Page 27 of Knot What She Seems
“There’s this alpha…” I struggle to come up with an excuse. Saying “I’m pretending to be my twin brother and ran into my scent match at the academy,” isn’t going to cut it.
“And?”
I can practically visualize her arching an elegant blonde brow.
“I think he’s stalking Teddie,” I stammer, scrambling to come up with an explanation that isn’t completely shit.
So of course, that makes me come up with an explanation that is completely shit.
My god, Brylee. Stop talking.
“They could be traitors to the crown trying to harm the prince,” I continue to blurt out like a fucking dumbass. At this point, I’m not just going to get the alpha removed from the school but executed. “Or he is. I don’t know if he’s on his own or if he has a pack.”
“You’re not making any sense, Bry. Is it one alpha? A pack? A student? An instructor?”
“He’s huge. And has a skeletal mask. He may have a pack.” The hand holding the phone begins to tremble. “But he needs to leave the school. He could be a threat to Teddie?—”
My mother releases a weary sigh. “Brylee, sweetheart… Are you sure you aren’t projecting some of your issues?—”
“Mom, it isn’t about that!” I squeeze my eyelids shut and count to ten in my head. “I just don’t think?—”
“Alpha Team X is the best of the best,” Mom says placatingly.
“So you know who I’m talking about, then?” I ask, somewhat desperately and one hundred percent hysterically.
Mom chuckles, though the noise is devoid of any humor, as is usual with the ice queen. “There are only so many alphas that fit that particular description.” Her tone takes on a gentler tone, which for her, sounds like she just sucked on a lemon. “Honey, I know how paranoid you have become since the…incident. But I promise you, Alpha Team X isn’t a threat to Teddie or to you.”
“But…” I don’t know what else to say. I fucked up. Jumped the gun and all that shit. I should’ve never called my mother.
“I have a meeting I need to get to. I’ll talk to you in a little bit.”
Before I can say anything more, my mother hangs up.
And I spend the next few minutes staring at my phone, wondering how epically I just fucked everything up with my impulsive decision.
10
BRYLEE
After a quick breakfastof a granola bar and apple, I head toward the diner once more. I really need to come up with a better place to change clothing. Perhaps there’s a shed between the two schools or even a bush I can hide behind. I make a mental note to walk the perimeter and see what I can find later today or tomorrow.
Sooner or later, the staff at the diner is going to notice something’s amiss. And I’m guessing it’s sooner rather than later if the angry “ORDER SOMETHING NEXT TIME!” from the waitress is any indication.
I check my schedule on my phone.
CombatStrategywithAlphaJameson.
I actually know Alpha Jameson. He used to work as a consultant for my parents before getting a job at the academy. He’s middle-aged and has been married to his omega for the past five years—a sweet woman who always smells like cherries when she hugs me.
The only problem? Teddie knows Jameson too, and vice versa.
Fortunately, Jameson hasn’t been around in years, so even if he does run into “Teddie,” I doubt he’ll notice any differences in appearance.
Hopefully.
This particular class takes place in an amphitheater, with rows upon rows of seats all facing down to a small stage and podium. Most of the first-years are already here, and I make eye contact with Sam. He gives me a tiny wave and gestures toward the seat beside him.
Relieved that I don’t have to wander around like a dork, I hurry toward him—and then remember that men don’t hurry but swagger. At least, I think that’s what they do. God knows that the only men I’ve been in contact with the last year or so are Caran, Teddie, and Mr. Sneaks.
