Chapter 208 The Frowned upon Relationship
Chapter 208 The Frowned upon Relationship
Author's POV:
Audra rushed down the school hallway, her heels clicking against the polished floor with desperate urgency. The pink scarf around her neck felt suffocating, but she couldn't take it off.
The mark underneath had been there for days now, refusing to heal like it should.
She needed answers. She needed Thorne.
Without bothering to knock, Audra pushed open his office door and stepped inside. The words died in her throat.
Thorne wasn't alone.
Seraphina turned around to look at her side and then adjusted her posture in the seat in front of Mr. Spade.
"What are you doing here, Seraphina?" Audra demanded, her voice sharper than she intended. "It's awfully early for you to be showing up in Mr. Spade's room."
Her sister turned to face her fully, that fake smile spreading across her perfect lips. "Mr. Spade is employed to provide counseling services to young werewolves, so I thought, why can't I visit him too? You come here quite often yourself."
She gestured to the empty chair beside her. "Please, sit down."
Audra could tell something happened from the way Mr. Spade was stealing her eyes.
"What's going on here?" she asked.
Seraphina's expression grew serious, all traces of her fake pleasantness disappearing. "That's exactly what I came here for. You do realize she's an Alpha's daughter, right?" She turned to Thorne, looking him in the eye and calling him to go down a path with Audra where they would never have a future together.
"Why do you feel the need to remind him of that?" she snapped, defending the only person who'd ever shown her genuine care. The only one whose reports had made Father actually pay attention to her.
Seraphina's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Because he seems to forget that he can't have any relationship with you beyond counselor and student." Her eyes flashed with anger.
Heat flooded Audra's cheeks. "There's nothing going on between us!" She looked directly at Thorne. "I could report you to Father for slandering me."
Thorne finally spoke, his voice cold and professional. "That's exactly what I told Miss Seraphina." He looked between them with obvious irritation. "I don't know what made her think this was even possible. Regardless, I suggest you two resolve your issues at home. School is not the place to carry your personal burdens."
His smile was fake, strained. "I hope this conversation ends here, and next time I won't be questioned by a nineteen-year-old. Am I clear?"
Seraphina and Audra gave him a nod and exited the office.
The moment the door closed behind them, Seraphina's eyes zeroed in on Audra's neck. She reached toward the pink scarf wrapped tightly around it.
"Why are you—"
Audra jerked away from her touch, something inside her snapping like a taut wire.
"When did you start caring about me?" she shouted, the words erupting from somewhere deep and wounded. "Or are you just jealous that Mr. Spade pays more attention to me now?"
Audra grunted at her sister for the first time. Seraphina has always known Audra to be silent and afraid of loud voices, yet here she was, openly raising her voice at her sister.
"Where were you all these years when I needed you, Seraphina?" Her voice cracked with emotion. "Do you remember when your friends used to bully me?"
"I was right here," Seraphina said defensively. "You never asked me for help."
"Oh no!" The words came out strangled with hurt. "You weren't here. You were too busy being cool." Audra’s voice held a lot of pain that shook Seraphina.
"I was just concerned about you. Men like these tend to prey on vulnerable girls like you,” Seraphina tried grasping Audra’s hand to drag her to the side so that they can have a peaceful chitchat, but Audra shook her hand free and took a few steps away from Seraphina.
The frustration was overwhelming, making her say things she shouldn't.
"Vulnerable? Huh!" The words spilled out before she could stop them. "I don't think Father sees it that way. In fact, I'm sure he's betting on me to win."
The moment the words left her mouth, she saw Seraphina's face change. Her eyebrows shot up, her eyes widened with hurt and shock. The pain there was so raw, so immediate, that Audra's anger deflated instantly.
"I'm sorr—" she started, but Seraphina was already walking away, looking devastated.
Audra watched her retreating figure, her heart clenching with guilt and regret.
Audra walked out of the building feeling like everything was falling apart. She sat down on the curb by the roadside, burying her face in her hands. Everything hurt.
"I could do something for you?"
The voice startled her. Audra looked up to find Lucas standing nearby, his expression unreadable.
She hadn't even heard him approach.
Audra stood up quickly, wiping away tears she didn't realize had fallen. "If you really want to help me, can you take me to see her?"
Lucas frowned. "I think you two should stay apart for a few minutes before you go looking for her."
"Ember!" she said the name desperately.
The effect on Lucas was immediate. Something flashed across his face—pain, longing, something that looked almost like physical agony.
"I want to see Ember!" Audra repeated.
Lucas's expression hardened. "Why? I hope whatever happened between you and your sister has nothing to do with Ember, because Audra, I won't take you to bother her or argue with her."
She rolled her eyes, thinking about his cruel behavior toward Ember just days ago at the café. "I am the one who will visit her cafe just to pass taunts and comments on her, so chill!"
The sarcasm in her voice was thick, but Lucas either missed it or chose to ignore it.
"Alright, get in the car," he said simply, walking toward the parking lot.
Audra followed him, her heart pounding. He seemed unwilling to see Ember, but there was something in his eyes—something that suggested seeing her might be a relief for him too, even if he wouldn't admit it.