CHAPTER 78: ARE YOU IN LOVE, RENN?

"Are you really going to dig into this whole Angela matter, bro?" Hiro asked for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Renn let out a sigh and looked across the stadium. His eyes settled on Principal Valois, the woman he couldn’t stand. She was standing there with Angela—his girlfriend. His chest tightened. What was she doing with her? Was Angela in trouble?

"You’re not even listening to me," Hiro snapped, clearly fed up. He turned and began to walk away. He needed Renn, but it seemed Renn had his own issues and wasn’t going to say anything useful.

"Hey, where are you going?" Renn called out, surprised that he was walking off like that.

"Why are you asking?" Hiro replied, his tone full of frustration. "You’re completely lost today. I don’t know if it’s just me, but everyone’s been acting strange since I woke up."

Renn ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "Sorry, man. Come on, let’s sit and talk like brothers."

He dropped onto one of the empty seats in the row. A few girls nearby were staring at them, giggling and whispering, but he rolled his eyes. He wasn’t in the mood for that. The only person he wanted near him right now was Angela. And there she was, with Valois. He couldn’t stop thinking about it.

"I thought you didn’t want to hear me out," Hiro said as he joined him, still frowning. "What changed now?"

"Why wouldn’t I listen to you?" Renn said with a small laugh, looking over at him. "You’ve got no one else, Hiro. No parents. Your pack might hear you out, but I know you’re not ready to share anything with them. And your brothers, Taros and Kaito...we both know you don’t really talk to them unless it’s war or trouble."

"Mock me all you want," Hiro laughed, shaking his head. "It’s not like you have any parents either."

"That’s low," Renn grinned. "You’re breaking my heart."

They both burst into laughter. That was one of the things that made them close. They had their differences, but pain was something they both understood.

As Renn noticed the same girls still looking at him and trying to get his attention. He turned away quickly, pretending not to notice.

"You’re not even looking at them?" Hiro asked, surprised. "What’s going on with you, man? You don’t have to flirt, but you could at least smile. Something happened while I was out, right?"

Renn didn’t answer.

Hiro leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. "You’re in love, aren’t you?"

Renn’s face went blank in shock. He hadn’t expected Hiro to guess that his attitude had anything to do with a girl. He quickly shook his head and said, "With who?"

"I don’t know," Hiro replied, watching him closely. "But I’m interested because this is the first time you’re acting like this."

"There’s no such thing," Renn said, brushing it off and trying to change the subject. "Let’s not talk about that. Tell me, what is it you really wanted to say?" He glanced at his wristwatch. "We still have time before I meet up with Kaito."

"What kind of business are you all keeping from me?" Hiro asked, shifting closer to the edge of his seat. His voice had dropped. He knew a lot had happened while he was unconscious, lying there like a dead man. Taros had encouraged it. He wondered what kind of doctor his brother was.

"Let’s talk about your matter first," Renn said, trying to stay focused.

"If you say so," Hiro nodded slowly. "It’s about my attack... and Angel’s secret. Are you planning to go to her town to find out the truth?"

Renn looked at him. "Why are you trying to dig up something that should stay buried?" He wasn’t sure that was the right thing to say. He had hoped Hiro had moved on from the whole situation, especially after what happened to him. But it was clear Hiro wasn’t the type to back down. "You almost died, bro. Don’t you think it’s time to let it go?"

"You think I should sit back and do nothing even after someone tried to kill me?" Hiro’s voice rose. He stared at Renn, confused and hurt. This was the same person who had once been desperate to dig into Angel’s story. What changed?

"That’s not what I meant," Renn replied quickly. He knew his fear wasn’t really for Hiro—it was for Angel. But maybe Hiro was right. Maybe they couldn’t just cover this up like nothing happened. Hiro had been shot and left for dead. "So what are you asking me to do? Should I look into the person who attacked you or go after Angel’s past?"

"Both," Hiro said, not missing a beat. "Because they’ll both lead to the same place. You should ask yourself what kind of secret this is that someone is willing to kill an Alpha just to protect it."

Renn went silent. Hiro’s words hit deep, and he couldn’t shake them off. Maybe Angel’s secret wasn’t just about her being a girl. Maybe it was something much bigger. Something dangerous. Could that be the real reason she came to the Academy?

A cold shiver crept down his spine.

Was this the same thing Principal Valois was talking to her about?

And worse... could they have planned the attack on Hiro together?

No way. These were people he had close relationships with. Angela, especially. Even though their relationship had just begun, Renn already knew she wasn’t someone who could hurt anyone. He could feel it. See it in her eyes. And more than that, his wolf would have sensed it if she were dangerous. There was no way his girlfriend could be a murderer. His instincts would never let him fall for someone like that.

"Look over there," Hiro said, pointing across the field.

Renn didn’t look. He already knew what his brother was trying to show him.

"See them? Why are they standing there, talking in secret, away from everyone?" Hiro’s voice was tight with frustration. "If I try to listen in, the principal might threaten me again. I don’t know what the rest of you are thinking, but I’m sure Principal Valois knows something about my attack."

"I told you before, she doesn’t," Renn said, running his hand through his hair. He wanted to believe it. He needed to believe it. But the truth was starting to make him uneasy. What if he was wrong? What if he had been defending the wrong person all along? People changed. Even the ones you thought you knew.

"You defend her like you owe her your life," Hiro snapped, the anger in his voice more intense now. "I started this whole mess and I’m going to finish it myself since no one else will help. I’m not crazy, Renn. Something’s off. I can feel it."

"Can you please calm down?" Renn said softly. He didn’t understand why Hiro always flared up so easily. "I’ll find the person who attacked you. I swear, I’ll make him kneel and beg for your forgiveness before he dies."

"You’ll deal with him?"

"Are you doubting me?"

Hiro paused for a second. "That’s much better."

Renn gave a slow nod. "We’ll also find out what the attacker was hiding and why. There’s more to this than just hurting you."

He stood from his seat, eyes drifting back to the two women at the far end. Angela was still refusing to tell him anything about her past—no stories about her former school, no mention of her family. He tried to understand. She hadn’t trusted him yet, and maybe she never would. But time wasn’t on their side.

He would’ve waited. If things were different, he would have stayed by her side and waited as long as she needed. Months, a year, more. But what if whoever hurt Hiro came after them again? They wouldn’t be ready. He wouldn’t be able to protect his brothers. He wouldn’t be able to protect her.

"When do we start the search?" Hiro asked.

"Tomorrow," Renn answered without hesitation. "We go to Angel’s town and find out why you were attacked."