Heirs, 24

(POV: Renata)

"It was my fault," I say after taking a deep breath, and Lina stares at me for a moment.

"I'll deal with it tomorrow," she finally replies, and I decide not to argue. I release the air trapped in my lungs through my mouth, a clear sign of relief.

I head straight to my room and only come out for dinner. While everyone chats around the table, I speak as little as possible and eat quick. Heading back to my room once I'm satisfied.

The daylight pierces through my eyelids, and I lazily open my eyes. I couldn't sleep for most of the night. I'm anxious and distressed. Lina didn't explain what it was about, but I immediately admitted guilt.

Now, I'm at risk of ruining the entire plan, all because of that idiot Edgar!

I sigh anxiously, hoping that they won't kick me out of here for defeating that idiot and humiliating him in front of everyone. Maybe they'll see it as a challenge on my part... my mother always made it clear how the hierarchy worked. I know that the alphas are the top and the betas are second in command. While the others are seen as inferior.

My head throbs. If I fail, my mother will be upset, and I don't want to see her sad. This revenge is all she wants to be happy alongside me. A solitary tear rolls down my cheek, and I quick wipe it away, deciding not to suffer in advance.

I gather my courage and get out of bed, heading to the bathroom for my morning routine. Afterward, I put on a brown leather skirt, a matching tank top, slip into low black boots, and tie my hair into a ponytail. After approving my appearance, I head to the kitchen and see the boys already sitting at the table having breakfast.

"Good morning," I say as I approach.

"Good morning," they respond in unison with their mouths full of cake.

"Where are your parents?" I ask, looking around.

"They had to leave; my mother will meet us at the gym in about an hour," Lucca says calm while chewing another piece of cake.

I nod slight and grab a slice of cake and half a glass of juice. I'm a mix of anxiety and fear, needing to find a way to stay here.

"Do you think they might kick me out?" I ask, running my index finger along the edge of the glass, fearing the answer, and both of them look at me for a few seconds.

"Edgar's father is influential in the pack," Rapha ponders.

"Our father is the almighty of the pack," Lucca rolls his eyes. "Edgar's father may try, but he won't get you expelled. You can relax," he tries to reassure me. "You're protected by the supremes."

I can't relax, but I stay silent. I pray that what Lucca said is true. I don't want and can't be expelled.

After finishing breakfast. I grab my bag with the theoretical books Lina left in my room yesterday and go to the gym with the boys. This time, I make the boys run instead of walk, even with some heavy books in my bag. I arrive first, as expected, and Lucca arrives last.

"Great, starting the first class all sweaty," Lucca complains. Panting as he wipes sweat from his face.

"Stop being a whiny cub," Rapha light slaps his brother's head. "The worst part is that I lost to a girl!"

"Sexist," I accuse, crossing my arms.

"Don't take it the wrong way, Lena," he apologizes. "But this tarnishes my reputation," he says, pretending to be sad.

"There's no reputation more tarnished than Edgar's," Lucca adds, and we all laugh.

"Good morning!" Lucia greets as she stops by our side, followed by Isabella and Jonathan.

"Good morning!" we all say together.

We walk side by side and enter the gym. Luan and the others head to their room, and only Lucca and I go to the same classroom. As soon as I sit down, a man appears in the room.

"Lena," he says, looking around.

"Who's that?" I whisper to Lucca.

"He's the academy director," he whispers back.

"Here," I say and raise my hand.

"Please follow me," the director requests.

Without saying a word, I get up and follow him out of the classroom under the curious gaze of the class. I resist the urge to stick my tongue out at these gossipers.

I thought we were going to the principal's office, but instead, we head to the back of the gym. It's strange, but I don't say anything, only follow along. When we reach our destination. I see Edgar hugging a woman I assume is his mother due to their slight resemblance.

I smirk mocking at how hypocritical he is. Always calling Lucca a mama's boy when he's the one hiding behind his mother's skirt.

Oh, how I wish everyone could see this pathetic scene.

Next to them stands a tall, strong man I assume is the father. When they notice my presence alongside the director, they give me a hostile look. I raise an eyebrow at them and cross my arms, standing in front of them.

Do they really think I'm afraid of their angry faces? Jerks, I mutter to myself in my thoughts.

"So, it was this nobody who humiliated my son in front of the entire academy!?" the man bellows loud.

"Saying the entire academy is an exaggeration," I say, rolling my eyes, but he ignores me.

"You and the other instructors," Edgar's father points his index finger at the director's face. "Are a bunch of incompetents! You did absolutely nothing!," he practically shouts. I feel the woman's scornful gaze, and I stare back defiantly.

"If you take pictures it lasts longer, cute," I say as sarcastical as possible and hear a growl from her. Making me want to laugh.

"Please calm down, Mr. Logan," the director says, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Who do you think you are talking to my mate like that?" the guy named Logan gets within inches of my face, staring into my eyes. "She and I are the alpha and the Luna of this pack, and I won't tolerate any disrespect," I swallow hard, avoiding breaking eye contact to hide my fear, "I demand your expulsion; I don't even know what you're doing here, girl, you're nobody and don't even have a scent, your scent is..."

"It's not up to you to decide that, Logan!" Instructor Lucky interrupts, approaching. "I don't know why this conversation is happening out here and not in the principal's office," he says. Looking at the man, who's left speechless.

"And who gave you permission to speak to my mate?" the woman asks with a superior look. "Don't forget that we're blue blood, Lucky, and you, only like this girl, are nothing but inferiors."

What's this about blue blood? - I wonder curiously.

"I didn't mean to disrespect any of you," Lucky says without wavering

"I'm just..."

"Shut up, Lucky!" the guy Logan demands.

"Your son disrespected and humiliated the son of the supremes in front of everyone. And...," I start to say, but the woman interrupts me.

"If he did that, it's because that boy is weak, a wimp, and probab a fake wolf who doesn't deserve any respect. The same like you," I sense my blood boil with each word coming out of her filthy mouth. Who does she think she is to call me that, and worse, insult my friend Lucca?

"So, your son is also weak and doesn't deserve any respect. As he was easi defeated by me, and I didn't even get a scratch from the mama's boy wolf," I say, looking down on her with a superior look. My mother taught me to have self-respect; I won't bow my head or let her walk all over me.

"You damn witch!" The woman uttered the words with a guttural roar. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of anger and madness. Her harsh and accelerated breathing echoed in the heavy air. In an instant, I seen a terrifying transformation: the human figure distorted, bones cracking. Flesh contorting as she turned into a colossal wolf.

My eyes widened in terror as fear seeped into every fiber of my being. My lungs refused to work, and my heart seemed to be in a frantic race against time. The wolf emerged from the darkness. A nightmare creature closing the distance between us with predatory determination.

Everything around me seemed to freeze, except for the wild beating of my heart. The wolf advanced relentless, sharp claws digging into the ground as hungry yellow eyes fixed on me.

My trembling legs seemed to no longer obey my commands, and despair enveloped me like a suffocating shadow. I squeezed my eyes shut, but I couldn't escape the looming, menacing presence. I had never before confronted such primal savagery, cruelty incarnate in the form of a beast. The relentless nature of the situation clashed with the fragility of my existence. As the wolf drew closer, each heartbeat felt like a final echo of life, a silent prayer for mercy that seemed out of reach.