Chapter 34

Lightheartedness turned into lightheadedness as Armand had a guard escort to my room. He was obviously in a hurry to leave and didn’t have time to deal with my near hysteria.

The guard that walked me to my room, Devin, was patient with me though, seeing my panic and assuring me that I would be safe. “The boss is leaving some of his personal guard here at the house to watch over you. You’ll be fine. We are more than prepared for anything they throw at us now.”

He talked quietly, but moved me quickly through the house, the sense of urgency obvious. “Where are the triplets?” I asked him, wondering if they would be staying with me or going with their father.

“They’re on location.” The reply was short, clipped, and confused me. I didn’t know what that meant, but when I turned to ask, Devin pushed me towards my bedroom door, and cut me off.

“Stay here, rest. It’s going to be a long night, so you should just try to get some sleep.” He didn’t give me time to respond as he turned and hurried away.

I was unable to sleep that night, not hearing the triplets come home until well after the sun came up the next morning. I didn’t bother to ask about what happened, thinking they would probably want to keep me in the dark as much as possible.

The next day at school I was on edge, jumping at every sound. “Are you ok? You’re acting like you haven’t slept in months.” Sophia and Lily were both watching me with worried expressions.

“I’m exhausted.” I confessed to them and explained what had happened the night before. “Oh wow, that it so scary. I’m so sorry.” Lily was as sympathetic as she always was.

“At least they’re being proactive, so you don’t have anything to worry about! You’re definitely safe here, and at home now!” Sophia’s positive outlook was comforting.

The three of us walked together to lunch, but as comforted as I was by their presence, I couldn’t shake the fear that was radiating within me.

We picked up our food and headed towards a table in the back of the room, when Anna and her nasty group of friends blocked our way.

I was so distracted, inside my head, that I didn’t see her until it was too late. I ran right into her, dumping my plate of food down the front of her outfit.

“What the hell is wrong with you, you idiot? Are you blind or just fucking stupid?” Anna screamed right into my face. I could feel the spray of saliva she was so close to me.

I shuttered, and all the fear and uncertainty from the night before began welling up inside me. “That was your fault Anna, you cut us off on purpose.” I spoke quietly, trying to regain control of my emotions.

“My fault? So, you really are just stupid! Stupid, ugly, fat, jeez. How could anyone stand to be around you? Your friends must be just as stupid as you are.” She was sneering at each of us now, laughing.

At the insult to my friends, something inside of me snapped and I stepped even closer to her, releasing the hold on my wolf that I had been gripping so tightly, trying to maintain control.

“If anyone here is stupid, Anna...” I gritted my teeth, and almost growled her name, “it would be you. You continue to think you’re better than everyone around you, and yet you forget that I’m the one who will be mated to your dream man.”

“I am the ward of the alpha king, and one word from me and you’ll be torn to shreds. Honestly though, I would have to have them tear you to pieces. I could do it myself.”

“My inner wolf would love to have the chance to put you through as much torment and pain as you’ve put me through in the last year. But I’m better than that, better than you, because I won’t sink to your pathetic level.”

As I spoke, I let the full force of my wolf radiate through me, the power pushing hard against Anna. I could see the pain in her eyes as my words and that power hit her.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned, running from the room before she started to cry, her group of friends following her without a word.

I reeled myself back in as I watched her run away, trying to calm down. I was so done with her and the terror she had put me through. “That was impressive.” A deep voice said from nearby, Nicholas’ voice.

I turned to see the triplets standing next to Lily and Sophia, with looks of approval on all their faces, both of my friends grinning. Sophia was holding her hand to her mouth to keep from laughing.

Cheney smirked a little, crossing his arms. “It's about time you started standing up for yourself. I was wondering if you ever would.” Brian smiled at me and just nodded his head.

“Yeah, Anna definitely deserved that. Her attitude has gotten worse and worse lately. Here, take mine since yours is in the floor and all over Anna. I’ll grab another one.” Nicholas handed me his lunch plate. “Thank you.” I took it sitting down, my friends following me.

I was surprised to see Brian and Cheney follow us too. Nicholas sat down with us as well after retrieving more food. We sat together, chatting and laughing like it was something we did every day.

I wasn’t sure if they were sitting with us because Armand had commanded them to watch over me, or if they were doing it because they wanted to, but I didn’t really mind either way. I enjoyed having them close by.

I felt safe within this little group, and the fear that had threatened to take over slowly started to seep away. I could feel the curious looks from the others gathered in the lunch room, but couldn’t find it within myself to care.