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Chapter 43
THEON
I looked out the floor-to-ceiling window of my office at the field below. Will I miss this place?
I realized I would because this was where I used to watch Ryn train without seeming like a creep. My phone buzzed and checking it, I realized it was a text message but when I read the contents, I froze. "You know my cousin aspired to sit here one day." said a voice behind me and I closed my eyes in disgust when I realized whose voice it was. I typed a quick text and sent it before turning around.
Standing a few feet away was Beta Dutton in the middle of the room, looking around my office like he owns it. Then his one good eye landed on me and it grew cold. "My cousin couldn't wait for you to be King so he could sit in that chair. Eighteen years of service to the Crown, and you and your brother saw it fit to ruin his life."
I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked at him. "Your brother had it coming." I said. "He overstepped some bounds and got punished for it."
I
Beta Dutton scoffed. "You mean he messed with your plaything and you just couldn't have that?"
I took a deep breath and gave him a smile that didn't reach my eyes. Dutton was trying to get a rise out of me and I wasn't going to give in to his whims. "The office is all yours, Beta." I said, moving past the table but as I made my way to the exit, I stopped by Beta Dutton's side and lowered my head to his ear. "Be sure to keep the seat warm for me." smiled and moved forward.
"I remember a story." Beta Dutton said, stopping me in my tracks but I didn't turn around. "It's the story of a farmer who built a strong and mighty fence around his most prized lamb, thinking it would keep the wolves at bay. But it didn't. Cause no matter how high the fence got, the wolves always found a way in."
I curled my hands into fists in my pocket. I knew he was referring to me as the farmer and to Ryn, as the lamb, still he won't get a rise out of me.
"One night, this this farmer decided to stand guard, certain that nothing would happen while he was around. But by dawn, the Lamb was taken. How?"
I turned to face Beta Dutton whose eye glinted with malice. "Why don't you tell me?"
He smiled. "You see? He was just a farmer who knew nothing about killing wolves so he got killed first before they pounced on his sweet, precious lamb."
In a flash, I had the Beta pinned to a wall, with my left elbow placed firmly on his neck. Then I looked into his anything happens to Ryn, I assure you, this farmer will pluck out your good eye and eat it. Then he will come for everything eye. "If you hold dear and burn it to the ground."
Beta Dutton looked at me and grinned. "Haven't seen you this protective of anything since Elizabeth." An image of a woman flashed before my eyes and I immediately let him go Turning my back on him, I looked down at my hands and found claws. Every instinct and fiber within me wanted to tear Beta Dutton to shreds for mentioning that name but I knew what game he was playing. Instead, I left the room without a word.
I first went to the bathroom and when I got there, I washed my face several times before looking at myself in the mirror. I noticed I had begun to grow pale and my strength wasn't as much as before. Shaking my head, I got a grip of myself and
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went to the staircase landing overlooking the center downstairs,
D
When I looked down, I noticed all the students were gathering in an excited manner on the ground floor in front of a podium. Shortly after, the new coach, Adam Blackwell came out to get them to settle down and then my brother came out, followed by someone I never thought I would see.
My father. Dressed in
I in an expensive tailored suit, my father smiled as the students of the Academy clapped and hooted for him. Then they quieted down at his behest as he took center stage.
"I'm sure you all have been working hard to become a full-fledged Elite." He said and earned another round of claps and hoots. "This is why this week, I am doing a little something to motivate you all."
I could suddenly feel the buzz of excitement in the air as the boys discussed what the King could mean.
"Your Coach
Your or leader will give you further details but here is the surprise. This week, you all will go through some rigorous tests and there can only be one winner. That winner will automatically get an invite to The King's Ball happening next week."
The moment he said it, the boys began to discuss with wide eyes, smiles and excitement. I couldn't blame them. The King's Ball was an event that happened once a year, inviting important people from all over the country to network, dine and so on. It was strictly by invitation to only the noblest of blood or status, so getting an invite to a place like this, was one of the luckiest things that could happen to an Elite in training.
It took a while but Adam got them to settle down again to hear the Alpha King.
"To make things even more interesting, whoever becomes a winner gets to have a one-on-one session with any of my sons." A collective gasp occurred in the room. "You get to ask them anything you want on that day. Your coach will tell you more details. Good luck." Just as my father was about to step off the podium, he looked up and saw me and then looked to my side and when I traced his gaze, I found Beta Dutton staring down at him. What the hell is he up to now?
My father went back up the podium and once again, Miro and Adam calmed the boys down. "Is everyone present today?" My father asked and everyone went silent. Miro met my gaze and I raised a brow to ask what was happening but he shook his head and looked away. "Everyone except Ryn Ashmore, your Highness." My brother said,
My father sighed. "Sadly, only those who were not late to session today can participate. Any other person will not be
allowed.
allowed.
I sighed and caught Beta Dutton's smirk.
"Not only that, your Highness." Dutton said, getting everyone's attention as he climbed down the stairs and headed for the podium. "As the acting Director of this fine establishment, Miss Ashmore's tardiness has been brought to my attention, and henceforth she is expelled from the Academy." A nervous silence settled on the crowd. Miro stared at Beta Dutton who had a smug look on his face.
"You can't do that." I said, drawing everyone's attention towards me. "Ryn fought in the civil battle along with me and the Elites in action, she is currently incapacitated and on bed rest by my command."
That does not count, Prince Theon." Dutton smirked. "According to the rules of this Academy, any injuries sustained outside the official assignment of a member must not keep them from being punctual. If so, they have to be expelled." He was right.
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"May I suggest something?" Miro piped up and Dutton gave him the go ahead. "According to the rules, before final expulsion, the member deserves one act of pardon before total expulsion. Ryn hasn't used her pardon yet. Let's give her time. If the clock strikes ten a.m, and she doesn't arrive then she can be expelled. So basically, Ryn has five minutes to arrive." "Very well, then." Dutton beamed. "Let's wait."
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As time went by, my father and Dutton engaged in conversation and began to laugh like their conversation was funny. Meanwhile, the more we waited, the more I began to run out of breath. People began to murmur and I even caught sight of some background betting going on. "Ten seconds." Dutton said, checking his wristwatch and I began to find it hard to breathe.
"Nine." "Eight."
Ven."
"Five"
"Four." "Three" "Two."
"I'm here!"
My breath left me in whoosh as Ryn ran into the hall, breathless but fine. "I'm here and right on time." She waved and both my father and Dutton looked like he was going to have a stroke.