Chapter 47

Evaline:
I listened closely as the second option got revealed.
is access to the restricted section of the Silver Moon Library. For the entire academic year.”
I couldn’t hide my reaction this time. My gaze turned to Professor Kieran as I asked, “That’s… possible?”
He nodded in response. “For you, yes. That section holds ancient scrolls, forbidden histories, bloodline theories, magical relic records – things even staff are limited from accessing without proper clearance. You could find things even we have never seen.”
I swallowed hard.
That kind of knowledge… was something students could only dream about. The amount of knowledge I could gain from the restricted section was limitless. Not only that, but this one sounded like such a safe option with no threat of these brothers interfering in my life.
“Don’t think it’s all rainbows.” River added when I stayed silent and lost in my thoughts. “If you chose this one, you will be watched. Every book you open. Every note you take. Misuse of information, intentional or not, comes with severe consequences. Expulsion is just the beginning.”
To say I wasn’t intimidated, would be such a lie. But I wasn’t really surprised by the strictness that followed this reward. When giving access to such kind of knowledge, they would definitely make sure that nothing would go wrong.
“And the third?” I asked quietly.
This time, the one who spoke was Professor Kieran. “A personal recommendation for an internship under the Council.”
My eyes went wide.
A small smile touched the corners of his lips at my reaction. “You would be the first first-year ever given such an opportunity. If you accept this one, you will travel during weekends and term breaks to work alongside some of the most powerful Alphas, learn law, negotiation, policy writing, and representation.”
I stood there in silence, my head buzzing with thoughts. Finally, I looked up and fixed my gaze of Professor Kieran as I asked, “Can I have time to think about it?”
His eyes softened as he replied, “You have until the end of the week.”
“Or now,” River interrupted. “Why delay the inevitable?”
I stared at him, finally noticing something I failed to initially as I was too affected by his presence. He wasn’t acting his normal self. The calm, collected, and powerful Alpha I had come to know him as, was now looking… helpless.
And I might just know why – on one side was the daughter of his enemy whom he could no longer hurt, and on the other side was his own brother who helped me. His helplessness, it was coming from here. And that’s why he’s being like this… someone ready to pounce at me but had no idea how and when.
Without even meaning it, a small – almost unnoticeable – smile tugged at my lips. And he saw it.
The way his gaze heated up in anger, I was sure that he knew exactly what was going on in my head, and he definitely didn’t like someone knowing his helplessness, especially me.
He opened his mouth, probably ready to throw more hateful and degrading words at me, but before he could, someone else spoke up.
“Let her choose in peace, River.”
My head snapped in Oscar’s direction. It was the first time I heard him speak since I walked in. His voice was quieter than I expected. Thoughtful. As if he wasn’t just defending me, but also defending himself from something.
River too looked at his brother, clearly as stunned as me. Then, he inhaled deeply. It was an attempt at keeping his bubbling emotions from breaking out, but I could tell that he was at the very edge.
He was already battling with Kieran’s betrayal, and now with Oscar speaking up for me, he was feeling at a loss.
At first, it felt like he was about to lose his mind, but then, he walked out of the room as if he could no longer breathe the same air as us… or me. He looked ready to take down anything or anyone that crossed his path at the moment.
Once he was gone, the office got filled with silence. Then, Professor Kieran spoke. “Take your time to decide. You still have three days. It’s your choice, Evaline. But choose knowing each option will change your path.”
I nodded my head in understanding before walking out of his office with the folder clutched tightly to my chest.
* * *
I didn’t sleep much that night.
Though I had asked for time, I already knew what I wanted to choose.
The first option was already a big no from the very beginning. And while the second one sounded like the safest among all three, safe didn’t mean best. This left me with the third option – internship at the council.
I knew the stakes in this one were just as high as the one-on-one training option. I would be working under the Alphas, their Betas, and other important figures of the Shifter Council.
But again, I wouldn’t be working there all the time, only on weekends and during term breaks. This internship would not only pay me, but would also give me a chance to learn and forge a future for myself.
I could use that money for my medical bills, to pay Professor Kieran back, and if possible, then to save some for the baby. And with the mention of this internship in my resume, it would be easier for me to find good jobs in the future.
All in all, the option of internship appealed the most.
The only thing I needed to worry about was the first term breaks. I would be around seven months pregnant by then, and it would become impossible to hide it. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
But I still had five months to worry about that. I was sure to find a way to make things work.
With the decision made, I finally allowed myself to relax and fall into the depths of the slumber as I had classes in the morning.