h4Chapter 302: Summoned/h4

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    strongChapter 302/strong

    strong~Valerie’s POV~/strong

    My breath hitched as Ace crowded closer. "We ain’t fucking you today. But we’re not letting you go either. Not until you understand who you belong to."

    "I don’t belong to—"

    His hand slipped beneath the hem of my hoodie, grazing bare skin. My nipples instantly pebbled, my breath catching as he smirked.

    He knew. It wasn’t hard to tell. I hadn’t worn a bra.

    "No bra. Isn’t our little Valerie naughty?"

    I inhaled, trying to keep myposure. "Stop it, you two."

    "Was that how you told your mate to stop yesterday? I’m guessing Axel or... it was who?" Ace asked.

    "Dristan?" Ash questioned. "Or Kai? Who was it that ate you out?"

    I gulped. I did not wish to answer them, but the look in their eyes.

    "Can you guys just stop, please?"

    Both of them closed in on me, but before they could do anything, I heard a familiar voice call her name.

    "Valerie."

    I turned, looking past Ash and Ace, only to see Professor Winnie standing there with her arms crossed.

    Seeing the slightly shocked look on my face, Ace and Ash looked as well.

    "Professor," they voiced in unison and smiled at her.

    "Professor Winnie." I inclined my head to her. My first thought was that she was here to scold us for our behaviour or perhaps someone reported about my stay in the Alphas’ house.

    Several thoughts ran through my mind as to the kind of trouble I must have gotten into by now.

    "Valerie, it’s time to have that talk. In my office, now."

    Ash and Ace exchanged nces before focusing on me.

    "But ma’am," Ace began, and she lifted her left palm. "We already had this talk."

    I nodded and walked up to meet her as she stepped away.

    I could feel my mates’ frustration, but I was thankful for the save.

    My mind shed back to the time during the trip when she informed us she would like to meet with me.

    It was on thest day of the trip, on our way back. I honestly thought she had forgotten.

    The hallway felt quieter than usual as I followed Professor Winnie towards her office.

    When we reached her office, she opened the door, gesturing me in with a tilt of her head.

    I stepped inside. The space was neatly arranged, with bookshelves lining one wall, stacked with books of different kinds. Her sleek desk sat near a tall ss window, a crystal globe at its centre, and two velvet chairs faced the desk.

    I sat down slowly, confusion gnawing at my gut.

    Before I could ask what this was about, the door creaked again.

    I turned, and my brow lifted as soon as I spotted Astraea, Titania and Avery.

    The three walked in, all of them looking like they’d swallowed something sour.

    Astraea’s lips were pinched in that fake, innocent smile. Titania had her arms crossed, eyes filled with silent venom. Avery trailed behind them, chewing gum like a slut.

    None of them looked at me. But I saw the tension in their shoulders when they realised I was already there.

    Professor Winnie didn’t miss it either.

    She sat at her desk, her fingers tapping against a thick man folder. "I asked you all here for one reason," she said. "I’ve received more than a few troubling reports regarding your behaviour during the trip."

    My stomach clenched. I already knew where this was going.

    "Specifically," she continued, ints of targeted bullying toward Valerie."

    The air in the room shifted. Titania stiffened. Avery looked down. But Astraea blinked, feigning confusion with expert ease.

    "Professor, with all due respect, I’m not sure where that’sing from," Astraea said sweetly. "There was no bullying."

    Titania nodded in agreement. "None. We didn’ty a finger on her."

    I scoffed under my breath and leaned back in the chair. ssic.

    Professor Winnie gave me a sharp nce. "Valerie. Is there something you’d like to say?"

    I nodded. "They used me of something. Repeatedly. In front of others. Tried to force the entire group to believe it and nder me."

    "And what was this usation?"

    I stared at Astraea. "That I’m Valerie Snow. The Southern Heiress."

    At that, the other girls visibly twitched. Professor Winnie’s brows shot up.

    "And?"

    "They yanked my hair," I added bluntly. "Both Astraea and Titania. Because I didn’t answer them. Because I wouldn’t give them the reaction they wanted, and they called it proof that I was putting on a wig."

    I shook my head for added effect.

    Professor Winnie slowly rose from her chair, cing both palms on the desk. Her rings glinted under the warmmplight. "Is that true?"

    I nodded once. Her gaze shifted to the others. "Did you do that?"

    Silence.

    "Ladies," she repeated, her voice lower now, edged with steel. "Did. You. Do. That?" Still nothing.

    With a sharp crack, she mmed her hand down on the table. Avery jumped. Titania flinched. Even Astraea blinked rapidly.

    "I asked a question," she said coldly.

    Astraea was the first to break. "She is Valerie Snow. She’s just in disguise. And she’s lying to everyone."

    "She’s a fraud," Titania added with a sneer. "Acting like she’s just some random transfer."

    "She had evidence hidden," Avery muttered.

    The room fell into a suffocating silence. Professor Winnie stared at them for a long moment.

    At one point, I began to wonder whether she believed them or not, but suddenly, she looked up, and then... sheughed.

    A peal of rich, unexpectedughter echoed off the walls.

    Astraea scowled. "Why are youughing?"

    "Oh, darling," Professor Winnie wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "If she were indeed the Southern Heiress, do you really think I wouldn’t know? Do you think the Council wouldn’t know? Do you think I’d just let her wander the halls of Prestige without any protection?"

    They all froze.

    "Assuming you’re right," Professor Winnie continued, tone sharpening, "what gives you the right to act as judge, jury, and executioner? To physically assault another student over a rumour?"

    Astraea opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

    Professor Winnie turned to me. "Valerie, I assume you didn’t retaliate?"

    I shook my head. "No. Dristan stepped in, as did the others, and he pulled me away from them."

    She nodded in approval. "Good. Because if you had, this would be an entirely different kind of meeting."

    And then her expression turned serious as she red at them. "As for you three."

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