Page 60 of Fallout

“My name is Henley,” I say through gritted teeth. “My parents abandoned me so it doesn’t matter what they wanted to name me. They must have wanted me raised away from the rest of the phoenixes or they never would’ve dropped me off at that hospital.”

And just like that, I can forgive my parents for what they did. It must’ve been for a reason. And I was raised by the best man for the job. Dad may not have been perfect, but he loved me.

The phoenix turns and stomps down the hallway, toward the exit. Parker and Will both stay at my side until he disappears. Will backs up, looking at Parker and me.

“What are we going to do about that?” Will asks.

Parker sighs, rubbing the back of his head. “I think we should talk to my dad about what happened. I don’t think he’s going to let that go.”

I don’t either, but I don’t voice my concerns aloud. I will trust Parker and his dad to take care of things.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Will offers.

Parker nods. “Blaine, too.”

A moment after he says that, I spot a blond walking toward us. He has his signature smirk on as he approaches.

Once, I thought of Blaine as a major flirt—and he is—but he’s also really sweet and sensitive. Despite the fact that half of the things out of his mouth are flirtatious, he’s never dated anybody before. He’s waiting for his soulmate, a fact that I’m certain the woman who is mates with him will appreciate.

Parker puts his arm around me and pulls me close to his side as he leads me from the school. Will walks in front of us, vigilantly looking around, and Blaine walks behind us. I feel safe with the three of them protecting me. I know that they’re the strongest members of the pack, as Parker will take over as alpha one day, and Blaine and Will are his betas. I don’t understand a lot about pack dynamics, but I do know the alpha and betas are the strongest members of the pack.

Will and Blaine get into the backseat of Parker’s Jeep. I know for a fact that the two of them drove their own cars, Will’s car is parked right beside Parker. But I’m sure somebody will bring them to get their cars later.

On the drive home, Parker holds my hand. Part of me wishes I could know what he’s thinking right now. I can almost feel how worried he is, which I know is a mate thing, but it isn’t supposed to happen until after the mate bond is completed.

“Are you okay?” Parker asks.

I nod, turning to look at him. “I’m fine. I’m not worried—not when I’m with you.”

He squeezes my hand.

Being with Parker isn’t the problem. It’s the times when we’re apart that is the problem. I don’t know how I’m supposed to sleep at night after the phoenix’s threat earlier, especially since I’m not sure how strong phoenixes are. For all I know, I’ve only scratched the surface of my power.

When we arrive at Parker’s house, we walk right inside and head for Mr. Thorne’s office. I’m not surprised to see him waiting for us at his desk. A middle aged man stands behind him, and I recognize him as the current beta. I know Mr. Thorne used to have two betas, much like Parker, but my dad was his second beta. Since my dad left the pack for twenty years, he won’t be given back his position.

Mr. Thorne motions for the four of us to sit down and he gets right down to business. “You said the phoenix approached Henley at school. What happened?”

Parker and I sit down across from him. As soon as we’re sat down, Parker laces our fingers together. Will sits on the other side of me and Blaine stands by the closed door.

“I was with her.” Will leans forward as he addresses his alpha. He then goes into the story of what happened—including my bloody nose and how difficult school was for me. Mr. Thorne gives me a sympathetic look but listens diligently to the rest of the story. Parker takes over from the point where he showed up, making sure to mention the threat.

Mr. Thorne leans back in his chair, sighing heavily. “There is nothing we can do about him going to school—pack land doesn’t extend to the town.”

“Dad, maybe it’s time to consider homeschooling for the pack—at least for Henley.” Parker gives his dad a pointed look.

Mr. Thorne nods. “Not for the whole pack and not all at once. It would draw too much attention to the pack if we did that.”

Parker starts to argue.

Mr. Thorne holds up his hand. “But I do agree with you that Henley doesn’t need to be at school any longer. It’s clear that it’s too much for her to handle. She doesn’t have enough control of her powers to be there. And with the threat of the phoenix, it’s a risk the pack simply can’t take.”

Parker sighs, leaning back in his chair. The relief is clear on his face. “Good. So, what are we going to do?”

“I will pull you, Blaine, and Will from school for the time. Henley is going to need around the clock protection. I will talk to her father—he works too much for her to be safe at her own house. She’ll move into our spare room.” Mr. Thorne gives Parker a pointed look. “The two of you will not be alone behind closed doors. It’s not that I don’t trust you, I do. But I know the temptations. You two love each other, but you’re not married yet.”

My cheeks grow warm.

Parker growls. “Dad.”