The words hit the two women like physical blows. Even both men turned to look at me. “What do you mean?” It was Toya who wanted to know.
“I refuse to allow this loss to define us, Toya. And I refuse to let it make us weak.” I stood and faced her. “Starting this week, all of us, we will train between classes. I refuse to lose any more of my people, and now my wolf has claimed you as mine.”
Rowan’s face shifted, and he pointed at me. “You are right.”
“What?” I turned to face him.
“You should train. Everyone should train.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. “Hey, who is our best trainer that we can spare?” He listened for a few minutes. “Uh huh, uh huh, okay. Send Dunn.” He pulled his phone away from his ear and clicked a few buttons. “I put him on the floor below the penthouses. I’ll have the details ironed out and in place by the time he gets here. Tell him he’ll be staying indefinitely. If we need to switch him out, we will, but I would rather slot him into a permanent placement here at the school. I think Yenna will enjoy that.” He was quiet, and he nodded. “I know she told me last week. I’ll make sure they have one of the biggest apartments, so the pup will have a room. Let me know what he says.” Rowan hung up his phone and then turned to Vince. “We will start training here. I’ll have one of my best trainers here and everyone will have a session during the day. Work with your secretary to find the best time to slot for everyone during the day. I’ll come to the office to help you make a plan as soon as I am done telling everyone.”
“That isn’t what I meant, my king.” I stood. I stepped closer to him. “Even if there is a new training course, I will still have my own training for my people.”
“And that is entirely your choice. But you were right. We have been neglecting a vital part of your growth while you are at school, and I am baffled that it took this long for anyone to point it out.” He turned to Vince. “We are wolves, and we have trained our packs every day, so why would we stop when our next generation comes to school?”
I didn’t want to discuss school courses right this second and my anger was weaning. I grabbed Toya’s hand. “Come with me to my room?”
“Of course.” Toya smiled, but I saw her lip quiver.
I turned and gave a quick bow to Rowan. “We will take our leave.”
Rowan nodded, but Nina screeched. “You can’t seriously let them go with no punishment.”
I turned away from her and grabbed my food from the floor, where I dropped it. Toya glared at the two women still cowering on the floor, but she followed as I turned to leave.
“What do they need to be punished for?” Rowan’s question had me slowing down.
“They threatened us!” Nadine nearly shrieked.
“From what I gathered, and my king, you can tell me if you feel the same, it seems like you two initiated the interaction. You came up to these two women after they lost their families and decided it was a good idea to make fun of them. Is that about right?”
“Alpha Vince.” Nina stammered.
“Answer him.” Rowan growled.
“Yes.” Nadine answered.
“Then I guess their punishment is not attacking you and putting you in your place.” Vince turned away. “I think that is punishment enough.” Rowan nodded and we all left them on the floor.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Where are we going?” Toya looked at me from the passenger side of my truck.
“To the apartments. I’ve been moved already.”
“How is that even possible?”
“I’ll explain everything once we get inside my new place.”
Toya nodded. But I could see her biting her lips and the tears trembling at the corners of her eyes. “I can’t believe they are all gone.”
I wanted to tell her, but we needed to be safe. We needed to play this properly. “I know.” My voice was soft. I looked around.
“Do you know where you are going?”
“Not a clue.” I looked at her as she burst into laughter.
Toya laughed so hard the tears fell. She pointed off to the left as she continued laughing. “Turn left at the next stop sign. Youwill go through a couple more parking lots and turn right. It’s hidden by the trees, but it’s really hard to miss once you know where to look.” She wiped her face, and she smiled. “I didn’t think I’d be laughing today.”
I just nodded, unable to say anything to make her feel better right now. I followed her directions and, with the last turn, the apartment building jutted out of the ground.
