Chapter 253

The rest of the day passed in a rush. Guards showed up to take care of Thinius, and Rowan stuck around to talk to the ladies applying to be his wife. I did my best to ignore him, and Brandon did his best to always be in between us. The effort he put into keeping us separate was almost amusing. I kept an eye on him, not trusting him for a minute, but the day got busy.

“Here.” Toya handed me a drink, and I nearly cried. I was so thirsty.

“Thank you.” I chugged the bottle down. “Who knew this was going to be this busy?”

Toya leveled me with a look, and I just laughed. “Come on. This was always going to be a huge event, but with Rowan actually here, it was bound to get insane.”

I chuckled. “You’re right. Thankfully, we are almost done.” I stretched, then I looked at the last of the girls at the table. A few were still filling out the form, and the rest were hanging around Rowan, seated at the end of the table.

“Yeah. I just want to crawl into my bed.”

I shook my head. “I’m going to head home and get into a nice hot bath with the jets on, then I’m going to curl up in bed and watch trashy human reality TV to fall asleep too. I haven’t watched the newest season of Lust Isle. I can’t wait for the drama.” I licked my lips, feeling the dryness there. My throat had gone dry too. I rubbed my neck. “Is there any more water?”

“Yeah, give me a sec.” Toya grabbed another bottle, and I chugged this one down, too. “Better?”

I felt heat rise up my back, and I groaned a little. Something was wrong. Nix and Megan came out of the forest, panting. Something is wrong. Nix was breathless.

So much need, so much heat. Megan laid down with a thump. Her fur rippled with shivers that were racking her body.

“Toya?”

“Yeah?” She came closer, sniffing. “Amy?” Her voice held concern, causing both men there to look my way. I saw a flash of worry on Rowan’s face, but it was the barely hidden triumph on Brandon’s face that hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Where did we get these waters?” I whispered to Toya, and I watched her think.

“I don’t know, they just showed up.” Toya turned and called Wendy. “Hey.” She ran over and we all huddled together. “Where did the water come from?”

“Most of it, I brought, but a few Brandon brought himself. Why?” Wendy looked at me, and we all remembered Lynn’s call at the same time. “Oh, fuck Amy.” Her hands reached my face, and they were blessedly cool.

“Get me out of here. Now.” I started to pant, and Rowan’s eyes narrowed in my direction. I watched as both men took in a deep breath. Rowan’s eyes went wide. But Brandon looked like he was waiting.

He’s not strong enough to smell the heat coming on. Rowan is. Nix panted as she settled on her side. Her body was dancing like Megan’s now. Any movement was hard to control. Get home and lock the door before you make a decision you will regret later.

Toya ran over to the other girls and whispered something, and Rowan stood, making his way over to me. “Are you not feeling okay?”

He was giving me an out, and I was thankful for it. “No, I’m not. I’m going to head home. The girls will finish up here.” Rowan’s nostrils flared, and his eyes flashed to his wolf’s. Nix and Megan both gave a low mournful howl, almost begging, and I knew I had little time.

Brandon was randomly at my side. “I’ll take you home.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and I shivered. Any touch was making my skin dance, but his made my stomach crawl.

Toya came back over and tried to pull me from his arm. “Thanks Brandon, but honestly me and Wendy have her. Plus, you aren’t allowed up to the apartments, so you won’t be able to bring her home.” She smiled as she tugged again, but he was holding strong.

“That’s okay. I can just take her to my room to rest,” Megan growled at the thought. She was pissed, but I was confused. This was her mate.

I’m…over…him. She panted. Not…worthy.

“It’s fine, Brandon. Amy wants to go home. She will feel more comfortable there.” Wendy smiled and grabbed my other arm, but still he wouldn’t let me go.

“Then I will go with her to the apartments and she can give me permission to go up to her place.” He leaned in and I felt his nose graze my neck, and I shuddered. He grinned in triumph again, but it wasn’t need that made me shudder, but disgust.

I looked up to Rowan, who was watching my reaction and I could see the hurt there; he thought I wanted him. I mouthed ‘Help Me’ to him, letting the panic enter my eyes, and he finally understood. Something was wrong.