CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: IF THEO WAS HER BOYFRIEND...

The tallest of the wolves stepped closer, his voice low but clear.

"You got a big mouth for someone who doesn’t smell like pack."

Alaric tilted his head, his eyes cold but unreadable.

"Oh, so now there’s a rule about who gets to speak? Must’ve missed that in the school handbook."

A muscle in the wolf’s jaw ticked. "You insulted wolves."

Alaric’s smirk deepened. "No. I insulted idiots. Can’t help it if you heard your name echoing in there."

A quiet growl rippled from one of the wolves behind him.

Armand sighed, leaning against a desk. "Here we go."

The wolf in front took another step closer. "Say that again."

Alaric didn’t flinch. If anything, his voice dropped lower, sharper, colder.

"Why? You hard of hearing, mutt?"

That did it. The air cracked, the kind of soundless warning that came right before chaos.

For a second, no one moved. Just glares, predator against predator, tension burning between them.

Then Armand chuckled softly, breaking the silence. "You boys really want to pick a fight after class? Not exactly the smartest move. Hallways have cameras."

The wolves glanced at each other, unsure if they should push it or let it go.

Alaric met the leader’s eyes head-on, voice calm, steady.

"Run along before you embarrass yourselves further. Wouldn’t want your Alpha hearing how four wolves cornered two guys and still walked away with their tails between their legs."

The wolf’s eyes flashed amber. For a heartbeat, it looked like he might lunge.

But he didn’t.

He exhaled sharply, gave Alaric one last burning glare, and turned away. His group followed, stiff and fuming, disappearing through the door.

Only when they were gone did Armand finally laugh under his breath. "You really don’t know how to shut up, do you?"

Alaric shrugged, adjusting his bag.

"Why would I? Someone’s gotta remind them they’re not gods."

Armand shook his head, smiling faintly. "One day, you’re going to get yourself torn apart."

"Maybe," Alaric said, his grin returning. "But not today."

They walked out together, the tension fading behind them, but the faint scent of wolves still lingered in the air.

The cafeteria buzzed with noise and laughter, trays clattering and voices echoing off the high ceiling. Felicia sat beside Athena, her lunch untouched because she was still full of the drama from earlier. Leo was there too, all playful and loud as usual, and this time Levi joined them.

Felicia leaned in closer, lowering her voice like she was about to share the world’s biggest gossip. "Did you see what happened in class?" she asked, eyes wide.

Athena lifted her cup, taking a calm sip like she wasn’t bothered. "I did," she said softly.

Felicia rolled her eyes, grinning. "Please, don’t tell me you didn’t feel that tension. I swear I thought they were fighting for who looked best."

Athena smiled, the corners of her lips lifting. "No doubt the twins are good-looking," she said, setting her cup down. "But not as pretty as Theodore, so I don’t think that’s it."

Leo suddenly let out a dramatic sigh, his hand pressed to his chest. "Oh please, don’t even get me started on those twins," he said, his tone playful and full of mock desire. "That white-haired one, my God, if looks could kill, I’d die happy. And his brother? Hot enough to melt ice."

Felicia nearly choked on her drink and Athena blinked at him, fighting a laugh. Levi, on the other hand, flashed Leo a deadly glare.

Leo caught it immediately, his lips curling into a teasing smile. "Oh, don’t tell me you’re jealous," he said, leaning slightly toward him, voice dripping with fake seduction. "Don’t worry, baby, you’re the only one I’d risk a heartbreak for."

Levi groaned out loud and leaned back, dragging a hand down his face. "You’re so annoying, Leo."

That was it. Athena and Felicia couldn’t hold it anymore, they burst into laughter, their laughter echoing through the cafeteria. Leo looked pleased with himself, like he just achieved something great.

Even a few students at nearby tables turned their heads to look, smiling at the small scene. For a moment, it felt light again. The tension from earlier faded, replaced by laughter and teasing smiles.

They were still laughing when a deep voice cut through the air.

"Would you mind if I join you?"

The voice was smooth, calm, and carried a hint of mischief.

Athena’s laughter faded slowly. She turned slightly, and the moment her eyes met his, her lips parted just a little. Alaric stood there with that same little smile that looked almost too charming for its own good.

For a second, neither of them said a word. Then, without answering, Athena turned back to her food, calmly picking up another spoonful like he wasn’t even there.

Alaric took that silence as a yes.

His smile deepened, and before anyone could say a thing, he pulled out the chair across from her and sat down, right beside Leo and Levi. Behind him stood Armand, hands in his pockets, his face unreadable as always. He didn’t look like he cared much about the situation. He just waited quietly, like someone who had seen this play out a hundred times before.

Alaric leaned an elbow on the table, looking too comfortable for someone who just invited himself. Armand finally sat too, right beside Felicia.

And that was when it happened, Felicia froze.

Like, completely.

Her hand that was holding her fork stopped mid-air. Her eyes widened slightly, and her face went blank for a moment.

Athena blinked, glancing at her friend from the corner of her eye. Felicia wasn’t moving. Not even breathing properly.

Leo noticed first. "Oh my God," he whispered dramatically, leaning closer. "Did she just die?"

Levi covered his mouth to hide a laugh.

Athena’s brow twitched as she looked at Felicia again. The girl looked like she was seconds away from passing out.

"Felicia," Athena called softly. No response. She just sat there, stiff like a statue.

It was beginning to bother Athena because the girl looked like she was going to die anytime soon. She was barely breathing.

Armand, on the other hand, seemed completely unaware of the chaos he’d caused. He just reached for his drink like nothing was happening, his face calm, eyes half-lidded, like this was just another boring lunch.

Meanwhile, Alaric was fully focused on Athena, pretending he didn’t notice any of it. His attention stayed on her, his green eyes sharp but playful, the small smile still tugging on his lips as if he found her calmness amusing.

The table that had been loud with laughter moments ago was now full of mixed energy, awkward, tense, and a little too quiet.

Even Leo whispered, "This is getting good," earning a small nudge from Levi who was trying hard not to grin. Like he found Alaric staring amusing.

Alaric’s gaze lingered on Athena for a few seconds before he finally leaned back a little, his voice calm but curious.

"So," he started, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, "what’s your name?"

Athena didn’t look at him immediately. She took her time, finished the bite she was chewing, then looked up. "Athena," she said simply.

Alaric nodded slowly, as if he was rolling the name on his tongue in his mind. "Athena," he repeated, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Nice name."

For a moment, he went quiet, his gaze drifting away like he was thinking about something. Then he spoke again, his tone a little hesitant but still curious.

"I shouldn’t ask this," he said, tilting his head slightly, "but... just curious."

Athena raised a brow, already sensing something strange coming. "About what?"

Alaric’s lips curved again, but his eyes were watching her closely. "That white-haired guy," he said. "Is he your boyfriend? Because he’s acting a little... possessive."

Athena’s eyes widened a little.

Across the table, Felicia, who had finally started breathing normally again, almost choked on her food. She coughed, her face going red as she tried to gulp down her drink.

Levi blinked, trying not to laugh, while Leo grinned from ear to ear like a child who’d just found his favorite drama scene.

"Oh, sweetheart," Leo said in that flirty tone of his, resting his chin on his palm, "if Theo was her boyfriend, trust me, she wouldn’t be sitting here with you right now."

Athena turned her head slowly and gave him a sharp glare that could cut glass.

Leo raised both hands like he surrendered, the grin never leaving his face. "I’m just saying the truth, darling," he teased.

Alaric chuckled under his breath, clearly amused by the little chaos he’d stirred. "So, he’s not your boyfriend then?" he asked again, his tone softer now, almost teasing.

Athena sighed, the corner of her lip twitching slightly. "No. He’s not."

Alaric’s smile deepened a little. "Good to know."

Felicia stared between them, eyes still wide, completely unsure if she was supposed to breathe or not. Levi only shook his head and muttered quietly, "This table is getting interesting."