Chapter 42 Chapter 42
Amber
Ellie lifted her chin. "It's true. She's been obsessed with power for months and even claimed out of all the four alpha heirs, you were the stupidest to fall for her tricks."
My mouth fell open. Seeing Ellie stand up for herself and speak against Alice was refreshing.
Alice whirled on her. "Stop lying you little cunt!!"
She was now twisting Caspian’s shirt in her hands in a desperate attempt to save face.
"Don’t believe her. You know how my ex hurt me. I was just... drawn to your smile, your kindness!"
"No," Ellie interrupted again, emboldened now. "You dumped your ex to get a chance with Caspian. Everybody knows that. You drunkenly gloated about how easy it was to fool Caspian while showing off his collar!"
The courtyard had gone dead silent except for Alice who was struggling to form a coherent sentence.
Caspian's eyes blazed with anger as he looked at Alice. His hand shot out, grabbing the green collar around her neck, one given to his faction members, and yanked her forward until they were at eye level.
"Tell me the truth," he said, his voice deadly quiet. "Now."
Alice's composure finally cracked. "It's not like that, Caspian. I just…"
"I won’t ask a second time." He said, his grip on the collar around her neck a little.
She swallowed hard. "I... I left him because I was attracted to you!!"
Caspian's hand tightened on the collar, cutting off her words.
I watched, stunned, as he lifted her completely off the ground by the band around her neck.
She gasped, clawing at his hand, her feet dangling in the air.
The entire crowd stood frozen, too shocked to move.
Caspian growled low and with a sharp twist, the collar snapped.
The metal band broke apart and Alice crumpled to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.
Caspian looked down at her with cold disgust. "The next time you or anyone else tries to fool me, I'll break the neck, not the band!!"
Alice nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face.
"Get out of my sight!"
She scrambled to her feet but not before mouthing “You will pay for this” to me and ran, her cronies following close behind.
I knew she would come back for me later but I didn’t have to worry about her now. The crowd remained silent for a beat, then Caspian's gaze swept across them.
"What are you waiting for?" he barked and students scattered like startled birds immediately.
Within seconds, only Ellie, Caspian, and I remained. The professor had probably left long before Ellie started speaking.
I checked her for any possible injuries as Caspian approached us, his expression softening slightly. "Are you both alright?"
"Yes," Ellie said quickly. "Thank you."
His eyes moved to me. "I apologize. I didn't realize she was using my name to terrorize other students."
"It's not your fault," I said, still processing what had just happened.
"Still." He paused. "Thank you for telling me the truth. Most people wouldn't have."
I shrugged. "She was hurting my friend. I wasn't going to let that slide."
Something like respect flickered in his eyes. "I believe you're not in a faction yet. If you want, you can join mine. I owe you a favor after all."
I smiled awkwardly. "Thanks for the offer. Really. But I am not planning to join any for now”
He smiled at that. “Being in a faction will usually save you from people that are far crueler and stronger than Alice. The challenges will bring forth some truly strong competitors…and true faces of some students and teachers alike”
What challenges was he talking about?
I struggled to find the right words to politely deny him.
“Then I better get stronger and smarter than the others...not the alpha heirs, I mean” I added the last part quickly so as to not offend him.
"Of course." His expression was gentle. "For what it's worth, you're brave. Most people wouldn't stand up for others, especially without faction protection."
"I just did what anyone would do."
"No," he said quietly. "You did what most people should do but didn't. That makes you a good person, Amber. But there’s a thin line between bravery and stupidity."
Heat crept up my neck at the compliment. Being complimented by one of the four heirs who wanted to throw me in the dungeons took me by surprise.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I mumbled.
He was still talking about how his faction could provide resources and protection when movement caught my eye.
Someone disappeared behind the wall near the courtyard and I only noticed a flash of black clothing.
My heart jumped.
"I'm sorry," I interrupted Caspian. "I just remembered something I need to do. Excuse me."
I didn't wait for his response, just took off toward where I'd seen the figure.
Behind me, I heard Ellie call out, "Amber? Where are you going?"
“Later!” I shouted and rounded the corner and spotted the person ahead, wearing a black hoodie pulled low to hide their face.
“Wait!” I shouted and the person increased his pace instead of slowing down. I tore through the bushes and my hands finally yanked at the hoodie to pull back the cap.
“Why the hell are you…” I began as the person lifted their face.
It was not Damian.
"Amy?" I called out.
Her face was pale, eyes darting nervously like she was being hunted.
Amber
"What happened?" I approached quickly. "Where's Damian? Is he okay?"
"I can't..." She looked around frantically. "I can't talk here."
"Amy, please. Just tell me if he's alright."
"He's..." She hesitated, then grabbed my arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "Listen to me carefully. Stay safe. Lay low. Don't draw attention to yourself."
"What? Why? What's going on?"
"I can't explain. Just, please. Trust me." Her eyes were wide with genuine fear. "Things are happening. Dangerous things. And Damian is…"
She cut herself off, glancing over her shoulder.
"Damian is what?" I pressed.
"I have to go." She released my arm and started backing away. "Just remember what I said. Stay safe. Lay low."
"Amy, wait!"
But she was already running, disappearing into the shadows between buildings.
I stood there, my heart hammering, a thousand questions flooding my mind.
What the hell was going on? Where was Damian? And why did Amy look so terrified?
"Amber!"
I turned to see Ellie hurrying toward me, clutching something in her hands.
"I tried to salvage the letter," she said breathlessly, holding out scraps of torn paper. "But too many people stepped on it. I'm so sorry, I couldn't—"
My throat tightened as I looked at the pitiful remains of Jolene's letter. For a few seconds, I had forgotten about it altogether.
I took in the sight of the fragments of paper that were beyond saving now.
"It's fine, Ellie." I forced a smile. "Really. Thank you for trying."
She looked like she wanted to argue, but nodded instead.
"Come on," I said. "Let's go back to the room."
We walked in silence, and I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was spiraling out of control.