CHAPTER 63: ANNA.

’And how the hell does me serving you be considered lessons?’ Victoria thought to herself with anger etched on her features, her hands fisted beside her. ’Well... I’ll just endure until Leo comes back. Let’s see if he’s able to get anything while we’re here or maybe not.’

Just then, two figures strode confidently into the living room, their presence demanding attention. Victoria didn’t need to look to know who it was... the overpowering stench of heavy perfume was enough to give one of them away instantly.

"Like mother, like daughter," Victoria muttered beneath her breath, her jaw tightening as her gaze shifted toward the mansion’s grand entryway. Sure enough, it was Mirabel and Nicole, stepping in like they owned the place.

"What is this bitch doing here?!" Nicole’s voice tore through the air, dripping with hostility as she stormed forward, making a beeline for Auren...her brother. "Why the hell did you allow her into this mansion, brother?"

Victoria kept her expression neutral, though her heart pounded with indignation. She refused to let Nicole’s rage pierce through her calm.

"How are you doing, sister?" Mirabel asked, her voice unnaturally sweet, a forced smile plastered across her face. She approached Victoria and wrapped her in a brief, superficial hug.

"Our brothers told me you were bought to the Alpha’s private quarters. They said it would be proper for me to be here with you. Besides," she added, brushing a hand through her curled hair, "Alpha Darius’s elder sister is arriving at the pack today. It’s only right that we visit. She’s our elder sister, after all."

Victoria gave a slow nod, a faint, unimpressed smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, I see," she replied, the words heavy with quiet realization. "How are you feeling now, though? Everything alright?"

"Oh, I’m perfectly fine. Thanks for asking, sister." Mirabel replied with another too-bright smile, but before Victoria could say anything further..

A new presence entered the room.

A figure strode in with unmistakable elegance and power, flanked by two servants who followed behind, each carrying a suitcase in hand. No one needed to be told who she was. Her aura spoke volumes. She was unmistakably Darius’s elder sister.

She had long, raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders and reaching the middle of her back. She wore a fitted black gown that hugged her graceful form, a glittering diamond necklace resting against her collarbone, with matching earrings that shimmered as she walked. Her stilettos clicked sharply against the tiles with every step, the sound commanding silence.

"Anna!" Darius’s voice rang out first, filled with unfiltered joy. He sprinted toward her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace, lifting her effortlessly off the ground and spinning her in a circle. His laughter was warm and rare, like a boy seeing his favorite person again after years.

When he finally set her down, she cupped his face between her hands with affection. "You’ve grown so tall, Darius!" she exclaimed, chuckling fondly as she gently tugged at his cheeks.

"Stop, Anna!" Darius groaned, brushing her hands away with mock embarrassment, though a smile lingered on his lips.

"Greetings, Anna," Zephyr and Auren chorused, stepping forward in unison. They threw their arms around her, and she welcomed them into her embrace with ease, patting their heads affectionately like a proud older sister.

"Sister!" Nyla and Mirabel followed suit, their voices warm as they moved in for hugs, which Anna returned with open arms.

"It’s so nice to see you all. Look how big and tall you’ve all gotten!" Anna laughed heartily, her laughter filling the room and lifting the atmosphere like sunlight breaking through dark clouds.

All except Victoria laughed along.

Then Anna’s gaze finally landed on her.

The room shifted.

The moment their eyes met, the laughter that once danced in Anna’s throat died abruptly. Her entire expression changed in an instant.

"Y... y..." she stammered, her mouth suddenly dry, her eyes widening in complete disbelief. Shock gripped her, freezing her in place. Everyone around her turned to look at the sudden shift.

Victoria, though startled by the abrupt attention, held her composure. She offered a small, polite smile, then stepped forward and said gently, "Good afternoon, ma’am."

But before anyone could process her words, Anna moved. She closed the distance between them in a heartbeat and reached out, grabbing Victoria’s hand.

"Y... yo... Victoria." Anna finally spoke, a radiant smile now stretching across her face, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and emotion. "It’s really you!"

Huh? How does she know my name? Victoria thought sharply, swallowing the lump rising in her throat. Her brows furrowed slightly as she studied Anna, trying to make sense of the strange familiarity.

Mirabel’s brows rose in intrigue, her eyes flickering between the two women. "How do you know my sister?" she asked slowly, suspicion creeping into her tone. "I mean, she just recently returned to the family, and yet... the way you said her name....the way you’re holding her, it’s like you’ve known her from somewhere before."

"Where else could she possibly know her from?" Nicole chimed in with a condescending scoff, flipping her glossy hair over her shoulder. "Maybe at the road side or the marketplace, where Victoria used to beg for money before you dragged her back into your family. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was one of Miss Anna’s regular charity cases. That would explain why she remembers her name. Only heaven knows how much our dear kind-hearted Anna must have given her over the years."

Darius rolled his eyes at Nicole’s unnecessary jab and stepped forward. "Nicole, don’t be ridiculous. Anna hasn’t been in the country for over ten years. We’ve only communicated through video calls. There’s no way she could have met Victoria before now." He turned to his sister, his tone growing curious. "So... where exactly do you know that goat from, sis?" His final words were directed at Victoria, his brows narrowing slightly in suspicion.

Anna let out a delicate chuckle, her grip on Victoria’s hand still firm. "Well, I didn’t meet her per se. I heard her name... through the scandal. The girl who boldly kissed my darling brother in front of the entire academy." She beamed, her voice light and amused. "How could I not recognize her when her face and Darius’s was plastered all over the media? Even though the footage was taken down, it doesn’t erase the memory. No one forgets a scandal like that."

She’s lying. Victoria’s inner voice whispered, her stomach churning uneasily. She glanced up into Anna’s eyes, searching for truth but what she saw only deepened her confusion. Despite the smile on Anna’s lips, her eyes were filled with something else....excitement, yes, but also sadness... and longing. A haunting, aching kind of longing.

"Oh, I see... So even you heard about it," Mirabel added with a dry laugh, her tone carrying subtle hints of tension. "Well, she’s my sister. She recently joined the Ashford family, so if her actions offended you, I sincerely apologize on her behalf."

Anna shook her head gently. "It’s nothing, Mirabel. In fact, I’m proud she did it," she said with a booming laugh that drew gasps from some of the others. "People keep insisting Darius is straight, but honestly? The rumors about him being gay are trending harder than the truth ever could."

"You shouldn’t be proud, sis," Nicole hissed bitterly, folding her arms tightly across her chest. Her eyes gleamed with disdain. "That bitch’s only goal is to throw herself at Darius. And since he didn’t give her a chance, she’s now parading around the mansion of the three Alphas. I can’t help but think she’s trying to seduce all of them. Probably offering herself up just to escape their wrath. Isn’t that what new students do anyway? Throw their bodies around to survive?"

Victoria’s jaw clenched, but she forced a calm smile as she finally wrenched her hand free from Anna’s grasp. She folded her arms neatly across her chest, her voice cool and razor-sharp. "Oh, please, Nicole. Just because that’s how you handle things doesn’t mean I do the same. The last time I checked... you and I are nothing alike. So let’s not confuse me for you."

Nicole narrowed her eyes, her lips curling into a sneer. "Are you dumb?" she snapped. "You really think I need to sleep with the three Alphas to avoid their wrath? They’re my brothers. I have nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, you? You can’t talk your way out of this. Just accept the truth."

Victoria tilted her head slightly, her smile sharpening into a smirk. "And the last time I checked, you and Auren aren’t even related by blood. You’re step-siblings at best. As for Alpha Darius and Zephyr...they’re not your brothers. They’re his friends. I wouldn’t be shocked if you’re sleeping with all three of them just to enjoy the luxurious school life you’ve built around your lies. After all, you are the school queen, right? I wonder how many times you’ve spread your legs to earn and keep that title."

"You....!" Nicole screamed, lunging toward Victoria with rage blazing in her eyes.

But before she could lay a hand on her, Anna stepped in swiftly, raising one arm and blocking Nicole’s path.

"Enough, ladies!" Anna’s voice cracked, silencing the room.