Chapter 116 Chapter 118

Chapter 116 Chapter 118
Arianna’s POV

The three leaned casually against the lockers, laughing like they were old friends.

Tessa’s shrill giggle echoed, Victoria’s smug smirk plastered on her face. And Heather, standing between them like a queen with her court, looked right at me.

She had obviously replaced juliet in their squad. She was a harder rival; she’s not only my secretary but also daven’s sister.

Susan’s jaw dropped. "Oh, hell no. She’s already teamed up with those snakes?"

Heather tilted her chin and smirked, her eyes narrowing slightly as if to say, ’Your reign won’t last long, President.’

I clenched my fists but looked away first. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.

Susan huffed. "She’s dangerous. I can feel it already."

"Of course she is, she daven’s twin sister after all. But she wouldn’t make me cower either," I stated, my face showing no sign of fear.

"You have got to be careful with her, she is not like juliet, she is quite smarter," Michaela pointed out.

"Well, then she has got her type, I’m her president regardless, and I won’t trouble her if she doesn’t trouble me," I responded.

But of course, fate doesn’t let me have my peace.

Heather stepped forward, her boots clicking against the tiled floor. "Well, well, if it isn’t Madam President," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Already walking like the crown sits tight on your head."

Susan stepped forward also, "She doesn’t have to walk like it; she earned it. Maybe you should respect that."

Heather arched a brow. "Respect? I only respect strength, not votes from emotional students swayed by pity speeches."

"Excuse me?" I took a step closer, my voice calm but cutting. "You mean the students who chose me fairly, not through intimidation or manipulation? Yes, those."

Victoria folded her arms. "Don’t act like you’re better than us, Aria. We all know your little ’anti-bullying squad’ talk is just a pity speech. You’ll crumble before the semester ends."

"Funny," tiana said sharply from my left, "you’re already shaking because Aria won. I guess that’s what crumbling looks like."

Tessa hissed. "Stay out of this, tiana. This is between leaders."

"Leaders? I’m Princess tiana, in case you have forgotten, you have no standing with me outside this academy’s grounds," tiana challenged.

"And for your information," I corrected her firmly, "this is between wolves who think they own the school and wolves who actually want to change it."

The air grew tense as everyone sized each other up.

Heather crossed her arms, a smirk still plastered on her lips. "You think being President makes you untouchable? Let me remind you, you’re standing against me.

I don’t care if you’re President, you’re still just Aria."

Susan laughed mockingly. "And you’re still just Heather, daven’s shadow, who thinks standing with Tessa and Victoria makes her powerful. Cute."

For the first time, Heather’s smirk faltered. Her eyes sharpened. "Watch your mouth, Susan."

Susan stepped up without hesitation. "What? Did I hit a nerve? You’re acting like you already run the council, but last I checked, you’re the Secretary.

Meaning you answer to the President." She jabbed her thumb toward me.

I placed a hand on Susan’s arm, steadying her. "Don’t waste your breath. She knows her position."

Heather’s eyes snapped to mine, fire igniting in them. "You may be President now, but don’t forget, wolves respect power, not positions. And I have enough power to challenge you any day."

Athena’s voice growled in my head. " She’s baiting you. Don’t let her pull you down."

I exhaled slowly. "You may have power, Heather. But power without restraint is recklessness.

And recklessness gets wolves killed," I looked to Victoria and Tessa, "Remember juliet."

Gasps echoed from a few bystanders who had slowed to watch the brewing storm. Even Tessa’s giggle died down.

For a moment, Heather’s jaw clenched. Then she tilted her head, smiling wickedly.

"You’ve got a sharp tongue, President. Let’s see how long it serves you before it cuts you."

tiana stepped up beside me, her voice colder than I’d ever heard it. "Funny, that’s exactly what people said about juliet. Where’s she now? Oh, right out of the picture."

Victoria snarled at that, but before the tension could snap into claws and fangs, a deep voice cut through the hallway like a blade.

"That’s enough." Every head snapped towards the direction of the voice. daven.
He stood at the end of the corridor, hands in his pockets, his expression calm but his aura heavy enough to still the crowd.

His eyes flicked between me and his twin sister, unreadable. "Heather," he said evenly, "what are you doing?"
Her smirk returned instantly. "Defending myself. Your little mate here thinks she can belittle me in front of everyone."

My chest tightened at the word ’mate’, but I didn’t flinch. I stood tall, locking eyes with daven.

Susan scoffed. "Belittle you? She only reminded you of your place."

"Heather doesn’t need to be reminded," Daven said sharply, his eyes briefly narrowing at Susan before softening again. "This isn’t the way to handle things."

Tessa pouted, stepping closer to Heather. "daven, you can’t just let Aria insult your sister like that."

Victoria nodded eagerly. "Yeah. She practically called her reckless. If I were Heather, I’d..."

"You would what?" Daven cut in, his tone so calm it was terrifying. Victoria’s mouth snapped shut instantly.

Then he turned back to Heather. "You’re my sister. She’s my mate. I won’t pick sides, and I won’t watch either of you tear each other apart in the hallways like pups.

If you have issues, you settle them in the council room in a professional manner. Not like this."

Heather blinked, clearly not expecting him to defend me and hold her accountable. Her lips parted, then pressed shut.

"daven..." she began.

"No," he said firmly, stepping closer. "You’re coming with me." He reached out, gently but firmly taking her by the arm.
Heather stiffened but didn’t resist. Her eyes darted to Tessa and Victoria, who stared in disbelief.

"You’re leaving with her enemy?" Tessa squeaked.

daven’s gaze cut to her like ice. "She’s not her enemy. She’s the President. My mate. And you’d do well to remember that."

The entire hallway went dead silent.

I swallowed hard, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. Heather’s jaw tightened, but she allowed Daven to steer her away.
Just before they turned the corner, she looked back at me, her eyes filled with words she could have said.

Susan let out a low whistle. "Well, that was unexpected." tiana smirked. "Didn’t see that coming, did you, Victoria?"