Page 13 of A University of Betrayal

“I think someone wants to talk to you,” Laurent sighed, running his fingers through his short brown hair while nodding toward the entrance.

I turned around, and my euphoria turned abruptly into tension.

“Remember what I told you,” were Laurent’s last words before he patted me on the shoulders and made his way upstairs.

I appreciated how Laurent just tossed me straight into the lion’s cage, not like Adrian or Bastien, let alone David or Camille, who treated me like I was a lion cub myself. I didn’t need their protection, especially not againstTristan DeLoughrey.

I Hate Everything About You

Three Days Grace

It annoyed me that he was here again.No onehad invited him.Absolutely no one.Yet he ignored that he was unwanted here, bringing deadly chaos, ruining our brother- and sisterhood.

I unwrapped the bandages from my hand and tried to avoid his gaze as he came toward me in an almost human way. His knee-length coat was noble and menacing. Longer than the one I usually wore.

Behind it hid a man who had destroyed his own life and the lives of others.

“You used to be better, kid.”

I paused, but didn’t look up at him. Anger pulsed in my chest. How IwishedI could have told him to leave it alone andfuck offagain.

“Bastien should have takenyouas a student and not Adrian.”

“Don’t talk so disrespectfully about him,” I snorted angrily and continued to tie off. “And don’t youdarequestion Nicolaj’s decisions.”

He didn’t answer, which was a good thing because the last thing I needed right now was a discussion with the man I loathed most in this world.

“I could take over your training.”

Stunned, I looked him in the face for the first time.

It felt strange to see him as if he was ten years older than me, and the knowledge that he wasseventeenyears older filled me with shame. His mere presence made me uncomfortable. On top of that, he was talking bullshit.

“Over my dead body.” I snorted honestly without changing my expression. “And while we’re on that subject. Why don’t you go back to California right now? That would be best for everyone involved. Nobody wants you here. Look at the mess you’ve made. And what a situation you’ve put Bastien in!”

I looked at him angrily, but then turned away to reach for my water bottle. I had lost so much fluid during this training that the cool water felt so divinely relieving. At the same time, my thirst for something else grew. Good thing dinner was coming soon. Another excuse to end the unnecessary conversation with that bastard.

“I don’t understand how you can hate your own flesh and blood so much, Milliam.”

God,how much I wanted to smack him right now.

“Everyone elseunderstands.Iunderstand it. That should be enough,” I pressed out.

What was he even thinking, asking that question? Calling me by that name. He looked at me, thoughtful but also indifferent. I had expected nothing less from him.

“I’m surprised they’re taking you back, that Nicolaj is taking you in.” I stood in front of him. We were the same height. “Don’t think that just because he or your brothers tolerate you here that I do the same.”

“You don’t know anything about my brothers, kid.”

There it was again. His bossy attitude.

“Don’t call me that!” I pressed out with anger seething in my chest.

The fact that he put on the apologetic look didn’t make it any better.

“I’vechanged,Milliam. That’s why Nicolaj gave me a chance. And all I’m asking is that you give me one too.”

“Changed...”