CHAPTER 154: THE AUTOPSY.

Principal Valois arrived at the academy clinic after being told that the autopsy results were ready. It should have been good news, yet a wave of unease settled in her chest. She could not explain why she was anxious, but deep down she feared what the results would reveal.

"Come in," the doctor said, leading them into the lab. They all put on nose masks before stepping inside. "You said he was a student?"

"Yes," Principal Valois answered quietly as she followed him in. The female pathologist gave them a faint nod of greeting. On the table lay Evan’s body, covered with polythene. He looked cold, stiff, and lifeless. Her heart ached at the sight. "Have you been able to find the cause of death?" she asked.

"Yes. He died about a week ago," the doctor replied, glancing at the female pathologist beside him. She leaned in and whispered something to him. "Correction, it’s been eight days since he died."

Mr. Slade’s face tightened. "That means he died the same night we all last saw him." He shook his head, his voice heavy with regret. "The boys were right the whole time."

"I never really doubted them," Principal Valois admitted softly. "Please, continue, doctor."

Mr. Slade drew a deep breath, his brows furrowed with worry. "So what’s the cause of death?" He hated asking, but he needed to know.

The pathologist raised her eyes to them and spoke with calm precision. "Neurotoxin was injected into him."

Principal Valois frowned, confused. "What exactly is that?"

"It is a powerful poison," the doctor explained. "A substance that attacks the nervous system of a werewolf, leaving them paralyzed until it eventually causes death."

Shock washed over Mr. Slade’s face. "You mean this was injected into him while he was alive?"

Principal Valois turned sharply toward him, her expression tightening. "Will they inject it after he is already dead?" Her tone carried both frustration and grief. She knew neither of them were doctors, but this was simple enough to understand. Common sense should not be this hard.

"I got confused," Mr. Slade said, his voice low as his eyes went back to the pathologist. "So someone must have injected him with it, right?"

"Yes. Come closer and look at where he was injected," the pathologist replied. She unzipped the polythene bag and Evan’s body was revealed completely, pale and lifeless.

Wearing gloves, she touched his skin without hesitation and pointed at his neck. "Three injections were given here. That is what caused the instant death."

"I see..." Miss Valois whispered, her throat tightening as tears filled her eyes. The sight of the boy tore at her heart. His life had been stolen, a future cut short before it even began. "Were you able to tell what kind of creature he is? I have never seen a werewolf like this before."

"He is a werewolf," the doctor answered, his tone firm. "From his organs and the tests we carried out, there is no doubt he is one of your kind." His brows furrowed as if something troubled him. "But he is different from other werewolves. I am still trying to understand why. Do you know if he registered as a werewolf?"

"Yes, he did," Mr. Slade replied.

"Which pack?"

"The central pack."

The doctor’s eyes moved from one face to another. "Have any of you ever met his parents?" When they all shook their heads, he let out a long breath. "We need to meet them. I found a rare gene in him. If we run tests on his parents, we may learn if it is hereditary. It could explain what makes him different."

"About that..." Miss Valois scratched the back of her head, clearly uneasy. The doctor’s request troubled her deeply because she knew it was impossible to bring Evan’s parents into this without drawing too much attention and creating questions she was not ready to answer.

"Is there a problem?" the doctor asked, sensing her hesitation.

"Yes," Mr. Slade spoke up, his tone firm but calm. "We want to keep this away from his parents and the public. There will be chaos if word gets out. Is there no way you can carry out whatever tests you need without involving them?"

The doctor hesitated before nodding slowly. "I don’t know... it might take longer than expected, but if that is what you want, we will do it your way."

"Good," Miss Valois said at last, relief masking the storm inside her. She turned and walked out of the lab, the men following close behind. Fear weighed on her chest. The academy was no longer safe for the students, and after hearing everything from the doctor, she knew something dark was moving again. She needed to uncover what it was before it destroyed them all. "Thank you, doctor. If there are any new developments, inform me immediately."

"Of course, Miss Valois," the doctor replied. "But you must warn the students to be careful, and I strongly suggest increasing the number of security personnel to keep everyone safe."

"I will see to it," Principal Valois said with a faint smile. Yet the moment the doctor left, her smile vanished, replaced with a look of grim determination. She turned to Mr. Slade and lowered her voice. "Someone is playing a dangerous game with us. I have to find out who killed Evan."

"Do you need help?" Mr. Slade asked as he walked beside her toward her car.

"Not really. I know where to get the help I need to solve this mystery," she replied. In her heart, she already knew who to turn to—the Patriarch. it would only take him a few days to trace the hand behind Evan’s death.

"Should I go back to my lodge then?" Mr. Slade asked carefully.

"Yes. I will check on the boys and update them on the case," Principal Valois answered as she opened her car door. The boys had shown her more patience than she expected, and she knew it was only fair to share the results of the autopsy with them.