Then I knew why he did it. James was in love with Violet.
Right. We all knew James had feelings for Violet except for her. Violet had no clue James was in love with her.
As kids, we all thought it was the sort of crush which could fade away at any time. I didn’t know his feelings for Violet were so strong to have waited this long.
James was friends with us but he wasn’t close to us because of Ash. He was a prodigy child who focused on his books in middle school and at home.
And the reason he wasn’t close with any of us was because of Ash.
Ash intimidated him, especially when Violet and Willow weren’t around. So, Violet and Willow never knew how Ash and James hated each other because of the so much pretense they put up with.
And the reason Ash hated him was because of his feelings for Violet.
I don’t know why a brother would hate another Alpha, because he is in love with his sister.
James clearly had no ulterior motive for Violet, yet Ash still hated him, despite knowing all that.
When he gave him wolfsbane, I grew suspicious of Ash. Why was he into Violet so much?
Why was he so guarded around Violet? Why was he against any alpha who comes close to Violet? Who is persistent in making Violet as his girlfriend?
Why would Ash torture people and give them pain because they are in love with Violet?
Though I asked these questions within myself, I couldn’t ask Ash and figure out the answers.
Was it a sister-brother complex?
It sure looks like it because they are into each other. Is it hard for them to focus on the people surrounding them?
It was terrifying to see him do that to James, and Jinx and Storm said nothing when they found out about it.
I knew his parents weren’t letting this slide so easily if they discovered it was Ash who was behind it.
And what he also did to Avery?
I kept my lips sealed and turned a blind eye to everything Ash did.
Once you are used to your friends being in a certain unstable manner, there’s nothing that is done about it.
We all pretty much get used to it and accept it.
Until Mr. Derek got killed.
This isn’t the first time a student, a teacher, has died in this school, I get that.
But Ash’s reaction to Mr. Derek’s death left me flabbergasted.
We were all at the food cafeteria three years ago before the incident, when we heard an uproar and heard Mr. Derek had fallen down to his death.
“Who could have done such a horrible act in broad daylight?” Jinx questioned with a slight frown and ate his food. “I can’t believe someone him pushed down to his death.” He added.
“That’s horrible.” I muttered and stood up from my chair. “Let’s go check it out, guys.”
None of them moved an inch.
“Guys.” I called out to them and slowly sat back down on my chair. “What’s wrong? Why are none of you getting up?” I asked, but they just kept eating as if I was invincible.
“Guys, I’m right here.”
“Look around you,” Ash commanded and took a slice of toast bread across the table.
I looked around me and noticed not everyone stood up from their chairs. Most alphas who were in higher ranks and full of wealth were sitting down.
Chattering among themselves. They all acted as if they didn’t hear what just happened and kept eating like no care in the world.
“Who stood up to go check on Mr. Derek?!”
“What are you-”
“The bullies and the lower ranks, which are the weaklings, are the ones that stood up to check on Mr. Derek. Not because they care about him. Rather, their lives terrify them because of the alphas. So, they have to be careful of how they live their lives in this school. Did you see the elites going to check on Mr. Derek? He’s not an important figure to be checked on, Anderson.”
“Just because…” He cut me short. “Exactly.” He uttered. “Just because we are elites doesn’t mean we can’t go check on Mr. Derek, right?” Ash finished and softly grunted. “Oh, I know. We should bring everyone together and mourn Mr. Derek. And even bake up a funeral for him.” He burst out laughing and Jinx joined him, too.
“This is not funny, guys. Mr. Derek is your favorite teacher. I thought you liked him so much.”
“Yeah, he is my favorite teacher, but he is replaceable.”
His words stunned me. I quickly relaxed my expression and pretended to cough.
“You what?! He’s replaceable?” I couldn’t hold back my surprise.
“Yep! What are you getting surprised by? If he is dead, there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s his bad luck for dying in such a horrible manner.”
I could hear the cries, the murmurs and gossips as my wolf’s ears twitched.
I felt sympathetic to Mr. Derek. Who could have killed him and left him to die?
“I thought you liked him.” I kept on stirring up the topic and couldn’t believe Ash would throw him away like that.
“Jeez. Shut the fuck up. I don’t wanna cuss you out. What are you acting sympathetic for? Do you think this is some daycare or something?” Jinx flared up and gave a deep frown. “Just be fucking quiet. I’m eating here and stop interrupting the mood. You are making me lose my appetite.”
“Why are you getting mad at me?” I got pissed. “Someone just died and you are…”
“This is not the first time someone is dying in this school. Why are you acting like a fucking pussy? Are you a newbie here? Ash just told you, we are not getting up from here. We are too important to go get up and check on some old dead beta who is of no use to us.”
“Too important.” Ash chuckled.
“If I were you, I would pretend that none of this incident happened.”
I glanced at Storm when he spoke up, and he then looked back at me and continued. “They are alphas staring at us right now and if you don’t keep your damn mouth shut. You are gonna be in one hell of a problem. Act like you know nothing and focus on your fucking food.”
“I should act like I know nothing.” I lowered my voice. “Mr. Derek…”
I jerked up in a fright when Storm slammed his fists on the table and everyone’s gaze fell on us.
He sighed and took a deep breath. “Shut the fuck up. You keep acting like a saint here when no one gives a fucking fuck about you. This is St. Victoria’s Academy. Learn to keep your damn mouth shut before I knock your brains out and know your place.”