Chapter 162 162

Chapter 162 162
Arielle's POV

I made my way back to the main building, my steps heavy, my mind still reeling from everything that had happened in the gymnasium. The encounter with Aeson lingered at the edges of my thoughts—his words echoing, his eyes burning into my memory, the way he'd looked at me like he could see straight through every lie I'd told.

I shook my head, trying to push it all aside as I pushed open the door to the main building. The cool air inside did nothing to soothe the heat still simmering beneath my skin.

I almost collided with Mandy. She was standing right there, her arms crossed, her expression a mix of worry and irritation. Her foot tapped impatiently against the floor. "Goodness, where have you been, Arielle? I've been looking everywhere for you. I called your phone like five times."

I opened my mouth to craft a lie, but my gaze drifted past her, catching sight of Aeson in his private office through the transparent glass door. He was seated behind his desk, his expression stormy, his jaw tight. His eyes were fixed on something—or someone—and when he looked up, our gazes locked. The intensity in his hazel eyes made my breath catch.

I looked away quickly, my heart lurching.

Mandy turned, following my gaze. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost. Your face is pale."

"I was just—" I started, but the words died in my throat. I glanced at my empty hands, then back at her. "I forgot what I went to get."

She raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing. "You said you were going to get something from the other building. What was it? You were gone for like twenty minutes."

I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came. I was too rattled, too aware of Aeson's presence just behind the glass. His gaze felt like a weight on my back, pressing down, demanding answers I wasn't ready to give.

When I glanced back, he had stepped out of his office, his silhouette framed by the door. His expression had worsened, his eyes cold and cutting. He looked at me like he was sick of my lies, like he could see right through every single one and was disgusted by what he found.

Mandy was still waiting for an answer when his voice cut through the air, curt and commanding. "Be at the field in ten minutes. No lateness will be tolerated."

We both turned to look at him. He didn't wait for a response. He just turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hall, each one measured and deliberate.

Mandy let out a low whistle, her eyes still fixed on his retreating form. "What's up with him? He looks like he wants to bite someone's head off. Did anyone have a fight with him or something?"

I shook my head, my voice flat. “I don't think anyone had a fight with him. You know…he's usually grumpy. I don't know what his problem is."

She studied me for a moment, her gaze searching. "You sure you're okay? You seem... off."

"I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Let's just get changed."

We changed into our training kits in silence, the weight of everything pressing down on me. The thin fabric of the kit did little to calm my nerves, and I could feel Mandy's worried glances following me as we made our way to the field.

The sun was beating down, the grass still damp from the morning dew. The other students were already gathering, forming loose clusters as they stretched and chatted. The air buzzed with anticipation, but I couldn't focus on any of it.

I spotted Logan immediately. He was standing with Angel near the edge of the field, his eyes fixed on me, a mocking smile playing at his lips. Angel was pressed against his side, her hand resting on his chest, looking every bit the smug girlfriend who had won. Her pink hair caught the sunlight, and she laughed at something he whispered, her eyes flicking toward me with cruel amusement.

Mandy followed my gaze. Her expression hardened, her fists clenching at her sides. "That bastard. I'm going to make him pay for using your secret to try and control you. I'm going to march over there and—"

She started toward him, her steps quick and determined.

I grabbed her arm, stopping her mid-stride. "Don't. It's not worth it."

"Not worth it?" She spun to face me, her eyes blazing with fury. "He threatened you. He used your family's secret against you. He made you dance to his tunes like some puppet. And you're telling me just to let it go?"

"I'm telling you to stay out of it," I said, my voice firm despite the tremor in my chest. "He's not worth the trouble. He'll get what's coming to him eventually. Just let me handle it."

She stared at me, her jaw tight, her body trembling with barely contained fury. Her chest heaved with each breath, and for a moment, I thought she might ignore me and go after him anyway. Then she let out a long, frustrated breath and stepped back, her shoulders slumping. "Fine. But if he tries anything again, I won't hold back. I mean it."

I nodded, my throat tight. "I know."

We stood there in silence, the tension crackling between us. I couldn't shake the feeling that Logan had something else planned, something worse. And I couldn't shake the image of Aeson's cold, cutting gaze, the way he'd looked at me like I was a puzzle he was desperate to solve.

I just had to stay strong. For Mandy. For myself.

Aeson strode onto the field, his presence cutting through the chatter like a blade. His eyes swept over the gathered students, cold and assessing.

"Today," he announced, his voice carrying across the field, "we're testing your wolf speed. You'll shift and run two laps. If you fall behind, you'll run an extra lap. Understood?"

A few students nodded. Others mumbled their agreement.

"I said," Aeson's voice snapped, sharp as a whip, "do you understand?"

"Yes, Alpha!" The response came in unison, louder this time.

He began walking along the line, his gaze stopping briefly on each student. He corrected someone's stance with a curt word, berated another for slouching, his tone harsh and unforgiving. When his eyes moved to me, I straightened instinctively, my body going rigid. He studied me for a moment, then snapped, "Feet wider, Arielle. You're unbalanced before you've even started."

Mandy's voice cut in from beside me. "She's doing it right, Uncle….I mean, Alpha Aeson. Her stance is—"

He cut her off with a sharp glare. "I didn't ask for your opinion, Mandy."

She flinched but said nothing, her jaw tight.

Later, he called us to the starting line. "You'll shift and run two laps. Show me your wolf speed."

The students around me began to morph. Bones cracked, fur rippled across skin, and bodies twisted into sleek, powerful wolves. One by one, they took off, their paws pounding the grass.

Mandy shifted beside me, her wolf smaller than most but quick, her golden eyes bright. She nudged my hand with her nose, her voice a soft growl in my mind. I'll watch out for you. Come on.

Then she took off.

I stood there, alone, watching them run. The grass was still beneath my feet, the wind rustling through my hair. I didn't realize I was the only one left until his voice pulled me from my trance.

"Aren't you going to turn into your wolf?"

I turned. He was standing a few feet away, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. His gaze was fixed on me, waiting.