Page 22 of Feral
He was one of the only teachers at the Academy who didn’t seem to care about Axel’s VIP status. For that reason alone, Axel both respected and disliked him.
“Last time I checked, I don’t have your class until three,” said Axel. “Until then, nothing I do is your business.”
The teacher’s eyes narrowed, but other than making a jab at Axel’s poor attendance record, there wasn’t much he could do. Even if he did get sent to the Headmaster’s office for talking back, he’d be out in five minutes, tops.
“Be that as it may, there’s something I wish to discuss with you,” Mr. Bryant said, glancing down the hall as if to make sure they were alone.
Axel had no idea what the hell the other man would want to talk tohimabout, and if he hadn’t been intent on finding Ella, his curiosity might have been piqued enough to indulge him. “Whatever it is, it’ll have to wait. I’m in the middle of something.”
He brushed past the other tom and barely made it to the middle of the stairs before Mr. Bryant’s words stopped him cold.
“It’s about Ella.”
Axel turned around, taking a second to assess the knowing look on Mr. Bryant’s face. Either the man was psychic, or Axel had been far worse at keeping his feelings under wraps than he’d hoped.
Hell, he wasn’t even sure what his feelings were. His desire to get revenge on her for rejecting him had morphed into something else he neither understood nor cared to define somewhere between their first kiss and their last fight.
Same thing, really.
“I assume that is where you were going,” Mr. Bryant added in a smug tone.
“Whatever it is, make it fast,” he growled.
Mr. Bryant walked over to the bottom of the stairwell, resting a hand on the railing. “I know you wish to court her, and I know she turned you down.” He smirked as Axel’s eyes widened in surprise. “Teachers are not immune to gossip, and more often than not, it involves you. Especially the juicy bits.”
“What can I say?” Axel shrugged. “I’m a polarizing figure.”
“Indeed,” Mr. Bryant snorted. “As of late, Ella has been just as prominent. I’m sure you’re aware that Bishop Meyer is courting her.”
Axel bristled at the mention of the other tom’s name, but he tried to feign indifference. “She is a stray. They’re not known for having good taste.”
Mr. Bryant raised an eyebrow. “I suppose that would account for her infatuation with you.” Before Axel could respond, he continued, “If you continue being such a pushy idiot, she’s going to lose whatever interest in you she has left.”
“Sorry. How exactly is this any of your fucking business?” Axel snarled.
The man had balls, he’d give him that. No one else would’ve dared to talk to him like that.
At least, no one besides Ella.
“It isn’t,” he admitted. “But we share a common foe, and you know what they say. ‘The enemy of my enemy…’”
“‘Is my friend,’” Axel muttered.
“So you have been paying attention in philosophy,” Mr. Bryant said in a wry tone. “Will wonders never cease.”
“Saw it on a T-shirt once,” Axel shot back, giving him a crooked sneer. “And who’s this common enemy we share?”
“Bishop Meyer,” Mr. Bryant answered, taking him off-guard. “Your current rival for Ella’s affections, it seems.”
“Guy’s nothing more than sentient slime,” Axel said with a shrug. “I’m not worried about him.”
Mr. Bryant cocked his head, watching Axel closely enough that he started getting uncomfortable. Not an easy feat to accomplish. “You really are a terrible liar. And they say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Axel felt an immediate surge of rage. He wasn’t sure if Mr. Bryant was talking about his mother, his father, or both, but as much conflict as there had been between all of them, he wasn’t going to let someone else shit talk his blood.
“If you think that faculty badge in your pocket will keep me from knocking out a few teeth, you’re wrong.”
To his surprise, the teacher’s response was a smirk with a hint of admiration. “I would expect nothing less. Tigers are not known for their restraint.”
