Page 67 of Knot What She Seems
“Either way, I’d use the opportunity while you have it. Alpha Team X is the best of the best.” He glances in both directions, as if ensuring no one’s in hearing distance, before leaning in closer. “I heard that’s why they’re at the academy teaching.”
“I thought they were here because they were being punished?” At least, that’s the rumor floating around, though the explicit details elude me and I haven’t had time to ask Ted.
“Maybe.” Sam shrugs, but his tone suggests he doesn’t quite believe that. “But I heard someone else saying that your parents hand-selected them for a mission.”
“And what is that mission?” I arch an eyebrow as I drain the last of the water. It does very little to quench my thirst.
Sam grins. “To spy, of course. Rumor has it that Eros Academy has a mole in its midst.”
23
BRYLEE
Hurrying down the street,I hug my ankle-length cloak tight against me as my backpack thuds heavily against my spine. With my hood drawn over my head, I keep my eyes down.
My heels click on the sidewalk because I just shed my male disguise, and I’m deeply regretting it due to the cold snap that just rolled in. My breath mists from the chill in the air, and my fingers feel like ice cubes are forming on the tips. It’s just plain gross outside, and I wish I wasn’t here, but it’s a necessity.
I have to get to Teddie’s to pick up my latest homework assignment and then return early enough to get some decent sleep and make it to the six a.m. training session with Ridge. That thought is enough of a distraction that I’m not paying attention when I round the corner and a restaurant door assaults me.
“Ow!” The word pops out automatically, though thankfully, so did my hands, rising up to help me escape most of the damage. The door just manages to clip the tip of my nose, sending those nerves tingling but not doing much worse than startling me.
“Shit! I’m sorry.” A gruff male voice floats around the door as it slowly swings closed. A familiar voice.
Dammit.
There, standing in front of me, is Luka. The wind is whipping his dark hair up into playful spikes. He’s clearly shaved recently, because the close crop along his jaw showcases the sharp angle of it. But then my eyes are drawn to his neck and the way he swallows hard when he realizes who he almost took out.
“Brylee.” The breathy way he whispers my name makes my knees automatically threaten to buckle, omega swooning coming over me in full force.
Crap. My hood must have fallen down.
I clear my throat and look away, glancing at the cars streaking down the road. Even the scent of exhaust can’t overpower Luka’s alpha scent as it drifts over to me. Or the scent of his dinner.
Something spicy wafts through the air—cayenne pepper? I’m not sure what Luka’s got in that bulging paper bag he’s tucked under one arm. But my stomach growls greedily, and I realize that I can’t recall the last time I ate.
Every day on this insane schedule, bouncing back and forth between schools, is different, so I have no rhythm. No routine.
Not to mention the fact that too much cafeteria conversation is likely to trip me up. I don’t want to get tired and forget that I’m being myself or—heaven forbid—forget that I’m supposed to be Teddie if I’m over at Eros.
No, I eat most of my meals alone. And by meals, I mean protein bars. With the exception of the delicious banquets Caran makes, I don’t think I’ve eaten real food for weeks.
“Hungry?” Luka asks with a gentle smile.
I nod.
He presses his lips together and looks up the sidewalk, where another omega is approaching. Technically, he should be crossing the street right now, heading to the other side for alphas. But he lingers in front of me, blocking my path.
The wind is blowing in from behind him, pelting me with his silky scent and the tantalizing food he’s holding, which is utterly unacceptable.
I move to step around him, but his free hand shoots out to block me. He doesn’t grab me, just blocks.
“Brylee. I don’t think you’re supposed to be out here. Are you?”
My breath freezes in my lungs, and I can’t look up at him as a tremble rocks my spine because I know exactly what this asshole’s capable of.
Fuck.
My stomach knots as I imagine all my plans unraveling…Luka marching me right back to Darling and shoving me in front of Madam Ellora. The pair of them unzipping my backpack and examining the contents.
