CHAPTER 145: THEY TRICKED ME

Andria’s POV

"As if we could convince the Alpha successors to do a thing," Macy said, batting her lashes at Jason.

"With Ari, convincing them wouldn’t be that hard. Our president got them in lock and keys," Jason teased.

"With the sight I just witnessed, I think it might be the other way round," Macy objected, turning to face me.

"Hey, I’m still here, in case you two forgot," I said, snapping my fingers at them.

"For a moment, we thought you weren’t in the room," Jason replied sarcastically, and we burst out laughing.

"I’m just curious, Macy, what sight did you walk in on? Jason asked, wearing a huge grin.

"We have got other important business like the fundraiser coming up in two days to discuss other than the Alpha successor or me, so let’s move to the student council room instead," I suggested, walking past them towards the door.

"But I must hear it all, Macy, don’t forget," Jason said, winking at Macy, who chuckled lightly.

"I have other juicy gossip for you apart from this one," Macy added.

I turned in that instant, "Jason, how could you forget that I was stabbed with the wolf’s bane during the weekend on my way back from the supermarket with Macy. You didn’t even care to notice."

"Oh my days, how could I have overlooked that. I got carried away by everything that I forgot to notice. Please pardon me. Meanwhile, I’m glad that you didn’t die," Jason apologized.

"Wouldn’t even be happy to have another student take your position," Macy added.

"In all these, I know those that would have been happy if you died," Jason asked, turning to Macy, signaling me to shut up.

Macy wasn’t a gossip type, nor was she interested in knowing what was going on in the academy. She was more interested in her academics and her position in the council.

She carried them so well that she had retained the position for the second time.

"Allison and her little crew, of course. You think I would not know that? I mean, come on, that’s very obvious to every Ashwood student," Macy blurted with furrowed eyebrows. I could tell she was slightly offended.

When we got to the council room, we were surprised to see Allison there already.

"Took you guys long to come around. We have got a lot on our table," Allison stated, with a cold tone that sounded offended.

I ignored her statement, walked towards my seat, settled down, and brought out my own record of the budget spent.

"You have to calm down, Allison. This whole activity should be all about fun and bonding rather than duty and seriousness," Jason teased her, walking to his sitting position.

"Well, since we are complete, I commence the meeting. I would start with reading the account of the budget spent," I started glancing at each of the members.

I caught Allison acting up, her attention on her phone, clearly trying not to be present in the meeting.

Jason noticed the direction of my eyes immediately, and he tapped her. "You were here on time for the meeting. Why have you decided to distract us with the incessant beep of your phone?"

"If you want to be here, then you have to pay attention; otherwise, you step out," Macy added.

She dropped her phone and turned her face to me. And for the first time, I saw something vulnerable in them.

When we were done with the meeting, Macy left quickly, and so did Jason. It was only Allison and I who went to tidy up things.

I noticed Allison’s gaze as I packed up my file to leave. It was uncomfortable, but she looked like she had something she wanted to say.

"If you want to say anything to me, shoot, and stop staring at me that way," I blurted, not sparing her a glance.

"Thank you for standing for me the other day at the cafeteria," she said in a low tone as if the words were hard for her to speak.

I was stunned. Did she just thank me, or was this one of my dreams?

"What did you just say? I didn’t quite hear you," I asked just to be sure if I heard correctly, not particularly mockingly because I was just so shocked that the high and mighty Allison would say thank you to me, her enemy/rival.

"I heard about it, and I was surprised. I thought it was all a joke until after the last conversation I had with Jackson," she continued, her body movements stiff.

She was embarrassed, I could tell; she avoided eye contact.

"Who told you about that?" I asked because I was so sure Tricia and Alexa would never in this lifetime say something positive about me, not after I had their queen expelled.

"My brother did," she murmured, almost inaudibly.

"Did he also make you do this?"

"No, he didn’t," she said, lifting her eyes to meet mine, "Aria, I’m not such a bad wolf or bitch as I may seem. I thought you were a bad one. Tricia and Tracy brainwashed me, and I was so stupid to think they were right."

"Why do you think so now?" I asked, handing her my handkerchief to wipe the small drop of tears sliding down her cheeks.

"What you did, no one in their right senses stands up for someone they despise. I thought you would turn my moment of despair on me," Allison continued.

"What about Tricia and Alexa? Where are they?"

"They are just silly she-wolves that wanted to remain relevant since Tracy, who makes them relevant, is gone; they decided I was even a better replacement.

Not only did they desire relevance, but they also wanted my brother, believing that by being close to me, they could have me. It turns out my brother doesn’t even notice them, and now my mate has also rejected me publicly, so they have been acting up lately."

"Well, I see. Maybe next time, you will look well before antagonizing anyone. I would advise you not to antagonize anyone.

She smiled at me and walked out of the council room. I let out a breath of relief and joined my friends.

Immediately, I walked out of the council room, the bell went off, and the students who were training at court and in fields started walking to the cafeteria.

I got to the cafeteria, and Mel, Michaela, and Becca were already seated. I couldn’t see Liara there. I took a glance around the cafeteria, and I still couldn’t see her.

I joined Becca and the rest at the table. "Have you guys seen Liara around?"

"Yeah, I saw her; she practiced with us today, but she has been acting off. She decided to eat at the royal cafeteria today," Becca explained, her brows furrowed in worry.

"You look worried. Is there anything you aren’t telling us?" Michaela asked.

Becca didn’t answer; she just ate her food nervously. "Is Arlo okay? Are you good?" I asked.

But she just nodded and continued eating. "Spill already," I insisted, "If anything is bothering you, tell us, who knows, we might find a solution."

"It is Liara," she finally blurted out.

"How do you mean, Liara? Is anything wrong with her?" I asked, becoming worried too.

I glanced towards Mel nd Michaela, and noticed that they too had furrowed eyebrows and questioning eyes.

"She has been hanging out a lot with Jackson, and at this rate, I don’t think she would reject him. He was the one who asked her to eat at the royal dining where she belonged, and she listened to him, ignoring my plea for her to join us. She took Jackson along with her to the royal dining."

Just then, a noise was heard, like a clatter of plates, and students started moving towards the noise.

The cafeteria and the hallway leading to it were in chaos.

"Do you think that we should go and see the reason for this chaos?" Mel asked, her face lit up in excitement.

In Ashwood, every week has its own bundle of drama, and I am glad that this time around, the drama didn’t involve me.

"I think we should go. At least this time around, it doesn’t involve Aria. We should go join the onlookers," Michaela announced, rising from her seat.

Well, I was curious to know the center of the drama this time around.

We walked towards the royal cafeteria, and students were already gathered there, trying to peek at what was going on inside. I pushed my way through the crowd until I was almost at the entrance, and I could hear the commotion happening inside clearly.

"I suggest you take this rogue dog out of this cafeteria; he should eat where the other wolves eat," Allison screamed at Liara.

"You are just jealous that he is mine; in another circumstance, you would have had him join you for lunch in this cafeteria," Liara fired back at her. "Don’t you forget I’m princess Liara, you don’t back orders at me, I’m done acting the humble princess, get it into your skull, shadow sister."

My heart sank at the words she threw at Allison. Liara wasn’t who I thought she was. She, just like every other wolf when new to a system, clings to a shiny figure, and when they have found their rooting, they show their true colors.

Liara has shown her true colors today, and I already have a bad feeling about this.