CHAPTER 3

Nina's POV 

I blinked my eyes open slowly, adjusting myself to the fluorescent light in the room. I pressed my hand on my forehead as a throbbing ache hit me sharply.

What happened? 

And just like that the memories of last night hit me like a sledgehammer. The rejection, the humiliation. Tears burned my eyes, my chest tightening as I felt the pains all over again.

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

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

He must have been the one I sensed yesterday at the college grounds 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.

Killian'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 opened and Killian stepped out. His lips curled into a sad smile, and he had a small plate in his hand.

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

“Killian…..“ I managed, trying to suppress the tears threatening to slide down my cheeks. 

“I heard about what happened.“ He took my hands in his, squeezing it gently. “I'm sorry, Nina. I failed in my duty as your brother. I should have protected you from the boys at Velmora.” Tears were dancing in his eyes as he brushed a strand of hair from my face.

I shook my head, tears streaming down. “No…. Killian. You warned me enough. I was just too blind to see it. I thought he loved me.”

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

I nodded.

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

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

Then we smiled and pulled apart.

“How is the game?” I asked.

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

“I'm so proud of you,” I said

“Here.“ He handed me the plate he dropped on the table earlier. “It's my special soup.”

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

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

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

“Go ahead.“ He beckoned at me.

I lifted the spoon, scooped it and then—

The door slammed open.

Mother stepped into the room, her eyes blazing with anger.

“Mother,” we chorused.

She didn't reply. Instead she stepped closer to Killian, and grabbed his ear, squeezing it.

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

Killian 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 Aiden?”

Killian hits Aiden?

What the fuck?

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

Killian didn't say anything.

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

“Mother, please stop,” I said.

She yanked her hand away from me. “Don't plead for him, Nina.”

She was about to hit him again, when I said, “It's because of me.”

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

When she noticed that it wasn't. She let him go. “What happened?”

Then I started talking. The more I talked, the paler her face got. By the time I was done, her fingers were already digging into her palm, her eyes blurring with tears.

She was more annoyed about Maya's betrayal and promised to confront Alpha Ronan, the Alpha of Duskwatch Pack about it.

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

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

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

I nodded.

________

The conference room was thick with tension.

Sitting at the long table was the Dean, other members of the board, and mother. While Killian and I sat on the chair behind them.

“Beta Hayes,” Dean Marlow said, his voice low but firm with authority. “Fighting is against the school rules.”

Mother scoffed. “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 fact that he broke the school rules and should be punished for it,” Mr. Graham 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 Alpha and Luna?”

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

Of course, that bastard won't be punished.

The Dean cleared his throat. “We have no choice than to expel Killian Hayes.”

“What?” Mother sprang up to her feet.

My heart raced with fear, my fingers clenched so tightly. 

“No,” I snapped, stepping forward. 

They turned towards me.

“Killian is in his finals,” I spat, my voice trembling with barely restrained rage. “His life is going to get ruined if he is expelled.” I turned towards Killian, who remained calm like he had already expected this.

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

“We can't do that, Beta Hayes,” Mr. Lucas said. “Killian Hayes is expected to vacate the school premises before the end of today.”

“No….” I shook my head, then turned and ran out of the suffocating room.

I heard mother and Killian 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 expelled 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 ruined.

I stopped running when I got to the school field, letting out a gruttal scream that attracted the attention of the students nearby.

I heard their curses, and murmurs but it's nothing compared to the pain coursing through my bones.

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

I started running again and this time, I made my way towards the gym—where I knew Aiden would be.

I flung the door open, and I saw him and Maya entangled with each other.

She was bent over the tennis table, Aiden pounding into her, their moans echoing through the room that they didn't even notice my presence.

I thought he would still be healing. But it looks like he's strong enough to fuck around. Though I know his wounds would have closed up immediately if he had any.

I didn't bother to look away. “I need to speak to you, Aiden.”

“What the fuck!” Maya screamed as Aiden pulled out of her. “Can't you knock?“ She dragged down her dress.

Aiden pulled on his briefs and pants which were just below his thighs.

“You should get a room instead,” I snapped. “The gym is not for your promiscuity.”

Her lips curled up in disgust. “You bit—”

Aiden shut her up with a single flick of his hand. 

“What did you want, Nina?" he sneered. “Shouldn't you be helping Killian pack?”

I clenched my fists. Bastard. He already knows and I can swear that he pushed for it.

As much as I wanted to curse at him, I couldn't.

I stepped closer. “Aiden… please save my brother,” I said softly. “Don't let him be expelled.”

He pressed his lips together. “I have no power to stop this. It's already been decided.”

“Please…. Aiden.” My voice broke. “We both know you have the power to stop this. Your family owns this school.”

He didn't say anything for a while. But the soft expression on his face tells me he is considering my words. 

“Quit trying, Nina,” Maya says. “Now, get out.”

I ignored the bitch.

Just then, a mischievous grin spread on Aiden's face. He closed the distance between us in a few strides. 

“There's only one way to save your brother? Can you do it?”

 Hope ignited inside me. “I can do anything, Aiden.”