“It’s not the same,” Zahra protested weakly.
“Why? You think peer pressure is different if you are human, Lycan, Castor or us?” Michael shook his head again as he picked up the other boot. “You are delusional. You did not need to go to a human school to try and fit in. We all feel that here too.”
“You know I am not a good fighter.”
“That’s why we train. That’s why we have trainers.” Michael looked at his sister with a raised eyebrow. “What we do not do here is pretend we are weak and then use our Akrhyn strength, speed and skill for gain.”
“I’m not cheating!” Zahra glared at him. “I just have more than they do.”
“Which is why you shouldn’t be using your skills that are bestowed upon you by the Ancients to your advantage against a weaker being, especially ones you call friends.”
“Good grief, you are so noble.” Zahra jumped to her feet. “Is she like you?”
“I don’t know, I have never had the opportunity to ask Tegan what she thinks of cheating. In life or in love.” Michael put down his boot and his polishing sponge. “Sloane told me how they found you at the school. You do not do right by him, then or now.”
Zahra shrugged as she ran a hand over Michael’s uniform. “He does not care.”
“Do you hear of him being in compromising situations with female Akrhyn?” Michael asked her softly.
“No, all I hear is how he is good, how strong, how Akrhyn he is.” Zahra rolled her eyes. “At least Cord has some flair for the dramatic; Sloane is as reliable as a Lycan howl on a full moon.”
“You also detest Cord,” Michael reminded her.
“He is arrogant.”
“As are you.” Michael stood. “Four Akrhyn have been watching you for months to ensure your safety.”
“I did not ask for them!”
“No, but you knew they were there.” Michael crossed his arms over his chest. “Didn’t you?”
“No...”
“Zahra, I have known you your whole life. I knew you knew about them the minute you overreacted in dad’s office.” Michael watched her closely. “You have been taking risks for months, relying on your own Akrhyn skills and the fact you had people ready to fight for you, should you need it.”
“The redhead doesn’t like me,” Zahra muttered as she flounced over to her brother’s bed again. “I realised she was Akrhyn by the way she would practically eye roll at me every time I spoke.”
“Briony doesn’t like fakers.” Michael grinned as he thought of the tall red-haired Akrhyn. She was fierce and fearless, pretty too. Yes, he had noticed she was very pretty.
“When I realised there was one, it wasn’t hard to spot the others.”
“You should thank them for looking out for you,” he told her.
“Eh...no. Not happening. That’s their job.”
“Sometimes you really are not a nice Akrhyn.”
Zahra looked at him sourly. “So, are we going to talk about why I am here?”
“I think you need to tell dad. I already told you this. If you want me there, you know I will be.”
“He is going to legit kill me.”
“You deserve it.” Michael shrugged at her outraged look, his distaste for her love of human slang evident on his face. “You do. You have compromised the betrothal to Sloane, and you need to face up and admit it.”
“He doesn’t even like me,” Zahra repeated sullenly.
“Why would he?” Michael ran a hand over his face and into his hair as she sighed in frustration. “I’m not having this conversation again. Tell dad. Then you better tell Sloane.”