The Beta's Rejected Daughter (Fiona) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Damon POV

Finishe

The library had always been my escape because of how quiet and orderly it was. Books didn’t look at you like they were judging your bloodline or your choices and they didn’t whisper behind your back or remin you of the things you’d rather forget especially everything about my rejected sister Fiona.

I was halfway through a chapter of a book I was reading when Clive my friend ruined that peace by storming in like the building was on fire.

“Damon! What the hell are you still reading for? Something huge just happened!”

His voice echoed‘ far too loudly that heads turned. Someone hissed at him to shut up but he was too excited.

I frowned and didn’t even look up at first. “If you want to embarrass yourself, do it somewhere else. Don’t drag me into it. Don’t you have class?”

“Forget class! I’ve got more than enough credits. I’m basically waiting for graduation at this point.” He leaned down, breathless, excitement practically vibrating off him. “But this–this is way bigger. Look!”

Before I could refuse, he shoved his phone into my face.

The screen was filled with a campus post that was blowing up by the second.

Fiona Jenson takes on Professor Shaun Manning’s challenge.

My fingers tightened around the spine of my book and for a split second, the words didn’t make sense. They sat there, stark and unreal, like a bad joke.

Fiona… taking Shaun’s challenge?

I stared at the screen longer than I meant to as I knew that challenge better than anyone.

I was the only one who’d ever passed it and the title followed me everywhere as the first, the record holder and the benchmark. People talked about it like it was some heroid feat which I would deny.

That program had been a nightmare, with layered logic, false paths, traps designed to waste time and confidence. You enter a room and some charm is used to create illusion you have to solve in a fixed period

of time.

Shaun would always update it every year too, which meant whatever worked once wouldn’t work again for another person.

When I passed, it had been at the very edge of the time limit.

Fifty–four minutes.

F

And luck..pure, unforgiving luck, had played a role whether I liked to admit it or not which was why my chest felt so tight all of a sudden hearing Fiona was attempting it.

3:26 pm P

Chapter 44

This challenge wasn’t something you “tried because it could cause you trauma and was meant for stronger wolves.

If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have cared. But it was Fiona, my sister.

The girl I’d pushed away. The one I’d pretended didn’t exist for years because of Lydia.

I didn’t even know what I wanted for her.

To pass or to fail.

0:

Finished

Clive nudged me with a grin, oblivious to the mess in my head. “So? Think your sister can actually do it?”

I finally pulled my gaze away from the phone and looked at him coldly. “How would I know?”

“Oh, come on. You’d know. You’re the only one who’s ever cleared it. You know exactly how brutal that thing is.”

I went quiet for a moment.

Then I said, flat and controlled, “She’s not going to make it.”

Clive blinked. “Damn. That’s cold. Not like you. Even if you two aren’t close anymore, she’s still your blood

I shot him a sharp look. “Don’t be stupid.”

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “If I went back to sophomore year and tried Shaun’s program again, I’d give myself sixty percent odds. At best.”

He frowned. “That low?”

“You need skill and luck,” I said. “And sure, Fiona’s been acting different lately. But intelligence doesn’t magically double overnight.”

That was logic.

Clive’s expression shifted into something mischievous. “Then let’s bet.”

I sighed. “You’re insufferable.”

“You’re convinced she’ll fail. I’m saying she won’t.” His grin widened. “Loser owes the other a month of Junches. Home–cooked.”

“Lame.”

“So? You in or not?”

I didn’t even hesitate. “Fine.”

Free food.

There was no way Fiona was passing.

2/3

3:26 pm P PI

Chapter 44

Finished

The day finally reached and I stayed in the library using my iPad to stream everything online with Clive.

I saw the students crowded in the hallway outside the classroom and inside. Everyone had an opinion as they whispered that Fiona must’ve prepared in secret. Others said I probably helped her. A few laughed and called it arrogance.

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