Chapter 317

“What does that mean?” Verity stomped her foot.

“It means—” Vince started.

But Rowan interrupted him. “It means that if I want to speak with Alpha Amy, I must contact her and let her know I’ll be visiting beforehand. And that I have to use her title. Also, she will be included in any vote.”

“Toya and I will also attend the alpha conference in a month.” I smiled at Verity.

“But that’s…”

“Only for Alphas.” Toya finished with a toothy grin. She walked over and rubbed her fur against my side.

“While this is nice, catching up, and all, is there a reason you are here?” I looked around and waited. “Alpha Vince? Brandon?”

He smiled, looking down at me. “We are here about the job position in the pack. Brandon told you to think about it. I wanted to come and see if you had.”

I smiled up at him. “Sorry, with everything that happened yesterday…” I trailed off and glared back at Rowan. “I haven’t had a minute to think about it.”

Vince nodded. “Where did you go yesterday?”

I looked out the door. “We went for a run.” I allowed my face to settle into this wistful look. “Yesterday, the council and the King’s fiancee tried to paint my father as a traitor, shifting the blame from them onto a dead man. And doing it on my graduation day as a way to hold me back is more than telling.”

Verity sighed, but she pulled away from Rowan. “You act like we are targeting you.”

I snorted. “You can act like you’re not, but everyone has seen the truth. Toya specifically.” I grinned as Toya glared at her. I watched as she paled and shot Rowan a look. I saw his eyes tighten, but he pretended not to notice. Toya shot me a look, but I gave her a tiny shake back. Now is not the time to handle her. “King Rowan, is there a reason you are here?” I redirected everyone’s attention.

“I am here to reassign Alpha Toya.” He looked at her. “But Alpha Amy is right, as you inherited your father’s pack, so you have options. You can go into a pack, or decide to rebuild your own.” He sighed. “Alpha Amy also has the ability to rebuild her father’s pack.”

Vince stepped forward, almost in front of me. “Amy has a position in my pack already. She doesn’t need to rebuild.”

I leaned out. “Actually,” I interrupted, “I want to rebuild. But I would like to discuss it with the King alone, with Toya, if that is at all possible.” I smiled.

“But the position?” Brandon grabbed my arm and I smiled.

“Let me see if my idea is even possible. Then I will let you and Alpha Vince know my decision.” I turned to Rowan and lifted a brow. He nodded once and then turned to the elevators.

Verity glared at me. “What you want to discuss with Rowan, you can discuss with me. I’m your queen.” She followed, but Rowan turned back.

“Verity.” He shook his head. “Stay down here. You know you aren’t allowed up to the penthouses.” He turned to me and nodded toward the doors. “Are you coming?” I nodded. Toya and the others trotted after me to the elevator. He crossed his arms, and I smiled. I pointed to Micca and Hanna.

“Those two have to pack up the rest of their things, and then head back to their packs. Toya has hers and Wendy’s things to pack, but she also needs to be in our conversation as my idea includes her.” He just nodded, then pulled out a key. I lifted a brow.

“It calls the elevator directly to me.”

Toya’s mouth dropped open, her tongue rolled out in surprise, but I just laughed. I turned to Hanna and pointed my finger at her.

Hanna groaned. “Seriously? You can’t just be normal?” She stomped her paw on the ground. “I’ll send you the money when I get back to my phone.” I just nodded, then turned back to the elevator that had just opened.

“Do I even want to know?” Rowan shook his head.

“Wendy asked a long time ago why we never see you heading to or from your place. I said you probably had a code or something that calls the elevator down, like Sterling had. She thought you had your own private elevator, and Micca thought you ran the stairs, but she didn’t want to join the bet.” I smiled. “I won.”

We all crowded into the elevator—two full-grown adults and three wolves. It was a tight fit, but it was only for a minute. I hit the penthouse button and then Micca’s and Hanna’s floor. I sat back against the wall and watched the door slowly close.

Vince’s face was dark. He didn’t like not knowing my decision. Brandon’s face was worried, his eyes focused solely on Rowan. But Verity’s face was pale. She was worried about what exactly I was going to say to Rowan. I let my face drop. Her eyes darted to mine, and I let her see exactly what I planned to do.

“Rowan,” she called, but the door shut just as she reached for it.