CHAPTER 89: THE THINGS WE HIDE...

Charis

"You wouldn’t have agreed if I’d told you the truth," Vale replied coldly.

"You’re damn right I wouldn’t have! Because what you’re doing is wrong! I saw girls my age there, being intimate with those so-called Alphas. What was that, Headmistress? Why did you take me there?"

"The other girls are none of your business. "You’re being naive and ungrateful," Vale snapped. "I’ve protected you, given you shelter, kept your secret safe. This is how you repay me?"

You tried to own me. You’re just angry I bit the leash before you could yank it. By refusing to be your pawn in whatever sick game you’re playing? Yes, that’s precisely how I repay you!"

For a heartbeat, neither of us said anything. Then I took a step back, my heart pounding and tears prickling at my eyes.

I turned toward the door, done with the conversation.

"If you walk out that door, Charis, you’ll regret it," Vale called after me.

I paused at the door and looked back at her one final time.

"The only thing I regret is trusting you in the first place."

With that, I yanked open the door and slammed it behind me with enough force to rattle the windows.

When I stormed out of Headmistress Vale’s office, I was shaking with anger.

The audacity of that woman thinking I would cower before her manipulation was infuriating.

How dare she?

How dare Vale think I would roll over and obey like some spineless pawn in her twisted, secretive game? She might own the walls of Ravenshore, but she didn’t own me. She would never—never—get to offer me up like a prize for display. I wasn’t her token Shadewolf.

I was Charis Greye. And I would burn this academy to the ground before I let Vale pimp me out to anyone again.

As I returned to my classroom, I spotted Slater leaning against the entrance.

His tall frame was slightly hunched, and his hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his uniform trousers.

His eyes were on the floor, and his brows were knit together in concentration. I could tell he hadn’t even noticed me coming.

I tilted my head and leaned forward until my face was directly beneath his line of sight.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I hummed softly.

He looked startled for a minute, but when he saw it was me, he grinned, though there was something tired in his expression. "They’re not worth it," he said, pushing off the wall. "How are you doing? You slept at mine last night?"

"Yes," I nodded. "You weren’t there, though. Where were you all night?"

His smile deepened as he reached into his jacket. "I was out, sourcing for this." He brought out a small wrapped gift and presented it to me.

I looked at him in confusion. "What is this?"

He scoffed playfully. "Your birthday, silly. It’s in two weeks, and you know the drill."

My throat tightened.

Back when we were still mated, before everything else happened, Slater would start giving me a gift every day, beginning two weeks before my birthday until the actual day arrived. The gifts always started small and would grow with each passing day until the actual day of my birthday.

It was one of his most endearing traditions, and it was his way of reminding him that I was the most important person in his life.

"I didn’t think you’d remember," I murmured, taking the gift carefully from his hand.

"That’s like forgetting my name," he replied softly.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world around us disappeared. Everything felt familiar, how Slater had preferred to remain my father’s enemy after boldly declaring his intention to go through with our mate bond.

How he had endured being denied access to our pack in the beginning, but had not relented until my father had to cave in and let us be.

"Can I have you to myself tonight?" He asked suddenly, his tone had gone husky, and his gaze dropped to my lips. And I knew exactly what he was asking.

I also noticed that people walking by were starting to give me backwards glances. My scent was slowly becoming more intoxicating as my heat approached—by tomorrow, I would be in full cycle. Thankfully, tomorrow was the weekend, so that I could remain hidden in the dormitories.

I also needed to be with Slater. Only he knew my true identity, and while he might be demanding, it wouldn’t be like dealing with the other boys who had no idea what was happening to me.

I smiled and nodded. "Okay. I’ll bring an overnight bag."

He grinned and winked at me before disappearing down the corridor, leaving me with my gift.

***

After morning classes, it was time for break. Rhett and I made our way to the school’s refectory for brunch.

As soon as Rhett entered, people immediately started calling out to him from all directions.

"Rhett! Over here!"

"Thatcher, come sit with us!"

"Rhett, tell Cyrus what you told me about the Ebonvale girls!"

I knew Rhett would be popular, but I didn’t expect the entire ref to go mad over him like this. I knew it was due to his kind nature, his looks, and his charisma. It was difficult not to be enchanted by Rhett.

He had a way of making everyone feel like they were his best friend.

I let him drag me to a table filled with year three boys, they all hooted loudly as they welcomed him. They barely gave me a once over before they turned to their idle.

Rhett flopped into his seat like a king arriving at his throne.

"Alright, boys," he said, clapping once. "Who’s got news for me? Remember one at a time so that I can give you good advice."

I excused myself quietly to go get food for Rhett and me. When I returned, the boys were already talking animatedly about the girls from Ebonvale.

"I’m telling you, the brunette in their promotional photos is absolutely stunning," said a boy named Tyler, gesturing enthusiastically with his fork.

"Forget the brunette," another boy, James, interjected. "Did you see their First Year Coordinator? Those eyes could stop traffic."

"You’re all thinking too small," a third boy named Chris laughed. "I heard Cherry High girls are more... experienced than Ebonvale girls. If you know what I mean. This summer, I’m determined to date one of them"

"Experienced how?" Tyler asked, leaning with obvious interest.