Chapter 93 Expelled
ARDEN
+10 Free Coins
I was taken aback by the sudden rise in her tone. It made me freeze in my tracks, my hand slowly retracting as I instinctively took a step back, fearing her voice might escalate even further.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, even though I wasn’t quite sure what I had done wrong.
She sighed and massaged the bridge of her nose. “Where did you get it?” she muttered, her voice laced with concern.
“I didn’t think I brought it with me,” I replied hesitantly. “I just–I found it once, in the woods near the South.”
Bethany’s expression remained unchanged; her eyes were fixed on the box, as if it might sprout legs and run away at any moment,
“It brings me comfort,” I added, fumbling for words I hadn’t prepared. “I know it’s strange, but it feels like something familiar. It feels like I’m meant to have it.”
Bethany’s lips parted slightly, a breath escaping her. “Huh?”
“It lights up,” I responded, realizing too late that I might have revealed too much. “When I hold it.”
Her gaze sharpened, cutting through the air like a knife’s edge. “What do you mean by that?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, scratching the back of my neck nervously. “I found it when I needed light the most. I was lost in those woods, all alone, and I stumbled upon it. I remember sitting on something uneven, and when I held it–it lit up.”
“See?” I muttered, grabbing the small crest. However, much to my surprise, it didn’t illuminate this time.
“Oh,” I said, feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Bethany exhaled, her shoulders dropping just slightly.
Then, right on cue, the box flickered faintly. A soft glow, nearly invisible in the daylight, appeared. I couldn’t help but smile like a fool. “There it is!” I exclaimed. “It’s beautiful. There
00
5
175
OT M N
O
<
15:55 Tue, Aug 5 GOG
84%
X
Chapter 93 Expelled
+10 Free Coins
are even initials here. B+ P. I don’t know who they are, but I hope they know I’m taking care of their box really well.”
I could hear myself rambling, but I couldn’t stop. “Why am I rambling? I’m so sorry.”
Bethany still hadn’t said a word. She hadn’t even shifted in her seat.
A chill settled in the room, the silence too thick for comfort and too heavy to ignore. I swallowed hard and cleared my throat, desperate to steer the conversation back to the real reason I had come.
I slid my number across the table, the paper neat and the ink still smudged from how many times I had rewritten it last night.
“Please contact me,” I said. “Once you decide to help us. Preferably before the end of the filing week.”
Bethany didn’t even glance at the paper.
“With how things are going, Winters is going to win, I pressed on, my voice growing firmer. “And everything you’ve done for Fenra–everything you’ve worked for–it might just go down the drain.”
She remained silent, her gaze unwavering.
The door opened behind me, and one of the guards who had tried to restrain me spoke. “Your next client is here, Miss Spirit.”
Still, Bethany didn’t blink.
I stood, her silence weighing heavily in the air. It felt as though she hadn’t even considered my words.
“Please consider it,” I said again, quieter this time.
I hadn’t expected a reply.
But as I turned to leave, I reached out instinctively and took her hand–just for a moment.
A warmth surged through me, like a wave of familiarity, radiant and gentle.
Bethany didn’t pull away.
5
OTM N
O
<
2/5
15:55 Tue, Aug 5 GOG
84%日
H D
X
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 93 Expelled
For the first time in days, I felt a sense of calm wash over me.
Then I let go.
As I walked out, I hoped that somehow, I’d managed to convince Bethany Spirit, even just a little bit.
***
Returning to Elite felt like sinking into cold water. The campus gates appeared unchanged, the stone walls still towered, and the flags continued to flutter beneath the same sky–but something was different. A tension hung in the air, making it hard to breathe.
I realized that this school truly had a cult–like quality.
Tessa was chatting beside me, with Owen trailing just behind. They were sharing stories about their breaks, which they had both spent here at Elite, and I chuckled occasionally. Still, I found it difficult to fully engage in the conversation.
“Hey,” Tessa nudged me. “Are you okay? What did you do over break?”
“A lot,” I found myself muttering. “A whole lot.”
A
17 16
42
We crossed the plaza and entered through the main gates.
That’s when I saw them. Posters. Everywhere. Big, bold ones featuring Mr. Winters‘ smiling face, emblazoned with phrases like “The Future of Fenra Starts Here” and “Discipline, Strength, Power.” Some of them sported handwritten notes taped at the corners–messages like “Support Elite’s Choice” and “Join the Winters Initiative.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Owen muttered beside me.
Tessa frowned. “It’s already starting?”
“Looks like it.” I sighed, trying not to let my chest tighten any more than it already was. “They’re rallying the students. They’re making it seem like Winters is inevitable.”
As we walked deeper into the campus, I kept glancing at my phone. Still no message. No missed calls. Nothing from Bethany.
Just then, I heard someone running toward us–Rowan. Tessa froze beside me, but I sensed we both felt the urgency in Rowan’s approach. He didn’t spare a glance at Tessa as he spoke.
3/5
5
0
T
9M
N
O
<
15:55 Tue, Aug 5 GOG
84%
0
X
Chapter 93 Expelled
“Arden,” he said, a little breathless. “Did you hear?”
I frowned. “Hear what?”
He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “It’s Cade.”
I stopped walking, as did Tessa and Owen. “What about Cade?”
“He’s going to be expelled,” Rowan said quietly.
“What?” I choked out.
+10 Free Coins
I hadn’t seen Cade over the weekend, and contact had been scarce too. I assumed he was caught up with plans involving his parents. He sent me a sweet good morning text, and that was the last I’d heard from him.
“Expelled? For what?” I exclaimed.
“I don’t know,” he muttered, shaking his head. “We only heard this from my relative who works in Winters‘ administration office. We can’t confirm, though. No one’s seen Cade. Elias is looking for him.”
“Elias?” I asked.
Rowan gave me a wry, knowing smile. “Seems you don’t know everything. We don’t want Winters as Praetor.”
I stared at him, trying to keep up. “Why the sudden change?”
“Cade talked to us this weekend,” he muttered. “We realized he was right. You know Honey, right? He mentioned it.”
I nodded, but my mind was still on Cade.
“Then Honey’s mate back then… is my brother,” he revealed.
I felt
my breath hitch, and Tessa audibly hiccupped too.
“Well,” Rowan continued, his voice clipped, “you know what Winters did to them.”
I nodded. My throat felt suddenly dry.
Rowan continued, “And Elias‘ older brother is next in line to inherit the Bloodline Alpha title
O O
5
IT MN III
O
<
4/5
15:55 Tue, Aug 5 GDG
Chapter 93 Expelled
—
ם
X
+10 Free Coins
of the East. Elias believes his brother shouldn’t have it.”
I frowned and nodded. That was expected, considering Elias‘ brother was on the list of those who had Winters‘ videos.
“Let’s look for him,” I said firmly, meeting Rowan’s gaze.
He nodded in agreement, and we began to move.
The hallway buzzed faintly with the chatter of students, but it all faded into a blur. My mind was racing.
Was there a reason to expel Cade?
“Where would he go?” I whispered, running my fingers through my hair.
Before I could come up with an answer, the intercom crackled to life.
To make matters worse, it was Mr. Winters‘ voice.
“Students, please head to the gymnasium for a very important announcement.”
15
