Chapter 79


    L’s POV


    “An election? This studentmittee was my idea,” I said, staring between all the school board’s faces


    until my eyesnded on Sarah who stared at me with a smug grin.


    I could tell that her intentions weren’t pure, and my stomach was forming into a tight knot.


    “Yes, but it’s a studentmittee. Meaning we need to give all students a chance to—”


    “Take my role as the leader?” I interrupted; they all looked startled by my stubbornness. I wasn’t


    typically a stubborn person like this, but I was honestly hurt that it was this easy for them to just rece


    me.


    Sarah folded her arms across her chest.


    “I’ve done a lot of wrongs while I’ve been at this school. This gives me the chance to do something


    good for once,” she said, eyeing me carefully.


    That smug look was still in her eyes though. She was pulling their strings. She didn’t care about this


    committee; she just didn’t want me to have it.


    “If I lose, where does that leave me?”


    “Worried you’ll lose?” Sarah asked, a grin appearing on her lips.


    “No, of course not,” I said in return. “But if I did… what would happen?”


    “You can be a regr member, L,” Mrs. Laurence said with a kind smile. “Nobody is trying to take the


    committee away from you. But every student should have the opportunity to be a leader if they wish.


    That way we are ying fair for all students. I’m creating a signup form in the morning and anyone who


    wants to take part in the election can feel free to do so.”


    I stared at her in disbelief. I was not expecting this.


    I nced over at Sarah once more before sighing in defeat. There was nothing I was going to be able


    to


    do or say to get out of this. I was going to have to partake in an election and risk losing themittee.


    “Okay,” I finally said. “We will have an election.”


    ê Categories Search…


    ¨ : ?


    “Great,” Mrs. Laurence said. “You may leave now. That’s all we needed from you, L. Thank you for


    your


    cooperation.”


    …


    “Isn’t there anything you can do?” I asked into the phone as I sprawled out on my bed.


    My heart felt heavy, and I didn’t have enough strength to sit up. I hung over my bed. clutching my cell


    phone firmly in my grip, waiting for my father to say something. Anything.


    “I’m sorry, L Bean. But you know it goes above my head. The school board is in charge of the school.


    What they say goes.”


    “I doubt it’s them saying anything…” I muttered. “It’s probably her father doing this.”


    “Even so, it’s out of my hands. But even if I did have a say, I kind of agree with the board that you


    should have a fair election.”


    “But themittee was my idea,” I reminded him.


    “This isn’t the L that we raised,” my father said, his disappointed tone full in effect which made me


    feel even guiltier. “We raised someone who gives fair chances to those around her. Someone who


    doesn’t back down from a fight, but it kind when needed. Regardless of who it is, you treat everybody


    equally. Do you think the role of leader fell into myp? I had to work hard to get to where I am today.”


    “I know…” I said with a sigh.


    “L, is everything okay with you?” My father asked concern was now tracing his tone. “You’ve been


    seeming a little offtely and your mother and I have been worried.”


    “I’m fine…” I lied, but I said that a little too quickly.


    He was quiet for a moment, assessing my tone no doubt.


    “You know you can always talk to us about anything, regardless of what it may be,” my father said.


    “Even boy issues.”


    “Dad!” I said, my face warmed. I could only imagine how red I looked. “I’m fine, honestly. I’m just a little


    stressed. Cassidy-Ann wants me to go to Monstro with her over the summer and I need to give her an


    answer as soon as possible.”


    “Monstro?” My father asked. “That’s quite far. That’s on the other side of the world. What would you be


    doing there?”


    “She has an art signing at the International School of Art for Shifters,” I exined. “And a couple of


    conferences she needs to attend. She was nning on staying there for a couple of months and she


    wants me to go with her. I met Leroy Klein, and they want to give me a tour of the school to see if I’d


    like it and—”


    “Leroy Klein?” My father gasped. “You met him? And he wants you to attend his school?”


    “He was at our recent art show,” I further exined. “He likes my work and wants me to bring my


    portfolio with me to his school. I’m not sure I want to attend a school that far away though…”


    “L, that school would be an incredible opportunity for you and your career,” my father said, amazed in


    his tone. “I’m so proud of you. When did you find all this out? Why are you just telling me now? Did


    your mother know?”


    “Nobody knows,” I told him. “I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. I told her I needed time to talk to my


    family and friends before I make a decision.”


    “I’m not going to tell you what to do, but getting into that school has always been somewhat of a


    challenge. If you had the opportunity, I wouldn’t turn it down. But again, this is your life, and you can


    make your own decisions. I at least think you should go over the summer and see what it’s all about.”


    “You and Mom would be okay if I left?” I asked; I wasn’t sure if that made me feel better or worse.


    “We would miss you terribly, but we would understand that it’s something you have to do to better


    your future. We only want what’s best for you.”


    My heart was warmed by his statement.


    “Thank you, Dad,” I said. “Okay… I’ll tell her that I’ll go with her this summer and go from there.”


    “That’s my girl,” my dad said in return; I could tell he was smiling warmly on the other end of the phone.


    Now, I just needed to figure out how I was going to tell Enzo I was leaving for a couple of months.


    Would he even care? Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    “I’ll talk to youter, L Bean. I love you.”


    “I love you too,” I said, as I hung up.


    …


    Third Person POV


    Selene stood off in the distance as she watched Bastien talk with their daughter. Once he hung up the


    phone, he had a look on his face that she couldn’t distinguish.


    “Did she say anything?” Selene asked.


    “Only that she’s going to Monstro for a couple of months during the summer. She might get the


    opportunity to attend that famous school,” Bastien said with wonder in his tone. “She never ceases to


    amaze me.”


    “That’s incredible!” Selene gasped. “How did thate about?”


    “Apparently, she met Leroy Klein, the founder of the International School of Art for Shifters, and he was


    impressed by her. He wants her to bring him her portfolio. Her boss, Cassidy-Ann, was already going to


    Monro for a conference over the summer and invited L to go with her. If Leroy Klein is impressed with


    her portfolio, then she might be able to get admission.”


    “Oh, my goddess,” Selene cooed. “I’m so happy for her…”


    Selene’s voice trailed off and Bastien knew exactly what she was thinking.


    “She didn’t say anything about it…” Bastien said, eyeing her carefully. “Are you sure they are mates?”


    “I know my daughter,” Selene said, gazing up at him. “I know how she’s feeling. I see the way she looks


    at him and you can’t tell me he’s not aiming to protect her. I can see the way he looks at her as well…


    It’s clear to me that Enzo is L’s fated mate.”