She and Kayden steady themselves straight before Kayden takes a step forward.
Dale reaches a hand out, stopping him. He looks back at Ivy, “Let’s not draw any more attention to ourselves. We don’t need the Dean on our back or the Representatives looking for us.” He flits his gaze between Kayden and Ivy, turning to me as his lip curls up in disgust. “She’s not worth it.”
“But Dale—” Ivy protests, turning toward him, as a small whimper instantly leaves her lips with the slight movement of her hand.
“There’s always time after the break,” he murmurs, placing a short kiss to her head, placating her as he wraps an arm over her shoulder.
A dark chuckle peels from my lips with his words.
Did he think it would be that easy?Let’s see who would win their little game.
The area falls silent.
“After break? Why wait…” The grin pulling at my lips has Ivy and Dale flinching, “I’ll happily bleed you both dry now.”
“The hell you will—” Barks Kayden, reaching for me before he’s flung backwards. He tumbles across the cafeteria floor and bumps into a group of students sitting at a nearby table. They grab their trays and scatter to other tables around the room.
“What the hell—” Calls Ivy before her eyes narrow behind me.
“Are you okay, Micai?” Grey glares toward Ivy and Dale, not even glancing Kayden’s way as the shifter groans trying to pick himself up.
“We’ll deal with this another time.” Dale tugs Ivy with him, turning to head for the door.
“I have no issue dealing with it now,” Grey calls, stepping forward as his eyes flash, his polar bear rolling beneath him waiting to be let loose. A slight air of dominance rolls off him.
It wasn’t as strong as Creed or the guys, but you could see it had an effect on Dale and Ivy and had a few of the nearer groups around her flicking their gazes to the floor in submission. I guess Grey was what they called an ‘Alpha shifter’.
“Why are you defendingher,Grey?” Dale sets his glare on me, too weak to look Grey in the eye. “She hurt Ivy for no reason—”
“No reason?” Grey scoffs, cutting him off, “She’s always messing with Micai. She deserves more than a broken wrist. If it was Morgan…I would have ripped her arm clean off.” His tone is cold and cutting, his glare darkening as he glances toward the red-head in question.
Ivy’s eyes twitch with Grey’s words as she glances around the room, searching for someone to help. But no one responds, only a few murmurs and whispers before they look away.
Dale scoffs before turning away. “Let’s get that healed in the infirmary.” He gestures to Ivy’s wrist that she’s still clutching.
They turn away, heading toward the cafeteria door before calling for Kayden to follow them.
“Don’t forget my words, Ivy,” I state as she reaches the door. She freezes, her shoulders stiffening.
She turns back, her brows pinched and her nose scrunched in mock bravado, but the tremor in her hands gives her away. Her fear seeps out of her in other ways as her eyes meet mine, realising the weight of my words.
Dale calls her name and they head out, the cafeteria’s heavy atmosphere leaving with them.
I turn around, heading back toward the queue for food. Not even a room full of enemies or morons would stop me from getting something to eat and spending time with Morgan.
She waves over from my usual spot, an amused grin lacing her lips as Grey takes his seat beside her.
It was time to show everyone that they couldn’t touch me. That I wasn’t the same old Micai.
I had a power of my own, and I wasn’t afraid to use it to protect the people I loved.
CHAPTER TWELVE
MICAI’S POV
After eating breakfast with Morgan, Grey, and Ash, I leave the cafeteria and head toward the forest, keeping out of sight as I move to avoid suspicion.
The Council representatives would be investigating the attack, but how much information would they share with us?