The room was full of wolves and my scent glands were going haywire. Gathering so many wolves in one place always did this to me. My nose was sensitive, and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself. “You girls ready?” I looked up at my father and nodded.
“Can we enter without you guys?” I asked my father. “Why?” I smiled over at Cas, who was on Ronnie’s arm. “I…” “You are planning something with the she-wolves, aren’t you?” “Yup.” I smiled up at him and slipped my arm out of his. “If you hear a large fight, show up. But I swear, dad, if you fawn over another she-wolf in front of me, I will hit you.” My dad laughed at me. “I promise I won’t and if by the smallest chance I do, you have full access to punch me in my face.” He smiled down at me and I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thanks daddy.” “You’re welcome, my girl.” I pulled my arm from his and held my hand out for Cassie. “Let’s go.” “Are you sure Amy?” “Yes, yes I am.” I smiled down at her and she shook her head with a small smile. “Chin up. Don’t worry. I got you.” She nodded and we opened the door and headed down the steps. When we hit the middle of the stairs, everyone had stopped to stare at us. “They are staring.” Cas whispered to me and I smiled. “It’s because we look so hot.” I whispered back as the smell of lust hit her in the face. She stumbled, but I held her up and we kept heading down until we hit the bottom of the stairs. “Let’s go get a drink.” I pulled her to the bar and ignored the stares of all the men and woman around us. “Why are they staring?” “I already told you. We look hot.” I handed her a glass of champaign and clinked my glass against hers. “Your birthday is in a few days, and these men are your potential mates. Take today and enjoy it. For your life will change when you hit eighteen.” I knew that Cas found her mate the day she turned eighteen, and he was a good man. I couldn’t remember who it was exactly, a guard or someone, but she was happy. I stopped coming here once I accepted Brandon. He forbade me from coming. Saying he couldn’t live with me being so far. It sounded sweet at first, but later on I realized it was just his need to control me. “What the fuck are you wearing, you tramp?” A screech rent the air and the people around us grew quiet. I smiled into my glass as Cas paled, but I patted her back and I turned. “Excuse me?” I took a small sip of my drink and faces Aurora. She was dressed in a pale white sheath dress and matching pearl necklace. Amanda was in a pale blue bodycon dress, with a matching choker necklace. They were stunning, but no match for me and Cas. “That dress and necklace were supposed to go to my niece.” Amanda stood next to her aunt with her eyes staring at the floor. I quirked an eyebrow. “I bought them, they are mind, I allowed my best friend to borrow it. What is the issue?” I tilted my head to the side and stared at the two. “Bullshit. You bought them, knowing that Amanda wanted them, and allowed that weak wolf to strut in here in front of us.” I took in a deep breath and then squared my shoulders. “So?” Aurora reeled back. She sputtered in front of me for a moment. And I took a step towards them. “Who are you to tell me what I am able to do? Are you my parents? Are you a gamma, beta, or an alpha? No. Then why does it matter?” Aurora growled. “It matters because weaker wolves need to know their place.” “I agree. Weaker wolves should know their place.” I growled out and Nix flashed in my eyes and Amanda started to shake. Aurora didn’t catch my meaning. But she puffed up her chest and went to grab Cas, but I stepped in front of her. “Move.” She stomped her foot and let out her power. It crashed against me and I wanted to laugh. She was so weak, but she felt like she was a bigger threat. “Don’t touch her.” “Move.” Aurora tried to go around me, but I grabbed her wrist and flung her back until she was on her ass. Her power lashed out again. But it washed over me. Cas whimpered again, but I kept her behind me. I growled out loudly and then the crowd opened up and my dad walked up through the crowd. “What the hell is going on?” My dad looked from me to Aurora. Once his eyes locked on to Aurora, I could see his eyes grow hazy. “Devlin.” Aurora got to her feet and ran into my father’s arms. I wanted to growl, but I held myself in check. “This girl was bullying me and my niece.” His eyes moved to me, and I could see he didn’t recognize me. I walked up to my father and stood in front of him. “How dare you…” He growled out and I pulled back and punched him square in his face.“Baby?” My dad shook his head and his eyes cleared. Then he rubbed his jaw. “You had to?”I nodded and cut my eyes to Aurora. “Something is going on.” I looked down at the woman cuddled in my father’s arms and I wrapped my hand around her arm and wrenched her away, tossing her to the ground. “Get away from him.” Nix came to the forefront and flashed my eyes. Her screech hurt my ears as she landed, but I turned back to my father and Ronnie. I cut my eyes to Cas, and she walked over when I nodded. “Alpha Devlin, Beta Ronnie.” She smiled at them and stood behind me. “What is going on?”“This she-wolf is driving the charge behind the unranked, wielding their power on the weaker wolves, Alpha.” The beta female, Tina, walked over and smiled at me. “How dare you!” Aurora stood and tried to touch my dad again, and I growled. “Don’t touch him.”“Who are you to demand anything from me?” Aurora tried to grab for him again.“She’s my daughter, and the only alpha female in this pack.” My fathe
The knocking on the door woke me up and I groaned. I wasn’t ready to wake up; I snuggled deeper into my bed and ignored the knock when it sounded again. Ugh. “What?” I called out and my father’s chuckle from my door had me cracking an eye. “Let a little too loose last night, did you?”“You know I did.” I tossed my pillow and buried myself back under the comforter. But my dad just tossed the pillow back to me. “Time to wake up.”“I don’t want to.” I groaned and grabbed my phone and realized it was five in the freaking morning. “Dad…” But his laughed interrupted my groan.“Sorry darling, but training starts now.” He walked over and ripped the blanket off of me and I screamed. The cold air jolted me more awake, and I wanted to whine more, but my father was already walking out. “If you’re not downstairs in five minutes, I’m dumping water on you.” I groaned and kicked a little before I got up. I know it’s stupid, and I needed to be better than my last lifetime, but I really wanted to st
My father skidded to a halt at the edge of a small clearing with a stump in the center. I slid off Loki’s back and he trotted off to shift. He walked back to me and gestured to the center. “Go sit.” I nodded and walked into the clearing. The tree’s shadows were still deep, as the sun has just breached the tree tops. I shivered, not from the cooler temperature since wolves burn hot, but from the feeling of woods. It felt like something was here. Something was waiting for this moment. I turned to face my dad, and he was still at the edge of the clearing. “Why are you still back there?”“This isn’t for me, it’s for you. I have already done my time in this place.”“Your time? What are you talking about?”“This is a sacred place. The clearing here holds our family’s power, and it’s warded against it.”“Against it? Dad, what are you talking about?”“Just listen. Sit down on the stump.” I sank to the top of the stump and then looked back to my father. “Take your shoes and socks off, then p
“Let’s go! Faster! Your wolves, not humans, you can do better than this!” I screamed out again and again, standing next to the Beta and Gamma females. Tina and Lynn watched the females struggle to run around the inside track. I turned to face them with wide eyes. “What is going on?”Tina shook her head and watched the struggling women. “The females here only train if they want to. Your father doesn’t force us to train.”“I told him it was a mistake.” Lynn the Gamma looked at the girls with a curled lip. “Look at them. It’s only been two laps, and they are already winded.” The muscled woman shook her head and tossed her arms. “I don’t understand this laziness. What happens if we get attacked?”“Well, I’m here for two months, and in the future, you two will continue this after I leave.” The two women cut their eyes to me and I nod. “I talked to my father, and he caved when I went over the last pack that kept this outdated opinion for the females in the pack.”“What pack?” Tina furrowed
I waited for the reality of what I said to sink in. “What? You said it yourself. I can’t command you to hurt yourself. Fine, let’s go with something else. What if I commanded you to give me all of your money?” I stared down at the girl and she looked away. “Something you’ve done I see.” I snarled. My eyes flashed. “What’s your name?” “Stephanie.” I slammed my aura out, and Nix took control as I raged. “Do jumping jacks until I tell you to stop.” Stephanie’s eyes widened, but I turned away to reel in my wolf. She started bouncing up and down, and some girls chuckled and I snarled. “You think this is funny? Do you want to join Stephanie? Being made to do something and not being able to stop yourself is a horrible feeling.” I whipped back to the girls, and Nix snarled again. My power struck out again, dropping everyone to their knees. “Everyone here will do jumping jacks until I say stop.” Everyone started, even Tina and Lynn, but I commanded them to stop. “What are you planning?” Ly
“How did it go today?” My father nudged me to a seat across from him and waved to an omega. She brought in the plates. “Thank you Manda.” “Thank you Manda.” I smiled up at the girl, and she ducked her head, then left. I turned back to my father. “It went as well as expected.”“Which wasn’t good at all.” I pointed to him and nodded. “Exactly.”“What happened?” He dug into his food, and I told him about the day.“We started with running, and even those that had already shifted were…”“Weak?” my dad threw out while waving his knife around.“Pathetic.” I countered. I cut into my steak and nearly moaned with the first mouthful. “They barely made it two laps before they were huffing. Then I called them over, and we started to talk about what was going on.”“And…”“And then some girls were giving us push back about commanding other wolves. So I made a point.”“What was the point?” My father focused fully on me and I grimaced. He might not agree with my decision. “They wanted to hide behin
“I look exactly like her…”“Well, you have your mother’s nose.” My dad laughed. “I didn’t want to scare you.” He peered at the picture, then at me. “This is where we come from, Amy.” He tapped the photo. “Our power stems from her. We have her to thank for everything we can do to protect our pack.” “You use your power to protect your pack?” I met his eyes.“Of course. We do what we have to do.” My father sat back down and wiped his face. “Anyway. Let’s forget about that for now. What are your plans for the girls?”“I commanded anyone that was using their power to demand things from weaker wolves to never command again.” I cut my eyes away from his face. I knew this would not sit well with him. “Amy!”“I know, I know. It’s against the law, but there is something going on with them. One girl was going to say something, but then one of the others commanded her to shut up. So I made sure she couldn’t command anyone else.”“But you can’t fight against wrong doing by following suit.”“Comm
The next morning was much of the same. I awoke to my father’s knock, and we made our way to the clearing. He nudged me into the clearing and I walked to the stump and sat down. By the time I looked back up, he was already gone. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on, or what I am supposed to do here.” I shook my head and took off my shoes. I planted my feet and took a cleansing breath. Then I closed my eyes and focused, like my father explained. The air was a soft, gentle breeze. I felt it dance across my skin. It played with my hair, tangling my curls as it blew through the clearing. The early morning sun crested the tree tops. I could feel the warming light hit my skin. I wiggled my toes in the grass, and it tickled my the bottom of my feet. I opened my hands, palm up on my knees, and settled deeper on to the stump. “This is stupid.” I opened my eyes and looked around, but I was talking to myself. “Is it?” I whirled around to see my father’s grandmother walking towards me. “H
“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,