Never Bend

Chapter 14 : Suspicion

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The truth will change
her life forever.
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TOM
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I lay lazily on the grass, arms behind my head. My friends had already left the cafeteria, playing the heroes in front of the girls. I, on the other hand, had chosen to play the role of the caring brother. Everyone knew I didn't really have a choice—I had to follow my father's decisions. Those who knew me understood how his word carried the weight of law, like something a dictator would decree. The last time I disobeyed him, things hadn't ended well.

In fact, that had been the last time I set foot in school with them... until today.

Even if part of me wanted to challenge his authority, I wasn't ready to give up my privileges. Not yet.

I dialed my own number, hoping Annie would pick up. A crooked smile tugged at my lips. I'd been lucky—by slipping my phone into her backpack, I'd not only freed up my hands, but now had a way to track her. I didn't know for sure if Lina had reached her in time, but I hoped so.

The phone I was using belonged to a friend. Relief washed over me when I heard Annie say Lina was with her.

"Put her on the phone," I said—more of a command than a request.

"This is way worse than what you told me! Shouldn't we report this to HQ?" Lina's voice came through the line.

My jaw clenched.
"No. My mission is to protect her from any outside threat. The cafeteria incident has already been handled. What I need now is for you to earn her trust. There's something about her... The Council has a secret agenda involving her. Just do your part. Can you handle that?"

"Fine... but it's going to take time."

"When you're done for the night, call me. She'll need nourishment."

"Agreed."
And with that, the line went dead. There was no need for formalities between us. It wasn't the first time working on a case together.

Stretching and moving around the grass, I press my inner elbow to my eyes. To hell with classes, if Annie wasn't there, there was no point in going.

He had been appointed to follow and protect Annie after all. After the mission was completed his human activities would end as well. So was Lina.

Annie's image lingers in my mind.

My chest stops moving for a split second, just enough to keep my emotions in check. Annie has awakened this side of me that I thought was dead. Since her arrival, I've changed. Mornings are no longer so grim and monotonous. She's like this unexpected gift I've received. Just thinking about her makes my heart race. She's a forbidden fruit I can't have.

Could she be my mate? But how could it since she was bot a wolf? That profound bond only existed between a wolf and the chosen.

Yes, Lina was exactly the right person for the job. I couldn't control my magic these days while keeping Annie's hidden.

Now I can only wonder how Lina's lesson with Annie is going. How strong is she really and how suppressed is her magic?

One thing's for sure. She's one of a kind.

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ANNIE
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