Chapter 156: A Bad Idea? - A Beauty In An All-Male Alpha Academy

CHAPTER 156: A BAD IDEA?

"So it means this girl Marcus is looking for is a Malynster," Hiro said as his eyes drifted to Angela. How in the world did she end up connected to those people? He saw the way her face lit up when Zane mentioned she was a Malynster. "Could this girl be his daughter?"

"You mean Marcus’ daughter?" Zane asked, lifting his brow. When Hiro nodded, he went on. "I don’t know anything about Marcus or his family. Who he sleeps with is none of my business, and it shouldn’t be yours either."

"I already told you why I’m doing this," Hiro said with a tight throat, avoiding his gaze. It hurt him to lie to the old man. Zane had always been nothing but a good friend.

Hiro first met him at the orphanage. Zane used to come as a philanthropist, bringing gifts for the children. Hiro remembered how empty he always felt, because gifts meant nothing to a boy who had watched both his parents die in front of him. To make it worse, his uncles told him he was the reason his parents were gone. Zane was the only light in those days. The old man would sit with him, talk with him, and bring comfort when everything else was dark. That was how they became close.

"I don’t care about your reasons," Zane cut him out of his thoughts. He leaned back in his seat and said, "It’s not good enough to be dragging yourself into Malynster business. Let Marcus find this girl on his own and take her. After all, she’s family. It could even be good."

"From what you’ve said so far, I don’t think Marcus is a good person," Angela finally spoke. She wanted so badly to know her family, but she didn’t want more trouble. If Marcus meant danger, then maybe it was better to close that door forever. She had already carried too much, and she couldn’t ignore the safety of the ones who were risking everything, even breaking school rules, just to protect her.

Zane laughed as his eyes landed on her. The sound made a cold shiver race down her spine. He said, "I’ve never seen a good Malynster before. But I’ve never heard of them hurting their own blood either. That’s why I’m saying you should all stay out of it and let Marcus get what he wants. He will anyway. He always does."

"You speak like you know him," Angela said, her gaze sharp on him.

"I have a friend who knows the Malynsters," Zane answered.

"And who is that?" Hiro asked, leaning in with growing interest.

"She lives quite far from here. You have to go up..." Zane paused, his lips moving as he tried to count. At last, he nodded. "Four streets after this one, then you’ll find her store."

"I see... what’s her name?" Hiro asked.

Zane narrowed his eyes, studying him. It was clear Hiro wasn’t being honest. The boy was hiding something about the Malynsters. "What is going on, boy? If you tell me the truth, I’ll do my best to help you."

"Do you know any Malynster by the name Maverick?"

"No. I have never heard of a Malynster with that name," Zane replied. "You might think I know much about them, but I don’t. It seems you have business with that family that you don’t want to share."

"It’s safer if we don’t," Hiro said quietly. He hated disappointing the old man, but he couldn’t risk his mate’s identity. "If you help us, I’ll come back later and tell you what it is."

Zane let out a small chuckle. "You never change. You’re still the old lord of mischief."

"I will never change, old man," Hiro muttered with a faint smile, shifting closer to the edge of the seat when he noticed Zane taking a pen from the table. The old man opened a book and scribbled a note. After a few minutes, he handed it over.

"What’s this?" Hiro asked.

"Give it to Eliza. She’ll know I sent you." Zane broke into a cough. Hiro quickly reached for the jug on the table, poured water into the glass, and handed it to him. The old man drank slowly, then looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you, Hiro. You haven’t forgotten how to care for people. I was afraid you had."

Angela couldn’t help smiling at those words. She had always known Hiro was kind, even though he often hid it behind his sharp tongue and tricks. Watching him now, she saw the bond he shared with Zane. Just how long had the two known each other? She wondered if Hiro would ever tell her.

"Are you alright?" Hiro asked, his voice edged with worry as he noticed Zane’s face had turned pale.

"Yes, my friend," Zane coughed again but forced a chuckle. "Nothing is wrong with me. I’m only getting old."

Hiro tried to smile, but it was forced. The thought of losing someone he loved crushed him. "Don’t get old, Zane."

"Oh, my boy," Zane’s voice softened, sadness in his eyes at seeing Hiro’s fear. "It’s nature. We all grow old, and one day we die. I’ve lived more than two hundred years. Isn’t that a blessing?"

"Still... you have to stay alive," Hiro whispered, fighting the tears that threatened to escape.

He stood, and the old man rose with him. Without another word, they embraced tightly, holding on as if letting go would mean losing each other forever. Then, with heavy hearts, they said their goodbye.

Outside the busy streets of Mistvale, Hiro tried to shut out the noise in his head. He avoided reading people’s minds and instead kept his focus on what Zane had told him. The Malynster family was dangerous, and he needed to be very careful asking questions about them. Anyone around could be working for them.

"What are you thinking?" Angela asked with a gentle smile.

He looked at her. That smile was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, something he would give anything to keep seeing. But he forced himself to straighten. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Not when they were on a mission.

"I’m thinking about everything. Are you sure your father’s name is Maverick?" Hiro asked, watching her closely. Her face showed confusion. "It could have been Marcus. Who knows, maybe that man is your father."

"No. I heard my mother clearly that day," Angela insisted as they reached the fourth street. They had been walking for several minutes already. "She said Maverick, not Marcus."

"How often does your mom lie?" Hiro asked in a casual tone, waiting for the slap or punch that usually followed such questions. But nothing came.

Angela stopped walking. Her mind was racing, her heart thudding as she thought about everything. Could her mother have lied to her? What if there was no Maverick? What if her father really was Marcus? But then... he looked so young. Could that man truly be her father?

"Maybe," Hiro’s voice slipped through their bond, soft but steady, making sure the others wouldn’t hear. "There’s only one way to find out, mate."

Angela’s eyes shifted to the store in front of them. Eliza’s store. Hiro believed the answers she was looking for were hidden inside. But fear tightened her chest. A part of her wished she would never know the truth about her family. Maybe some things were better left in the dark. At that moment, it all felt like a bad idea. But it was already too late to turn back.

Together, the four of them stepped into the store.

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

Creation is hard, cheer me up!