Chapter 178

“Where are we going?” Toya looked at me from the passenger side of my truck.

“To the apartments. I’ve already been moved.”

“How is that even possible?”

“I’ll explain everything once we get inside my new place.”

Toya nodded, but I could see her biting her lip and the tears trembling at the corners of her eyes. “I can’t believe they are all gone.”

I wanted to tell her, but we needed to be safe. We needed to play this properly. “I know.” My voice was soft. I looked around.

“Do you know where you are going?”

“Not a clue.” I looked at her as she burst into laughter.

Toya laughed so hard the tears fell. She pointed off to the left as she continued laughing. “Turn left at the next stop sign. You will go through a couple more parking lots and turn right. It’s hidden by the trees, but it’s really hard to miss once you know where to look.” She wiped her face, and she smiled. “I didn’t think I’d be laughing today.”

I just nodded, unable to say anything to make her feel better right now. I followed her directions and, with the last turn, the apartment building jutted out of the ground.

“It’s huge.”

Toya nodded. “It’s about thirty floors.”

“Are you thinking or requesting to move in?”

Toya shook her head no. “No, I don’t need the space.”

“I think you should. I think we all should. Wendy, Hanna, Micca, and you. If there is a four-bedroom unit, apply to live together, or do two and two.”

“Why?”

“I feel like I need to keep you close. And now that I’m out here, you all need to be too.”

“Do you think we would get approved?”

“Yes.” I would email Rowan as soon as I was settled. I looked over at Toya. “You have everyone’s numbers, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Text them to come over. As soon as I figure out the apartment number, I’ll give it to you to send to them. But I want everyone here tonight. We have a lot to talk about.”

“Okay.” Toya slid her phone out of her pocket and texted everyone. My phone dinged. “It’s just me. I made a group chat.”

I nodded. “Smart.” I pulled up to the front door of the apartment and I realized it had a luggage cart like a hotel did. This would make moving everything a lot easier.

I hopped out and grabbed the cart to unload my truck bed. “I don’t think everything is going to fit.” Toya looked around and walked through the sliding doors. The guard at the door stopped her. They had a conversation, and the guard walked away and came back with a second cart. He followed Toya outside.

“Are you sure you are supposed to be here?” The guard slid the cart to me and I nodded.

“The king gave me the key to my new apartment himself.”

“Can I get your name?”

“Amy Maclean.” I watched as the guard’s eyes widened, and he nodded.

“Of course, Alpha Amy.” He took the loaded cart away as I started on the second one.

“Hey, where are you going?” I called after him.

“I’m taking your things up to the penthouse. I’ll drop this off outside and come down for the rest.”

“You don’t have to.” I tried to grab the rack back, but he waved me off.

“I know I don’t have to, but I’d like to. No one lives here except the king, and I get bored. So I take any opportunity to get away from my desk.”

“Okay.” I smiled as I turned back to the rest of my stuff. I put the rest of my things, including my food, on the rack. I had just finished when the guard returned.

“I’ll take this up as you park.” The guard pointed to the right. “If you head that way, there is a scanner to get down to the parking garage.” He pulled out a key. “This is keyed to your door, the parking garage, and the elevator.”

“The elevator?”

“The top floor needs to be scanned to get to, or someone has to call up to you and you have to release the elevator to come to the floor. The stairwell is the same.”

Toya looked at me. “I thought the king said the penthouse was going to stay empty.”

I nodded. “I’ll explain everything once everyone gets here.” She nodded.

I turned back to the guard. “I have Hanna, Wendy, and Micca still coming to visit. Can you help them up to my apartment when they get here, please? Gamma…”

His eyes widened and then stammered. “Gamma Sterling. I’m Gamma Sterling, but you can just call me Sterling.”

“Thank you for all your help, Sterling.”

We hopped back into the truck and drove to park. Toya looked at me and I could see the wheels turning. “I feel like we have a lot to discuss.” I just nodded as we headed down into the parking garage.

Chapter 179