Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167 Breaking Point

ARDEN

After I uttered those fateful words, the world around me froze.

Finished

The first person I noticed was Mr. Winters. I couldn’t help but notice how his pleasant, polished smile faltered, giving way to confusion. The other teachers exchanged stiff, silent glances–each one a reflection of the disbelief coursing through the room.

In an instant, whispers ignited like wildfire.

“She didn’t choose?”

“Can she do that?”

“She’s mad–what on earth is she doing?”

The crowd began to shift nervously, faces turning toward one another, and then toward me. Some appeared confused, others curious, but most looked wide–eyed with shock, as if I had just torn the sacred fabric of this place in two.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the True Alphas. Each one stood still, yet none appeared the same.

Jaxon looked stunned, one hand slightly lifted, his mouth agape in disbelief. Elias narrowed his eyes, not in anger, but in genuine curiosity. Rowan wore that irritating, flirty smirk of his, but this time it seemed he had been patiently waiting for me to take this exact step. Cade remained as unreadable as ever, wrapped in his usual enigmatic demeanor.

Before I fully comprehended my actions, I made my way down the stage, ready to flee without a badge in hand.

“Arden,” Jaxon growled.

He was already ascending the steps before my instincts kicked in, prompting me to escape, but he was faster. His hand clamped around my wrist, yanking me toward him.

“Are you out of your mind?” he hissed. “Do you even understand what you’ve done?”

I did. I understood perfectly the enormity of my defiance,

“Let me go,” I replied through gritted teeth.

“Not until you choose someone, and that someone has to be-”

r

He pulled harder, dragging me toward the front again, toward the boxes with their gleaming faction insignias.

“No.” My voice shook with conviction. “Let. Me. Go.”

“You don’t get to do this,” he whispered. “You don’t get to turn your back on the system. On me.”

1/4

12:19 pm P PPP.

Chapter 167 Breaking Point

That was the final insult. The last match struck against kindling.

Without a moment to think, muy fist swing.

A clean, sickening crack rang through the hall. I punched him.

I punched Alpha Jaxon Trevane.

Gasps sliced through the crowd like lightning.

Jaxon staggered backward, one hand pressed against his jaw, more surprised than hurt.

Finished

I stared down at my hand, burning with adrenaline–trembling, my breath coming in quick bursts as if I’d sprinted ten miles.

Then, instinct kicked in, and I ran.

I bolted from the Grand Hall, not stopping even when someone shouted my name–Mr. Winters, or maybe one of the Alphas–but in that moment, I didn’t care.

I ducked into the back hallway, then slipped into the hidden passage behind the west wing stairs, finally emerging onto the gravel path that led to our dorms.

I didn’t even pause to consider taking the bus. I just ran, hoping that the act of sprinting the kilometers would help me escape the chaos swirling in my mind.

My key shook violently in my hand as I jammed it into the lock, flung the door open, and slammed it shut behind me.

I leaned against the door, chest heaving, swallowing/hard as I felt the silence close in around me.

I should be terrified.

What I had done wasn’t just reckless–it was utterly unforgivable. I had disrespected the order, defied years of tradition, and struck an Alpha.

But for the first time in years, maybe in my entire life…

I felt free.

They had made me a pawn to be passed around, claimed, whispered about behind my back while smiling

be to my face. They saw me as a trophy, a prize to

won.

But I wasn’t a prize.

I was the storm they never saw coming.

And I didn’t regret it.

Not one bit.

I sank down onto the edge of my bed, staring at my trembling hands. The knuckles were slightly red, a reminder of my defiance, and I knew the consequences would come. They’d come knocking on this door

2/4

12:20 pm Pppp.

Chapter 107 reaking Point

hell, maybe even break it down–and drag me back to answer for what I had done.

But until then? I was standing firm in my decision.

Finished

“You don’t have to go to class today,” Owu said by my side, sounding concerned. Tessa nodded in understanding. “It was only yesterday…”

I remained silent, aware that their worry came from a place of care.

Before I could gather my thoughts or express my feelings, Mr. Thompson approached, biting his lip.

“Arden,” he began, “Mr. Winters would like to see you.”

Tessa gasped beside me. Although I was prepared for this, my hands trembled slightly.

“Arden,” she whispered, concern etched on her face.

I turned toward them, summoning a small smile to assure them that I would be okay, despite my own uncertainty. “I’ll see you at the first class,” I said before trailing after Mr. Thompson, who maintained a heavy silence as he led me to Mr. Winters‘ office.

“We’re here,” Mr. Thompson announced once we reached the door.

He opened it for me, allowing me to step inside. Upon entering, I noted that Mr. Winters‘ office mirrored the rest of the school. Prestigious and cold.

“Ah, Miss Stone,” he said without lifting his gaze, flipping through a folder. His voice was smooth, polished as always, but that smile never quite reached his eyes. “Please, do take a seat.”

I stepped forward and settled into a chair, maintaining a respectful distance from him.

Finally, he looked up, his smile still firmly in place. “You made quite the impression last night.”

I clenched my jaw.

He gestured casually with his pen. “Punching a fellow student–especially an Alpha—ignot a trivial matter, you know. It’s precisely the kind of offense that could lead to… expulsion, if this were any other school.”

I squared my shoulders, holding my head high. “Before the Ivory Solstice, Alpha Jaxon Trevane kissed me of his own volition.”

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