XAN

ex. Where hav

r too many ice cream sundaes, hoping to sober myself up-or at least feel a bit better. To my surprise, I did feel better than

ristina, Ryland's mother and my own maternal figure, gently placed her hands o

breath and nodd

your plan to go to Alpha Academy. I know it's atrocious that the Academy refu

im to bite his lip. I told hi

a pair of scissors, and, without a moment's hesitation, snipped away a chunk of m

them gasped

hair was the same length. After fishing out a hair tie from my pocket, I gathered my hair into a bun-a man bun, to

ack at me was both f

r than mine. My cheeks were naturally plumper, causing me to flush easily, and my lips were just a touc

ei flooded back. I closed the mirror compartment, letting out a deep, calming breath, a

eyes wide with shock. "

s of my lips despite the weight of

, you know?" Ryland's voic

We can file a case with the police and have this inve

k and a member of the influential Beta family, had a vast network at her di

ook my he

p," I muttered. "There's no tangible proof of foul play, and even if there we

ften brushed off my concerns with a casual "I'm alright," but there were those fleeting moments during our video c

stice for his death," I asserted firmly. "I wouldn't be able t

and replied, despera

ur group, I'm one of the strongest. I could g

'm worried because you'll be surrounded by Alphas-those with the highest egos

everything that happened with Alexei is nerve-wracking. You

aybe it was. I could feel heat creeping up my cheeks as I recalled my interaction

. You don't need to wo

n evident in his voice as he clicked his tongue. "I'm worried a

at I can't handle?" I

n eyebrow in question. She scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. "

s and physique. Alexei, with his shorter and lankier build compared to other men, was undeniably attractiv

o a man, you're still so pretty, Alex," she continued, her voice

nings. "But they won't even get close enough to take a bi

s if he could vividly picture the scenario. "That makes

lding. "I told you we should convinc

first time during this entire conversation.

y mind," I declared firmly, my voice cuttin

e smile. "Tomorrow, you're going