Page 136 of Cruel Legacy

Pax

Ishut the door to the classroom and pull the shade. There are a lot of rumors circulating around campus about us and I need to squash that shit.

I can’t go to every person on campus, so I’ve called a meeting with the leaders of each of the organizations. We’re making an official statement here and now. They can pass the information down to their members.

I don’t even know how the situation got out of hand. One minute I’m minding my business, the next I’m facing off with Stefan Pollack. One of Michael’s frat brothers.

We try not to mix it up with them because out of every other group on campus, they’re the ones with a chip on their shoulder big enough to think they can take us on for the number one spot.

The Trium and legacies are number one on campus, but tradition only gets us so far. We have to fight to defend our spot. We can’t afford to let our ranking slip, because if we do, Michael and his frat are definitely waiting to fill the void.

Getting into a pissing contest with them was never the plan, but we also couldn’t let them stand outside of our dorm and disrespect a resident. Why the hell did that resident have to be Thea?Alwaysfucking Thea.

I agree with her on one point. She’s got balls of steel to call Stefan Pollack a pussy. They’re bigger than his too, because nobody gets in Holden’s face and teases him the way she did. I meet Finn’s gaze across the room and nod. We’re ready to start the meeting.

He whistles to get everyone’s attention, and I walk to the front of the room.

“I know you’ve all heard about the altercation in front of Vale Tower.” I look directly at Michael when I say the next part. “We’re here to clear up any misinformation that may be floating around campus and hope that you’ll pass along the information to your respective groups.”

Michael, ever the hothead, blurts out, “We know what happened. You threatened a member of my house.”

“A member of your house walked into the middle of a disagreement between two residents of Vale Tower. He was an innocent bystander until he decided to get upset about a nudge and threatened my resident.”

“You had no right to jump in. It would’ve been a fair fight.”

“Perhaps, if a fair fight is a five eleven man going up against a five and a half foot woman, that’s half his body weight. I know Coach Wolfe trains for these types of events, but those match ups are supposed to be in the ring, under his supervision, are they not?”

“The smart mouthed bitch was asking for it.” Stefan says from the back of the room.

He’s here because it’s his right to give his side of the story, but Michael is the one we’re really concerned about. Whatever decision he makes, the rest of his frat will abide by it.

Michael asks, “Which girl was it?” I’m surprised he doesn’t already know. Or if he does, he just wants us to say it so everyone hears it.

“Theona LaReaux.”

He locks eyes with Stefan. “I agree, she’s mouthy.” He turns back to me and says, “She’s no wilting flower. She comes hard at the guys in class, trying to knock us around. You should’ve let Stefan handle her. I’m sure he’d have done a better job than what you’re doing.”

I share a look with Finn. I already know about him intervening between them. There’s a lot of bad blood there. Finn’s knife flicks out. “I already told you, Mikey. If anybody’s gonna declaw her, it’s gonna be me.”

This is not the way this meeting is supposed to go, but what did I expect? Finn’s got an attachment to this girl and nobody gets between him and his toys.

“Now are you challenging me for possession of my, Pet, Mikey? If so, I’ll happily discuss the terms.”

“That conversation was between us, Finn, and Stefan didn’t know.” Mike flicks his eyes at me. “That still doesn’t explain why the other two jumped in.”

“Doesn’t it?” Finn hops down off the table and stalks around the room trailing his knife blade along the desks.

“Bow down and plead

Before those who lead

Leave your will and moral compass at the door

Bleed and Cower. Our rival devoured.

The Triumvirate. Legacy Born”

He reaches the back of the room as he finishes reciting the last line.

---