“We?” Rick forgot about his food. He was invested.
“My father, me and Rowan…the King.” I took a long sip of my soda.
“Wait a damn minute.” Rick slammed his hand on the table. “You said your father was dead.”
“And to Vince and Brandon, that’s exactly how he has to stay. Dead.” I put down my cup. “Vince and whoever else he is working with sent attack after attack to take down my father. He sent a she-wolf witch to use magic to get him to betray his mate bond. To betray me. They infiltrated and turned his Gamma, for fuck sakes. My father needed to move in the shadows, and a way to keep our pack safe.”
Rick looked away. “I didn’t mean it like that. But he is my friend.”
“I know. Which is why I asked about bringing you into the loop. But I needed permission. I can’t jeopardize everything we are working towards just because I like you guys.”
Rick turned back and nodded. “Why are you bringing us in?”
“Because I think you need my help. And I think I might need yours as well.”
Something entered Rick’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
I smiled. “I’ll get to it. But I want to start with Ternen. You wanted to see me today. Why?”
Ternen turned pale. “I, I, I.” He looked at Alannah.
“Hey.” I reached across. “Whatever you want to ask me, just ask.”
He took a breath. “I was talking to Rick. He told me he was able to get his life together because of your dad and the help he gave him.”
Rick nodded. “That’s true.”
Ternen looked at Rick, who gave an encouraging nod. “I hoped that maybe…” He looked back at me and then shut his eyes tight. “Would you be willing to lend me the money I need to go to school for computer science?” His eyes snapped open, and he rushed to continue. “I swear I’ll pay it back.”
“Yes.”
“And I’ll pay you back with interest.” He continued as if I didn’t already agree.
“Ternen.” I reached across and grabbed his hand. “I already said yes. And you don’t have to pay me back.”
“I swear I’ll make a payment schedule.”
“Ternen!” I snapped him out of his monologue. “I already said yes. And you won’t have to pay me back.” He looked at me, slowly blinking as if he was short circuiting.
“What?”
“Yes, I will pay for you to go to school.” I smiled. “When did you want to start?”
“Um…I still have to ask Alpha Vince if I can go. I mean, even if I got fired, I still have to ask.”
Rick and I froze. “What do you mean you got fired, boy?” Rick’s words were angry.
Alannah looked down at her hands and then up at me. “Amy, please don’t feel bad. You couldn’t have known.”
“What?” I looked between the two. “What exactly happened?” A pit had opened in my stomach.
“Brandon came to me after you all had left for the day. He said you talked to him about moving me.”
“I did. I heard from Alannah you guys were about to lose your apartment, so I figured if you moved to a higher paying position, you guys would be okay. I didn’t think Alannah would take money from me if I offered.” I looked between the two.
“That son of a bitch.” Rick slammed his hand against the wood, and that made everything click for me.
“The bruises…they were from Brandon?” I looked at Ternen. He nodded.
