Page 160 of A University of Betrayal

He fell silent again. Maybe he had an answer, but he couldn’t tell me. He would remain silent. For my mother. That said a lot.

We drove down a street surrounded by forest. But the road eventually became rockier and then disappeared completely. Signs like“No Trespassing”or“Caution, Dangerous Area”lined the road.

“Are you sure we should be here?”

“I’ve put up these signs.”

Very comforting.

“You can’t kill anyone here.”

“Kill?” He stopped the car and turned off the engine.

“Kill,” he just said with a friendly smile and got out of the car, leaving me to do the same so I could ask more questions.

Tranquil Birdsong in the Forest Drizzle

Nordic Wilderness

“Senseque sometimes forget themselves, which is why it’s important for them to have a pack and be under an Alpha bond.”

Otherwise, they would kill?

There was a queasy feeling in my stomach now.

“I don’twantto andwon’tkill anyone.”

“Don’t be so sure, especially if you’ve never turned in your life.”

“I have...”

I faltered.

I had never turned before. That was supposed to take away my fear, but it didn’t at all.

“Don’t worry about it. Not today. I want to teach you a few basic things first.”

That was reassuring. Somehow...?

“Follow me.”

I obeyed and followed him across the leaf-covered ground, and it rustled softly as the dry leaves folded under my sole.

A raven swooped over our heads, and I ducked down in alarm.

Was there nowhere safe from these crazy animals?

“The first thing you need to learn is how to control your emotions to suppress a possible transformation. All this without using the day serum. For that, it’s essential that you can consciously perceive your emotions.”

I simply nodded and waited for further instructions.

“The Senseque in you is stronger. You should know that. She will want out and when it’s too late, even experienced Senseque won’t be able to control themselves.”

Images of Emely flashed through my mind. I didn’t want to experience that for myself. I didn’t really want to turn. On top of that, I didn’t even know if I reallywasa Senseque.

“Is there anything that makes you particularly angry?”

I had to think. Anger was something I rarely felt, as it wasn’t one of my main moods. I shook my head.

---