<h4>Chapter 220: The Test.</h4>


    "What were you doing in the woods that day?" Miss Valois asked, her eyes fixed on her nephew. Suspicion had be second nature to her. If life had taught her anything, it was never to trust anyonepletely, not even family.


    "I went for a jog in the woods. Everyone does, aunt," Dave said, surprised by her question. "Why are you even asking that?"


    "Because that ce was out of bounds for all," she replied, fear flickering in her eyes. If he turned out to be the man she had been running from, then she would make him pay. But Dave was quiet, calm, and nothing about him matched the Patriarch.


    "It was not out of bounds for staff. They said students were not allowed. You and I are not students. We both went there for the same reason or maybe different ones," Dave said, his voice sharp. "Wait, are you using me of something? Because it looks like you are."


    "N-no," Miss Valois stammered, her eyes dropping to her desk to avoid his gaze. He was quick to sense something was wrong.


    "Yes, it does look like that. But you should be thest person to judge anyone in this family." He stepped closer, ced a locket on her desk, and said, "Here is your property."


    "Thank you," she whispered, picking it up quickly and locking it away in her drawer. Her heart beat faster as she remembered a question that had been haunting her. "I heard you are working on a project with Taros. What is it?"


    "You did not just hear. I know you have seen us together a few times. It is nothing much," Dave said firmly. He had learned her tricks and was not going to fall into them. "We are working on a drug for his horse back at home. Nothing serious."


    "Oh, I see," Miss Valois nodded, relieved. Nothing dangerous was going on between the boys. That eased her mind a little. Tonight she had to decide what to do with Ang. She had no more time to waste. "You may leave now if you have nothing else to say."


    "Goodnight, aunt," Dave said as he walked to the door. He stopped halfway and turned back to her. His voice carried weight this time. "I don’t like to get myself involved, but it is time you let Renn live his life. If you want to be a proper mother to him, then do it. And if not, then let him be. It is not a crime to be born by you."


    The door mmed behind him, pulling her back to reality. His words left her shaken. She closed her files with trembling hands. She needed to rest, but her mind would not let her. Tonight was all she had. By tomorrow, she would hand Ang either to Marcus Malynster or to the Patriarch.


    *****


    Ang stood by the poolside, her eyes on the students swimming in pairs. Each human had been matched with a werewolf partner, and the rule was clear. If both partners imed first and second ce, they would win five hundred points for themselves and an extra hundred for their dormitory.


    She knew how badly she needed those points. More than once there had been reports made against her to Kaito,ints that she was the reason the West House had lost points. It was a stain on her record, one she longed to wipe away before the semester ended.


    "Who do you want as your partner?" Stales asked, sitting down beside her on the bench. He had not seen her since the night Kaito fell ill, and his presence brought with it a wave offort. She could tell he was waiting for her to open up, to say all the things she had been holding back.


    "You or Alex," Ang said, her shoulders lifting in a small shrug. "But maybe I will end up with someone else. Luck is not usually on my side in things like this."


    "I understand," he said softly.


    "I think I am nervous," Ang admitted after a pause, taking a deep breath. She hoped it would calm her, but it did little to ease the tightness in her chest.


    "You should not be. You have prepared well for this day," Stales said with a reassuring pat on her arm. "You will do just fine... just like your mate is good at it."


    "Which one?" she asked before she could stop herself, forgetting he meant Kaito.


    "The cold one," he whispered, and the way he said it madeughter escape her lips without warning. The sound startled her, but it also lightened the weight she carried. A few eyes turned in her direction, including Kaito’s, and Stales smirked. "He is looking at us. Oh dear."


    "Stop it, Stales," Ang muttered, rolling her eyes.


    "Wait," he said suddenly, his eyes widening. "Have you two slept together?"


    Her quick nod and quietugh gave her away. His jaw dropped. "Oh sweet heavens, you really did it?"


    "Yes," Ang whispered, stillughing. "And what about Taros?"


    "Him as well. But Hiro is another story. He does not want to break the curse yet."


    Ang’s smile faded. Her shoulders dropped as the weight of yet another task fell on her. "I will talk to him about it soon."


    "He has always been a little dramatic. I am sure he wille around," Stales said, patting her arm again. Then his grin widened. "So, have you nned your threesome yet?"


    That made herugh harder,ughter she struggled to control this time. Ignoring the curious stares around them, she turned to him with warmth in her eyes. "I have missed you so much. Thank the goddess, I have you here."


    "I have you too," Stales said,ughing with her.


    Ang ran a hand through her hair and leaned closer to whisper, "I want to have the friends," her eyes drifting toward Taros and Kaito.


    Stales’s lips parted in surprise before he chuckled. "You are unbelievable. I never thought you were this crazy."


    "It is just a fantasy," Ang said, lowering her voice. "I do not think they would ever agree. They are still trying to get used to sharing. I do not want to make things worse by bringing it up."


    "You are right about that. Still, I am d you are smiling," Stales told her.


    <fn22ca> This content belongs to find?novel</fn22ca>


    "I am not as happy as you think. I keep feeling like something bad ising," Ang said quietly, rubbing her neck. "None of the boys want to listen to me and it makes me so angry. I do not want to start making ns on my own, because I could end up hurting someone."


    "I understand," Stales replied gently. "But you should call them together and talk. Or if that feels too much, speak to them one at a time. Maybe start with Kaito. He will have no choice but to listen to you."


    Ang hissed under her breath and rolled her eyes. "He has been lying to me a lottely. I would rather not ask him anything again. But after today’s test, I will figure something out."


    "Next is Ang and Alex as a team," the examiner called out. Xavier was paired with Stales, and four other students were matched as well.


    Ang rose to her feet and walked to the edge of the pool. Suddenly her body wavered as dizziness swept through her. Strange voices echoed in her head, voices she did not know, calling her name. She tried to push them away, but when her gaze fell on the water, it turned crimson before her eyes.


    Blood.


    Cold chills raced across her skin. The world around her began to blur, fading away as though it was being stolen from her. She reached out to steady herself against Alex, but it was already toote. Darkness swallowed her whole, and everything went nk.