Chapter8 CLAWS AND CONSEQUENCES

Zoe’s POV   After our glorious escape from Asheville, we were met by a fuming Alpha—who also happened to be my dad—right at the edge of Diamond Ville.   “Hello, Dad! Did you miss me?” I chirped, planting an innocent kiss on his cheek. “Virelle called,” he said, ignoring my attempt at charm.   “What about her, Dad?” I asked, feigning cluelessness.   “She’s agreed not to throw you three into the Red Room—if you go back after one week and never pull a stunt like this again,” he said in his best angry-Alpha voice. It was mostly an act. He’d crack soon.   “But Dad, we don’t want to go back to Asheville! This is our home—it only makes sense to learn in the place where we actually belong!” I wailed. “Please don’t send us away.” “My silly child,” he sighed, pulling me into a long hug, arms wrapping tightly around my waist.   Yeah, he missed me—even if it had just been a few hours.   “Zoe, let’s go inside and talk. Alex, bring the others. I want to tell you all something,” he said, ushering us