Page 14 of Alpha Varsity

Because it shows he cares? No, he clearly doesn’t. It just shows there’s a decent guy under all that assholery.

“I suspended him for the rest of the week, but allowed him to play in this weekend’s game. We have college scouts attending, and he’s one of our best.”

Relief pours through me. “Good. That’s important.”

“I will have to notify Alpha Green and the council, though. He broke pack rules showing his nature in front of the humans in your class. Plus, the violence was excessive.”

Fuck.

My mom is on that council. She won’t be kind to Asher because of her bias against his dad.

My stomach twists. He may be a pain in my ass right now, but I happen to know how much he’s been through. If he gets himself banished from the pack, I will be sick over it.

“Are you sure that’s necessary?”

I still have this ever-present need to protect Asher. But he’s not thirteen anymore. He’s eighteen–an adult now. And my past attempt to protect him only messed up his life even more. But somehow, I can’t seem to stop myself.

“Are you questioning my judgment?”

“No, sir. Sorry.” I stand. “Thank you for your understanding. I won’t let it happen again, I assure you.”

“See that you don’t.”

I walk out, trying not to think about Asher’s fate. It’s his problem, not mine.

It was just my panties that started it. Gah!

Chapter Five

Asher

I wrap my arms around my mom and squeeze her tight. Her thin body trembles against mine, telling me that my fears of being banished from this pack like my dad are founded.

“It’s going to be okay,” I murmur, not sure if it’s true.

We’re standing outside the door to Alpha Green’s office, where I was summoned by a phone call during dinner.

I’ve already answered to Principal Olsen, who suspended me from school for the rest of the week.

“If I was being kicked out, this would probably be a council meeting,” I whisper.

At least, that’s how I think it worked when my dad was banished.

Shame fills my entire being, as it always does when I think of my dad. It was my loose lips that got him banished. I stupidly trusted Lotta James. I confided in her, and she betrayed me.

What a gruesome twist of fate it would be if I was now banished over defending her reputation.

I release my mom and knock lightly on the door.

“Enter.”

I step in, and Alpha Green glances at my mom. “Wait outside, Lisa.”

She bows her head. “Yes, Alpha.”

Alpha Green remains sitting but doesn’t indicate that I should sit opposite him, so I remain standing.

“You broke the wrist of a student at school.”

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