Page 84 of Knot What She Seems
“It’s with a heavy heart that we even have to call this assembly.”
My god. Is he licking the microphone? I swear it’s practically in his mouth. Disgusting.
Graves’s piercing gray eyes travel over the assembled students. “As most of you are aware, a contingent of Noth soldiers were able to infiltrate Eros Academy and attack a student.”
More than one head whips in Sam’s direction, and the beta sinks into his seat with a muffled, “Stop staring.” His cheeks are bright red.
“Fortunately, we were able to dispatch all of the Noths, thanks to the hard work of our faculty members. Please give them a round of applause.”
Silence.
Someone a few rows above me awkwardly coughs.
Graves clears his throat uncomfortably but forges on. “I would also like to take this moment to honor someone who went above and beyond to help a fellow student.” Unerringly, Grave’s gaze finds me in the crowd, despite the fact that all of us students are sitting in darkness. “Your Highness? If you’d join me down here please.”
No. Fuck no.
A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck, and my hands begin to shake.
“Go,” Sam whispers, his lips barely moving.
Fuck.
Slowly—keenly aware of every eye on me—I stand and make my way down the steep staircase.
Did I remember to put my wig back on? My bodysuit? Oh god. Am I walking like Teddie does? Why am I suddenly forgetting how he walks?
Don’t fuck up, Brylee. Don’t fuck up.
Almost desperately, I scan the crowd until I set eyes onthem, standing on the opposite side of the amphitheater, near the exit. Ridge is scowling at nothing in particular, Luka is staring intently at his phone with a furrow between his brows, and Kylian is pouting like someone stole his favorite toy.
But Colter? Even with his mask in place, I know his gaze is fixed on me. The calm reassurance he radiates propels me the last few steps toward Headmaster Graves, and it feels as if I can finally breathe again. But that breath lodges in my throat when the headmaster throws a heavy arm over my shoulder and twists me to face my fellow classmates.
At once, panic sets root, sinking its spindly fingers into my skin and refusing to release me. I pray that my breathing doesn’t pick up speed. That I don’t black out, the way I often do when a panic attack barrages me.
He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.
“We’ll be together forever, Bry,” he promised, nothing but love and adoration emanating from his gaze.
“Fuck fated mates and scent matches,” his brother agreed. “You’re ours. We’re yours. Forever.”
Who would’ve thought that “forever” would last exactly one week?
I try to inconspicuously free myself from the headmaster’s seemingly innocent embrace, taking a step to the side.
Fortunately, Headmaster Graves doesn’t seem to notice my moment of panic.
“Prince Theodore went above and beyond what any student is required to. I am pleased to have him under my tutelage.” Headmaster Graves puffs out his chest as if he somehow trained me himself. The mere thought is almost comical. “As such, the school would like to award His Royal Highness with a privilege only a select few receive—a Medal of Valor.”
Whispers ripple through the crowd, and I swear my cheeks are ten shades of red.
A Medal of Valor is usually only reserved for alphas who have done heroic deeds. Saving orphans from a burning building. Freeing hundreds of hostages from a Noth’s prison camp. Infiltrating enemy territory and ending the life of a top army general.
Me saving one beta isn’t worthy of this award.
Don’t get me wrong. I firmly believe that all lives are equal, whether that life belongs to an alpha, beta, or omega. But I also know that I would never have been awarded the Medal of Valor if I hadn’t been the crown prince. Did Alpha Team X receive medals for all that they’ve done to stop the Noths? No.
This is nothing but a publicity stunt to ensure “Teddie” looks good when he eventually claims the crown.
