie. I followed her inside since this was her home, and you were giving me a place to sleep while I explored the pack for my mate.” Lynn cut her eyes to me and there was thinly veiled hatred in them. “Alpha Amy has been as polite to me as I have been to her, but I wouldn’t say we are friends.” She looked back at Morgan. “I follow the protocol my Alpha c
I left them all in the kitchen and retreated to my room. I closed the door and settled myself and Nix, finally shifting back to my normal face.I’m sorry I lost control in there. Nix sounded softer, almost embarrassed.“It’s okay.” I smiled as I flopped onto my bed. “They deserved it.” I chuckled softly as I thought of their surprised faces as they hit the ground.What you both just did will put them on the toes. They won’t think they can easily manoeuvre around you anymore because your wolf has manifested itself. Megan’s voice was confident as she chastised us. She knew that this would make our lives a little harder. You both should have held it together back there.I thought about it. “You’re right.” I admitted, and Nix nodded with me. “We should have behaved back there. It would have been easier to move in the shadows without them knowing I could shift. But we still have
I came back to my room and my mother was spraying the pile of clothes with a bottle of what I could only assume was descenting spray. There were two garbage bags by the door and she nodded to them. “Bring those to the trash. I’ll meet you downstairs in a minute.”“What are you doing?” I pointed to the pile of the clothes.“Covering our asses until we get back with more spray and finish washing everything.” She lifted her lip and continued spraying. She ended up cursing under her breath and unscrewed the lip and upending the bottle on my clothes. “Stupid thing would take forever.” She pointed to the garbage bags, and I lifted them and ran down the stairs. I ran to the trash and dumped the bags, then ran back.“I told you I would meet you downstairs.” My mom was using a soaked top to run some of the descenting spray all over my mattress.“I know, but I wanted to lock my door before
I let her words settle, and I knew she was right. Brandon would come for me if he was rejected, so I had to keep my distance until I figured out everything else out that I needed to so that my mom and I could leave. And I had to concede that she was also right about the strawberry shampoo. It had become my signature smell since grade school. So much so that Shannon used it, even though her wolf hated it.“You’re right.” I grabbed the bag and left my room. Once my mom came outside, I locked the door and we headed to the garage. “You will help me find a smell my wolf likes?”“Of course.” She nodded as I tossed out the bag of toiletries. “Amy, I was wondering. Has there been anything weird about Nix you wanted to talk about?” I froze for a second, but shook it off.For a second, it sounded like my mother knew about Megan, but that was impossible. It had to be. “Like what?”“Well, she is ve
“May I speak with you Alpha Amy?” The class just ended, and I was struggling to hold on to Nix. She wanted to shift, and holding her back was almost impossible. I turned to Gamma Charles and sighed.“Of course.” I made my way to his desk as the rest of the men filed out of the room. Once I tucked my power away, Charles did his best to refocus the class and start on the material, but you could feel everyone was on edge. “I’m sorry.” He started, but I raised a hand, stopping him.“I am not foolish enough to believe that it was intentional. I assume in your teaching career you have had quite a few individuals who had tried to pretend to be a rank they weren’t. I also understand the female alphas are very rare. I don’t take it to heart.”I watched as he breathed in a sigh of relief. “I am still sorry. I know I put you in an awkward position today, and probably for the rest of the semester. But I will go to the rest of your teachers and let them know so you don’t have to do this kind of d
I looked over the room and every one of these men on their bellies. “What the fuck?” I heard a whisper, but I growled. These fucking men pushed me to the point of losing my control. Now they had to deal with the repercussions. “Alpha Amy…” Gamma Charles started, but I turned on him and stomped to the front. I wasn’t even using all of my power. And I was making sure they weren’t in any pain, but I was almost past caring.“Gamma Charles, I’m going to need you to be quiet for a minute. Please and thank you.” I pulled back my power enough that everyone could sit back on their heels. “Now.” I turned to face the class like I was the teacher. I leaned against the table and clenched my fists. “I was trying to be nice. But you pushed it too far.”One guy stammered out an apology. “Please forgive us.” But I just shook my head. “We are past that now, Greg.” I finally turned to Caleb, who was glaring at me. “Have something to say, Caleb?”“No.” He bit out. I could see his ego was hurt. I was tr
“No fucking way.” One guy called out. I hid my smile behind my coffee cup. Gamma Charles pushed up from the desk. “Amy, while I can understand that, what I said might have appeared dismissive. But lying about rank is prohibited here.”“I understand Gamma Charles.” I placed my cup down and leaned back in my seat. Caleb, the poor man, was floundering. His mouth was opening and shutting without a sound.“So, what is your actual rank?” An unranked man, Adrian, I believed, asked me.I just raised my eyebrows and purse my lips. “Alpha.”“You have got to be shitting me.” Another man called out. “Alpha females are rare. Like super rare. Most Luna’s are betas, or gammas that mated an alpha and rank up. But a natural female alpha is basically unheard of.”“Now, now.” The gamma raised his hands. “Amy, I have to urge you to reconsider your answer. If you continue to push that you are an alpha, then I will either have to command you to tell the truth or call the dean.”“Okay.” I just nodded. “Eit
I dropped into a seat in the far back of the lecture hall. I pulled my bag on to my lap and pulled out my computer. Once that was booting up, I pulled out my notebook and took a sip from my coffee. I nearly moaned into my cup as the first hit of caffeine hit my bloodstream. I waited, sipping my French vanilla cappuccino, as the rest of the class streamed in. I scrolled on my phone, waiting for the last few minutes before class was to start. Nix and Megan kept vigil, so when the male approached me, I wasn’t startled. “Excuse me?” His voice was deep, but I’ve heard deeper. The King’s voice fashed through my mind. His voice was the deepest I had ever heard. Just thinking of it had my skin breaking out in goosebumps. I regretted not bringing a sweater. “Yes.” I looked up from my phone. The man in front of me was tall, muscular, and decent looking. His chestnut hair and chocolate eyes were warm, and he had a perfect smile. I smiled up at him and waited.“Can I sit here?” He pointed next
“I said enough.” The deep voice rang out through the cafeteria and everyone froze, except me. I squeezed the throat of the red head harder, lifting her from the ground, her feet dangling. “Amy, please.”I turned my head and stared at Vince. “This one touched me.” I growled out, Nix slipping closer to the surface. I pulled the girl closer to my face. I could barely see her freckles that dusted her nose anymore. “Do you know what I do to people who touch me without permission?”She whimpered in my hands. “Please Claudia, help me.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her eyes darted to the side to look at the blonde, but I laughed. I pushed her to the ground. “What do you think the blonde is going to do?” I crouched down over the girl, claws sliding out of my fingers.“What in the goddess name is going on?” Vince’s voice was closer, probably hustling across the room to get closer to stop whatever this was, but he wasn’t going to stop me. No one would, unless I did it myself. “Alpha V
The alarm screeched through the air, and I groaned. I think it’s safe to say that I am a night owl. I want to just roll over, but I have to get ready for class. Class.Ugh. I’m excited but also dreading it. You get to find out who the secret professor is today. Nix’s voice sounded excited.“Why are you so excited?” I yawned so wide, my jaw cracked. I sat up and stretched. I don’t know; she has been amped up since last night. I kept her entertained so you could sleep. Megan’s voice was tired. “Nix?”Someone’s coming. I don’t know who, but it’s important. She panted. It was like she was running around in my mind. That’s exactly what she is doing. Megan countered, yawning herself.I laughed as I stood and made my way into the bathroom. Time to get ready. I showered, cried my hair and then stepped back into my room to choose my outfit. I flipped through my clothes until I landed on simple jeans. I grabbed them and a black tank top. I got dressed, flipping my hair into a messy bun, so
“Mom, you really didn’t have to help me.” I looked back at her and she laughed.“Did you really think I was going to allow you to move into your dorm without me helping?” My mom carried a box up the steps. “I mean, kinda…” I laughed as I unlocked the room. I dropped the box in my hands and turned to look at her. “It’s just for a little while. It’s not like you won’t see me again.”My mother dropped her box on the bed and turned to me. “I don’t think that’s true.”“What? Mom, come on.” I shook my head but she grabbed my hands. “Listen to me. I don’t have power like a shaman or like your grandmother, but I have this feeling. Somehow, I know you won’t be coming home.”I stared at her, and I could see the pain behind her eyes. “I might not come home, but I will still see you. I’m not going to just up and leave you, mom.”She wiped at her eye. “You promise?”“Of course I do.” I grabbed her and hugged her. “What is really bothering you?”She pulled away and looked at my face. “I miss him.
Shannon and Morgan froze. “What did you say?” Shannon took a step towards me.“I said everyone now has ten thousand dollars on their card now.” I rolled my eyes. “So you can leave me alone.” “I want more.” Shannon stomped her foot.I laughed. “What?” I shook my head in disbelief.“I said I want more. I deserve more. If everyone else has ten thousand dollars, then I should have as much as you, one hundred thousand.”My mother burst out in laughter. “You have to be kidding. Why do you deserve more?” She stood and paced, almost prowl. “You are still acting like you are better than everyone else.”“Because I am.” Shannon shouted. “You’re not!” My mom shouted back. She turned on Morgan. “This is your fault. Do you not realize that? You spoiled her and made her believe that her status as your kid made her better than the rest of her pack. You have doomed her.”Morgan stood. “I have not.”“Yes, you have.” My mother countered. “You want to know how?” Morgan glared at my mother, but she just
“You act like I am some kind of disease.” Shannon shot to her feet.“To me, to Nix, you are.” I snarled. “I don’t think you understand. So let me break it down for you. You know how you feel about Brandon. How he’s yours?” I waited, staring at her face, and watched as the possessiveness took over.“Yes.” She bit out.“How you feel like no one ever should touch him, be near him, flirt with him? Right? Like you would kill anyone that tried to take him.” I stared at her again, waiting.“Yes.”“Well, I feel that way about my stuff. My room. My safe space. And you violated it to get laid.” I stood, and I could feel my anger rising. “You are weaker than me, lower than me, and an all around shitty fucking person. But you thought you had the right to MY stuff. You went into my room and used my things, the things I got from my mother, from my father, for myself. And you used them to trap a wolf that isn’t yours.” Nix came closer to the surface. I felt my eyes shift, my fur flowed down my arms,