Chapter 182

Toya gripped my hand. “Amy, I appreciate the effort, but please don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not.” I went to my lock box and pulled out my secret phone. I called my father’s number and waited.

“Pup, you know you shouldn’t be calling me.”

“I know, Daddy, but I needed to hear your voice, and there is someone here that needs to hear their father’s voice.”

I heard my father huff, and then there was a click. “Okay, Pup, we can all hear you.”

I clicked the speaker on the phone. “I sealed the room, so no one can hear us.”

“That’s good, Pup. Now, all the alphas are here. What do you need?”

I looked at Toya and held the phone closer to her. “Say hi.”

Toya leaned in. I could hear, “Hello? Baba?”

“Toya, my love.” A rich voice called out, and Toya snatched the phone away. She sobbed as she clutched it to her chest.

“Baba, they said you were gone. That everyone was gone. Moma, Tiven, everyone.”

“We are still here. We are all still here. Amy there will explain it to you. You weren’t supposed to know.”

Toya sobbed longer as everyone looked on. “I’m sorry, Daddy, I couldn’t keep this from her. From them.”

“Who all is there?”

I went through the list. “I listened to my gut. They all needed to know.”

My father was quiet, but then there were a few murmurs. “Are you going to tell them everything?”

I thought about it. “As much as the goddess will allow.” My father would know what I meant. I would tell them as much as they needed until the feeling went away.

“Good.” I could hear the relief in his voice. “I’m sorry if you were scared, but it is necessary.”

“Toya, my love, listen to Amy. She knows what is going on and what is happening. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you anything, but things are not as they seem.”

“Okay, Baba.” She sniffled as she wiped her eyes.

“Your mother is going to kill me, but it is good to hear your voice, Pup. You can’t call our phones. They have been shut off, but trust me, everyone is safe.”

“How can I talk to you?” The hopeful question hung in the air.

“You can’t.”

“Well, not regularly, but we might work out a monthly phone call on this phone.” My father offered a tiny branch of hope.

“You would do that for us?” Toya’s father’s voice was deep.

“Of course.” My father’s voice was sincere.

“Without question.” My answer was quick as I stared at Toya. “This phone isn’t traceable. And my home will be secure, that I can promise you.”

Chapter 10

Toya nodded. “Thank you.”

“I will set it up with your parents, and I will message Amy.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” Toya smiled, and for the first time today, it was a genuine smile.

“Just call me Gavin.” Toya handed back the phone, and I could see tears dripping down her face. “Pup, can you take me off speaker?”

I clicked it off and pulled it up to my ear. “Yeah, Daddy?”

“Are you sure you can trust these girls?” I could hear Toya’s father’s rich voice, and my father laughed. “Not your girl, Terrence. The others.”

“Yes, Daddy. I can feel it. I can trust them. The goddess hasn’t guided me wrong yet.”

My dad was silent. “Okay, Pup. I trust your judgement.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” I looked at the confused faces of the others. “I’m going to go. Rowan will be here soon, and we have a lot to figure out.”

“Rowan? Like King Rowan?” His voice jumped up two octaves, and I wanted to laugh.

“Bye, Daddy.” I hung up the phone and put it back into my lock box.

“What is going on?” Hanna walked over and climbed into my bed next to Toya. “What’s wrong?”

Toya jumped into my arms. “Thank you.” She started to cry, and Hanna was left with her arms behind Toya, and I just smiled. I pulled her back and pressed my cheek against hers.

“We are connected.” Toya nodded and pulled back.

“We are.” She looked around. “We all are.”

“Yes.” I stood and turned to face everyone. Hanna wrapped her arm around Toya. Micca and Wendy got onto the bed, and I could feel something settle. “This right here, all of us, we are connected. I can feel that we were meant to meet.”

“I feel the same way.” Wendy smiled, and Micca and Hanna nodded.

“I know everyone is confused. And I promise we will explain everything we can.”

“We?” Micca looked at Toya, but she shook her head.

There was a soft knock, and everyone turned as I released the spell. I waved my hand. “Come to the living room. We will explain it all right now.”

“Is she talking about…” Everyone followed me to the door, and I opened the door.

“Hi.” I opened the door wider.

“Holy shit.” Micca’s voice was a whisper, but I couldn’t stop my laugh as Rowan walked in with a case of beer.