Tempted By my Evil Lycan Stepbrother novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Riley Has A Boyfriend!

Riley’s POV

I glared at him. “You’re impossible. Do you want me kicked out of school or not? Because honestly, I can’t figure out what the hell you’re thinking anymore.”

He didn’t say a word. Just gave me one last icy look before turning and walking away. Danica stomped after him.

“So? What’s going on? Who are you teaming with?” Ms. Bright asked, brows pulled tight.

I let out a long breath. “Odin. I’m teaming with Odin.”

Ms. Bright updated her list, then shooed us back into line as she continued calling out the rest of the teams.

As we walked back, I could feel the stares–judgy, mocking, even disgusted.

They probably thought we were a bunch of morons. Picking a fight with the Lycan King’s heir before the Hunting Season even began.

“This is just perfect. We’re screwed before the competition even starts,” Olivia muttered under her breath. “And it’s all her fault.”

1

“Cut it out, Olivia,” Odin said.

“No, I’m not gonna shut up. We should’ve never agreed to this. She’s just gonna drag us down. You do realize people die in the Hunting Season, right? This isn’t some fucking school game!”

Yeah, I knew. I knew exactly how dangerous the Hunting Season was.

They drop you into some godforsaken forest with no food, no water, no weapons. Just survival instincts and your team. You stay there for a week. Facing beasts, poison plants, maybe even other teams.

People have died in all kinds of ways. Cliff falls. Starvation. Dehydration. Fights turning fatal. Sure, killing’s “not encouraged,” but it’s not exactly banned either. Lycans believe in survival of the fittest.

That’s why having the

“I’ll protect us.

team

Watters.

what healers

Olivia shot at

re for,” I said.

a scornful look. “Bullshit. You don’t know a single thing about healing. I can just tell. And seriously? You said you have a crush on my brother? Screw you. An Alpha bloodline would never fall for someone like you.”

“Olivia! That’s enough!” Odin snapped.

“What? Look at her. She’s just a regular werewolf. Not a Lycan. No royal blood. She’s at the bottom of the food chain. I can’t believe I’m stuck with her just because she’s obsessed with you.”

I took a deep breath, holding my temper. She was just scared. So she was lashing out. I wasn’t going start a fight with her now. It’s not good for the team.

“I made up the crush thing to get Ezra off my back,” I told her. “And trust me- starts.”

“I believe in Riley,” Odin said firmly. “So stop whining.”

-I’m not dead weight. You’ll see once the Season

Olivia sulked into silence, though she still looked ready to explode. The 3 of us stood there in awkward tension while Ms. Bright kept reading off the list.

And then came the next surprise for ine–

Roy had teamed up with Kade!

+25 BONUS

I almost couldn’t believe what I heard. But there Roy was, standing with Kade and his little gang of bullies like they were besties. What the hell was going on???

I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm as the announcement dragged on. Half an hour of torture later, Ms. Bright finally

finished and said to the whole school:

“That concludes the full list of participants. Once finalized, team assignments cannot be changed. The Hunting Season will officially begin in 15 days. Until then, you may train with your teams, consult your instructors if you have questions, and use the training grounds freely. Good luck everyone.”

She cismissed the crowd. And I didn’t waste a second.

“Roy! Hey, Roy!” I shouted, pushing through the crowd.

He was walking away with Kade and the others but stopped when I called. He turned back, looking awkward, maybe even a little guilty.

“What the hell is going on?” I demanded. “Why the hell are you teaming with these assholes?”

“What did you just say?” Kade growled, stepping toward me.

I ignored him, eyes locked on Roy. “Do you even know what kind of crap this team pulls? They use healers as bait. That’s why no one wants to team with them. What the hell were you thinking?!”

“T–They said they won’t do that anymore,” Roy mumbled, not meeting my eyes.

“And you believed them? Take your name off their team. Now!”

“You heard Ms. Bright,” Kade cut in. “Names are final. Besides, why don’t you mind your own damn business? You’re not his

mom.”

“Screw you,” I snapped.

Kade growled low in his throat, and his buddies started circling me. “You really wanna pick a fight right now? Your precious big

brother Ezra isn’t here to save you.”

I clenched my fists. “I don’t need Ezra’s help. Now let my friend go.”

“That’s enough!”

Roy stepped between us, dragging me a few steps back. He looked torn, anxious, maybe even scared.

“I already made my decision,” he whispered to me. “And besides, the list’s set. Just drop it, Riley. Please.”

I stared at him, stunned. “Why, Roy? Why would you choose them? I told you I was working on it. I had a plan.”

“Yeah, well, who knows if you could get us a team or not? You’re much stronger than me. Maybe the team only wanted you, not

1. me.

.” He looked down, ashamed. “I’m not like you, Riley. I don’t have a famous last name or a Lycan King for a stepfather. If I get kicked out, I lose everything. I can’t risk that.”

I took a shaky step back, heart sinking. “So… you don’t trust me.’

“Riley-”

“Be careful, Roy,” I said quietly. “If anything happens during the competition… run to me.”

Then I turned and walked away, feeling like a boulder had settled in my chest.

So much for the first real friendship I’d had here.

Odin and Olivia were still waiting nearby. I told them Roy wasn’t joining us anymore.

+25 BONUS

What? So it’s just us 3?” Olivia exploded. “We’re doomed! We’re gonna be the first ones out!”

“Smaller teams move faster and stay hidden easier,” I said, trying to calm her down.

“No. I’m done with this. Everything’s going to hell because of you. Go to hell!”

And with that, she stormed off.

I gave Odin an awkward glance, but he looked surprisingly calm.

“Don’t mind Olivia,” he sighed. “Our parents have been pressuring us hard about this year’s competition. She’s just stressed.”

“I get it,” I said. “But I’ll help you win.”

He gave me a little smile, clearly not taking me too seriously. “Well then…want to go running in the mountains this weekend? We need team practice anyway. Might as well start early.”

“Sure. And your sister?”

“Nope. Just the two of us.”

My heart skipped a beat. And I totally started stuttering. “O–Oh. Right. Um… yeah, that works. Sure.”

“Let her cool off on her own. You and I need to get in sync first,” he said with a wink. “Call it a warm–up date.”

A date.

Those words kept echoing in my head long after I left school. It was Friday. Most students were going home for the weekend-

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