CHAPTER 42: YOU’RE ADMITTED SWEETHEART!

"The Academy? Already?"

Victoria’s voice trembled with disbelief, her brows furrowing as she stood frozen in place.

"We’ve been waiting for you," came Callum’s cheerful voice, his face lit with excitement as he approached her. He held out a sleek, brand-new phone.

"If you had a phone, we could’ve called you rather than waiting around and hoping you’d return home soon," he added with a soft chuckle. "This way, we could’ve shared the good news sooner."

"You’re admitted, sweetheart! I’m so proud of you," her stepmother exclaimed, stepping forward to pull Victoria into a tight embrace. The woman’s floral perfume, always overly strong invaded Victoria’s senses, making her eyes sting slightly, but she endured it in silence until the hug ended.

As she pulled away, her stepmother handed her a sealed envelope with the Elite Lycan Academy crest pressed into the wax.

"Go on, read it."

With hesitant fingers, Victoria opened the letter and scanned the elegant, looping script.

It was true. She was admitted.

"Congratulations, sister!" Theo chimed in, stepping forward with a soft smile. In his hands was a small velvet box. "You’ve made the entire family proud."

He handed it to her, and Victoria opened it to find a pair of intricately designed earrings, their golden surfaces catching the chandelier light.

"They’re made of pure gold," he said warmly. "These will look perfect on your first day at the Academy. Since the school doesn’t enforce uniforms, you’re free to dress as you like. You’ll stand out, as you should."

Victoria blinked in confusion, her fingers tightening slightly around the letter. "I... I don’t understand, Father. Mother. Why am I being admitted to the Academy all of a sudden? I just got back from the training ground yesterday, and we were told we’d take our entrance tests from home. We haven’t even written the test yet so why am I already admitted?"

Mr. Ashford finally spoke, his deep voice calm and authoritative. "Your admission letter was bought over personally by Alpha Darius. He insisted that you didn’t need to take the test like the others. Yes, the test is still being held for the rest of the applicants, and their performance will determine whether they get admitted or not. But for you, my dear... there’s no need. You’ve already been chosen."

He walked over to Victoria and placed a proud, steady hand on her shoulder, his smile wide and sincere. "Alpha Darius delivered the letter himself."

Victoria stiffened beneath his touch. Her lips curled slightly in distaste.

Of course he did.

He couldn’t wait for me to step foot in the Academy so my hellish days could begin, she thought bitterly. Alpha Auren must’ve reported how I kicked his precious groin and sprayed pepper into his eyes too. They’re probably all eager to get back at me and what better place than the Academy to do it?

A scoff escaped her before she could stop it.

"Are you not happy, sister?" Callum’s voice cut through her storm of thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

"This calls for celebration! You should be smiling. You start at the Academy tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow?!" Victoria exclaimed before she could contain her reaction. Her eyes widened in shock, disbelief washing over her in waves.

"Yes, tomorrow," Callum said, entirely unfazed by her outburst. "That’s how it works, the moment you receive the admission letter, you begin preparations for immediate resumption."

He clapped his hands once, rubbing them together with enthusiasm. "Anyway, since Theo and I are the only ones available, we’ll be taking you shopping. You need new outfits, a fresh manicure, some golden jewelry, and a styled look that screams power. You’re the daughter of the Ashford family, Victoria, and that title should carry weight wherever you go. Even if the Academy is filled with wealthy werewolves, our family is no less. You need to walk in there like a queen."

Victoria slowly brought a hand to her face and sighed, burying her palm in her forehead.

"What the actual heck is this?" she mumbled to herself.

Still, a part of her hesitated. Maybe this was for the greater good.

Before she could spiral any deeper into her thoughts, her stepmother interjected sharply, "Where’s Mirabel, by the way? You both went to that birthday party this morning, didn’t you? Why didn’t she come back with you? And why are you even back this early?"

"She’s still at the party," Victoria replied, swallowing hard before continuing. "I got tired, so I left before her."

"Have you eaten, though?" Theo asked with concern, tilting his head and reaching out to gently cup Victoria’s cheeks.

"If not, we’ll grab breakfast at the salon where you’ll be getting your hair styled," he said with a playful grin.

"Uhmm... okay, brother," Victoria replied softly, her voice calm but guarded.

Without wasting a moment, Theo and Callum each took one of her arms, gently but firmly, and began leading her out of the living room toward the car already parked in the driveway.

"Take good care of yourself," Mr. Ashford called out from behind, his tone laced with fatherly pride.

"Don’t forget to get everything you need," Mrs. Ashford added with a light wave, her eyes watching Victoria closely.

Once settled in the back seat of the car, Victoria found herself seated in the middle, flanked by her two brothers on either side while the chauffeur started the engine with a low purr.

"I know you didn’t leave that party just because you were tired," Callum said abruptly, the lightness in his tone gone. His voice now carried a sharp edge of seriousness as he turned his gaze toward her.

"I already heard about what Alpha Auren tried to do... and how you dealt with him."

Victoria stiffened. "Huh? How did you know that?"

"Well, news travels fast," Callum said with a slight shrug.

"And just so you know," Theo added with a sigh, "we all have a school group chat on our phones. It’s where updates and rumors spread like wildfire. You’ll be added to the group the moment you arrive at the Academy tomorrow."

Callum shifted slightly in his seat to face her better. His brows were knitted with concern as his eyes scanned her body.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his tone protective and dangerous. "I swear, if Alpha Auren had succeeded in that sick plan of his, I’d kill him without hesitation. I don’t care if he’s an Alpha....anyone who touches my sister will die by my hands."

Victoria looked away, her jaw tightening as bitter thoughts swirled inside her mind.

Oh, yeah. You’d kill him? But you would’ve let him have his way with me if it benefited you, right? she thought bitterly. When will you all drop this sick charade? You act like the perfect brothers, like we’re some happy family, but I know better. You’re all planning my downfall behind closed doors. Mirabel may be the only one who can’t hide her intentions well, but even she’s gone silent now... and that’s no coincidence. You must have told her to behave. But I know you all too well.

"I’m fine, brother," she replied aloud, forcing a smile. "I already dealt with him."

"Yeah, and he’s going to want revenge at all costs," Theo said, his tone grave but gentle. "But don’t worry. We’ll protect you."

Victoria simply nodded, pretending to be reassured as she turned her face toward the window, hiding the storm in her eyes.

"We’re here, Alphas," came the chauffeur’s voice from the front seat, prompting all three to look up.

Their eyes fell upon a towering, magnificent building with reflective glass walls, polished marble steps, and gilded accents.

The Ashford Magic....the family’s luxurious shopping complex. It had everything one could ever need from elite designer boutiques and lavish spas to high-end salons and gourmet dining. It would’ve been the number one Werewolf-owned shopping mall if not for the competing chain run by other Werewolves family . Still, as far as the Ashfords were concerned, so long as the money kept flowing, rivalry was just business.

The siblings stepped out of the car, and immediately the staff positioned around the building bowed their heads in unison, acknowledging their presence with utmost respect.

"Let’s get your hair done first," Theo said, placing a guiding hand on Victoria’s back as he led her toward the salon entrance.

Once inside, the cool scent of expensive hair products filled the air. The salon’s white and gold interior sparkled, and within seconds, four stylists approached with graceful precision, their eyes filled with both awe and caution.

"Greetings, young Miss," one of the stylists said with a warm smile. "Would you like to keep your hair long, or would you prefer a shorter style?"

They all knew exactly who Victoria was...the scandal involving her and Alpha Darius had spread like wildfire across their social circles. But none of them dared mention it. Gossiping about the Ashford family would cost them their jobs.

"I want my hair curly," Victoria replied as she settled into the plush chair and looked at herself in the mirror. Her tone was firm yet composed. "I want it dyed burgundy. The curling will reduce the length a bit, so there’s no need to cut it unless absolutely necessary."