h4Chapter 169: People looking for her/h4

    Taros saw how clingy Ang had been with Hiro earlier. He tried to push it aside, but the picture kepting back to him. Each time he remembered, his chest tightened and his wolf stirred, begging him to strike Hiro. He almost gave in, almost lost control, but he forced himself to stay calm. This wasn’t the right time for a fight.

    He had already contributed in ruining Ang’s birthday two days ago, and guilt still weighed heavy on him. He wanted to make it right, to tell her he was sorry again, but that would have to wait until the problems before them were solved.

    "What happened?" Hailey asked after a long silence. They had been driving for several minutes, and it was strange for him not to say a word.

    "I’m fine," Taros said, forcing a small smile while keeping his eyes on the road. de sat quietly in the back seat, scrolling through his phone.

    "That’s not true," Hailey pressed, studying him. "Something’s wrong, and I think it has to do with your mate." She tilted her head knowingly. "You’re jealous because she’s with Hiro."

    "I never said that," Taros muttered, rolling his eyes. He pulled into the academy and drove straight toward the staff quarters. "I’ll drop you off at your sister’s."

    "Do I even have a choice?" Hailey sighed, clearly displeased. She and her sister were not on good terms, and after seeing her with the boys tonight, Miss Valois hadn’t been happy either. Hailey knew her sister would have dragged her away if the others hadn’t stopped her.

    "You should try to fix things with her. She’s the only family you have left. Don’t forget that," Taros said gently. Family meant everything to him. His parents had raised him with peace and unity, and he carried those values with him.

    "I know, but you don’t understand what she’s done."

    "You never told me," Taros reminded her. "I’ve asked many times, but you always keep it to yourself." He slowed as they reached the staff quarters. The principal’s house stood tall, a three-storey building. He couldn’t help but wonder if Miss Valois ever felt lonely living in such a big ce all by herself.

    "Well, she keeps things from me. Important family matters, like I’m still a child," Hailey said bitterly, though she stopped short of exining further. In her eyes, her sister had always been a liar. No matter how many chances she gave her, she always ended up disappointed.

    "Like what?" Taros asked. "You should tell me, let me be the judge. Maybe she was only trying to protect you."

    Even as he said it, Taros couldn’t believe he was defending Miss Valois. A woman whose life was buried in mystery after the curse of the goddess. No one knew the truth of what she had done or why she was punished. All people had were stories—half-truths that painted her as both victim and viin.

    Hailey swallowed hard, struggling with the weight of his question. She wanted to escape instead of lying to him. When she turned, she saw that de was still busy with his phone, not paying attention to them.

    She reached for the car door to step out without answering, but just then Taros’s phone rang.

    "Look, your phone is ringing," she said quickly, pointing at his pocket.

    Taros let out a deep sigh as he pulled the phone out. When he saw the caller, his chest tightened. "It’s Renn."

    de stopped scrolling and leaned forward, watching closely. He paid full attention when Taros answered and put the call on speaker.

    "Hello, Renn," Taros said.

    "Something happened. Kael isn’t feeling well," Renn’s voice came through, tense and uneasy. It sounded serious, and Taros felt his stomach twist.

    "What’s wrong with him?" Taros asked, his worry clear in his eyes.

    "Long story, man. Just go get Hiro ande to the school hospital. We’re entering the academy now," Renn rushed out, and before Taros could say another word, the call ended.

    "What the heck, Renn?" Taros cursed, mming his hand against the steering wheel. His jaw clenched as he quickly reversed the car and turned toward the path that led to the dorms.

    "Kael is sick?" de muttered in shock. He hadn’t expected that. The boy had been perfectly fine earlier before leaving Mistvale.

    "Yes, i saw him," Hailey replied, her voice uneasy. She was just as surprised. "Renn said it’s a long story, which means something bad happened."

    "That’s not good at all," de said under his breath as he ran his hand through his hair, tension on his face. The air in the car grew heavy as they headed straight for the South Dormitory to get Hiro.

    *****

    "Have you found the girl?" the Patriarch asked. He stood in the thick woods with his back to her, his voice low and cold. Miss Valois shook her head, unable to say the word no, but he already knew. "Then why did you summon me now?"

    "I need your help, please," Miss Valois whispered, her hands trembling. The thought of asking him for help again made her sick. Every time she came to him, she sank deeper into his debt, forced to do his dark errands.

    The Patriarchughed, and the sound rolled through the forest like thunder. Her chest tightened, her pulse racing. What if the students nearby heard him and came out? What if they saw her here with him?

    "It’s urgent, or I would not have called you," she said, her voice shaking.

    "What do you want this time?"

    "Marcus. He won’t leave me alone. He keeps asking about a girl with a crescent mark. I told him there’s no such person here, but he doesn’t believe me."

    The Patriarch went still. "A crescent mark? Then he’s looking for a Malynster." He turned slowly, though his hood still hid his face. "Maybe his daughter."

    "Daughter?" she repeated, confused.

    "Yes. But why does he think she’s here?"

    "I don’t know. He ims his source told him, but I swear she is not here."

    "It’s dangerous to stand against a Malynster," the Patriarch said, his tone heavy. "If Marcuses for you, the whole bloodline will rise with him. That is their family’s code. One against them is war with all of them."

    A cold shiver ran down her spine. She could not face war. She could not even face Marcus alone. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, her hands shaking. "Can you help me?"

    "I will speak with him," the Patriarch replied. "But until then, keep your eyes on the alphas. When they find the promised she-wolf, bring her to me. If you can, do it before they im her."

    "What if I bring her after?" she asked quickly.

    "You cannot. The moment she is imed, I will know. Everyone who hunts her will know. Once that bond is sealed, the signal will spread, and too many wille for her. Bring her to me before that happens. She is the key to ending my troubles."

    Miss Valois froze. His words made her heart twist. What did he mean, everyone who hunts her? Who else was searching for this girl? And why? Why were so many after one she-wolf?