Chapter 453

I turned to the computer and worked for a few minutes before sighing. I couldn’t put this off any longer. I turned to my laptop and opened it, groaning as I hesitated. Alannah was at my door before I knew it. “Are you okay?”

I dropped my head back, banging it against the chair a few times. “Yeah… I just have to send a message to a friend, and I’m…”

“Freaking out?” She looked at me with a smile.

“Is it that obvious?”

She nodded. “If you know what to look for… yeah. What’s the message about?” She leaned against the doorframe, ready to help. I loved that about her.

I opened my mouth before my brain caught up. My mouth snapped shut before I blurted out the truth. “I have to message the king, and that in itself is stressful. But I also promised my friend I would message her… and I know she’s going to ask about the mating ceremony.”

“What about it?” Alannah came in and sat down.

I looked behind her and then back at her. “Ternen?”

She sighed. “Went to his job for his last day before his new placement at the wall.” She sounded devastated. I just nodded. “Also, before I forget, Shelly and Abby are happy to come over to your place tonight. Shelly told me to tell you she’ll make a potato salad.” I opened my mouth, but Alannah was already shaking her head. “Before you start, she already told me to tell you she’s already started the potatoes, and you can’t tell her no.”

“Seriously?” I exclaimed.

She smiled and nodded. “So that’s one thing you can cross off. No talking to Shelly.” She snorted at the look I gave her. “So the king? Why do you need to message him?”

I sighed. “I’m guessing you haven’t heard.”

She shook her head. “Heard what?” I heard Rick’s door open, and I knew it was my time. I forced tears to my eyes, and Alannah leaned in. “Amy? Are you okay?”

I heard soft footsteps creep closer. I shook my head and sniffled. “No.”

She stood and came around the desk. “What happened?”

A tear fell, the saltiness hitting the air. “Brandon…” I shook my head and squeezed out a second tear.

“Amy.” She wrapped her arm around me.

I wiped at my face. “He was cheating on me with my sister.”

She gasped. “No.”

Chapter 45

I nodded. “I figured it out a few weeks ago. But I was willing to look past it.”

“Why?” Alannah dropped to her knees beside me, and I heard a faint growl from outside the office. Vince apparently didn’t like her questioning that. “Why would you allow someone to treat you like that?” She grabbed my hand. “You are so amazing and strong. You deserve to be treated like a queen.”

Nix preened at her words. She’s right about that; you know. We deserve to be treated like a queen.

Megan laughed. You are a queen.

“What are you talking about?” I shook my head. “I’m no queen.”

Alannah scoffed. “You are strong, resilient, and an alpha. A born leader. You are a queen, just not the queen.”

See? Nix snorted as she pranced around the clearing. She sees things perfectly clearly.

“I gave my word to mate with him… but I just can’t anymore.” There was a soft intake of breath outside my door.

“What happened?” Alannah patted my hand.

“He showed up after I asked him multiple times to handle Shannon. I kept telling him she loved him and that she was telling everyone around the pack that they were going to mate. I didn’t want to hurt her. But I also didn’t want his reputation to take a hit.”

Alannah puffed up her cheeks. “You are better than I am.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Alannah looked around, not realizing Vince was outside. “If it was me… and someone other than Brandon,” I snorted. “I would have walked away as soon as I found out. Vow or not. He wouldn’t deserve my time, my acceptance, or my love. And even if Brandon is my alpha, or soon-to-be alpha, he doesn’t deserve you.” She looked up at me, and I could see her sincerity. “If he doesn’t love you enough to stay faithful before you’re mated, he won’t stay faithful when you are.”

I let out a tiny sob. “I know you’re right. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. He slept with my sister, and I know I was saving myself for our mating night, but he couldn’t wait?” I shook my head.

“Oh, Amy.” She pulled me into a hug.

“I can’t stay here anymore.” I shook my head and then pulled away to look at her face. “I’m requesting to transfer back to my father’s pack. At least I’ll be able to look at the pack lands and see if it’s safe.”