Page 69 of Lords of the Campus

“Or what?” Max taunts. “What are you gonna do about it?”

I set my jaw and turn my head, done with this conversation. “You can go to hell,” I tell him as I start to walk away.

“Hope she doesn’t spread her legs again when you three aren’t around to watch her back!” Max calls out.

Rage erupts inside me, the implications making my vision go red, I spin around, advancing on them. “I’ll beat the shit out of you if you guys lay one hand on her.”

Max and his cronies chuckle in amusement. “You can try, but there’s four of us and one of you,” he informs me. “You know, I think I might enjoy watching you try. Go ahead, Cooper.”

I ball my hands into fists. “I’ll report you,” I tell him. “If you so much as look at Lyric the wrong way, I’ll report you to the dean.”

“Like you reported Cam?” Max asks, an amused smirk on his thick lips. “That went so well for you, didn’t it?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, narrowing my eyes as I size him up. I could easily land a few licks on Max before the other three hauled me off him. It might be worth it just to bash in his stupid, smug face.

“Cameron’s father is a major donor to the university,” Max announces. “So he got a semester of academic probation, he has to take an ethics class and do some therapy.”

So basically, a slap on the wrist, I realize with cold fury. “If he comes near Lyric, he’s dead,” I say, adrenaline racing down my spine.

“You have nothing to worry about. He’s not interested in a repeat with a whore like her,” Blonde Goon Number two tells me. “But see, us? We’re not so forgiving.”

“Yeah,” Blonde Goon Number three chimes in. “We’re pretty mad you three made such a mess of things for us. Now the university is watching the Sigmas more closely.”

“If you aren’t doing shit, you have nothing to worry about,” I taunt them.

“You need to be taught a lesson,” Max growls. “Alphas aren’t going to get away with messing with Sigmas.”

A chuckle escapes me, despite the frisson of fear that crawls down my spine. “Are you threatening me?”

“It’s not a threat, it’s a promise,” Blonde Goon Number one says, stepping closer and getting into my space. “We’re going after you, your brothers and that little whore too.”

“So this is about revenge, then,” I clarify.

“Got it in one,” Max says, a smirk rising. “Watch your back.” They saunter away, leaving me alone as I try to gather my thoughts.

They want revenge on us for reporting Cameron and they’re going to go after my brothers and Lyric. Rage coils in my gut at the thought and I grimace. I have to tell the others.

No matter what happens to us, our main priority is protecting Lyric and our son.

40

LYRIC

The new semester is off to a smooth start and I can't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. Things with the boys are going well. We've found a rhythm that works for us, balancing classes, time with Eli and our newly mended friendships. It's a fragile peace, but it's real. For the first time in what feels like forever, my life is finally settling down.

As I make my way to the library, the crisp winter air stings my cheeks, but it's a welcome sensation. It reminds me that I'm alive and moving forward. I push open the heavy door and step into the warm, quiet sanctuary of the library. The scents of old books and fresh coffee envelops me in a comforting cocoon.

I'm scanning the shelves for my assigned readings when I spot Madison out of the corner of my eye. She’s flipping through a thick textbook, her face set in a familiar scowl. I hesitate, debating whether to approach her or not.

“Madison,” I call softly, taking a step closer. Her head snaps up and our eyes meet. For a brief moment, I see a flicker of something—sadness, maybe? But it’s quickly replaced by a cold, hard glare.

“Lyric,” she responds curtly, her tone icy. She looks me up and down, then turns back to her book, effectively dismissing me. I stand there, stunned for a second, before turning away. The sting of her cold shoulder lingers, but I shake it off.

I don’t know why she’s acting this way, but I do know that we have unresolved business.

“Hey,” I call again, reaching out to place a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I know things have been tense with us. I’ve been thinking it over and you were right. I should have told the boys about Eli. I wasn’t being honest with them and it could have messed up our relationship worse. I’m sorry I was mad at you for telling them and I forgive you for doing it without telling me first.”

Madison’s shoulders relax slightly and she turns, her features softening. “I wanted them to know the truth,” she says, casting her eyes downward. “You have a blind spot about them. They were hurting you, so you were retaliating by hurting them back.”

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