Chapter 157

I had to reread his email three times. The fear that gripped me when I read over his email was intense, but this was my father. He wasn’t alone.

He had our pack.

But Rowan, Rowan was alone. And fresh fear gripped me. What would our king do if things went south?

I clicked over to his first email.

Amy,

I have attached my complete guide from when I was learning to hack.

Rowan.

I clicked and downloaded the file. I would crack it open after class. But I checked the time and knew I needed to leave for breakfast soon.

I clicked his second email.

Amy,

I’m sorry I was so vague, but I can only assume your father explained things to you. No one is safe. Trust no one, especially Vince and Brandon.

Everything has been turned on its head, and these rogues are vicious and somehow they know everything about these packs.

If it wasn’t for your father’s quick thinking and working with his Beta to change everything about his security, they too would have fallen already.

You seem to be safe at school. None of the attacks are close enough to cause us to worry about your safety, but I want you to be aware.

You have already painted a target on your back with the she-wolves, and I apologize for my part in it.

I did nothing to give anyone the idea that I was interested in them. But the council informed me today that they have sent out feelers to high-ranking she-wolves for mating opportunities.

I should have realized when Nina acted out with you the first week...

I could feel his frustration through the computer, and I felt a punch to my gut. He was starting the process of finding a mate.

"You can throw yourself into the running if you wanted to." Nix’s voice was soft, but I knew she wasn’t interested. She had found her interest in Erubus, and even the king couldn’t measure up to that male.

"I wouldn’t do that to you. Megan and I both know you are set on Erubus. If you don’t find your mate, he is who you would choose."

She settled down on her belly and sighed. "Only if he actually gets his act together."

I laughed and turned back to the email.

I won’t be around, but I want to keep in contact. Let me know what happens, and I will do my best to respond as I have free time.

Stay safe Amy.

Rowan

I closed my eyes as I shut my laptop. What the heck was happening? I shook myself as I packed my laptop away in my bag and headed to eat.

I filled my tray because I was on edge after this morning. I sat down with my food and barely had a free breath before a few girls sat down with me.

Instantly, my guard was up. I slowly looked around to see who was sitting with me, and I tilted my head in confusion. There was the girl I met in the bathroom, Hanna. There was Wendy and a few of the other girls I had met through interactions with Nina. I stared at Wendy and she smiled.

“Do you mind if we join you?” Her question was soft, but hopeful.

“No. I don’t mind.” I sat back and looked at the five girls now sitting with me. “What’s going on?”

A few laughed. Wendy pointed to herself and smiled. “I just want to be your friend.”

Hanna nodded along. “Me too. It’s not every day you meet a new friend in the bathroom, but here we are."

I turned to look at the three girls who I didn’t know. “You are?”

“Thora.” A full-figured wolf with blue eyes and dark hair turned to me. She was one of the girls I saw with Nina in the caff the first night, one of the girls Nina tried to lie and say she gave them money. “I don’t like liars.” She lifted her shoulder. “I was never a big Nina fan, but she was a high-ranking wolf. My father gave me instructions to befriend higher-ranked wolves.” She grimaced. “That sounds horrible, but he just wants what is best for me. He and my mom are unranked.”

I nodded my understanding. “You're a gamma, right?” She nodded. “I get it. Especially parents that give birth to higher-ranked pups. They are worried that you are going to be looked down on because of them, so they tell you to befriend higher ranks.”

Thora nodded along, and I could see the relief. “I told Nina, and all she did was bash my parents. But she couldn’t turn me away.”

“Why not?”

“Because my alpha’s son is single. She doesn’t want to chance insulting the gamma who will be in charge of her safety in the future.”