Chapter 34 A Test of Nerves

Chapter 34 A Test of Nerves
Selene’s POV
A Test of Nerves

My heart jumped into my throat when the Headmaster called my name. For a moment, I was sure he knew everything. I forced my feet to move, walking toward the platform where Joren’s broken body still lay. The smell of blood was thick in the air.

I kept my head high. I would not show fear.

“Headmaster,” I said, stopping a few feet from him. I forced my voice to be calm.

He looked down at me. His eyes were so dark. “Lira. A student reported seeing you leave the Omega dorms last night around eight o’clock. They said you seemed… purposeful. Can you explain where you were or where you were?”

So that was it. Someone had seen me. But they didn’t know where I went. That was good. For a brief moment, something inside me was glad that I had an alibi from yesterday.

I allowed a small, almost shy smile to touch my lips. Goddess, was I faking this good? Was my acting real? I swallowed subtly. Then I looked down, then glanced toward Cael, who was still standing like a statue. I let my cheeks flush just a little.

“I was with Alpha Cael,” I said, blinking, my voice a bit softer. “He… requested my presence in his quarters yesterday,” I smiled, my eyes shifting to Lyra as I obviously adjusted the collar of my shirt so Lyra could see the handprints from yesterday.

I didn’t elaborate. I let the silence and my blush say everything. Let them think what they wanted. Let them think it was a romantic rendezvous, at least, it was better than everyone knowing who I really was.

The Headmaster’s eyes flickered to Cael. “Is this true?”

Cael’s icy blue eyes met mine for a split second. I saw no warmth in them, but no denial either.

“It is,” he said, his voice flat without any emotion. “I was… correcting her behavior after the training incident. It took some time, but it got the job done effectively.”

His words felt to me like they held two meanings. They confirmed my story, but it also reminded me that I was under his control. This was humiliating, but it was safe. I was safe as long as I had him by my side.

The Headmaster studied me for a long moment. I could feel his suspicion literally. It was as if he didn't believe us. Maybe he thought there was something else or maybe he was probably lying to protect me, but he had no proof.

“I see,” he said slowly. “And did you, at any point, go near the administrative wing? Or see anything unusual? Or any person snooping around?”

“No, Headmaster,” I said, looking him directly in the eye. “I was with Alpha Cael the entire time. I only returned to my dorm just before curfew.”

I was gambling. If Cael decided to contradict me now, I was finished. But he remained silent.

The Headmaster finally nodded, a slow, deliberate motion. “Very well. You may go. Remember, Lira, loyalty is everything at Vanguard. Keep your focus on your studies and your… duties to your future Alpha.” His words were a clear warning.

“Of course, Headmaster,” I said, dipping my head respectfully before turning to leave.

As I walked away, my whole body was tensed. I could feel his eyes on my back until I disappeared into the crowd of students who were already leaving.

The moment I was out of his sight, I leaned against a cold stone wall, my legs suddenly weak. That was too close.

“You play a dangerous game, little wolf.”

I jumped. Riven was suddenly beside me, his voice a low murmur. He leaned against the wall next to me, looking casual, but his golden eyes were serious.

“What are you talking about?” I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

“Using Cael as your alibi,” he said. “That’s like using a lit match to prove you’re not on fire. It might work once, but you will get burned.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” I whispered back. “Someone saw me.”

“I know,” he said. “But that’s not the big problem. The big problem is Joren.”

“What about him?”

“He didn’t steal that amulet,” Riven said, his voice dropping even lower. “We did. So how did it end up in the Headmaster’s office, and then in Joren’s room?”

I stared at him, the pieces clicking together. “Someone is setting people up. They took the amulet from where we hid it and planted it.”

Riven nodded. “There’s another player. Someone who knows we were down there. Someone who is cleaning up the trail by framing others. It's either that they are trying to save us or trying to play mind games with us.”

A cold dread washed over me. We weren’t just fighting the Council. We were fighting an enemy we couldn’t see.

“What do we do?” I asked.

“We find them,” Riven said. “Before they find us. And before the Gala.” He pushed off the wall. “Meet me tonight. The usual spot. We need to talk.”

He melted back into the crowd before I could answer.

I was left alone, my mind reeling. The Headmaster suspected me. An unknown enemy was framing people. Cael was… I don't know him anymore. And the Gala was tomorrow night.

I walked back to my dorm in a daze. When I got there, I found a small, folded note on my floor. It must have been slipped under the door.

My hands trembled as I opened it.

It was not from the general. The writing was bold and unfamiliar.

I know what you are, who you are, and all your history. The runes don’t lie. You might think no one can see those things, but I can. The amulet was a warning. Stop digging, or you will be the next lesson the students are forced to watch. I promise you that.

The note was not signed.

I folded it in my hand, my blood turning cold. They knew. They knew everything. They knew the runes reacted to me. They knew I was digging.

And they were watching me.

I was trapped in a web, and I didn’t even know how many spiders were in it with me.

Holy fuck.