I heard soft footsteps creep closer. I shook my head and sniffled. “No.”
She stood and came around the desk. “What happened?”
I let a tear fall, and the saltiness hit the air. “Brandon…” I shook my head and squeezed out a second tear.
“Amy.” She wrapped her arm around me.
I wiped at my face. “He was cheating on me with my sister.”
She gasped. “No.”
I nodded. “I figured it out a few weeks ago. But I was willing to look past it.”
“Why?” Alannah dropped to her knees beside me and I heard a faint growl from outside the office. Vince apparently didn’t like her questioning that. “Why would you allow someone to treat you like that?” She grabbed my hand. “You are so amazing, and strong. You deserve to be treated like a queen.”
Nix preened with her words.She is right about that; you know. We deserve to be treated as a queen.
Megan laughed.You are a queen.
What are you talking about?I shook my head. “I’m no queen.”
Alannah scoffed. “You are strong, resilient, and an Alpha. A born leader. You are a queen, just not the queen.”
See.Nix snorted as she pranced around the clearing.She sees things perfectly clearly.
“I gave my word to mate with him…but I just can’t anymore.” There was a soft intake of breath outside my door.
“What happened?” Alanah patted my hand.
“He showed up after I asked him multiple times to handle Shannon. I kept telling him she loved him and that she was telling everyone around the pack that they were going to mate. I didn’t want to hurt her. But I also didn’t want his reputation to take a hit.”
Alannah puffed up her cheeks. “You are better than I am.”
“What do you say that?”
Alannah looked around, not realizing Vince was outside. “If it was me…and someone other than Brandon.” I snorted. “I would have walked away as soon as I found out. Vow or not. He wouldn’t deserve my time, my acceptance, or my love. And even if Brandon is my Alpha or soon to be Alpha, he doesn’t deserve you.” She looked up at me and I could see her sincerity. “If he doesn’t love you enough to stay faithful before you’re mated, he won’t stay faithful when you are.”
I let out a tiny sob. “I know you are right. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. He slept with my sister, and I know I was saving myself for our mating night, but he couldn’t wait?” I shook my head.
“Oh, Amy.” She pulled me into a hug.
“I can’t stay here anymore.” I shook my head and then pulled away to look at her face. “I’m requesting to transfer back to my father’s pack again. At least the ability to look at the pack lands and see if it’s safe.”
Allanah pulled back, but I heard footsteps walk away from the door. Good. “Is that safe?” She looked scared for me but I just smiled.
“I can’t stay here.”
Alannah sighed. “What if the king says no?” I wanted to smile because I knew she was asking for the cameras.
“Then I transfer to Toya’s pack.” I pulled back fully and wiped my face. “Or another pack. Anywhere but here.” I blew out abreath. “I’m okay. Go see if Rick is free yet, and if he is, can you send him in? I’m going to put on my big girl pants and send off my message and then call the king.”
Alannah stood. “If you are sure you are okay…” She hesitated.
I nodded. “I am.” I wiped my face again. “I can’t mope around all day and cry about my shitty luck. I need to do something about it.”
She watched me for a second before nodding and then walking out of my office. I turned back to my laptop and pulled up Thoth’s message again.
NixtheGoddess:Hey… I need to talk to you if you have a minute.
