CHAPTER 85: DEALING WITH THREATS.

After two long hours in the cave, Angela’s body finally returned to normal. Her arms and legs were no longer hairy or tensed. She felt like herself again. The only thing that hadn’t gone back completely was her eyes. They still glowed when she wanted them to, which was strange but somehow comforting.

Stales suggested they should head back to the dormitory before the Alphas started asking questions or came looking for them.

"What did you do?" Angela asked, surprised when Stales casually mentioned he had stabbed himself and Xavier to buy them time.

"Did you really have to go that far?" Alex asked, shaking his head as they walked through the woods together.

"Wasn’t that a bit extreme?" Angela added, walking beside them. She was feeling much better now, like the weight she had been carrying for hours had finally lifted. There was even lightness in her steps again.

"I didn’t know any other way out," Stales said with a shrug. "That fool Xavier had a knife beside him, and the idea just hit me. I figured since he’s Taros’ Beta, it would get his attention."

Angela stopped in her tracks. The boys paused too and turned to look at her.

"Wait... Xavier is Taros’ Beta?" she asked, eyes wide.

"Yes, but it’s not official," Alex answered. "Taros hasn’t bitten anyone yet. But Xavier was asked to take on the role temporarily, just for the sake of duties within the Academy. Once Taros gets his real Beta, Xavier is going to step down."

Angela let out a breath of relief and placed a hand on her chest. "Thank goodness. That makes me feel better."

She looked at the boys with a soft smile. "Can we all share a hug?"

They exchanged a glance and nodded. She wrapped her arms around both of them and held them close. Her heart was full.

"Thank you... for being the best friends I could ever ask for," she whispered. "I never imagined I’d find this kind of love and support inside the Academy."

"You’re welcome," they both said, smiling as they patted her back gently.

When she pulled away, her smile grew even deeper.

"You’re an Alpha, Angela," Stales said with a grin. "We’re just members of your pack now. We’ll follow your lead, ma."

He chuckled a little, but then his voice turned thoughtful.

"Maybe the moon goddess wanted you to create your own pack," he said. "Not one that depends on the old ways, but one that stands strong because of who you are. Maybe she made you to be that powerful Alpha-female... to lead in your own way."

"I don’t know," Angela said softly. "I’m still trying to understand all of this."

"I believe it," Stales replied as they continued walking. "Alex and I are already part of your pack, aren’t we?"

"That’s not possible," Alex cut in, shaking his head. "I’m Kaito’s Beta. I still carry his bite. That mark isn’t going anywhere."

None of them said anything more, because they had reached the front of the dormitory. They made their way upstairs and knocked on Kaito’s door. When it opened, it was Renn who stood there.

"Well, look who’s back," he said as he opened the door wider, his smile sharp. Angela saw right through it. It wasn’t a real smile. "His royal highnesses return at last. What happened? Couldn’t you just wait till next term to show up?"

"I’ll explain everything later," Angela replied gently. Her eyes spoke the apology she couldn’t say out loud. Renn met her gaze, then gave a small nod and stepped aside. He didn’t argue. That surprised her. He kept proving that he was a supportive boyfriend.

"Where did all of you disappear to?" Kaito asked as soon as they walked in. "I called, but no one answered."

Angela froze when she saw them—three of her mates.... Kaito, Renn, Hiro. Why were they all here together? The room suddenly felt smaller.

"We went to get Angel. He stayed back with the principal a little longer than expected," Stales said quickly, giving the same excuse he’d used before. He had forgotten to warn them about the story he made up. Now he just hoped no one would mess it up.

"I see," Hiro said from the bed. He was resting back against the pillows, so at ease it almost looked like he lived there now.

"Sorry if we made you wait," Angela said, even though she hadn’t been told anything. Still, she understood her friends were only trying to protect her. "Can we talk about why we’re all here?"

They were surprised by her question, but no one challenged it. She stayed near the wall close to the door. She was too nervous to go any closer. Even though Alex had promised her that the Alphas wouldn’t catch her scent, she still wanted to be careful.

Her eyes found Hiro’s again. There was doubt on his face. He didn’t believe her story. She could feel it. But before he could say anything, the meeting began.

"I think the principal knows something about the attack on Hiro," Kaito said. He sat on the couch beside Renn. "I’ve seen strange visitors coming to her office. And even though we’re part of the academy board, she never told us anything."

"What kind of people are you talking about? Did you get their names?" Renn asked suddenly. When Kaito shook his head, Renn pressed on. "You can’t just say something like that without anything to back it up. If you ask me—"

"Principal Valois is not guilty. She is incapable of doing that," Hiro cut in, clearly tired of hearing the same thing again and again. "Why don’t you tell us why you believe in her so much? Why do you trust her like that? Did you two date or something?"

"If you say so," Renn sighed, giving up. He wasn’t in the mood to argue anymore. But then his eyes shifted to Angela, and he froze. Her cheeks were red. Not from anger, but jealousy. And what she said next caught him off guard.

"I agree with Hiro," Angela said, and everyone turned to look at her. Hiro’s face lit up with a smile, but it quickly faded when she added, "Don’t get too happy. I just want us to make the right choice in the end. I don’t think Principal Valois is really who she says she is."

"What kind of conversation did you two even have?" Kaito asked, eyeing her closely.

Angela shrugged and avoided his eyes. "Nothing serious. She just talked to me about my behavior, told me to work on it."

"If she said that, then she’s right, dear," Hiro chuckled, but the moment he noticed everyone else’s reaction, the smile dropped. "Fine. I won’t say no more. But seriously, principal Valois threatened me. That same day, I was attacked. Something is off."

Renn stayed quiet. He had already promised Hiro that they would go searching for his attacker tomorrow. Maybe then Hiro would finally understand that neither Angela nor Principal Valois had anything to do with it.

"I’m sorry about what happened to you, Hiro," Kaito said calmly. "We’ll talk more tomorrow and see what we can do. But right now, we have to focus on the threats against Angel."

"Wait, someone is threatening Angel?" Hiro’s eyes widened. When Renn said there was something important to discuss, he didn’t think it would be this.

"Yes. I believe it’s a student. He’s the one who put the blood in his locker," Renn explained. Hiro sat up quickly, moving to the edge of the bed and facing them.

"That’s a death threat. What the hell does anyone want from Angel?" he asked, looking at each of them. No one answered. They didn’t know either.

"The only thing Mr. Anonymous has demanded is that Angel leaves the Academy," Kaito said. "We don’t know why, but tonight... we’re going after him. Once we catch him, we’ll get the truth."