Chapter 456

I heard laughter from Rick in the outer office. Brandon moved with lightning speed, jumping over my desk. His fist hit my face several times before Rick pulled him off. My face was on fire; I was pretty sure he’d broken my cheek or eye socket.

Rick grunted with the effort of restraining him. Alannah screamed and fled the office, likely to find help. But I just stood there and started laughing. Both men froze at my soft giggles. Brandon looked horrified as he gazed at my face. I assume this wasn’t because of the beating itself, but rather how my face looked. I just laughed.

Nix and Megan growled, and I felt them push power into me, but I stopped them. "Not yet," I whispered.

"Amy!" Nix snapped. "Let us heal you."

I sent them calming thoughts. "I need photos first. I need proof."

Megan growled. "Bullshit. Just let us heal you."

I shook my head. "I will, just not yet."

Vince burst in, freezing. "What's going on?"

Rick released Brandon and stepped back. "Your son attacked Amy."

Vince looked at me and winced—more for show than genuine sympathy. He turned to Brandon. "You attacked your chosen mate?"

I snorted. "You seem to be just as dense as your son." I felt something drip from my chin. I couldn't tell if it was blood, tears, or something else. I sank back into my chair.

Vince turned to me. "What happened?"

"I called off the mating last night. Brandon made his choice, and it wasn't me. I hope Shannon and he have a long, happy life, if he makes it past the inquiry."

Everyone in the office froze. Rick inhaled sharply, though the sound was slightly muffled; he might have just been breathing normally. I shuddered as I felt something in my face shift—an unnerving sensation. My side began to ache for no apparent reason. I stretched, then screamed as a rib I hadn't realized was broken popped through my skin.

Rick rushed to my side. "Shit." He grabbed my shoulder as I doubled over. I started laughing again, but it quickly turned into coughing. I looked up at Brandon and smiled, red staining my teeth. He recoiled.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Brandon looked at me with disgust, as if he weren't the one who'd done this to me.

Rick dropped beside me. "Wrong with her? She was here doing her job. What is wrong with you? You jumped an unarmed female from your own pack with zero provocation." Rick tried to lift me, but I swatted his hands away.

I laughed harder, coughing up more blood. "What's wrong with me?" I gasped for breath. "I wouldn't worry too much about me. I'd worry about yourself."

Chapter 456

"What the fuck are you talking about?" he snarled, but Vince held him back.

I wiped the blood from my chin. "You attacked another wolf without a proper challenge or reason."

Brandon screamed. "You fucking know why I hit you!" Vince turned on him.

"Shut the fuck up." He turned back to me. "What happened?"

I stood, locking my knees to steady myself. Nix and Megan pushed more power at me, but I held them back. "Please, guys, I have a plan."

"Your son happened," Rick scoffed.

Vince rolled his eyes. "I can see that... I'm asking what caused him to attack you."

I snorted, but had to cut it short because it hurt. "Is my nose broken?" I asked Rick. He winced and nodded.

"Yeah, it's pretty bad. I think we need to get you to the infirmary. You aren't healing properly."

I nodded. "Makes sense. I haven't been feeling well." I groaned as I stood; the rib pushed out further, and I screamed again.

"What happened?" Vince stepped in front of me, and I growled low. He raised his hands. "I'm sorry, but I need to know before you leave."

I rolled my eyes, though I think it was lost on him, as they were quite swollen. "As I said, your son chose a mate… it's not me. But he tried to come in here and pretend everything was still fine, like he hadn't embarrassed me in front of the entire pack last night. I asked him if he had some kind of brain damage. Rick laughed. He attacked." I turned to Brandon. "I don't care if his feelings were hurt, or his pride wounded. The king will be hearing about this."

Brandon scoffed. "Like he's going to do anything. He won't be alive much longer."