CHAPTER THREE

Lira's POV 

I blink my eyes open, adjusting myself to the florescent light in the room. I press my hand on my forehead as a throbbing ache hits me sharply.

What happens? 

And just like that the memories of last night hits me like a sledgehammer. 

River's betrayal. The rejection. The bar. Meeting Rylan—the cursed ice prince of Moonfang Pack. 

Gods…. his words hurt deeper than I care to admit.

“Is this how you seduce every guy that comes your way while you're mated to someone?“ Rylan asked, his voice laced with a mix of disappointment and disbelief as he eye me down through the mask on his face.

I didn't say a word because I didn't owe him any explanation or there is a need to tell him that I have been rejected by River.

“And is this how you fuck every girl that flirt you?“ I countered back, turning towards the door and hoping to get away from the highly humiliating situation.

“You don't fucking walk out on me, Lira,” he growled, his voice stopping me in my tracks. 

My body stiffened, the tension from him radiating off me.“

He stood in front of me. “And what's this crappy dress you're wearing, huh?“

Crappy? I didn't say anything. I couldn't.

He turned towards the door and stopped midway. “I won't tell your brother about this, so this shouldn't repeat itself,” he said over his shoulders and walked out of the room.

The moment the door shut behind him, I released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I stormed out of the bar and flagged down a cab to the College. But as I neared the dorms, my head throbbed, my legs trembled—and then everything went black.

Tears burn my eyes, my chest tightening as I feel the pains all over again.

Rylan had called me beautiful…. but when he realise I was the one beneath the mask, he quickly change it to crappy?

Crappy? 

What the hell?

He's been out of the kingdom for five years and the first thing he did the moment he came back was to criticise me.

Pushing myself up, my eyes dart across the familiar room—this was Lucien's room.

Lucien is my elder brother, a final year student and the captain of the ice hockey club. 

He must have been the one I sense yesterday near the dorm before I passed out.

But he is not supposed to be here yet? Maybe he could sense my pain through our siblings bond like he always did.

Lucien's team had gone for a competition with a rival team last week and he told me they weren't going to be back until month end. 

Just then, the kitchen door open and Lucien step out. His lips curl into a sad smile, and a small plate is in his hand.

“Nina,” he says, placing the bowl gently on the table. 

“Lucien…..“ I manage, trying to suppress the tears threatening to slide down my cheeks. 

“I heard about what happened," he says in a low, sad voice. He takes my hands in his, squeezing it gently. “I'm sorry, Lira. I failed in my duty as your brother. I should have protected you from the boys at Moonfang.“ Tears was dancing in his eyes as he brush a strand of blonde hair from my face.

I shake my head, tears streaming down. “No…. Lucien. You warned me. Even Luna warned me enough. I was just so blinded to see it. I thought he loved me.“

His thumb reach out, wiping my tears off. “Stop crying, Lira. From now on, I will make sure to protect you. Especially from Moonfang boys,” he say, pulling me into an embrace.

I nod.

“No more boys,” he whisper, pressing my head to his chest. “You only focus on your studies from now on and become a world renowned Healer. I don't want anyone hurting my baby sister ever again.“

“No more boys,” I repeat. “I'm so done with them.“

Thank goodness, Rylan promised not to tell Lucien about what happened yesterday. Otherwise, Lucien would be so angry at me.

Then we smile and pull apart.

“How is the game?“ I ask.

“We won as always,” he says, his voice brimming with pride. “We are qualified onto the next phase.“

“I'm so proud of you,” I say.

“Here.“ He hand me the plate. "It's my special spaghetti recipe.“

I force a smile at him, bile rising in my throat as I could already imagine the awful taste of the spaghetti.

Anytime I was sick or in a bad mood when we were younger, Lucien would always cook me this spaghetti. It was so special to him because it's the only thing he thought he can cook.

The spaghetti usually taste like sandpaper, but I never told him. I still take it and surprisingly it's use to make me feel better, only that I will almost purge out my intestine.

“Go ahead.“ He beckon at me.

I lift the fork, twist it and then—

The door slam open, saving me from the awful taste of the spaghetti.

Mother step into the room, her eye blazing with anger.

“Mother,” we chorus, confuse.

What is she doing here?

She didn't reply. Instead she step closer to Lucien, and grab his ear, squeezing it.

“What the hell did you do?“ She roars, her voice echoing through the room. 

Lucien let out a dramatic gasp, tapping her hands gently to let go, but she didn't.

“You and your temper, huh? Why would you hit prince River?“

Lucien hits River?

What the fuck?

Lucien was short tempered and he took that from mom. He must have hit him when he learns of everything that happened.

Lucien didn't say anything.

“Why?“ Mother was really losing her temper. She was about to hit him when I hold her.

“Mother, please stop,” I say.

She yank her hands away from me. “Don't plead for him, Lira.“

She is about to hit him again, when I say, “It's because of me.“

That stop her and she glance at me, her eyes narrowing in disbelief; she thought it was a lie I have made up to save him.

When she notice that It isn't. She lets him go. “What happened?“

Then I start talking. The more I talk, the more pale, her face gets. By the time I finish, her fingers are already digging into her palm, her eyes blurring with tears.

She was more annoy about Chloe's betrayal and promised to confront Alpha Damon—the Alpha of Stormfang Pack about it.

“My baby girl,” she says, pulling me into an embrace. “That asshole doesn't deserve you.“

“I'm fine, mom,” I say, pulling back and forcing a smile at her.

“Well… if that is the case, then Lucien is not at fault. The Dean summoned me here. Dress up. Let's go to his office.“

I nod.

________

The conference room was thick with tension.

Sitting at the long table is the Dean, other members of the board, and mother. While Lucien and I, sit on the chair behind them.

“Beta Hale,” Dean Green say, his voice low but firm with authority. “Fighting is against the school rules.“

Mother scoff. “I know. What about humiliation and bullying? My daughter was bullied and that is why her brother defended her.“

“I know… but that doesn't change the fault that he broke the school rules and should be punished for it,” Mr. Kael says.

“Punished? Fair enough. What about the prince? He should also be punished for what he did to my daughter.“ Then her voice rose higher. “And why is he not here? Where are the Alpha and Luna?“

Silence. The board members just shift uncomfortably, exchanging knowing glances. 

Of course, that bastard won't be punish.

The Dean clears his throat. “We have no choice than to expel Lucien Hales.“

“What?“ Mother spring up to her feet.

My heart race with fear, my fingers clench so tightly. 

“No,” I snap, stepping forward. 

Heads turn towards me.

“Licien is in his finals,” I spit, my voice trembling with barely restrain rage. “His life is going to get ruined if he is expelled.“ I turn towards Lucien, who remain calm like he's already prepared for this.

“This college is supposed to protect, to reform and not throw them out to wolves.“ Mother slam her fists on the table. “You can't expell my son unless you do the same to the prince.“

“I'm afraid we can't do that, Beta Hale,” Mr. Lucas says. “Lucien Hale is expected to vacate the school premises before the end of today.“

“No….“ I shake my head, then turn and run out of the suffocating room.

I hear Mother and Lucien calling behind me but I didn't wait.

It's all my fault. My brother's life would be ruined because of me. If he is expell from here, no school would ever accept him. His studies. His dreams of becoming a famous ice hockey player. Everything would go down the drain.

And mother too. The relationship she has built with the two packs would be ruin.

I stop running when I get to the school field, letting out a gruttal scream that attracts the attention of the students nearby.

I hear their curses, and murmurs of how it's seems I'm going crazy because River rejected me but it's nothing compare to the pain coursing through my bones.

There should be a way out. I won't let this happen.

I start running again and in the process, I bump into someone.

I stumble back but before I could fall, a strong arm sling across my waist. 

The touch sparkle something inside me as he help me stand.

I look up, already muttering an apology but the words died in my mouth when I realise that it is a masked figure. Instantly I know it is him because he's the only one who wears mask everytime.

Rylan Grayson.

River's elder brother.

Lucien's best friend.

Through his mask, his eyes burn into me. Like he can see right through me.

Embarrassment creeps up my cheeks as I remember yesternight's event.

The silence between us is defeaning for a while before he turn.

Then a thought drop in my mind. If anyone could save Lucien then it's him. He's the prince heir after all.

“Rylan,” I whisper.

He stop in his track.

I hesitate briefly, but I know quite well, this is no time for that.

I stand in front of him. “I need your help.“