Chapter 166

I winked as I faced him, and I watched his mouth turn up on one side. I dropped to my knees quickly and bowed. “I’m sorry, my king, but it is the only way the other she-wolves leave me alone. They all seem to think that because you were my teacher for a few classes that you favor me, and they are jealous.”

Rowan rubbed his face, hiding the smirk that graced his lips. “Get up. I will address the students later, but Vince, we need to talk.” I got to my feet and bowed again.

“Then I will take my leave.” I turned to leave, but Rowan grabbed my arm.

“We will speak about this later, alone.” I nodded my head.

“Of course, my king.” I felt him tremble as I said those words, then he let me go, and I walked into the auditorium. I turned behind the door and hid in the shadows to listen to the conversation between Rowan and Vince.

“Tell me the truth, Vincent. You colluded with the council to expel over a hundred and fifty unranked wolves from the school my father created.” Rowan growled deeply. “The very school he created for the exact purpose of having ranked and unranked wolves taught together to create a more cohesive pack.”

“I don’t know what you mean, my king.” Vince stammered, and Rowan growled again. I heard steps and then a whine.

“Do not play dumb, Vince. You studied here yourself. You know exactly the environment my father curated, the cohesiveness he demanded from his wolves. And yet here you are today, spitting in his legacy.” Rowan was pissed.

Vince’s voice trembled. “No, I swear that wasn’t my intention.”

“Then what was?”

“The council told me to make the timeline and to prioritize the ranked wolves. Otherwise, how could I make that kind of decision on my own? I am an alpha, but I don’t make decisions.”

I wanted to snort. He took my bait. I gave him an out, and he would remember I gave it to him, even subconsciously. Instead of being squashed by the king, he will skirt this punishment by pushing it onto the council, who the king is already angry with.

I knew I should feel bad about giving him this out, but it was necessary for my long-term plan. I needed to convince Vince that I was giving Brandon a chance in a few years. Ruining him now wasn’t in my cards, but he had to try to pull this bull so early.

“The council made you do this?” Even I could hear the disbelief in Rowan’s voice. He wasn’t believing anything that was coming out of Vince’s mouth. I pulled out my phone and shot a quick text to him.

Amy: Rowan, I need you to pretend to believe him that the council forced him to do this. I can tell you why later, but let him off the hook for now.

I waited until I heard his phone chime twice.

Vince used his distraction to beg, “Yes, my king. I don’t know what they have against the unranked wolves, but how could I say no to the council? I thought they were working under your command.”

Rowan must have read my texts because he snorted.

Rowan: This better be good.

Amy: I swear it is.

Rowan growled again. “You thought I wanted you to kick out unranked wolves from my school? Have you ever seen me treat anyone differently?”

“No, my king, but everyone has their own opinion of things behind closed doors. Who am I to assume I know how you feel?”

“Never do this again. Do you understand me? Council or not, you do not get to make any decision regarding my school again. You lost every ounce of power that you had with this stunt. You can thank the council for it.”

“My king, I need some ability to make decisions to run the school properly,” Vince started, but Rowan took a few steps and growled.

“You lost everything. You are lucky I don’t kill you and put your son in your place.”

I heard Vince swallow from here, and I nearly died laughing. I covered my mouth to hold it in.

“My king—”

“My king, nothing. You lost every right today. You are lucky that you have been a puppet for my rebellious council and not the mastermind. I will deal with this the same as I would deal with an attack because that is what this was, an attack from within. And I won’t stand for it.” Rowan must have leaned closer. “Do you understand me, Alpha Vince?”

“Yes, my king.” I heard his voice tremble and then some movement. I had to hurry to find a seat. I had just sat down next to Hanna as the two of them came in.