Chapter 16
The two of them smile at me, and we continue the tour.
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“Sophia?” I look back and flinch when a girl jumps forward. The Alpha growls at her, and she immediately starts to apologize profusely. “I’m so sorry, Alpha,”
“I know you,” I say, dismissing her apology.
“You saved me, my little sisters, and my cousin,” she says, coming closer. “You were in the hospital for so long that we never got to thank you properly. We would have died if you hadn’t led us out.”
“It was nothing. I just did what my father was training me to do. I’m glad to meet you. How are the others?”
“My cousin is here with me. My little sister-” she shakes her head. “And the other one still has four more years to go.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I nod, “Is it okay if she joins us for the rest of the tour, Alpha Romano?”
“Sure,” he nods.
“My name is Lieza Mackentyre. But everyone calls me Mac. Beta rank juvenile. I’m also a freshman.”
“Lieza,” another girl runs over to us. “Your mom is waiting for you.”
“This is my cousin, Poppy,” she introduces her. “Pop, this is Sophia Helvig.”
“Oh, my moon,” she says gently and bows her head. “Thank you. You’re the reason why we’re still alive.”
Poppy’s sincerity never seemed as genuine as Lieza’s. There’s a cold look in her eyes, and I got the sense that she never liked me for some reason. It’s the glint in her eyes and her body language. It was off.
I chose not to read too much into it. We continue the tour. Poppy tries to get the Alpha’s attention every time we make a stop by asking questions and complimenting him. Lieza can’t take her eyes off me, and I feel a little overwhelmed by everything. It had been a long time since I had been around people.
As soon as we round the main corridor, the King and Alpha Romano come over to us, and we all enter the main hall for orientation. Prince Ragnar makes me sit beside him. He’s to my left, and Alpha Santiago sits to my right. His parents are beside him. Orientation is mainly for the parents, and once it’s over, the adults all leave us to the senior students in charge of the dorms.
“Sophie,” Alpha Santiago stopped me before I could leave. “We’re having a bonfire later. Near the student study area behind the Junior hall.”
“Okay,” I say when he doesn’t elaborate further.
His eyes stay on mine. I feel the heat rushing up my neck the longer he stares at me. He’s not that much taller. His features are sharp, and I can’t force myself to look away. He smells amazing. It’s a little intoxicating.
“Would you like to go with me?” he asks gently,
“I um-”
“Can we all go?” I look back to see Lieza and Poppy standing behind us.
“Uh,” he looks between them and me. “Sure, you guys can come.”
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Chapter 16
“You’re so cool, Alpha Santiago,” Poppy beams. “Come on, Mac. Let’s see what we’re gonna wear.”
“I’ll see you later, Sophia,” Lieza waves at me.
“You have an admirer,” I laugh, watching the way Poppy cats him up with her eyes.
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“I actually want to be there with you,” he clarifies. “I only extended the invitation because it feels like you’re finding your place, and I don’t want to ruin that for you.”
“Thank you, and I got that from the staring contest,” I laugh. His eyes darken, and the tip of his cars turns bright red. “I’ll see you there.”
“Okay,” he smiles and turns away. I watch him join a group of guys. Just as he gets to them, he looks back at me with a pleased smile on his face.
“Careful,” I turn around to see the Prince standing behind me. “You don’t want to do something stupid with someone who isn’t your mate.”
“That’s good advice, my Prince,” I nod. He smiles and holds out a manila folder. I take it and open it up. “What’s this?”
I open it up to see a verified Medical program application. One that, if I were to fill out, wouldn’t be denied because it’s sealed by the King.
“You don’t come off as a warrior wolf. I knew your brothers, and they spoke of you fondly. I’m sure your Grandmother would understand.”
I stare at it for a while and then look up at him. I don’t want to get my grandmother in trouble, and I don’t want her to come back here knowing that she’s going to hate being stuck with me in the house where her mate passed. I wouldn’t like it if she made us stay in the family house.
“I don’t understand. Am I being kicked out of the combat program?” I ask.
“No, no,” he says, shaking his head. “I just thought it was something you would want. I know that if it were me who had died. that day, your brother would take good care of my little sister. They would want the same for her as they wanted for you. I’m sorry if I’m overstepping.”
“Thank you, my Prince, but I’m where I’m supposed to be. I think. I look small, but I can take care of myself, I appreciate your offering. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” he gives me a courteous nod. “Keep it. Maybe once you get your footing and shift, you’ll reconsider.”
I’m about to decline as politely as I can when he puts his hand up and waves it in the air. Two shadow wolves appear and follow him out. I doubt anyone has ever told him no in his life.
“Wow,” I almost jump out of my skin when Poppy appears out of nowhere. “The Prince is a little old for you, don’t you
think?”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“I can’t believe you would show up in such a slutty outfit,” she continues, looking me over. “Attention seeking much?”
I don’t know how to respond, and if I responded the way I want to, I’d be in the headmaster’s oflice waiting for him to tell my grandmother I wiped the floor with one of my classmates. I chose to ignore her and head in the direction the other girls had
gone.
When I get to the girls‘ dorm room, one of the senior girls waves me down.
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“Sophia?” she asks, I nod. “Oh, my moon. You look just like him.”
“I’m sorry?”
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“My older sister went to school with Oliver and Gavin. She had the cutest crush on Ollie. My family keeps a picture of them in our hallway. I’m Kaylee, by the way,” she offers me her hand.
“Sophia, but you knew that,” I smile.
“Come, I’ll show you to your room,” she says, taking my hand.
A lot of people know this girl. As we walk past the other girls settling in, she introduces me to everyone. They all recognize me immediately. When we get to the end of the hall, she opens a door for me.
“I never got any paperwork concerning a roommate,” I tell her.
“That’s because you don’t have one. Your grandmother requested your private space and even paid the extra cost. Since she can’t be around very much, I bet it’s difficult.”
“What is?”
“Being a King’s guard and having to take care of two kids is rough. My parents talk about it all the time.”
“Right,” I nod.
“All your stuff should be here. Let me know if you need anything. I’m in room six sixteen. Eight doors down to your left. Like when you walk out to the left.”
“Thank you, Kaylee,” I give her the best smile I can muster.
“You’re welcome,” she takes a piece of lint from my shoulder and dusts it. “Come find me if you need anything.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
