Chapter 177

Nina wrapped her arms around her sister and looked between Vince and Rowan. “Are you going to let her threaten us?”

I laughed as I let go of Toya for a moment and crouched down to be level with them. “You have it very confused.”

Nadine looked at Nina and then back at me. “What are you talking about?”

“They aren’t letting me do anything. If you hadn’t noticed, I’m a very strong alpha, stronger than any female alive today and most men. Vince and the king do not let me do anything. I do it, and then I deal with the repercussions. And let me be frank. The way you two lord over everyone, when let’s be honest, you are actually pretty weak for alphas. Toya is stronger than you.”

“No, she isn’t.” Nina shot back and glared at us. “She couldn’t measure up to me, and Nadine is stronger than me.”

“See, that is where you got it wrong.” I looked back at Toya and she straightened her shoulders. But I could feel I was right. Her wolf, even being an alpha, was like Cass’s. She would rather put her strength into her shifted form than her aura. “She is a stronger wolf, and I will train my girls to realize their full potential.”

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 will have the details ironed out and in place by the time he gets here. Tell him he will 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 everyone in 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 mean, 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 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 waning. 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 cave.”

Rowan nodded, but Nina screeched. “You can’t be seriously letting 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.