Tempted By my Evil Lycan Stepbrother novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Only I Can Mess With Her

Riley’s POV

“You—you want Kade to apologize to her? What the hell did my son even do?” Gamma Carlos cried.

“Your son knows exactly what he did,” Ezra said calmly, then turned to me. “But if you insist on heating it from us…Riley?” “Your son brought over a few mutated dogs. You knew that, right? Since Kade said you were the one who helped him get them,” I said.

“Yeah, of course I knew. Kade said they were for research. It was a bit in the dark area sure, but… is that really something that needs to go on his record?!”

I let out a short, sharp laugh. “Research? No. What he actually did was use those dogs to train his team. And since I was the only healer, he ordered me to stand there and act as bait. I almost got bitten to death by those beasts.”

Gamma Carlos’s mouth dropped open. He glanced back and forth between me and Kade, looking utterly stunned. Kade’s face turned red, and then he suddenly shouted:

“Dad, don’t listen to her! I brought those dogs for research. I just wanted to observe them through the cages. It’s Riley who let them out! She’s just pissed off that no one at school wants to hang out with her, so she set the dogs on us!”

What?!

I almost laughed out loud at how ridiculous that was.

Was he seriously lying to my face right now? Did he really think I was so weak I wouldn’t push back when he’s smearing me like that?

“Bullshit. If it was just research, why did you take us to an abandoned factory? Why not do it at school, huh?” I shot back.

Kade looked at his dad, looking panicked. “Dad, who are you going to believe? Me or her?”

Gamma Carlos’s jaw tightened. He wiped sweat from his forehead and looked at Ezra. “I know my son. He’s a decent, honest, hardworking boy. He’d never lie about something this serious. But this girl…”

He gave me a once–over, eyes filled with disgust.

“With this girl, we all know who her mother is. I wouldn’t be surprised if she made all this up just to dodge responsibility.”

I rolled my eyes. Great, back to blaming my mom again. That’s getting real old.

Ezra crossed his arms and stared him down. “So you’re saying Kade’s the real victim here?”

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“Absolutely. In fact, I’d like to request a meeting with King Soren. Maybe he’ll handle this a bit more fairly-”

“No need,” Ezra cut him off coldly. “I’m the Lycan King’s heir. Your next King. My judgment is final,”

He stepped up to Kade and towered over him. Kade shrank a little, even with his broad shoulders. Ezra’s voice turned cold as ice.

“It’s one thing to bully my sister. It’s another to bully her and blame your shitty mess on her. Now look me in the eyes and think very carefully–Are you seriously going to keep lying under my roof?”

Kade was trembling slightly now. The big guy actually looked like he was shrinking under Ezra’s stare.

“I–I thought you hated her… you’re the one who told the whole school to stay away from her…” he mumbled.

Ezra gave a humorless laugh. “Yeah, but only I get to mess with her. So now, apologize to her, or don’t?”

Kade swallowed hard. He looked at me, visibly hesitating. And then after a long pause, he finally mumbled, “I’m… I’m sorry…..

Chapter 18.9my I Can Mess With Her

+25 BONUS

“Kale!” Gamma Carlos looked furious and shocked.

“Louder. We can’t hear you!” Ezra said loudly.

“I’m sorry, Riley,” Kade said, louder this time. His voice was shaky. “I shouldn’t have used you as bait.”

“Why are you apologizing for something you didn’t do son?” Gamma Carlos shouted. “Don’t let them pressure you! You’re innocent! We’re going to see King Soren and get that off your file!”

“He already apologized,” I said flatly. “That usually means he’s guilty.”

Gamma Carlos shot me a deadly glare.

Ezra stepped forward and stood right in front of me. “You’re welcome to go see my father, Gamma Carlos. We can watch the security footage from that day together. And while we’re at it, I’ll tell him all about how you and your son are openly challenging your future King.”

Carlos was probably twenty years older than us, but at that moment, he actually looked like he was afraid of Ezra.

After a long pause, he said quietly, “I didn’t mean to challenge you…”

“You better not,” Ezra said coldly.

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“B–But Kade’s record–this is serious. He’s been training for the elite guard, and maybe even climb the higher ranks someday! How can he move up with this kind of stain on his file?”

“If your son behaves, I’ll think about taking it off his file later. But if he keeps stirring up trouble… I won’t be able to help,” Ezra replied, then threw Kade a sharp look. “Anything else?”

“N–no. Sorry to disturb you.”

Carlos tugged on his son’s sleeve and turned to leave. Kade gave me one last bitter glare before lowering his head and walking out with his dad.

“Well, thanks,” I said, turning to Ezra.

He shrugged. “Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s for the-

“Yeah yeah, family honor. I get it,” I smiled. “Still, thanks.”

He smiled too. And even I had to admit that was probably the most handsome and youthful smile I’d ever seen.

“So…seems like you just lost your only chance to get a team, huh?” he said.

“Well, I guess so,” I muttered.

“So what’s your plan now? Or are you just waiting to be expelled over something this stupid?”

I shot him a suspicious look. Seriously, why did he keep asking me about my team? Honestly most of my current mess was because of him. Was he trying to laugh at my face?

“I’ll figure something out,” I said carefully.

“I don’t think you will,” he said smugly. “Okay, here’s the deal. There’s still a healer spot open on my team…If you say something nice to me, maybe I’ll let you join.”

Wait.

What?

Ezra Ravenshire. Just offered me a spot on his team?!

Chapter 18 Shy I Con Mess With Her

+25 BONUS

“Is this another sick joke?” I asked, stunned. I thought he told everyone not to team with me. Why offer now?

“It’s not a joke. I just thought watching you struggle this much was kinda sad,” he said with an eyeroll. “So is that a yes? We start training tomorrow.

I hesitated. And then-

“No,” I said.

He stared at me like I’d just lost my goddamn mind. “No? he barked.

“I appreciate the offer. But I already promised my friend Roy I’d team up with him. And you said you only had one healer spot open…”

“If you insist on bringing your dumb loser friend, you’ll fucking die in the Hunting Season,” he snapped.

“That’s none of your business.”

Honestly, the real reason was I didn’t want the drama that would come with joining his team. And I wasn’t sure if this was just another game to mess with me. Better to say no while I still could.

“But still, I’m flattered you thought of me-

>>

“Fucking save it,” he growled. “You just blew your last chance. Good luck.”

He stormed out of the dining hall, radiating rage. I sighed as I watched him leave.

Hopefully that didn’t just make him hate me even more.

After a quick breakfast, I headed to class. And the second I walked through the school gates, I could hear whispers all around me. -This time, all about Kade.

Apparently, the story about him using a healer as bait had already spread like wildfire. It pissed off the entire healer division. I doubted he’d be able to find a single healer to join his team now.

And honestly? That made my morning.

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