The Beta’s Regret

Chapter 225

With Eros’s hands covering mine, we made our way hand in hand through the hallway.

I felt how tense he was beneath his grip. I knew that this test meant so much more to him than he shows. And despite the fact I wasn’t the one who was about to face the first test, I felt the weight of the test on me already.

Eros had a lot more to lose than Ryker did. The Elders already looked up to him and expected him to do better; however, Ryker’s attempt to soil Eros’s image has been devastating.

I gently squeezed Eros’s hand, and he looked at me with a soft smile “You didn’t have to come with me.”

“And you don’t have to do this alone.” I replied.

He smiled. “Thank you.”

I nodded. I meant every word I said. I would always be there for Eros.

Finally, we stopped in front of double doors that opened almost as soon as we arrived in front of the study hall.

The hall had bookshelves that lined the wall and were filled with scrolls and what looked to be ancient books. In the center of the room, a conference–like table stood in the middle. The twelve Elders all sat around it, engaged in a small conversation. Ryker sat apart from them, his expression blank.

As soon as we entered, the room went silent. All eyes fell on us. The way the Elders looked at Eros felt like their eyes were boring into him, assessing him like an object.

I frowned.

I hated the look they gave him. It was like they had begun to rule Eros out because Ryker was able to sweet–talk his way into their favor and manipulated Eros, giving him a bad image.

I looked at Ryker. He gave me a self–assured smirk that showed his confidence.

He leaned back in his chair, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. He appeared as if he knew things that we didn’t.

Eros must have seen him too, but he didn’t react. The only response he gave to Ryker’s taunts was a tight grip on my hand.

Eros must be tired of Ryker’s games and chose to simply ignore him.

The Elders didn’t greet us. Instead they cast a disapproving look at us.

“You are late.” Elder Vallarta said through clenched teeth.

“My apologies. I was… occupied.” My mate apologized.

I felt guilt prick me.

It was my fault. If only I had allowed him to go when he was supposed to, we wouldn’t have arrived late. But still, I was glad Eros tension had lessened before we walked out of the room.

“That is not an excuse.” Elder Crandall raised a brow at him. Ryker had been here for quite some time now. That is the right thing to do. Perhaps it simply means Ryker is more intentional about this than you are.”

Eros

frowned. “I can assure you that is not the truth.”

His pulse quickened.

13:47 Mon, Dec 16 G.

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I knew what the Elders were trying to do. They wanted to incite rivalry between the two brothers. They were trying to take advantage of the hatred they have for themselves to create a competitive test.

However, I had a strong belief it would not turn out the way they wanted if it continued like that.

I looked at Ryker. He leaned against his chair with an irritating case, like he owned the room. It was as though we were employed for his personal amusement. His exaggerated confidence annoyed me, especially knowing he cared less for the people.

The door opened, and we turned to see an elderly woman in her late sixties enter the room. Despite her age, she still looked agile.

She was unfamiliar to me, but I assumed she was a part of the whole process.

“It’s about time we get started,” she said loudly her voice a little shaky. She looked at Eros.

I saw the way her gaze softened, but she immediately masked that look as soon as she looked at me.

“My name is Heather.” She started. “I am the guide.” She said simply.

I nodded.

“I thought you don’t leave the cave.” Eros said gently.

Ma’am Heather shrugged. “I go where the Elders want.” She looked back at the table and nudged her head towards it. “You should sit with your mate. The test begins soon.”

Eros nodded.

As we made our way to get seated, the door opened again and we all turned to see Cheryl enter the room with a captivating presence.

She was a beautiful sight to behold.

Dressed in a glamorous long dress that hugged the upper part of her body and flowed graciously from the waist down, she had her hair packed in a complicated style at the top of her head. The pale skin of her neck was exposed, and she craved to the side in a way that looked alluring.

The silence in the room was deafening.

The Elders were all amazed at how beautiful Cheryl looked in her dress.

I looked down at myself and almost cringed at the usual jeans and top I felt convenient in. As if they read my thoughts, I looked up to see the Elders watching me with disdain.

I almost rolled my eyes.

Of course. This was what Cheryl wanted, and she got it.

It was unfair the kind of lengths Cheryl and Ryker were willing to go just to get their hands on the throne.

“You should sit too.” Ma’am Heather said to Cheryl with a frown

Cheryl smiled and catwalked to her seat and sat with a grace that befits a queen. The Elders hummed in approval.

Ma’am Heather continued, “A king must be vast in knowledge. He must be aware of the time that marked the beginning and the past experiences that have shaped us into who we are. We will start with the history of our kind. Let’s see how well you know about it.”

I smiled. Eros would have no problem answering this. Ryker, however….

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The first test started, and Ma’am Heather threw a question at Eres. It was about the origins of supernatural beings. Without hesitation, Eros answered.

I watched the Elders nod in approval.

I couldn’t help the way my heart swelled with pride.

Heather turned to Ryker and asked him his question. I was beginning to get convinced that he had no answer when Ryker sat up and answered his question.

I frowned.

I didn’t expect him to do so well. Ryker didn’t stay with werewolves, or Hybrids, and his stay with Vampires were restricted because he was always locked in by Lord Shevek.

It was a surprise when he gave a flawless answer.

The rest of the test went on with a smooth flow, and when it was finally over, it ended in a tie between Eros and Ryker.

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