Chapter 43
Is that all I’ve been to her? Am I really just a stepping stone for her to achieve her goal at the Academy.
I think about her smile just now. Was yesterday’s ‘break’ just an act?
And Christian …
I grab my phone and dial his number.
“Shane? Is everything alright?”
“How’s the pack, Christian?” I ask sharply.
He’s quiet a moment. “They’re doing well. Is there something in particular that you have a concern about?”
“And Enya? She’s managing the pack like a perfect Luna?” I ask.
FUCK! I should be able to trust my own sister and her mate!
“Your sister is amazing in everything she does, and no one will ever get me to say otherwise. She’
s my mate and I love her. But yes, she’s running the kitchen, the packhouse management, and the hospital like a well-oiled machine, just like she always has.”
“Braden and Jaden? How are they?”
“Did you want to talk to them?” he asks me.
“I’m asking you,” I snap.
“There doing very well. Jaden is still learning his role, but Braden is helping him.”
“Why did you choose Braden to become Beta?” I ask.
“WE chose Braden because you and Enya trusted him.”
It’s quiet for another moment. “Is this about hell week?”
“I have to get to class,” I say and hang up.
1
On the way to class, Cole jogs up beside me.
“Don’t,” I bark before he can say a word. He nods and remains silent.
I get through classes, barely able to focus. My mind is a torrent of swirling emotions.
My father trusted Dorian. I trusted Dorian. I couldn’t even see that he was trying to overthrow me. Then Christian walked in and I just blindly trusted him to help me. Then Sebastiana appeared and I blindly accepted that we should be friends, that we should become lovers to get a head start at the Academy.
The thought of Sebastiana putting her hands on me in sex class is abhorrent to me, so I don’t bother going.
When the knock comes later than evening, I know it’s her. I open the door, blocking the entrance so she knows I don’t want her coming in.
“You missed class,” she says softly.
“I need to be alone right now. You understand, right?” I say.
I watch her lips tremble as she nods.
“Whatever they said to you, Shane, it was just to get in your head,” she says, her voice wavering.
“Yeah. Right. I need to get to bed.”
“I brought you some food. You missed lunch and dinner,” she says, holding up a plate of food.
“Thanks,” I say, taking the food and closing the door on her. I feel a twinge of guilt as I see her eyes fill with tears before the door closes, but I push it away.
I need to focus on me. I need to focus on passing the Academy and then being prepared to fight for my pack when I go home if that’s what it takes.
Sebastiana
I feel like my heart is breaking. Cole and Cassie said they used me and Christian to get to Shane. They said Ryan and Dane told him that I was using him to get to the number one spot on the leaderboard, but I didn’t think he’d believe it. After everything we’ve been through, I didn’t think he’d believe it.
I walk back to my room feeling completely and totally devastated. I felt awful last night, but this? This is so much worse. I was falling in love with Shane and now he’s looking at me as if I’m his
enemy.
