Tempted By my Evil Lycan Stepbrother novel Chapter 20

Riley’s POV

I was in a great mood when I left the clinic.

Odin and Olivia’s surgeries were perfect. Olivia woke up still acting like a diva, complaining all about the disinfectant smell in the surgery room, whining that the painkillers weren’t strong enough–basically just continuing to be a pain in the ass. But nothing she said could ruin my mood.

Right before they left, Odin looked down at me with those beautiful blue eyes of his.

“Promise me I’ll see you again,” he said softly.

Olivia let out an annoyed tsk not far behind us. I smiled. “We’ll see. Just try not to break the leg I just fixed. Be careful.”

And–see you tomorrow at school. I added in my head as they left.

Finally, today I had solved the most stressful problem hanging over me lately. Even the way I walked home felt lighter.

Once I got back to the castle and locked myself in my room, I grabbed my phone and texted Roy the good news:

[Hey, we don’t have to worry about teaming up anymore. I took care of it.]

I waited for 5 minutes but no

probably already asleep.

I shoved my phone under

lay down.

Guess I’ll just tell him in person tomorrow.

The next day

Royal Academy, the whole place was buzzing with excitement.

Today was the official team confirmation day, and the school was also going to announce the start date for the Hunting Season. Everyone was huddled i little groups, chatting away, finalizing last–minute details.

As I walked down the hallway,

coma feel the s

stares.

Most of them were gloating.

They thought today I’d be the only one left without a team. I’d be humiliated in front of the whole school and get kicked out like a clown.

They had been looking forward to this drama for weeks.

I sneered internally. Sorry to disappoint them, but that little show wasn’t happening.

r

I wanted to find Roy and let him know we were good now. But no matter how many times I messaged him, he didn’t answer. I even checked all the classrooms on his schedule. Still no sign of him.

Weird.

“Riley Monroe!” someone hissed from around a corner.

I turned my head and saw Olivia lurking in the shadows, waving me over with a scowl.

I rolled my eyes and walked over. “Why are you being so sketchy?”

“Shh! Keep it down,” she snapped. “Follow me.”

She led me through the halls, dodging the crowds, and slipped into an empty classroom. Odin was already there waiting.

Chapter 20 Ends Team

+25 BONUS

“Riley? Riley Monroe?” he said with a warm smile.

This was the first time in years I’d seen him as Riley, not in disguise, and my heart skipped a beat. “Hey, Odin. I wasn’t sure if you’d still remember me.

“Oh my god, it really is you!” his eyes lit up. “When I first heard the Veilwalker mention your name, I couldn’t believe it was actually you because what are the odds? Now we are both at Full Moon Pack. Both students at Royal Academy…”

“Yeah, who would’ve thought?” I smiled.

Olivia shoved her way between us, eyeing me suspiciously. “So how exactly do you know the Veilwalker?”

I had my story ready. “She’s a friend of my grandmother’s.”

“A friend of your grandma’s?” Olivia narrowed her eyes. “So she’s, what, old?”

“She’s not exactly young,” I said vaguely, trying to sound casual while lying through my teeth.

Olivia suddenly snorted and jabbed Odin hard in the ribs. “Oh my god, did you hear that? Veilwalker’s in the same generation as her grandma. You’re into a grandma!”

My heart skipped a beat in panic. Odin blushed. “Shut up Olivia!”

“I’m just saying! You were totally flirting with her at the clinic.” She smirked. “I bet she’s old and desperate. Everything with her is saggy and wrinkly. No guy would even look twice at her without the veil—”

“Enough!” Odin cut her off, sh

and cold. “Veilwalker saved us. If not for her, we wouldn’t even be able to compete this year. Can you imagine how disappointed our parents would’ve been? So show some respect.”

“We paid her. It was her job,” Olivia mumbled.

“The payment we Odin paused, frow

“So you liked

her wasn’t enough to impress her. I know she has treated much wealthier people. She did us a favor.” slightly. “But it’s strange…. Her voice, her movements… She seemed so young…”

I asked quickly, way

too?

eager.

“Oh, totally,” he said, smiling. “She was so professional. Super approachable. And maybe because she saved me, I feel like… there’s this connection between us. I still remember the last thing I saw before the anesthesia kicked in… It were her eyes. They

were beautiful. Mesmerizing…”

I felt my cheeks heat up.

“Ugh, are you done?” Olivia groaned. “Don’t forget you were crushing on a grandma. Gross. Now can we get to the point already?”

Odin cleared his throat. “Right, yeah. So Riley, I wanted to meet at somewhere nicer, but Olivia insisted-”

“Come on, she’s the school’s number one target right now. I didn’t want to be seen hanging out with her any longer than necessary.” Olivia shot me a look full of spite. “Anyway, you’re officially on our team now. Just don’t think you’re getting a free ride. You better pull your weight.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a pretty decent healer,” I said evenly.

“But we’ve still got a problem,” Odin said. “Most teams have four or five members. It’s just the three of us right now, and that’s a little light.”

“I’ve got a friend–he’s a healer too. I think he might be interested in joining.” I said.

“Oh great, more dead weight!” Olivia snorted. “Odin, we better start training now or we’re getting knocked out in the first round thanks to these losers.”

Chapter 20 Ends Toom

+25 BONUS

Odin gave me an apologetic smile. “Anyway, see you at the assembly later, Riley.”

They walked out, and I stood there for a second, fanning my flushed cheeks and taking a deep breath before heading for the door.

I had barely stepped out when I heard a voice-

“Riley?”

That voice… I whipped around.

Sure enough, Ezra was standing a few feet away with his arms crossed, frowning at me. His usual group of fanboys and fangirls hovered around him like moths to a flame.

The smile on my face instantly disappeared. “What do you want?”

He stared at me. “What were you doing in that classroom?”

“None of your business.”

“I saw two werewolves walk out right before you.” his gaze was cold.

I frowned. “They’re my classmates. Is this interrogation over now?”

“Yeah keep hanging around with the

one of the girls behind Cered.

Why Werewolves. They might be the only ones in this school still willing to talk to you,”

I stuck my tongue out at her. “If you end up losing to a team of werewolves, that’s gonna be hilarious.”

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