CHAPTER 73: CLASS BATTLE.

Victoria immediately rolled her eyes in disgust, her lips curling in irritation. Of course. As expected from the number one playboy in the pack, she thought bitterly. He never misses a chance to make everything about mating.

Damien heaved a heavy sigh and spoke up, his voice calm yet firm. "You all must be familiar with pack laws and supernatural politics. The laws between species...wolves, witches, vampires... And if you’re wondering why I included vampires, well, it’s because they’re the only other confirmed supernatural species we’ve encountered so far. Others will be introduced as time goes on."

He paced slowly before continuing. "You’ll all learn how to handle rogue packs, arranged matings, and territorial disputes. Etiquette when dealing with royal alphas, elders, and council members will also be covered....something many of you clearly lack."

"We also cover herbalism and supernatural healing," Auren added, his voice steady and instructive. "You’ll learn how to treat silver poisoning, claw wounds, suppressed heat cycles, and more. There are different types of healing roots, potions, and old shamanic practices that you’ll be expected to study and understand."

"Anyway," Darius cut in with a mischievous smirk, leaning back with his arms folded. "A lot will be taught. So you better open your ears and eyes, or you’ll regret it terribly. Now, let’s begin with the history of this pack. Has anyone heard anything about it and would like to share with the class?"

Silence followed his question.

The students exchanged uncertain glances, shifting awkwardly in their seats until one hand finally rose.

Nicole.

As expected, murmurs filled the room.

"Of course she knows," someone whispered.

"She’s Alpha Auren’s sister after all," another chimed in.

"She was probably spoon-fed all this knowledge from birth."

But then, to everyone’s surprise, another hand went up.

Victoria.

A serene smile was plastered on her face, her confidence unwavering. Inside, however, her thoughts carried a sharper edge.

Even though I was mistreated in my first life... cast aside by my family and forbidden from attending the academy... I was still given a tutor....just so I wouldn’t embarrass the Ashford name at social gatherings. And it turns out, I learned more than anyone expected. I already know all of this... Well, except for the practical aspects I never got the chance to apply.

Gasps and quiet laughter rippled through the class.

"What’s she raising her hand for?" someone sneered from the back.

"She’s just trying to act important."

"There’s no way she knows anything."

Darius raised an eyebrow, folding his arms as he looked directly at her. "What are you raising your hand for, Victoria? From what I know, you only just returned to the Ashford family. There’s no way your brothers had the time to teach you all of this. It’s not something that can be learned in just a couple of days."

Nicole scoffed, crossing her arms as she turned to face her rival. "What? You just can’t resist turning everything into a competition with me, can you? Put your hand down and stop embarrassing yourself."

"Put your hand down, Victoria," Damien added, his voice taking on a more commanding tone, his eyes narrowing as he addressed her directly.

Victoria lowered her hand slowly, but instead of sitting, she stood up.

Mirabel sighed theatrically and stepped in with false concern, her voice dripping with condescension. "Yes, please, don’t embarrass our family. Even I....your own sister don’t know the full history of the pack, which is why I kept quiet. I didn’t want to humiliate myself, or the Ashford name, in front of everyone. You should do the same. There’s no need to compete with Nicole just yet. Maybe in the future, when we’ve all been taught properly."

The room filled with hushed agreement and judgmental stares.

But Victoria didn’t flinch.

"You asked if anyone could answer your question," she said clearly, locking eyes with Darius. "And I raised my hand because I do know the answer."

"And what is this supposed pack history then?" Auren asked coldly, his sharp gaze narrowing as he leaned slightly forward. "Since you’re so eager to make a fool of yourself, then I’ll gladly give you the chance."

His voice was laced with disdain, and the challenge hung thick in the air. "But let me make one thing clear....if you get it wrong, you’ll apologize to Nicole right here, in front of everyone."

Victoria tilted her head slightly, her smile unbothered and almost teasing. "And what if I get it right?" she asked, her tone just as sharp but far more composed. "Will you four Alphas, Nicole, and the entire class apologize to me in return? Since you’re all so sure I’ll lose, then you shouldn’t be afraid to match my bet, right?"

The air grew tense.

Nicole slammed her hand on the desk, the sound echoing across the quiet room. Her eyes blazed. "If you get the answer right..." she hissed, "...I’ll get on my knees and lick your boot."

Gasps rang out.

"And if you don’t," Nicole continued, "you’ll go on your knees and lick mine. There’s no need to involve the rest of the class...it’s between you and me, since you’re clearly so desperate for the spotlight."

Victoria didn’t even blink.

"Deal," she replied coolly, her smile widening with confidence. Then, with clear, unwavering tone, she began:

"The Ashford Pack was founded over four centuries ago during the Great Sundering.....a war that broke out between supernatural species: witches, vampires, and rogue wolves. Back then, wolves were scattered, unorganized, and hunted down....feared by witches for our transformation magic, and targeted by vampires who believed our blood strengthened their kind."

The room fell deathly silent.

Darius, Auren, Zephyr, Damien....and even Nicole stared at her with wide eyes and parted lips, expressions frozen in shock and disbelief. A few students audibly gasped, others leaned in without realizing.

Nicole tried to recover first, her scoff sounding weaker than usual. "Is that all?" she said with a forced smirk. "Please. That first paragraph is easy to memorize. You’ll have to do better than that, Victoria. Anyone can recite the beginning. That’s the same thing I know, so as far as I’m concerned, neither of us has won....yet."

But Victoria wasn’t finished.

"It was Alpha Thorne Ashford...our ancestor who united seven rogue packs, forming the first structured werewolf society on this land," she continued, her voice growing stronger, firmer with every word. "He negotiated the original truce with the Crescent Coven of witches and the Vampire Court. This truce was sealed through blood oaths and territory exchanges... agreements that still affect our pack’s borders to this day.

"During this same era, the Council of Elders was founded....an advisory body that manages diplomacy among supernatural factions and oversees disputes between Alphas."

By now, Nicole was trembling. Her hand, previously slammed on the table, remained pressed tightly against it, as though using it to steady herself. Her face was pale. Sweat glistened on her brow.

Victoria paused, allowing the silence to stretch before asking sweetly, "Would you like me to continue? Or have I said enough?"

"H-h-hold on..." Nicole stammered, but the words wouldn’t come. Her mouth moved, but no proper sentence followed.

"You’re incredible, girl!" came Leo’s voice in a whisper from somewhere unseen. He was cloaked in invisibility, observing from the back of the class. "Thank goodness I showed up today. This is the best drama I’ve seen all week. I can’t wait for that bitch to kneel in front of you."

Nicole suddenly rounded on Damien, her finger pointing at him like a sword. "Why didn’t you tell us you taught your sister everything?! That’s why she knew it! You taught her yourself!"

Damien raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms casually over his broad chest. He looked down at Nicole with an expression that was both amused and proud. "I didn’t teach Victoria anything," he replied calmly. "Truth is, I haven’t even spent any proper time with her since she returned."

Nicole let out a shriek of frustration. "Don’t lie! Of course you taught her! There’s no way she’d know all this otherwise!"

"Oh please," came a voice from across the room, sharp and dismissive.

Rose stood up, blowing a bubble with her gum and letting it pop with a loud snap. Her eyes narrowed on Nicole.

"Stop that stupid attitude of yours, bitch," she said flatly. "I didn’t say anything when this whole mess started. You and Victoria both made a deal, and I chose to believe in Victoria. She’s not as dumb as you think. And now that she’s won, don’t even try to twist the outcome to fit your ego."

"Exactly!" Jamaila piped in, standing as well. Her voice trembled slightly from nerves, but she swallowed hard and stood her ground. "Victoria answered the question. And judging by the look on the Alphas’ faces, it’s obvious she was right. So Nicole, you better honor the deal and carry out your punishment."

Nicole’s head snapped in Jamaila’s direction. Her voice turned sharp as a blade. "You better keep your mouth shut, you scholarship low-lives, or you’ll be sorry!"

Gasps echoed again.

Nicole turned back to the front of the class, her face red with fury and desperation.

She stared at the Alphas, her last hope now crumbling. "Say something!" she screamed. "Brothers! Say something... anything!"