Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: 68-Knight In A Shining Armour

Helanie:

“Helanie! Wait,” Lucy yelled, but I saw Norman gesture for her to stop, keeping her from coming in my direction. I have seen the sadness in her eyes for me.

“Aren’t you going to sign the admission form?” I heard Norman ask her. I didn’t want to leave, but what else could I do? I had failed the tests.

My heart ached so deeply that I knew if I stayed any longer, I would end up crying like a child. The one goal of my life had been snatched away because of my own weakness. This was all my fault.

I watched as Gavin and the others were loaded onto a bus, headed to the academy where the selected candidates would pay the entry fee, while Gavin would sign up for the backup tests. Going back into the shelter alone felt like a slap to my face—a harsh reminder from the alphas that I was on my own now, with nowhere else to go.

I sat down on my mattress, staring at the wall where Sydney and Salem used to hang so many things. Now, it was bare, a stark hint that they’d left and moved to the academy.

“I couldn’t even manage that much,” I muttered to myself, covering my face with my hands. I had been holding back tears, trying not to cry like a child, but sometimes, it’s okay to let it out.

“You did your best.” I looked up at the sound of Emmett’s voice. I thought he’d left with his brothers. He wore white pants and a shirt with a long, gray coat.

“I wanted to be part of the academy so badly,” I groaned, hunching forward with my elbows on my knees, my face buried in my hands. Emmett looked around for a place to sit, then settled on the edge of the mattress across from mine.

“I know. I’ve never seen someone so—” he began, but I interrupted him with a scoff.

“Desperate?”

He shook his head and corrected me, “Determined.”

“Thanks for being nice, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m still out,” I sighed, watching him gently push his coat aside as he slipped his hand into his pocket.

He was a devilishly handsome man, and his rugged demeanor only made him stand out more.

The issue was the mate bond. I wanted to blame the mate bond even though I couldn’t feel the pull anymore, and neither could he, especially with the absence of my wolf.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” he said, finally pulling his hand out and revealing a red card. “There might still be a way for you to get into the academy.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I looked up to meet his gaze.

“But I failed the last test,” I replied, wanting so desperately to believe him, but the reality was clear.

“Actually, there’s one more chance. I’m not sure how much it will help, but…” He extended his hand, offering me the card.

It bore the academy’s logo, with ‘Professor Emmett’s Recruit’ written on it.

“What’s this? How can I use it?” I sat up straight, clutching the card tightly as I looked at him, excitement flickering across my face.

“This is a special card that each of us brothers holds,” he explained. “It gives us the right to choose one recruit. If any candidate fails, we can give them this card to present at the backup tests, allowing them to take just one additional test for a chance to re-enter the academy. But there’s a catch.” His voice softened, making me rise almost out of anticipation, then settle back down, eager to know what else I’d need to do.

“What’s the catch?” I asked.

“This card can only be used by a family member.” The word family made my body tense.

“Oh!” I relaxed, though a wave of disappointment surged within me. That stung. I’d raised my hopes for nothing.

“But you can use it,” he added, and I looked up to see him smiling in an almost unbothered way. “You are my stepsister.”

For some reason, hearing him say that with such a casual smile bothered me. I’d told the Moon Goddess many times that I wouldn’t accept any fate she chose for me, yet there was a strange little twinge when Emmett called me his stepsister.

But once that fleeting feeling passed, I sat up straighter, a smile tugging at my lips.

“I can?” I asked, and he nodded.

“Yes, go ahead. Use it. But—” he paused, his tone becoming more serious, “you’ll need to use it wisely. Just holding a pass doesn’t guarantee admission. You’ll have to rely on your skills.”

He stood up, having helped me yet again, and I watched him walk away. After a few steps, he stopped briefly and turned back to say, “Best of luck, Helanie. I want to see you in my class soon.”

A smile returned to my face, and I held the card tightly, tears of relief filling my eyes. But I had to vacate the shelter quickly; the warriors had arrived to lock it up.

That’s when my anxiety spiked. Where would I go now? I knew how dangerous the wilderness was, especially for rogues without a home or any connection to the rogue kings or the academy. Slinging my small bag over my shoulder, I carefully tucked the card away and prepared to leave.

But as soon as I stepped outside, I noticed a warrior pointing at me. I followed him hesitantly as he led me through the trees to the main road.

“Where are you taking me?” I finally asked. I recognized this warrior; he worked for Kaye.

“Young Rogue King Kaye has instructed me to take you to a hotel room and serve as your driver until you find a place of your own.” He didn’t elaborate, but his words meant a lot to me.

I was in shock as I continued following him. Just when I thought I had no one, someone had been quietly looking out for me.