Chapter 416

I sighed before I pulled up our chat screen. The dark screen was full of messages that I had missed.

Thoth: Hey. You missed our chat last night. We were going to work on getting into the mainframe. Is everything okay? Thoth: Amy? Hey. It’s been hours. I’m starting to worry. Thoth: Amy? I called your dad. He said he hasn’t been able to get in touch with you, and he’s even starting to worry. Is everything okay? We are starting to panic. Thoth: Okay, listen, I know you are probably busy, especially with the kids. I know you said that the king was in the past, but maybe you should reach out to Rowan about the kids. Maybe he can help. Thoth: Hey, it’s been another day. Are you okay? I fully expect you to message me back today. I called you, but you didn’t answer. Thoth: I just realized it might be weird that I called you…I got your number from your dad. I figured since we are friends, you wouldn’t care. Thoth: Okay, don’t be weird about me calling you. Thoth: I’m panicking.

I laughed at that. Thoth was adorably awkward. I really liked that about him.

Thoth: Hey. This is the third day you haven’t answered any messages from me. I don’t know if you have decided to hate me or something, but if you could just tell me you’re safe and okay, that would be enough. Even if you never wanted to talk to me again, I’d be okay just knowing you were safe.

I froze at that last message. That hit a little different. I knew he was worried about me, but this sounded a little different.

Thoth: Amy, please answer me. I’m about to charge into Vince’s pack and kill everyone.

There was a gap in time before the next message came in.

Thoth: I have a pit in my stomach that something happened to you. I’m trapped by everything going on, and I hate that I can’t come there to see you for myself. Please, goddess, answer me. Thoth: I’m sick with worry. I tracked your phone to the airport. Your mom is at the cabin, same with Toya’s and Wendy’s, so I know they are safe with your pup. But yours hasn’t moved in days. Are you gone, and I’m just too stupid to realize it? Thoth: I tried to make it to Vince’s pack through the woods today, but there are traps everywhere. I nearly died as I fell into a pit full of spears. Your father had to pull me out. It took a full day to wake up, and now I’m stuck in bed. Thoth: I begged the goddess to tell me if you were still alive. I needed a sign, anything, to know you were still alive, but I got nothing. I think she hates me for hurting you.

Hurting me? What was he even talking about? All he’s done since coming into my life was help me. He helped me with school, with hacking into Vince’s mainframe, advice, fuck, he even told me to wait before making any decisions about mating someone.

Thoth: Please be alive. Thoth: I don’t think I would survive without you…

And then the last message pulsed on the screen. I could feel his anger and frustration through the computer.

Thoth: WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!

I reread all of his messages, and I felt a pained, crushing weight in my chest. I made him worry. I made him panic, and I felt horrible. “Why do I feel bad?” I whispered to the screen.

“Did you do something wrong?” I jumped and looked up to find Alannah at the door with a mug of coffee. “Sorry. I was just bringing you your coffee when I heard you whisper the question.” She smiled. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

I smiled and waved her in. “You didn’t. I was just confused by my feelings.” I laughed. I pointed at my computer. “I had to get it fixed, and I missed a call with an acquaintance. She has been close to me and helping me with my human business side hustle. She was worried about me, panicked really, and I felt terrible about it.”

“So, not a friend?”

I shrugged. “She’s helped me a lot. We talked a lot over the computer but never met, or even saw each other.” I sat back. “I don’t know if you could call that a friendship.”

Alannah set my cup on the desk and smiled. “I think you are focused on the wrong things. So what if you have never met? Did you talk to her about life, about stuff that wasn’t related to your business?”

I nodded. It was hard to keep track of what I could say in front of the damn cameras. “Yeah, she knows a lot about my life, and I know about hers.”

“Then stop diminishing your relationship. You feel what you feel. You can make friends online. I mean, humans fall in love over the internet…why can’t we make friends?” She turned and left me to think over her words.