Chapter 22
Lila
The insignia on my lot shimmered faintly under the morning light, the golden ink standing out against the dark paper. My
stomach twisted.
Someone had switched my lot.
I clenched my jaw, my pulse thudding in my ears as the realization sank in. It had to be the same person who took my clothes. And there was only one name that immediately came to mind.
Vanessa.
She had promised to make my life hell, and this seemed exactly like making good on that promise.
My hands tightened into fists as I stormed down the hallway, my bare feet nearly silent against the polished floor. I didn’t care who saw me, I was done letting her get away with her bullying.
When I reached her door, I didn’t hesitate. I pounded on the door loud enough to shake the frame.
A few girls peered out of their rooms, drawn by the noise. Whispers spread as more gathered, their curious gazes flickering between me and the closed door.
Finally, it opened.
Vanessa stood in the doorway, her expression carefully blank, but the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her amusement. She leaned lazily against the frame, arms crossed, looking me over like I was a mildly entertaining inconvenience.
“Elena,” she drawled, feigning surprise. “To what do I owe the early morning displeasure?”
I shoved the lot in front of her face. “You switched it.”
She blinked at me, then at the insignia, before letting out a soft, mocking laugh. “Now, why would I do that?”
“You tell me,” I snapped.
The girls around us whispered, some covering their mouths to hide their grins, others waiting for the inevitable explosion. I
didn’t cate
Vanessa tilted her head, eyes gleaming “Even if I did, how would you prove it?”
The question sent a wave of frustration through me. She was right, without proof, all I had was my gut feeling, and I knew Vanessa was top careful to leave anything behind. Still, I wasn’t about to let her walk away unscathed.
“You and your little pack of cultists stole my clothes too, didn’t you?” Laccused
Gasps rippled through the crowd Vanessa simply sighed, examining her nails with a bored expression.
+15 Bonus
“Elena, you sound desperate.” She met my gaze again, her smirk widening. “Unless you plan on stripping off your pants in front of the Lycan King while fighting, you can’t possibly win. I don’t see why you’re so worked up over a silly lot.”
A surge of anger burned through me, hot and unchecked. Without thinking, I stepped closer, forcing her back against the
doorframe.
“Say that again,” I dared, my voice low. Vanessa’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second. Then, before she could respond, a
sharp voice cut through the tension.
“Enough.” Helen’s presence silenced the hallway instantly. Her sharp gaze flicked between me and Vanessa, irritation clear on
her face.
“Both of you,” she said, tone clipped, “confinement. Immediately.”
Ruby let out a furious growl in my mind. This is bullshit! It should be Vanessa who is punished.
I knew arguing was pointless. Helen’s word was final.
Vanessa shot me a smug glance as she turned to follow Helen. I exhaled through my nose, swallowing my frustration. This wasn’t
over
Hours passed in confinement. I sat against the cold stone wall, arms draped over my knees, the tension in my muscles refusing to
ease.
A commotion outside drew my attention and I straightened, listening. Before I could process what was happening, the door burst open with enough force to rattle the hinges.
My head snapped up to see Helen standing in the doorway, her usual arrogance replaced with something almost hesitant. I narrowed my eyes; that couldn’t be a good sign.
“Follow me,” she ordered.
I did, my gut tightening with unease as we walked down the long corridor, Vanessa trailing behind. The further we went, heavier the atmosphere became.
