Page 64 of Knot What She Seems
Gasps wisp up around the ballroom like smoke at my defiance and daring to meet an alpha’s eyes. At the scandal of it all.
Inhaling to calm the sparks dancing inside my rib cage, I turn back to Brock. “I’m done for this evening, but I’d love to arrange a meeting with Teddie. I know my mother loves you all, and I’m sure he will too. And, after all, family is everything.”
“It would be an honor.” Brock’s smile is thin, perhaps a little regretful.
“Wonderful. Would you like to escort me up to the door of my room?” I say. “I had a little accident with a perfume bottle earlier, and I’d like to stop tasting roses.”
That earns me a genuine smile as he puts his elbow out. “You know, I didn’t care much for the taste myself at first, but it grows on you.”
I laugh as we head through the door and start up the stairs just as Madam Ellora and one of the alphas from Eros return from patrolling the hall. Their presence stops Alpha Team X from any pursuit they might have made, and my heart is lighter than air when we reach the first landing and I tell Brock, “You’re a charming liar, sir. A very charming liar.”
“Wish I was a charming mate.”
I sigh and pat his arm regretfully. “You would have been.” And I actually mean it. Despite the fact that I don’t want any mate, Brock and Nic and Jamie have proven themselves completely honorable and thoughtful men. If I had to be gifted away, they were probably the best choice in the entire kingdom. “Stupid scent matches.”
“I agree. Stupid scent matches.” He kicks playfully at one of the stairs, scuffing his shoe.
And though he’s lighthearted about it and I smile, he leaves me at my door full of wistful regret. Because I don’t get a happily ever after with him. I doubt my after will be happy at all. Not with Alpha Team X. Definitely not with the stunt I just pulled.
Turning to face my bed, I unzip my dress and let it fall to the floor. “Welp. Might as well enjoy a good long soak in the tub. Because tomorrow’s probably going to rain down fire.” Humming, I get the water nice and hot, sinking into it with a small gasp, determined to stay until my entire body is pruney—or forever—whichever comes first.
22
BRYLEE
The next week is…weird,to put it mildly.
Not better, but not worse.
Alpha Team X no longer makes “Teddie’s” life a living hell.
But they also don’t stop other classmates from taking over where they left off.
After I’m thrown onto my back a-fucking-gain during training by a stocky alpha, I’ve just about had it. Any member of X could blow their whistle and announce that the fight is over.
But they don’t.
They never do.
They simply watch me getting my ass kicked with pursed lips, folded arms, and intense eyes. I know what they see when they look at me—someone too weak to be the next ruler. I’m determined to prove them wrong.
Since I’ve started Eros Academy, my body has changed. While it used to be soft and delicate, my curves prominent, I’m now gaining muscle. In a few more months, I might even have abs. My stamina has increased too. Now, whenever I take a jog, I can last nearly the entire mile before needing to stop for a break.
The one thing I can’t do yet?
Fight alphas nearly twice my size and win. Just because I’ve got a bodysuit and put on some muscle, doesn’t mean I’m nearly as buff as all these alphas. Some of them have biceps as big as my head. Colter does, that’s for certain, though I try never to let my mind linger on him. Or them—as in, those biceps. Ugh.
“Yield, princeling?” The alpha above me flashes a cocky smirk, and I bare my teeth in response.
“Never.”
Yeah, probably idiotic, but I refuse to bend to any of these stuck-up, pompous men.
The alpha—I think his name starts with aZ—lowers his arm to my neck and applies just enough pressure to have stars speckle my vision. I flounder, bringing my hands up to claw at his skin, but he doesn’t ease up. If anything, he applies evenmoreweight.
“Yield!”
I can’t speak. Not with his arm cutting off my air supply. Everything is turning fuzzy and indistinct at the edges like a chalk drawing that got smudged. I feel lightheaded. Oh god. I can’t pass out. If I do, there’s a good chance they’ll bring me to the infirmary—which they only use for severe cases—and then my secret will be discovered.
