Chapter 21 The Confrontation
ROXANNA
“Have a lovely day ahead, boys and girls,” Professor Tia says as she ends the Mythology class and sweeps out of the room.
The moment the door shuts behind her, the entire class erupts. Chairs scrape against the floor, voices rise, and gossip fills the air.
We only have ten minutes before the next lesson.
I stare up at the wall clock. My teeth press hard into my bottom lip. My fingers tremble against my thighs no matter how tight I pinch them. Stupid nerves.
Reid’s dark, commanding, orgasmic voice runs through my head again:
“Do what I ask, and we can start dating right away.”
A shiver rolls through me. The thought of finally dating Reid and showing him off in front of everyone makes my insides flutter like crazy. But underneath the excitement sits a sharp edge of fear.
Because what he wants… isn’t something easy to pull.
I mean, I actually have to walk up to Hannah and tell her the truth. That I was the one texting her boyfriend, using Lyra’s phone the whole time.
Out of all the things Reid could have asked for, this one makes no sense. Why does he care so much about Lyra? Is it guilt from rejecting her? Some kind of ridiculous pity?
I almost laugh out loud. Poor, pathetic Lyra.
She’s about to lose something else she couldn’t protect. Story of her life. If the gods were kind, I should’ve been Lord Magnus’s real daughter, not some random stray picked up from the woods like charity.
Lyra is wolfless. I have a powerful wolf.
Lyra can’t keep her own boyfriend interested. I ride Dean better than she ever could even if she tried.
Lyra dresses like a blind bat. I’m the prettiest girl in this entire pack and everyone knows it.
Lyra failed to catch the Alpha prince’s eye. I had Reid finally expressing interest in me, after days of acting all egoistic and cocky.
I should be in her place. I should have her name, her status, her life. So yes, I hate her. Completely.
And the more I think about it, the more I want Reid for myself. I want Lyra to watch me take everything she tries to hold onto. One by one.
When Reid’s banishment ends and he returns to Middle Earth Pack, when he rises as Alpha King, I’ll be beside him. As his queen.
So if all it takes to secure that future is a stupid confession and apology to Hannah and Lyra, then fine. I’ll do it.
Besides, Reid is right. I am the best girl in this pack. Everyone wants to please me. No one stays mad at me for long. They forgive because it’s an honor to be on my good side.
Hannah won’t be any different. She’s been begging to join my clique for months. After I apologize, I’ll throw her a spot in my circle like a bone. She’ll melt with gratitude.
Confidence warms my chest. A slow smirk curves my mouth.
I rise from my seat and saunter toward Hannah’s group.
They’re perched on desks and chairs, gossiping loudly about new makeup and skincare. Hannah is bragging about how her boyfriend bought everything for her yesterday.
“Hey, girls,” I purr, stretching a sweet smile across my lips. “Hi, Hannah.”
“Oh! Hey!” Hannah waves like she’s thrilled I even noticed her. The others scramble to greet me too, shifting aside to make space.
“Uh, can I have a word?” I ask, keeping my tone soft and pretty. “Privately, please.”
Hannah blinks, confusion flickering across her face as if she’s trying to guess why I would ever need a private chat with her. Then she brightens again, that eager smile snapping back in place.
“I’ll be right back, girls. Don’t break anything.” She chirps as she hops off the desk and follows me out.
We stop near the doorway, half-shielded from the noisy classroom.
“So… what’s this about?” She asks, arms folding across her chest, her smile expectant.
“Actually…” I start, pasting on my sweetest, most innocent expression. “I wanted to confess something to you.”
“Confess?” Her brow lifts. I nod and sigh like I’m carrying the weight of the world.
“More like… I need to confide in someone. My sister has been driving me insane lately. She keeps pushing my buttons, and honestly? I’m tired.” I cross my arms too and lean my back against the wall beside her, mirroring her body language.
Hannah’s face contorts with sympathy. “I’m so sorry. I’ve always known that sister of yours is up to no good. She acts all naive and innocent, but deep down? That girl is pure evil.” She scoffs. “I already have plans to deal with that bitch.”
“You do?” I ask, meeting her eyes. “So I’m not the only one who wants to get revenge on her.”
“You definitely aren’t.” She shakes her head, disgust heavy in her voice. “Honestly? I wouldn’t judge you for doing anything to make her pay. She deserves it.”
A dark smirk almost pushes through, but I swallow it down. This is perfect. This is exactly the opening I need.
“To be honest,” I say quietly, “I think my revenge was… extreme. You might judge me if I tell you.”
She gives a dry laugh. “Honey, you have no idea how bad my own plan is. But sure, try me. Tell me what you did.”
My stomach tightens, nerves clawing up my throat, but I force myself to breathe.
I’m everyone’s darling. No one stays mad at me. Hannah literally just said she wouldn’t judge me. So what am I scared of?
“Do you remember when you confronted Lyra yesterday,” I say, smiling a little, “after seeing those chats with your boyfriend?”
“How could I forget?” Her expression darkens instantly. “That’s exactly what I was talking about earlier; my revenge.”
I let mischief flicker across my face. “Well… what if I told you I was the one who stole Lyra’s phone and sent your boyfriend those messages? And the nude pictures? I wanted her to get in trouble with you.”
Hannah freezes. The color drains out of her face. She stares at me like she’s trying to process foreign words.
“What did you just say?”
“That I got her in trouble because the little witch was annoying me,” I repeat calmly. “Anyway, why don’t you join my clique? Together, we’ll make her life miserable…”
My sentence dies in my throat.
Hannah’s hand shoots out and yanks my hair so hard tears prick my eyes. With her other hand, she slams a burning slap across my cheek. Rage hardens her whole face.
“Repeat what the fuck you just said!” She screams right in my face.