Page 66 of Her Feral Beasts

Lions are known for their aesthetics, but Lyle has taken things to a whole new level.

He’s silent for so long that I glance up at him. His amber eyes are staring at me so intensely that I’m struck into a stupor for a long moment. But I recover and break from his gaze, shifting in my seat to mask my discomfort.

He’s got me intimidated, and I’m sure he’s doing it on purpose. Bastard.

“What are we supposed to be doing?” I ask.

He’s not happy with what I’m saying yet again, and just replies, “Why did you try to escape yesterday, Miss Aquinas? Do you have no common sense?”

The nerve of this man. “Common sense is exactly what had me trying to leave.”

I really shouldn’t have said that because that piques his interest and he says, “What do you mean by that?”

I exhale heavily out my nose because I have no idea what to tell him. Men like this, men in positions of power, are rarely the empathetic, forgiving sort. Just like my father. You have to be ruthless to get into power like that. He might have no idea whoIam, but I know his type sure enough. I also know that avoiding the question will piss him off.

So I say nothing and stare fixedly through the bay windows that overlook the front of the school. The Hunting Games field stands there, lush and untamed. A place a person could get lost in. A place like that, up in the sub-tropical north, means freedom for me.

“You shouldn’t have bothered,” he goes on in a low voice. “There is nowhere on this wild earth you could hide from me.”

Chapter30

Aurelia

My eyes snap back to his at the open, bloody threat, and I’m like a live wire under his predatory gaze. It’s clear, Ihadwounded his pride. I slipped from his fingers once and he would never let it happen again.

But I can’t accept that Ihaveto stay here.

And then Lyle Pardalia proceeds to further ruin my life. “The reason I called you here today was to discuss your crime.”

“Which one?” I ask absently.

He gives me an unimpressed look. “The one where you set your husband’s mansion on fire. The one where a very rich and influential eagle is dead because of you.”

My insides turn cold. Tundra cold. Antarctic cold. “But I didn’t do it.” Even as I say that, I know it sounds pathetic.

“The Council of Beasts has sent us notice of a trial.”

My mouth drops open and I clutch Henry to my chest, suddenly panicking. “Wait, what? I thoughtthiswas my punishment?” I gesture around his office to indicate the academy.

He looks at me as if I’m stupid, and honestly, I believe him. “Attending Animus Academy does not acquit one of murder. The law still exists. You’ll be tried, and either found guilty or innocent.”

Do they want to send me tofederal prisonfor Halfeather’s death? My head is shaking back and forth as if my very muscles can’t believe it, either. “My father set me up. I can’t believe this. I can’t fucking—”

“Language, Miss Aquinas,” he snaps at me.

My voice emerges shrill and out of control. “I’m screwed, and you’re worried about my language!”

“Control yourself,” he commands in that heavy tone.

Get. Fucked. But my stupid anima wants to obey.

My eyes are burning and I know I’m going to cry, but I can’t let him see me like this. He’s my enemy, like the rest of them. I clutch Henry to my chest like a shield. If the council wants a trial, I can’t run. If I’m wanted formurder,I’ll have the best teams in the country tracking me down and skewering me dead. They’ll dart me and have me put down. That’s what they do to rabid murderers. They’re not considered safe for society. My plans fall to tatters on the plush carpet of Lyle’s office.

I have to stay here.

I can’t just run. Everything I’ve dreamed of is actually dead at my feet.

Looking back at him, I find his amber eyes are assessing me, tense and intent, as if he thinks I’m going to bolt at any second. In truth, I want to.

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