The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 67

JUNIPER

“You do realize that if you drop out now, you won’t receive any credits for this semester?” Principal Clandestine asked.

I kept my hands in my lap, remembering the last time I was in this office. It was clear back then that he didn’t like me very much, which was why I was surprised I was able to get an appointment as quickly as I did. I received the notice that the principal would meet me only a few days after I made the request. I was prepared to wait for weeks.

” I said. “I’m not dropping out.”

s semester, and we can’t refund you any of the money you paid for classes, since it’s past the official drop out period.”

t what I said.

t?” I hated the idea of leaving school. School had been my life, my priority for such a long time that it felt like I was abandoning everything I knew. I knew that there were more important things in life than school. The Burrell brothers showed me t

this decision, then I can get the paperwork started.”

hting back the urge to tell him I had changed my mind. I had to tell myself this wasn’t a forever decision. I

’t exist in the first place, then I’d be able to return to the others sooner.

rse. If that happened, I knew I couldn’t ever return to the brothers. I’d have to wait for them to leave the school before I came back—if I ever decided returning was worth the risk.

numb as the words came out of my mouth.

d Ethan, but there was a point where I felt like I could trust Asher.

mistake of my life, but it was a risk I was willing to take. If it meant Axel could stay safe, stay alive, then I would risk everything.

ut,” he said.

ing a hiatus.” I ground my teeth together

say so. Either way, you will not be allowed to stay on campus.”

up and

There was something about him that made me uncomfortable, and it wasn’t just the way he spoke to me last time I was in this office. There was something selfish about him, as if he cared nothing about the students

will hav

pped out of the office.

was out of his office, the air was easier to breathe. I had officially set things in motion, and now I had a week to say my goodbyes without letting anyone know what was going on.

that I had to leave. It was hard seeing him every day, knowing our time was limited. I wanted to tell him why I was leaving. I wanted to explain everything so he’d hate me a little less when I walked out o

ing without a word was the only option.

He would understand why I had to leave, and he’d even help me do it.

at I told myself…

he would convince me to stay.

with Axel and what I was going to do when this week was over.

y we first met.

cause I didn’t want to leave.

lood on Axel’s chest and how it felt to see him unconscious on the floor.

g.”

new he wasn’t going to let me out of this conversation easily.

th the principal, but i

n’s jaw tightened, and when he spoke, his voice was strain

managed to get the truth out of me. “Anyway, I have to get to class. I’ll see you later!”

***

ETHAN

g. She was nervous about something, and for whatever reason, she didn’t want me to know.

I wouldn’t hesitate to request to remove him from his position.

dn’t want to.

find out what happened.

y something to stop me, but she had learned the hard way that she couldn’t stop me from doing what I wanted.

es,” I greeted, shut

’t fall the way it normally did when he saw me, making it clear he was in a particularly pleasant mood that even I couldn’t ruin.

ndestine liked to undermine my authority every chance he got, and I didn’t know how to make him realize who was in charge without resorting to violence.

ested the meeting.” His smirk told me he was confident he had found a loophole in my order.

erything going on with Asher and Axel. The last thing I wanted was for her to deal with more trouble from the school.

rs of students with just anyone. There are laws that protect their privacy.” He leaned back in his chair and cro

m telling you to tell me.” I didn’t hesitate to let my werewolf strength fill the air. He needed to understand what kind of power I held.

aven’t you?”

ok—”

the form and scanned it. “Leave of absence? Why would Juniper need these?”