Shifted Fate (Amy)

He watched me for a few minutes. "I thought you were in the hospital."

I nodded. "I was, but then someone was trying to hack into our mainframe, and I needed to wrap up the tasks assigned to me."

Vince's eyes tightened. "Why? You should be home, healing."

I glanced up from my computer, my eyes grazing past the laptop screen. Seventy percent. "I think we both know why I want to tie up my loose ends." I stared at him for a minute before going back to the computer.

He coughed. "I don't think I do."

I snorted. A fresh attack started, but I kept my eye on Vince as he settled across from me. "You can pretend to be dumb with anyone else, Vince, but I know the truth. The king sent you my transfer request. We both know that he did."

He stared at me for a few minutes. "I don't know that." He stared at me. "But let's say that he did." He raised his hand as I opened my mouth. "I said let's pretend. What if I got rid of the request? What then?"

I sighed. “Honestly?" He nodded. "You want me to pretend that nothing happened?" He raised a shoulder.

"I didn't say that." He sighed. "Look, obviously Shannon isn't an option as I mate. You are the girl I want for Brandon. He loves you. He is just confused."

I stopped and turned to face him. "He's confused?" Vince nodded. "Vince, he made a fool out of me. I'm an alpha and in front of our entire pack, he chose her." He opened his mouth, but I raised one hand, stopping him. "You can pretend he didn't, but he did. The rumors are already flying." He deflated.

Vince stared at me. "It's not that bad Amy."noveldrama

I laughed. "Have you heard what the pack is saying? As an Alpha...could you deal with the disrespect you are asking me to deal with?" He stood up and started to pace. I glanced back at the computer screen and caught it stalled at seventy-three percent. Shit.

"If I loved my mate enough, I would be fine." He tried to placate me, but his words just made me laugh.

"Bullshit. Don't lie to me. If your mate picked another male in front of the entire pack-"

"He didn't do that." He interrupted.

I sighed. "Fine, if you asked your mate to decide between you and an unranked male that was obviously trying to take your place, and she refused to decide so she didn't hurt the unranked male. What would you do and be honest?"

He stared at me for a second before he slunk back to the chair. "I wouldn't be able to do it."

"Exactly." I sat back and sighed

when I realized the d******d finally moved Eight two percent. I turned back to the desktop when another

alert it the screen. There was another attack. "Fuck."

"What?" Vince perked up.

"Nothing. Another attack." I started typing, keeping one eye on the laptop and Vince. I started to push back the attack while not interfering with the d******d. It was a hard balance.

"Another attack?" He shifted in his seat.

I nodded. "I came here to finish up my work and to push back an attack that was under way when I got here."

"Where is Rick?"

"He helped me to the hospital, but then went home to check on Abby before coming back here. She isn't doing well."

I saw anticipation light his eyes, but then it was gone. "Oh, that's unfortunate."

I nodded, then tensed when he stood up. "Is there anything I can do?"

I shook my head. I turned to face him. "No. Thankfully, it's not hard to push them back." He started to walk around the desk. I looked at him and raised my eyebrow, which had him stopping with a grin on his face. My eyes landed on the laptop screen for a second. Ninety-three percent. Come on! "Do you know anything about coding or hackers?"

Ninety-five.

Vince knocked on my desk, bouncing from foot to foot at the corner as he thought about his answer. I'm not great, but I know enough." He laughed a little as he stared at me. I blocked another attack and glanced at Vince. He looked like he was trying to decide if he should come closer. "Amy...is there anything I could do or say that

would get you to change your

mind?" He started around the side of

the desk.

Ninety-nine percent.

I growled, making him pause. "You are asking me to convince my wolves to settle

for a male that doesn't want me." But he sighed and walked around the desk.

He glanced at my laptop, but the screen was just the desktop. "I am just trying to find a solution that doesn't have you leaving."