The Lycan Prince’s Wolfless Slave (Academy Romance) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Thankfully, they listen. They fall to silence as we ran and make our way toward the cafeteria. I walk in the middle, making sure to keep light conversations with everyone. But deep down, I hope Erika hasn’t fallen into Rina’s trap. I know Rina. She doesn’t offer help unless she’s planning to take something in return.

When we reach the cafeteria, the smell of spice and grilled meat fills the air. The cafe is loud and crowded, exactly what I need to drown out the ringing in my ears. We join the line, and I find myself moving on autopilot.

I opt for a bowl of pasta. Erika grabs the same. Amara picks out a sandwich while Isolde who’s obsessed with sweet things just starts stuffing her face with

more cotton candy she bought from a vendor in the hall.

“Let’s grab that wide table in the corner before the seniors take it,” Amara says, nodding toward the back of the room. She and Isolde rush off to secure the

spot, leaving Erika and me to follow with our trays.

As we walk, Erika tugs my sleeve, slowing us to distance ourselves from the others. She leans in and whispers in my ear.

“Lyra, I have to tell you something important,” she says. “But not now. Not here.”

I stop walking and look at her, my brow furrowed. The way she’s looking around, all shifty and nervous, makes me feel nervous too. “What is it, Erika? Is it

about Rina?”

Erika glances around the crowded cafeteria again, her eyes darting from face to face as if she’s afraid the walls have ears. “I can’t tell you now,” she insists. “Maybe later tonight. I’ll come to your room or we can meet somewhere private. Just… don’t say anything to Amara or Isolde yet, okay?”

I’m incredibly curious, and a little bit worried. The secretiveness isn’t like her. “Fine, I tell her. “I’ll wait. But you better show up, because I can’t wait to

hear what’s so secret.”

She nods quickly and starts to walk again, but I’m still distracted by her words. I turn to catch up with her, not looking where I’m going, and slam right into someone’s chest. My tray wobbles, and a bit of my pasta sauce spatters on the floor.

“Hey, Watch it,” a familiar voice says.

I look up, ready to snap at whoever it is, but the words die in my throat. Standing in front of me is Jackson. My brother.

He’s taller than the last time I saw him, his shoulders look broader and he looks even more handsome. He is the brother who, like the rest of my family, has spent the last few years acting like I don’t exist. The moment he realizes it’s me, his face shifts from annoyance to pure shock. He stands there for a moment, looking like he’s seen a ghost.

“Hi, Ly,” he says, his voice sounding awkward and tiny.

“Hello,” I reply in a flat voice.

Looking at him brings back a lot of memories I usually try to keep buried. When we were little, Jackson was actually kind to me. He used to sneak me snacks and extra sweets from the kitchen, hiding them in his pockets even though our sister, Daisy, would constantly warn him that he’d get in trouble. Jackson used to care for me. He was the only one who did.

Then we grew up, and the world got colder. The Luna would punish him if she caught him playing with me or even talking to me. She told him not to near me because was a stain on the family name. Slowly, Jackson started to avoid me. He stopped sneaking me treats. He stopped looking me in the eye. Eventually, we just stopped talking altogether. Seeing him now feels like looking at a stranger who happens to have my father’s eyes.

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