Page 326 of A University of Betrayal

Suddenly, I wished Larissa was by my side. I would feel a lot safer.

Suddenly, a shadow moved past the pillar in front of me, and I stopped abruptly.

I almost jumped back.

But it was Julian. In a black suit... with a tie that was the same color as my dress. His hair was neat and he looked... more grown up than usual. It suited him.

I couldn’t help but smile.

His eyes traveled over my body and I felt the heat creep into my cheeks.

“You look beautiful, Bayla,” he finally said in a soft voice, and a pleasant warmth spread through my stomach.

He was just a young man, and having a man as my best friend now took some getting used to.

“Nice tie,” I returned, and Julian looked down at it for a moment, as if he was unaware of the coincidence himself.

“Oh, yes...” he laughed softly. He seemed different than usual... hesitant? But he had no reason to be. “Larissa picked it out for me. She said I should match you because she’s planning to do the same with Miles.”

“Great,” I laughed and came closer to straighten the slightly out of place tie.

When I’d finished, I noticed Julian staring at me. And in the dim lantern light, I spotted the small scar on his temple that I had noticed before.

“What?”

He shook his head absently. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

He held out his arm to me and I hooked it with gratitude.

“God,if you only knew how much you’re saving my life right now. My shoes are instruments of torture.”

Julian laughed in amusement.

“What are friends for?” I laughed, looking to Julian, who mirrored my smile. The words felt much more natural by now.

“You don’t think I would have gone into the lion’s den without you,” he joked, but it had an unsettling effect on me. Concern spread through my body. “Why? Is someone there?”

“The whole Copeland pack arrived earlier, along with the Rolanows, surrounded by reporters. And I’m determined to stay away from anyone who belongs to them.”

Oh no, the pack Alarik had told me to hide from. What if they noticed something? In case I really was one of them…

“And Emely?” I blurted out.

He was silent for a few seconds. Finally, he pulled my arm tighter against his waist.

“Maybe it’s better if we concentrate on the mission. I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.”

I felt sorry for him that he found himself in this situation where he couldn’t just dance with the girl he cared so much for. Hopefully, Emely would understand.

Maybe I could persuade Julian again after all. If the pack was there, it would even be a welcomed distraction, but I wouldn’t put Julian through that just like that. Especially not without his consent.

The orchestral music had stopped a few minutes ago, and we could now hear a woman speaking into a microphone. I knew immediately who it was.

“It’s Amara,” I whispered, and we stopped in front of the huge open door to the ballroom.

I felt excitement bubbling up inside me.

Julian put his hand on my back, forcing me to look up at him.